So here we go with the paired down version of the monster I was writing before. Life happened and me going on and on about work seems inappropriate on this platform, but here is the second half a week late. I've cut like 3k words from this thing so you can see why I needed to break it up to give each "half" some cohesion.

Hope you all are staying safe and off we go.

Winter was still on time, although admittedly the margin was narrower than she liked. Thus she moved with a quick but still dignified gate. A Hunter's reflexes were displayed in mundane ways as she expertly weaved through crowds she only half saw out of the edges of her vision since she was focusing most of her attention on the scroll in her hand. The fingers of her right hand remained a veritable blur as they constantly flew over her scroll's screen. Winter was still rapidly, but thoroughly, re-reviewing Mistral's planned security protocols and cross referencing those plans with her own list of extensive notes. Items were repeatedly and scrupulously reviewed in exacting detail. Nothing less would be tolerated before she entrusted a foreign power with any aspect of General Ironwood's safety. The ongoing crisis brokered no laxness.

A message unexpectedly chimed. She frowned, then flipped the messenger open to see that it was from none other than Jaune Arc. There was a brief quirk of her lips as her hand moved from the scroll screen to the unfamiliar and heavy weapon at her side. There was some brief indecision before the Specialist allowed herself a small indulgence. She pulled up the messenger only to be presented with the image of her upcoming date suspended off of what looked to be a sizable cliff while triumphantly hoisting up her sabre in one hand. She stifled a small giggle because he was an absolute fright. Absolutely covered in all kinds of grime and ash. The caption read, "Don't worry, I'll clean it before I return it."

Winter smirked and responded with, "Indeed, I would expect nothing less." A brief pause then Winter followed with, "Thank you Jaune for finding it so quickly. I'm honestly looking forward to the story of its recovery."

There was a delay, but not one that was overly long, especially when you took into account he might very well be climbing a cliff face. "I'm looking forward to telling it." There was a slight pause, but Jaune proved perceptive in recognizing her tone. "I can tell your busy. Hopefully I'm not interrupting anything, but I wanted to save you from worrying too much about your weapon."

Winter smiled. "I'm still traveling towards my meeting so you're not interrupting anything yet. Thank you for finding it so quickly, and telling me this promptly is was very kind of you. Thank you again." Winter sighed, "I do need to focus though, so I hope I'm not rude by keeping this brief."

"You're not. Have a good meeting." There was a much longer pause this time, Winter was even now getting ready to close down her messenger. The delay pretty much revealed that Jaune thought long and hard before sending it. "Just one quick thing, hopefully you have some time later to discuss the upcoming event you want me to attend. Just so I don't embarrass myself too much."

Winter smiled even more broadly. Smooth may not be in Jaune Arc's repertoire, but sincerity? Well sincerity he had in spades. "I'd like that Jaune. I'll get in touch shortly after my meeting. I promise."

There was a small pause. "Good luck." Winter closed down her messenger. She pulled back up her security layouts. The fact that Ghira Belladonna's gala was to be held in the Imperial Palace's formal Ballroom made security logistics problematic. Perhaps problematic was an improper word. Nightmarish was indeed more apt. The room had balconies on three sides, with an exposed grand terrace overlooking the city on the fourth. There was a wild warren of rooms directly below. All of them were giant security liabilities. Add to those base problems, there was the sheer host of entrances that needed to be covered by personnel. In addition to the main entrance for foreign dignitaries, there were eight service entrances, an Imperial entrance for the now defunct monarchy, two lesser entrances for Mistral's own delegates, a secret passage that proved remarkably fatal after the Great War… The Imperial Palace had obviously been constructed for spectacle, not security. No wonder an unknown assassin breached it and ruthlessly ended Mistral's ruling family.

Thankfully, Mistral Security Forces these days were far less inept. Not tactically, and certainly not politically. Mistral's measures were honestly sound with the added benefit of making significant allowances to Atlas Security to maintain positions around Ironwood in a web Winter felt suitable, if not ideal. That Menagerie Security was given the same leeway would undoubtedly be viewed as a slight by many soldiers inside the Specialists, but Winter was pragmatic enough to recognize this really was Ghira Belladonna's event. If Menagerie's Chieftain was somehow harmed during an event where his own security forces were significantly restricted, the damage to human-faunus relationships would be near irreparable. Not that Winter wasn't going to do some significant pushing concerning those who would be serving General Ironwood...

Oh. Wait a moment. Winter smiled a little evilly. That really would work splendidly. She would regrettably be unable to run it by the General before the meeting, but should she agree, Winter could easily concede on nearly all other points during today's briefing without appreciable concern for the General's safety.

Hmm.

Smiling to herself at a reasonable opportunity for a minor Atlasian political win, and Ironwood's undoubted surprise, Winter looked up to realize she was now rapidly approaching the Imperial compound. Here the crowds became thicker, and she needed to devote the greater part of her attention to the flocks of visitors exiting the building as the final tours finished for the day. More than a few were faunus. Two even had the bearing of professional security and were undoubtedly attached somehow to Ghira Belladona's security retinue. No doubt they were conducting some sort of discreet prescreening before they held their own meeting with the Mistral Security Office. Since she was a uniformed Atlas Soldier, Winter received more than a few dirty looks from the exiting faunus. There was a downright glare from one of the plain clothes professionals that probably recognized her outright. Still, wearing utilities made it significantly less obvious that she was a Specialist, and nothing escalated beyond those pointed looks of distaste, so Winter slowly let down her guard.

It was only after she felt herself secure that Winter finally noticed the gaping hole in East Wing's roof. That would have been deeply concerning if the Specialist hadn't heard Nora's confession concerning her testing of Jaune's Semblance. Winter winced, she would not enjoy being Jaune or Nora while have to explain that.

Which Winter guessed was segue enough. Back to important matters; she dialed Weiss. As soon as her sister picked up, Winter cut right to the chase, "Weiss, I need a favor."

\/

Jaune was still grumbling, "No way there's going to be any hot water at this hour."

Nora whistled what would have been a happy tune, if she wasn't so tired. Being tired made the tune flat, the tune being flat made her kinda cranky, and being kinda cranky meant she showed Jaune no discernable mercy. Maybe it was a bit selfish on her part, but she just wanted to wrap herself around her Renny and go to sleep… which kind of sucked given that she hadn't had alone time with Ren for two full weeks. Ugh! Now she was feeling somehow crankier and in no mood devote any of her unusually flagging energy to Jaune's protests.

If one were to be objectively fair, Nora had spent most of the day sparring with her friends. A very physically draining activity. Then she and Renny did volunteer to help Jaune out and get Winter's weapon back. This was all followed by some therapeutic Grimm smashing, admittedly fun, but still pretty tiring. The climb back up was proving to be just that little bit too much and at this point her tiring muscles felt like they might be sapping her soul.

At least there was one bright side. If someone looked closely, they could easily see the trail of slimy dark splotches Jaune was leaving in his wake. Which led Nora back to the central point of the conflict. "Well you're not using the shower at the house, mister! Grimm gore basically stains everything!"

Jaune looked at her and sighed melodramatically. His face was absolutely smeared different shades of Grimm gore and ash, made all the worse by his the sweat streaming off his face from the climb. He grumbled, "Why does this stuff sometimes decide to evaporate and sometimes decides not to?"

Ren paused in his own climb, yawning a bit. "Didn't you pay attention in Grimm studies?"

Jaune looked at Ren incredulously, "You're telling me you had the ability to stay awake during one of Port's lectures?"

Ren was incredulous, "Gods no! I meant whatever Grimm studies you had before you ran into Professor Port."

Nora snorted and pointed out, "Ren, Jaune never had Grimm studies before he went to Beacon. Basically everything Jaune knows about the Grimm was taught to him by the one and only Professor Port."

Ren looked at Jaune and said sadly, "You poor, poor man."

Jaune rolled his eyes, "Har, har."

Nora snickered once, then told Jaune how it basically worked. "Grimm 'blood' evaporates almost instantly if the Grimm dies. However once someone, say you, decide to let it wiggle around on the ground so you can stare at it and admire your handiwork, well then it doesn't turn to ash and remains more like regular blood. Same thing with their slime or venom or whatever else leaks out of a Grimm. You kill it just as it sticks you, poison evaporates into smoke and you're probably fine. You get stung and then kill it a few moments later, you're still going to be in trouble."

Jaune huffed, "That's stupid." Jaune then abruptly slipped, ended up swinging around wildly for a moment, then smacked back first into the cliff face. His wild scrambling left something that vaguely reminded Nora of a snow angel… except it was made of the dark red and black splotches of Grimm blood. Ick. At least he didn't lose his grip on the rope.

After a moment, Nora shrugged, "Complain to the Grimm. It's not like I made up the rules on how their bodies work."

Ren glanced at the angel-Jaune shaped outline on the cliff and commented, "It is kind of funny at this very moment though."

Jaune looked at where Ren was looking and sighed. "Really? You too? May I ask why you two are ganging are up on me?"

Nora was tired and really wanted to be using her flagging energy for other things right about now, so she snorted grumpily, but thankfully Ren explained. "Jaune, we just climbed down a giant cliff to help you find your girlfriend's sabre. We're tired and don't want to listen to you grumping about Grimm blood anymore. Not when you were the one that foolishly decided you need to examine your own handiwork."

"I wasn't 'Admiring my handiwork,' and Winter's not…"

Nora chimed in, "The sabre you threw off of the cliff in the first place." Jaune gave Nora stare so Nora added, "We're starting to think a bit more gratitude is in order here."

Jaune regained his footing, and swung up to the next ledge. He looked up at Nora. "Okay, I was mad and I overreacted. I admit it. Thank you for helping me. I do appreciate it. I just want a warm shower after a long day. Is that too much to ask?"

Ren was first to reach the top of the cliff. There was a fair sized ledge here by the wall that allowed Nora's partner to pop his back and arms as he made sure fatigue didn't set in.

Nora though did not relent. "Jaune you are literally staining the cliff face as you climb. You're not going anywhere near the house until that stuff is hosed off."

Jaune opened his mouth, but Ren interrupted him with a sigh. Ren calmly stated, "Jaune, what possible leg do you think you can stand on? Just accept you're taking a cold shower in the gym and please get over it." Nora reached Ren's feet and he offered her his hand to help her all the way to the top. Nora smiled and kissed him on the cheek. She then gently tossed her partner the twenty odd feet to the top of the wall. Once there, he hoisted up her own rope until she stood on top of the wall with him. She was the one that received the kiss on the cheek this time.

Jaune was still a good fifteen feet from the lip of the cliff. He looked up, probably expecting assistance and Nora just stared at him incredulously. Hadn't he been paying attention? Neither Ren nor Nora held any inclination of coming close Jaune. Grimm gore not only stained just about everything, it had an acrid odor that was just awful.

Jaune looked at them, rolled his eyes yet again, then once realizing that no help was coming, resumed his climb. When he finally, finally reached the top of the wall, Jaune decided to say, "You know Nora, you could have pulled up the rope. No need to touch me if you did that."

Ren tried to be political about it, "Training."

Nora was less so, "And you were whining."

Ren took a moment then agreed, "That too."

Exasperated, Jaune said, "You know, five minutes ago, I would have happily taken a cold shower at the gym, but for some reason right now, I am less inclined to do that."

Nora wasn't moved. Ren told their leader, "Jaune you've been whining about it for a lot longer than five minutes."

"I wasn't…"

Finally Nora gave him a hard stare. "Last warning. Shower at the gym or I throw you off the cliff."

Jaune narrowed his eyes, "You know that I'm your leader, don't you? Isn't this a mutiny?"

Ren stretched, trying to keep his tired muscles warm. Nora knew both of them were tired but still neither of them wanted any stiffness settling in tonight… damn it Yang.

Ren said, "Pretty sure that's only for like ships or something."

Nora and Jaune more or less ignored the comment. Nora crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Governance is only possible through the consent of the governed."

Jaune blinked, "What are you talking about?"

Ren simplified it so even Cardin Winchester could understand. "She means she really might throw you off the cliff if you keep it up."

Jaune looked at Ren and saw he was not lying. Jaune shut his jaw with a click. Nora respected that her leader understood when it was time to tactically retreat. At least until he got ample distance between an irritated Nora, a tall cliff, and himself. After a good minute or so of walking, and being well outside of Jaune tossing distance, Nora's leader eventually asked. "Fine. Will one of you do me a favor and at least drop off some clothes off at the gym?"

Ren and Nora responded in chorus. "No."

Jaune groaned with exasperation, "May I ask why?"

Nora didn't pull any punches. "It's been two weeks. We want a little sexy time together."

Jaune sighed, "Really? You can't postpone that for just a few minutes?" He then sat down and pulled off a boot. After a moment a fair sized rock fell out.

Ren, "Nope. We're already tired and we lost at least three hours getting your girlfriend's weapon back."

Jaune rolled his eyes, and started re-lacing his boots. "She's not my girlfriend."

Nora was done playing and nudged her sticky leader carefully with the sole of her shoe. "She sure as hell isn't mine."

Ren smiled, "Nor mine."

Nora sighed, "And like we said at the beginning, Ren and I sure as heck didn't throw any sabre off of any cliff."

Jaune gave up, "Let me guess. 'You didn't throw a sabre off a cliff, but you are willing and able to drag your leader over to one and maybe do some tossing.'"

Nora wouldn't because snake-lady gore was gross and all that. No need to give that away though, "See! He learns quickly!"

Ren smirked, but at least offered, "Your clothes from this morning are still there. They probably won't smell very nice, but at least they're not covered in blood."

Jaune waved a finger in the air and sarcastically piped up, "Yay me."

Nora laughed as she eyed her very comfortable body pillow like Ren was a… damn it! Weiss really did ruin an amazing simile this morning. "Okay Ren. I'm tired and need a nap, but let's hurry home so we can get a hot shower…"

Ren interrupted Nora by picking her up and slinging his Nora over one shoulder. She laughed. Ren was pretty damned transparent, but the gesture was still kinda sexy. Still, Nora did feel a bit bad as Jaune start shuffling his way towards the Gymnasium. After only a moment, Nora asked Ren, "Do you mind if we hold off for just a bit?"

Ren chuckled as he ran, "Yeah I mind, but I'm still willing to grab one of his t-shirts and pair of his pants."

Nora snickered, "It really was kind of cool how that Echidna blew into pieces like that."

Ren nodded against her side as he ran, "Yeah. We need to work with him on how that bubble thing or whatever it is works. Sometime pretty soon, honestly."

Nora huskily whispered in Ren's ear, "Pretty soon isn't going to be tomorrow though."

"You need to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow."

Nora groaned. She had honestly forgotten. "I guess being late and having Professor Goodwitch knock down the door would be pretty awkward."

Ren chuckled again, "And all too familiar."

Nora snorted. "Okay then, but as soon as that is done, you mister are mine until I say otherwise."

Ren was firm in his agreement, "We're busy the rest of the day after you get home. We need to do work with him before we go to Argus though. I'm pretty sure him doing that is why he passed out."

Nora nodded, "Yeah. Still, scary dangerous application of his aura aside, he's pretty good these days. I was proud of how well he did against Winter."

Nora felt Ren nod, "So was I." Then there was a small chuckle, "The kiss was telling."

Nora smiled, "It was. Good for Jaune."

"Lots to discuss isn't there."

Nora agreed, "There is. But like you said, we're going to be busy once I get back."

His hand shifted to a place a little spicier, "Absolutely."

Nora laughed and then a thought occurred, "So, t-shirt and pants. No underwear?"

Ren didn't seem to like this shift in conversation. "You want to grab a pair of his underwear, be my guest."

Nora hummed then decided, "Commando it is then!"

Ren grumped, "I honestly didn't need that particular mental image of Jaune in my head."

Nora whispered to her… well basically her Everything, "Why do you think I'm still talking about Jaune?"

Nora guessed Ren knew this was a bluff, but all that mattered is whether or not he was willing to call it. His hand moved. She giggled. He definitely called it. Given how tired he probably was and yet he somehow found a brand new gear in his running speed was actually silly and flattering and all kinds of things Ren was with her and her alone.

Nora breathed in his admittedly funky scent, and regretted it not one bit. Nora decided to say the words. "I love you."

Ren didn't remotely slow or pause, but he did respond. "I love you too. Very much." Nora chuckled even as she teared up a bit. This time there was no allowing herself to feel happy. She just embraced her happiness. Fully and completely.

/\

James Ironwood was admittedly distracted. Completely irritated by a personal issue. Specialist Schnee was easily taking up any slack though. Winter Schnee fine on her own and usually did approximately ninety percent of the talking during these meetings anyways. Which really just seemed to exacerbate his personal issue. The General wanted to sigh aloud as the Atlas entourage was led onward through the complex. Winter Schnee really was irreplaceable.

Ironwood's scroll chimed. It was Ironwood's issue. Yet again. That issue was his soon to be adjutant, Specialist Morgause. This was his fourth message explaining he was still being delayed by traffic but was confident he would arrive at any moment. General Ironwood was not amused. Doubly so because one of his chief rivals on the council was the shoddy soldier's mother and thus his nearly insurmountable shield.

Specialist Morgause's attachment to his staff was shaping up to be a very long duty cycle.

Specialist Schnee asked, "We would like to send in our own dust detection crews through after the event has started."

Mistral's security representative, one Officer Mavro, was an almost impressively short man who had the misfortune of being built along the lines of an only vaguely human-shaped tree stump. That tree stump frowned rather impressively and grated, "That seems pretty excessive."

Specialist Schnee's coquetted her head at just such an angle, "I assure you such measures are normal during political events in Atlas."

Mavro crossed his rather impressive arms and stared up at Winter Schnee challengingly. Thankfully she was in her combat boots and utilities. This kept her appearance from being overstuffed and her boots kept her exasperating Mavro's obvious case of short man's syndrome. "Really? In Atlas t's normal for a foreign military to sweep for dust explosives during an event? Wow, customs are surprisingly different with our neighbors to the north." Mavro glared, making him look like an unhappy gargoyle that had somehow fallen off a roofline. "Still as undoubtedly different our customs may be, let me inform you that here in Mistral, such a measure is nothing less than insulting."

Winter raised an eyebrow, tapped her scroll a few times. "So then you will have a dust detection squad active during the event?"

Mavro jabbed a finger, "Of course we will!"

Ironwood noticed the brief smirk of triumph on his Specialist's face as she conceded the point. "Then I will bow to your team over the matter so long as you forward me their contact information before the event itself occurs."

Mavro made a rather showy harrumph, "Fine whatever. What else is on that seemingly infinite list of yours?"

The General fought his own smile. If James Ironwood was a betting man, he would guess Winter Schnee had simply noticed another minor issue in Mistral's security measures. Rather than arguing over whether or not certain precautions, such ongoing active dust sweepers during the event, were necessary or not, Winter kept manipulating Mavro intp adopting Atlas Security standards simply with how she framed certain requests.

Winter Schnee herself had her scroll pulled up and surprised Ironwood with what she said next, "The seating arrangement doesn't allow for General Ironwood to have a guest. Can that be rectified?"

Mavro frowned a much more honest frown. "That seems odd. I'm not in charge of guest seating arrangements myself, but I can definitely see how who is seated at the main table could only be seen a giant ball of Taijitu's."

General Ironwood cleared his throat. "Specialist Morgause already RSVP'd my invitation. I didn't check a plus one."

Winter Schnee response was quick, "I know General. Which is why I asked if this can be altered at this late date." Officer Mavro looked like he was willing and eager to stamp on Specialist Schnee's proposal right up to the point when she said, "Should it be, I think the nation of Atlas would be perfectly willing to fully concede to Mistral's capable security planning on all other matters going forward."

Now Mavro's eyes got a new gleam. Obviously happy to end his exhausting verbal battle with Winter Schnee. "Providing the General's guest can clear all security protocols on such short notice, I'm sure something can be worked out."

Specialist Schnee smile was that of a shark smelling blood in the water. "That shouldn't be an issue as she was already a fully vetted guest for attendance." The General frowned wondering just what was going on. Winter's smile somehow grew even more teeth, and Ironwwod was late in understanding just who's blood was staining the water. "It should merely be a matter of moving her from Vale's side of the delegates to our own."

Before Officer Mavro responded, General Ironwood spoke in a voice suddenly dry, "Are you speaking of Glynda?"

Winter almost directly smirked at Ironwood, "Indeed. Shortly before our meeting began, Glynda Goodwitch and I held a conversation concerning my sister. I wanted to properly convey my gratitude over her going a step beyond and licensing both Weiss and her Team as legal Hunters of Grimm. I was most insistent in her accepting both mine and the Nation of Atlas's formal gratitude by being a guest in our retinue."

Officer Mavro was not a stupid man. Even if he was obviously completely outclassed by Specialist Schnee, the Mistral Security Officer knew there was going to be political waves made by a Vale delegate sitting on the Atlas side of the table. There were dozens of reasons for the man to refuse. All of which were well within his rights. The problem though was Winter's offer of ending what was shaping up to be a truly grueling security run through was a very tempting carrot for the poor man. Even if it was with some obvious reluctance, Mavro ultimately decided to take bait. "I see no reason why something can't be arranged. So long as Vale's delegate does indeed decide to be sponsored simply as the General's guest instead of attending on her own merits."

General Ironwood had no doubts the Mistral Security would frame the query with just such wording to hopefully offend Glynda into choosing to remain with Vale's delegation. Not that Glynda was a woman that was easily offended. General Ironwood suddenly realized he needed to immediately order a new dress uniform for the event.

Maybe hit the gym and go on a diet, he had been eating too much cheese as of late...

Winter's smile remained all sharp edges as she nodded. "Excellent. Then I see no reason to trouble you or your staff any further—"

"I'm here!" A huffing voice shouted from across the hall in a way that instantly had General Ironwood's teeth on edge. "I'm sorry General but between me losing track of time and the traffic, it's a wonder I made it at all."

General Ironwood leveled his best glare. It was a glare backed by the authority of a man that held two separate seats on Atlas's High Council. By the man who was the undisputed leader of the most powerful military on Remnant. A glare modeled after the fearsome scowl of Glynda Goodwitch herself. And Specialist Gareth Morgause saw none of it as he was literally frozen in terror by whatever expression Winter Schnee leveled at him. General Ironwood was almost thankful he saw nothing but the back of her head as she rounded on her replacement.

Winter's voice was terse, restrained solely by the fact that Officer Mavro was still in attendance. "The meeting is over. You are that late. You have failed Atlas and the General. You should be ashamed. Indeed, I will be adding this incident to the report we discussed this morning."

Morgause shook off whatever spell Winter's initial glare had put him under. "You're one to talk about disgrace given that—"

"ENOUGH!" General Ironwood thundered. "Discussion of internal disciplinary matters will only be conducted at the proper time and place! Certainly not directly in front of foreign security officers!" Winter stiffened, but quickly nodded her head in acceptance of the General's rebuke. Gareth Morgause though started pouting... right in front of Officer Mavro. Suddenly seething, General Ironwood turned to address Mistral's Chief of Security. "Apologies, would you do me the small courtesy of allowing a private discussion between myself and my two subordin—"

"Why do you have my brother's sword? Give it back!" General Ironwood was furious at this interruption and rounded on Specialist Morgause as he tried to snatch away the weapon on Winter's hip. Tried being the operative word, the moment Morgause lunged he plowed face first into a deployed shield… a shield with a rather famous crest.

Morgause was now confused, "That's not Clarent's shield."

Specialist Schnee huffed, "Indeed not and neither is this his sword." Winter held up a heavy blade that Ironwood was very quick to recognize. Winter continued, "I will, however, show you all the differences in intricate detail should you try and touch it again."

General Ironwood was surprised. He was not a stupid man though and he rapidly fit the pieces together. "The Jaune Arc that saved your sister's life. Is he related to the General Arc?" Winter Schnee, not once taking her eyes off of Morgause, nodded. General Ironwood swallowed.

Security Officer Mavro spoke next. He didn't gloat about a ridiculous breakdown in Atlas Specialist discipline. Neither did he take the opportunity to order everyone to lay their weapons down during a massive breach of foreign policy protocol. Instead he asked with no small amount of awe, "Is that actually Crocea Mors?" Morgause's mouth shut with a click as even he finally caught on to what exactly he was looking at.

Winter nodded and with admirable aplomb dropped her final bombshell of the evening, "Yes it is. I forgot one other small detail, I have a guest named Jaune Arc I would like to see cleared through the proper security screening."

Mavro nodded, never once taking his eyes off the weapon in Specialist Schnee's hands.

\/

While walking back from the house to the main campus of Haven, Oscar was greeted by a curious sight. Lie Ren was literally sprinting by as he carried Nora Valkyrie over his shoulder. She was laughing while his expression was almost impossibly serious. There was a sense of urgency about them both. This was kind of strange since they were acting so differently.

Ozpin chuckled from within his mind.

"What?"

Never mind.

"What!?"

You'll understand when you're a little older.

Oscar sighed. Old people really did not understand people his age. There was another distinct chuckle.

Better hurry. Glynda is big on punctuality."

Some strange images of terrified students, all older than himself, flashed through Oscar's mind. The students were all sitting in front of a rather impressive desk. It was Oscar's… Ozpin's desk back at Beacon. Not one of the students though was looking at Oscar… Ozpin, every one of those young men and women were either staring at their own feet or had their eyes locked in fright at the giant figure looming over Oscar's… Ozpin's shoulder.

"She wouldn't do anything to us would she?"

No. She wouldn't do anything to them either. Most of those students knew that of course, but that didn't mean they wanted to risk anything by testing her further. However my young friend, I still advise that poking the Ursa is usually unwise.

"Hm." Oscar didn't actually run, but he did start walking as fast as he reasonably could. It wasn't overly far between the main campus and the little house they all stayed at anyways. So in less than ten minutes, Haven's administration building had already come into sight. The main building was still a bit of a mess. The construction crews repairing the damage were done for the day. That combined with a total lack of students or faculty members made the courtyard feel eerily silent when Oscar entered it.

Don't read too much into it. Administration duties are currently being handled at the Gymnasium. There honestly isn't a reason for people to be here at this hour Oscar.

"I know that!"

You seemed in need reassurance.

"I'm fine." Oscar grumped even as he stopped to look at the building. The scarred structure marked an important victory against Salem. An organization she was in control of was thoroughly discredited here. A dangerous mole had been unmasked. Hazel Rainart had suffered one of his very rare defeats in this place. The Relic of Knowledge was saved. Salem's queen was undone, and even if she somehow lived, she would still be unable to use the final two questions to unmask the location of the Relic of Choice…

Wait… didn't Ozpin say all the questions had already used? There was a bit of fuzziness that was difficult to describe and Oscar's thoughts wandered. Oscar's eyes resettled on the battered administration building. Ah yes.

Victory over Salem though had been costly. There could be no doubt. Leo had killed a lot of Huntsman and weakened Mistral terribly in doing so. The bolder tactics of the Branwen Tribe now made a great deal more sense. Many of these students would be pressed into service before they were truly ready. Oscar wondered if Professor Peach was ready—

"Who is Professor Peach?"

She teaches or used to teach, advanced dust sciences. Why do you ask?

"Do you think she'd be a good fit as Headmaster here?"

Hm. It is possible. She is a bit young. There are worse appointments that could be made though.

Oscar nodded. Then he realized something, "Why am I thinking about someone I've never even met?"

We share a soul young Oscar. As we become more and more attuned to each other, what thoughts are yours and what thoughts are mine will become less and less important.

Oscar swallowed, "What happens to me then?"

Our souls will eventually become one. We will become as one person at that point. In a way, you will continue on as we continue on. That will be years from now though. Perhaps even decades.

Oscar wasn't convinced, and would have pressed Ozpin on the issue, but they finally bypassed the administration building and started making their way around the monstrous structure simply known as the Gymnasium.

The Gymnasium was huge. Easily twice the size of any other building on the campus. Mistral had long been enthralled with the art of being a Hunter. It could almost be said they were consumed with the art Hunters. Mistral had, by this point, won more Vytal festivals than any other two Academies combined. Sure, the odd powerful student like Glynda Goodwitch or Summer Rose might arrive to upset their dominance from time to time, but these things happen. Mistral would always nod and applaud to the skill of any Hunter that could win two events. This was done though with just a hint of smugness. After all, that champion standing on the podium was usually accompanied by two Mistral challengers who gave every bit as good as they got during the event. The fact Pyrrha Nikos surprisingly decided to forgo Haven and attend Beacon was still… Oscar struggled to follow a memory, but for some reason the train of thought eluded him.

Problem Oscar?

"Just keep losing my train of thought."

Happens to the best of us.

Oscar paused, again ready to press the issue. Wait? What was the issue again? Then, an image of terrified students flashed through Oscar's mind and he focused back on what was more urgently important. Eventually, in an alcove deliberately carved into one massive wall, Oscar reached some sort of courtyard complete with a memorial of some kind.

The courtyard radiated a certain solemnity. There was grass. There were benches. There were several pretty flowers blooming in the early spring. Still, Oscar found it difficult to imagine anyone ever laughing here. The atmosphere somehow felt heavy. Somehow even more solemn than a graveyard. One had the distinct impression that though there were no bodies here, something terrible had happened. Something that could never be undone. After a moment to take in the strange air here, Oscar finally looked at the memorial itself. For ill defined reasons, he had been putting it off.

It was rather simple. Little more than a ring of names surrounding a large statue. A ring broken only by a solitary footpath. Somehow, Oscar knew the names were all men and women who died during a surprise attack on the Mistral itself… No that wasn't quite right… Oscar's thoughts tried to gain focus, but things felt inexplicably muddy again… In the middle of the names stood a statue of a man holding up a strangely familiar sword. The man looked enough like Jaune Arc that it was almost eerie.

Oscar then felt his eyes shift to the figure in the back…

And then felt his eyes deliberately look away…

A word was whispered in Oscar's mind, Oscar thought it was a name…

But the word disappeared before Oscar could comprehend it.

Glynda probably knows I hate this place…

"Why? What happened here?"

There was a pause… Oscar realized that Ozpin didn't mean to speak aloud in their shared mind. Finally, there was a sigh and Ozpin responded.

Something terrible and, unfortunately, something ultimately pointless.

For the first time ever, Oscar tried for a memory that did not belong to him. He tried to dredge up what Ozpin was talking about. For a moment he was successful. He remembered some kind of dedication. But Ozpin wasn't Ozpin then. His name was Ozzie back when this happened. Short for Ozymandias. A name that bugged Ozzie so much that he insisted no one ever call him that. Ozzie handed a sword over to a weeping young man with sand colored hair. It was General Arc's sword, and it had seen the king through nearly a decade of hard conflict.

Wait is that?

Crocea Mors. Yes, Mr. Arc wields quite the famous weapon.

"We used to use Jaune's weapon?"

"Indeed." The voice was female. It was stern. It caused Oscar Pine to jump more than a foot in the air and, even more surprising, it felt like Ozpin jumped just as high inside Oscar's mind. "General Arc's weapon was eventually recovered by Ozymandias the First. Some say it may have even been gifted to him by Lady Anikitos Nikos herself, along with the true story of General Arc's demise. Eventually that truth, and by extension that sword, became the rallying call that ultimately galvanized a united Vale. It helped the young Warrior King win his first meaningful victory on Vacuo's golden plain. A victory that finally cemented Vacuo as Vale's ally in the Great War."

"It sounds really important." Oscar scratched his head, "Should Jaune be using it?"

No.

Glynda shrugged, "It's his. It isn't for me to say."

"Seems weird he let Winter walk away with it this afternoon."

Likely he isn't using his brain and simply wants to impress the Specialist. Like how you dream of impressing Miss Rose.

Oscar blushed, although he did silently wish he had a famous weapon. Ruby was nuts for weapons.

Glynda looked at Oscar, "It belongs to Mr. Arc. I am sure Jaune only loaned it to Specialist Schnee because he deemed it necessary. Mr. Pine, I would like to speak to Ozpin, please."

Oscar, let me talk to Glynda.

There was a lurch.

Okay.

"Thank you Oscar, I appreciate it." Oscar felt his body adjust into a stance that still felt rather alien. "Glynda, I doubt very much you chose this time and place to impart a martial history lesson to young Oscar." Oscar's eyes were now searching Glynda Goodwitch's face. She seemed so stone faced to Oscar, but Ozpin obviously saw what he expected since Oscar felt a large spike of confidence from Ozpin's mind.

"After the Gala is over, I've decided that I will to return to Vale."

Ozpin sighed somewhat theatrically, "May I ask why?"

"I am assembling a team to reclaim Beacon."

Ozpin sighed again and made a show of rubbing his… Oscar's temples. "Again, why?"

Glynda stepped forward to tower over Oscar. Ozpin could tell she wasn't trying to be intimidating. Instead she seemed to be beseeching his understanding while still firmly convinced of her own logic. "There are several reasons."

Ozpin held up Oscar's hands in exasperation, and his voice became confrontational. "Okay then, give me your best one?"

Glynda stiffened, obviously not accustomed to being challenged. The woman bristled, like Ozpin knew she would, and this disrupted her rhetoric before it could build steam. "How about once the school is reclaimed, we can go back to training Hunters! Tell me how that isn't important?"

"Tai is an excellent teacher. Signal still stands. If you haven't moved school operations there by this point, I will be ridiculously disappointed in you."

Glynda became indignant. "Of course I did! Port and Oobleck began teaching there within a month! Other staff as well, although Dot did poach Professor Peach from Beacon's faculty."

Ozpin winced, "I suppose Headmaster Gayle would do that. She was always rather fond of Professor Peach." Ozpin sighed yet again, "Peter teaching children so young might be a mistake."

Glynda crossed her arms to defend her colleague, "Port knows more about the Grimm than any library on Remnant. I agree he has a tendency to not offer proper context while he explains things, but I have never heard him tell even one solitary exaggeration when it comes to his personal experiences. Why so many students fail to connect with him is beyond me."

Ozpin held up a hand to mollify her, "I know. It is a frustration. The man gives nothing but pertinent information, and yet every student comes out of his class with glassy eyes and disbelieving frowns."

Glynda nodded in agreement, "Oobleck honestly has similar problems…"

Ozpin interrupted her, "Yes but unlike Peter, Bart is more at fault than his students. The man can be utterly exhausting, especially after he's had one too many cups of coffee." Ozpin sighed yet again, "That man is absolutely dependent on caffeine…"

Glynda interrupted this time. "You can hardly throw stones there Ozpin. I don't think I saw you go even a single hour before you refilled your mug."

Ozpin offered a sheepish frown, "As we get older, we become set in our ways."

"That's just an excuse."

Ozpin smiled, "We all have our excuses. Excuses like you are making now. At a time when I, when Remnant, needs you most."

Glynda winced, "It's not like that."

Ozpin was relentless. "Why isn't it like that? Why can't things continue on at Signal as they have for the past year? Your strength is needed urgently elsewhere."

Glynda's face morphed, and she took a defensive step back as she tried to re-marshal herself. "Reclaiming Beacon is more important than just the Huntsman and Huntresses it will train. First of all, reclaiming the school will give Vale a sense of security. The citizens will replace the dread they feel as it looms in the distance with pride and accomplishment in their hearts. This will instantly lessen Grimm interest in the City."

"That's not enough Glynda. Vale falling is almost immaterial now."

Glynda nearly exploded in her anger, "How can you talk like that! How can you even entertain such a thought?"

Ozpin took a step back and lifted Oscar's hands in supplication, but Oscar could easily sense the smug satisfaction coming off Ozpin as the conversation proceeded as planned. "Please calm yourself. I need you to listen to me."

Glynda's response was to immediately back off. Glynda was extremely powerful and was always extremely mindful of that power. The awakening of her Semblance had been deeply tragic after all. Since then she always kept herself very contained. Totally and absolutely mindful of other people and how they saw her. Through Ozpin, Oscar noticed the brief look of chagrin cross her face and squelched a smug smile that wasn't his own.

Glynda said, "I'm sorry Ozpin. Please continue, I'm listening."

Ozpin's voice had a sincerity his thoughts did not. "First let me say I spoke out of turn. The point I was trying to make was largely hyperbolic." Ozpin waited for Glynda to nod before proceeding. "I meant simply to illustrate scale. Salem is threatening all of Remnant right now. Not just Vale." Again Ozpin waited for Glynda to nod. Ozpin faked some consternation, "Please trust me when I say I still plan to do my utmost to ensure the Kingdom of Vale survives, but after Haven, with the Relic of Knowledge so exposed… Glynda this might really be the end of everything if we don't stop her here and now."

Glynda sighed and rubbed her temples, "You said Relic was inert for the next age."

Oscar had a question about that…

Ozpin nodded as he lied, "Indeed it is. But to me, and more importantly to Salem, a hundred years is not so long a time. Salem is patient. Should she capture it now, a mere century will be as nothing. Should she ever gain access to the Spirit within, she will undoubtedly use its power to unmask the other Relics. No one, not even I, will have any hope of standing against her then." There was what Ozpin deemed a suitable pause, "Beacon, even Vale, is not a priority anymore."

"What about the Relic of Choice? Is it safe with her in control of the school?" Because Ozpin knew her so well, Oscar understood that Glynda was starting to scramble. The Relic of Choice was important to her, but not half as important as the school, and not one tenth as important as her students.

Ozpin still decided he didn't exactly want Glynda charging off to Vale under the guise of securing the Relic. So he assured, "The Relic is as secured as can be hoped. Salem and I know each other well. Perhaps too well." Ozpin smiled with a bit of confidence and lied rather blatantly, "I used the last question of the Spirit of Knowledge to ask where best to hide it."

Glynda nodded as she relaxed further, "Pertinent."

Ozpin nodded sagely, "I thought so at the time."

Glynda asked, "When did you do this? After the attack on Amber?"

Oscar's body didn't react, but Ozpin sure did inside Oscar's head. There was what was probably swearing, but the language was completely foreign to Oscar.

What?

Ozpin ignored him. He was focused on more important matters.

Ozpin's mind was whirling, but he quickly decided that he had to cover his lie as quickly as possible less she press the issue. Anything else was very dangerous to his plans for Glynda Goodwitch. "That's astute. I should have done it earlier, once I knew Hazel had defected, but I failed to grasp the depth of what that meant exactly. After Amber fell, I understood new measures would be needed."

Glynda was watching Ozpin closely. "What happened with Gertrude really was your fault."

Ozpin settled down a bit. Glynda was on the wrong track. "Ching Shi needed to be stopped. Amber and her Team were both capable and of the proper age."

Glynda rubbed her temples, "Dammit Ozpin, I should have gone with them! Hazel should have gone with them!"

"Glynda. If you had, Shi would have been thinking of you or Hazel. The power could have gone anywhere in the world at that point."

Glynda looked like she really needed to throw a punch. "So instead we lost three talented Huntresses, Hazel Rainart defected to the enemy, and all we gained was a Fall Maiden that was so distraught, Salem was able to pick her off anyhow."

"Glynda I have made a great many mistakes in my life."

Irritated, Glynda snapped, "Don't try that line on me."

Solemnly Ozpin said, "It isn't a line."

Glynda moved away from Oscar. She stared hard at the crushed gravel beneath her feet. After a moment, Ozpin closed the distance between them, and touched her kindly on the shoulder. Glynda Goodwitch seemed to melt in front of Oscar. For a moment, Oscar caught a glimpse of a frightened thirteen year old girl who would never be the same again. Something Ozpin was always able to reduce her to.

It was truly terrible to behold.

There was a lurch.

"What's wrong?" Oscar said the words and Ozpin was not happy.

Glynda looked at Oscar. Layers of armor that the conversation had broken down, broken through, still lay open, but whatever final prod or blow Glynda expected did not come. Slowly she reformed herself. With a smile she said, "I guess I'm still waiting for my life to begin."

Oscar I need you to stop interfering.

"That's a weird thing to be waiting for."

Oscar, you are not helping!

Glynda chuckled. "It is indeed, but I am growing used to it." Ozpin was not happy, but seemed to relax a bit. Oscar though could still tell he was very angry. "James and I were going to sit together at the Gala you know. Winter invited me as a kind of surprise. It was going to be closest thing to an actual date we've had in nearly twenty years. I was even thinking of going dress shopping tomorrow of all things."

"What's wrong with going dress shopping?"

Oscar, I need you to stop. Give me back control.

Glynda smiled, "Nothing really. It just isn't necessary. You know what Mr. Pine? James and I did share a dance back at Beacon. It gave us a chance to talk, at least until the students grew too loud once Mr. Arc and Miss Nikos completely upstaged everyone…" Glynda's face went from wistful to pensive. She looked at the statue. Slowly understanding dawned in her eyes. Her face morphed from pensive to enraged.

Ozpin began to panic. To honestly panic.

"Ozpin… you... you gods-damned bastard..."

Oscar, in case it isn't obvious, you've really poked the Ursa and should immediately start running.

Dun, dun DUNNNNN!

Hey, thank you for sticking with me over these two chapters. I really needed some catharsis with certain emotional arcs. Wolfe, thank you too. Hopefully get some lighter threads going.

As an aside, what defines love for me isn't how you treat someone when everything is rainbows and flowering meadows. What defines love for me is when you're tired or out of patience. When you're irrationally angry or want to be somewhere else. We all get mad at those people we care about even at the best of times. Refusing to let bad moments grow into darker things. To me, that shows depth of feeling.

Thank you all folks. Thank you so much for your time.

Be well and safe.