Dearest Sister,

I've been away for so long, I've forgotten the cold of our home. You know I grow restless when life is ordinary and boring. Fortunately, there seems to be no shortage of excitement here in Vale. The General has me detached to Beacon Academy to keep watch over the Schnee Heiress. The Headmaster, Professor Ozpin, has the right idea for how to kick off the term. Skydiving. Not very voluntary, considering we were flung from a cliff, but certainly exciting. To add to the unknowns, the first people we saw upon landing we had to team with, defeating both Grimm and other students competing for a flag. Sadly, my team didn't have the flag at the end. Can't reveal all my tricks on day one. The only person who knows I have more than a bow is one of my teammates, Ruby Rose. She's on my watchlist of potential rivals, and I have a suspicion that you would get on with her.

Speaking of my team, we have quite the impressive lineup. Myself, a Specialist hidden in plain sight; Ruby, a prodigy and the youngest student to ever attend Beacon; Bennett Calamita, one of Ruby's friends and someone who I guarantee the General would give an arm and a leg to make a Specialist; and a very peculiar girl who goes by her last name, Fischl. She is the only person I've met who also uses a bow, and is surprisingly a better shot than myself. Rest assured, I will change that before you and I meet next.

Sadly, I don't think I'll make it in time for the holidays. I'll be sure to send you some gifts from here in Vale. I've already got a toy Grimm of one Teucer has never heard of picked out for him. Don't tell him, but it should arrive about a week after this letter. Your's and mother's are coming as well, but the craftsman is taking extra special care to perfect the detail. I can't tell you what it is though, so you'll have to wait.

Rest assured Tonia, we will see each other again come the Vytal festival, so don't worry too much. Just a few months away. Stay safe, and catch a fish for me.

From,

Your dearest brother Ajax

A woman, decidedly not Tonia, stood in a warehouse, contemplating what she had just read.

"Good work Roman, I certainly wasn't expecting gold when you told me you had a surprise"

The make-up master shrugged in response.

"What can I say? I aim to please. You asked me to keep tabs on your boy toy. Snagging Beacon's mail is trivial for one with my connections"

"Really?" the woman giggled a little "Well okay then, make sure this letter makes its way to Atlas with no issues. We wouldn't want anyone to go looking for trouble, now would we" she began to turn to the exit, "One more thing Roman, use your connections to put ears out for the rest of his team. They certainly sound... useful"

She left. Turning the street corner, she found a nice and quiet area with no movement or people. She punched a number into her scroll.

"Well Cinder?"

"I have tracked down Tartaglia. Our little show boy has taken to be Ironwood's actor in Beacon. Some cards moved, and now Tartaglia's watching over the Schnee Heiress, hidden amongst the students"

"Well now, that is interesting. Tell me more"

I told y'all, fun bonus chapters are coming. I'm still going to cover the initiation, so don't worry. Let me know what you guys think of these little filler chapters

Take it easy