September 3rd
Atlas Academy
City of Atlas
Atlas
Downtown
1:34 PM
"Aunt Emmeline did...she did what?"
In an instant, Winter Schnee lost all of her masks and could only stare at her sister in sheer horror. Beside her, Qrow nodded grimly and took her hand. Rarely, she didn't protest. Instead, she squeezed his hand tightly, struggling to process her sister's words. She had been stunned quite a bit in the last several weeks — between her father being let off, his declaration of candidacy, and her sudden promotion by Elizabeth Morell — but this was even worse. She had never imagined her aunt — whom she had admired and respected for so long — could not only, by the sound of it, disobey direct orders let alone personally carry out an assassination. It was absolutely horrible. Winter had known that her aunt had been through a dangerous bout with PTSD when she had returned, that much was obvious if only by how weak her aunt seemed to have become, but the severity hadn't been so clear. Knowing that it could have cost Emmeline everything made it worse. Since everyone had returned from Mistral, neither Emmeline nor Emmett had been seen much although Emmett had returned to work. Winter knew she had seen him the most of anyone beyond his immediate family (though she was certain the general and Glynda saw them regularly still) and it had made sense. Suddenly, however, it seemed to cast a dark shadow on the future.
"I…" Weiss sighed heavily, twisting her ponytail anxiously in her hands. "I still can't believe it."
"I was there too, believe me, I know," Qrow glanced to Winter, who was still silent. "You okay, Win?"
She shook her head. "No."
A heavy silence befell them and, after a time, it was clear neither Schnee would break it.
"Eliza was furious," Qrow noted. "I know Emily got pulled from combat and is taking a sabatacle to try and recover but I think she was lucky Adel and Sparks were involved too. Eliza didn't say it...but I think there was a moment there when she wanted to court martial Emily."
Winter tensed at the thought. "No," She said with finality. "That would be a disgrace to all of her decades service."
"I thought General Ironwood was the one that swayed Morell," Weiss sent Qrow a strange look. "Why would Director Adel or Madame Sparks —"
"I probably shouldn't tell you this...but…" Qrow shrugged despite the pointed look Winter sent him. "Look," He said. "It was a full hearing on the matter, not something where James could levy in to help your aunt out. Hell, he removed himself from the matter because he was a witness. To my surprise, Karissa Mar did too, if for slightly different reasons."
"I don't imagine they had much of a choice," Winter hesitated for a moment but then lightly rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry... I just don't know how to take this."
"None of us do," Qrow reaches for his flask and took a small sip before setting it aside. "I still can't believe we're sittin' in a stairwell at fuckin' Atlas Academy, talking about how Emmeline Ciel finally snapped."
Weiss glared. "That's unnecessarily cruel."
"I'm not wrong," Qrow countered. "You know what you saw. We all do. Even…"
He trailed off but then quickly turned to Winter, completely shell-shocked.
"How come James didn't tell you about this?" He pressed. "Since he told ya about the maidens and shit, I would have expected —"
"It is...a family matter," She said weakly. "He probably didn't know how to, or —"
Winter stopped short upon seeing her uncle down the hall. A split second later, Emmett noticed them too.
"Qrow," Emmett said as soon as he reached them. "I warned you about what will happen if you break my niece's heart, right?"
Winter buried her face in her hands, completely mortified.
"You warned me of my peril," Qrow replied, laughing dryly and reassuringly rubbing Winter's back. "Don't worry, Schnee, I won't mess with you or your family."
Emmett paled for a moment, the little he could, and ran one hand through his long white hair and reached up to fidget with his glasses with the other.
"Right," He said nervously. "So…"
"Mess with my father," Weiss all but pleaded, if half-jokingly. "Especially now that he's trying to get a seat on the Council."
Qrow smirked. "I'll see what I can do."
"Winter did an excellent job of messing with Jacques at thirteen," Emmett remarked, and Winter looked up at him in surprise. "When you stole his car?" Emmett reminded her. "Scared me half to death when I had to bail you out."
Qrow burst out into almost hysterical laughter despite himself.
"It was not funny!" Winter protested. "Those...delinquents could have killed me!"
"No one dies in juvie," Emmett countered. "I will also remind you, as I did at the time, that most of them probably hadn't committed a felony like you had by going out and deciding grand theft auto was the best way to get away from and stick it to your dad."
Weiss looked at her sister in awe. "You are so cool, Winter."
"You were a baby at the time…" She muttered. "I hoped you'd never hear that story."
Qrow chortled. "Sorry, Win, but I think that ship has long since left the harbor."
"Speaking of naval references, since we are in the naval academy," Emmett slyly put in, grinning. "You know the goat statue at the entrance that's just beyond security and meant to mark how strong we are? While James, Glynda, and I were going here, he climbed onto that statue and 'rode' the goat. He also had us lock him in the foot locker so he could take a nap instead of spend three hours in the raising of the colors."
Winter raised an eyebrow. "That's a joke, right?"
Emmett winked. "Tell James you can thank me for telling you."
He sighed heavily and stared off into space for a few seconds. Then, he began out towards his car and, and, the moment he was out of earshot, Qrow spoke.
"I don't think I'm ever gonna understand Emmett Schnee," He remarked while Weiss and Winter shared a knowing look. "But, either way, I can't wait to bother James with those stories."
"Heaven forbid," Winter sharply told him. "I'm not going to let you do something that stupid."
"Don't worry," Qrow nonchalantly replied, kissing her cheek. "I ain't stupid, just resourceful."
September 6th
City of Atlas
Atlas
Downtown
10:24 AM
"Ella," Ronnie Ciel tucked a stray lock of his wife's hair behind her ear before chastely kissing her forehead. "I promise this time things will go well."
She sighed. "I suppose it's just been difficult...dealing with the press, that is, since my father was officially incarcerated."
"Is that no less than he deserves?" Ronnie said gently. "We extradited ourselves from the matter entirely. He himself pled guilty, and he accepted his fate. The only reason we're detaining him in Atlas is because he came to this kingdom seeking to give information for a lighter sentence and he did. Ella, if you're feeling guilty, please don't blame yourself. After all he did, does he deserve sympathy?"
"Ronnie —" She started tiredly.
"I know," He paused upon Karissa stepping into the hallway. "Are you ready?"
Karissa raised an eyebrow and adjusted her glasses nervously.
"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," She replied, then sending her sister-in-law a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry about what happened, Rosella."
She said nothing and merely nodded. Ronnie took her hand briefly but then, along with Karissa, was motioned out into the press room. The anticipation was awful, even though she already knew what they were about to say. Although he rarely warned her before any major announcement, especially about a classified matter, Ronnie had informed her a few hours after he was told himself by Elizabeth of Sienna Kahn's demise at the hands of Atlesian military personnel in Mistral. It was odd, he had told her, because even he was still uninformed as to who or even what squadron had killed the high leader of the White Fang. She could barely believe it herself. Unless mandated by the chair of the Atlesian National Security Council, presidential briefings presented all relevant information. This was an unusual move by Elizabeth, they both agreed, and what was even more unusual was that Karissa and Emmeline seemed evasive on the subject at best. Rosella was certain they knew more than Ronnie, and, if she wanted to pry, she was certain James knew too. To Rosella, that meant Kahn's assassination was likely carried out by the Ace-Ops. She had remained silent, hoping the answer would reveal itself, but she was growing impatient. The matter seemed too important, and far too convoluted.
"Rosella."
She turned around suddenly and stiffened upon seeing Robyn Hill. The leader of the so-called Happy Huntresses was not someone Rosella had much fondness for, if only because of the woman's tendency to rationalize everything and yet doubt the kingdom's leaders. The two women had shared terse words on more than one occasion about Robyn's constant attempts to skirt the law or — worse — actively break it. Rosella didn't believe the woman meant badly, but she did believe she was sorely misguided. While she did personally acknowledge that she would much prefer Robyn to win the only open seat in the greater Mantle-Southern capital district than Jacques, she wasn't thrilled with the notion either. What mystified her more was how Robyn had been granted access into the presidential manor. It wasn't as if she had security clearance, let alone much of a reason. Ronnie would never publicly support anyone running for office, either. He had always kept his beliefs close to his chest and taken heed of the experts in each department rather than pretending he knew more than he did. It unsettled her, Robyn's easy presence, and —
"I hope that press conference will be over soon," Robyn remarked, frowning when she looked at the time on her scroll. "Damn it. Karissa Mar really is taking her sweet time before she has to finally have the meeting with me. Apparently, Morell convinced her though I can't imagine why. It's not as if they like me."
Rosella held her tongue and instead silently crossed her arms.
"I heard about what happened," Robyn eventually said. "With your father, I mean."
Rosella quirked an eyebrow. "I suspect just about everyone has. Why does it matter to you?"
"It doesn't," She admitted. "But I find it interesting, especially considering that your husband didn't pardon him."
Rosella scowled. "That would have been unethical on the face of it."
Robyn shrugged. "Fair. Except, Ronnie hasn't ever pardoned anyone, has he? Barely makes a sound beyond listening to the damn department heads and legislative committees. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. He has no morals."
Rosella tensed. "If that were true, I'd just as well think he'd have abused power by now."
"That's not what I meant," Robyn countered irritably. "I meant he stands for absolutely nothing, just like his father before him. He's not really a FreeAtlas member, either. We just needed him to beat fucking —"
"And he did," Rosella tersely replied. "We've been better off since then, too."
"Doesn't mean I like him," Robyn sighed. "I'm sorry, but how is it you married him? Isn't that a betrayal of ideas?"
"A betrayal of ideas?" Rosella tersely repeated. "Might that be your own misgivings?"
Robyn bit her lip upon Rosella angrily flicking her tail out.
"You misunderstand," Robyn began. "This has nothing to do with being a faunus, it has to with being human —"
"Then it does," Rosella replied, her eyes flaring. "You are just like everyone else, no matter how accepting you act or —"
"It is not," She snapped. "Anything else you want to misconstrue?"
"Just one more thing," Rosella said, scowling at Robyn. "It's on, bitch."
September 8th
City of Atlas
Atlas
Downtown
11:28 PM
"To think that my own…"
Cristal Schnee stared down at her hands, fidgeting with both her glasses and her wedding ring. Ozpin wrapped an arm tightly around her, knowing the sensitivity of the matter. Glynda nervously sipped on her wine, while James hadn't stopped pacing for the last half hour. They were in his home office, the doors shut, and, about an hour before, had told Jake that, no, he could not eavesdrop on them and to find something else to do. What they had forgotten was that Caitlin was home for the next several weeks while her apartment building underwent renovations and the nearly twenty one year old political scientist had more than a few tricks up her sleeve. Her bedroom was right above her father's study, and she used that and the heating grate to her advantage. She had always had fine-tuned senses, and her hearing was excellent; hence her smirk as she taught her teenage brother how to eavesdrop. Eating popcorn all the while, as it happened. Jake could barely restrain himself from laughing. For all her faults, he couldn't deny his favorite sister's stealth and practicality in (most) situations. It even felt, just for a moment, like they were kids again and she was hyper and trying to show him how to do things for himself. That sense of amusement seemed to be left unbroken, and Jake Ironwood was more than happy for it.
"This is brilliant," He said, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Although I still can't quite hear."
Caitlin scowled and narrowly adjusted her glasses. "Jake," She started slowly. "That might have something to do with how damn loud you're chewing."
"I'm a teenage boy," He replied, still chewing on his overly buttered popcorn. "And, damn, for popcorn that expired six years ago, this is really good."
Caitlin snatched up a handful herself and then nodded.
"Just don't think about it too much," She said, waving her hand dismissively. "Now, shush. I'm trying to listen."
Jake stuck his popcorn-covered tongue out at her childishly. "Bossy."
She glared at him for a minute but said nothing, trying to find her focus.
"...It's not a good situation for anyone, I agree," James said. "...The situation is fraught and, honestly, has been hard on everyone. Glyns and I still see Emmett and Emmeline like before, but she's lost so much. Her aura...it's almost as if this has depleted it."
"...I simply don't know what possessed her," Ozpin said. "...Emmeline had every right to despise the woman but going so far as killing her…"
"...It wasn't pretty, I'll give you that," Glynda put in. "...But I don't think this was unwarranted. It wasn't good, but I understand why Emily reacted the way she did."
"...Emmett should have stopped her," Ozpin countered. "...She's had terrible spells before, and he has the unparalleled ability to soothe her —"
"...There was never enough reaction time," James said heavily. "...Neither of them are to blame. It was in the heat of a strenuous fight, visibility was awful, and she was clearly getting sick from the heat and the pressure of the situation. To be honest, I think all of us were."
"...I...I…" Cristal said softly. "...I don't know what to say."
"...You don't have to," Glynda said gently. "...I think all of us are still recovering from what happened that night."
Jake threw a fistful of popcorn at his sister in an attempt to lighten the mood. She scowled and pulled a few pieces out of her hair before throwing them back at him. He started laughing and, despite the disgusted look she gave him, ate them right off the floor.
"You really do eat everything in sight," Caitlin remarked with a smirk. "I don't think you've ever turned down a snack."
Jake grinned like a maniac. "I'm a teenage boy. Besides, I'm taller than you."
"Everyone is!" She protested. "That's not fair!"
"If my personal habits are fair game, then so is your height," Jake sassed. "And, hey, at least you're taller than Ivy."
Caitlin sighed. "Yeah, that's true."
Jake dropped his humorous tone. "Are you two still fighting?"
"We're...at an impasse," She said, rubbing her neck. "I wouldn't say we're going at it, but I wouldn't say we've reconciled either."
Jake rolled his eyes. "You two are so stubborn. It's dumb."
"I'm not angry with or about my niece," Caitlin said hotly. "I'm angry with Ivy for being shortsighted, for being gullible, for being —"
"Like you?" Jake suggested. He then paused, knowing how sensitive a subject he had tread on. Subjects, too, that were almost never acknowledged.
"I...I suppose," She eventually admitted. "But is that wrong? After what I went through, is fear of it wrong? Ivy's my twin sister, and I thought I was always the one who made the worst mistakes in our family. The kind that end in selfishness, in affairs, and, in one instance, my life being endangered. I don't think any of that's irrational."
Jake chewed on the inside of his cheek in deep thought.
"I get that," He agreed. "But I don't think Ivy's life was in danger. She had a relationship with someone dangerous, but —"
"It was bound to happen," She harshly countered. "Hell, how she had any sympathy, any mercy for a person like him —"
"She had that because she's not you," Jake replied, crossing his arms. "You hold a grudge against so many people, you have so much anger —"
"People like him have tried to kill our father!" Caitlin snapped. "People like him have no sense of —"
"Cate," Jake said, irritatingly calm. "You know you sound like Emmeline, don't you?"
She fell silent and stared at her hands numbly.
"I just want to have an even score," She said softly. "Justice, too."
Jake shook his head. "I hate saying this, but no. You want vengeance, not justice, and that's a dangerous line to tread. Just look at what happened to Emmeline."
