"Hello class." Richard stated, as usual. "Today we're going to be looking at prominent figures of Huntsmen who maintain other careers. We'll start with Carl Strikz, the current CEO of RedOwl."
Crimson sighed. "Of course."
"Not fond of him?" Melanie asked.
"Considering how corrupt we know the place has gotten, he's either unaware of it, or part of it. Either way, he's a putz." Crimson responded.
An image of the man appeared. He had grey hair and dark eyes, and dressed in a business suit. As soon as she saw him, Nina gasped.
"No..." She whispered, wide-eyed.
Richard continued his lecture, unaware. "Carl has actually had a lengthy career as a Huntsman. His semblance slows his aging, allowing him to stay active as long as he has."
Nina shook her head. "No...that's not true."
"Carl is in fact, a veteran of the Faunus wars, and considered a hero. He, of course, fought on the Human front, but even the Faunus recognized his skill and prowess as a warrior. Both sides held a great deal of respect for him, even after the war." Richard stated, still not noticing Nina's growing discomfort.
"That's not true..." She began muttering, almost urgently, catching her team's attention.
Richard still went on, focused more on the students he knew to be less attentive. "In the present day, Carl is known to be a renowned futurist. He provides charity foundations and humanitarian aid for Human and Faunus alike, promoting equality and well-being for-"
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Nina shouted, as frost exploded outward from her, covering the whole room.
Everyone was looking at her now, completely shocked by the outburst. Nina was breathing heavily, and looked around at all the expressions of confusion. She ran out in a panic, the frost trailing behind her as she rushed to the dorms.
"Wow...spaz." Cardin commented.
"What was that?" Nora asked.
Blake looked over at the rest of team CRMN. "Is she okay?"
Richard cleared his throat. "Everyone should...settle down. Crimson...please go check on your teammate."
Crimson nodded and took his leave, following the frost trail to the dorm. He stepped in and found Nina curled up on her bed, crying into her knees.
"Nina...what's wrong?" He asked.
She looked up, her ears flattened against her head and her eyes filled with tears. "It's not true...all those things he said...they're not true."
Crimson sat down next to her. "Then tell me the truth, Nina."
"That person...C-Carl...he did this to me." Nina said. "All of it."
"You mean..." Crimson looked at her scars...at her transplanted eye... "He's the one that hurt you?"
She nodded. "As long as I can remember...since I was tiny...I lived in a room...a cell. He had doctors there to keep me alive, but...just barely. Whenever he was angry or impatient, or...just bored...he...he called it "practice." Said he couldn't get rusty...he'd have the doctors tell me something, and told me to keep from saying it as long as I could...then he..."
Crimson looked horrified. A hand had gone up to cover his mouth, and his eyes were wide with the realization of just what she'd been through.
"Nina, I...why didn't you tell us sooner?" He asked.
She hugged her legs tighter. "I was...scared...and I didn't know who it was...and...I didn't want to think about it."
"Wait...if he's the one that hurt you...he's also the guy that kidnapped me..." Crimson sighed. "Nina...we have to tell the headmaster."
She sniffed. "Would he believe us?"
"Nina...my dad told me once that Ozpin was possibly one of the most noble Huntsmen that he knew..." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on...we'll get the others, and we'll tell him..."
She nodded slowly. "Alright..."
Crimson went to stand, when she suddenly sprang into a hug around him. He hugged her back as she cried into his shoulder.
"Hey...it's gonna be okay..." He said. "You're safe."
When the rest of the team got back from class, Nina told them everything. Melanie and Reed were just as shocked as Crimson had been, and agreed with his decision to tell Ozpin...so the team made their way to Ozpin's office at the top floor, where he was sitting at his desk, drinking coffee as usual.
He looked up, observing them. "Ah, team CRMN. To what do I owe this visit? I take it the matter is more important than your classes, as you're here rather than there."
Crimson nodded. "It is, Professor...Nina?"
She stepped forward nervously. "Professor...Carl Strikz held me captive and tortured me for sixteen years...all the scars on my body are from him, including my left eye. I escaped when my semblance awakened, just a few months before the beginning of the school year. A Faunus by the name of Kane found me, and taught me to fight, before helping me enroll here at Beacon."
Ozpin leaned forward and furrowed his brow. "That is...quite the story...you've been through a lot, young lady." Nina nodded. "I'm going to tell the four of you something, but you mustn't speak about it to anyone. I've been investigating Carl for quite some time, under the suspicion that he's not the white knight he portrays himself as. A trial is nearby in the foreseeable future...Nina, if you wouldn't mind, your testimony and a medical examination of your scars would prove very helpful."
She paused. "If I do...he won't be able to hurt anyone else?"
"That is the hope." Ozpin assured. "I understand your unease...we'd be asking you to bring an unthinkably painful experience into detail...almost to relive it..."
"I'll do it." She said. "Anything to stop him."
Ozpin gave her a warm smile. "Thank you...one more thing...Kane Fenris, and Elizabeth Shaden." He watched as the four exchanged nervous glances. "I look into every student that enters my school. I knew who Kane was before you even stepped onto the campus. As for Elizabeth...Richard informed me of that one. Let me make something clear. The White Fang is not to be trusted. The organization may be comprised of those with good intent, but it is poisoned by those who act out of spite. I tell you this, so you may pass it on to your friends. They should leave while they still can...that's all I have to say on the matter. You four may return to your classes, you have fifteen minutes before your absences are no longer excused."
Crimson nodded. "Yes, professor. Thank you."
With that, the team stepped out. Ozpin watched the elevators close, and rubbed his head with a sigh.
"Carl..." He muttered. "...you were always ruthless...but this...have you really put your lot in with her?" He sighed. "You've woven quite the tangled web...sooner or later, you'll find you've only trapped yourself within it."
