Once and Future Queen

Nine Years Ago

Sienna Khan enjoyed the feel of the sand beneath her feet, and the cool ocean wind on her skin. The sound of faunus living safe, comfortable lives in Kuo Kuona soothed her ears, while the sight of children playing in the surf made her smile.

Even as the sight of a Human girl sparring with Adam Taurus left her frowning for more reasons than she could honestly describe.

"Always be ready on your left!" She barked when the girl took yet another blow to that shoulder. "Your enemies are predators, and predators' instincts say to attack the weak point. Your left is an obvious target."

Their... guest snarled, twirling the two training batons in either hand before charging Adam once again. The older boy gave way, blocking her attacks with his own false 'blade', waiting for her temper to leave her open once again.

Motion to her right had Sienna turn in time to see Kali arriving, a cup of tea in her hands. "How is she doing?"

Sienna shrugged, lowering her voice. "She's getting better at keeping her temper under control, but that goes out the window when she gets tired or frustrated. And being called weak still sets her off even if you're as gentle about the fact that she's missing an eye as you can be."

The older woman sighed. "Does she still resent being told what to do?"

"Yup." She popped the end of the word. "I've got her talking with that councilor who usually handles cases like hers. Not much progress there, but she's decent about doing what she's told so long as you phrase it as a question instead of as an order."

"Is he all right with her species?"

Another shrug. "He said a victim of abuse is a victim, Human or Faunus. He's trying to make her self-aware enough to want to change or some crap."

Kali glanced at her through the steam of her drink. "And do you not care for her species as well? You've been curiously quiet about her staying here, and even more tolerant of my husband's request that you train her."

Sienna huffed. "I thought you were the subtle one."

"I haven't yet finished my tea." Kali returned as she took a pointed sip, "Once I am properly awake I will become as subtle and cunning as you wish me to be."

Rolling her eyes, Sienna waved a hand towards the young teens as they kept sparring. "She's proof that Humans are bastards to each other as much as they are to us. I don't have to like her species to admit that she's suffered, and to be all right with helping her get stronger. I'm not about to adopt her, but it's not like I have anything else to be doing right now."

There was a quiet hum and more sipping of tea, both women watching as Cinder finally scored a point on Adam. The boy took it surprisingly well, grinning and complimenting her strike before they reset again.

He wasn't thrilled about her species either, Sienna knew that as well as anyone. But at the same time the boy was also quietly ecstatic to find someone who could have cared less about his own scars. Someone who didn't flinch when he took his mask off, who understood at least part of his own pain.

"What about you?" Sienna asked after the boy scored another strike, taking her on the leg. "Did you get anything out of her, besides how her step-family enslaved her?"

Kali sighed once more. "Yes. She finally admitted that a Huntsman started training her on the side, but that he told her she had to stay with her family until she was of age. That she had to obey the law, rise above her abusers, that kind of thing."

She snorted. "Sounds like Ghira."

"Ghira," Kali's voice turned sharp, "Would never have simply left a child in that situation and you know it."

Sienna winced, nodding slightly. As tired as she was becoming of the peaceful marches that seemed to accomplish nothing, she'd admit that even Ghira had limits. He did condone direct action from time to time, in the worst cases. Even if his ridiculous rule against killing made those operations far more difficult than they needed to be.

The man's wife took a few calming breaths, drank more tea, then said, "She says he treated her well. Too well. That every time she begged him to free her, he refused, simply offering to train her even as he warned her against using her skills to strike back at the people hurting her."

"Grooming her?"

"Possibly." Kali pursed her lips, feline ears lowering. "She won't say what caused her to give in, to lash out, but from her words she discovered something about him. Something that broke her trust so completely she no longer saw any reason not to act."

Folding her arms, Sienna hummed in thought. "What about her attacker?"

"Nothing beyond she's already told us. A man in dark combat armor, with a full face mask, who told her that she'd cost them too much to see her slip away. He said nothing else, and she only survived by throwing herself into the harbor."

Which even Sienna would admit had taken guts. A thirteen year old girl, aura broken, covered in lacerations, with one eye half-torn out of her head... she'd survived the fall, survived the shock of the water, and then the pain of swimming through salt water to climb into the first ship she could reach.

Of course admiration for her bravery had its limits. "How long are we going to keep her around?"

Kali twitched a shoulder. "Until she desires to leave, I expect."

"This isn't a safe haven for Humans, Kali."

"It is not a place for intolerance either, Sienna."

She scoffed. "I'm not speaking for me. Like I just told you, she's probably one of the few humans alive who knows what it means to be faunus and I'm not so much of a bitch as to shove her away. That doesn't change the fact that there's plenty of radicals around who won't be that kind."

"We're aware that could become a problem. What would you do?"

Sienna waved a hand. "Bring her with on the next tour. Let the girl blood herself against Grimm, learn proper skills. Get her off the island and interacting with her own kind."

"I hope you're not going to suggest we simply leave her in Mistral."

"Of course not." She crossed her arms. "But she wants to become a huntress. Someone who can say fuck off to anyone who would control her. Bring her and Adam with, let them both see what doing that job actually means."

Kali exhaled slowly, lowering her cup. "I think she could do with more peace and quiet... but Ghira agrees with you. So do Fennec and Corsec."

Of course they did. Neither of them enjoyed having to leave Menagerie, they were far more comfortable acting as administrators from their cozy homes. The more capable warriors we had to protect Ghira the more likely it was they'd be allowed to stay behind.

That it would remove a Human from the island would be a bonus to them.

"I'll tell her then." Sienna offered. "We still leaving next week? Good. We aren't bringing Blake are we?"

"No, she'll be staying home with me this time."

Nodding, Sienna strode forwards just as Cinder managed another score against Adam. Both of the teens were panting for breath yet seemed determined to go another round. "That's enough."

Cinder whirled on her, the girl's short hair not covering up the silk covering her ruined eye. "I'm not done yet!"

She met her gaze without flinching. "You're exhausted, trembling, and dehydrated. If you continue all you will accomplish is to undo the progress you've made today. Your body needs time to recover if you wish your muscles to build rather than tear."

"But-"

"Calm down, girl." She interrupted. "You are getting stronger. You're better than I was at your age already. The first lesson of every huntress is patience."

"...fine." The word was a petulant growl. "But I want to go out with the militia tomorrow! I need to kill a Grimm."

Of course she did. She had to prove herself strong, useful. The psychiatrist said it was a mechanism to ensure that they didn't dismiss her, throw her away. Further proof that the girl was a mess. "Would you rather do that, or would you two rather accompany us when we travel to Mistral next week?"

Adam perked up at once, pausing in the act of pulling his mask back over his brand. "Both of us?"

Sienna grinned, "Yes. We've decided to bring you both with, if that's what you want. Teach you both some proper field craft, and let you face Grimm in the real world."

The boy puffed up at once, "Of course we want to. We won't let the White Fang down."

"I'm not a revolutionary, or a faunus." The girl shot back, but her expression betrayed her own excitement. "And we both know that I'll kill more Grimm than you will."

The two kept up their bickering as she led them away from the beach, boasts and assertions of skill growing ever more wild as they headed back to the manor for the evening.

Cinder Fall

Present Day

Beacon was as ostentatious as ever.

Settling Midnight over my left shoulder, I strode confidently away from the airship terminal. Civilians present to visit the CCT and its attendant mall recognized a huntress when they saw one and quickly cleared out of my path.

That left me free to see Glynda Goodwitch waiting just ahead. Her two eyes met my one as I approached, expression betraying nothing as always.

"Miss Fall." She greeted coolly.

"Goodwitch." I didn't slow down or offer to shake her hand, forcing the taller woman to turn and fall into step beside me. "I trust this is not about Emerald's behavior in class?"

The blonde was clearly displeased at my brusque advance, but seemed determined to not let it affect her. "Your ward's behavior has improved markedly over the past several months. Curiously the number of suspicious incidents involving Miss Sustrai's rivals do not seem to have abated."

There was another rush of that odd, pleased feeling in my chest.

After the first time I'd had to come to Beacon when she'd ambushed a would-be bully in the halls, I'd made it clear to Emerald that I would not tolerate such behavior in the future. Being caught by teachers was one thing, they had experience and knowledge. But being both goaded and then witnessed by her fellow students?

No disciple of mine would be that amateurish.

To soften the blow, and because one of my psychology books harped on the benefits of positive reinforcement, I'd then told her she would receive a cake of her choice for every worthy prank she conducted without being caught.

She'd improved her covert skills in a remarkably short time after that, to the point where I'd had to withdraw the reward before she became a diabetic. I still showered her with praise, which she seemed to think was nearly as good.

"Bullies attract attention and enemies." I dismissed her accusations, just as I had during parent-teacher conferences last month. "Bring me proof that Emerald was involved and you have my word that I will speak to her."

"You could do to make the pride less obvious in your voice. She nearly put three of her classmates into the medical wing before exams."

And they had no doubt deserved it.

"Is this not a combat school?" I asked. "Are huntsmen and huntresses not encouraged to resolve their problems through violence?"

Goodwitch's expression shifted, a scowl taking over her patrician features. "Problems with the Grimm or bandits in the wilds, yes. Not with their classmates. Problems such as those should be reported to the proper authorities. Myself or the other teachers in this case."

I smiled as I turned away, "I will remind her."

While I couldn't actually hear her teeth grinding, I took pleasure in imagining it.

The Deputy Headmistress said nothing further as we walked past the outer circle of dormitories, entered the central tower, and then entered the elevator to Ozpin's office. It hadn't changed since my last visit, save for the lack of a shame-faced Emerald and exasperated Coco Adel. That, and the addition of several chairs and plates filled with rich rich food.

Ozpin was seated behind his desk, and smiled on seeing me. While I didn't return the expression, I at least appreciated the fact that his eyes stayed on my own rather than drifting as most men's tended to.

"Headmaster." Using his title was a minor politeness that cost me nothing. "I don't suppose you're going to tell me what this is about?"

His polite mask remained in place. "Of course. Please, sit. The kitchens slow cooked pulled pork today, and it is truly excellent."

I took the seat on the left, leaning my weapon against the chair, letting me easily see Goodwitch when she sat to my right. While she stayed silent Ozpin made small talk as we ate. Simple questions about traffic and the state of Vale, how Emerald's grades had improved, followed by inquiring as to the prospective students that would be coming up from Signal next year.

Our plates were empty before he finally shifted the conversation from the next year's class to the current. "Speaking of talented prospects, part of the reason I wished to speak with you was to discuss your ward."

Leaning back in my chair, I casually crossed my legs. "I trust it is not more baseless accusations regarding her behavior."

"I see Glynda has already spoken with you." Ozpin glanced between the two of us. "While her... creativity and skill in covering up her illicit behavior does warrant discussion, that can occur in the conferences next year if it continues. I was actually hoping to discuss your... personal relationship."

Ah. My amusement faded quickly, turning into a tired sigh. "I am her mentor and her guardian. As much as she may wish for more, you have more word that I am not taking advantage of her in a physical sense."

The headmaster steepled his fingers, looking at me over them. "That is relieving to hear. You are not insulted that I asked the question?"

"I am well aware of Emerald's opinion of me." I replied. "And her remarkable ability to not realize what she's insinuating in public. Believe me when I say that she was even worse when I first found her on the streets."

"I do." His lips curled into a small smile. "How did you end up becoming the guardian of a girl a mere five years younger than you?"

I shrugged. "She picked my pocket. I pursued and found her cornered by a group of rather unsavory individuals. I dealt with them, retrieved my belongings, and told her to get stronger if she didn't wish to be saved in the future."

"And she asked that you train her?"

"Something like that." In truth I had realized her semblance had some form of hallucinogenic properties given the nature of how she'd stolen my wallet, and had simply had ordered her to follow me. She had, I'd just killed half a dozen men in front of her and she knew she had no chance to run. To this day I wasn't sure if she'd thought I was simply taking her to a more private location for disposal or abuse.

Once she'd realized I was giving her a place to live, regular food, and combat training... well. That had largely secured her loyalty then and there. The infatuation had come later, over time.

The irony that I had done to her exactly what Rhodes had planned to do me was thick. At least I could cling to the fact that I hadn't caused Emerald's terrible life before I'd found her. Taken advantage of it, certainly, but I had also improved her lot by an order of magnitude.

"That is good to hear. Not that I honestly believe that you were doing anything untoward, but..." He tipped his head. "As you said. Miss Sustrai does not always think before she speaks, and some of the ways she has shot down interested students have been... inventive."

I couldn't stop the smirk from returning. "It is better to be blunt, perhaps cruel, than deal with repeated advances with they are unwanted."

Ozpin chuckled. "Perhaps. In either case, her team leader has grown rather skilled in warning off anyone before they can be publicly embarrassed. And as I said, perhaps another summer, another year will settle things between herself and her other classmates. If not I expect we will be having this conversation once again."

Goodwitch grumbled something about it being more than likely, something to which I silently agreed.

"I trust you did not bring me all this way simply to discuss something that could have been handled in a scroll message?" I asked.

"I did not." He nodded to his deputy. "Glynda has been speaking with Signal Academy. Several of their teachers have been most effusive in their praise of your work as a substitute combat professor. If I may ask, I was hoping to know why you volunteered for such work?"

I allowed myself to frown. "A curious question. Is it so unusual for a huntress to seek additional income?"

Goodwitch finally spoke up, "No, but it is unusual for someone your age to work at an Academy. I can count on one hand the number of teachers below the age of thirty between Beacon, Signal, Lighthouse, and Watchtower."

"A woman must eat." I didn't like the direction this conversation had taken. Not in the slightest. "Taking care of Emerald has limited my ability to take standard work over the past few years."

"Commendable of you." Ozpin tipped his head slightly. "The additional training you give her on the weekends has given her a noticeable advantage compared to her peers. Would you be interested in giving her classmates similar instruction?"

By the brother gods, not another job offer. "I am not sure what you mean."

The Headmaster spread his hands slightly. "My friends have Signal had made it clear that you are not looking at teaching for a career, so I will not insult you by attempting to make an offer in that regard. I am merely hoping that you might be open to similar substitute work here at Beacon."

Interesting. Was this an honest offer, or was he trying to keep a suspicious figure close? I knew as well as anyone that my excuse of staying in the city to watch over Emerald was a thin one. There simply wasn't all that much legal work for a huntress within the walls. Anyone with a dollop of common sense and some basic math skills could work out that I should have been hovering just above poverty with how few missions I undertook, even with my occasional week at Signal.

I wasn't, of course. I lived very well for various less than legal reasons, but therein lay the problem.

"I..." I allowed myself to hesitate, as if reluctant but needing the lien too much to outright say no. "...would not turn down the additional paychecks. Though honesty has me warn you that few students enjoy my lessons."

Goodwitch surprised me by smiling slightly. Perhaps the first time I'd ever seen that expression directed my way from her. "Qrow Branwen told us as much. I believe his exact words were that you were excellent at providing a hard dose of reality to cocky teenagers."

I chuckled. "Knowing him, I believe you left out a few choice words."

"Perhaps. In either case, having a substitute such as yourself would give us some badly needed relief in our scheduling. If you are only comfortable in teaching combat that is fine, I could replace any of the others if they are out while you handled my class."

I hummed in what I hoped was a thoughtful fashion, considering the matter further. Emerald would, of course, be ecstatic if I did so. It would also give me more access to her team, give me a greater chance to see if any of them could be recruited on the side. Her partner assuredly had potential in that regard, but the two boys were far harder to get a read on.

Even if they weren't, direct access to the students would give me plenty of room to scout others for future use.

And, perhaps, it would work to shock the enemy into taking action. Working at Signal hadn't seemed to set off any alarms, but maybe if it seemed like I was trying to manipulate future generations...

Hm. That was a thin hope at best... not likely at all.

Still, I had little room to refuse without drawing more attention to myself. More questions about what exactly I was getting up to within the city. Perhaps I'd have to take Emerald out into the wilds for a short time, if only to do the job I claimed to hold.

"I am not adverse to the idea, with certain conditions." I said.

Ozpin smiled. "Of course. What are your concerns?"

"I do not handle authority figures well." I said rather bluntly. "I will not apologize for it, nor change my attitude, and I do quite enjoy my free time. I would rather not make this a career in everything but name. No more than a few days a month."

"Of course." He repeated. "Let us say, no more than four days per month?"

I mulled that over. That was how many I currently gave Signal, no doubt why he'd opened with it as an offer. Eight weeks day per month was not overly limiting to my other operations, at least at the moment. That might change depending on the quality of last night's intelligence. Of course I'd have two months to act before the next semester began, so there were was every chance it wouldn't be a concern at all.

"Acceptable. Pay will be half again as much as Signal. I'm certain you can afford it."

It was Goodwitch's turn to nod. "We can easily fit that into the budget. If I may, I would like to request that you attend the first combat session of each semester as well. I like to open them with a spar against a professional hunter, usually myself, but many students find my semblance... overpowering to deal with."

My right hand waved dismissively. "It will count against one of the days, but I have no qualms. If illness or an emergency requires me, I will consent to going beyond the four day limit but will charge more."

"Acceptable." She said in turn. "I will leave to draw up the paperwork, it will be mailed to you later this week."

"Simply give to Emerald, she can bring it with when the dorms close for the summer."

Another nod came as she stood, "Thank you. I look forwards to working with you."

I gave her a rather coy smile. "You may regret those words."

She huffed out a sound somewhere between amusement and irritation, nodding to her superior, and then strode to the elevator. I began to rise to follow, assuming the conversation done, only for Ozpin to quickly speak.

"If I may have a few more minutes of your time?"

What relaxation I'd found fled, pursued by the return of my innate paranoia. I still stood, but merely moved behind my chair to lean on it rather than departing entirely. "What else is there?"

"Another job offer." He quickly held a hand up, "Not at school, as a huntress."

I pursed my lips and narrowed my eye. "I doubt it is anything simple, or you'd have simply messaged me about it."

Ozpin sighed, standing up as well. Leaning on his cane, he slowly walked to the nearest window with his back to me. "I am not blind, Miss Fall. I am the Headmaster of Beacon, and the highest ranking Huntsman in Vale. While I do not doubt that you are caring for Miss Sustrai when she is not in Beacon, we are a boarding school. Your name is attached to very few paid missions, and you do not work many hours at Signal. A suspicious man might ask what exactly you actually do for a living."

My exhalation was slow, careful. The better to keep my tone even. "One would think you are accusing me of something, Headmaster."

"No. Qrow Branwen assures me that you are reliable, and trustworthy so long as I do not claim authority over you." He shook his head. "I trust his word on the matter. I am merely warning you that, whatever you get up to during your days in Vale, I would rather it not harm the reputation of my school."

A threat, then. A more polite threat than I was used to, but a threat all the same. Reaching down, I picked up Midnight and returned it to my shoulder while I considered my reply.

"What I do, in my time, is my business." I said, my voice quiet, firm. "Beacon has done well by Emerald. So long as it continues to do so, we will have no problems between us. Are we understood?"

He turned, looking... amused at the notion that I would threaten him in return. "I saw you once, perhaps seven or eight years ago now. Protecting Ghira Belladonna when he led the White Fang. ."

I felt my scars tugging as I frowned. "What of it?"

"My job offer." Ozpin smiled, as if we were discussing nothing of particular note. "I was hoping that you might still have a few old friends among the White Fang, those who might take your call or be willing to meet you for lunch."

Ahhh. He thought I was a sympathizer, that I spent my days working with terrorists. Perhaps that I was even as disguised faunus. Far from the mark in the latter, closer than he likely knew in the former.

"I may have a few numbers." I allowed myself to sound cautious once more. "What message would I be passing along?"

"That Beacon and our preparatory academies stand for equality." He replied. "That we do not discriminate based on species. That we protect everyone in Vale."

My frown returned. "That is hardly news to anyone, least of all the White Fang."

"Is it? I have begun hearing rumors that more radical members of the White Fang have begun considering action against the Academies." Ozpin shook his head, turning back to the view of the city once more. "Atlas in particular, but the others as well for not interfering with the politics of our kingdoms. That they wish for Humans to feel the same fear faunus do every day by taking away their protectors."

I knew the type he was referring to. The radicals among the radicals, the faunus supremacists. That kind of foolish thinking was exactly the kind of thing that they would eat up. "I see. I have not heard those rumors myself, but I can make... inquiries on your behalf."

He nodded without looking back. "That is all that I ask. You will be compensated fairly, for work for the school. No one will question it, and only Glynda and I will know the details. I do not expect miracles or names. Simply let me know what you hear."

Tipping my chin, I turned on a heel and departed his office without another word.

This would be the easiest contract I'd had in years, and if it deflected suspicion from my other operations so much the better. But that would come later. For now I had a disciple to speak with, a relaxing evening out to plan, and hopefully I would return home to find Coppersmith's devices unlocked and ready to be examined.

And if they weren't, well... at least I would have good wine to drown my disappointment with.

Please read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not so much, as usual. Reviews are my lifeblood as a writer.. every-time my email goes off with a review it makes me want to write more, so please take the time to leave one. Guests can leave them as well, and it only takes a minute, so please. Even if it's as simple as "I enjoyed it, please continue."

Thanks, Kat