Ugh. So, I drank a bit on Tuesday, spent all of Wednesday sick with a hangover that stopped me doing a damn thing and still feel bad today. Pretty sure the people in my forum are already aware since I was so drunk I started ranting about UK news and the like. Fun. Luckily, I'm a friendly drunk and not some asshole.

Anyway, this chapter has been written with a mighty hangover. Be warned.

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 20

"Say the words, Oscar!"

"This is dumb," he sent back. "I think you're overreacting."

"Say the words!"

"I mean, they're perfectly reasonable and I'm going to sound like an idiot. I don't want to make a bad first impression."

"Then say the damned words, Oscar! Say them or I swear to all the Gods out there I will find the most annoying song in history and set it to repeat in your head for the next forty-five years! Don't test me!"

"Alright, fine."

Ozpin would get his way as usual – even if Oscar thought it was a stupid waste of time. He took a deep breath and looked up to the three girls who had just been told he would be joining their team. They wore small frowns and Ruby was stood before the empty bed in the room almost defensively.

It was silly, but if Ozpin was going to be an ass about it…

"I just want you all to know that I'm not here to replace your missing teammate. The team is still being called Team RWBY because Weiss Schnee is still officially and unofficially a member of it. I'm just being put onto it temporarily because the headmaster hopes you, as more experienced huntresses, can help me grow into my own." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry for any inconvenience or offence caused and hope we can get along as friends. And I look forward to meeting and having a chance to become Weiss' friend as well."

Yang, Blake and Ruby looked at him with shocked expressions.

He waited for them to laugh; either at him thinking it was necessary or speaking in so grandiose a way. They didn't. Ruby shuffled her feet on the floor and looked back to the bed he assumed was Weiss', then stepped aside a little gingerly.

"Hey…" Yang said weakly. "It's not… I mean… We weren't going to be like that, were we?"

"No," Ruby said quickly. Very quickly. "D-Definitely not me. You, Blake?"

"Not at all." Blake had already moved back to her bed and drawn out a book to read. She slowly put down Gambol Shroud. Wait a minute, when had she picked that up and why? "And welcome to Team RWBY, I guess. It'll be crowded once we have five members again, but we can make do."

"Yeah." Yang grinned. "You can borrow Weiss' bed for now. Just make sure to look after it. She's super meticulous about things like that."

"Tell them you will care for Miss Schnee's bed."

"Ozpin…"

"SAY IT!"

"I-I'll look after her bed," he said with a little wince. "I won't let it get too messy or anything for when she gets back."

The answer brought a huge smile to Ruby's face. Probably because she thought he was an idiot. He felt like one. On the bright side, she laughed and clapped her hands together and any sense of ire in the room slipped away. Even Zwei yawned and curled up to take a nap where he'd before been tense and ready to pounce.

"Welcome to Team RWBY, Oscar." Yang clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Can I call you Oz? Ozzy?"

"No."

"Sure!" Yang could call him `feces` as long as she did it with a pretty smile like that. It was more attention than he'd ever got from girls before. He heard Ozpin mumble something about idiots in the back of his head but ignored it, basking instead in the easy acceptance of Team RWBY, who told him where he could put his stuff – he owned nothing – and assured him they'd help get him up a huntsman's standard as best they could.

"See. I told you this was a stupid idea. They accepted me anyway."

"You have no idea of how many bullets I just helped us dodge." Ozpin said. "Living with women is not a boon, Oscar. It is a challenge. You will need to be on top of your game for I have neither the will nor the drive to keep bailing you out."

"You mean the dog won't let you…"

"Perceptive mutt. But no, that's not the only reason. I'm well aware of your desires as to these young ladies."

"Hey, you make me sound like a sex pest. I like them. Is that so wrong?"

"In itself, no, but with me in your head, maybe. I believe a hard rule should be imposed. You cannot enter a relationship with someone unless you first tell them about my presence."

"What!?" No one was going to take that well. "Why!?"

"Why? Must I really explain it? Because these girls knew me when I was in my previous body. Because them finding out that their private rendezvous with a young man had a voyeur many times their age leering over his shoulder would be upsetting. Because the loss of trust from you keeping me a secret would hurt them. Need I go on? Let's not forget the fact you and I would merge one day and neither of us knows when that might be. If you genuinely cared for someone, you would make them aware of that fact. Not just vanish one day without so much as a word."

Oscar shrunk under the barrage of words, each dripping with disdain. He couldn't say it was unfair; he hadn't thought of any of that. He was fourteen and suddenly surrounded by beautiful older girls who he'd be living and sleeping with. There were comics that told him how that could go. Comics from Mistral.

"Oscar, nothing that comes out of Mistral has any basis in reality."

"But it could…"

"No. It could not. Not unless you think all three members of Team RWBY are about to jump you, which – let me tell you – they are not. Just so you know, other hard rules include being a gentleman, respecting their privacy and not causing discord among the team."

"What, are you their dads now?"

"No. I am – was – their headmaster. I see all the students as my children in a way, which might go some way to explaining to you why I'm so loathe to see you bonking one of them. I'd ask you to wait until they're eighteen, but I don't think it will matter."

"You have that little faith in my ability to attract a girlfriend? Are you saying I'm ugly?"

"I'm saying you're fourteen. I doubt I'm the only one here who thinks that is a creepy age difference, but by all means, try your luck on Miss Xiao-Long. See how that goes."

He didn't.

As much as Ozpin could be a prick sometimes, he was still a lot more experienced than Oscar was in these things, plus he'd only known Yang for a little over two or three days. He'd need at least a month or two for anything to work out. In the meantime, he just needed to show Team RWBY how awesome he could be.

Or not totally suck, anyway.

"Hey, are you going to help me in huntsman classes?"

"No."

"What!? Why?"

"Because the whole point of them is so you can learn. And I already know the material."

Unfair. Totally unfair.

Okay, maybe no less unfair then having an immortal in your head cheat so you didn't have to do any work, but it wasn't like he was lazy, just afraid of making an idiot of himself and being bullied for it. That would mean Team RWBY would have to get involved, then he'd become a burden.

"If you are bullied, I will help deal with it. I'm not casting you out to sea, Oscar. Besides, you have Mr Winchester of Team CRDL who has offered to help you. That means no one will bully you."

"Because he's a paragon of virtue who hates all bullies?"

"No. Because he was the biggest bully in Beacon. There aren't any others left."

Great. Well, as long as Ozpin was going to help out.

"Quite. And do try to focus more on what is going on around you. You've been ignoring Miss Rose for the last three minutes."

"Eh!?" Oscar jumped, making Ruby hop back from where she'd been waving a hand in front of his face. He flushed and stammered, "I-I'm sorry. I was spacing out."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Ruby giggled. "I was saying we'll need to take you shopping for clothes or something. Jaune sent you some spare uniforms you can wear and some sleeping clothes, but you can't live here with just that one outfit, can you?"

He looked down at himself. His clothes weren't bad, but they definitely weren't of the quality of what the girls had worn in Mistral. He had a feeling that was more than just brighter colours, too. They'd stood up to a lot of heavy fighting where most clothing would have ripped.

"Yeah, I guess I will. Maybe the headmaster will give me some money for it."

"I'm sure he will," Yang said. She stooped over by the door and picked up a suitcase. "In the meantime, Jaune came and dropped this off for us. Said something about it being to help you out while you get settled in."

With complete disregard for his privacy – not that it was even his in the first place – Yang opened the suitcase and rummaged through it, pulling out some stuff. Two uniforms, a pair of shoes and even some toiletries, men's deodorant and shaving supplies. Oscar couldn't have grown a beard if he'd wanted to, but they were probably just being safe.

"I'll put these with ours," Yang said of the razors.

Oscar's eyes crossed. Why would girls need shaving supplies?

"I can see you're an idiot. Do you believe women don't fart or defecate, either?"

Stupid Ozpin. Of course women farted. It just smelled of flowers.

Ozpin sighed.

"I'll have to thank Jau – I mean the headmaster," he said, walking over to pick up some of the clothes and carry them to the set of drawers he'd been told would be his. At least until Weiss came back. "I didn't even think about clothes or shoes."

"Jaune's always on the ball," Yang said.

"Except when it comes to the White Fang," Blake groused.

"When is your detention with him again?"

"Two nights," Blake said. "So I have two days to prepare for my `I told you so` speech." Her eyes shone. "It is going to be glorious."

"Is she-?"

"Yes," Ozpin replied. "She is always like that. Why do you think I foisted her off on Jaune? Still, it is good of him to be thinking about our situation. I assumed this was just petty vengeance on his part, but if he's taken the time to provide us clothes and supplies, maybe I was a little too cynical."

Yang snickered.

Ruby looked over, clamped a hand to her mouth and giggled.

"Hey Oscar!" Yang called, shaking. "I… I think I – snrk – found what you're wearing to bed tonight."

Yang was holding up a blue onesie in her hands, a full body furry onesie with little rabbit feet and a zipper up the front.

"I take back everything I just said."

/-/

"Headmaster Arc." The rather attractive woman in a smart and well-fitting business suit offered him a smile fit for television, fitting given her position. Everything about her was perfect, from her makeup to her collar to every single strand of hair on her head. It was the look of someone who had a team dedicated to it. "It's a pleasure to get a chance with you one to one."

"Eh." That sounded a little suggestive. "A pleasure to have you, Miss Lavender."

"Oh, I'm sure," Roman snorted.

Jaune glared at him.

To his surprise, Lisa Lavender laughed. "Oh Roman, don't be a twat." At his gobsmacked expression, the woman rolled her eyes and spoke in a much rougher and more country accent, "Cameras aren't on and I know Roman. Sometimes a little more intimately than I'd like to."

"Wait, how intimately?"

"A girl doesn't kiss and tell."

"No, but a thief does," Roman said with a smug-ass grin. "Lisa and I have worked together a few times."

"Nothing illegal!"

"Yeah, yeah. There are times when an up and coming criminal master like myself needs a little coverage, either to boost my image or hit back at people trying to frame me for worse crimes than I actually did. And it's the dream of every reporter to get the biggest scoop. World exclusive interview with Roman Torchwick counted."

"Hm." Lisa smiled nostalgically. "That made my career."

"We stayed in contact after," Roman said. "Contacts are useful in a business like mine. And now, I guess. She'll get the message out. Just make sure you're clear on what that message is."

"Will this be live?" Jaune asked.

"That was what Roman agreed." She didn't give him a chance to protest and instead directed her team into positions. It was done with the kind of easy respect and camaraderie of someone who had been working with them for ages. The crew took their spots and one came toward Jaune with a small black case and a powder brush.

"Wait, why do I need makeup?"

His answer was the brush poking against his cheeks, depositing a thin layer of what he assumed was foundation. It wasn't the first time he'd had makeup forced on him. At least the crew just focused on his skin and hair and didn't break out the eyeliner and lipstick like his sisters did.

Roman backed out the shot and Lisa guided him to a couch, sitting him down with her taking the spot beside, crossing one leg over the other and leaning toward him. Apparently upset with how he was sitting, she leaned over and bodily took him in hand, moving his shoulders to better pose him, then dragging two fingers up either side of her own mouth to tell him to smile.

Jaune did. Or tried.

The guy behind the camera began a countdown from five, going silent at three but still moving his fingers to finish it. On zero, he waved his hand forward and Lisa began speaking.

"Hello Vale. This is Lisa Lavender from Vale News and we bring you today a special one-to-one exclusive interview with Jaune Arc, headmaster of Beacon." Lisa turned to him. "A pleasure to have a chance to speak with you, Jaune. May I call you that?"

"Of course," he said, almost mechanically. Were there really millions watching him right now? Don't panic. Don't panic. Don't panic. "And it's great to be here."

What the fuck did that mean? This was his office. Why was he acting like it was a new experience?

Arghhh!

"While I'm sure there are a lot of things the people of Vale would like to talk about, we really need to jump onto the big topic. Three, in fact. Jaune, you've had a busy week as I understand it. First toppling the headmaster of Haven, Leonardo Lionheart, and then doing the same to wanted terrorist Cinder Fall, before going on to defeat the leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan. How do you do it?"

"Ha ha… well…" A lot of luck and a lot of stupidity. "I can't say any of those things were planned on my side. Leonardo Lionheart was a traitor to Haven, as Mistral has already deduced and made public. On the other hand, Cinder Fall was there perhaps to propagate the same attack that attempted to bring Beacon low. Of course, she failed there just like she did here."

"Thanks in no small part to your actions."

"What can I say? Cinder met her match."

He'd specifically asked Glynda to keep Cinder in a room with a television.

"As for Sienna Khan, that's a more complicated answer." Jaune's smile fell. "In truth, it was not our intent to harm her at all, but instead to meet with a view to discussing the disarmament of the White Fang."

It was not the entire truth but then neither was what Adam was saying. Glynda had pointed out that if Adam was going to lie to make himself look good, why shouldn't they do the same? People would have to pick one side to believe. Most would pick his.

"Unfortunately, Sienna Khan was attacked by traitors in the White Fang – her position usurped by Adam Taurus, who is now claiming we killed her and broke the agreed-upon treaty. This isn't the case and Sienna Khan is in fact alive and well here in Beacon." He looked to the camera, knowing Adam would be there. "Once she has sufficiently recovered, we'll show her to the world to prove that and to tell her side of the story. In the meantime, we've released images showing her being taken from the bullhead by Team RWBY, and also medical records to show she is alive."

"You're saying Adam Taurus lied, then?"

Wasn't that obvious? Hadn't he just said that? Or was this a journalistic thing where she wanted to drive that point home for an audience that might not be paying attention? Deferring to her knowledge, he nodded.

"That's right, Lisa. He did."

"Do you have any suspicions as to why?"

"Well…" Again, it was obvious, but she probably wanted him to explain it for the audience. "My first thoughts are that Adam wants to consolidate his power and make himself seem legitimate. He led the White Fang's attack on Beacon, and this was apparently done without approval from the actual leaders of the White Fang. Sienna told me herself that the White Fang has no issue with huntsmen and knows we protect humans and faunus alike. It was Adam who disobeyed orders to attack, wanting to drag the White Fang into a war with huntsmen for his own selfish ends."

"By blaming us for killing Sienna, he hopes to keep that war going – and better still, to make it seem like we are bloodthirsty enemies of faunuskind. That could not be further from the truth." Again, he looked to the camera to make his point clear. "I've heard some unsavoury groups saying that my stance is against faunus. This could not be further from the truth. I greatly respect faunus and personally wish for laws to protect their rights. Faunus will always be welcome here at Beacon. I absolutely disavow those suggesting my motives are based in any prejudice. In fact, I rescued Sienna from Adam Taurus' attack, and I know not everyone in the White Fang is a monster like him."

"Strong words from the headmaster of Beacon," Lisa said. "And once Sienna Khan is awake, I'd be more than willing to come and host an interview with her."

Securing yourself exclusive rights to it as well, he thought. Clever.

"Now that we've covered the big news of the day, would you be willing to answer a few questions from our viewers?"

"Hah?" This hasn't been planned. He looked to Roman.

Roman shrugged back, as confused as he.

"Great!" Lisa said, either misreading or choosing to misread his surprise as acceptance. "Onto our first here, and we have a young woman from downtown Vale asking if it's true you're to be engaged and married to Winter Schnee."

"W-What!?" His face burned. "This is the first I've heard of it!"

"So, is it true?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Wonderful. That leads into our next question – You're the youngest headmaster of Beacon and in the prime of your life. How do you balance real-life work, taking down dangerous terrorists and having a personal life?"

"Poorly. And by not having much of the last one."

"No special woman in your life? Or women…?"

Heat crept up his neck. "No."

"Hm. I sense a little dishonesty in that last answer." Lisa winked for the camera. "Rest assured, viewers. Lisa Lavender won't rest until she's dug up the truth!"

Jaune groaned on live television.

I knew agreeing to this was a bad idea.

/-/

"That's just how the media is," Glynda said, not at all understanding just why he was so flustered. "You should realise that there are literal articles on me discussing how to dress, act and compose yourself like I do. Not to mention rumours as to my love life. The same for Port and Oobleck."

"People actually want to read about Port's love life…?"

"We're celebrity figures in Vale, especially after what happened with the attack. We were well-known before, but now we're fighting off Grimm dragons, crashing battleships into dangerous criminals and travelling across the world righting wrongs." She shrugged. "Or that's how people see it. A little interest is expected."

Jaune grumbled. "It just seems silly to me, asking about my love life like that…"

"Ask yourself how much harder it must have been for poor Miss Nikos. She was thirteen or fourteen when they started on that – and at least you don't get the stupid kinds of questions she and I do."

"Like what?"

"Ahem." Glynda spoke in a squeaky and sarcastic voice, "Aren't you afraid that by putting forth such a strong and imposing image, you'll frighten away men and damage your chances of settling down and raising a family?"

He winced. "They actually asked that?"

"Once or twice."

"Did… Did they survive asking it?"

"I did not kill them. No answer on whether their wives or girlfriends did. Huntsmen culture can be as much a mystery to civilians, I'm afraid. Leaving aside the stupidity of such a question, they can't even understand that the skills Miss Nikos and I possess simply aren't considered overly strong when asking other huntsmen. We're all hunters and killers of Grimm here."

He personally thought Glynda's intimidation factor went a little further than that but didn't say it.

Frankly, he didn't one to be glared at. And on the other hand, it was definitely one of her best features. Hm. Maybe he was a masochist. He'd never realised it. Given that he hung out with Neo and Glynda, he probably had to have a thing for dominating women.

A stay-at-home wife just seems boring by comparison…

Best keep that thought inside. And the `wife` comment. He wasn't sure what either of them would do if they heard him throw that word around so casually. Somehow, he didn't think it would be `be enamoured, gasp and kiss him softly on the lips`. Unless the kiss was delivered via the knuckles.

"How is Ozpin doing today?"

"Oscar, for the most part. I think Ozpin is trying to stay out of it to give the poor boy the best odds he has of living his life. He's already received a detention with Port."

"What? Why?"

"Officially, for sleeping in class. Unofficially, because Port wanted to taunt Ozpin."

"Why would he-?" Jaune sighed. He'd been about to ask why Peter would be that petty, but this was Peter. "Do I need to step in on that? I'm all for a little pranking between friends but it feels like we're dragging Oscar in when he's done nothing wrong."

"Don't worry, I spoke to him. He plans to let Oscar play video games through detention."

"How is that a punishment…?"

"Ozpin hates games. On the other hand, I was going to suggest making an arrangement similar to what you and Miss Belladonna have, but with Oscar and I. He'll help with some minor paperwork and I'll give extra combat lessons to try and get him up to standard a little sooner."

"Sounds fair. Please ask him if he wants it, though. And I mean Oscar. There's no need to push him if he doesn't want it. He has time to grow."

"I shall make the point clear. James wants to talk to you, by the way."

"Again?" Jaune sighed. "About what? Cinder?"

"Hmhm. I took the liberty of telling him we completed the transfer process. He was pleased. If I were you, I'd talk to him soon. Always easier to do so when he's in a good mood. I expect he just wants access to her for questioning."

"After we've not even questioned her ourselves? I doubt she'll be receptive."

"I doubt James is expecting her to be."

"Ugh. Fine. I'll talk to him."

/-/

Winter saluted silently as she entered the office, seeing her superior on call. She waited in that position, eyes ahead and ready to turn and leave if he made a motion for her to do so. That Ironwood did not brought more pride than he knew. He trusted her not to work against his interests and she would never betray it. He raised a hand, telling her to stay.

"Yes. Yes," he said to the monitor. "I understand. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly."

"It's no problem, General," a familiar voice said. "I'm glad we could come to an agreement. We have enough enemies out there without fighting between ourselves."

"Indeed. You will hear back from me soon. Good evening."

"Good evening."

The call ended with the press of a button from General Ironwood. He leaned back, picked up a cup of Atlesian Black – motor oil, the troops called it – and downed it in one go. Winter found herself impressed with much the man did, but this always amazed her the most. She had a feeling she'd have choked on the stuff.

"At ease, Winter." Ironwood waited for her to take a more casual stance. Casual for her, anyway. "That was Jaune Arc I was just speaking to."

"Ah. Should I bring some painkillers?"

He chuckled. "No need this time. The news was good for once."

"Cinder Fall and Sienna Khan. And Leonardo Lionheart." Winter had seen the news, naturally. "Do you believe he knew about Lionheart in advance? I've heard people suggesting it, but I'm unconvinced."

"Of course he didn't. Good fortune on his part, and on ours. Sometimes, coincidences work in our favour. It doesn't change the fact Lionheart was a rat. I've already extended an offer for co-operation between Atlas Academy and Haven. Their numbers are down since Lionheart had been killing off huntsmen in the area. They're willing to pay us to provide added security at a time when they are feeling most vulnerable."

"They expect a counter-attack from Cinder Fall's allies." Punishment or revenge for taking Lionheart away, or to finish whatever plan they had. He hadn't been put there for no reason after all. "Will I be dispatched there, sir?"

"No. And I refused payment. We are not mercenaries, nor mobsters demanding protection money. I'd rather the increased diplomatic ties between our Kingdoms than any renumeration."

Winter inclined her head. There were few who would have turned down the chance to put Mistral in their debt, but Ironwood always had his eye on the bigger picture. She admired that about him. It was one of the reasons she'd dedicated herself so much to him. He was a better man than her father by far.

"What of Jaune Arc, then? The call seemed to end well."

"He's agreed us access to the prisoner."

Her smile grew. "It would have been foolish for him to deny it."

"Indeed, but not all men think rationally. There was a chance he would delay our access until he's gotten what he wants from her. He did inform me they haven't questioned her yet. They want to let her situation sink in a little before they do."

"Understandable."

Atlas did the same. No physical torture they could impose would be more damning than what a prisoner might create in their own heads. The police did it as well, even for the smallest of crimes. Leaving someone alone in a room to steep in silence, let the panic build until they cracked under the pressure. She doubted someone like Cinder Fall would be so easy to break, but it would still affect her.

"Given the delicate nature of the matter, I don't want to risk long-distance communications being hacked," Ironwood said. "They've already show they can crack our systems before. They can do it again and might be able to use it to free her. I want someone there in person. Someone I trust."

Winter, not being an idiot, grimaced.

"I'll prepare my bags, sir…"

"Thank you. I know it will be awkward given your father's… inclinations."

"That's one way to put it, sir."

"But I trust you more than anyone else under my command. And I need someone professional there. It may take time to get anything out of her. Arc has agreed to provide lodge for you until such a time. While you're there, I'd advised him that you have the power to speak on my behalf as to the trade embargos put upon Beacon."

"You want them lifted…?"

"I want you to be armed with some diplomatic power," Ironwood corrected. "Leverage it as you will. Reward him for co-operative behaviour. At this point, we'll not lose face if you lift them entirely, so feel free to do so if the meetings go well. I trust you not to abuse the power."

"Thank you, sir." Winter saluted. "I won't let you down."

/-/

"I fear for the future."

The giant of a man stood on a balcony looking out over his island home. He drew in a deep breath through his nose and let it out his mouth. His muscles rippled and tensed, loosening suddenly when a soft hand came to rest on his forearm.

Stepping before him, his wife disarmed his dire mood as she always did, with a smile and a touch of her hand. It left him defenceless and she pushed him back from the edge, away from the unrest in Menagerie and back into the bedroom. Even if she was half his size and weight, he felt powerless before her.

"You know better than to brood on things you can't change, Ghira. That's enough to make anyone miserable."

"Things we should be able to change. The White Fang is my responsibility."

Kali pinched his arm, making him wince. "Yours? Oh my, I must have misremembered the fact I was there creating it with you."

"Ours," he admitted, flushing under her indulgent sarcasm. "Still, the people of Menagerie trust me – us – to make the right decisions for them. Sienna's death was worrying but at least clear cut. Finding out she lives now, and that Adam lied? It complicates matters."

"Adam is calling it fake."

"Of course he is," Ghira rumbled angrily. "And there are fools who will believe him no matter what he says. Worse are those who don't believe but will choose to because it serves their ends."

"The Albain brothers? Yes, they're smart enough to know the truth."

The news was tearing Menagerie apart. Despite the island Kingdom not being a part of the White Fang, it was undeniable that their ties were close. Close enough for the four major Kingdoms to hold them accountable for anything that went wrong. That they hadn't already was a miracle but they both knew it would be but a matter of time.

But if they tried to forge contact, Adam would kill them as he had Sienna. Then blame it on Beacon and its headmaster, who already the people of Menagerie couldn't decide an opinion on. Hero, monster or just someone doing his job. His name was whispered with hate just as much as it was awe.

Ghira feared for the future of Menagerie under Adam's influence, but he feared for his family more.

With good reason, given Adam's known obsession with Blake. What better way to drag her back than to hold her parents hostage? He hadn't yet, perhaps knowing it would turn every undecided faunus in Menagerie against him.

But if they were elected out, or forced out of power by other means, those protections would disappear. Adam would find some false claim to imprison them on, and then the trap would be set. Ghira's barrel chest rose and fell.

"I want the White Fang out of Menagerie."

"That's a dangerous opinion to air, my love."

"I know." He rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand. His wife was no mouse, she was as fierce as any tiger, but she was also but one person and Adam was dangerous.

Kali knew it. "You want to send me away."

"I do not want it…"

"Word games now?" She leaned into him and laughed. "You want to keep me safe and the best way to do that is to keep me out of his grasp. I understand it. I want the same but with you. Why do we both not go? It could be under the guise of diplomacy. Adam could not stop us if we claimed it was to ensure no retaliatory attacks on Menagerie."

"And leave the island undefended against the Albain brothers' machinations? I think not."

"So you would send me away, not once caring for how much it would hurt me to know you were left behind in peril. I don't think that's fair of you. I'm quite upset, actually." The way she said it, so calm and even, had him cringing more than it would have if she'd screamed it.

An angry Kali was scary.

Calm and measured Kali was terrifying.

"One of us has to go," he said. "If only to make our daughter aware of the threat. I would rather die than have her come and give her life for ours. You're the same. She needs to know that whatever happens, she must not return."

"It could be either of us who goes. Why me?"

"Because you are by far the smarter of us, and the better talker."

"Flatterer."

He grunted. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Kali knew he wasn't and didn't try to say otherwise. He wasn't embarrassed to admit Kali was the better of them – it was why she'd ensnared and won his love so easily. When she wanted something, she knew exactly how to get it.

"Leaving aside the danger, there's also the physical differences…"

"Dear husband," Kali said, laying a hand on his chest. "Are you calling me frail and weak?"

"I'm calling you not seven feet tall and built of solid muscle."

Kali looked him up and down and pouted. "Touché…"

"You must go." He leaned in to nuzzle his nose against hers. "Find our troublesome daughter, use the CCT in Vale and get her on call to me. I'd like to have words on why our little girl didn't think to so much as write a letter."

"Oh, believe me, I will be showing her what I think of that." Kali giggled. "I'm rather miffed myself!"

"You'll go, then?"

"I will." She delivered the news with a heavy sigh. "You make a compelling argument and it's not like I can argue with the seven-foot thing." She poked his chest, annoyed at how her eyes only came up to his nipples. "Do me a favour, though?"

"Anything."

"If Adam does try to kill you, break his neck for me."

Ghira's lips peeled into a vicious smile.

"Happily."

Bringing in dem Belladonnas. Obviously, the means by which they'd know Blake was at Beacon would be (if not all the evidence over the series) the images Jaune released of Team RWBY (and Blake) bringing Sienna off the Bullhead.

And poor Ozpin doing his best to drag Oscar out the way of all the flags, trip hazards and potential problems of being a teenager. Ganbatte ne, Ozpin.

The ultimate cruelty also being that the onesie probably wasn't even an intentional prank on Jaune's part. "I'll just give him a bunch of my clothes. Hey Neo, why are you stuffing my onesie in there? I thought you liked it."

Neo glared back, pushing it deeper and deeper into the suitcase.

Omake:

"Hey Raven! Nice going in Greene's history class. Not had a laugh like that in a while. Maybe you should read up on the material next time."

"Hey, Sandra. No need to be mean." The second girl, dark skinned with curly black hair, held a hand over her mouth and giggled. "Raven was raised by savages. It's understandable she doesn't know anything. I bet she didn't even know how to read until recently."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. And her parents probably abandoned her."

"Ha ha."

"Ha! What's the matter, Raven? Gonna-"

"Oi!" Summer Rose came barrelling around the corner, eyes flashing. "Sandra and Emily." She glared at the two girls from their year. "Do you really have nothing better to do than bully someone"

"Bullying?" Emily looked to Sandra, eyes wide. "Were we bullying Raven, Sandra?"

"No, I don't think so. Just pointing out some truths."

"Maybe Summer can't handle them. You know what they say about her team. Total nutjobs."

Hissing, Summer glared at the two girls as they sauntered away, content their work was done now that Raven needed to be bailed out. Her blood boiled. "This is the third time this week. Why don't you do something, Ray? They're so mean to you!"

Raven closed her locked and looked at Summer. "What?"

"Your bullies."

Raven blinked. "I have bullies…?"

Ugh. What-? Summer pinched the bridge of her nose. "Those two girls who keep insulting you?"

"Oh. Sam-something and Emma."

"Sandra and Emily."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Raven picked her nose and flicked a booger away.

Summer shivered. She'd told Raven not to do that a thousand times before and Raven didn't care. She wasn't raised like normal people, she reminded herself. Raven and Qrow did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.

Politeness didn't factor in with them.

"They're still bullying you. They keep going on about how bad you do in class."

"I am doing bad," Raven said without a single care. To her, class that wasn't combat-related was useless. "Is it bullying when it's true?"

"Yes! They specifically target you because they want to get a reaction out of you."

"Why?"

"Because they're jealous little twits!" she howled. "Because you're top of the class in combat and everyone thinks you're the hottest girl in the year even if you do keep picking your – stop that!" Summer slapped Raven's hand away from her face. "It's unsightly."

"I have something stuck up my nose."

"Yeah, your brain!" Summer sighed. "Look, you're popular and strong and they don't like that. It makes them feel inferior and they want to take you down a peg. They want to see you crack under the pressure."

"And kill them? That seems ill thought out…"

"What? No! Cry! Break down crying or something."

"Why would I do that? If they really annoyed me, I'd be much more likely to just kill them."

Yeah, and that already said enough bad things about her team as it was. Emily and Sandra's complete lack of self-preservation didn't change the fact of the matter, though. They were being bitches to her teammate, and that made it personal.

"You need to be the one to put a stop to it, Ray. If I keep trying to, they'll just take it as a sign to continue bullying you."

"Look, Summer, I appreciate the attempt and all that-"

The way she rolled her eyes as she said it made it clear she really didn't but had at least learned how to fake being polite when she cared enough to do so. Summer wasn't sure if she should be pleased of the fact Raven cared enough to try or annoyed at the fact she obviously didn't care in the first place.

"-but it doesn't bother me. Let them waste their time if they want to. I literally couldn't give a shit about them or their opinions. It's wind in the air. And they're right to be jealous of me. They're useless, and if they spent less time caking their face with makeup and more time training, they wouldn't be so beneath my notice."

"How can you make being bullied sound arrogant!? HOW!?"

"It's a gift. I'm full of them."

Raven yawned and didn't even brother to cover her mouth as she did so, giving Summer and everyone else there a wonderful view of her tonsils. Burps, farts and everything else came without warning or apology from Raven and Qrow Branwen. Living with them was a chore at the best of times; an exercise in patience at the worst.

"People are going to talk if you don't do anything."

"Eh?" Raven turned to walk away. "What do I care about the words of cheap?"

"They'll not stop!"

"Don't care. Catch you later."

"They'll take it as a sign of weakness!" Summer yelled. "They-"

Two hands fell on her shoulders.

Raven's face was suddenly in front of her own, eyes narrowed.

"They'll what?"

"Eh-?" Summer tried to back up but Raven, with no understanding of personal space, followed, pushing her back against the lockers and looming in front of her. She probably didn't even mean to look intimidating. It was just Raven not getting that some people found it hard to talk when your noses were touching. "I, uh… what?"

"The last bit," Raven said calmly, too calmly. "A sign of…?"

"Weakness?"

"Yes." Raven nodded. "I thought that was what you said. So, it's a sign of weakness if I don't react?"

"W-Well, yeah. They'll think it's because you're afraid or something."

Raven's left eye twitched. "Afraid? Of them…?"

"Yeah. Why else wouldn't you stop the bullying?"

"I see." Raven's lips pursed. "Hm. Hmm. Strange. It must be a cultural thing." She leaned back, a hand on her chin. "Well, if that's how it is then that's how it is. Thanks for telling me, Summer. You're not as useless as I thought."

"Wait… You thought that?"

"Not anymore. And you're the least useless of all the girls here. Apart from me, obviously."

"Then doesn't that make me second best?"

"Second best is best loser." Raven patted her shoulder. "Don't take it harshly. Just use it as a steppingstone to try and catch up with me. You won't, but I'll respect you for trying. That takes strength."

Summer sighed. "And suddenly, I'm reminded why I hate your guts…" She opened her eyes, panicking when she saw Raven walking away with a purposeful look to her. "Hey, where are you going!?"

"To take care of something. Talk to you later."

/-/

Summer Rose peeked into the headmaster's office. He saw her and waved her over, frowning fiercely at Raven, who sat in a chair opposite the desk with legs crossed, elbow perched on one and her chin upon that. She looked bored. Very bored.

"Um." Summer looked to the headmaster. "You called for me, sir?"

"I did. Please, Miss Rose, take a seat."

Nervously, she did so, settling down.

"Now." Ozpin steepled his hands on the table. "Would any of you care to tell me why Miss Sandra Smith and Emily Robinson were found tied almost naked to a flagpole this morning covered in glue and black feathers?"

Raven raised a hand.

"Yes, Miss Branwen?"

"I couldn't find enough white feathers to make them look like chickens."

"That… was not what I was referring to."

"You phrased that question pretty stupidly, then."

Summer's face fell into her hands.

"And that's how we learned the magic words to controlling Raven. Not `please` or `thank you` but `strength` and `weakness`. Hey Raven, bet you're not strong enough to clean your side of the room. Hey Raven, don't tell me you forgot to do that homework; only weaklings would!"

Next Chapter: 1st August

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur