() Ozpin sings Home by Jeff Williams at this point however fanfiction dot net doesn't allow the use of lyrics.
The bonfire blazed late at night, its smoke rising through the sky occasionally blotting the twinkling stars that refused to be hidden. Everyone who had known Pyrrha and was in Haven was attending. They didn't have her body, which nixed a rather lot of the traditions for a good old Vale wake but they put together a bonfire, cracked out some of Lydia's nicer barrels and settled down to talk about her. It was mostly JNR doing the talking but everyone was happy to listen and remember.
Ozpin was the one standing vigil, Jaune had wanted to as well but at the look on Oz's face when he volunteered had him back down. For once Jaune understood Oz's thinking, that he did feel responsible for Pyrrha and giving up a night of sleep to maintain a fire and watch over her spirit to come visit them was the least he could do.
Food and drink was plentiful and plates of it went around those sat at the fire. Even Jaune had a drink in his hand, though for most it was a very dark beer. All save for two.
Ruby and Qrow sat on a cushioned bench curled around each other lightly dozing. On the table next to them was two glasses of bubbly apple juice. That Taiyang and Ozpin had viciously defended them from anything remotely alcoholic was peculiar. Mostly because Bart hadn't quite believed it when it was said that Qrow wasn't drinking anymore… at all. He had known that Qrow drank but not to the extent of him being an alcoholic or as the case was one recovering alcoholic.
Despite having his friends and both daughters present Taiyang often found himself drifting to hover over Ruby and Qrow. They had told him everything, from arriving to Haven to when they sent the letter. Tai was finding it very hard to be angry at them, even Ozpin had a rough time lately as it happened. Qrow looked battered in a way he hadn't seen before, particularly around the eyes. Ozpin had gotten touch shy from anyone that wasn't Weiss, Ruby, Qrow, Nora or Ren. Which was interesting in of itself. Having watched Oz for a good portion of the night Taiyang noticed that Oz was even shying away from Glynda, Peter and Bartholomew. All three could be rather affectionate and he seemed like he wanted to jump out of his skin whenever one patted him on the back.
Taiyang sat down in a plump outdoor chairs beside Qrow and Ruby, he reached out and idly pet Qrow's hair. The purr announced that he was indeed asleep. No one would blame him, when Ruby napped Qrow was sure to follow. He turned his gaze upwards as Ozpin moved away from the fire, it was a interesting thing to watch. How Oz would face the fire till he was in the dark before turning away.
Ozpin couldn't stand being near the fire anymore. Preferring the chill of the March night he walked out to look over the forests of the country. Where was Pyrrha he wondered. Had Rymrgand consumed her, was she a part of the magic of the world. Or had she found her way through Berath's Wheel? Or did she wander the face of Remnant in the In-Between, could it be that she here among them now? He closed his eyes and put a hand upon his chest, trying to feel the Chime that Berath had given him deep in his soul.
So quietly, distantly, the barest of rings could be heard. Memories twisted in him a story in his mind, an echo of his soul that was severed as punishment for cheating death.
"There was once a pale man with dark hair, who was very lonely."
"Why was it lonely?"
"All things must meet this man, so they shunned him."
"Did he chase them all?"
"He took an axe and split himself in two. Right, down, the middle."
"So he would always have a friend?"
"So he would always have a friend."
The chime grew a little louder and Ozpin remembered speaking so softly none would hear him. "Childre of Berath Wolf and Lamb. Heralds and Guides. How long have you hunted me. You were made of me weren't you? Taken from me by Berath as a punishment for the elder brothers actions upon me." He opened his eyes slowly and a spectral black-purple wolf with glowing blue eyes paced in the empty air before him. Standing peace was a lamb, who stood upon her hind legs, her form vaguely humanoid as she held a bow in her three fingered hands. Wearing a wooden mask very akin to Wolf's pelt."Will you tell me what has happened to Pyrrha?"
Lamb raised a fine hand and pointed over his shoulder. Ozpin turned and saw her, Pyrrha was sitting beside Jaune, she looked alive if not for the purple haze around her body. "Why is she still here? Can see hear me?"
"You are within the Chime, she can not." Lamb said in her ethereal voice.
"She waits for your death. She aches to be consumed by you..." Wolf snarled.
"She sees it as a way to help her friends." Lamb continued. "For you to turn the power of her soul upon on her murderer. Or to replace what you use against her."
"I don't…"
"You won't have a choice, do not call for us again Ozpin. Ozma may be dead but you are still here, we will take great glee in hunting you when your time is at its end."
Ozpin turned and the pair were gone and when he looked back he found he could no longer see Pyrrha. The place beside Jaune sat empty but it was still nice to know she had been there, that she was still here with them, even in spirit. There was that name again, Omza? Just who had he forgotten being? He looked to the collection of logs they had gathered for this and to the fire, making sure one no was looking he levitated a log into place. He still could barely stand being close to so much fire.
Oz walked over to Ruby and Qrow, then pulled the blanket from off the back of the sofa and tucked them in before sitting in the small free space by their feet.
"I haven't seen you take more a few sips of anything either." Taiyang said seeing that same tired look that Qrow wore in Ozpin.
"It has taken time for us all to clean up. Ruby still can not stand the scent, so I drink only when required to be respectful." Ozpin turned his gaze back to his lovers. "When can I marry them?"
"You know I am still angry with you. You left them, you left all of us we needed you and you were-."
"Running for my life, after being burned alive. I couldn't have helped anyone Tai. If I hadn't done as I did I would be dead." Ozpin said quietly, he glanced at the fire. "You've no idea how hard it is too look after it. How many times I've almost panicked already, I wasn't there because I was dying. It was only through some sheer dumb luck that I am here like this today."
At that Taiyang went silent for several long minutes before saying. "It would be bad luck to marry on the twentieth, it being the day for the wrong deity. After however, I am going to assume you three want it to be private?"
"Yes."
"Then maybe the Saturday after. I will come and witness but it would be best to keep it quiet and I would much rather Ruby be married before giving birth. What name are you all going to share?" Taiyang asked.
"Branwen."
"Huh, I can see why Ruby might pick that. Alright, lets see how this goes." Taiyang had a drink of his wine.
Ozpin got up he couldn't be still, the night was waning, Jaune, Ren and Nora had all piled together passed out. The rest of the staff departed sensing the night was drawing to a close. Oz turned away and headed into the house. Up the stairs and into a parlor facing the backyard. He opened the windows and lifted the cover up off a piano. He rested a hand on the edge remembering how Pyrrha was still with them, how even in death they were together.
He sat down at the piano, began a lulling melody and started to sing.
()
He closed the piano silently and leaned down resting his head on his folded arms. Tears collected in the corners of his eyes as he watched the fire burn down as the sun rested the horizon. "I'm so sorry." Oz hid his face in his arms and let the tears fall.
A hand touched his shoulder and he looked up in surprise. Jaune sat down beside him, his own eyes red and puffy.
"I'm sorry." Ozpin tried to clear the tears away but they wouldn't stop. "It's all my fault I never should have asked for her help."
Not so long ago the words would have been grafting for Jaune. That in Ozpin asking her, their Pyrrha for help he took any choice she might of had from her because that was just how Pyrrha was. However he had gotten to know Ozpin, started to see he was just like the rest of them. Just as flawed, just as human, just as prone to mistakes. "I forgive you." The tears welled up again but they were tears of catharsis.
Qrow pulled at his tie one last time, he felt like he was in some monkey suit. Thank Lydia for thinking ahead for all of them. She had new clothes for Ozpin, Ruby and himself ready to go for the first day of classes. He wasn't like Bart who didn't care about how he looked and was confident enough to pull it off or Peter so entrenched in route that it lost all meaning. He shoved the doors open to his classroom just as the bell rang for class to start. It was a second year class, that meant no Ruby or any of the kids he knew.
The noise was already grating on his nerves as he strode to his lecture and spun on his heel. "Shut your TRAPS!"
The clack of teeth was audible as the classroom fell into stunned silence. So far so good. "As you all know your first class of the day will also be your homeroom class. Please raise your hand when your name is called, if your name is not called I'll add it at the end. The start of this term has been rather hectic." One by one he called out names and marked them off on a digital clipboard. He didn't butcher any of the pronunciations thankfully. "You will all call me Professor Branwen I will accept no other. Try it and I'll be sure to let Professor Goodwitch know, I don't think I need to explain her take on respecting your Professors to anyone here. We will begin with a test. This will not be for marks, given that the majority of you are from Beacon and how the year was interrupted this test is only to assess what you have managed to retain since then."
Qrow put down the clipboard and picked up a large stack of stapled papers, he walked up the four levels of seats and handed out enough tests for each row. "Take one and pass them along." He headed back down the stairs and glanced at the clock. The class would be two hours, more than enough time to finish. "There will be no talking till the end of the test. If you don't know a question skip it but don't guess. Begin."
He let out a breath as the pencil started to scratch. That had gone a lot more smoothly then he thought it would, he walked around and sat in the heavy leather chair clipboard in hand with other information as he reread through what he would most likely be starting on today. He gave them an hour before getting up and making a round of the room. Most had given up. "Pencils down when you are done."
A half hour after that Qrow gathered up the tests. A quick browse through them showed him that most in his class were at least competent or had been studying before the term had started. The murmuring started up again and Qrow sighed. "Alright, I can tell that someone of you wish to ask questions. This will be your one and only chance to shoot them off." He set the tests on his desk and crossed his arms over his chest looking over his class.
A hand rose.
"Ask."
"Branwen, as in the Branwen bandit tribe?"
"Formally. Got a problem with that?" Qrow looked the student up and down. Human, pale, male, physically fit.
"How did a bandit get a job?" Another asked.
"I haven't been a member of the tribe since well before your own age. It's just a name." Qrow said sharply.
"How'd you get out?"
"Beacon. I became a Huntsman."
The next question came more slowly. "Where were you at Beacon? During the fall?"
"I was in Vale fighting with Ironwood and Goodwitch." Qrow said again with a mask of calm on.
"Was the attack here by the same group?"
"Yes. We won this time obviously."
"Will it happen again?"
"Not hear most likely, but I might as well mention this now. I will not be your teacher for the whole year. In the coming months I will be moving on to Atlas. I have a history with Ironwood and will be going there with a pair of teams to assist him." Qrow said, it was close enough to the truth.
"So it could happen again? At Atlas?"
"That is what we are trying to prevent. However Haven would not have been able to open this year without Ozpin and the rest of the teachers that came over from Vale's help. Most of us will be leaving when more permanent teachers are found."
"Have you taught before? I couldn't find anything on your online resume."
Qrow almost scowled at the idea that they had looked him up. "I taught briefly at Signal Academy, given that it is not relevant in the field you won't find anything about it online."
"What's the deal with you and Ozpin!?" A shout from the back row came out.
Qrow did glare at that. "One do not shout in my class. Two I will not answer any questions of a personal manner. None of you have any right to my private life, ask anything about it and again I'll set Goodwitch on you."
"Why? Don't want to give us detention yourself?" A more rude student asked.
"I do have a life of my own and Goodwitch offered." Qrow said, leaving out that she offered because she was worried about what his Semblance might do to an annoying student.
"What is your Semblance Professor? It's another thing that wasn't listed."
Qrow rolled his eyes, part of him just wanted to give the same response as before. The other part of him decided he might as well work on a rep. He let Muninn out to play, he felt his claws length and grinned as the door cracked open. "Misfortune."
The lights exploded raining glass down on them, chairs broke dumping the more annoying students on their asses. Then the ceiling exploded as Yang came crashing through. She tumbled head over heels and got up dusting herself off. "Uncle do you mind? I was going up against Sun! The whole school could do without bad luck on their first day."
"Yeah yeah kiddo." He shackled the door again and returned to normal. "Send Glynda my way would you?"
"Yeah sure." Yang jumped off the ground firing her gauntlets to soar back up out of the whole in the roof.
"I think that is enough for today." Right on cue the bell rang.
His first group of students scrambled to get out of the class first and Qrow stretched. "One down, three more to go."
Ruby sat on the stairs out of the way as classes had just ended for the day. It had gone well all things considered but she had heard about Qrow scaring the crap out of a few of his classes. The fact that his Semblance was Misfortune was already spreading like wildfire. She worried her bottom lip, it was definitely a different approach then the last time he taught. Then again he wasn't trying to make a long term living out of this, he wanted them to pay attention and to not bother him. So far it looked like it would work out well.
"Ready to go home?" Ozpin asked sitting down on the step beside her with a yawn.
"Yeah, you okay? You look tired." Ruby looked him up and down, something was different.
"Yeah fine. I'm just not looking forward to going over all those tests. Or heck I can't remember the last time I played 'headmaster' so hard. I swear there's a new crick in my back for all the time I spent at military ease today." Oz stretched trying to get that sore spot.
"Maybe I can give you a massage when we get home." Ruby said with a purr.
"That would be lovely. How about you any problems yet?"
"Not really, oh thanks for putting all of us in all the same classes. Someone always had my back I was a bit worried about what people were going to say but so far it's been normal." Ruby pet over her baby bump.
"Putting you altogether just made sense. I don't grasp why there would be a problem, you are far from the first woman to have a child at school. I can just see Peter itching to pick her up and hold her during classes." Ozpin chuckled. "I swear he likes it cause the kids often looked like they loved his stories."
"Maybe it's because they couldn't understand them. I don't think this one will have that luxury." Ruby said softly.
"Getting more flutters over the bond?" Ozpin asked his voice becoming hushed.
"Yeah. Something tells me she's gonna be a really smart baby." Ruby said still petting.
Ozpin leaned over and kissed her temple. "Just like her brilliant mama."
Ruby smiled warmly up at him just as Qrow came through the oaken doors. "There you two are! Come on lets go I'm hungry." Qrow walked over to them as Ozpin helped Ruby to her feet.
"Eager to be out of here? I heard you had fun in your classes." Ozpin asked with a knowing smirk.
"I did nothing, my Semblance just frightened a few students, oh and maybe broke a few chairs . . . and the ceiling." Qrow smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "To be fair it shut them up nice and fast.
Oz facepalmed. "Oh Qrow! And on the first day too!"
"Hey they were asking for it. I'd much rather they be scared of me Oz, the less they have the balls to pry the better." Qrow adjust his heavy backpack. "Come on let's go home, I've tests to review."
"Alright, let's go see what Lydia has made for dinner."
The new dorms were quiet, only a few muted sounds went around the room. It was a new moon tonight, meaning the room was mostly dark save for the two glowing lamps on either side of the room. Weiss slowly combed a brush through her hair as she sat at the desk in front of the window. Blake turned a page from her book every few minutes while Yang who was normally the robust one lay silent on the bed, save the occasional sigh that left her lips.
Every so often each girl's eyes drifted to the unclaimed bed in the corner of the room, each inhabitant missing their leader. It was different to be sure, being in a dorm again but without Ruby's bubbly presence everything seemed sadder, lonely and much too quiet.
A single knock at their door drew the attention of the three girls. Weiss and Blake looked to each other but it was Yang who heaved off the bed and turned the knob. "Jaune?"
The blonde lad on the other side of the door gave her a sheepish smile but it didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, I'm sorry I know its late."
By now both Weiss and Blake had joined Yang at the door. "What's the matter Jaune?"
"I was, well 'we' were wondering if just for tonight we could stay with you guys?"
At this the girls noticed for the first time that the other leader was wearing his blue onesie pajamas and that he held his pillow and sheet between his hands. That and Nora and Ren who were mostly hidden behind him were in the same state. When their eyes returned to Jaune he added. "Just it's the first night since Pyrrha's wake, I know it's been a long time but being in a dorm again . . . the empty bed . . . we just don't want to." He stopped there, his words choked with tears.
Ren stepped around his friend with a pleading look. "Just for tonight, if it's alright with the three of you, can we stay?"
"Of course you can!" Blake jumped in and in an uncharacteristic fashion grabbed both Ren and Jaune's hands pulling them inside while Yang herded Nora in after them.
Weiss took over, prodding the couple to the empty bed. "I think after all we've been through, both alone and as a team we are something a bit stronger then just friends."
While Nora and Ren settled on the far bed Yang moved her stuff over to Blakes. "Mind if I share with you Blake, then Jaune can take my bed."
"Hey! What's wrong with sleeping with me?" Jaune semi joked, waving his hands.
"Well for one vomit boy," The blonde bruiser giggled. "what are you even wearing?"
Jaune had the decently to look over his onesie, though a bit worse for wear it was in good nick and clean. "What my onsei, I've always had this."
"Exactly my point, not really my style there Jaune." Yang chuckled and slid into the bed with Blake. Sighing Jaune trudged over to the last bed and curled up with a grumble. The others all chuckled light heartedly and Jaune found his first genuine smile since Pyrrha's wake.
Once they all settled down on their respective beds Jaune found he couldn't sleep and turned over only to see Weiss playing with the sheet of her bed. "Problems sleeping?"
Weiss huffed and played with the seam again. "I guess I'm just not use to sleeping alone anymore. It's different lying besides someone. It's strange, I never had a problem sleeping alone back at Beacon but things have changed I guess."
Suddenly Yang's voice from the opposite bed joined in. "I know that feeling. It was the same for me when we all got sent home. I was so use to sleeping near Ruby, waking up in the night and being able to see her sleeping soundly, it was relieving. Then it was all about getting to Mistral, sleeping for necessity and as little as I could get away with so I could reach you guys faster."
"Ren and I have always slept together, even since we were children. Its kinda hard to sleep separately when you don't have enough Lein for two rooms let alone two beds. I guess it always made sense." Nora added, hugging Ren to her.
"I guess we were just lucky to always be together, I don't know if I could sleep without you close by." Her boyfriend mumbled sleepily, nuzzling into her neck.
"Dawwwww.'" Yang cooed only to have a pillow thrown at her. The others giggled and settled back down again, the room falling into silence until Weiss threw off her blanket a few minutes later.
"I can't sleep like this."
JNR's leader sat up. "Want to share with me Weiss?"
Blake who had until this point been silent, groaned loudly and got out of bed. "I have a better idea, guys help me move the beds."
Between the six of them they moved the four beds to one wall. It was a tight fit and costed them more then one bang from the room next to theirs with complaints to keep it down before they had the room ready. Now on one wall was the chests, desks and belongings while the other was wall to wall with beds.
Now the six of them climbed onto the beds and snuggled up together in a pile. The spot closest to the door was claimed by Yang and Blake, followed by Jaune, Nora, Ren and Weiss who was closest to the window. Like this the group curled up, it was a bit snug for all of them but there was not a single complaint as they all snuggled in their claimed spots.
Nora was the first to nod off, her light snores quite loud as she nestled half lying over Ren. Yang raised a brow at it, he whispered over to her. "She's always been a heavy sleeper, I guess that's why when she said she couldn't sleep I figured it would be serious."
"You don't seem to mind it." She smiled at him then added. "I can't believe I lost to Sun today."
"Pfft, you did go through the ceiling pretty hard." The Faunus next to her sniggered.
"Yeah well next time I'm taking no prisoners!"
"SHHHHH." The rest of the group hushed her.
Weiss lifted her head over Ren. "I wonder how Qrow's class went, he was rather nervous about taking a teaching position."
"I heard he spooked the students with his Semblance." Jaune turned over to her.
"Well it will be our turn tomorrow. We're see how he coping with it."
The others lay down again after that slowly nodding off one by one. Jaune was the last to fall asleep as he watched his teammates and friends succumb to sleep. He hadn't expected it to be so hard, coming back to living in the dorms, four beds . . . that last empty bed would have been Pyrrha's but she wasn't here to sleep in it anymore.
The wake the night before had been liberating, all of them coming together to remember and finally take the chance to mourn her. Her life taken too soon, ended before she had a chance to be who she was meant to be. A stray tear slipped from his eye, he had to stop thinking like that. She wouldn't want it. In the darkness he studied his team and that of their friends. He was so thankful to have them, without their support what would he have done? Even Oz and Qrow have helped him stay strong, though he wasn't ready to admit that. They may be goofballs and teasing at times, like tonight but they were his friends and he felt lucky to have them.