...
A frown crossed his face as Ozpin crossed the courtyard. He had been all over his school looking for Oscar. No one had seen his son since far earlier in the day. It was now in the evening and he was worried. Ozpin had tried to call Oscar's scroll only for it to go to voicemail. Which he left three of.
Having searched every hiding spot he could think of twice Ozpin had to admit defeat. It was time to call Qrow. Oscar either left the school grounds willingly or he was kidnapped. Either way Qrow knew the best contacts in the city who could find out.
Going through his contacts he found Qrow's number and pressed the call button. It rang twice before the gruff huntsman answer.
"Oz, what's wrong?"
It was outside of their usual contact time. Of course he knew something was wrong. Ozpin almost didn't want to bother him with Oscar's disappearance. Qrow was keeping Amber safe after all. She should be his first priority. Ozpin's priorities had changed now however. Meeting Oscar had changed them he had to protect his son. If Salem found out about him, she would try to murder him as an act against Ozpin. It wouldn't be the first time she had done so. It was just the first time in generations that he had a child after he merged with his past lives.
Swallowing back his fear for his son he said, "Qrow, it's Oscar. He's missing."
"Damn it," swore Qrow and there was a crash on the other end bringing out more colorful language, "Did something trigger a panic attack again? Where have you searched?"
Ozpin began to explain the events of the day and where they had searched. Qrow growled, "I'll ask around. Oz stay at the school until you here from me. If he is in the city we will find him."
"Qrow," he tried but was quickly interrupted.
"Oz, if you come into the city and she has him. She will kill him just to hurt you. If he isn't with her then you may alert her to his presence. Give me a chance first."
...
Oscar ran a hand down his face tiredly. There was too much going on right now. First he had come to the past, then he found out Ozpin who previously had been a voice in his head was actually his father, now he finds out about his semblance. Exhaustion was replacing any energy he had left swiftly. Unbeknownst to him concern had flashed through Torchwick's eyes.
Oscar said, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I can hardly believe what has happened myself."
Torchwick frowned as he asked, "What do you mean?"
Oscar's jaw tightened. Once again he looked at Roman. This was not the man, Ruby had described. He needed allies if he was to try and stop what would happen in the future. This may just be his first chance to make an ally.
Taking a breath he said, "I'm going to tell you something. Don't interrupt me until I finish otherwise I won't be able to."
Torchwick's brow furrowed with his confusion but he nodded. So Oscar told him everything as he knew it. More than once he opened his mouth to interrupt but stopped himself just in time. By the time Oscar was caught up with the current time Torchwick seemed to be contemplating something.
Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a familiar cane. Long Memory. Why did people keep taking his weapon from him? Didn't they know how rude that was?
Torchwick gave a soft laugh, "Kid no one is just going to let you keep a weapon. You're in an eleven year old body. You're lucky that I am giving it back to you."
Oscar's mouth went dry as he questioned, "So you believe me?"
Torchwick rubbed a hand over his face as he answered, "I shouldn't believe you," Oscar flinched, "But I do. Until you prove untrustworthy. Though I do feel murderous towards Ironwood. Who the hell shoots a kid?"
Now that Oscar had time to step back and see it a different way, "It all became too much for Ironwood. Everything that has happened became too much. Ironwood was dealing with an overload of information. On top of that Atlas was under attack. We chose the worst possible time to dump it on him."
Did that excuse Ironwood? No it didn't. Still Oscar understood in a way why it happened. It would just take time before he could face the man again. He knew he would have to face him. He would eventually have to tell Ozpin and his inner circle about what brought him here.
How exactly he was going to do that? Oscar had no idea nor did he want to think about it right now. It was draining to tell Torchwick who he didn't know except from stories told by his friends. Even with telling the man his story he felt alone. There wasn't even the relief of weight coming off his shoulders. If anything it felt heavier as he had brought someone else into his problem. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything. Torchwick couldn't hold him here forever after all.
Torchwick said after a moment, "Still going to make him pay. Hurting kids is never the answer."
Oscar blinked at the man. Was this seriously the man Ruby had told him about? Sure he had something similar before but Oscar didn't really believe it. It was probably best that he hadn't gone into detail about what exactly he had done. Just a brief overview that he had been apart of the Fall. In truth only a little less than what he knew.
Oscar said, "You aren't what I expected. Why do you care so much?"
Roman shrugged, "I have a soft spot for kids. I keep street kids safe and fed. It's well known in Vale if you hurt a kid I will return it in kind and then some."
Oscar didn't have anything to say to that. This was far from what he was expecting. Torchwick checked the time as he stood there and cursed quietly under his breath. That had Oscar giving him an unsure glance?
"We've kept you here too long," said Torchwick, "I'm sure old man Ozpin has noticed your disappearance by now."
Oscar felt the blood drain from his face as he gave his pockets quick pats until he found his scroll. It was turned off and with obvious reluctance he turned it back on. As soon as it finished booting up it was overcome with messages and missed calls. Most of them were from Ozpin. Oops.