AN: Hello again. Now some of you may be wondering what I'm talking about here. Well ladies and gents, we're here because people are dirtbags…

Not really. But right now I just have the voice of GrayStillPlays narrating my thoughts. It's really kinda weird, and I'm a little worried my brain might end up breaking the laws of reality.

Okay, being semi-normal now, this chapter jumps through time. Many times. Many, many times. In fact, it's almost ridiculous, the number of time jumps. But I wanted to get to 'canon' faster, so…. yeah, have at you.(I'm so sorry…)

Also, I touched up a few things in the previous chapter. Nothing major, but some of you might want to know, so I'm telling you.

Please, enjoy.

-Lambda38

P.S.-I didn't realize taking down a chapter(aka, the note I left, for those that recall), counted as an update to Fanfiction…. Sorry about that, folks...

Chapter 1: Patching the Hole

Five Months Later

I look over at the small cottage in the woods, noting the differences between it and the one depicted in the RWBY show. Most different thing around is the hole where the door once was. Somebody clearly wasn't feeling that door and decided to kick it out.

Having said that, I can't smell a single scent from less than two or three hours ago coming from the house. I sigh as I fiddle with the end of my coat sleeve, wondering what to do. I walk towards the house and inside of it. It's surprisingly bare. A few shelves, with pictures turned on their faces, some books on one of them, and a table through a door to what appears to be a kitchen. With the bright yellow wallpaper, it would feel quite welcoming, if not for the overturned couch and table, as well as the various holes in the walls.

Somebody clearly took Summer's death terribly, and is still getting over it. That or the body was recently delivered, or some other reason for abject rage..

I ignore this as my tongue flicks out to taste the air, finding four distinct scents. One of a wet bird, truly a bad scent, one smelling like fire, another like cookies, and the fourth being, lilacs? Hm.

Of course, having been five months since I left to find Patch, I can't smell Summer herself, but I imagine they've already buried her. Truly a tragedy. She was, nice. Truly a terrible way to put it, as she talked like I wasn't even any different from her while I was a massive snake just staring at her.

Moving on from that, much to my own interest and confusion, as I've been traveling, my original serpentine form has grown by another five meters. If I wasn't intimidating enough, I still apparently have room to grow… I just wonder when my growth will stop, and how much more venom I will have.

I follow the scent of cookies, as I assume that's Ruby. Curiously, it leads to a shed near the edge of the backyard of the house, then out into the woods, accompanied by the scent of lilacs.

I recall vaguely a time where Yang told Blake about her past, I think, my eyes widening as I flick out my tongue again and begin to run. One where she and Ruby almost died. I'd bet on Qrow rescuing her, but I've been an anomaly already. I don't want to test Murphy's Law.

I run into the forest, the red and yellow leaves of Fall littering the ground as I run, my borrowed white cloak fluttering behind me. I draw the white sword of Summer Rose from my waist, preparing for any amount of combat I may be a part of.

I'm just glad I managed to get my hands on a pair of good combat boots. God knows they make running off-road easy.

I continue to follow the scent through the woods, breathing steadily as I continue running. For roughly thirty minutes, I run like this as the scent becomes more and more fresh, while the dull scent of death, which I've come to associate with Grimm, grows ever stronger.

After a time, the creaking of turning wheels reaches my ears and I come to a halt, gasping for breath as I desperately try to control my lungs. I cautiously walk onwards, finding the sight of a yellow haired girl dragging a red wagon, with a tiny little tyke bundled in a red cloak sleeping in the small vehicle.

And just ahead of them is a dilapidated cabin, rotted wood and all.

I watch as the girl walks forwards stubbornly as I approach behind them, wrinkling my nose as the scent of death comes to a crescendo. I just wish the girl's human nose could pick it up. Might make her stopping just a little sooner a tad easier.

I shake my head as she comes to a halt, taking in ragged gulps of air. I watch as she gasps, the red eyes of the creatures of Grimm appearing from the building. I ignore my burning legs and rush forward as the eyes exit the building in a charge, revealing three Beowolves and a lone Alpha, which remains at the back.

I leap over the two girls, spearing the first Beowolf through its open mouth, killing it, and landing while I yank the blade back. The two remaining lower wolves roar at me as I jump at the one to my right, barely ducking beneath its swing, slashing its head off before turning to face the last. I note how it's jumped at me while my back was turned. I grit my teeth as I dart forward in a panic between its open paws as I raise my blade, cutting deep into its head before its momentum tore my sword from my hand.

Summer did keep a fine blade, but not enough to cut through with my strength. I look at the Alpha and draw the other blade from where it in my pack, ignoring Yang as she gasps to herself.

"Mom?" She whispers in disbelief before finally collapsing from exhaustion.

I keep my eyes on the older Grimm, though I regret having the hood of the cloak up. Giving hope to the child is nothing short of cruelty.

It roars and charges straight at me. I grit my teeth and drop to a knee, shifting my weapon to its gun form, taking swift aim at the wolf's eye, letting out a breath as my steady hand sights it's eye.

I reveal the fruits of my forced training as three shots land on its head, with one piercing it's blood red eye, and the last blasting off part of its jaw. It falls to the ground, slumping in front of me, as I slump in relief, falling onto my butt.

After a few moments, I stow my weapons and move over to the collapsed child, sighing as I pick her up and into the cart next to a somehow still sleeping Ruby. Heavy sleepers, you have much to learn from Ruby Rose... I let out another sigh as I grab its handle and pull it along behind me, back towards the little cottage alone in the woods.

I let out a tired breath, fully feeling the effects of my travels.

Several Hours Later…

By the time I get back to the house, I find myself stifling yawns and feeling like all around garbage. I flick my tongue several times, finding no indication anybody has been at the house since I'd found it. I sigh at that, dragging the wagon to the doorstep, before setting the handle down, and turning to the two children. I silently move and pick the smaller of the two up with a grunt, who immediately curls into me, shivering slightly.

I move into the house, following her stale scent till I find the room drenched in it as well as Yang's lilac scent, and silently open the door. I walk to one of the two beds and pull back the covers, setting her down. She stirs a little as I pull the covers over her. I watch as her eyes slightly open, showing a truly tired child. I panic for a moment, realizing I might just get caught by a toddler.

"Shh, little Rose," I whisper, pressing a hand on her head and gently ruffling her hair. "It's bedtime, be a good girl and get some sleep." She stares blearily for a second before her eyes fall again.

"Okay," she mumbles simply, before her breathing steadies again.

I let out a minor sigh of relief, as I didn't think that'd work, before heading back outside and grabbing Yang, doing much of the same routine, only not having her wake up.

I move out into the living room of the house, finding a pencil and a piece of paper, finally taking off the cloak I'd worn and cleaned many a time. While it does look slightly dirty now, it isn't bloody, so that's good.

I write out a simple note after folding the piece of cloth, noting why I'd returned it and who it was for. I also mentioned what happened with the two children, before finally signing with an S.

After that, I move out of the house and into the woods, noting that the smell of wet bird is getting stronger on the wind. I sigh and shift Summer's weapons to their compact forms, which I'd managed to figure out after tinkering with them for a few hours. Having done so, I store the now thin rectangles inside my loose jacket pockets, which I'd 'appropriated' for the very reason that it is easy to hide things in.

A few minutes later, I walk on as a crow flaps on by, the unfortunate scent being carried by said sad little bird. I continue walking, even after the bird hovers near me for several minutes, possibly wondering what I'm doing on this specific trail.

But after a time, it leaves.

I wait till I can no longer hear it or see it when I look over my shoulder before breaking into a run and darting into the forest, towards the edge of the island.

While I am confident I would survive an encounter with the drunkle, I've no interest in being brought to Ozpin's forefront.

So I'll just turn into a snake and slip out beneath the ocean's surface, thanks.

Two Years Afterwards…

I let out a long sigh as I sit in an outdoor cafe in one of Mistrals small towns that is frequented by traveling Hunters. I take a sip of my jasmine tea as the ambient noise of the river next to the town drones in my ears.

I know I told her that I'd be staying here for a few days, but usually she's more prompt than this, I think as I open my eyes, staring down the path leading through the center of town.

I'd been here many times since I'd arrived on Remnant, mostly because they have the best tea I've sampled thus far.

In other news, I got a Huntsman license less than half a year ago, after gaining a bit of training from the currently peaceful White Fang, who is more than willing to aid a helpless Faunus. While I hadn't completed my training with them, and fully intend to return to them so I can do so, I managed to gain enough skill in dual wielding Summer's weapons that I can take care of myself in human form.

On another note, when I applied for a test in Mistral, I was laughed out by the tester, who called me a stupid snake bitch and just gave me failing marks across the board even after I absolutely destroyed him in the practical exam. The more annoying part was that there were multiple other judges who all backed up his judgement. Something similar but much more subtle happened when I applied in Vale, and finally I got annoyed enough that I literally slithered all the way to Vacuo in a single night and took the test there.

And I am quite grateful that all the testers there couldn't have cared less about my scales. Then again, I'm fairly certain at least half of them were high as a kite.

The show certainly didn't illuminate the Faunus discrimination well, but I am feeling it. It's one of the secondary reasons I come back to this town, because even though they're a mainly human population, they don't care what you are, as long as you pay and show general levels of decorum and decency.

I grunt as a pair of hands cover my eyes, almost startling me enough to spill my tea.

"Guess who?" A teasing voice asks with a giggle.

"Hm," I put on a show of thinking. "I'm going to guess a smelly large bald white man with an absolutely atrocious beer belly, and a fearsome scowl." The hands come off of my eyes with a huff and a thin black woman with bright silver hair and iridescent golden eyes walks into my view. She glares at me, which is undermined by her short stature and utterly adorable pout.

That isn't to say she's weak. I learned that mistake quite swiftly.

"You're no fun," she states as she takes a seat across the small white table from me, accepting the small menu from the waiter that basically teleported to her side. She glances at her choices before turning and smiling at the young man. "I'd like a cup of Earl Grey tea, aaaaaaand, a slice of lemon pie." The man nods and takes off, moving back into the small house the cafe is based in.

"It's good to see you, Silvia," I say after taking a sip of my tea, giving a small smile. "I've missed you." This prompts a large smile from the diminutive woman.

"Well, we've only been apart for like, four months, Alicia," she remarks as her order is promptly placed before her. She thanks the waiter and we are soon once again alone as she picks up her fork and takes a jab at her pie. "Besides, it's not like either of us hasn't been busy, you with all your crusades against the Grimm, and me with my business." I roll my eyes in amusement.

"It felt like a while. Fighting Grimm gets boring fairly quickly with my Semblance," I reply. She squeals in delight as she savors the taste of her pie.

"Speaking of," she says, swallowing her food. "You gonna tell me about your Semblance now?" She stares at me curiously, making me chuckle.

"No. I do indeed enjoy our talks, and you are my only friend, but I like having nobody knowing my Semblance," the silver haired woman winks at me.

"Like having me know would be a bad thing. I gave you fake papers and all the referrals you needed for a Hunter's license and you still hide it from me," she fakes a wounded look, making me snort. "Ah, but that isn't the reason I requested this meeting." Her look falls away as she changes the subject. I put down my cup with a look of longing before diverting my full attention to my compatriot. "You're being tracked." I blink in surprise, before my brow furrows.

"By who and why?" I ask, making Silvia sigh.

"From what I know of him, the guy who's been asking about you is named Qrow Branwen." I jolt as she says his name, my eyes widening slightly. "As for why, I don't know. Some of my agents overheard him talking with other Huntsmen and saying you were a friend he needed to find." My eyes narrow at this, though I hide my expression behind my tea cup. Silvia pauses in order to take a long drag of her own drink, letting out a content sigh after she does. "He even shadowed one of my men and tried to trace me. I can only assume he thought we'd lead you to him, though how he managed to make that connection I'm uncertain."

I frown and flick out my tongue, tasting the air around me. It's difficult to find specific scents in more populated areas, especially when ones are approaching on the winds. But beneath the odors of the townsfolk and even the expensive shampoo of my friend, I can taste the heavily alcohol bathed scent of a bird.

Qrow, as it were.

I sigh and stand, dropping enough Lien to pay for the both of us, and toss a tidy sum at Silvia herself, who catches and pockets it in a single move.

"It would appear he's on the way," I note. "I can smell him on the wind." I flash the diminutive woman a smile. "It was good to see you again Silvia, however briefly."

"You sure you don't want me to tag along?" She asks, golden eyes showing concern. "I can leave my business for a little while, my men can take care of it." I shake my head as my smile falls, beginning to walk off.

"Thank you for the offer, but as you know I work best on my own," I reply, moving across the path and pulling up my hood. "Farewell."

"Yep."

I walk into the edge of the woods when the scent of a drunken bird reaches a crescendo and a crow flies past over the tops of the trees. I track it for a few moments as it circles around, getting a moment out of sight before transforming into a smaller version of my serpentine body.

While it is true my snake form is usually over thirty meters now and would easily be spotted by Qrow as I slither along, I can shrink it or enlarge it with some degree of difficulty. However, the maximum I've managed to actually extend to, which I found in combat against an incredibly large King Taijitu, the event that clued me in to the fact that I can change my own size in the first place, is about 60 meters, and it is incredibly difficult to control, on top of feeling like I'm drowning in oversized clothing. Going smaller has a similar issue, though I feel like I'm crammed into a compressor.

Quite painful, to say the least, though not enough to disable me.

I slither along in the tall grass, hidden from the view of my pursuer, who transformed at some point, given the yell of frustration.

Four Years Hence…

I stare from my perch on a tree branch at Ruby Rose as she works on her physical fitness under her uncle's watchful eye, her mother's old cloak draped around her shoulders. She's done this same routine for the last week that I've been around for, feeding off of mice and other small creatures when I need to.

I'd normally not be here resting in relatively plain sight, but I'm fairly certain in my ability to take Qrow on long enough to escape, or more specifically, evade his detection entirely. Why would I be confident enough in my ability?

Well, for one, I've gotten training from several sources, a former Huntress, finished my tenure with the yet peaceful White Fang, specifically one Adam Taurus, and gotten much experience with Grimm as well as taking care of various gangs for payment and what have you.

When you're on a time crunch, especially one a critical as the Fall of Beacon, you tend to work overtime all the time.

Add in how I learned how to manipulate the size of my serpent form and you have the most amazing hiding form on the face of the planet. One form, which is as lazy as can be until nightfall, so me staring at Ruby is hardly suspicious, even if the drunkle currently watching her training is on alert.

As snakes don't move while sleeping and we never close our eyes, no matter how much I stay still during the day, as long as I move in between days, I should be fine.

I continue watching silently, my unblinking yellow eyes following the Rose as she goes through some basic martial arts forms, sweating slightly. Still, she's doing much better than when she started back three years ago.

Apparently she was inspired by the tale of her mother to be a Huntress. Who'd have guessed. What that has to do with martial arts, might just be Qrow insisting on her having solid bases, which would make a lot of sense given how this line of business goes. I'm not sure, but it is possible that she'll be even stronger than she was in canon.

I watch for hours as she goes, till the point where Qrow spars with her, at a very slow and childish pace, until she collapses, gasping for oxygen. He chuckles and ruffles her hair, telling her to go in the house, and that he'll be in there soon. The girl gets up after a few minutes and shuffles into the house like a tiny zombie.

The moment she closes the door, my danger instincts flare and I move like lightning, launching off of my branch in the moment that Qrow's sword begins to close in on my form. I barely miss losing a piece of my tail, falling to the ground in a heartbeat.

Jesus, this guy must live off of paranoia.

I slither into the grass, shrinking further until I am small enough to crawl under a tree root, falling completely still. I hear him walk over and grab his sword with a sigh.

"Wonder who that was," he muses as he sheathes the massive blade on his back. "Wouldn't have reacted in time if it were an actual snake, so a Semblance, perhaps? If that's the case, then why, I wonder?" He walks off and back to the house, out of my ear range. I let out a small breath, so tiny none could have heard it.

Now if only I didn't feel like daggers were trying to cut through every facet of my skin, I'd be golden. I slither out from my spot and extend my size to about three meters, now only feeling like I'm in an excessively tight vice.

Without any more preamble, I slither off into the forest, and away from danger.

Four Years Later…

I slash with my sword, the white blade easily cleaving a Boarbatusk in half. I look around at the dissolving Grimm, sighing once again.

Sometimes it feels too easy, slaughtering the creatures in droves. I take out my scroll and move to a good angle, snapping a quick photo as proof that I've completed my mission before storing my blade in the sheath on my waist and turning to walk. I shelter my hands from the brisk autumn winds beneath my gray cloak, settling into a sedate pace.

I walk through the evergreen forest, reaching the town I'd assisted within an hour and with no issues from Grimm or bandits.

I'll be the first to admit that being a were-serpent is somewhat strange, but it isn't so hard as to be impossible. To be fair, my human form combat skill will likely never equal those who've trained their entire lives and are built around combat. But my serpent form is my game changer.

Sure, it gets very hard to move when it's incredibly cold out, but my scales are similar to armor and can take extreme punishment. I had noticed my insane growth rate appeared to be slowing, as I'd only grown a meter in the past year, which I find strange, but welcome. Every time my size increases, becoming small gets even more painful. But even with the pain, the way I can manipulate my size makes me a formidable opponent.

The various now basically defunct drug and slave trafficking cartels know this very well.

Well, knew it for a little while, anyways. Witnesses are such nuisances, best to just not have them.

Besides, those girls were better off with a swift death….

I scowl at the thought for several moments as I approach the gates of the town, the wooden structure doing very little to provide proper protection and being better suiting for kindling. Still, this is a young settlement.

Maybe they'll survive.

I flash my huntsman ID to the gate watchman, ignoring his disgusted gaze as he allows me entry to the town. I snort at him. He's hardly the first racist to hate me, and he won't be the last. I waltz through the gaze with a firm spine, ignoring all the questioning glances as I head to the building in the center of the small and developing town. The town hall, and coincidentally, the only one made of what looks like marble and real silver.

They clearly know the meaning of wasted money.

I enter and head over to the door behind the aide at the mahogany desk in the foyer. I pass a small line of people who are waiting to speak with the Mayor and open the door to his office to their outraged cries of unfairness and lizard bitch.

People. So uncreative these days.

"Mission complete," I say without preamble to the brown haired man behind the desk, who looks at me with some surprise and then disappointment before masking it behind a practiced smile. I show him the image on my scroll, and he glances at it, before clearing his throat.

"Yes, well, the council met while you were out and discussed the threat level. As a unit, it was determined that we'd offered too much money and have thus reduced the reward," he informs me as he sets down a paper sleeve on the desk in front of me.

"How much?" I ask stoically, belying my annoyance. This happens too often for my tastes.

"The reward is now fifteen hundred Lien," he replies calmly, as though he didn't just try to steal my clothes off of my back. I stare at him for several moments, before looking at the pictures on the shelves behind him.

I let out a hum as I note that he's hugging the boy who was at the front gate in one while the boy proudly holds up a large fish on a string.

"Less than a tenth, correct?" I ask, looking at him again. He nods slowly, some disdain appearing briefly in his eyes, even as some sweat beads on his forehead.

"Indeed. Unfortunately, we grossly overestimated the threat level, and as such reduced the reward. It can't be helped," he replies firmly. I stare at him for several seconds, my pupils contracting to a sheer vertical slit as my annoyance nearly breaches. Even most employers that reduce my pay(the majority of which are Schnee Dust Mine overseers or employees)only reduce by twenty-five to fifty percent at most.

Ninety-three percent reduction is absolutely horrendous.

LIKE REALLY? YOU ASSHAT, YOU COULDN'T JUST GO WITH A NICE ROUND FUCKING NINETY? YOU HAD TO BE THE DICKWAD THAT CHOSE NINETY-THREE PERCENT!

Still, it isn't like I can do anything. Not openly, anyhow.

I reach out and take the sleeve, storing it and my scroll, and turn to go. I halt before his door before turning my head slightly.

"Well then, have fun with the Grimm," I reply with a pronounced hiss in my voice.

As I leave the town, I allow the rage I've that festered over this blatant discrimination to emerge in a long and trembling hiss.

Half a Year Later

I walk through the woods on Patch, specifically the northern reaches of the island, which are in the midst of a small snowstorm. Hardly strange, as it is the middle of February, but the interesting bit in all of this is the white cloaked girl walking through the trees.

Ruby Rose. It's been some time since I managed to visit. She's grown quite a lot. No longer a tiny little child.

I follow the girl from a large distance, ensuring that I never enter her perceptive sight for even a moment. That being said, it's a bit tough to move at the moment. I have exceptionally effective Dust powered heat pads all over my body that I bought several years ago when I realized I am partially cold blooded in my Faunus state, but even with them and my thick cloak, the bitter cold of Patch is enough to at least minorly slow my movements.

Still, following her isn't terribly hard. Stealth is my strong suit, and even if she finds me, I won't be disappointed. If anything I'd be impressed a fifteen year old could find me.

I stop at the edge of the forest, looking into the expansive snow cloaked field the black haired girl walked herself into. I watch curiously as she stops before the large Beowolf pack she's found herself before.

I watch in interest as one of the wolves charges at her, before raising an eyebrow at how the beast is flying in four pieces. I stare at Ruby, noting how she's wielding two red short swords.

Short swords that look a lot like the blade on my waist. Guess she took after Summer more than Qrow this time around. Did the little I changed in their lives make that much of a difference? I know that she wanted to be like her mother, but enough to shirk Crescent Rose?

I watch in fascination as she displays a notably greater mastery of her semblance, looking more akin to what I remember from the Beringal fight rather than the Red trailer. Still, she's cutting the pack to pieces with great efficiency, only minor flairs and wasted movements.

I'm impressed.

I watch as she backflips over a Beowolf charging at her back, cleanly slicing its head off before bursting into flower petals and zipping through a group of four Beowolves, two on the ground dead in a moment, while the final two barely turn their heads before she's cut through their waists.

I let out a low hum as she sheathes her blades, the flakes of disintegrating Grimm coating the air around her. I sigh as she tilts her head down with closed eyes, pulling my rifle off of my back. I take aim down the iron sights and fire six times in quick succession, easily taking out the diving Nevermore aimed for her head.

Ruby's head shoots up in surprise as the three moderately sized Nevermore crash around her. Clearly they were drawn by the ambient negative energy released by the Beowolves deaths.

An annoying thing about Remnant is that killing Grimm may bring more down on your head. It's like a chemical scent released by ants, only by massive creatures of shadow and death.

I let out a sigh and tuck my gun away, glancing at the white cloaked girl whose eyes are now trained on me, before turning to walk away. I only manage three steps before some rose petals blow by my hood, prompting me to reach and pluck one from the air as I stop. I bring it closer and study it, finding the texture to be indistinguishable from what I know of actual roses.

I watch it flake away before turning to face the girl behind me. From where I stand at six foot five, her five foot two is hardly impressive. Still, she has… presence. I at least know she's there. Even if she didn't, she's giving me a smile and talking, so I should probably listen.

"Thanks for the save," she says, rubbing the back of her head with a pale hand. "I didn't even realize they were there until you got the shots off." I look into her silver eyes, mentally comparing them to the eyes of her mother. "So, ah, thanks." There's a pause where I simply stare in reply as the wind blows. She eventually lets out a nervous chuckle. "Uh, I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose. What's your name?"

I stare at her long enough to make her fidget before sighing and blinking, giving her a break.

"Alicia," I reply, making her smile. I stare into her eyes another moment as she opens her mouth to speak. "You look so much like your mother, little gem." Her eyes widen as I cut her off, smile shattering like glass.

"You, you knew my mother?" She whispers, now looking at me with studying eyes. "But, nobody has ever even mentioned somebody like you, and you've never been here before-." I hold up a hand to stop her.

"Hardly the place for this discussion. Too cold," I interject, drawing my cloak a little tighter. "House?"

She nods after a moment, looking conflicted and more than slightly impatient.

A Few Hours Later…

I sit on the couch of the Rose-Xiao Long house, nursing a small cup of coffee my host was gracious enough to provide in my hands as I sit across from Ruby. Apparently, both her father and sister are out of the house, doing errands and hanging out with friends respectively.

I take a sip from the hot drink, letting out a happy breath as the liquid warms my mouth. I lower the drink and look at the girl across from me, who looks like she's ready to pop a vein with the level of impatience she's exuding.

"What do you wish to know?" I ask, meeting her bright silver eyes with my sharp yellow.

"How did you know my mom? Why didn't anyone mention you?" She asks swiftly, allowing the built up pressure to exit through her mouth. "Why weren't you there for her funeral? Where haveyoubeensinceshedied? Wherewereyouwhenshedied?" I let out a slight hum as I take another sip from my drink.

"We met over a mission, she alone knew of me, I wouldn't have been welcome, I've checked on both you and Yang over the years," I reply to her first four questions, before meeting her eyes with a slight glare, though not for the diminutive girl. "And I was with her when she died. I tried to reach her swiftly but arrived too late to save her." I glance downwards. "For that, I apologize."

I allow my drink to stew as Ruby absorbs my words.

"But, mom told dad and Qrow practically everything," she says quietly. "Why wouldn't she have mentioned you?"

"The mission we met was the mission she died," I state, having ironed out my story some time ago. It helps that it's all true, if a little, misleading. "We didn't know each other long, but she saved my life. I'd hoped she'd live long enough for me to repay that debt. But, I failed when it mattered."

"You said that you checked up on us over the years, but I've never seen you, and I think uncle Qrow would've noticed you," she says, more curious than accusatory.

"I have my ways," I reply honestly, flashing her a smile over the rim of my cup before taking another sip. I allow it to settle over my forked tongue for a few moments, before swallowing it. "But we did meet, once." I look at her again. "You were small, in a red cloak." I gaze at Summer's cloak draped over her form. "Though I believe your mother would be happy that you have hers."

Ruby gazes at me, the gears in mind likely spinning fast enough to produce smoke.

"The last time I wore that one was," she pauses for a moment. "Nearly ten years ago." She stares at me, taking in everything about my features, before her eyes widen. "You, you're the one that saved Yang and me when we went to find her birth mother!" I nod in reply. "Yang thought that you were our mother. You wore her cloak, and she saw you just before she fainted."

I nod, my brow knitting slightly as I recall what I can of the day.

"I was, concerned, when she said 'mother'," I reply stoically. "It was not my intention to give hope where none exists." I let out a sigh before finishing my drink. "You may not recall, but you woke up. I panicked."

"I don't really remember much from then. From that day, I only remember Yang putting me into the wagon and a few shadows," she replies calmly, still staring straight into my eyes. "But you saved us."

"Yes. I wanted to give you that cloak," I inform her. "Nobody was at the house, the door broken, and your scent led into the woods." I blink as I remember something. "That reminds me, may I have your hand for a moment Ruby?"

She starts, clearly not expecting me to say that.

"Uh, sure?" She question, extending her hand nonetheless. I gently grab her wrist and lean forward, placing my face near her skin, before flicking my tongue several times. "Oh." Despite sounding absolutely confused, I decide to ignore her and focus on the scent she's putting out.

Still cookies. That hasn't changed whatsoever, but now it mingles with the sharp scent of steel and ash.

A strange scent, but much better than wet bird, though Qrow smells more like a drunken wet bird. I release her hand with a nod, giving a quiet display of gratitude.

"What was that for?" She asks, curious, if a tad confused. I smile at her expression, having to repress a chuckle.

"I was simply acquainting myself with your scent, in case I ever have a need to find you," I reply easily. "I do not anticipate being around often, however, just in case, I thought it might be useful."

"Oh," she says, rubbing her hands together, looking at the ground. I stare at her for several seconds, waiting for the damn to finally overflow. It takes a few moments, but eventually she manages to get it out. "Uh, if you don't mind me asking… what happened, to my mother?" She looks into my eyes with wide silver pools, taking me off guard. I blink a few times as my eyes fall to the cup in my hands.

"We met in the dead of night," I begin. "I smelled blood and followed the scent, worried about what may have happened. I found your mother in a cave, bruised and a little cut up, but hardly in life threatening condition. Of course, she had the barrel of a gun to my head so I did my best to appear non-threatening. Unfortunately for me, she didn't take quite kindly to an action I took, and fired at me." I give Ruby a small smirk. "Barely dodged. After that, I fought off the Grimm and eventually proved my goodwill to her." Ruby stares at me intensely, absorbing my words almost religiously. "We stayed together for a few days, until a massive Grimm appeared." I sigh as my hand moves across my left side. While the scars on my body are few and far between, the ones inflicted on me that day remain, even on my Faunus form. "It injured me terribly, though I managed to kill it. When I came to, your mother was asleep on top of me, and my injuries had been healed. It wasn't until after that she revealed she unlocked my Aura." I let out a sigh.

"She was an idiot, frankly," I state, making Ruby blink, taken aback. "She was injured, and unlocked my Aura, which I can assure you, is massive." Ruby opens her mouth to object, but I continue before she can interject. "Quite a foolhardy maneuver." A wry smile forces its way onto my lips. "But one that nonetheless saved my life. I had to go hunting for the two of us, soon after. I left, found some prey, and managed to kill it. When I was on the way back to the cave, I smelled the scent of blood again. Far more blood than I'd left." My smile falls as my eyes look into the cooling liquid inside my cup. "Mostly Summers, But not solely. By the time I got back to the cave, it was already too late." I allow myself a moment of sadness for the woman. "I apologize. I shouldn't have left her alone in such a moment of weakness."

Ruby is silent for several moments, completely still, which is something I've not seen in her in the time I've known her. After a time, she speaks, quietly.

"I want to blame you," she states, making my eyes narrow, shoulders slumping slightly. "I want to blame you for leaving her alone. For leaving her when you knew she was weak." I raise my gaze to the girls, finding tears rolling off of the girls face, as some semblance of a glare is leveled at me. "But, my mother wouldn't blame you. And even if I wanted to blame you, You said that my mother's blood wasn't the only scent in the air. That means someone else was there. Somebody knew you had left, and chose to kill her." I stare at the girl for a moment, as her eyes harden. "I will find them. And when I do, I'll make them pay!" My eyes widen slightly at the absolute hatred in the declaration.

We stare at each other for a moment longer before Ruby looks away, hiccups bubbling up from her throat as the tears come faster and faster. I stare at her as she cries, waiting. After a few moments, I note a scent entering my nose and flick my tongue to confirm it.

Wet bird. It appears Qrow is approaching.

I don't want to be here when he arrives.

"Qrow is coming," I note as I look to the door. "I advise you open the door."

"Ah, right! I totally forgot he was visiting!" Ruby snaps out of her sorrow, wiping the tears off her face as she turns into a black and white blur and blitzes about the house, changing various things. I, on the other hand, do what I do best.

Turn into a snake and slip under the couch. It darker and cooler here, so it is hardly unenjoyable. That being said, I'm likely stuck here until Qrow leaves. Best get ready to wait.

I slither into a curl and tuck my tail under my mouth. I'd love to fall asleep to pass the time, but then I'd revert to housebreaking size and make Ruby homeless. Tai and Qrow don't matter, but I'd feel bad about destroying Ruby's home. Less than half a minute later, I hear Qrow enter the abode.

"Hey Uncle Qrow!" Ruby shouts as a light collision sounds, likely from the petite girl crashing into the man. Her voice also doesn't even have a hint of the sobs she'd just finished. Quite the actress, it seems. "It's so good to see you! Do you want to hear about what I didtoday? ItotallytookdownanentireBeowolfpackonmyownbutthen-!" She lets out a gasp. "Right, Uncle Qrow this is-..." She drifts off, likely noting that I am nowhere to be seen.

"Somebody supposed to be here, Pipsqueak?" Qrow asks, his voice sounding slightly more gruff than I recalled.

"Y-yeah," the girl replies, sounding confused. "I met someone today, who said she knew mom." I ignore how Qrow's heat signature rises in my senses, more than likely from elevated heartbeat. "She was just here a second ago."

"Kid, what did this person look like?" Qrow asks as he walks around, sounding more bored than anything, though I can hear an undertone of urgency.

"Uh, long black hair, yellow eyes, scales under her eyes and along her chin, winter camouflage cloak," Ruby informs him. "Her name was, uh, Alicia, I think?" I note how Qrow seems to stumble slightly, moving out of the range of my pit organs. Likely now behind a wall. "She told me that she was there when my mom, died."

"I see," he states. "Now let's talk about how you've been, what was this I heard about a Beowolf pack?"

In moments, Ruby is embroiled in tales, and, seeing nothing else to do at current, I listen in. Funnily enough, she's actually sociable. She talks about times she met up with friends, and the fun times they had, getting pizza from a local pizzeria, going to an arcade, even sparring for some.

Though adorably enough, she also had some tales where she froze up because she was left alone and talking to somebody new. Naturally, Qrow teased her to no end. Somewhere during Qrow's stay, Taiyang came back to the house with groceries in arms. After he dealt with putting the new items away, he joined the two, laughing jovially at his daughter's exploits, and chuckling at her reactions of Qrow telling tall tales of his adventures as a Huntsman.

After a few hours, Taiyang gets a call from Yang saying she'd be staying with a friend, which spells the end of most of the conversation, Ruby heading off to bed shortly thereafter.

For several minutes, Taiyang loafs around the kitchen area, I presume, and Qrow remains seated.

"So, Alicia, eh?" The man asks after a moment of silence, drawing Taiyang's attention. "You going to come out or are you going to keep on hiding?"

I debate for a moment in my head, before slithering out from under the back of the couch, easily moving across the floor in a silent dart of movement. I stop in a doorway, peering through to ensure nobody is in there, before slipping in and changing to my more, human, form.

"Depends," I reply, my voice ringing with a sibilant tone. "What do you want?" I hear air displace as Qrow moves, appearing in front of me at speeds I barely react to, slamming a hand next to my head, glaring openly at me.

I stare at him blankly, unimpressed by the attempt at intimidation.

To be intimidated means I would fear death or pain at his hands. I fear none of it. Not from him, at the very least.

"Alicia Chrome, age 26," he practically hisses, much to my annoyance. He's a bird, not a snake! "Became an official Huntress of Vacuo at 17, by applying for a Hunter's license via a combat and intelligence test. Made B-rank at the time, and recently was promoted to A-rank." I stare him down, wondering why he's pointing out all this knowledge.

More to the point, why does he know?

"Also the last person to have seen Summer Rose alive," he states, upping the ante of his glare. That explains that. "So I'm going to ask you one question. What, happened?" I stare at him for a moment, ignoring Taiyang where he stands, a ways behind Qrow.

"I don't know," I state frankly, causing him to blink in surprise.

"What?" He snarls, grabbing the collar of my shirt. In the blink of an eye I grasp his wrist and the back of his neck, forcing him closer to me and my unblinking eyes. He stares at me, slightly shocked, mostly pissed.

"I, don't, know," I repeat. "When I found her, she was already near death. Besides, why do you care?" I ignore the ire on his face at that question. "All die. When other people die, do you question it? Do you feel anger?"

"I've seen your victims!" He bites out, one of his hands moving to the hilt of his sword. "Venom, delivered through a bite, most commonly on the neck or wrists." His eyes narrow, rage burning in his gaze as I stare at him. "Which, coincidentally, is one of the ways Summer was killed." My throat runs dry and I blink, suddenly understanding.

… shit, I think, as he pushes his face a little closer to my own, making a pit form in my stomach.

"I can see from the look in your eye," he growls. "You understand now." He pulls back a moment, breaking my hold with the hand that had hitherto been on his sword, before slamming my hand into the wall hard enough to make my shoulder ache. "I know you killed her! And I'm going to make you pay for it!" I stare at the man as he takes his hand off of my wrist and draws it back for a punch.

I turn and bite the hand holding my collar, easily piercing his Aura with my own, causing him to shout and jerk his hand, through I release him before he can tear my fangs off. I shove him away from me and step into the doorway, placing a hand on the sword beneath my cloak.

"I didn't kill her," I state as he levels his sword at me, the gun popping out. I duck behind the wall, snorting as the man fires, the shot tearing through the far wall. "She saved my life after I found her injured in a cave!" My instincts roar and I dive away from where I was, noting how I barely avoided the massive sword that tore through the wall.

I did not think that Qrow would be the reason this house would fall. Well then, in an interest to not make Ruby homeless, it is time for me to get the hell out of dodge.

"WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE? CAN'T A GIRL PLAY HER GAMES IN PEACE?" Ruby yells, causing me to freeze as I was beginning to move for the door, as Qrow was about to jump at me, sword primed to strike. Surprisingly, Taiyang is leaning on the half of the door frame that doesn't have a cut through it, calm as could be.

"Ruby, get back!" Qrow shouts before lunging at me. I curse at my lack of preparation for him, drawing the sword from my waist and deflecting his strike to the side.

Qrow and Taiyang look at the blade in shock, before fury coats Qrow's face.

"You dare to-!" He swings his blade, but before I'm able to move, I feel a jerk on my collar and my vision turns a combination of black and red.

When my eyes manage to catch up, I blink as I see I'm at the other end of the room, with Ruby standing between me and Qrow, dressed in a black tank top and rose covered pajama pants.

"Will somebody explain to me why exactly you're trying to kill Alicia?" She asks, staring in particular at her uncle, whose eyes are locked onto my position.

"Ruby, step away from her," Qrow orders, causing Ruby to let out a noise of confusion. I sheath my blade, though I'm ready to bolt.

"Why would I-!" Ruby begins.

"Now Ruby!" Qrow shouts as he takes a step forward, making her flinch. I step forward in return, standing just behind Ruby as I place a hand on her shoulder.

"There's hardly a need to shout, Qrow," I state, not taking my eyes off of the man as I gently push Ruby out of the way. "I told you. I didn't kill Summer." Ruby gasps, staring at me.

"Yeah, likely story," he growls, brandishing his sword again. "Tell me then, why is it you kill with venom, that Summer died to venom, and that you're the last person to have seen her alive?" I step away from Ruby and put my hands up.

"She saved my life," I state. "However, during that fight where she saved my life, she was injured. I took care of her in a cave, and did my best to keep her in sight. A few days later I went hunting, and didn't know she was in danger until it far too late." I give a brief slightly edited story of how we met, trying to calm the man. Though Ruby might note some discrepancies between my tales, I hope she doesn't think much of it. "I did arrive back when she was alive, and she said they'd barely left, possibly because I was approaching, I don't truly know. But while she did fall to venom, it was not my venom." Qrow glares at me still, while Taiyang walks up next to him.

"We know," he states casually, though I can see some tension in his shoulders. I blink in surprise as Qrow's head turns to look at the blonde man, seemingly shocked. "When Qrow brought Summer back, the coroner said she died to venom. I got a sample of it, and had it analyzed by a few friends." He waves his hand dismissively. "And on a mission that I took to Vacuo a year or two back, I ran into some of your work. Qrow had shared his suspicions with me about your involvement with Summers death, and I got a sample of your venom as well. The venom that was found in Summer was closer to that of a scorpion, while yours is, obviously, more like a snakes." I stare at the man as Qrow's stance turns much less aggressive.

"Tai, why didn't you tell me?" He asks, confusion and a bit of irritation lacing his voice.

"I would also like to know," I state, my eyes narrow and my voice pronouncing it's hiss. Ruby is just looking between all of us with sadness and a bit of confusion. Taiyang just shrugs.

"I wanted to meet her, and I figured you'd be able to drag her here," The man admits. "Also, I tried. You just ignored me and stormed out every time I mentioned her, grumbling about how she evaded you." Qrow grunts, But doesn't comment as he sheaths his sword. I lower my arms and let out a sigh. "That being said." Taiyang glares at me. "You have Summer's weapons."

"I've been using the blades since I met her," I admit, drawing my cloak a little closer around me, hiding the blade on my waist. "Partially because they were already made and I needed a weapon, and partially because I wanted to remember Summer." I look at the floor as I fiddle with the hilt of said weapon. "Remember what happened, so that I don't let it happen again." For a moment, only Qrow moves, taking a large drink out of a flask.

"Regardless of why you used them, I'm sure by now you can afford to have them replaced with a different set," Taiyang states, voice brooking no argument. "So, the blades, please." For a moment, nobody moves, even as a massive pit forms in my stomach.

Even if they aren't my blades, even if this family has a right to them, I've used them for years now. And, I think Summer would be, happy, with the arrangement.

"I'm afraid I'll have to refuse," I reply, showing calm I do not feel, as Qrow glares at me, while Taiyang narrows his eyes slightly.

"You have the gall to deny-!" Qrow begins, stepping forward, nearly prompting me to step back as I interrupt him with a glare.

"Yes!" I snap, suppressing the need to sway on my feet, as Taiyang puts a hand on Qrow's shoulder, stopping him. "I have no quarrel with anyone in this room! I'd be more than happy if we never even met, but I felt the need to come here! Because I believe Ruby deserved to know the truth, at least what little I can tell!" I bare my fangs and let out a long drawn hiss. "But I'm not simply going to roll over without saying my piece." I draw one of the blades, and hold it up horizontally before myself. "Summer saved my life. I can never repay that debt, and I will never be able to rectify my failure when it came to defending her." Taiyang stares at me with one of the best poker faces I've ever seen. "But I use these blades to remember that. To remember why I should never let down my guard, to never forget my failures." I let out a sigh as I do my best to reel in my emotions, and lower the blade to my side.

"Frankly, I understand why you want these blades," I state, unblinking. "But I do not believe having them left as trophies on a wall would do them or their former wielder justice." I gaze into Taiyang's eyes as I sheathe the blade back at my waist. "If, you, insist…" I grind out. "I'll return them, but I'm asking that you don't."

The three others in the room stare at me for several tense seconds. I resist the urge to swallow the saliva gathering in my mouth. Taiyang lets out a sigh after another moment, but I can already tell by his eyes what he'll say.

"I understand where you're coming from, but I'm still asking," he reiterates. I clench my fists as he continues. "I'll give you the address of the smith that helped make them, but the originals will stay with us." I look away, nodding sharply as my hands slowly move to the clamps and ties that hold the weapons to my back and waist. It takes a few moments, but I hold the blades out, still in their sheaths.

I don't look as the blonde steps forward and slowly takes the blades from my hand. I ignore it as the two blades are unsheathed, clearly being inspected.

"They've been well kept," Qrow mentions, sounding grudgingly respectful. "If nothing else, there's that going for you." He lets out a long sigh and the sound of a bottle being opened reaches my ears.

I feel a small hand on my left arm, and turn to see Ruby smiling up at me, small tears in her eyes.

"Thank you," she says. I stare at her in confusion, but she doesn't elaborate. I watch her as she moves away from me, giving her father and uncle hugs before heading up to go to bed.

I sigh as Taiyang sets the blades in a pair of stands clearly designed for them, before he walks over to me.

"This is the address I promised you, but I can't promise she'll be very cooperative," he informs me while Qrow watches silently from the couch. "Still, I do have to apologize." I tilt my head in slight confusion as the mans smiles, sadness in his eyes. "If it wasn't for you, we might never have found Summer," he says, making me blink in surprise. "More importantly, Yang and Ruby might not be alive today if you hadn't found and protected them. Qrow and I should have been there, but we were too caught up in our grief." I glance at Qrow, who merely huffs and takes a swig from his canteen. "So I apologize for not trying harder to make Qrow see some sense. Even if I was annoyed at how you never properly talked with us until now, he might have tried to kill you. That wouldn't have been a proper way to repay the debt we owe you."

I stare at the man as he rubs the back of his head, before pocketing the address.

"I always knew when he was coming, so he could never have cornered me," I reply steadily, belying my annoyance, and my unease. I walk for the front door. "Besides, Summer saved me. I saved her daughter. That's all there is to it." I stop with my hand on the doorknob. "There is no need to thank me. Anybody would have done it, if they were in my place." I glance back at the two. Qrow isn't even looking at me, while Taiyang is standing where I'd left him. "Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be on my way."

Nothing more is said as I open the door and step out into the snowstorm outside. I let out a slow breath as I move around the house, setting my course to the southwest. I step with haste, as the anger over how the two acted bubbles past my mental control.

They see fit to attack me, blame me for something I'd never have done, even when one of them knows I'm innocent! I let out a loud hiss as my iris's contract, my pupils nothing more than vertical lines. Then they take the blades I've made my own for more than ten years, the very ones that have saved countless lives since then I got them! No matter their reasoning, I… I… I can't just forget them. I force myself from my thoughts as howls surround me.

While Patch is inhabited by mostly retired Hunters and their families, the Grimm still exist here. They aren't in great force, but they exist, especially in the southwestern end of the island. Naturally, Huntsman patrol the area and make sure their numbers don't get out of control.

But these things are perfect to let loose on.

"Come on then!" I shout at the nearest Beowulf, a young one by the looks of it. I sprint at it as I flood my muscles with Aura, ducking beneath its feeble swipe to pound its torso with a fierce kick. The flesh of the beast disintegrates under the force, and I leap at the next, turning its skull and head into a paste.

I look for my next target to see a massive flood of Grimm charging me. Beowolves, Ursa Minors, Boarbatusks. Dozens upon dozens of them. The sight brings out a grin on my face, my fangs elongating over my upper incisors. I let out a hiss in challenge, and charge the horde of monsters. I don't know why they have such great numbers on such a docile island, but I don't care right now.

I just want a fight!

I leap at the closest Grimm, a fast spinning pig, and cleave it in two with a swift kick, barely even phased by its armor. I continue with the motion, transitioning into a punch to the ground, cracking the earth and upheaving it beneath the creatures through a judicious use of Aura.

Fun fact. Aura can be easily expelled from the body of an experienced Aura user, in order to interact with the world as I just did. It simply takes a lot from the user, and finding people who are able to teach you such skills is exceptionally difficult. Quite frankly, it was luck that I happened on a retiring Aura Master looking for a pupil.

Still, I think with a grin as squeals and roars of pain resound from inside the fluctuating ground, as ash begins to rise through the air. It's such fun to use!

I jump forward after the dirt settles, bringing an axe kick down on the head of an Ursa, before transitioning into a series of punches through the chests of the creatures.

I let out a scream of frustration, rage, and desperation as I tear through the pack of cannon fodder. The roars of rage that the Grimm has been putting out changed to yelps of pain and whimpers for mercy, even when my boots trampled their faces, and their claws bounced uselessly off of my Aura.

After the last of the fodder died, I noticed a hulking form near the edge of where I'd fought.

I also note how a new clearing in the forests of Patch now exists…

No idea how this one got here. Not at all.

I study it as it gazes at me. It stands at roughly four meters, an aged Beowolf. It's fur, interestingly enough, rather than the coal black I'm used to, is a dark gray, while the normal yellow/red eyes are almost perfectly yellow, only a hint of red circling the edge. It's armor is next to nonexistent, but I can see a multitude of brutal scar all over this one's body.

It's ancient, I think, as a small smirk forms on my face. Quite possibly the reason why so many Grimm had managed to slip under the radar. It steps towards me, and barks a challenge. This should be challenging.

I hiss in reply and charge, darting across the field between us in less than a second. The beast swipes at me. I duck beneath it, but the old Alpha predicted as much, and slammed a leg into my stomach, causing me to cough, more out of surprise than anything. I grin as my body is propelled backwards, rolling as I hit the ground, pumping more Aura to my legs as I stop the roll, and leap back towards the Grimm, this time slightly off to the left.

It leaps at me, arms outstretched. In retaliation, I grab one of its paws, swinging my legs towards its other arm, easily shaping my Aura around my left leg in order to sheer through the muscular appendage.

It howls in pain, immediately grabbing my right leg in its jaws. I have a moment of regret as my Aura works overtime to protect my leg, before the beast whips me about, slamming me into the ground five times, reminding me a moment of how the Hulk treated Loki in Avengers. It then proceeds to toss me up, and bat me away with its very sharp claws.

I grunt as I hit the ground, panting. My body rolls for a few moments, before coming to a halt against a tree quite harshly. I stand up, swirling my Aura for a moment to gain a general sense of how much I have left.

The Alpha simply looks at me, slowly backing away, even as black blood leaks from the stump it's left arm used to be.

Damn, he managed to get me down to fifty-eight percent, I think as I crack my neck. Granted, I used up a lot while fighting, much more than I would have had I used it properly, but it's impressive. I've never actually been so low in a fight with Grimm.

I watch the Beowolf as it continues to back, and slowly, proceed to do the same. The moment it vanishes from my sight, I hear the sounds of a swift retreat, making me smile.

"You're a curious one," I mutter. "I think I'll look forward to fighting you again, should the occasion arise." I turn, and begin walking away, feeling tired, and not simply from the cold.

Of course, it's only now that I notice the flapping of birds wings. I track the sound, but don't see anything through the slowly falling snow.

Whatever. I'm sure it'll be fine.

A Week Later.

I stare at my scroll, both disturbed and confused. Disturbed by what the message on my scroll means for my future, and confused by how the sender got my number.

And also quite disturbed by the fact that he got it. That too.

'Ms. Chrome, I would like to speak with you about a possibility of employment here at Beacon Academy. If you are interested, please respond and we shall set up a time and place to meet and discuss this opportunity. -Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy.'

Well.

This will at least put me in the heart of the action. Now all I have left to do for tonight is alert Adam of the Faunus trafficking ring I found recently.

Hey. That old Alpha… it might return. Not sure. Anyhow, hope you liked it. I was trying to settle a lot of different things, so sorry if it seems rushed or confusing.

Also, the thing in there where I said she's never had such low Aura vs Grimm…. that's due to her Semblance. I'm not just trying to making her OP. Raven, Qrow, Oz, Cinder, Salem, any of them can beat her while she doesn't use her serpentine form. Even if she uses her serpent form, it wouldn't just be a breeze for her.

She simply has more Aura than anyone. She is, after all, a massive snake, which likely would require more Aura than any human or Faunus would ever be able to store. So, it's based off of natural physical forms. Her ability to shift between snake and Faunus is inherently magical(granted by a god) and thusly doesn't impact this.

Of course, Alicia doesn't know this, but that's besides the point.

Anyhow, hope you enjoyed, I'll see ya next time.

-Lambda38

P.S.-If you want to see the walking gray carpet again, do say so. He's fun. Also totally not a fun jab at somebody since it couldn't even force Alicia to use her 'natural' form.