Hey. To those asking why Headmaster Arc didn't update, there's a note on the chapter and I really don't feel like going into detail, but my cousin died yesterday evening and we knew it might happen the days before, hence grieving and no update.
I know people will say to take more time off and I'll consider it, but honestly I would have so little to do today other than dwell on it, think about it and feel bad, so being able to turn my brain off and write for a couple of hours helps. Not sure how long this chapter will be but, well, yeah. That's how I feel right now. Tired.
Cover Art: Jack Wayne
Chapter 127
Vernal noticed the raven on the curtain rail and could make an easy guess as to who it was. Her shoulders remained stiff through breakfast and she was quieter than normal, not even responding to Emerald's unsubtle attempts to bait her. When she was done and asked what they would be doing today, she sounded like she expected him to be sending her back to the tribe. Jaune spared a little glare for Raven but didn't bother asking why Vernal ended up this way. The Branwen tribe wasn't a place that could raise a child normally.
"I'm a little busy this morning. I was thinking we could lounge around for the morning and maybe order some pizza later and make some popcorn. You and Emerald can pick some films and we'll have a movie night. The three of us can do something bigger tomorrow. How about that?"
The promise of a tomorrow seemed to be enough for her. "Sure! Spar?" she asked Emerald.
"I've just eaten…"
"You can say no if you're afraid, pussy."
The cutlery slammed down. "Fine! But don't whine when you lose."
"Pft. When do I ever lose?"
The two scurried off without so much as an offer to take the plates to the dishwasher. He couldn't say it surprised him. With a heavy sigh, he finished the rest of his breakfast in silence, stacked the plates and carried them over. Slotting them into the dishwasher and closing the door, he turned it on, idly watching the small black bird hopping sideways across the marble counter.
"Are you going to stay like that all day?" The bird tilted its head to the question and then shrugged its shoulders. "Why?" Another shrug. "Is something bad happening with the tribe that you're trying to avoid?"
How a bird could look offended, he didn't know, but it flapped its wings and threatened him with a fearsome clack of its beak, as if spewing obscenities for the mere thought that she wouldn't be strong enough to keep them in line.
"You know, that's not very threatening when you're so small- whoah!" He ducked the sudden talons that had gone for his eyes. "It's threatening! It's threatening!" He shielded himself as the bird landed atop the fridge, ruffled its feathers and screeched at him. "Sorry! Sheesh. Are you sure you don't want breakfast or something? I can make scrambled egg. Or I can find some seeds for you-" The wings came out again. "Okay, no seeds. Seriously, do we have to do this? Turn back into a human and talk to me like a normal… uh… human."
He might as well have asked her to be a nicer person. Raven hopped from the fridge to the top of the cabinets and scrabbled out of view, probably building herself a nest.
What was up with her? Was it normal to stay in animal form? He'd never actually asked Qrow, hadn't thought to, but maybe it was relaxing. Some animals slept a lot and sunned themselves, so perhaps it was pleasant to be able to do that and not have to worry about everyday things. I guess she did collect the Relic of Knowledge so I can give her some time off. If she wants something, she'll come down and tell me.
"I'm going to go do some more translating. Shout me if you need me."
"Kaww."
Such had been the plan, anyway. He didn't get an hour into it before someone started to hammer on his door. Jaune checked his scroll but there were no missed calls. Raven, however, flapped her wings angrily atop the cabinets, fluttering down and pulling a cupboard open with her beak before hopping inside and letting it close on her.
As far as warnings went it wasn't a bad one, though he'd have preferred actual words. It had to be someone who would know and confront her, which at least meant it wasn't an enemy attack if she could sense who it was. Pushing his chair back, he hurried to the door and looked through the peephole, then pulled it open.
"Qrow. What's up? Did something happen?"
"Oz…" Qrow panted for air. "I mean Glynda. Glynda sent me to get you. There's been an incident in Haven."
"In Mistral?" he asked, thankful he'd already hidden the Relic in his basement. "Is it important, Qrow? I told the girls I'd be spending the holidays with them and I really don't want to go back on that."
"Oz-" He corrected himself again. "Glynda knows and isn't sending you anywhere, she just wants to talk to all of us. It'll be us, Summer, Taiyang and everyone else there. It won't take long. I promise."
"Alright. Let me just tell Em and Vernal where I'm going, and I'll be right out."
Qrow nodded and stepped aside, choosing to sit on the low wall outside rather than come in. Raven was remaining quiet, too, hidden in his bread cupboard among the loaves like a thief. Obviously, she hadn't been as subtle as she thought she had been lifting the Relic.
/-/
Qrow had missed out the fact that Oscar Pine would be present, though no one was overly surprised. He was the last one there, entering through the elevator with Qrow and drawing quick nods in greeting from the others. Ozpin had a terminal open on his desk, and Ironwood's face could be seen on it, listening in.
"That's the last of us," Ozpin said. "Take a seat, Jaune."
He sat by Taiyang, sharing a raised eyebrow and a little shrug as to why they were there. Summer elbowed Tai and shot him a warning look, shutting them both up while Qrow snickered.
"I called this meeting to discuss something of an emergency. This morning, our new allies in Haven, including Lionheart's replacement, noticed that the statue hiding the Relic of Knowledge's vault has been tampered with. Since we instructed them to send any and all information of such to Glynda, they have let us know."
"Does the new head know about you?" Jaune asked quickly. "The truth, I mean?"
"Not yet. I'd thought to spend a little more time judging her trustworthiness before revealing myself as I did Leonardo. Glynda has been in contact with her, however, and she understands something of value is kept under her school. Not what that is."
It was safer that way. If Lionheart hadn't been told the truth of Salem, he might have remained loyal, and that would have solved a lot of problems. Of course, doing it this way also gave the chance for Salem to interfere and recruit this person without revealing herself, but that would have been a risk either way.
One that didn't matter since the Relic was in his possession.
"Has the Relic been taken?" Summer asked.
"It can't have been," Jaune said, drawing eyes. "Ozpin has the Spring Maiden. You have been keeping an eye on her, right?"
"Of course. Nora Valkyrie has been offered room and board in Beacon along with her close friend, Lie Ren. Being orphans from Mistral, they lack the funds to find room in Vale, and the school does have provisions for students in such a situation. I am hoping that fact will prevent our enemy from figuring out who she is, but I fear the sole fact we're keeping her close may cause the knowledge to leak."
Ozpin was watching him carefully when he said that, and Jaune nodded. "I'll keep an ear out and let you know if she finds out. There's no danger for now, though. As far as I can tell."
"Thank you, and that is good to hear. Jaune is correct. The vault could not have been opened, but the statue is just ornamentation. It could be that someone forced their way down to confirm the vault's entranceway."
"Is it possible to brute force an entrance in?" Qrow asked.
"In theory, yes, but it would require Salem to have been there in person, and the act would cause such devastation to Haven that no one could fail to note it."
"In that case, is it safe for it to be there at all?" Taiyang asked.
"In all truth, no. I'd put thought into moving it once Lionheart betrayed me, but there hasn't been the time or opportunity. Perhaps once Miss Valkyrie is experienced and understands her power, I shall, but for now it should remain there. The bigger problem is the other keys. We have Fall and Spring under our control. James, is Winter still secure?"
"Fria is alive and well, but she's ageing, Ozpin. She's made it clear she won't live much longer and wants to put thought into a successor. I have put a few candidates toward her, but the choice is ultimately hers."
Was Winter among those choices? Last time, she'd been the person Ironwood wanted to inherit the power, only for Penny to be granted it at the last in a leap of soul-based logic he really didn't understand. If magic could determine whether a soul was female or male, he wasn't sure why it would suddenly decide an artificial soul was compatible. He'd be the first to say Penny was more than just a machine, but that shouldn't have changed the fact her soul was an offshoot of Pietro's Semblance, which was a male aura.
Having Winter hold the power of the Winter Maiden would be more convenient to their plans, and with his ability to take that power like he had Amber's, he could force the issue, especially with Ironwood's permission. He was willing to forcefully take Amber's soul and put it in Pyrrha, killing Amber in the process, so I don't see why he'd balk at doing the same for Fria.
Then again, hadn't that been Cinder's plan, too? Fria spat in her eye at the last by accepting death and giving it to Penny, and while he knew for a fact that the future wasn't predetermined, he couldn't help but think history would repeat itself if he tried.
Penny, though. There was nothing wrong with her being the maiden but there was everything wrong about believing she could keep a secret. Even if Ironwood ordered her to help them, she'd let it slip to someone. Right now, she hadn't met Ruby or made friends with anyone, so maybe they could replace Ruby as that.
Am I really thinking about manipulating our socially stunted friend for my own means? Yikes. Ruby would never forgive us. No, it's probably best if we just push for Winter to be Fria's successor.
He didn't bring that up now. To be honest, he wasn't sure what Ozpin would think if there were so many important facets connected to him. He was trusted, for now, but Ozpin had trusted and been burnt before.
"I trust the list is full of loyal people?" Ozpin asked.
"Of course. Many of them are military trained, which I know comes with its downsides, but they're at least able to defend themselves and will understand what it means for information to be classified. They are also humble people. I don't think it wise to give this much power to an egotist."
"I shall trust your instinct, then, old friend. Please do send me the list, however."
Jaune saw his chance and stepped in. "What about the Summer Maiden? Do we know anything about her or where she is?"
"We don't know her location, but we certainly need to find it. Salem is being more active than ever, and she's quite clearly looking to collect the maidens and Relics. The Summer Maiden was, last I checked, aware of the risks and prepared to defend herself, but I simply don't trust that she can do so alone."
"So," Summer said. "What do we do?"
"Once the next term starts, I want us to put resources into locating the Summer maiden. We will speak with and attempt to convince her to return with us." Ozpin took a deep breath before saying, "By whatever means necessary. If needs be, capture and bring her back. James has been working on a machine that can transfer the aura of one person to another. It may just prove to be the solution to our problems."
"Who will be going?" Jaune asked carefully. "Qrow, I assume. There should be at least one woman in the group in case the maiden tries to kill herself or pushes our side to mortally wound her."
"None of us are young enough to become maidens," Summer said.
"We can't send a child in," Taiyang echoed. "That's completely unreasonable."
"If we had parental permission…" Ozpin tried.
"I refuse to let Emerald go."
"And I refuse to let Ruby or Yang go!" Summer echoed. "Absolutely not. Aside from the fact it's the middle of term time and the Vytal Festival to boot, they'd be in danger of being hunted down by Salem."
"Then we'll just have to take her alive." Ozpin sounded more irritated than Jaune had ever heard him before, possibly at the lack of trust. Or more obedience. He shouldn't be surprised that Summer wasn't willing to let Yang and Ruby be used as chess pieces. "To that end, I believe our best bet would be to send Qrow and Jaune. Everyone else has duties they must attend here or in Signal."
"I could ask Winter Schnee to come along," Jaune offered. "And if worst comes to worst, she could be a candidate."
"No. I believe that would be too obvious."
Jaune didn't argue, though he did mentally tick a box in his head. Obvious was not a complaint to be made here, especially when anyone they took along would have been that. Ozpin just didn't want Winter having a maiden's power. He knows I'm a risk because of what Summer and I found in the underground temple. He doesn't want anyone close to me having too much power. Even when he talked about parental permission, he probably meant Yang and Ruby more than Emerald.
Sending him to fight her wouldn't be a risk since, as far as Ozpin knew, there was no way he could that that power for himself. Jaune listened to the rest of the meeting, agreed and left with much to think about.
/-/
Of all the things he'd expected to come back to, it wasn't Emerald and Vernal on their knees in front of Raven, hands to the floor and faces covered in what he at first thought might be blood, and then realised was far too runny. The girls looked guiltily his way when he let himself in.
"Do I want to ask?"
"These two," Raven said snidely, "Decided to break into my wine stash and sample some for themselves."
There was more wrong with that statement than the two drinking. "Your wine stash?"
"What's yours is mine. It doesn't change the fact."
"No, but… Vernal is of age and Emerald is close enough that I wouldn't care. What's the problem?"
Raven pointed to the kitchen. There were glass shards everywhere, and enough puddles of red that you could have faked a murder or two. The mess wasn't a big issue – it happened – but they'd done something far worse. They hadn't ruined his wine, but hers. At least as far as she was concerned.
"It's fine, Raven. I'll buy you some more."
"Shouldn't you punish them for going behind your back in some petty argument to try and outdrink one another?"
"Wouldn't you just call it a strength thing? I highly doubt you didn't drink at their age." He knew better than to ignore it, though. "Emerald. Vernal. Apologise to Raven for drinking her wine without permission."
"S-Sorry boss," Vernal whispered.
"Sorry," Emerald grumbled.
"Then you're forgiven, but you both have to clean the kitchen as punishment. Mind your hands and feet – Emerald, vacuum the shards up first, and for the love of the brother gods, wear shoes while you do it. And next time you want to try some drink, ask me. You're old enough to be trusted. Most of the time."
"Yes dad."
"Yes dad."
"He's not your dad!" Emerald hissed.
"I never said he was."
"You just did!"
"Nuh-uh. Clean your ears out, bitch."
Jaune ushered them into the kitchen with a stern glare and a pointing hand before tilting his head to the side, asking for a little of Raven's time now that she was a human again. The woman sighed and followed, shaking her head.
"You go too easy on them."
"It was an accident. Accidents happen."
"You didn't ask me what transpired. They didn't drop it by being clumsy. They were arguing and fighting over who could down the most, then Emerald knocked it out of Vernal's hands on purpose." Oh. That did sound worse, and maybe worth a talking to. "They're competing against one another for your attention. It's rather pathetic."
"It's endearing. Sort of," he added as an afterthought. "I'll talk to them, and thanks for keeping an eye out. Ozpin wants me and Qrow to hunt down the Summer Maiden by the way."
Raven listened as he recounted the meeting, tutting or rolling her eyes occasionally at Ozpin's paranoia. It kind of wasn't that, though. Paranoia was only bad when it wasn't warranted, but he was totally going behind Ozpin's back.
"And no one batted an eye at the aura transfer machine?" Raven asked. "Typical. Summer and Taiyang make themselves out to be saints but they would allow that!"
"I don't think they understood the full implications. Ozpin only mentioned it in passing." And, in fairness, Raven only knew how deadly it was because she had his memories of Pyrrha being put into it in her head. "My bigger question is who he intends to use to take the maiden's power."
"Ruby or Yang," Raven said instantly.
"I know. Those are my thoughts, too. Would you stop him if it was Yang?"
"Depends."
"On!?"
"Whether or not she accepts his offer. I won't interfere if she follows him willingly, as much as I will call her an idiot. If he tries to force her, however, I will stop him."
"Even if she's already used her one time?"
"Even then." Raven smirked. "I'd waive that rule for the chance to look Summer in the eye and say I told you so. Some things are worth breaking the rules for." And she claimed Emerald and Vernal were childish. "Will you take her power? If so, who would you give it to?"
He wasn't sure and said so. There were plenty of options, but he was even less willing to place someone in danger than he was Emerald. Winter was still there, but she would fit better as the Winter Maiden, especially since Ozpin would take note of her manifesting powers she shouldn't have and connect the dots easily enough.
"I have a suggestion," Raven said. "Two, even."
"Yeah? I'll hear it."
"Vernal."
The fake maiden from the last timeline. Vernal had the skill and the drive, but she was, as Ironwood had suggested before, an egotist. It was dangerous placing that much power in the hands of someone who absolutely and unapologetically would use it for her own ends. On the other hand, Vernal wouldn't join Salem so long as he and Raven were on the opposite side.
"And the other?"
Raven smirked. "Cinder."
"No. What? Cinder!? We might as well hand the power to Salem!"
"The power of the maiden isn't the real prize, though. Is it? It's a key to unlock a door and claim the treasure within, but if we could take that treasure away first…"
"Then it's just one powerful enemy."
"Yes. And one powerful enemy who you would be close to, and who you could reduce to ash with just a touch of your hand." Raven pointed to his left, clad in its glove. "Giving her the power would ensure your place close to Salem, win Cinder even further onto your side and not even be that hard to retract if you wanted to. Touch her once, be it at the ASH Gym, Beacon or under the pretence of healing her, and you can draw the power out of her. If you even need to take it back."
That interested him. "You think I wouldn't?"
"I only know her from meeting her once and your memories. From what I can see, she's a power hungry woman desperate to be respected and feared. Salem may be a means to power for her, but she'll never truly get what she wants under her because Salem will never fear Cinder. Sooner or later, Cinder will realise that, realise that she has reached the end of how much power she can gain under Salem's employ. At that point, she'll be looking for someone who can offer her more."
That could be him. He could take more maidens and feed them to Cinder. He wouldn't, of course, because that would mean killing Pyrrha, Fria's replacement and Raven, but there was no reason to tell Cinder that.
If he could find a way to take off or modify Salem's mark so that she couldn't be tortured by it on top then well, what reason would Cinder have to stay at all? Salem may have thought she was making an example, but she might have handed him an easy way into Cinder's good graces.
"I'll be available to open a portal to Vacuo however you need it," Raven said. "If you decide you want Vernal there to strike the final blow or pass the power onto her, so be it. Considering she's teammates with Cinder, I can make a portal to her as well."
There were options, so long as he could ditch Qrow in Vacuo. "I'll keep that in mind. Vernal could help us get the Relic out before she went back, but I'm not sure how we could convince Cinder to."
"Things to consider. If you can turn her loyalty away from Salem, it won't matter at all. Remember, you're powerful now. Not just physically, but you have the same magic Salem and Ozpin do, and you're also rich both in terms of money and political power through the SDC. You have a lot you can offer someone so ambitious."
Okay, this is about as much as I managed. It's been rough to be honest. My cousins and I were always close. This one used to babysit me when I was younger – only seven years older than me – and we'd play Sega Saturn together. He was doing so well, too. Landed an amazing job in Lindon as a Director of Finance, literally went from a family ridden by debt to making over two hundred kay a year, bought a house, married and had a child, then this bloody coronavirus. Ffs.
It's just exhausting. Almost certainly the problem of living and working in a major capital like London. The rates there are just so much higher than anywhere else in the UK.
Next Chapter: 17th October
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur
