Thank you to X3runner for pointing out that even though Cinder is "trusted" to take care of Jaune and Emerald that some type surveillance would still be set up to "keep an eye" on things. Which reminded me of the distrust I had coming from Doctor Oobleck in some of my earlier chapters. Hopeful I've taken care of that loop whole in this chapter.
/==/
Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck was a man who didn't like unanswered questions. Granted many of the questions he had to deal with were theoretical, academic or even esoteric in nature; but still he was not a fan. Currently his focus has been on some very specific questions, "Who was Cinder Fall and what was she after". It was the former that was taking much of his time; as without it he couldn't adequately formulate a responds to the latter. Currently he was before Headmaster Ozpin raising his concerns again.
"Ozpin, listen to me there are anomalies in her history. I would say they are down right fabrications. For instance she;" Oobleck paused and grabbed several sheets of paper from the stuffed folder he had placed on the Headmaster's desk, tossing them down before the Ozpin. "NEVER worked at Haven. In fact I reached out to my all contemporaries in Shade and Atlas; and there are no records of her working at any academy. The only thing that seems to hold some truth is that she was privately trained."
Ozpin just nodded, took a sip from his mug and let his friend continue.
"So that begs the question why did Leo vet her? What reason would he so readily put his support behind someone, and give us false information?"
Ozpin again took a sip from his mug, as Bart took a short pause in his fairly rapid fire method of talking. Ozpin knew his friend was on to something, and decided he would fully hear him out before he offered his opinions, and possible solutions.
"Leo aside, I've had some people I know dig further into her background. There is no record of her at all, in fact the only records they could find is her registering for a course in relation to the position she now holds her at this school; AFTER she was already given the position. Everything we know about her, from all sources seems false. She needs to be confronted about all these anomalies."
Ozpin regarded his associate and friend. He could read the signs, and took another sip from his mug. Bart was almost finished, and then Ozpin would speak.
"There is basically barely any information about her, that I or my sources can find. We have no notion of her aims, goals, loyalties, ambitions, or desires. She is an unknown that needs to addressed, and addressed NOW."
Ozpin nodded, and set his mug down before standing and walking around his desk. He closed on Bart and laid a hand on his shoulder. Bart had brought many, many points to his attention. Things he should have looked into; glaring mistakes and omissions.
"Who is she?" Bart asked, "Is she an agent of someone, wishing to replicate Merlot's work. Is she a member of Merlot's own staff? No one has been able to locate him. Or is she something else entirely?"
"It seems maybe I should have been more proactive in looking into Miss Fall and her background."
"Yes you should have. She was exactly what we needed when we needed her. It is too much a coincidence."
"I think I should have a long discussion with Leo. Which after all that you have brought to light, should be in person." Ozpin offered.
"We need to evaluate her. " Bart stated flatly "We need to put her under a microscope and scrutinize her every action. Find who her loyalty is to."
"I agree." Ozpin responded as he sat on the edge of his desk and looked down at the overstuffed folder Bart had thrown onto his desk. "But I feel we must also consider a few other points my friend."
"Like?"
"I will admit you have raised some more than valid points. We should have done more than we had. But we must also consider the good she has been doing, with the student body as a whole; and with Jaune and Emerald in particular."
"I wont don't want to dismiss her achievements, still..."
"We need to correct this void of information. I do believe I have a way we can discretely address some of the concerns you have raised."
"How do you plan to do that? I've already sued every source I know to look into her background and statements."
"There was an incident and I have to have all her furniture replaced."
"Incident?" Bart raised an eyebrow.
"I may or may not have introduced Emerald and Jaune to the wonders of hot chocolate."
"Seriously?"
/=/
Cinder was tired, and her charges appeared to have burnt off any excess energy that the Headmaster's mistake had imbued them with. She also found a new toy with which to keep them occupied. Cinder regarded the small almost cylindrical object she now carried. She had found it on the benches of the training room that Ozpin had commandeered for her personal use. It would appear that whatever team that had been ejected from the room had left a few things behind in their haste to exit.
While Jaune and Emerald had ecstatically chased each other in grimm form, playing what Cinder could only acknowledge as their interpretation of a game of tag. She turned it over in her hands. She really had no interest in it, and had no idea what it really was. She figured it was an attachment to sometype of firearm, and she was just looking to occupy her time as she waited for the pair of feral teens to burn of their excess energy. Slender fingers brushed along the exterior of the object and found a button. Depressing it the object turned on.
The ruckus of Emerald and Jaune's game ended. Looking up at the sudden silence she saw the pair stalking towards her, and a sense of fear began to grow inside her. Until she noticed their entire focus was not aimed towards her but to a point on the floor. In particular to a small red dot. She moved it as the pair pounced. Landing and realizing that they had not caught the object of their attention the pair perked up and began to search. Their heads swivelling about. Cinder watched as the pair once again crouched and began to slowly stalk towards the bright red dot on the floor a few metres away.
Dragging the dot across the floor as they launched themselves into the air, Cinder smiled. As soon as they landed and realized their quarry had escaped them they whipped around to locate it. Cinder shook the object in her hand; causing the small red dot to dance in erratic patterns on the floor. Jaune and Emerald bolted, racing towards it.
Twisting and angling her wrist she caused the dot to skim over the floor and up onto the wall; a good three metres above the floor. Her smile grew even deeper as undaunted the pair scaled the wall in pursuit. For the next half a hour she played with them. Her adjusting and moving the cylinder in her hand as the teens chased, pounced and swatted at the red dot. Growing tired, she turned it off and watched as Emerald and Jaune spent the next fifteen minutes searching for the object of their fascination.
In her mind Cinder filed away this new nugget of information. It would be useful. A method to garner their attention without her having to raise her voice, or activate her parasite. So she placed the laser sight into the pocket of her blazer. Whomever left it there in their haste to leave lost it. It was hers now.
The pair gave up their search for their prey and soon returned to their version of tag. Cinder knew she was going to be here for awhile longer, and turned her thoughts to the plans she had in place. The Breech was ready to go, and she could order it to proceed at anytime. Only thing holding it back was the new objective Watts' had hinted at during their last conversation. She idly hoped her would soon provide the information in regards to it. The sooner she saw that task done the sooner she could get out from Beacon and back to her original objectives.
The Breech was a lynch pin in the overall operation for her plans to bring Beacon and Vale low. To flood the area with negativity and wash away all opposition that could interfere with her main goal. Retrieving the remainder of the Fall Maiden's powers. Now at her Mistress' behest it was to serve a much different purpose.
She was brought out of her tired mussing by the activity at her room. Maintenance and Janitorial staff moved in and out. Some hauling away the remains of her original furnishings, and others waiting in line to enter with her replacements. Supervising the whole operation was the Headmaster. Jaune and Emerald moved forward past Cinder, as if searching for something. Cinder closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to her Mistress that Ozpin had not brought a mug with him. Opening her eyes she watched Jaune and Emerald's shoulders drop; their tails falling limply to the floor. Thank Salem she thought. Last thing she needed right now is for her two charges to get more sugar.
"Ms. Fall." Ozpin nodded in her direction, his trademark mug no where to be seen.
"Headmaster." she returned the greeting. "No mug?"
"Well...um... yes." He stammered before changing topics " As promised I have had all your damaged items replaced. The staff should be finished shortly."
"Thank you."
"It is the least I could do." Ozpin offered.
"It was." Cinder countered. "If I need your assistance again?"
"I will be available..."
"And?"
"I'll bring water?"
"Good idea." Cinder gave him a less than warm smile.
Cinder and Ozpin chatted for a few moments about nothing in particular, as Emerald and Jaune pouted. Sight of the Headmaster had them eager for another taste, and their sense of smell confirmed that he did not possess that sweet treat. With the last of the debris removed and the final few pieces of furniture situated, Ozpin bid everyone goodnight and walked off. Holding the door open Cinder guided her two charges inside.
"Go get cleaned up. Bed time."
Jaune and Emerald hesitated, causing Cinder to sigh again. She knew they had to be at least somewhat tired. But yet they stood in front of her almost sulking. She was going to murder Ozpin, slowly; so very slowly.
"I'll get you some tomorrow." she attempted to bribe them.
The pair looked at her and tilted their heads. Their tails starting to swish back and forth behind them.
"I promise. Now go get cleaned up. Bed time."
/=/
RBWY awoke tired and sullen. It had been a few days since the incident in combat class, and the Beacon rumour mill was still going strong. Jasmine pointedly avoided them all, and when she saw any of them it was framed with looks of anger and contempt. Rest of JNPR tried their best to be foils, and barriers between their team leader and RWBY, specifically Blake.
Out of all of RWBY, Blake was taking it the hardest. She could feel every stare and glare. Internally she questioned every action and decision she had made that day; with her repeatedly focusing on one simple fact. It had been Ms. Fall, and not her that had claimed the enraged pair.
"Blake?" Yang asked obvious concern about her partner's mental state etched upon her face. "Blake!"
"Um... what... Yes?"
"You need to snap out of it." Yang answered.
"You can't dwell on what is being said." Weiss added, "It WILL die down. Rumours always do."
"Yang and Weiss are right. We need to here and not dwelling on something you have no control over." Ruby interjected in a mature tone that did not fit her age. "In Signal there was always going around about someone, and every time they just faded away.
"It's true. I wont say this situation is good, or that I'm not bothered. But we need to focus. Team exercises are going to continue. We need to show everyone doubting us that we're no frauds."
"I guess." Blake responded in an uncommitted tone.
"Blake you need to stop dwelling on what happened. There is not guessing. We can't changed what happened. It happened. We... you need to accept that. It wasn't your fault." Weiss informed.
"But still..."
"No Blake. Stop. We're a team, and we know you. We know that you. We know you would never doing something like people think. We'll deal with as a team. We'll show people that they are wrong."
Blake just mumbled. Still finding it hard to find a way out of the miasma of guilt, failure and doubt that dominated her thoughts.
"If you wont listen to use, maybe you should talk to someone." Yang spoke up, her lavender eyes studying her partner.
"Like who? Ms. Fall is still on sabbatical. There is no one else." Blake commented.
"Ms. Goodwitch, or the headmaster?" Weiss offered.
"I couldn't..." Blake that statement hang in the air before qualifying it, "They're too busy."
"How would you know that without asking to speak with them?" Weiss asked.
"I think she should just go see Ms. Fall" Ruby butted in. "Even if it's not official, you still have a reason to talk to her. You've been trying to work out a time to speak about Jaune and Emerald, this issue included them, so talk to her."
Her other teammates nodded in agreement to Ruby's statement. Out of everything that was being discussed, it was the most mature and reasonable answer. Again Ruby shocked them all with a maturity beyond her years.
"Maybe you're right." Blake responded.
"We have a free after Oobleck's class. You go see Ms. Fall and we'll wait for at the dorm." Yang offered, with Weiss and Ruby nodding in agreement.
/=/
Cinder Fall was feeling guilty. Not guilty towards the plans she was going to act upon; the schemes she had help to develop. No she was feeling guilt over the fact of what Jaune and Emerald where currently doing. The pair seated on the new couch were eagerly trying to drain the remains of hot chocolate from the mugs in clasped in their hands. She had used it as a reward, to get them to eat the selection of fresh fruits that had accompanied their customary breakfast. While the main plan was still to sweep the pair out from under Beacon's control. They still needed to be socialized, in order for her to comfortably take them in Vale's proper. Which meant she needed to get them used to eating more than almost raw meat. It was mostly for appearances, to make sure they were less noticed, due to odd behaviour. Of course the additional nutrients wouldn't hurt them either.
On the coffee table before her sat both her Beacon scroll and her private one. She sipped on her own mug of hot chocolate as she regarded the two devices. Her Beacon scroll displayed a request from Ms. Belladonna to speak with her, while her private scroll remained inert. She knew she had to be patient in her waiting for the details of whatever schemes Watts was developing. It still however irked her. She wanted to get this facade done and over with. She needed to deliver her charges to her Mistress. She wanted to return to her original priorities. She also had to get away from these small fleeting feelings of accomplishment and success she kept getting from helping the student body.
She was meant to be plotting its downfall, and ruin. Not being a substitute mom to teens still unable to deal with the chaos of emotions that often attempted to overwhelm them. Setting down her mug she noticed Emerald and Jaune's eyes following its path to the coffee table. Sighing, she contemplated the cost of allowing them to indulge in the treat they had so readily took an infatuation to. They were already going to be highly energetic after one mug, she shivered at what it would be like if they had even more. Closing her eyes she deliberated between options. They would need access to a training room soon enough, would giving them more satiate their obvious desire? Give them more and most likely they'll want even more, and it would shortly become a never ending cycle.
Her shoulders dropped, in defeat. She knew at that point she was going to give in, even without looking into two pairs of pleading eyes. She had her new toy that would help in getting them to bleed off the excess energy, and she could also have Ms. Belladonna meet her at the training rooms. Kill two nevermore with one stone, she believed the saying was.
Standing up she gathered the mugs that sat before the teen, and moved into the kitchenette. She could feel their expectant eyes upon her back. Following each and every movement she made. She felt guilty. Guilty for bribing them. Guilty for giving in without a fight; and guilty to whomever was going to have to repair the training room that they will most assuredly damage.
/=/
Ozpin was at his desk a steaming mug to his right. On the terminal before him, forwarded by his receptionist was a simple request. A request he wasn't sure if he should deny. It had the potential to derail some of the progress that had been made with Jaune and Emerald. It also had the potential to further hurt a family already suffering through something he was too familiar with. A video chat request, appeared on his holographic screen and he jumped at a chance to get away from addressing a
situation he wished he could ignore.
"Ozpin." Glynda greeted as he face appeared.
"Glynda."
"I've gone over the reports from our security personnel,and our contacts in Vale."
"Yes?"
"Grimm numbers in the Emerald Forest, Forever Fall, and the wilds outside of the walls are increasing. Rather quickly, specifically in the forest and falls area."
"Any thoughts as to why?"
"Well reports of more grimm sightings would increase the apprehension and fear with in the general populace."
"That is a reasonable assumption for Vale. But what about the area surrounding Beacon?"
"There are rumours circulating among the student body. Particularly in regards to Jaune, Emerald and team RWBY. The negativity caused by them could be the cause."
"I see." Ozpin reached for his mug and took a sip. "Suggestions?"
"Well there is not much we can do about rumours. But we can cull the grimm."
"True. Arrange a sweep and clear lesson. Divide each area up into multiple sectors. Sent three teams to each. A second year, supported by a third and supervised by a fourth year."
"No first years?"
"No. Even though we have many outstanding teams in regard to that class, I think focusing on the basics would be better for them."
"I will take a few days for all the arrangements to be made."
"Have security continue to watch the situation, and if needed have Peach, Port and Oobleck step in as appropriate, until we can send out the teams."
"And Vale?"
"Let any huntsmen and huntresses available in the area; know that we need a cull." Ozpin took another sip from his mug, "Anything else?"
"Nothing I can think of."
"Very well. Keep me update please."
Glynda just nodded before ending the call. With that pleasant distraction over Ozpin returned to the task he was faced with. There really was no right answer, and he audibly sighed as he reached forward and began typing his response to the request.
/=/
Blake reached the designated training room and used her scroll to unlock the door. Upon stepping side, she turned to lock the doors, her cat ears perked up. The sound was soft, and could have been missed if not for slightly better than human hearing. Someone giggled. Turning her eyes fell upon the only other occupant, currently capable of making such a sound. Blake pushed the thought aside as she watched Ms. Fall waving her hand around. Movement out in the training area dew her attention. She giggled herself at the sight.
Jaune and Emerald were hopping around, bumping each other slapping their fore-paws on the hard floor trying to capture a small red dot, that constantly evaded them. Blake instantly clued into what was in Ms. Fall's hand, some type of laser pointer. Giggling again, she composed herself and moved to greet Ms. Fall. Contrary a a miss held belief, due to lack of understanding cat faunus did not suddenly lose themselves and chase interesting things. Yes she had a taste for fish, but that was due to her upbringing, not her heritage.
"Ms. Fall."
"Ms. Belladonna. How are you?"
"I... um... I'm good, I guess."
Cinder could tell by the way she answered that things were not good. Even though she was on suspension she still was required to attend the weekly staff meetings. She knew about the rumours, not the actual words being used. Just that there were rumours. Turning off the laser sight, she watched as Jaune and Emerald scampered about searching for the object of their obsession. The pair soon gave up and turned to chasing each other around the room. Their rather rough version of tag.
"You don't sound good." Cinder commented as she turned the full attention of her amber eyes, on the only person in the school, or for that matter Remnant who had a lasting connect to Emerald and Jaune. "What's bother you?"
"I really shouldn't be here. With your..."
"Nonsense. We are here conferring about how to best care for and socialize Jaune and Emerald. No one need know the difference. So what would you like to speak to me about?"
"It's what people are saying about me, and my friends. After what happened in combat class."
"I see. What are they saying?"
"That I... we cheated. That we shouldn't be at Beacon. Among other things."
"Ah... and you want my advice?"
"Please?"
"Ignore them." Cinder said flatly.
"But what they're s..."
"Is any of it true?" Cinder asked, "Did you plan on Jaune and Emerald getting involved? Did you expect them to? Did you take advantage when they did?"
"No."
"Then it is simple. Ignore them. You know the truth, you have all the information. They are making assumptions and jumping to conclusions that benefit them." Cinder stated, while internally wincing as she once again worked to calm down a potential future threat. "There is something else, isn't there?"
"I... I.. I couldn't stop them."
"To be honest I doubt anyone could have aside from..." Cinder left the rest unsaid.
"But I should have been able to calm them."
"Maybe." Cinder commented as she turned her attention to the forms of Emerald and Jaune as they continued their game; now using the walls. Leaving very obvious gouge marks in the stonework.
"Maybe?"
"I know as much about their history, as anyone here at Beacon. Which leaves me to only assume somethings, which may or may not be valid."
"Like?"
"They are very protective of what they've decided is important to them. From what happened, what do you think that means.?"
"I know they were trying to protect me."
"They were." Cinder agreed, "You are part of their pack, or pride; or whatever it is groups of cats are called. That means something special to them, and from what I know when someone threatens what is theirs, they react."
"But they could have..."
"Yes, they could have, and if it was not for you and Glynda's efforts they probably would have." Cinder returned her attention to the raven haired fanus standing next to her, "And they have, haven't they?"
"How?"
"From how you are holding your body, as well as how readily you agreed with what I suggested." Cinder once again adjusted her focus to the pair being discussed, "They have killed to protect you, and would do so again, without a second thought."
"But they can't be doing that. It's wrong."
"To you and me it is a moral and ethical choice to be made. We have the luxury of being raised in civil society. We have been taught that such choices can only be made at dire times. They have not." Cinder took a breath, pushing down the feelings about the role she was currently playing. "They have been conditioned, and lived where threats had to be removed. There was, and is no moral dilemma for them in making that choice."
"Kill or be killed."
"Exactly."
"So what should I do?"
"Accept that you could only do what you did. Accept the fact to Emerald and Jaune, you are important enough for them to want to protect." Cinder paused for a few moments letting both her and Blake watch the pair of grimm cats tear up the walls and floor of the training room. "And understand that you know the truth about them. Others don't, and wont. The words of the ignorant, have some power, but only so much as the attention you give them. At least that is what I suggest."
"It wont be easy."
"No it's not. It never will be."
The pair fell silent and continued to watch as Jaune and Emerald's play time was slowing down. Cinder inwardly groaned at the damage the sugar hyped pair had done; and chided herself on her weakness in giving them that second mug earlier in the day.
Blake for her part had her thoughts turn inward. She thought about what Ms. Fall had said. It sounded reasonable, but she wanted to consider it further. To weigh it against the feelings inside her. To compare her opportunities, and choices in life to what she knew of Jaune and Emerald's.
/=/
Blake left shortly after their little talk. Stating that she had to meet up with her team, and attend class. Cinder said nothing and just nodded. Alone once again with only Emerald and Jaune for company, she replayed the conversation in her mind, and let her head fall forward in defeat. While her advice wasn't that good, it was aimed at giving the poor girl hope. Hope that things would get better. She knew she had a facade to keep, but all this caring was draining her. It was so much easier to do things to people you didn't know. Granted she didn't know 90% of the student body, she still knew some of them.
She had several that came to her multiple times a month. Mostly young women, but a few young men. It was pretty much because of some world ending heartache, but she was beginning to know them. They were becoming more than just students of Beacon. Taking a deep breath she raised her head and took in Emerald and Jaune now lounging forms. They were stretched out on the floor. Emerald on her belly, Jaune on his back. All around them signs of their playtime.
Cinder rarely felt pity, in fact she couldn't remember a time she really had, but today she did. She pitied the janitorial and maintenance staff that would have to clean up what Emerald and Jaune had wrought. Rounding up her charges, and making them take human form she waited for them to get dressed; and then hurried them out of the ruined training room. She'd let someone else find out that it needed repairs.
/==/
So another chapter down. Just a smidgen shorter than my normal ones. I don't feel this is one of my better chapters, and it probably could use more work. Most likely a lot of work. If it a terrible chapter feel free to let me know.
Anyway, as always comments, critiques, and suggestions are always welcome.
Enjoy.