Here we go. You know, I read the weirdest review that said something like "Every time Coeur writes `here we go` it means she's horny". Was a little weird, but okay. Ahem.

HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO!

Cover Art: Serox

Chapter 50

"Ozpin wants me to do a public speech…?"

"A rally." Sienna said. "It's called a rally."

"And what am I rallying people towards? We don't need more recruits."

"Ignoring the fact we could always do with more recruits, that's not all a rally can be for. You can rally people to a cause. In this case," she explained, "I think Ozpin wants you to advantage of the fact you have support among humans as well as faunus to rally the two sides together."

She knew just what to say to appeal to him. Jaune sighed and wished he wasn't so easy – even Ozpin appeared to know it, hence why he'd sent this request to Sienna through private channels. That was what she called the PM system on 4Fang, anyway.

A public speech, a rally, arranged by Ozpin and, apparently, underneath the council's nostrils. It almost sounded like Ozpin was on their side, except that the idea was ridiculous. Surely. The man was a headmaster and must have had better things to do than play politics. Jaune felt confident saying Ozpin supported peace between humans and faunus but he couldn't say much else about the man.

Except that he was as good as his word before. He got me into the parade…

Damn it. Now it was even harder to think up reasons why he shouldn't. "Would it even be legal? Don't pull that face. I know we break the law but we usually do that from hiding. Not out in the open."

"Technically speaking, holding a rally isn't illegal."

"It's not?"

"Of course not. Being you is illegal," Sienna said. "Because, you know, you're a wanted criminal, but there's nothing against speaking in public as long as you don't incite violence or block traffic. You can't be arrested if you're promised amnesty by someone in a position of authority, however."

And Ozpin had. Apparently, he'd arranged for Beacon "and guests" to speak at a pre-Vytal festival press conference. Pre-tournament, really. Now that the first parade was out the way people were hankering to know more about the fights. Huntsmen and huntresses were a little less dramatic than boxers, so instead of pre-match banter where the combatants would square up and make threatening remarks, it was more the local headmaster answering questions and talking about some of their more promising students.

Basically, it was boring. People might watch it; they'd certainly attend since Pyrrha Nikos was going to say a few words and she was famous – but it wasn't the kind of thing Jaune would have ever watched. Too dry. He'd have tuned in for the fights themselves but not a bunch of people talking.

It was a Beacon event, though. It was Beacon's jurisdiction, which meant that Ozpin could invite whoever and whomever he wished and the Council couldn't do anything about it. According to Sienna, that was a law put in place in the Vytal treaty, as it would mean that even in a hypothetical future where two kingdoms were warring or at odds, the local politicians of one kingdom couldn't block members of the other coming to represent in the tournament. The academies were independent. Their focus was on Grimm, not war, and there were laws to prevent them being drafted or used even for propaganda.

"I'm going to look like a coward if I don't show. I don't have a choice…"

"You do." Sienna countered. "Ozpin could announce your presence and force our hand but he hasn't. He's made the offer, and made it clear he won't be offended should you refuse it."

Jaune breathed out. That was good of him. It implied Ozpin really did want to work with and not against them. "But?"

"But I think you should go and it would be a missed opportunity not to. Normally, it's only the headmasters and a chosen student or two who get to speak. It's a big deal for us to be invited."

A big deal to go and a big loss to not even show his face. Jaune sighed. "And you don't think this is an odd coincidence given the Council's latest law?"

The Anti-Masking Act. Talk about a laughable attempt to inconvenience them. Jaune hadn't even heard of it until it was announced that very morning, and he wasn't the only one thinking it had been drummed up, voted on and put into place in a single night. The law did what it said, granting police the power to demand anyone remove a face covering that could be considered a mask. At the very least, it made allowances and exceptions for health reasons, but other than that it was a mess that was sure to cause much anger come Halloween. Not that everyone and their dog didn't know what it was really about.

"It's probably related, but not enough to stop you. You and I are unmasked. It won't stop us showing up. I expect it's more a pre-emptive counter to us trying to garner more support by scaring our members who still have identities they want to hide. They know it won't stop us wearing masks when we go out on raids, but they're hoping it will keep our actions in daylight hours limited to the two of us."

"Who they most want to arrest," Jaune said. The Council wanted to cut the head off the snake, so they'd made a law that wouldn't necessarily lead to any more arrests but would force him and Sienna to take more of the open-hours work, putting them in more danger. It was actually fairly clever, if a little transparent. "So, does this mean we can't take an escort?"

"Not unless they're all willing to unmask. Some of them might be…"

"No." They might, but it wasn't fair to force them to for his paranoia. "Ozpin has already promised we won't be arrested and we'll trust that. It's not like it would matter if he turned on us. He has trained huntsmen at his beck and call and we can't fight them off."

"He won't turn on us." Sienna said. "It would make us martyrs."

Jaune shuddered. That was a word he didn't want used in association with him. Not at all. He planned to come out of this alive and in one piece, thank you very much. "Tell him we'll be there. I need to call Lisa and ask for help writing a speech."

"Actually," Sienna said with a little smirk. "I might have someone else in mind to help. I just received word from back home."

/-/

"I want nothing to do with them."

Kali Belladonna smiled and rubbed her hands over her husband's biceps, soothing his temper as much as his muscles. She didn't say anything. Ghira burned so hot and passionate – it was one of the many reasons she loved him – but sometimes that passion of his got him into trouble. Over years of marriage, she'd learned more could be said without words than in heated argument.

"I'm not!" he said again, as if she'd thoroughly chastised him. "They turned on us, turned everyone against us – they even took Blake away. And for what? To finally realise they were wrong and come crawling back?"

Kali smiled. "Yes."

"I… I refuse…" Ghira, the great big baby, collapsed in on himself. He shrunk a few inches as all the air in his mighty lungs left him. "I'm being petty, aren't I?"

"I didn't say that."

"You don't have to. I know that look on your face." He narrowed his eyes as her lips curled upward. "And that one too. Stop looking so smug. Ugh. Twenty years married and you still do this to me. Remind me again why I put up with you?"

"Mind-blowing sex?"

Ghira coughed, reddened, and glared at her as she giggled. "You were supposed to say because I love you."

"That too." Kali continued to giggle. A lot of people were intimidated by Ghira's size and presence, but she loved making him tense up or deflate. It was a game to her, to see the big, strong, man stumble or blush. She leaned in to peck his cheek as he grumbled at her teasing. "As for being petty, well, who can blame you? Us? Sienna and the rest did take everything from us. You've a right to be angry."

"But holding onto that anger won't help anyone," he said. Robbed of his rage, he came to the right conclusion as he so often did. He was wise, old Ghira, when he wasn't charging around like a bull having seen red. "You're right. As usual. If Sienna and the old farts really have seen the light, I shouldn't push them away just because I want to get my own back. That might send them running back to terrorism."

"I don't think they'll do that. This Arc fellow appears to have whipped them into shape."

"Hngh. Arc." Ghira frowned. "That name is familiar. I thought the Arc family were all humans. They were terrors in the war."

"As known for their rather large families as their abilities, dear. It's not hard to believe one married a faunus. Does it matter?"

"It matters whether he's legitimate or not. This is… The things they're doing are everything we ever wanted, and if he fully intends that then fine. I'm just worried it might be a front. He could be the second coming of Adam Taurus behind the scenes."

"We'll-"

"-never know without giving him a chance. I know. Ugh."

Kali giggled and kissed him again. Maybe he wasn't the only one getting a little too predictable. She'd have to switch her game up. "The Albain brothers are asking us to take a leadership role," she told him. "Mostly advisory, but to help guide them and make sure they don't fall back on old habits. This would go a long way to mending rifts in Menagerie as well. It's the first time I've spoken with those two without there being any animosity between us. There wasn't so much as a veiled insult."

That had been a surprise, and quite the welcome one. The Albain brothers might have thought old age had dulled the two of them, but Kali had her own informants – members of the White Fang loyal to her even as they supported the new ways. They'd kept her informed of many things, especially when they started hearing threats against the Belladonna family. There were long-standing White Fang members who, despite disagreeing with her and Ghira, were still close friends and respected them greatly.

"They want one of us to go to Vale." Ghira said.

"It should be you, dear."

His face softened. "Are you sure? I know you want to see Blake…"

"Oh, I'm not saying I'll stay here forever. You can go, and if things turn out well, I will come by and attend the tournament, but they want leadership and they're mostly lacking in protest and rallying at the moment. You were always better at that than I was. No one could fire up the masses like you."

It was as much physical as anything. Ghira was big and strong and that made people feel stronger by association, and even beyond those psychological considerations he had a stronger set of lungs perfectly designed to bellow out over a crowd. He was so emotional too, so open, that people instantly trusted him. Kali had always been a sneakier, more subtle sort.

Her daughter had taken over her for the most part, though Blake did love a good sign-waving and shouting match. Such a perfect mix of the two of them, tainted by Adam and Sienna's dogma.

"I'll go." Ghira said. "Will you be safe? If this is a trick to get you alone…"

"The Albain brothers wouldn't dare. Not and tarnish their new poster child's legacy. Besides, this would be official. If anything, the White Fang will be desperate to make sure I'm safe and sound. If something should happen to me while you're gone, it's going to look terrible for them."

"Fine." His frame rumbled as he relaxed. "I'll shake things up. See if this Arc boy is as good as his word."

"And if he is…?"

"If he is… then perhaps I might be tempted to get back into the swing of things."

Kali crooned happily and slipped into his lap. "It'll be just like old times!" she teased.

"Ha. Atlas will love that…"

/-/

"The Council will be furious." Ironwood said. "I'm furious!"

"I can see that." Ozpin said calmly. He adjusted his glasses and took a slow, meaningful sip of his coffee. "I hope I don't need to remind you Beacon is hosting this year's festival. It is my choice who I invite to speak at these events."

"And my job to handle security. Damn it, Ozpin. You're not making my job any easier. I'm going to come under pressure to stop you." He paused in his pacing. "Give me one good reason not to cave."

"Making allies of Mr Arc and Miss Khan prevents them taking any action against us during the festival. Their new strategy relies on public opinion and being seen as the underdogs. By taking that away, the scope of what they can do is limited."

Ironwood stared back at him. They both knew it wasn't the only or even the real reason why Ozpin wanted this, but the general had asked for one good reason and Ozpin had delivered. After a long silence, Ironwood growled. "Damn your logic."

Ozpin chuckled. It was good logic he felt. Enough to convince James at any rate. He didn't think the White Fang wanted to do anything nefarious during the event anyway, but this would all but force them not to. His real motives stretched a little further, and to more important matters. If this silly feud between humans and faunus could be put to bed once and for all then Remnant could finally start working on the more important issue of the Grimm and Salem.

It was a tragic waste of the world's quite limited time that he was stuck doing this anyway. Go back a few thousand years and he might have staged a coup, taken over, installed himself as king again and simply outlawed faunus discrimination. He'd learned the hard way how that went, however. You couldn't force people to change their minds. It only made them dig their feet in and resist all the harder.

In truth, the only way to change hearts and minds were to trick people into thinking they'd changed it themselves. It was a sad fact of the human mind, but true. Whether it was the sunk cost fallacy or the Dunning-Kruger effect, the average person had a remarkable intolerance to being proven wrong. Subtly convince them to `realise they're right in another direction` however, and they were fine. If they made the change themselves then they didn't think show such resistance. People were simply afraid to admit they might be wrong, or that they might not be as intelligent as they first thought.

Stupid, but reality. It was why arguing with conspiracy theorists was such a waste of time.

Jaune Arc wasn't telling people they were stupid. He wasn't "lecturing" people. That would have gone as poorly as the White Fang's first protests did. They had all but accused people of being racist, and the natural human response to that was to deny.

"I can't be racist," the men and women of Atlas would argue, growing increasingly defensive and angry at the faunus who dared suggest it. That immediate reaction turned everyone against them, because even the people in Atlas who staunchly defended the faunus and treated them as equals didn't like being accused of something they were not. It was so hard to help people improve by accusing and belittling them. At that point you were as good as preventing them from ever getting better by forcing their resistance.

And, at the end of the day, actions spoke louder than words. When the White Fang struck at somewhere undeniably evil and showed their actions protecting human and faunus both then even people who would have rejected them before became strident supporters. Even the most closed-off of students like Cardin Winchester cheered the White Fang on in taking down that disgusting brothel. It was precisely because they hadn't come out after and accused people of allowing it. They hadn't pointed fingers; they simply did something to fix it and let people chime in to support. With that small action, they'd done more now than Sienna Khan had in years.

That was something he'd like to see continue.

"This isn't just about my feelings on the matter." Ironwood said. "Think about the Council. Think about what this is doing. Beacon stepping away from the council at a time like this is undermining their authority. That's your prerogative, I understand, but since I'm forced to provide security for the event, you're also dragging my school into this."

"I do apologise for that old friend, but I would like to remind you that you are the one who pushed the council to grant you power over the festival's security." Ozpin would not claim to be beyond petty vindication when James scowled. "I did not force, nor ask, you to do that."

"Ozpin…"

"Oh, relax James." He stood and patted the man's arm. "I'll make it clear to the council you're not with me on this. You don't have to take part in speech if you don't want to."

"I'll have to as headmaster," he grumbled, then changed the subject. "What students are you bringing up? Pyrrha Nikos, I assume?"

"Certainly. I can't really avoid that as much as I get the feeling she'd rather I did."

"Not everyone cares for fame. I watched one of her fights and saw it in her. She loves the thrill, the combat, but she was tenser in the after-match interview than she was in the fight itself."

"Your eyes are as keen as ever." Ozpin complimented. "It's a shame our way of life has become such a staple of the media. I've a feeling I'm at fault for that." When Ironwood made an interested sound, Ozpin continued. "I pushed for more recognition for huntsmen in a past incarnation," he explained. "Our numbers were dropping and mortality rates were high. Something had to be done, so I pushed for spars to be televised as entertainment under the guise of a push to show the public how hard their protectors trained. It had the intended effect of generating interest, but it also idolised what we do. Turned it from a grim and necessary job into some gladiatorial spectator sport."

Ironwood laughed. "Just another one of your many mistakes, is it?"

"More like a compromise. Our numbers are higher now than they've ever been but sadly young women like Miss Nikos suffer for it."

"For every person like her there's another who enjoys the fame or brings their family out of poverty because of it." Ironwood countered. "You can't discount the practice because one person does not appreciate it. The choice to take on an agent and start a presence in the tournaments was hers or her family's. The responsibility lies with them. Not you."

Ozpin smiled and thanked his old friend. It was easy to take on guilt when you'd lived long enough to accrue so much of it, but Ironwood always had a more down-to-remnant way of looking at things. Qrow offered much the same.

The reality was that Ozpin knew of Miss Nikos' family, and while they were not cruel in any way, they were certainly hungry for recognition and fame. They'd almost certainly pressured her a little, even if it was in kind and well-meaning ways. Perhaps she even started out enjoying and craving it, only to see the darker side of fame later. All he could offer now was his apologies for dragging her up. He had only requested her attendance. If she wished, she could still refuse it.

"I've been thinking of another," Ozpin admitted.

"Rose?" Ironwood rolled his eyes. "No need to be coy there. She's the city's golden child at the moment."

"You don't know the half of it. Last I heard, Taiyang has been fighting off people interested in sponsoring or setting up their sons and daughters with her."

"Really?"

"Really." Ozpin confirmed. He'd had more than an earful from Taiyang about that. "Everyone Loves Grapes wants to pay her two million lien a year if she will take a can of their soda with her to any public event, and so long as she never drinks anything else while in front of a camera."

"Sounds generous."

"Her teeth might disagree. That dredge is more sugar than fruit. There's a sports brand who want to buy access to her face for their latest range as well. He's said no, but apparently they've found a way around it." Ozpin reached into his desk and pulled out a black tee shirt. It looked normal but Ironwood snorted at the two very distinctive silver eyes on the front, and the image of a scythe below.

"How is that now infringing her?" he had to ask.

"Silver is just a colour and one girl cannot claim copyright on a pair of eyes nor a farming implement."

"Ah, the old `it's a coincidence` defence. I like that one. Does Miss Rose know?"

"In the interests of sparing her the angst, no. Or if she does, I wasn't the one to tell her. I've been keeping the media and businessmen from meeting with her by stating her education is too important. As for her mail, Glynda has been delivering it to her in a sack and has kindly parsed the personal mail from the business enquiries so that Miss Rose can do with them as she sees fit."

"Has she?"

"Miss Rose and her team have been formally warned that the toilets are not a suitable place to dispose of eighty sealed envelopes, and the plumbers have cleared the blockage before it could flood the floor. They're currently serving detention. Glynda offered them a lighter and a spot outside they can deal with them at."

"That would explain the bonfire I saw earlier." Ironwood noted with a nod. "Well, the Council are going to hate you inviting the White Fang, so why not double down on the hate and include her as well. Might as well piss off everyone."

"My thoughts exactly. Are you bringing anyone?"

"And have their ego be crushed when they are completely ignored and overshadowed by those two? Or booed off the stage in favour of them? No. I think I'll spare my students that indignity."

Good of him. Ozpin didn't relish the idea of seeing an impressionable young man or woman face that either, so he was thankful neither of the other two headmasters would be attending this year. James keeping his out would also help distance himself from the inevitable fallout. While he wasn't afraid to face it himself, no one else should have to.

Speaking of, I'd best make sure Miss Nikos knows accepting may mean the same for her. I'm fairly sure she's pro-faunus, but she might not be pro-ruining her career, no matter how little she likes it.

As for Miss Rose, well, the girl was too much like her mother. That was a good thing on most accounts – but Summer had been famous, infamous even, for throwing away all common sense when she saw a cause to champion. It would be a disservice to let her daughter face that alone. Luckily, she had a team of loyal friends around her and he would support from the shadows as he always had.

"Can I count on your support for the evening James? Not your political support, but the support of you and your men in making sure nothing ill befalls any of the guests."

"Of course you can. I may despise the White Fang but I take my responsibilities seriously. The security will be top notch – both for the crowds and those damn terrorists."

"Thank you, James. That is all I will ask for."

/-/

"Now the White Fang are going to be speaking at this event," Mercury complained as he read over the news report. Things were getting out of hand, and the White Fang were well and truly falling out of Cinder's grip. If this continued, she wouldn't be able to count on them at all. She couldn't now! Roman's efforts to win some over were being met with absolute mockery.

Jaune Arc was their champion. His reputation was superhuman.

That was rough for him not only because it might mean a whole lot more danger in the attack, but because it would put Cinder in a bad mood. That was never a good thing. She could be a bitch at the best of times, but she was a powerful bitch that he couldn't afford to disrespect, so he stomached the abuse. When she was in a bad mood, she got ten times worse and was often physical about it.

He was a little surprised then that his comment didn't elicit a reaction from her. Arc had become a taboo word in their dorm. It always set her off. He hadn't said it per se, but he'd as good as implied it. Cinder didn't rise to the bait. She lounged on her bed, her scroll held above her and a knowing smile playing over her painted lips.

"No need to worry," she said loftily. "The White Fang will serve our ends all the same."

"I-Not to doubt you, ma'am, but they're pansies now. Practically pacifists…"

"Don't be silly, Mercury. They were dangerous once, violent. All that's happened is that they've grown lazy and fat on the peace. They just need a good reason to get riled up and they'll be back to their usual selves."

Mercury didn't dare ask what her plan was or what his role was in it. He only thanked his lucky stars she was in a good mood and uttered a silent prayer for the poor bastard who was going to be the cause of that.

Even as I write this I find it funny how in one story Ozpin can be a villain and in another a bro. I don't think that's unreasonable either, since we do as our situation demands and the Ozpin here can afford to be nice and help Jaune, whereas in other stories he might not have the liberty. I think it's a sign of a good character if they have morals but are not too one-dimensional as to have no flexibility. It's why even when I enjoyed playing Warhammer, I never really liked their books (aside from Gotrek and Felix where Felix got to play the personality). It was always hard to enjoy those Space Marine books because they're always "I FEAR NOTHING" and "INTO THE FRAY, BROTHERS". Ugh Boring. Oh, and Ciaphas Cain was obviously great. Read that after writing Professor Arc and having it recommended and I loved it.

Next Chapter: 23rd November

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur