Finally caught up this fic to the one in AO3. Updates will slow down as I literally update my Fics once a month.
Ozpin couldn't help but sigh as he looks out his office window to see an army's worth of Atlesian airships flying over Vale.
"What are you doing James?..." Ozpin mutters to himself.
"Enjoying the view?" Glynda asks, walking up beside the headmaster.
"What I can see of it." Ozpin says sarcastically. "Alas, Atlas has decided that today was the perfect time to invade this fair kingdom. What other reason would there be to have military airships in foreign airspace?"
Glynda rolls her eyes. "Laying it a little thick, are we sir?"
"Perhaps, but at least one person in Vale is thinking it, I can assure you."
"I'm sure the General has an explanation. A good one? Well, that remains to be seen."
"Well, he has been known to be overreact. Remember that desk?"
Glynda sighs. "Are you still holding that over his head? That was years ago."
"It was a perfectly good desk, Glynda. And he threw it out of the-"
A sudden beep! pulls the two professors out of their conversation. On Ozpin's desk, a holographic screen appears, the words Access Requested emblazoned on the screen.
"Come in." Ozpin says, walking towards the elevator.
The doors slide open, revealing a large man in a white uniform. General James Ironwood smiled amicably, walking towards Glynda and Ozpin.
"Ozpin!" Ironwood says pleasantly.
"Hello, General." The headmaster says professionally.
"Please, don't be so formal." James says, shaking Ozpin's hand. "I like to think we've known each other long enough to be pass formalities."
Ozpin smiled. "Just trying to be professional."
"And Glynda!" James turns to Ms. Goodwitch. "It's been far too long since we've last saw each other."
"Oh, James!" Glynda exclaims, then drops the pleasantries. "I'll be outside. Call me if you need a desk replaced." She says to Ozpin, walking to the elevator and out of the office.
"... Well, she hasn't changed in the least." James sighs. "And here I thought she'd be the type to not rub that particular incident in my face."
"Actually, I believe that jab was directed at me." Ozpin remarked.
"Knowing her, it could be directed at both of us."
Both men shared a chuckle at that.
"So," Ozpin says, turning to his desk. "What's brought the Headmaster of Atlas to Vale's doorstep? Usually, teachers don't travel with their students to the Vytal Festival." He offers a mug of hot chocolate to the General.
"Vale's quite lovely this time of the year, I've decided to come and see the sights." Ironwood says, taking the mug. "Besides, with you hosting, I've thought this was a good time to catch up."
Ozpin hums. "While I do appreciate time spent between friends, I must say having military airships floating over the city does ruin my mood a bit."
James sighs again, setting his mug down. "Ozpin..."
"When you said you were 'bringing help' I assumed you meant huntsmen, or your Ace-Ops. I did not expect the Atlesian Military."
"We both know why I brought my men here."
"We know. The rest of Vale, absolutely not. This isn't Atlas, the citizens here aren't used to the military or soldiers everywhere. It's giving off the wrong impression."
"Qrow said-"
"If what Qrow said was true, we'll handle it like we always have; discreetly. Not with a thousand guns blasting a crater into the ground."
Ironwood sighs. "I'm just being cautious."
"As am I. But there's a line between being cautious and being paranoid. I hope you figure out which side of said line you're teetering towards."
Ironwood straightens his tie, studying Ozpin. "And I hope you soon realize the necessity of my army."
The General turns to leave, but as the doors open, he leaves Ozpin with one final remark. "Because honestly? I don't believe children can win a war."
As the doors close, Ozpin sits down behind his desk and sighs. "I hope they never have to."