Music Choices: Peanut Butter Waffles by Ryan Caraveo

Eclipse

Chapter 43

Unionize

Sleep was the agenda. They had the rest of the day off to rest and reset, and would be expected back in class on Wednesday. Ozpin had imparted all this quickly, his typical infuriating mildness absent as he ushered STRQ and Arc away from the interrogations and to the elevator. The Headmaster had seemed genuinely angry, beneath the veneer of genteel politeness. Though whether it was directed at them, or at the Service, Raven could not say.

Classes were just getting started for the day as STRQ finally crash-landed in their dorm room once again. There was a note on Summer's bed from Sigyn, announcing that the 'baddies' had searched their room and they should probably look for mics, glyphs or other forms of intelligence gathering. This was accepted without much surprise, and after giving the room a cursory look over, the team would collectively pass out without even making it into bed.

Many hours later, ARSN would find them laid out on a pile on the ground, dead asleep. They would have the good grace not to wake them.

"S he clings like a little koala sometimes -"

"-shh, not so loud."

" Don't shoosh me, I will shoosh your face ."

"Ooh is that a promise?"

"Nope, it's a threat . "

"Oh baby. Your threats are the best ."

" Euuugh y'all shut up ."

" Awww, good morning starshine."

" You guys are so gross ."

"Awww your face is gross."

"Yea, dude, you've got drool all over you."

Raven mumbled grumpily at all the noise, pressing into the warmth she'd wrapped herself around. Said warmth accepted this without comment.

" Heh. Koala. "

Raven opened her eyes briefly, determined it was still dark, and closed them again. Her head hurt, her body was sore, and she did not want to be conscious for several more hours.

" Hi sleepy, you awake? "

"Mmrrr," she replied intelligently.

"Nope.

Raven sighed in frustration. Somebody brushed their fingers through her hair. She sighed in significantly less frustration. She drifted in and out of consciousness like that for a while, half dreams and quiet, background conversations blending together. At some point, she became aware that she had wrapped around Taiyang in an attempt to steal his body-heat.

He was apparently content with this arrangement, and had been running his fingers through her hair as he drifted in and out of sleep himself. Summer, meanwhile, was sandwiched between Taiyang and the wall; she'd been awake for a while and quietly playing on her scroll, occasionally giving them affectionate glances.

Raven squinted groggily at her girlfriend, before reaching out and gently trying to tug her closer. Summer snickered at this and immediately flopped over onto the both of them, forsaking her scroll and wiggling to get comfortable. Taiyang yawned mightily, stretching out further before wrapping both of them up in his arms and hugging them close. Raven threaded her fingers into Summer's hair and the trio drifted off once again.

"For homework, class, I would like you all to record yourselves practicing those moves we covered!" Petey boomed, strutting about in front of the white board. "Due next week! Extra credit to the team who masters them first! Oh, and I have make-up work for some of you, so team STRQ please stay back for a moment - and class dismissed!"

Raven willed herself to be patient as she stayed in her seat. The rest of Combat 201 were shooting them lingering, curious glances as they shuffled out of the classroom. Meanwhile, ARSN stood by the door to the hall, grinning dangerously at the few students who were dragging their feet a little to see the show or ask STRQ more questions. Sensing peril, the rubberneckers scurried along. They would probably be back.

STRQ's return to campus had unfortunately not been an unremarkable one. Half of the school had seemingly realized that their prolonged absence with Professor Arc had been rather fishy, and some had even figured out the direct correlation between them and the King's Service. According to Natalia, they even had a very interested party trying to discover just what they had been up to, one willing to go above and beyond to learn what they had involved themselves in.

Which wasn't just annoying, it was extremely dangerous, even if this person wasn't a plant or informant for the Service. Outside party's investigating them with unknown Semblance's could reveal the truth to the wrong people; and it wasn't like the Service was going to simply disappear from their lives, they'd made that clear enough. They were there to stay, at least until she could remove Verdant; and even with him gone, Raven wasn't certain they'd ever fully let it go, especially Regalia.

If some students spread 'rumors' and those rumors reached the Service's ears, they might scoop them up again for further questioning; or some well meaning idiot might report them if they discovered the truth, and then oopsie, it's indentured servitude time. To curb this possible disaster, STRQ needed to get ahead of Beacon's rumor mill, and control what information was circling in regards to their activities; and possibly threaten or bribe the person investigating them into silence.

Sighing through her nose, Raven watched in resignation as Summer picked up their makeup assignments, which came in a thick folder that Petey was leafing through and explaining loudly. Briefly, she wondered if this was revenge for embarrassing him on his first day teaching. Undeterred, Summer was apparently laying the charm on thick, and it was apparently working; because he even took a few of the assignments out as she feigned interest in whatever dumb story he was telling.

"Nice," Qrow nodded in approval, glancing her way. "See? That's how you do it."

"I have never once claimed to be good at politics," Raven raised an eyebrow.

"Wh- that's not politics," Qrow squinted at her, kicking his boots of the the desktop. "It's just, ya know, charisma."

"Incredible. It's like those things are related somehow?" Raven tilted her head mockingly, before standing and gathering her things.

Qrow held his palms up, eyes widening.

"My bad," her twin drawled, before standing and nudging Taiyang's shoulder. Tai had, once again, passed out due to Petey's long-windedness. "Crabby pants."

She ignored him. He had been snippy with her all day, so it's not like he could say shit.

Meanwhile, her twin continued to shake Taiyang's shoulder, his voice growing louder in irritation as he tried to wake his partner. Then, with very little warning, Tai popped up out of his chair, fists raised as if expecting violence and aura flaring defensively. Qrow withdrew his hand immediately, concern flashing across his face.

"Woa. Tai?" Qrow started. "You ok, man?"

The blonde looked momentarily confused as to where he was at, before blinking and trying to wave the reaction off.

"Ha, yea! Just um...a really dumb dream," Taiyang smiled, eyes crinkling at the edges. "You guys hungry yet? I could eat an Ursa."

He started picking up his stuff, shoving the unopened notebooks and pens into his cargo pockets. Raven studied his body language, which was still visibly rigid; fear and, of all things, grief kept rolling fitfully across his bond with her. Qrow shot a look her way, raising his brows. She gestured back in 'sibling-ese' before answering.

"Sure," Raven shrugged lightly. "I have an idea, actually. Let's just eat on the roof."

The boys stared at her in surprise, before Tai's smile widened sincerely.

"The roof?" he repeated, grinning.

"Yea. So we don't get bombarded by questions again," Raven explained, shooting a knowing look towards the hallway. "Unless you guys want to watch me murder several of our classmates?"

"Nah. We don't need more detention just yet," Qrow grimaced, moving towards ARSN and the door. "Fine, I'll grab food this time. Which roof?"

"Ooh, uh," Taiyang perked up. "How about the Library? Here, take a focal point. We'll meet you up there."

He tossed Qrow a premade portal, and Qrow caught the coin easily, making it disappear.

"Cool. Uh," he jerked his head towards ARSN and gestured at Raven and Tai. Taiyang gave him a thumbs up, and Raven nodded. "Nice - hey guys, what are ya'll doin for lunch?"

Raven watched as Qrow disappeared with ARSN, hesitating; she was unsure if she should ask him now or wait until later. Even if she could not feel his distress, she would have known he was upset; but approaching Tai about his insecurities and fears was not something she had as much practice in. She didn't want to mess up, but she also did not want him to think she didn't care.

"Dooo I have drool on my face?" he asked her in amusement, having noticed her stare. "No? Did he draw on me again?"

"No," she smirked automatically, before the expression dimmed a little. "It's just...you feel upset. And I wanted to ask what was wrong."

He paused, his wry expression slipping into curiosity.

"Huh. You know? I keep forgetting you can do that - wait. How much do you pick up?" he asked, squinting suspiciously at her. "Do you have like, filter settings? Because if not, I'm sorry."

Raven resisted rolling her eyes.

"Look," she started, her tone dry but lacking judgement. "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't make you. I just wanted to check, and...offer to listen. If you needed me to."

His expression shifted again, the cheekiness fading as he reached out and brushed a lock of her hair away; she immediately felt her neck get hotter.

"I know. Thank you," Tai said, voice sincere. "I um...it was just a really shitty dream, mixed with some really shitty memories; and I honestly just wanna forget about it? If that's cool?"

"Yea, ok. Fair enough," Raven conceded, feeling a bit uncertain and awkward. She could still feel the uneasiness rolling off of him as she turned towards Summer, who was finally bounding up the steps to escape Port. "What's the damage?"

"Not as bad as it could have been!" Summer chirped, letting out a sigh as she waved the folder. "Our weekend is totes gone though, guys, I'm sorry. I tried."

"Aww, babe, it's ok," Tai smooched the top of Summer's head, whose ears perked up at the affection. "You did way better than either of us would have."

"True," Raven smirked. "If I talked to him, we would have had more homework."

"I think you mean more detention," Taiyang stretched with a laugh, ducking Raven's glare.

"Maybe, I dunno. Hey where'd broody bird get to?" Summer smiled at their antics as they finally made their escape towards the now empty hall.

" Booty bird? What did you just call him!?" Taiyang hooted, eyes lighting up in glee.

" Y, not booty. Not booty!" Summer laughed, trying to shove his shoulder as he trotted ahead of her.

"I heard booty - why does he get to be booty bird, huh? What, does he have a nicer butt than me? Is that it, Summer?" Taiyang asked, pretending to pout and inspect his rear carriage. "I mean, I have waaaay more cake than he does-"

"TAI!" Summer's face was actually turning red, which Raven thought was hilarious. She bit back a chuckle, trying to look innocent.

"Do I need to do more squats?" Taiyang asked playfully. "I know I can do more squats than him, hands down-"

"Ass to ground," Raven rhymed wryly, getting a look from Summer that made her grin. Tai took this as an instruction apparently, and started doing some rather suggestive squats in the abandoned hall.

"No - your butt is fine - TAI, stop it - "

"Wooow, I think you're actually flustering her," Raven drawled, grinning like a fox. "That never happens."

Summer's face was bright pink, and there was no doubt in her mind that the other girl would get her vengeance upon them both later; but this was a rare moment, so she was going to enjoy it.

"We have discovered the secret, Raven. The secret is booty! This is the way," Taiyang continued to shake his butt.

"This is the way," Raven concurred.

Summer glared at them, though it was clear she wasn't genuinely angry; and from the feelings Raven was gleaning over their bond, she could tell Summer was honestly enjoying the combined attention.

Gonna just, file that information away for later...

"You guys are so mean," Summer sniffed after a moment.

"Awww, but are we though?" Raven teased, playing with Summer's silky hair. "I recall someone is always giving us a much harder time than this."

"Hey, yea!" Taiyang paused, rubbing his chin. "You're always teasing us! What's the matter, Summer? You can dish it out, but you can't take it?"

"I mean, I think she can take it," Raven started suggestively.

"Raven!" Summer's face was bright red.

Taiyang nearly toppled, and the pair started laughing at their increasingly flustered girlfriend.

"You little - you weren't supposed to unionize! This isn't fair!" Summer exclaimed with a laugh. "I've created monsters!"

"That's right, we're unionizing! We have demands!" Tai smacked a fist into his palm as he waggled his eyebrows. Raven nodded solemnly.

Summer glared at them both, ears flat as she folded her arms.

"Oh? And those demands would be?"

Tai beamed happily.

"You gotta have lunch with us!"

Raven facepalmed.

"I was going to do that already!" Summer tossed her hands up. "You're terrible at negotiation!"

"Yes I am - which is why we needed a union!" Tai insisted.

Summer glanced between the two of them impishly, and Raven decided to redirect the conversation before Summer could start to get her vengeance.

" Anyways . Qrow's getting food, and ARSN is going to meet up with us as well. We're eating on the roof of the Library," Raven started walking, her footsteps echoing a little in the empty hallway.

"Oh, that sounds nice actually," Summer laughed, threading her fingers through Tai's. "Nothing wrong with roof picnics."

Nope. And there will hopefully be no eavesdroppers that high up, either.

Because ARSN and STRQ needed to have a conversation. So that, hopefully, they could get the rumor mill running in the right direction and ultimately keep the Service off of their backs.

At least for a little while.