A Midsummer's Night Dream is public domain.

Ozpin and his lovers were slow to rise the next morning but when Oz strode into the kitchen and saw the invader he turned on his heel and walked the other way. Ruby and Qrow grabbed him by his arms holding him in place and Ruby said. "Good morning Doctor Rutile."

"Good morning Ruby, how are you feeling?" Rutile sipped her tea very amused by Ozpin's fax moon walk as he tried to get away.

"Very good Doctor, what brings you here so early?" Ruby tightened her hold on Oz's good arm as he made a little headway pulling Qrow and Ruby back with him.

"Well as Qrow explained that our dear Ozpin has a phobia of hospitals I felt a house call would be more appropriate to help him." Rutile offered the teapot. "Lydia just made some lovely peach tea, shall we sit and talk."

Oz huffed, that was not question and the way Ruby and Qrow were semi successful in stopping him from vacating the room just made him question if they had known about this beforehand. He offered them both a tiny glare and muttered "Traitors." before allowing them to herd him towards the table where the good Doctor sat patiently.

After pouring a cup for the three of them Rutile spread some papers onto the table. "I need these signed when you're ready. Just confirming that everything that goes on now will remain confidential and only myself will be treating you for the duration of your stay in Mistral. Once you've finished your drink I have a portable X-Ray with me as well as some other equipment that will aid in checking and diagnosing any potential concerns."

Oz had his mouth open to protest when the Doctor glared at him from across the table. "And you will comply with the tests, you already agreed and this stuff was difficult to obtain and transfer here." At that he shut back down again with a sulk.

A knock from the back door alerted them to visitors and Qrow stood, heading over to look out the frosted window before opening it.

"Thanks!" Jaune sighed. "It's crazy out there, probably worse then yesterday."

Oz was confused as to why the young leader was here. "Jaune, why are you here?"

The blonde man shrugged. "Lydia asked me to come this morning, we're hoping that with my Semblance we can heal your arm some more and Doctor Rutile will be able to assess if its possible to heal in the first place."

"Oh." Was all Oz could think of at that current moment. It made sense, he just hadn't really considered that it was at all possible. The more he thought about though the more he pleased he was with the idea. Having any sort of feeling back in the limb sounded good.

After breakfast they moved to the living room where a few machines were set up and ready. The X-Ray wasn't anything new but when it came to scanning the blackened arm was when he needed some assistance. Rutile messed with the machine until it printed out some pages that made little sense to him. After a few moments she explained. "It seems the wood is doing its job, I was seriously concerned at first but there doesn't appear to be any conflict. How is your breathing?"

"Normal I guess. Of course it's never been the same since last time but I don't feel any difference."

"Hmm, well I'd say you'll make a full recovery though I will be keeping an eye on what the wood does. Shall we have a look at healing that arm?" Rutile gestured for Jaune to come over.

Oz wasn't sure it would work, the arm would be useless for months and without the gauntlet was little more then dead weight now. If it had been fixable then he would have done it already, his Aura would have done something at least. Feeling a little pessimistic he lifted the arm with his other hand and put it on the arm rest of the couch while Jaune sat near with his hands hovering over the limb.

Qrow and Ruby watched from the other couch as Jaune activated his Semblance and Oz his Aura, mainly focusing it on the dead arm. The shimmer of green met Jaune's Semblance and brightened slightly.

Oz worked at holding his Aura over what was essentially a dead arm and felt the surge of cells move around the limb. He had to focus to reduce his awareness of the world to the cells within the limb. It was a bit surprising that so many were stagnate rather then flat out dead and decaying. It was disconcerting how burned out veins were suddenly flooded with blood and new growth. Slowly nerves and tendons realigned to the rest of his body and the oncoming pressure was enough for him to bite down on his lip hard to keep from crying out. He felt Jaune's Semblance falter and pulled back slightly, a sign for him to stop, which Jaune promptly did. Leaving Oz little pale and shakier than when they started.

"I think I need to go lay down." Was all he got before he slumped on the couch exhausted. Oz frowned, confused and noticed that nobody was sat where they had been. "How long were we out?"

Rutile jotted something down in a blue notebook before replacing it on the table and checking her watch. "Nearly an hour. We didn't want to interrupt the flow and Jaune was happy to offer his Semblance."

"Good practice for him really." Qrow said and sat next to his fiance. "How you feeling?"

Oz shifted slightly and attempted to curl his fist. Still nothing but there was the faintest of tingles and a tremor going through the limb. "It's going to take a lot of healing but I think it can be saved!" For once he smiled at the arm, not seeing the burned out limb as dead.

Just then Oz felt an uncomfortable sensation go through his arm and whimpered, holding it to him. "Owwww~"

The Doctor was immediately out of her seat and pulling his arm to have a look. "Damn, I was afraid this might happen." She went back over to the kit that she had brought while Oz took the opportunity to check and saw the blood.

"Why is it bleeding?"

"All that fresh blood going through your arm, the circulation is a little much for it and the skin is weeping blood." She pulled out some absorption pads and started pressing them on the arm with one hand while her free one grabbed a roll of bandages. "This is a normal reaction and the more it heals the easier the circulation will get. So eventually the bleeding will stop. You're going to have to wear these bandages though, I'll leave you with a supply of them and they need to be changed every twenty-four hours. Keep an eye out for infections and bathe it in warm water between changes. The weeping will change from blood to a more puss like one and watery but its nothing to be concerned over."

Oz looked up hopeful. "So it's definitely working?"

"Yes. Though I would keep these healing sessions to once a day at most to avoid over stimulating the arm before its ready but I will be making regular checks to ensure its healing correctly." The Doctor now smiled at him, finished with the bandaging she handed over the kit to Qrow. "That arm needs to go in a sling by the way and before you argue with me it's for two reasons. One, to encourage circulation and two, you CAN'T wear the armour while it's healing, it would strain everything so keep it off."

"I understand." Tiny sparks of pain kept shooting up his arm but it was by far a better sensation then nothing at all and Oz allowed Qrow to maneuver the limb into the sling he tied around his neck.

Rutile started packing up her things, the scans and papers she would leave here as they would be safer in Lydia's hands rather then the hospital. "Oh and a third reason. I don't know if you know this but there are swarms of reporters outside. All of them waiting to hear from you, the last thing they need to be publishing is that your arm is working. The sling and bandages will also provide a cover for you. They're like vultures and the minute they smell blood they'll be all over you."

"Thanks Doc. For the warning and the help, especially when you didn't have to."

Rutile gathered her bag and sent Oz a smile. "I would have done it for any of my patients Ozpin. We Doctors made an oath to save lives, to help people with whatever they needed. I take that oath very seriously and I hope that one day if not I but someone can show you that not all Doctors are bad."

That hit a little close to home as Oz hung his head. He said nothing but did offer a short nod. Rutile took it and left Lydia's home, braving the horde of reporters that started snapping her picture the minute she was outside.

Lydia walked over and gently touched over the newly covered arm. "I think I shall make a sleeve for this. Something you can use to help with the circulation problem and a additional layer of protection." She kissed his cheek. "I'm off to my office, try to stay out of trouble."

"Will do."

Lydia headed out the back as well and Qrow asked. "So what's the plan Oz?"

"I would like to go to Haven." He glanced towards the front door. "Though I am not sure how to get there, without getting attacked… we should probably split up today."

"Good idea. There will be some students at the school even though they've been given a day off and some of us teachers should be around. Ruby and I can go out the back and use her Semblance to get up to the school."

"And I will distract the vultures. A sound plan."

Ozpin finished his tea as Qrow and Ruby made for the back door. They'd head out as soon as Ozpin left out the front. Oz slowly made his way to the front door picking up his keys from the dish. He sighed and almost let his head thud against the door. "Why can't they just leave me alone?"

He opened the door with a rough jerk and the cameras started to flash. Locking the door behind him was thankfully an easy task but real trouble would be getting through the mob.

"Headmaster any comment on the Grimm raid?"

"How is you arm?"

"What about the rest of your injuries?"

On and on it went, Oz barely heard the questions as he looked for an empty space. Once he would have been able to deal with this but right now he just wanted to be left alone. With a little step onto a rock he jumped soaring through the air and landing elegantly past the mob. He took off at a run, jumping up from one building to another. He raced for the Great Elevator only to see it had already left. Oz could hear the hyenas and put on another burst of speed and jumped.

His fingers caught the stone ledge and with two great heaves he tossed himself up to the railing then spun over to land lightly on his feet. Oz rubbed his chest as the exertion made it ache as he looked back to the reporters as they came to a running stop snapping pictures. He as so~ tempted to flip them the bird, but refrained. Ozpin walked away from the edge to the inner ring of seating areas. A little boy was holding his moms hand as she talked with another woman. He looked at Oz with wide eyes as he sat down heavily cradling his burned arm.

"You ok-ay Sir?" The little boy asked.

Ozpin couldn't help but smile, the child couldn't have been more then four. "Nothing time won't mend."

"Why were you running away from those people?"

"Because they wanted to poke their noses into something that doesn't involve them." Oz turned away to cough, he tried to stifle it and covered his mouth with his hand. It didn't work and the boy let his mom go, who didn't notice and crawled up onto the seat beside Oz. He patted Oz's back like he had something stuck in his throat. "There. There."

The coughing stopped and Oz drew his hand way to look at it. Of course there would be blood on it. "Why are you bleeding?" The boy sat down beside him.

"Seems I overexerted myself." Ozpin pulled a bit of spare bandage from his pocket and tried to clean up his hand.

"Why aren't you in a hos-pi-tal?"

Oz noticed that the child a little mop of brown hair and green eyes. "I'll tell you a little secret, promise you won't tell anyone?"

"I promise." The boy nodded vigorously.

"I'm afraid of hospitals and doctors, just being in an enclosed space makes me uncomfortable. I have a very nice doctor who comes to visit my house now." Ozpin spoke softly.

"That's super nice! I wish my doctor would come visit me in my house." He pouted.

"Why are you sick?"

The little brunette shook his head. "No but my momma is gonna give me a sister soon! So she goes to the hospital a lot and it is creepy."

"Ah well, that can't be helped. My fiancee is pregnant too and it's a girl, so my doctor happily gives her a once over every chance she gets. Just be happy it's not you being poked and prodded."

That earned Oz a giggle. "You're right. My sister is gonna be named Holly, do you have a name for your baby yet?"

"No, not yet. When I was younger, there was a tradition to not name a child a week after it was born in case it died. I think the idea was that it would hurt the parents less. Though on the other hand names a powerful things, I guess I just haven't been brave enough to take it up with my partners yet."

"I think you should think of a name. Just so you know." The boy frowned. "Part-ners. Are you from Vale?"

"Yes." Ozpin said wondering where this was going.

"Do you miss it?"

"Very much so."

The kid hugged his good arm. "Well I hope Mistral is a good home for you."

Finally the boy's mother turned away from her conversation. "Ciel!-Ozpin! Oh I am so sorry for my sons behavior!" She reached to pull Ciel off his arm.

Oz raised his hand in a casual stopping gesture. "It's quite alright, we were just having a good talk. Plus I never turn down a hug."

The woman sat down beside him and gently tried to pry Ciel away. "Come Ciel let him go."

Ciel did and bounced on the spot reaching up to hug his mom. "But he was sad, he's from Vale and he said he misses it. Oh oh and his partner is gonna have a girl just like you!"

Ozpin could feel the pressure build against his chest again and pulled out the bandage scrap to cough into it again. He bent over slightly as his body tried to clear the blood, his chest ached but he couldn't press his hand to it.

Ciel squirmed trying to go over and help Oz again but his mom held him tight. "Hey you said you were okay."

Ozpin tried to stop the cough and eventually succeeded. He glanced up and saw they were almost at the top stop. "I really need to stop running places." He got up with a wince, pocketing the now very red scrap and bowed his head to Ciel. "It was a pleasure talking with you Ciel. I wish you a good day."

"Bye Bye Sir, I hope you get better." Ciel watched with wide eyes as Ozpin walked to the right of the elevator and hopped off before it had completely stopped moving. "I think he's a nice man mama."

Ozpin finally came upon his office only to find a man he truly loathed. He was tall, overweight and well frumpy. Unlike through the holo conversations they had in the past, Oz could see military bands for the Mistral army on his chest. "What do you want General Bloars?" Ozpin almost snapped as he made his way over to his chair. Under normal circumstances the General's most unfortunate name would have brought a tiny flicker of amusement. Really! Who names their kid Haden Bloars? If Qrow were here he would be all over the General, adding a purr to the name Harden Blow arse. Just imagining it did tilt his lips as he turned away, taking the opportunity to move over to his desk.

He flopped into it and took the chance to rub at his chest. Rutile had said the wood looked like it was doing it's job in the x-rays was this pain more then it hadn't finished whatever it was doing? That the rapid movement pulled something? Or was the wood not moving right with his flesh yet? He really hoped whatever it was would sort itself out too, he couldn't be coughing up blood every time he went for a run.

"How are you? You look rather pale." The slow deliberate speech irked Oz.

"I'll heal, beyond that it's none of your concern."

"So you'll keeping that arm then? I saw a report on it, most were sure you would lose it." The General stood at military ease.

"I've a friend who's Semblance to amplify Aura. We tested if he could help before I came, my arm will heal. It will just be a long process." Ozpin took a deeper breath and was relieved when it didn't hurt. "You haven't answered my question. Why are you here?"

"The silver light that froze the Grimm. You know what it was don't you?" The General 'Blowarse' stared down at him with beady eyes.

Oz closed his eyes and leaned back in the too small for him chair. "It's not a weapon you can use. It's not even a weapon, nore is it something that I understand. Sometimes it simply happens."

"How can you say it's not a weapon?! It froze the Grimm! Turned the tide of the battle!" He moved slamming his hands on the heavy desk.

"It is no more a weapon then the children you have conscripted. It's not a gun or a sword, it's not even a shield. It's more like a precious gem, that if you grab it too hard it will shatter and never be of use again." Ozpin slowly stood, towering over the General. "I will protect it, it will fight on it's own terms. You could simply start with being thankful it was there at all and leave it alone. Let this go."

"You know I can't do that. I'm not the only one asking questions."

"Qrow already gave everyone the answer." Ozpin leaned down and uttered. "Do you believe in fairy tales?" He let that sink in as he moved away and opened a window. "I have nothing more to say."

The General turned red in the face and stormed around the desk. "You don't get to just dismiss me you little Vale shit-." His fist flew.

Ozpin grabbed it by the wrist. "I am not powerless, don't mistake my injures for weakness General." He shoved the offending limb away. "Now get out, before I drag you out."

The other man turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. Glynda entered with Peach just as he went. "I have a feeling that didn't go well. How are you?"

"I'll mend."

By lunch Oz had had enough and was hiding in the library, book in hand. He couldn't get any peace when the headmasters office doubled as the teachers break room and meeting room, hence why he was currently buried in his book in the silent library instead. The silence in the room was only broken with every turn of his page but it was comfortable and familiar.

Or it 'was' up until the moment he felt the familiar sensation of being watched and lifted his gaze.

Ruby wasn't sure whether to commend herself for getting so close to Oz without him even noticing or be worried over his lack of attention to his surroundings. As he picked up on her presence and a slow smile spread over his face she went with the former and a smile of her own. "Got any room there for lil o me?"

"For you, always." Oz leaned back on the couch so Ruby could occupy his lap, his good arm automatically came around to hold her whilst retaining its hold on the book.

"What you reading?" She asked.

"A Midsummers Night Dream. Classic really, I wasn't even aware this library held a copy and found it in the cooking section. Needless to say I am enjoying it, probably even more so with the company I seem to keep."

Ruby tilted her head and snuggled further into his lap, mindful of the injured arm. "Read to me?"

Instead of answering Oz turned his gaze back onto the page. "Are you sure you don't want me to start at the beginning?"

"No. I've read it before and would rather just listen."

Oz chuckled at the tired look on her face. "Am I a lullaby then?"

"Of course! Only the best one though." Ruby gave him a peck on the cheek and nodded. "Come on then O' great voice of storytelling."

The immortal laughed again. "Well maybe I will… when everyone else gets comfortable."

Ruby looked confused for a moment and turned back to the door, between the two bookcases several very familiar heads popped out with light blushes and embarrassed smiles at being caught. Nora all but fell out from her hiding spot with a loud huff. "NO FAIR! We want to join too!"

"Nora, please learn some tact." Weiss sighed and turned to Oz. "Got any room for the rest of us Oz?"

"Looks like we're all spending this time together, grab some cushions." The group dispersed from their poorly hidden locations and each grabbed whatever spare chair and pillows they could find. Blake and Yang ended up sitting together on one of the overstuffed armchairs while Jaune sat at their feet. Weiss picked the spot next to Oz and Ruby and Ren and Nora flopped down on some cushions by Oz's chair. Oz was about to start again when one more head poked in. "Hey, is this a party or something?"

Qrow stood watching everyone get comfortable and raised a brow. Weiss patted the couch she was sharing with Oz and Ruby. "Oz was about to read to us." The red eyed man hummed and picked Weiss up, "Move over Ice Princess." before sitting her on his lap. "So what are we reading?"

Ruby leaned over with a quick peck. "Midsummer's Night Dream."

Red eyes widened. "Classic, I know it."

"Want to play Puck?" Oz asked. "Test that memory of yours, we're just starting at Act two, scene one."

"Sure!" Qrow chuckled and cleared his throat. "How now, spirit! whither wander you?"

Oz attempted to smother his smile as Qrow took on the role with a little too much enthusiasm and responded in kind.

"Over hill, over dale,

Thorough bush, thorough brier,

Over park, over pale,

Thorough flood, thorough fire,

I do wander everywhere,

Swifter than the moon's sphere;

And I serve the fairy queen,

To dew her orbs upon the green.

The cowslips tall her pensioners be:

In their gold coats spots you see;

Those be rubies, fairy favours,

In those freckles live their savours:

I must go seek some dewdrops here

And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.

Farewell, thou lob of spirits; I'll be gone:

Our queen and all our elves come here anon."

Qrow, not to outdone leaned in closer, Puck's words upon his lips.

"The king doth keep his revels here to-night:

Take heed the queen come not within his sight;

For Oberon is passing fell and wrath,

Because that she as her attendant hath

A lovely boy, stolen from an Vacou king

She never had so sweet a changeling;

And jealous Oberon would have the child

Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild;

But she perforce withholds the loved boy,

Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy:

And now they never meet in grove or green,

By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen,

But, they do square, that all their elves for fear

Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there.

The students watched as Qrow and Oz went back and to, their voices blending together in harmony. The old tongue speaking was challenging to follow but the theratics made up for it.

"Either I mistake your shape and making quite,

Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite

Call'd Robin Goodfellow: are not you he

That frights the maidens of the villagery;

Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern

And bootless make the breathless housewife churn;

And sometime make the drink to bear no barm;

Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?

Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,

You do their work, and they shall have good luck:

Are not you he?"

Qrow purred his lines.

"Thou speak'st aright;

I am that merry wanderer of the night.

I jest to Oberon and make him smile

When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile,

Neighing in likeness of a filly foal:

And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,

In very likeness of a roasted crab,

And when she drinks, against her lips I bob

And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale.

The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale,

Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me;

Then slip I from her bum, down topples she,

And 'tailor' cries, and falls into a cough;

And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh,

And waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear

A merrier hour was never wasted there.

But, room, fairy! here comes Oberon."

So enamoured with the story no one sprawled in the library listening noticed some students linger near the door listening to the pair. "And here my mistress. Would that he were gone!"

For the part of Oberon surprisingly it was Ruby who read the lines, being so close to Oz she could see the fairy King as he entered the fray and lowered her voice slightly. "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania."

Weiss smiled and leaned over to read the Queen's part. "What, jealous Oberon! Fairies, skip hence: I have forsworn his bed and company."

Qrow and Oz watched as the two women sharing their laps picked up the book to read to them. Ruby's softer voice purred the words. "Tarry, rash wanton: am not I thy lord?"

Weiss spoke out."Then I must be thy lady: but I know

When thou hast stolen away from fairy land,

And in the shape of Corin sat all day,

Playing on pipes of corn and versing love

To amorous Phillida. Why art thou here,

Come from the farthest Steppe of Vacou?

But that, forsooth, the bouncing Amazon,

Your buskin'd mistress and your warrior love,

To Theseus must be wedded, and you come

To give their bed joy and prosperity."

Ruby smiled at her partner and rubbed her belly, Oberon's last words of the scene cast out. "How canst thou thus for shame, Titania,

Glance at my credit with Hippolyta,

Knowing I know thy love to Theseus?

Didst thou not lead him through the glimmering night

From Perigenia, whom he ravished?

And make him with fair Aegle break his faith,

With Ariadne and Antiopa?"

The students who walked past or lingered in the doorway to the library, all unsure whether to enter saw a different side to their current headmaster. One that was sweet and uplifting after all the negativity that was going on. The play carried on the book passed around as Ren played Demetrius and Yang Helena.

Qrow headed off alone to check on his classroom when everyone split up after lunch. Ruby with her team to study, Ozpin pulled a vanishing maneuver that Qrow envied. So instead he shoved his hands into his pocket and hunched over in his avian walk to his classroom. As he pushed the door open he stopped in his tracks. Front and centre was a dead crow on his desk. Bits of glass littered the floor from smashed mirrors. The red eyed man carefully avoided the glass and approached his desk. The dead bird had a striking resemblance to his own other shape. "Kids are cruel, huh little guy. I'm sorry you were in the wrong place at the wrong time." He scooped the bird up, holding it gently in his cupped palms. It had been in perfectly health, whoever had done this had neatly snapped its neck.

Qrow cradled it to his chest and headed out though a back door. There were students loitering around who spotted him gently holding the bird. Most had the decently to avert their eyes but a few watched. The culprits had expected more of a reaction from the bad luck charm, but instead he headed to the schools shed for all the outdoor maintenance stuff, collected a shovel and picked a lovely spot behind a tree.

The red eyed man dug a small but deep whole, at least the crow could be fertilizer. Rather then a complete waste due to some stupid, nasty students. He tried to contain his emotions and thus Semblance, as much as it ached to lash out to inflict pain as had been done to it. Qrow set the shovel aside and gently put the crow in the whole before putting the dirt back in. He patted it down and paused a moment. Was this because of the Grimm raid? He had been there so were people blindingly blaming his Semblance and thus him? It seemed a bit of a extreme switch to go from a bucket of water to killing an innocent creature just to get at him. Then again these were Huntsmen, they were used to killing and death.

Qrow got up and returned the shovel to whence it came, washed his hands and stopped by a janitorial closest. One broom and dustpan later he set about cleaning up his classroom. He didn't miss the symbolization in what they had chosen to taunt him with. Dead crow, broken mirrors, all of it was bad luck. Like he could get anymore of that. He guessed he really shouldn't be surprised, telling everyone what his Semblance was at the start of term had been a calculated risk. It had the desired effect and he had managed to avoid many questions, but now it seemed he had to hope he'd get lucky and the rest of the term would be dull.

Qrow disposed of the glass and locked up the classroom after him. Not that he thought it would keep anyone out but because it invited trouble less. He wandered towards the entryway and sure enough there was a crowd of reporters standing at the eve. Cameras flashed at him and he turned, jumped transforming into a crow and flying off before hyenas could pounce on him.

Qrow reached through the bonds and could feel where Ozpin was through it. He flew down through city, along the right mountain. He found where Oz was hiding not by just the bond but by the gathering of reporters held back by two Knights of Afrien standing on either side of the one entry way. He flew in behind them and snapped back into human form.

One of the scantily clad spear wielding women glared at him but let him be clearly recognizing him. He slipped through the heavy double edony doors and had to take a moment to pause and just inhale. The air was heavy with incense, mostly lavender and cinnamon. The chime of bells rung by the wind was soothing. In the centre of the open temple was a statue of Afrien, in all of her nude pregnant glory. He was biases of course but he thought Ruby pulled off the look better. Around her was a sand garden, meticulously cared for. On the outer rang of the room were wooden walkways of a dark red wood. Tapestries were hung upon the walls, hand woven things of beauty depicting families.

No one stopped Qrow as he followed that tung in his chest towards Oz. No one even looked at him odd, he found Oz quickly in a side room with a small sand garden. Just as he opened his mouth to call out he paused. Ozpin had his back to him… his bare back and that arm was completely exposed as well. Qrow lurked in the doorway, looking at how the black of the arm leached up into his lovers body like some kind of infection. He appeared to be medicating and with the soft ring of wind chimes and lulling scents Qrow didn't have it in him to disturb him.

Qrow turned away and silently walked back through the temple. Thoughts about that poor bird turning over in his head, when he looked up he found himself at the edge of the cliff. He was reminded of his Semblance and knew he shouldn't linger. He jumped off and transformed into a crow, mostly out of curiosity he flew up the cliff side, with a old tree hanging out from the cliff-side over a little shrine. Qrow snapped back to human and knelt to peer at the simple obelisk.

It was clean if a bit worn and there were no offerings. "Must not be a popular spot." He mused it was bit cold up here with the wind but he pulled off his cape and folded it to give him another layer between him and the stone and crossed his legs in his preferred meditative position. "Maybe Oz is onto something here." He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing but that poor crow wouldn't leave his thoughts. People were cruel, was it not bad enough that they turned on one another at the first sign of weakness but that innocent lives whether they be human or not were dragged through the mud also. It wasn't fair. Now his thoughts were torn between Oz and the cruel display left for him. Oz wasn't a bad guy, he did everything he could to protect and fight for the people around him. Yet all his efforts lay in vain.

Anger is a powerful emotion and for Qrow dangerous and right now it boiled and turned his stomach with want of justice. Hands clenched on his lap he tried to smother it down but all the negativity and senseless pain wouldn't let up. His heart wouldn't slow and as a result he could feel his Semblance battering at the door he kept it behind.

He was a decent distance from the temple and anyone else. Maybe he could let it out, it would be nice to let his power flow for once. Qrow opened his eyes and worried his lip staring at the obelisk, then let the control he held so tight go. Nothing on the outside world seemed to change but it felt like a weight was lifted off his chest. Like he could feel a charge of power over his skin, only for it to vanish into him in harmony. Finally he was able to relax and bring himself down a calm mindscape to mediate with.

His mind cast back towards the night that the Grimm had attacked. Oz's shout for them all to get up, the frantic grab for weapons, that Mula. Gods above he hates those Grimm. They stole the Aura from anyone they could touch, making them very lethal. It had put Oz on the defensive almost instantly as he hadn't expected those Grimm. He shook his head trying to drive the terror away seeing the pack, because he knew those Grimm didn't form together unless there was a Revenant.

The fires, the rain, the sounds of Huntsmen being picked off as they ran for their lives. His brow scrunched up as he tried to fight the memories away, his Semblance rising with his fear. Had it killed those Huntsmen? Had his bad luck made a bad situation worse? Ozpin fighting, taking hits, bleeding out… had he caused that? Ozpin had told him to defend and he had, his fear had made him do as he was told but he was good at combating his Semblance. Had Oz not factored that in? Or had Oz really thought the Revenant would kill him if he had tried to fight with him.

The sound of a branch snapping jerked Qrow out of the circle of memories. He spun around only to see a old man a bit shorter then him fall gracefully from the tree and land without flaw upon the ground. His grey hair and beard gave a sharp contrast to his dark skin. He wore the same garments as all the female priestesses. A simple loincloth around his hips with a sling over his chest that he tucked a simple hand carved wooden flute into. "And here I thought that branch would hold my weight for another fifty years. Thank you for correcting my misconception young one."

Qrow moved to get up already trying to reign his Semblance back in. It fought him as it always did, freedom once given is always harder to take away again. His breathing started to settle as the black cloud of it was shoved back behind the door. "How did you know it was me?"

"An interesting Semblance, misfortune. I imagine it shows you your true friends often." The priest sat down beside Qrow and pulled a long pipe from his sling and filled it with herbs.

Qrow opened his mouth to argue but as he considered what was said he found he couldn't disagree. Sure most of the students of Haven hated him, his sister hated him. Even Tai called him a jerk often enough, Summer had kept him away from Ruby and Yang a fair bit when they were younger. Yet now he had two whole teams, Lydia and Ozpin who knew of his Semblance and didn't mind. The more he let his Semblance out to do as it wished the more he was sure that there was some emotional connection. So in a way it had showed him where his friends really were. "Huh, guess you are right."

The priest took a long pull from his now lit pipe. "Funny that, an old man knowing something."

"How did you know what my Semblance was?" Qrow asked again.

"You did announce it to all of Haven in some way. You can't believe that none of those students follow my Goddess. Many have come to ask a priestess about you, especially in the last few days. Many are trying to make sense of that night, you are an easy scapegoat for them." The priest blew a smoke ring. "I have answered your question now you will answer one of mine. What brings you here?"

Qrow stopped short, it was one thing to talk casually about his Semblance but another to confide in someone. "Just mediating."

"If that was you mediating then its no wonder your control is in poor balance. You either keep it all in tightly or let it go completely free. You should learn to curb it more."

Qrow scrunched up his face slightly. "Just who are you to tell me how to control my Semblance?"

"Oh I am just an old man, though many believe me wise but that's up to the individual not the one in question." His lips crinkled into a smile. "Come, sit. I will help you."

The red eyed man watched as the old man gracefully lowered into a full lotus position, his stumpy legs surprisingly nimble as he crossed them over his thighs. Qrow hesitated before lowering back into his own comfortable position. He waited as the old man's eyelids lay perfectly still for instructions but found only silence.

Some time passed while Qrow's breathing slowed as he waited patiently, his own eyes slowly closed and his body relaxed. The mountain wind whistled past them ruffling through his hair but Qrow found it so relaxing that when the old man spoke next it didn't startle him out of this peaceful mindset.

"Our Semblances are a part of ourselves, good, bad, it doesn't matter. It's in how we use that power that makes it so and you've allowed yours little growth."

"It's misfortune, why would I want to see it grow? All it does is bring those I love pain and suffering." Qrow went quiet, the raid still on his mind, even relaxed as he was it played over in his memories and Qrow found himself taking the flack. "During the raid, the Grimm suddenly attacking. The Grimm should never have been able to organize an attack like that, it must have been my fault."

"Don't be DAFT!" The words were his only warning as something hard hit the crown of his head. Qrow squawked and rubbed at his head, his eyes popping open with a "OW!" The old man still sat across from him the pipe held in one hand and a stern look on his face. "Of course it wasn't your fault and you need to stop letting yourself believe it."

Still rubbing his head Qrow glared. "Then what do I do? It's like you said, pretty much all of Mistral knows of my Semblance, even if I don't blame myself others will."

"Since when has what other people thought mattered, their opinions are as insignificant as you make them."

"What about when they take innocent lives to make a point! Cruelty has the capacity to live in anyone and it's often those who are uninvolved that pay the price." Qrow shook with anger.

The old man took a puff from the pipe, his eyes sad but steady. "The greater the burden the stronger one is for carrying it. There was a story once long ago of two men. They worked in the fields carrying bales of hay and clay and stone from one end of the field to the other. The first only carried the lighter loads while his friend lumbered that which weighed much more. Both worked at the same pace and each day the man who carried the lighter work went home with a smile and full of energy. The second man went home with aches and pains and sores from working."

"They carried on like this for many years but the man who carried only the lighter work never grew in strength or muscle and so when a landslide caught him, he was swept away. Unable to free himself from under the heavy muck he was sure to drown when a familiar voice reached him. His friend, who had built muscle and strength beyond anyone he had ever known hefted the muck and limber away from his buried friend. He worked well into the night to free the weaker man and finally pulled his friend free."

Qrow listened enraptured by the tale. "What happened then?"

The old man smiled widely. "The two men went back to work, only this time they shared their heavy burdens so each could grow strong and better themselves." He saw the slightly downcast look on Qrow's face and tipped the young man's face up with his pipe. "Just because you carry such a heavy burden doesn't mean you have to face it alone. Your Semblance is there to help you along the way, rather than fighting it and locking it away you should be embracing it. Control is key in any circumstance, whether its control over your breathing, your body or your actions. Learn to work with your Semblance instead of pushing it away. You wanted to be stronger, that's your first step in doing it."

Qrow frowned, his brow furrowed, when did he say he wanted to be stronger? The only person he had said that to as of late was to Oz . . . "Just who are you?" He asked again.

The old man chuckled. "I'm just an old man but I'm also someone who wants to help people when I feel they need it most. You've a steady head Qrow Branwen and a loving family, I can see it. We all falter on this path of life, some more then others but you can stand above it all and show your strength is not one that is there to harm others. Eventually others will see what I do, when they are ready."

Qrow found a genuine smile tugging at his lips as the old man stood. This was the first time in a long while that he had been able to speak about his Semblance without someone judging him. The old man with his grey beard shuffled back towards the temple before looking back at Qrow. "Oh and my name is Iroh. I wish you safe travels, Muninn."