Chapter 8: Dominus Immobilis

'Too much focus on Weiss' is not wrong, per se… But it's wrong to call his sisters 'bitches'. They're used to teasing their younger brother. It's a pretty common dynamic for older and 'wiser' siblings to tease their younger one. Sure, they love him, but they're not against expressing their own interpretations. They're a bit bitchy, but that's not that hard to do against the youngest and only boy.

Jaune twisted a little as he laid in the bed with Weiss, feeling her cuddle a little closer. The Scroll was still in his pants, even as he checked the time on the clock. A beep had drawn him from the land of slumber, the time being eight in the morning, especially with how the evening had gone. 'That had been… woah.'

He hadn't imagined that Weiss would have the stamina to go on for such a long while. He didn't think that she'd want to go for round two, three and four either. With how she had leaned against him and said that she wanted to do better, she had scored major points with him. Her way of acting was special, even as she had pressed herself against him, left marks on his flesh, her small hands strong where they counted. It was a need, simple maddened need for comfort, closeness… affection.

Pressing her against the bed and taking her roughly had spurred on twitches, eyes rolling back and gasps coming from her mouth that had been hot, heavy and needy, arms pulling him close as she kissed him like a drowning woman grabbed for a hold in a frozen sea.

The Scroll sounded again, even as Weiss woke from her slumber, a soft smile on her lips as she leaned closer to kiss his chest. He got out, feeling the breeze of his naked lower body. His clothing had been strewn all across the room, Weiss having been more than a little adventurous… It made him wonder, even as her fingers traced over his hand. "I've gotta take this." He said, her smile warm as she nodded, permission given freely.

He got his Scroll, swiping the recording app to the side, shutting it off. There was sufficient material on it to make sure that he wouldn't be getting in any sort of difficulty with the law, enough to make him safe. He saw the caller, grimacing.

' Dad, wrong time to call…'

He sat down on the bed again, getting comfortable and wrapping an arm around Weiss. She seemed to take it as permission to snuggle in closer, even as he accepted the call. Her hand grabbed a hold of his little Jaune again, giving it a soft little stroke, a flush on her cheeks, as she slid down, a condom grabbed and then pulled out. "Yeah?"

She shuddered a little, as he grew in her hands. She was far more daring than he'd imagined, emboldened by the knowledge that she might die.

"Ah, Jaune." His father, Ashton Arc, spoke up, his grizzled handsome features that always seemed to charm his mother standing out, the armour that he wore in his Huntsman career somewhat dented, the room that he usually made calls in appearing around him. A small office, more or less, as something that he would be able to have some privacy.

"Jade and Verde told me about you getting a personal chauffeur or something?" Weiss smiled, as she put the condom on, a soft exhilarated sound coming from her. He stiffened in more ways than one, the camera turned on, as he did by a press of the button.

"Well… It's eh…" He floundered, not sure whether to give the man information that Tyrian was more like a bodyguard of some sort, though the man was perfectly friendly in most respects. "Dad, I'm kind of… y'know, busy?"

The man laughed, his head shaking lightly. "With what? Having sex? Pull the other one, Jade and Verde told me about your gaffe. Seriously… Fantasizing about hot singers?" Weiss clenched around him, her eyes looking at him with a look, even as a smile came to her face. She looked a little like Mama did, even as she moved her hips. Slow little twists, learned through their interaction together.

"Well… Eh…" He tried to come up with something. "I'm kind of in the middle of something, please? Call back in… say, an hour?" He knew that his father would just bluster through any objections even as he said so. The man was all like 'Confidence, son, confidence! That'll net you seven daughters and one son!'.

"You know, that Selene woman isn't up to anything good. I've looked at the information that Terra's provided, she's not really someone who's got a clean nose, y'know? She's just someone in her late fifties." Weiss' eyes widened, and he figured that she'd had enough of a chat with Selene to worry about such a thing. Mama looked younger than fifty.

"She said that she'd make me her heir. Dad, please…" He pleaded, even as Weiss increased her motions. Her breathing was evened, a side-effect of her singing lessons, undoubtedly. "Could you… call back later?" Her eyes were worried, even as his dad ran roughshod over the objection.

"I don't see why I shouldn't be concerned! A woman her age should not be investing things into a young fool like you! Your foolish dream is just a dream, give up and become a farmer or something... Your mother would be prouder of you, rather than just… that." The man's personal opinion had been depressing, even as he'd nicked Crocea Mors from the family storage box.

"I'm still doing what I want to do, dad." Weiss groaned softly, as she moved her hips, a low sensual sound that was lost in his heated exchange. "Now… Buzz off. I don't want to hear you preach at me about what I should and shouldn't do. I'm my own man."

She looked at him, that look in her eyes of need, even as his father made a scoffing sound. "If you didn't have me, your family would be destitute! You're much better off staying in your own community, instead of… wishful fancies!"

He gritted his teeth. The will to destroy the man rose inside him, and his hand grabbed Weiss' hips, pulling her down with her buttocks smacking against his thighs. A soft little 'Ooff!' came from her lips, as her head laid back in her neck and she shuddered.

"My dream, dad. My dream. You don't think that I could make it, so I don't think you've got any right to criticize me for my dreams." The man was going to object, to interfere with his words, yet he was more than pissed off with the man. "I'm going to do what I want, I'm going to make love to who I love and I will make sure that the others are proud of me, even if you aren't." The man's face twisted, even as he gritted his teeth.

"Now listen here, Jaune Arc! You've got no right to talk to me like that! The day you can muster up the confidence to get a girlfriend and actually not fuck up, as your sisters have told me multiple times… I will accept that dream of yours as having a shred of possibility. You require confidence! That's all girls want. A strong, confident man who'll make them feel safe."

Weiss growled, tearing the scroll out of his hand. "Now listen here, you asshole! If I hear another bad word about my friend, I will do whatever I can to make sure that your life grows a lot more complicated!" She hissed, and she looked at his father's image on the Scroll. He could imagine his father's flabbergasted look, even as his face would have to compose itself after having Weiss deliver her little angry speech.

"You want to know what your son can do to a woman?!" The Scroll was tilted down, aimed right at the point where he's connected with her. "That's how he can do a woman. If all you think that a woman wants is some sort of man who'd just have confidence, you are WRONG." The anger in her voice showed through clearly, as she looked at the man again, raising the Scroll to her face once more. "Now call him back if you must in a few days. We are quite busy with ensuring that there is mutual satisfaction in our intimate dialogue and you are ruining that satisfaction, good sir. Goodbye."

The Scroll call was shut off and she threw it onto the pillow next to him, her next move aggressive and fierce, even as he switched positions, pushing her against the bed. "I'm… I'm sorry… My father is…" He knew the type. His own father was not popular with that sort of thing, especially the life choices of his daughters and son. Saphron coming out as gay had been the cause for a riot in the house, the man having been more or less apoplectic at the thought of his precious daughter being with a woman who was into that sort of thing. His daughter being into women was... worse.

Adrian had been a blessing, though he wasn't sure how they'd gotten that together… The announcement for the wedding was only three weeks in advance, and Terra was pregnant… But Saphron had always been good at hiding some secrets from her mom and dad.

"I know what that's like…" She said in a dark whisper, even as he pressed his lips against her. She moved, spreading her legs, the soft moans turning higher, her voice able to hit those really high notes, even as she passionately shifted a little. "I just… I just got so m-ahhh…"

She gave a little quiver, as her legs wrapped around him, her fingernails dragged over his skin. "I'm just… Thank you." She whispered, even as he felt himself reaching that peak once more, and he shuddered with her, collapsing on top of her. She smiled, even as she nuzzled against the crook of his neck. "Thank you for giving me this wonderful night."

"That's what being a friend is all about, isn't it?" He said, as he pulled out, feeling how her body was warm below him. "I think we do need a shower right now, don't we?" Her face showed some distaste, clearly not willing to move, yet her eyes were as warm as they could get.

"Of course… Hmm…" She mumbled, pulling the condom off him and tying it off with a little knot. It was a cute gesture from her, making him smile a little at the way that she did so.

"You take it first." He offered, the smile on her face hesitant as she rolled out of bed. A red stain was on the sheets, right where they'd made love for the first time. He had taken her virginity, or at least, that's what it looked like.

As she disappeared into the shower, he could hear the ringtone of his Scroll again, the familiar sound of the Valean orchestra showing that it was a known number.

"What the hell did you do to dad?" The concern in Verde's voice wasn't faked, as she looked at him with a look that clearly spoke volumes about him. He chuckled softly, knowing that his father wouldn't have much to do with getting treated in such a manner.

"He was interrupting, so…"He grinned sheepishly, even as Verde handed the Scroll to Jade.

"Seriously, did you do it with that woman?" The concern in her voice was just as much as her sister, a worried look, different from the bitchiness that had been there before yesterday, though he cared for them in his own manner.

"No… Selene is… She's different, alright? She's got a lot of heart for people." The look that came from them spoke volumes. They didn't believe him, as usually was the case. He got up, walking through the room and gathered his clothing, the smell of sweat and sex heavy in the room. Weiss definitely hadn't cut corners when she made love, as she had been vocal, passionate and needy… Just as Selene was, when in a certain mood.

"Jaune, really… I-" The look that his sister gave him suddenly seemed to change. Verde had poked her in the side. He could see their hotel room, a far cry from the one he was in now. They only had a lamp, a badly outdated tv set and what seemed to be beds that were made out of jute and cloth.

"Oh god… You really did get laid, didn't you?" The concern in her voice evaporated softly. "You got laid and you… Fuck… Dad was asking who the girl was that was sleeping with you and we'd just… thought…" The conversation didn't seem to go much further, as the door to the attached bathroom opened up.

"Jaune? Would you like to join me?" She asked softly, in a tone which was probably sultrier than she intended. It was a tone of love, care and concern.

The slack-jawed look on his sister's face as the mental processes faltered giving the perfect time for him to snap a screenshot of that, his face changing to show concern. "Is that your father again? You can tell him to go take a long hike off Atlas if he's ever around. I'm sure that he'd like the drop…" The angry moody tone that Weiss adopted being enough to make him smile. He got up, walking to the young woman that stood there, sans any clothing.

"My sisters." Weiss' eyes sparkled softly, as she smiled at him. Mouthing 'Should I?' at him, he had an inclination of what she might do. He handed her the Scroll, which she took, a damp hand taking it by the outer casing.

"I do hope that you've enjoyed my concert." The smile on her face was gentle and without any sort of malice in it, even though the anger inside her at his father's actions seemed to be roaming through her system. "Jaune is… He is a wonderful friend."

"But… You're… You're Weiss Schnee. What can you see in him? He's… lame." Her eyes met his and she smiled, much more confidently than he had ever seen her, his presence bolstering her, for some reason, with confidence.

"Eight mind-blowing orgasms. It was… quite refreshing." The sound that both of his twin sisters made was a twist between a gag, a choke and a strangled sound of 'Jaune?!'. "Now, we are going to head to the showers… Where he's going to give me number nine, ten and eleven, if his previous performance is anything to go by." She smiled, even as the little smug comment registered with him. 'Well… That's a change from the girl that I met before.'

He wasn't sure, yet he could feel somehow that she had gained a little bit of confidence, at least in his presence. He was offered the Scroll again, to the surprised faces of his sisters. They seemed to have a little trouble breathing properly, as they looked at him as if he'd just declared that he was going to marry Weiss Schnee in a week. "So, eh… Yeah, I've got to get that shower. I'll call you later when I'm on the flight, alright?" The call was shut down before they could even respond, leaving him with Weiss in the close proximity.

She smiled at him, confidently now. It was something of a charm to her as she stood there, bare breasts visible there with his eyes roving over her body, pressing forward against him. "You're one of the people who I will defend, as soon as I'm a huntress."

It was an admission to him that she would do what she wanted, that she was not going to falter in the fight against the Grimm, against those who would do bad things for profit and for the self-enrichment. 'Something that I can empathize with.'

"I'm… I'm sorry." She mumbled, even as they stepped under the hot spray of the water, his hands brushing through her hair gently as the water washed them clean.

"Don't be." He said, voice trying to reinforce her confidence, trying to banish the feelings inside her that swirled. Where there had been confidence within her now suddenly felt like a deep abyss, her body shuddering a little.

"I just… Knowing you… I wish I'd known you before." She said, her voice holding remorse meshed with yearning. Her hand meshed with his own, squeezing the fingers lightly and looking up at him. "It would have made my days bearable."

"Hey, you're apparently leagues above what I could get for a girlfriend…" He said, her eyes looking down, her fingers squeezing a little tighter. She looked conflicted, before he spoke up.

"We're friends… That's all that matters. You've got… You've got a good memory. I'm happy that I was your first." Her eyes looked up, a speechless expression on her face. It was half-yearning, half surprised, her eyes wide as she looked into his, a deep sigh coming from her mouth.

"You don't have to worry, I'll be your friend until the last breath comes from my lungs." The hope in her eyes was like a beacon, even as he shuddered to see her, her eyes closing for an instant, as she placed a tender kiss on her lips.

"I'll… I'll see you again soon. Beacon has… has weekends. Let's…" She hesitated.

"Let's have dates. As… As friends, yes? Maybe with… with a bit of a night in a hotel?" She flushed, her shy blush making him laugh, even as he grabbed the shampoo bottle and started to work on her hair.

"If my little Weiss wishes it, this knight shall do as she commands." He watched her guileless, happy smile, his hands working on her hair. It was the feeling of being here with a young woman who wanted to be his friend, who had asked him to sleep with her… A good friend did that for a friend, or so it made sense. His sisters complained about their boyfriends from time to time, but there was a tale to be taught about the half-nude slumber parties that he'd been privy to as a young growing teenager. Six sisters on the couch with their friends, wearing tight and frilly pajamas and whatever not, sobbing away to the Gigantic, at the moment when they had been seeing the ship sink due to Sea Leviathan attack. That the girlfriends had given him a few looks and a comment here and there hadn't helped, as he ferried them a new plate of snacks, fattening food that they ate by the bucketload, or so it appeared.

His sisters would never entertain the thought, but one of their girlfriends had blatantly asked him whether he'd like to go up to his room with her, wear the bedsprings out a bit… and then had been promptly receiving the smack to the back of the head and 'Don't hit on our little brother, he's only thirteen!' as a chastisement. His sisters did not mind the occasional jibe, several of them being a bit snibby at times, yet it was clear to him that they loved him in their own way.

"You should get back to… to your godmother." She said, once she'd properly rubbed his body clean with a sponge. The favour had been given to her first, and she had moved like a nymph, her whole body ticklish, yet with the impish manner of someone who clearly enjoyed the touches.

It was such a stark change from the shy and intimidated girl he had first met, yet it was something that brought a smile to his face. 'I like this new Weiss.'

He flicked the Scroll on again, the recording program working once more to record everything. One could not be too careful when dealing with others, especially with the young woman's father who would pounce on him if he saw the chance. He wasn't going to take chances… His mama had said a few words about the man, words that were not flattering in the slightest.

"You have no idea what you have done." The man's voice was strict as he spoke up, Weiss stiffening immediately, Jaune looking into the man's face. "Her future is set, she is-"

Anger welled up inside her. "She is my friend, sir." He didn't know when, yet his vision turned red, his body language shifting. Who was this man who dared to challenge him, dared to interfere with something that was his? What nature was there to this man who dared to challenge someone superior with an attitude like that?

"No matter what you say, no matter what you do…" He was unaware of the inflexion to his voice changing, as he moved, his hoodie not threatening in the slightest with Pumpkin Pete upon the front, yet his eyes glinting, as their deep crimson colour flashed, the sclera turning dark. "All will be futile. Weiss is her own woman… She's got her own decisions to make… And you know…"

He did not turn to her, as he looked into the man's eyes. To his gaze, the man was small, like an insect. The power inside him burned, twisting and scorching, as he looked down at this little man who dared to impede his way, with his friend being in the balance. "I have learned from Selene a few things… In the grand scheme of the world, you are insignificant. If you did not have something I value, you would be like a maggot, crushed below her."

The threat hung clear, as anger writhed through him. A glance at the window, at the man's reflection, as heat coloured his features and made anger show on his face, his head turning back to the man. "I'll advise you… Leave her alone. Go back to your mansion, to your money… She used to be yours… But now she is her own."

It was assumptive of him to speak for her, yet he felt anger boil inside him. "In this world, there are bigger monsters than you… Greater threats to humanity… She wants to be a Huntress. She wants to do good in the world…" The heat was fought down, as the power crackled in his body. He wanted to destroy this man, to make him feel the pain that Weiss felt… the hope that she had been compressing deep inside her.

The man could rave and rant all that he wanted, yet Selene had impressed upon him a few core things… A king did not bow before mere commoners, one's friends should be cherished for their traits and that there was nothing that was out of her reach in this world.

"Let her." His voice changed, as the blue returned to his eyes once more and he looked at the man."She is not your toy, not another thing you own… She's your daughter, a young woman who has more than enough to do in the world to make her name known…"

"If you think I am going to be intimidated by a little whelp who barely has grown a beard, you are sorely mistaken." The man's voice was calm and cold, looking at him with eyes that bore nothing but chilly malice. The man's nature seemed to be bolder when it came to dealing with him… Yet Jaune was undeterred.

"I don't need you to be intimidated, Mister Schnee. I stand by my friends." His hand laid on Weiss' shoulder, even as she took a deep breath. She seemed to want to say something. "I'm going to go now. Trust me, I will ask my godmother to inquire whether Weiss has been able to go to Beacon." The delivery of the words would suffice, even as he mentally calculated the chances of his mama being willing to go to such a length, the man's eyes narrowing, yet he did not speak up.

"I'll see you again soon, Weiss." He winked at her, to which she flushed. She wanted to say something, yet he brushed past the man, not willing to make this more of an argument than it was.

As he stood outside, he felt the weight slip off his shoulders, even as he heard the angry words start up behind the door. He felt bad for Weiss, yet he knew that he had said too much. It was half a threat, half a theory… But Mama was more than just a woman, she was someone who knew about magic, about things that he wouldn't ever know about.

Worry flooded his system, and he increased his steps, knocking on the door, watching Hazel open it up. The man stepped aside to let him in, his eyes holding some concern, as if he was worried. "Is everything alright?" The man asked, even as Jaune looked at his reflection in the mirror, noticing the hickeys on his neck, where Weiss had decided to explore.

"Yes, I was just… Heh." He smiled. He'd had sex with a beautiful girl, someone who wanted to be his friend, who was more than willing to defend him in the case of his family…

"Do moderate your levels of exertion. It is not good to engage in too many things at once." The man's voice was moderate, even as he spotted Selene gliding towards him, the illusion on her features slowly melting away to show her pale and snowy complexion, a smile that reached her eyes.

"Did you… enjoy the company of your friend?" Her voice was like the briefest of whispers, audible to his ears without any sort of distraction.

"Her father was… bothersome. I worry that he'll shout at her… He wasn't happy with her when I left." He frowned, and she frowned in similar manner.

"I'll see whether I can arrange for an accident… It is not proper for a young man and a young woman to be stopped in their engagements of friendship." The look on her face promised pain for the man, pains beyond which most people would allow.

"No, no… She'd be a little sad if he died…" Her lips pursed together, as she pouted.

"But…" He shook his head. His mama could be a little bit too eager, especially when she felt the need. "Did he threaten you?"

He blinked. Was he threatened? Yes… He had been accused of not knowing what he had done, that Weiss' future had been set. "Well… Apparently I don't know what I'm doing." She looked angry, her eyes glowing, her hands gripping him with a stronger grip that made his arms feel a little pained. "But… But you're better than him."

A smile on her face, as he tried to recall the words that he had used. "You're too kind… Now, did you at least record something?" It was her suggestion, mostly, to record everything…. Well, most things. It wasn't something that he would have done naturally, yet it made sense… What better way to safeguard yourself than to have evidence? The world didn't work on kindness, yet his mama… she was kind.

"Of course." He handed her his Scroll, sliding the recording off, her fingers finding the slider and sliding it back to the current recording's start.

"Go and wash up again, Jaune… Fresh underwear has been laid out for you, I do not want to have a stinky boy going to Beacon, you hear me?" He smiled, even as she patted his arm. "Let me listen to this recording…"

She looked at Hazel, who looked questioningly. "Have you prepared everything in accordance to my will?" The business mask was back on, the man nodding, clearly a little taken aback by her treatment of her darling Jaune. 'I need to really invest in some good privacy measures… But alas…'

She was in control of everything. If Jacques Schnee thought that he could intimidate HER little boy with his money, he was woefully out of his depth. "Of course, my lady."

"Good." She said, that topic dismissed, even as the angry voice of Jacques Schnee came from the speaker of the Scroll. Such a good boy Jaune was, to record even that little inflexion, the way that he dealt with the man….

As the sound played, she could see Hazel looking a little torn. For the moment, she was pleased by how Jaune had domineered the conversation. Not quite the gentle touch that she would have, yet she was a woman… A man was allowed to threaten with force… women had to be more modest in their means. "Is something the matter?"

"Your grace, I… I find myself questioning the young man's appearance here. He does…" Hazel struggled, even as she looked at him, drawing herself up to her not-as-imposing height, looking at him. "Is he… willing?"

He certainly was, if his enthusiasm of the previous morning was any case. Already, her mind was wound to a tense coil, working thoughts into the scheduling that little adventure for him and her, a moment of repose.

"In serving my goals?" She inquired for further clarification, as she let her mind wander about that. If one had to look at it from a perspective that she held, it would be a detriment. He would upset plans with his mere presence, as he held the magic within him that was hers… But it was something that she had opted to do.

"He certainly is. Do not doubt the devotion of a son towards his mother…" The man didn't seem to be understanding of that fact, as he looked at her with a twitch of disbelief, her smile turning more insidious. "Imagine him to be like your sister… Innocent. Free… I saw a child reach out to me, nearly thirteen years ago… Innocent, without knowledge of evil in the world. I care for him, just as you care for your sister… Would Gretchen not have enjoyed his company?"

The man's face turned dark and gloomy, as the memories roved over his mind's eye, the memory of a sister who was lost by Ozpin's cruel schemes and plots… She had evoked the memory without a shred of conscience, knowing that it was the key to this man. An apt enforcer, a man who would not stop until his enemy was dead.

"She would have loved him. An easy charm, innocent… The desire to sacrifice his life for others." Salem smiled at the man with a manner that had charmed many over the aeons. The man's words were simple, yet the man was wrapped in his memories.

"A good young man, yes… He would be a friend, perhaps an acquaintance. Such innocence…" The words were to pry open the man's heart… It never paid to have merely one way to force the man's services into alignment. "Don't you think that he will grow well to become one of the movers of this world?"

"He… He has some skill in ensuring that people grow to care, yes." The man admitting that much was a sign that he had grown fond of the blonde son of hers who was not her son yet, who would be her son, given enough time.

"Indeed." She said. "He is more than just a young boy with a dream… And we'll keep him safe, won't we?" The man nodded, his face stern once more. "Plenty of children have died by Ozpin's hands… So, the ones who dare to go into that den of monsters will need a protector…"

"My lady, I wish to-" She held a hand up, shaking her head.

"No, your talents are better suited for my protection. I will leave Tyrian here as his contact… It would be such a terrible thing not to have a proper majordomo… So you shall accompany me." The smile on her lips was enough, as her eyes looked at Hazel Rainart's face, which had taken the lure that'd been baited and prepped and was now hooked. There was a look on that face that did not fully agree, yet he nodded either way.

"He is not the sanest of individuals, My lady… Yet he will serve well for the young master's bodyguard." She nodded to herself.

"Do not fear… You may teach him things when you return to Vale. You are not to be wasted, Mister Rainart…" The strides that she made towards the door, the illusion slipping into place, even as she strode with a confidence that was inherent in her.

"Now… We have an economic powerhouse to spook."

The confrontation would be as usual… Her holding the cards, with the man forced to concede once more. She knew just the way to go about it too…

The terrified look on the man's face was nothing out of the ordinary, as the bodyguards shifted uncomfortably around him, the way that she'd laid out her ultimatum, the girl that her Jaune had selected for a friend… and more, going by the marks on his skin, seated some small distance away, trying not to look at her.

"It would be so easy to spin into a tale, Jacques… The company president of the Schnee Dust Company, threatening the boy who took your daughter's heart… My, imagine what the press would think of it… Star-crossed lovers, perhaps?" She held the advantage here, knowing well that a few well-placed rumours that held enough of the truth would be able to push away the world.

"Much better than 'Rapist Weiss Schnee, assaulter of an innocent young man', wouldn't you think?" The look that the man gave to his daughter was stony, even as she looked at Weiss, who had grown very pale. "My eyes do not lie… and neither does the recording. It'd be such a…" She smirked.

"Terrible, terrible thing… The rich Atlesians flaunting their power… A man who married into the family, teaching his heir to take, take and take…" The words were meaningful, her gaze directed at Weiss. "And… Well…"

Her smile was as predatory as it could be, as she leaned towards the man. "You know… I could start to sell the stock I have in the Schnee Dust Company…" The man paled. Salem had owed fourty percent of the stocks of the Schnee Dust Company, having provided an infusion of cash for the cash-strapped Dust Miner Nicholas Schnee nearly six decades before the current era.

"You will do nothing to the girl, Jacques. The boy approves of her as a friend… and I do trust his judgment. Whatever plans for her that are brewing within your mind…" Her hand brushed over her shoulder, brushing off a speck of dust seemingly. "Forget them. You wouldn't want to make me… upset with you, right?"

The man caved. It was a delicate little game that she played, yet for Jaune… No…

For her family, nothing aside from excellence was expected. She was not going to let her prince be slandered by some bitter jaded industrialist with debt, defamation and what-not…

A house full of children… Daughters who would know the magnificence of her, one son who would gladly love them as much as she loved him. His concubines and one grand empire, spanning the world… Herself wearing the crown of an empress, him wearing the crown of an emperor…

The world did not need its false beliefs in individuality… No…

It needed guidance.

"She decided to…" The man said, a smile on her lips as she directed her gaze to the silent girl, who seemed to shrink back some more.

"He talked about how worried he was for you. " The girl flushed, a smile that was warmer than the subzero smile that she'd worn when dealing with the girl's father.

'Just a little touch… A minor kindness…' The girl would be like putty in her hand… The files on the psychological profile did not lie in the slightest.

She could see how Jaune had dismantled the cold exterior, had brought the warmth within to the forefront. "You'll make a great huntress, girl. Do keep him safe… He needs all the friends that he can get."

The girl seemed to want to ask something, yet she couldn't muster the courage to do so. It was the need of the clarity, she guessed, at what level she stood. She was not the boy's biological mother, yet she felt… she felt closer to him than his own mother and father. Ashton and Carmella Arc were parents who had different styles of caring for their family, with Carmella Arc being the stay at home mother, whilst the father ranged out to do missions for the Kingdom.

"I have other engagements to deal with, Jacques… Weiss." The use of the girl's name drew her full attention, even as she inhaled, nearly as if to say something, her father giving a long-suffering exhale.

"I will take my leave… Do enjoy your time at Beacon, Weiss." The girl did not know that Jaune would be attending Beacon as well, perhaps an oversight of her little prince… or perhaps intentional. She could see his handsome form already entangling the hearts of the girls around him, working them like marionettes for a personal play… Just as a king should. Both father and daughter rose, as was according to the protocol, to show her out.

She was above such trivialities, of course. She was a woman who knew her role in the world, as a matron of the family, a queen who would rule the world as a goddess…

His dalliances were mere dalliances… He would love her, and nobody else but her… Concubines were there for the slaking of lust and perhaps for engagements in the bedroom with, if they performed an apt service.

"Thank you, Miss Umbra." The smile on her face was carefully sculpted in order to give a maternal hint to it, as she patted the girl's shoulder, leaning forward and whispering in her ear softly the words that the girl needed to hear.

"Jaune's Scroll number is…" The words were soft as she gave the girl his number, the girl's eyes widened, a grateful smile on her lips. It was all carefully done to give her an emotional edge in the girl's heart, to show that she could be strict, but also kind…

She was after all, not trying to harm the poor girl. She would be a pretty concubine, after all…

There was something to be said about her chest. It would grow, given a pregnancy or two.

She had plenty of time to witness that happening… Some of the most willful girls always quietened down after a few pregnancies. It put their priorities straight, after all.

The sound of the engines was something that drew an excitement out of him that was hard to pin down, as he watched the engines hum to life, burning with that indescribable amount of Dust that was needed to aviate in this world that was wholly dependent on Dust. His mama was at his side, giving him some reinforcement.

The hickeys that Weiss had given him were slowly fading out, even as his mama came closer. "I've ensured that your luggage is already stored. Tyrian will remain in Vale for the foreseeable future, in order to act as your hand in Vale. Do not hesitate to use him. He has many skills that will benefit you." The concern in her voice was real, as she smiled at him with that trusting smile.

"Ma'am?" Hazel said, as Selene's smile dipped a little, her gaze directed towards the bear of a man.

"Of course, Hazel. Jaune, my dearest… You will be going into a dangerous land. Remember what I have taught you…" Her smile was warm, as he nodded.

'When amongst people, achieve the best result that you can through diplomacy and words, rather than brute force. A will is much more easily bent than it is broken. No matter physical skills, Magic is still something that can triumph over anything and anyone.'

The warnings had stuck well, even as she had told him of the techniques that she had used to form certain things. A fireball was elementary, a thunderstorm was different… and a cataclysmic reshaping of the landscape would be a little harder… but possible.

She had told him to experiment with the elements of magic, muting the sound with the technique that she had imparted on him. He could make his own magical spells, if he tried… Raw magic would still overpower nearly everything around him.

"I love you." He said, smiling at his mama. She was the only one that mattered right now, knowing well that the woman meant nothing but good. A small ringing sound came from her, even as she turned away from him, the Scroll raised to her ear.

"Do it." She said in a cold voice, cutting the call off. 'I wonder what she's just done.' His mama did a lot of things without explanation, so that it would all make sense in the world. She was the one that he could trust, after she had given him the gift.

She even got him someone who was going to help him be the best Huntsman ever!

Selene's smile was warm, as she hugged him. "Everything is going to be just fine, Jaune… We're going to be one big happy family together." That was a good thing.

Saphron Cotta-Arc was happy. She knew that her wife worked hard for the benefit of Argus, a technician who had access to the military database from time to time to work with the reception of the dishes around the sites. As she grabbed a firmer hold of the shopping bag in her hand, she waved at one of the neighbours.

'Alright, Terra said that she had received a shipment… I think I did put it on the table, right…'

Terra was such a sweetheart, even if she worked so hard. It had been so long since they'd just frolicked around in the bedroom, ever since Adrian was born…

The thought of their little baby boy was enough to bring her another happy smile. Even with her younger brother still out in the world, it was still a young man to care for, even if the lady that he was in communication with seemed to be the shadier sort.

She put those thoughts away, as she walked closer to her home, the streets familiar and welcoming. Ever since they had moved to Atlas, Terra still carrying the seedling of Adrian within her, they had been more than welcomed by the community. They had less of an issue with their relationship, even if Saphron was only the 'registered partner' to Terra. She'd weathered the humiliation, despite their chances at marriage dwindling with every passing year.

She loved Terra. She loved Adrian, even if he was not her blood. They were a family. "Hello there, dear." The voice of one of their neighbours, an older woman who had apparently served in the Faunus Rights Revolution, if the stories she told were to be believed.

"Ah, good afternoon, Miss Moor, have you had a good day thus far?" The wrinkles on the woman's face turned to a warm smile, as her hand brushed over the grocery bag, as she was known to do. The woman liked to touch things, a hold-over from the time when she'd apparently been in the war and someone had detached one of her hands. The replacement looked lifelike, yet it moved just a bit too mechanically to be real.

"Yes, I saw your wife depart for her job a moment before, looking frustrated. Is everything alright between you two?" She smiled, knowing that it was still a little hard to accept for the older generation, two women living together without a man.

Polygamy was accepted more and more with the great depopulation that the wars had brought on, yet being in a committed lesbian relationship was not so much the case. She knew that Terra loved her, even if she was bisexual and had decided to take the seed from one of her previous partners to make their little Adrian.

It had been a moment of strife in their marriage, but the moment that little Adrian was born, she couldn't help but love him. That she preferred her own sex was not an issue when she'd first laid eyes on the little guy, Terra's smile warm and welcoming. "Of course, Miss Moor. We're just living our lives. The man of the house is working hard, so I can be the mama of the house." The woman smiled, patting her arm lightly.

"If you need someone to look after Adrian for a bit whilst the two of you get some alone time, I hold myself available." Saphron smiled, as she nodded.

"We'll keep it in mind." Terra had been stressed. It had been enough times when she had wanted to go in for a kiss, that Terra was busy with something, the network being down once more, or some other thing.

She set the shopping bag full of groceries down behind her, before she inserted the key in the door, turning it and then-

BOOM!

Saphron Cotta-Arc's life was saved by the solid wooden front door that blocked most of the explosive force, even as she was thrown back, hitting the ground and only saved from death by the fact that the explosion had not been able to fully hit her, as five houses were decimated in a Fire-Gravity Dust explosion and the resulting cascade of Dust-based appliances destroying themselves.

She broke three ribs, her left wrist and was left with a shattered jaw and abrasions across her whole back. Her son and three of the neighbours did not survive the explosion. Unconsciousness was bliss for her, as she did not have to bear witness to the destruction.

Adrian Cotta-Arc died. I think I'm the first person to go and actually kill the little guy… Yeah, Salem REALLY doesn't like people who interfere in her plans. You can see to what lengths she'd actually go to in order to protect what is 'hers'.

Thanks for the comment on the stylistic things I do, it's probably because I've got to translate my native language to English and some of the ways that we say things here, translate badly to English. I might need someone to read it through, because I am pretty certain that it's not going to go away that easily.

Next up! Meeting Ruby Rose!

The next chapter! It'll be coming sometime in August!

Leave a review if you'd like! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how Dies Irae resonates with you.