Of Vultures and Chameleons

"All is ready, Ma'am," Talos said, "When the time is right, I will strike."

"Very good, though I cannot stress enough how important timing will be in this instant," Salem answered. At the time, she was communicating with Talos through a type of Grimm called a Seer, with Cinder standing beside her.

"Copy."

"Oh, and Talos," Salem continued, "You should know I expect complete success from someone…. like you."

"I understand." With that, the feed from the Seer cut out.

"You trust that…. thing with plans like these?" Cinder asked.

"He's strong, he's capable, and above all else, he's predictable," Salem explained, "That make's him an asset worth maintaining." Cinder was quiet, knowing better than to second guess her mistress.

"Everything is falling into place in Mistral," Salem said, as she sat back in her throne, still gazing into the Seer, "It is only a matter of time. You must now go there, assist Hazel in finding the Spring Maiden."

"What about… the girl?" Cinder asked slowly, but venomously. Her actual memory of the skirmish at the top of the tower was admittedly rather sketchy. Most of what she had consisted flashes of a fight, and of a serpentine shape breathing fire. But there was one thing she remembered perfectly clear: the face of one Pyrrha Nikos.

"Be patient, little one," Salem said, as she glanced at Cinder, "You'll have your revenge soon, and you'll have your power." That thought sent a shiver down Cinder's spine. That was another thing she remembered from the tower: power.

She couldn't pinpoint what exactly that power was, but it was immense, greater than anything she had ever felt before. It was just as great, if not greater than that of the Maidens. Cinder had kept that detail to herself, even from Emerald and Mercury, even from Salem.

"Now go," Salem said, "You have a job to do." Cinder bowed slightly, as she turned, and exited the room. Once the doors were shut, she glanced back at the now closed door. If there were two things she had learned by being in league with Salem, it was that she delivered on her promises, and that she was powerful. Both things mattered quite a bit to the young woman,

"So, you're going to Mistral?" Cinder glanced over to see Magenta leaning on the wall, her tail flicking behind her.

"What's it to you?" Cinder sneered as she passed the Faunus.

"Oh nothing, I'm just going to miss our training sessions," Magenta answered calmly, "Sparring with you was always quite entertaining." Cinder responded by kicking out, only for her foot to cleanly phase through Magenta like she wasn't even there. The cat just chuckled, as Cinder, who knew that would happen, just rolled her eye, and kept walking.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Ms. Fall," she called out, "There have been rumors of dragons appearing in Anima again." At that, Cinder stopped, and glanced up at Magenta, and though she couldn't see her mouth behind her mask, she knew she was grinning at her. Cinder sucked in her breath, as she kept walking, leaving the grinning cat behind.

(on Menagerie)

"So, do we have any idea what the White Fang is going to do?" Sun asked.

"No," Blake answered, "It could be anything at this point?" She, her family, and her friend were gathered at the table again (Blake found they had been doing that a lot lately), discussing their options with the White Fang. The furthest they had gotten so far was her father trying to arrange a meeting with the Council of Elders; if nothing else, they could maybe help get the push started in Menagerie.

"Oh Sienna," Kali said softly, shaking her head. That was when their was a knocking on the door, Blake volunteered to answer it. And when she opened it, she saw a person she had never hoped to see again.

"Ms. Blake."

"Slate," Blake answered, narrowing her eyes. Standing before was a vulture Faunus. He was bald, save for a few stray strands atop his scalp; he had a prominent hooked nose, and his animal trait was a noticeable pair of vulture wings under his arms. His name was Slate Skek, and he was the personal chamberlain for the Council of Elders. Blake never liked him in anyway.

"A pleasure to see you again, Ma'am," Slate said, "Was such a sad moment when you decided to go to Beacon, hmmmm." Blake tried not to wince openly at that whimper, which was Slate's trademark verbal tic.

"What're you doing here?" she demanded.

"It's okay, Blake," Ghira said as he came forward, "I invited him here. We had to discuss arranging a meeting with the Council. Sir Skek, please come in." Though Blake was certainly one to protest her father, she knew she shouldn't at this point, so she stepped out of the way.

"Mhmmm," Slate hummed as he moved past her. Blake just glared at him as he walked by; most Faunus always had an animal trait to their name, but that was often the only thing that linked them to said animal. But Slate…. everything about him screamed "vulture", and nothing about it was good.

"Well, that guy's not creepy at all," Sun said as he stood next to Blake.

"Don't trust him," Blake hissed.

"Why are you telling me?" the monkey responded, "Don't tell me your dad does."

"I don't think so," Blake answered, "But the Council does, and that's the scariest part."

"Can I offer you some tea, Sir Skek?" Kali answered.

"Oh thank you," Slate answered, as Kali poured him a cup, "Always so nice to come here."

"So, when would be a good time to meet with the Council?" Ghira asked, as he sat down. Blake and Sun stood the side, neither wanting to be any nearer to the vulture.

"Not sure," Slate answered, as he sipped his tea, "Council's very busy these days. Fall of Vale has put other kingdoms on edge. Menagerie could be in danger; Chieftan should know better than anyone."

"Trust me, I completely understand," Ghira answered, as he glared into his tea cup.

"Mhmmm," Slate hummed.

"But what I'm referring to has far reaching consequences for all of Menagerie, and potentially all Faunus," Ghira continued, "It concerns the White Fang."

"Ah, the White Fang," Slate said, leaning on his hand, "Ruffians, one and all."

"That's a way of putting it," Sun quipped from the sidelines. Blake elbowed him, but smiled slightly at his word.

"Well, changes things," the vulture muttered, as his feathers ruffled slightly, "Council should know of such a matter."

"You have to make sure they understand just how important this is," Ghira said, leaning forward. At that, Slate leaned back, folding his arms, apparently considering it, though he kept looking at Ghira. Blake didn't like the look, like her father was dying, and Slate was wondering how soon he'd be able eat him.

"Perhaps can arrange a meeting within in the week," he said, "But can make no promises."

"Thank you, I'm just looking for you to try," Ghira answered, "It would make a world of difference."

"Always happy to help Chieftain," Slate answered with a smile, as he stood up, "Is all you need talk about?"

"Yes, thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Hmmmm," Slate whimpered, as he glanced at Blake, "And always pleasure to see you, Ms. Blake." Blake's glare just hardened, as Slate took his leave. Once he was gone, Blake still felt his presence linger in the room, and decided to step out to try and get away from it. She stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh hair, leaning on the railing, and watching the trees. As she did, her ears twitched slightly.

"You came back," Blake said, as she turned around. Standing on the railing before her, was Ilia, wearing her mask again, though she took it off in short order. Blake just scowled, as she turned to leave.

"Wait!" Ilia said, holding up her hand, "I just want to talk."

"About what?" Blake said, "There's nothing you can do you to convince me to do anything."

"Just… hear me out," Ilia said, "You need to leave Menagerie."

"Why?" Blake less asked and more demanded.

"You just need to," Ilia said, "I can't protect you anymore."

"How curious that you seem so intent on protecting her and only her." Despite herself, Blake let herself smile as Shade approached, having long gotten used to her teacher's tendency to warp into existence nearby.

"You," Ilia hissed at the sight of the doctor, not at all happy to see the man who threw everything for a loop last time.

"Yes, me," Shade answered. Ilia took a deep breath to calm her building nerves.

"Blake, I swear to the Spirits…"

"Poor beings to swear to," Shade interrupted. Blake decided not to share the truth that the Spirits didn't exist to Ilia.

"I have to do this," Ilia continued, opting to try and ignore the doctor, "You have to understand that."

"No you don't," Blake said, "And no, I don't understand. How you can justify everything the White Fang has been doing." Ilia's fists clenched, as she flashed red, before she inhaled in an attempt to calm herself down, but she remained red.

"So no other Faunus children have to go through what I did," she said, as she turned to go, "You used to believe that too."

"Before you go, tell me something, Ms. Amitola," Shade suddenly said, "How many human children are now orphans because of what you have done?" The chameleon froze, as her stomach did a triple backflip, and she turned a sickly shade of green. For her own, Blake was rather flabbergasted by those words too; she hadn't told Shade Ilia's story, though she supposed things like that hadn't stopped him before. Ilia stuttered slightly, before she leapt away into the night.

"How did…," Blake slowly asked.

"That child…. interests me," the doctor answered plainly, as he floated onto the railing, before looking towards Blake, "She will return, be ready." With that, he stepped off the railing, and disappeared into the night, leaving Blake to stare into the shadows. She thought she could vaguely hear the sound of what might've been retching in the darkness.

"Was that Dr. Shade just now?" Sun asked as he joined Blake outside, "Where'd he go?"

"No idea," Blake answered plainly, as she smiled and shook her head slightly, "He does that some….times…" She trailed off as she sensed something in the air; it was a familiar sensation, but one that she knew quite well from her time in the White Fang. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she jumped off the railing down to ground level.

"Blake!" Sun called as he followed her. Blake went around to the back of the house, when she found the cause leaning against it. It was a tigress Faunus with dark skin and dark hair, someone Blake very quickly recognized.

"Sienna?" Blake asked, her eyes widening. The tigress shifted as she looked up at her, slowly pulling herself to her feet.

"Hey Blake," she said weakly. It was then that the cat noticed the gash across her abdomen.

"What happened to you?!" she cried, as she hurried over to help her former leader.

"It's… a long story," Sienna answered, not in a position to deny the help.

"Mom!" Upon hearing her daughter's call, Kali came out the back door.

"Blake? What's the….," she stopped talking, as she saw who Blake was helping, crying, "Sienna!"

"Hey Kali," Sienna said weakly, as she took a step forward, only to tumble down slightly. Blake managed to catch her, before Kail ran over, and helped her into their house.

"Who's she?" Sun asked as he came over to Blake.

"Sienna Khan," Blake answered, "She's the High Leader of the White Fang."

"Wait, she's the leader of the White Fang?"

"That's what I said."

"What's she doing here then?" Sun asked, confused.

"Well it does make sense," Blake responded, as she looked at her friend, "She's my mom's sister."

"….. say what?"

(in Mistral)

Jaune had long thought that growing up with seven sisters gave him a decent understanding of the female mind. Beacon had disproved that, and his latest interaction with Ruby had solidified that. He needed someone to talk to, and thinking he needed someone with more earthly wisdom than Nora or Ren. Maybe even some divine wisdom. Jaune found his horned teacher sitting in the living room, a book floating in front him, as he sipped a cup of what looked like hot chocolate.

"Uh…. excuse me," he said softly.

"You are excused," Shade answered, as he glanced up, "What is it?"

"I need some advice," Jaune answered.

"Ah," Shade said, looking back to his book, "I suppose I am a good source of said advice. What do you seek?"

"It's…. kinda embarrassing." Shade rolled his eyes slightly at that.

"Ruby, sorta, kinda…. kissed me," Jaune finally pushed out, "On the cheek." At that, Shade actually looked up from his book, which snapped itself shut.

"And?" he asked, looking towards his student.

"I…. I think she likes me," Jaune continued, "Like, she like likes me."

"Is that so?" Shade inquired, folding his arms, "And do you return those feelings?" Jaune opened and closed her mouth.

"Well…. uh…. she's my partner," he said, "And my best friend."

"That is not what I asked." Jaune clenched his teeth at that, as he leaned down and stared at the floor. He…. wasn't sure. If was being completely honest, ever since Darkness had appeared, he had stopped thinking about romance, and hadn't given much thought to anything more than friendship. But the thought of it going further than that with Ruby….

Well… what was wrong with Ruby? She was sweet, funny, caring, and while Jaune maybe couldn't call her "beautiful", she had a simple cuteness to her that was arguably better than being beautiful. There was a lot to like about Ruby Rose, of that Jaune could be sure.

Those thoughts caused Jaune to think about the other girls in his circle of friends. Yang, Pyrrha, and Blake were definitely his friends, and he cared for them. But, he was pretty sure he didn't feel that way about them, and as for Weiss….. Jaune wasn't sure about her. Of course he'd gone to the dance with her, and there was a lot to like about her as well: she was beautiful, polite, smart, and loyal to her friends.

"Well, I am afraid this is a wholly mortal issue," Shade said, "I can offer no wisdom on this."

"Great," Jaune said, slumping, to which Shade chuckled slightly. That was when the door opened, and Qrow hobbled in, clearly drunk off his ass, to which Jaune sighed slightly.

"Yikes," Nora said, as she and Ren entered into the room, before calling, "Ruby, come and get your uncle!"

"Do you have anywhere I can put him?" The group's attention was then drawn to a small guy with brown hair, who was trying to support Qrow under his arm.

"Who are you?" Jaune asked. Before the boy could answer, Ruby walked out with a pout.

"Can't a girl read her doujinshi in peace?" she whined, before seeing her uncle, and sighing, "Uncle Qrow…"

"I found him! I found him!" Qrow cackled, as Ren helped the boy set him on the couch. The kid then turned to face the teens.

"Uh… hi! My name's Oscar Pine," he said, before pausing briefly, "But you guys may know me as… Professor Ozpin?" RNJR could only stare at the kid, as those words set in, while Qrow let out another cackle which turned into a belch. Shade's eyes narrowed at the sight of the boy.

"I believe some explanation may yet be in order," he said, as he rose to his feet.

Note: This would be how I'd describe Team RWBY: Ruby is cute, Weiss is beautiful, Blake is attractive, and Yang is hot.

While it might be apparent to some, it might not be for others, so I'll confirm that Slate is based on the Skeksis from Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal, specifically skekSil the Chamberlain (who is the best character in my opinion). Nod to SimplyChristian for giving me that question Shade could ask Ilia. That should give her a lot to think about. The idea of Sienna being Blake's aunt is actually from another fanfic RWBY: Scars, which is a very well written story, but not really for me personally (a bit too angsty for my tastes). The idea of Sienna having a personal relationship with Blake though I thought could potentially suit the setting well, and it does give Blake a more personal stake in this.

Next chapter I hope for us to see Yang again.

You may have noticed that Cinder's antagonism is geared towards Pyrrha instead of Ruby this time around, for understandable reasons.

Be sure to review.