Chapter 11: Detritus Innocentus

Hit tree… Hurt. Yeah... He didn't think that through.

Pain seared through his body at the feeling of his arm, the pain like a live wire of electrical menace to his mind, the sensation filtered away, as he could feel the pain shudder through his nervous system. The magic inside him didn't come to him, as he felt the pain disturb his concentration.

He cried at the painful sensation shooting through his system, his eyes closed as he felt the twisting of bone and flesh, aware of the fact that Beowolves started gathering below the tree, their eyes looking at him hungrily. 'This isn't good…'

The hoodie that he wore was probably enough to keep him up there with the javelin-spear pinning him there, as the Grimm looked at him with expressions of savage hunger, of desire to tear him apart. 'Come on, come on… Think. What can you do, Jaune Arc?'

He didn't feel fear, as his arm flopped. He tried to remember what Selene had taught him about how to mend his body. The dark blood inside him throbbed and pulsed, as the eyes of the Grimm followed him.

He could see in their eyes a lust for destruction, a craving for annihilation. A lack of care for humanity, a lack of passion, of feeling… there was just a desire to kill.

He caught sight of someone moving through the trees, spotting the Beowolves and then sneaking back into the brush, deciding that it would be hardly worth it.

'This sucks…'

He could shout, he could try to yell… but what would it do in the end? Would it get him saved? Would a real Huntsman be able to fight his way out of this with a broken arm?

'Time to be a man, Jaune…'

He grabbed the javelin with his good hand, bracing himself against the tree. Jerking the metal out of the wood, he felt the brief weightlessness, as the magic flowed through him, buffering his form a little. He wanted to live, rather than to die, hitting one of the Beowolves on its back, the fur brushing against his face, as he laid there.

There was a sound in his ears, as he felt himself roll off its back with a shift, the creatures surrounding him, yet not harming him. The Javelin was firm in his hand, as he got up. The tree allowed him some cover, as the darkness within his veins receded. The Grimm looked at him and he looked back at them, the javelin in his hands moving, thrust into one of the Grimm in a flash, the pleasure that pushed through his body as the Grimm started to evaporate.

"Come at me!" His voice was like a snarl as he stabbed the javelin through one of the Grimm's chests, his arm registering the resistance and feeling the tension, as he shuddered after the strike. Another Beowolf fell to his blows, the creatures trying to figure out the best way to attack for some reason, rather than mindlessly attempting to swipe at him.

Where there had once been five, there now remained three. His eyes caught sight of their feral animalistic eyes, their gaze resting on him, as the first one pounced on him. He felt the javelin in his arm register the impact, piercing through the flesh with little difficulty, the Grimm slamming him against the tree, the Grimm clawing at him, the javelin pushed in deeper. He could hear someone moving, a clanking sound audible to his ears as the Grimm ceased its struggles and the darkness inside him, the power that Selene had granted him, swelled.

"Are you okay?" The pretty redhead named Pyrrha asked, looking at him and at his arm. "Oh gods… your arm." The look on her face was pitying, even with the Beowolves disintegrating around her. He tried to muster a smile, though he knew that his face showed the pain that he felt.

"It's… nothing." He said, trying to put as much confidence in his voice, as he handed her the javelin. "This is yours?"

She looked at it, nodding to him as she took it. Her eyes locked with his for a moment. "Why didn't your Aura kick in, you could've cushioned the blow a little…"

"My… what?" Surprise entered her eyes, then confusion. He felt the darkness inside him writhe, as he tried to imagine how hard it'd be to restructure his arm, according to how Selene had showed him.

"Your Aura… You don't have it unlocked?" Her eyes were hesitant, as he shrugged. His limp arm moved lightly.

"Not sure… Is there any way to check?" Her eyes softened, as she reached for his shoulder, the good one, her fingers on it.

"There is… Do you know what Aura is, Jaune?" Her eyes looked at him with an expression that was warm and friendly, as if there weren't murderous monsters around and his arm wasn't hurting him badly.

"Eh…" He didn't. He'd sort of heard about it, but there'd nobody who'd really discussed things with him.

"It is the manifestation of our souls. A guiding force that has been with us all our lives." The words that she spoke were kind and with a zest that made her look alive and warm. Her eyes glinted as she spoke, her eyes meeting his own.

"It's something that everyone has, Jaune. Animals, people… plants, though I never really put much stock in the theory myself. It guards our hearts and defends us, like a shield that lessens the harm done to us." He could understand that. He wondered why he had never been taught about it. Was it the design of his father to keep him ignorant?

"Do the Grimm have them as well?" He asked, her face smiling at the question as she shook her head.

"They are the soulless, the creatures of the Grimm are the personification of anonymity, mass without individuality. A Mistralian philosopher once theorized that they were all formed from the spirits of animals who had died, yet that had been disproven over the course of centuries." He felt the pain, groaning. "Oh, I'm sorry, you must be in a lot of pain."

He didn't comment, shaking his head. "I can… keep on. Tell me about this… Aura force field or something." The look of worry on her face was something that the darkness inside him told him that he could use, to pry open her heart and to tear apart those wishes that she held.

"It's a little of the shadow in our world, combating the light of our Aura. It is the moment when you realize that there is more worth fighting for. By baring our souls outward as a force, we can guard against the Grimm. Our items are tools to channel that force through the world, even if we don't see it." She looked at him and then gave a nod, her green eyes looking at him.

"Please, close your eyes and try to concentrate…" Her hand raised up to his head, and he felt the pain in his arm lessen slightly.

"Okay…" He wasn't sure what that was supposed to do, but…

Something hurt. Everything hurt. Something pushed into him, a feeling of tugging and pushing, something that was foreign. His veins felt like liquid fire had ravaged through them before ice-cold frost covered them. Ice-cubes blazed through his skull, as her hand laid against his chest.

"I release your soul, and by my shoulder protect thee."

Pain, pain, pain. His whole blood was aflame, as something inside him ignited, sputtering out with the darkness smothering it. Something that was intrinsic to himself, something that was supposed to be pure and now smothered with the death and darkness and pain, as he felt the energy pour into him.

The deepest darkest core of himself floated in front of him, a little mote of light that was surrounded by a sea of darkness. A pitch-black tar-like sea that bubbled and oozed, around the little spark of light and life. The power flooding into the little light and then making it pulse.

The sea pulled back, as the flame lit and the darkness receded. Pain was strong, pain was intense. He was unaware of the fact that his good arm had pulled her in close, that there was blood currently streaming from his ears and nose and mouth, her eyes having opened wide, as the channel had been opened.

A bright red light, trying to make the light flicker and blaze. The pain never ending, as the darkness around him seemed to wrap around it, smothering it like a candle-flame being extinguished, a low sensual groan coming from his mouth at the sensations that flared through his body.

Outwardly, she was pressed up against him, a dangerously close moment, as the pain and feeling that went through his body made his blood drip onto her, the look on her face as her hand tried to pull away from his chest, only to make him draw in more of her light into the darkness.

For a moment, he floated in darkness…

The stopped heart. The moment breath died in lungs. The pain, the agony, the soul flickering away.

Blue eyes changed to dark vicious red and black as the light was extinguished and the infusion of power stopped, a roar from his mouth that was barely human, a primal cry of pain and fury, as the darkness was blasted away, the flare of life and light emerging, now stronger than before… before the darkness smothered it once more.

He became aware of himself once more, Pyrrha pressed against the tree with her back, her eyes looking up at him as her knees had seemingly buckled, her eyes green and frightened, scared and worried. "Ah… That hurt…" Her eyes were still concerned, as he backed up a little, the red stains on her skin outfit from his blood still visible. "What… What happened?"

He could feel them behind him, feel their presences. Mindless. Death incarnate, with the desire to kill and maim without any reason behind their action. "You… You didn't react well… I'm…" The girl floundered, as he turned around. "Oh gods…"

Seven Beowolves, three Ursa and a Tajitu stared at them, her voice helpless, as she seemed to know that against such odds there would be little chance to fight. He could hear it in her expressive voice, that sinking sensation inside her, calculating his uselessness into it. 'Why don't you just go away?'

His good arm moved, the earth element channelled through his fingers, the ground rising up into spires, the power burning through his whole body. With a switch of the fingers, the flows changed and the sound was muted, as the earth rose, ten of the Beowolves spitted by the earth spikes, his eyes looking at them. "Alright Pyrrha… This will be tough, but let's fight."

He could feel her mood change, hope blossoming inside her at the sight of him working magic. The Beowolves had been easy prey, the magic inside him never sputtering out, the darkness that they oozed starting to fuel his body with new energy. Another spike of earth ended the existence of one of the Ursa, as he willed the ground to crack and quiver below them. They had not acted, yet they would. Pyrrha was in motion, the javelin-spear that she used flying and carving through one of the Ursa's face-plates, the Beowolves starting to focus on her.

Every little touch of the darkness inside him made his body feel alive, his eyes still a bright crimson, the feeling of being alive making the force behind his moves increase, the spit dripping from his lips enough, as he hissed at the creatures, the snake-like Grimm moving to get at Pyrrha, the earth forming a wall in front of her.

"Watch out!" Pyrrha's eyes found the enemy, noticing it bash through the wall and she dealt with it by throwing her shield, the sound of it hitting the snake like a gong being rang. Another earth spike shot up, dealing with one of the Ursa, its slower gait making it an easier target, the Beowolves moving into striking range for Pyrrha.

"Well… That was…" She panted, her chest heaving a little. "A bit more exercise than I'd thought…" She looked at him, a hesitant smile on her lips. "How's… the aura? You've got quite a lot of it, if it took me that long…" He couldn't feel anything different, save for the arm still being useless.

He pulled the hoodie and the armour off, uncaring what she would think of it, the twisted and broken arm still looking gross and sticky with blood. 'She said that there should be a reshaping…'

Her form had remained unharmed, and he had felt the power inside of her then, moulding itself to her body. "Let me just…" His voice remained even, as he closed his eyes. He imagined his arm to be functioning in the same fashion as it had before, the sensations starting to surge through his body, the tensions starting to fade away into the blackness that he pushed through it. A crunching, squelching sound, a crack-sizzle and pop and he opened his eyes seeing unharmed flesh. Blood still covered the flesh, as he took a deep breath and slowly rotated the arm in the socket. "Well, this is better."

Pyrrha looked at him, at his arm mostly. Dark veins crisscrossed through the flesh, slowly fading away as the darkness receded. "That's… amazing. Is it still tender?" He looked at her. This was something special that Selene had showed him, something that she had confided in him to never show.

"Pyrrha, can you keep this a secret?" He looked into her eyes, the green meeting with his own blue, the smile on her face warm now, as she nodded.

"Of course… We're partners now, aren't we? So… Let me tell you a secret of my own. I don't like it when people treat me as if I'm someone special." He could understand that, smiling at her as she said that.

"You're just Pyrrha to me." Her eyes sparked softly, the red blood that'd started to dry up on her pale skin enough. "I don't want you any other way, partner."

She smiled, as he rolled his arms. "But I should probably get dressed. I mean, I've got…" She looked at him and coughed.

"Why, eh, yes…"She turned red, as she turned away. "Do get dressed. We should… find a place to wash or something." The embarrassment showed through in her emotions, as her body quivered with that delicate balance within it, her emotions swirling.

"Thank you for doing that thing with my Aura." He wasn't sure whether it would work, but he tried it anyways. "Can you test it out a little?" The hoodie, filthy with blood and other juices, slipped back on, Pyrrha's javelin smacking against his butt, the feeling of the shock being dampened, as a faint little shield seemed to decelerate the weapon, being enough to confirm to himself that he had an Aura.

"It's really weak…" She mumbled, her face showing confusion. "It shouldn't be that weak." Her weapon hits again and the darkness inside him flared up, the shield not appearing as he did so, the sharp edge of the javelin cutting into his ass. A stab of pain, as she turned pale, the tip of her javelin coated in his blood. "Oh no, I'm sorry!"

He took a deep breath and then exhaled, letting the pain flow away from him, the flesh knitting together. "My mama said that something like this might happen… We're special." Her eyes looked at him guiltily, as he smiled. "Don't worry, partner. I won't let you down."

He picked up his weapons, looking at her with that determined look. "We're a team now and we won't let anything stand in our way." The confidence that he felt was mimicked by her own smile brightening a little. She was alright… and she was pretty.

She had that dependable feeling, something that told him that he could trust her.

'A soul whose only shackles are to the pedestal upon which she is raised, her intrusion met with the darkness and declined… Yet a frail heart behind the sacrifice, waylaid by ancient design… Taken not in an instant, but over the course of time.'

There was a moment where he could see her in different circumstances. Her eyes had been hungry for a moment, a need within them. A craving, a desire. A moment of the two of them working in concert, bodies entangled, their copulation making cries raise from their mouths in tandem. A heat. A partner. A love, brought from the darkness.

"Yes, I will do my best, Jaune." He could trust her with that. She was a good woman, after all. Her smile was really encouraging.

The pain in his lungs continued anyways, as he felt the spark of hope inside him blossom. He would be a hero worth remembering, together with Pyrrha, the nice girl who helped his Aura awaken.

She did not wait for long as the car door was opened for her and she stepped out. A modest dress, elegant for most occasions and with the right amount of makeup on her face, enough for the woman she was to meet to be in awe and still look like the perfect woman to most eyes. Stepping into the crowd and brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear, the casual glance through the crowd showing more than one appreciative gaze lingering on her. 'They can look, yet there is one man who can get it…'

The woman had already taken a seat at the café's table outside in the morning, the happy smile on her face as she spotted her something that was more than a little gratifying. Her eyes glinted, as her gaze slipped to the danger spots around the venue, as her eyes sought for those little hints of assassins or photographers.

"Miss Umbra, what a pleasure." The smile that Salem put on was a little genuine mixed with the falsehood that she was selling to the young woman, as the woman rose from her seat. She extended a hand cordially, to shake it with the woman, who instead went for a hug. ´Overly affectionate behaviour… Perhaps a minus… But it would not do to be too distant.'

"Oh, we just give a hug around these parts, I'm sorry. I never was raised much with the traditional mindset." Adelheid Blau looked like a picture of a young woman in the blossom of her life, her eyes bright and blue and her features immaculately groomed. Salem's eyes could pick out several of the trademarks of a top-class manicure and pedicure, a sign that the girl would hardly be a bother to maintain the minimum professional standard. The lipstick was a touch too bright for her liking, yet there should be little issue.

"It has been an unfortunate time for me… There has been an accident with my charge's older sister, thus I have hurried to Argus in order to be there for the poor dear." The look of shock on the woman's face was not faked, as she put her hand on her chest in shock.

"The Dust explosion? Yes, terrible… I heard that there were seventeen people injured by the blast. She was caught up in it as well?" Salem nodded, a little gesture, enough to convey that it had been like the woman thought, yet not with the deference that made it worth it to investigate further.

"She lost her spouse's child. A tragedy." She could see the easily roused emotion within the young woman, the trembling of her lip, the soft features turning empathic. 'A weakness… and perhaps a strength.'

"Is she… is she alright? That must be terrible. Did she make it out alright?" Salem had glimpsed the details of the medical ward. Saphron Cotta-Arc was still being sedated as far as she knew, in order to let the body heal a little from the damages that it had taken.

"A lot of bones were broken, according to the doctors. I am footing the medical bill, it is the least that I can do for the young man who has endeared himself to me." The woman smiled, a silly, guileless smile that wished nothing but good on the world. 'How easy it is to find such a woman…'

"Now, to business. We wouldn't want to be caught gossiping whilst we could be discussing your terms of employment, yes?" The right bit of womanly tone and pitch, with the light hint of driving things along.

"Ah, yes… My father has asked about my first job, so… Eh, do we have the standard contract of confidentiality here, or did you wish to include a few clauses?" Salem smiled, her eyes glinting in the morning light, Hazel joining her by pulling up a chair.

"My bodyguard. It helps to be prepared for whatever eventuality comes onto our path." It was a testament to Adelheid's skill as a manager that she only nodded once, pulling out the contracts and the forms that she had to sign.

She glanced over the legal documents that Adelheid had brought, taking her time to read through the text, her eyes scanning every paragraph. "This looks to be in order… though I may have a few stipulations. You are fine with moving to Vale, yes?"

The woman nodded, a serious look on her face. "How else will I be working with Jaune, right? I can hardly do so from a distance… Though his poor sister… I wish I could do something to help her… it must be horrible for him as well." Salem looked suitably saddened.

"It is because of his insistence that I went to Argus. I intend to place a visit this evening, in order to assure him of his sister's health. The poor young man was so distraught he demanded that I visit sooner…" The amount of care in her voice wasn't even faked. Jaune was one of the most important people in her life. She would move mountains for him, if it was needed. Their connection, the understanding and the care that they had for each other demanded nothing less.

"Well, there is a thing to be said about caring, Miss Umbra. Your godson must be distraught…" Salem didn't smile. She had little need for it at this junction. "Is the contract from my side to your satisfaction?"

'Such a silly girl… There's a few loopholes in this one… Let's see whether you will accept this one.'

The contract that she had drawn up by her solicitor had been made especially to ensure that there was a clause for 'good conduct'. It would be a bad act of faith if the one who was to handle her sweet Jaune's public relations were to be caught up in some scandal, so… It was always necessary to have a little bit of a back-up.

The amount listed would financially ruin the poor girl, who would have to sell her body for the cash-on-hand… and that was before the debt accrued by her fancy education would come knocking on her door.

"I've had the liberty of having drawn up my own contract… It is better, for the formal side of things. Several Argus-based firms have loopholes for Atlas military contractors... I find that it is best to employ Valean legal aide." The papers, prepared beforehand, handed over to the woman in a manila folder.

"Would you like to order something, ma'am?" The question from one of the servers was an interruption, yet she graciously smiled.

"A cup of Atlesian coffee, black, please." The polite tones, as she motioned for Hazel to order. The man's eyes never stopped scanning the surroundings, the small light diffuser that flashed frequently in front of her features enough to stop most cursory pictures from identifying her using the facial recognition software.

"I'll take another latte macchiato, thank you!" The bright and chipper woman said, as she ran her eyes over the document in front of her, seriously scanning the lines. It was a look of focus, as a smile blossomed on her face. "Ahh… It looks similar to what I've got, but a bit more detailed. Ooh, you're even including a house! That's nice, I was afraid I'd have to go shop for a house if I moved to Vale. My dad is in Argus for some time now, so he's going to be swinging around to help me move… He said he would, but heh… You know dads."

She pulled her Scroll out of the bag that carried it, opening it up. The start-up screen was swiped away, her eyes glinting with that faint interest, as she began to tenderly tap away, the files that had been prepared in advance for this meeting already bringing some cards on the table. "I am not the best to speak of fathers, Miss Blau."

"No, no, I mean, Yes, miss Umbra. You're eh… What is this 'good conduct' clause? I don't think I've seen that one before…" The look on the woman's face was a little befuddled, as she tapped the folder with "A. Blau" twice with a finger, enlarging one of the photographs.

"Ensuring that things like this do not happen, Miss Blau." The Scroll was turned to the woman and the rapidly paling woman looked at the picture of herself standing on a bar topless with a 'Graduation of 79 AGW' banner around her shoulders, the look of understanding coming to her face.

"Oh…" The swallow was natural, and she held the advantage, as always. Adelheid Blau would do whatever she wished. "I wasn't aware that…" The woman paused, taking a deep breath. "Ah… To not… over-indulge, right?"

A finger slid to the next video. There was no audio, yet Salem knew what it contained. Adelheid turned ash-coloured as she saw the video play. "… That… that asshole. He taped it… What the fu- I…" Her finger pressed the spot where the video would pause, turning it towards herself once more.

"I'm sorry Miss Umbra, it won't happen, ever. I'll be sober and not… do things like that." Salem's eyes narrowed, fixing the woman with a look. "I swear, I'm going to remain clean and sober, and not do… that thing." Salem figured that she might not. Having sex in a somewhat public place with one's breasts bouncing was hardly the decorum for a young lady of some standards.

"I would hope not, Miss Blau. Should I find that you had violated the clause… My displeasure would be felt." Her eyes narrowed, noticeably. "And should you engage in such acts with my godson…" The hint was there, as the young woman shrank back in her seat, swallowing heavily.

This was her element, the power that she held within the world. She could ruin the young woman's life by uploading the video to the most popular adult website… well, she could let her minions do so. She should not sully her hands with that bit of evidence… And the picture definitely had a hint of charm to it for a young man. Perhaps as an inspiration for Jaune…

'A man of his ability would hardly be content with but one freshly ploughed waif.'

It was important to ensure that the man of the household had plenty of company whilst the Queen was away, after all. A dutiful mother and wife would carefully select the spouse for her boy… and well… It wasn't like Adelheid was bad-looking. She had selected her for her aristocratic looks and her breeding, after all. The additional bits were just a happy little coincidence…

"I understand, Miss Umbra." The demure tone of the woman was enough of a victory for her, as she tucked the Scroll back into the bag.

"Of course, you do. I did not decide on you for your… extracurricular activities." The way that the young woman perked up, something of hope entering those eyes, hope that not all had been lost due to her own problems. "Graduating with full honours in your Creative Marketing class, ensuring that the product that you were supposed to market would hit the shelves of the Huntsman-brand stores and allowing your test case to be entered within the faux regionals was a great point that has led to my decision to hire you, Miss Blau."

A girl like her was no fool. Her personal flaws aside, she would be good for Jaune to explore the business side of being a Huntsman. With his baby blue eyes and his blonde hair, he would be a heartthrob, even more than he already seemed to be. "I'm… I'm honoured that you knew… But… Aren't the results supposed to be kept anonymous until a year post-graduation?"

The results had indeed been classified, in order to keep the next year unaware of the similar task that they would have to undergo. It would be a shame for people to copy the work of their upperclassmen, so there were checks and balances… though money greased the wheels of such a thing.

"With a little bit of digging, you can find out a lot of things, Miss Blau. You should not worry about Mister Montblanc's issues… He has been dealt with appropriately. He would never dare to air your dirty linen…"Let it not be said that she was not efficient in allowing those who would benefit her to benefit from her good graces… All would be taken care of.

"Ah… Good. I mean… You probably got the pictures from him, I just…" Salem shook her head.

"Trust me… He has been given a lengthy stay, far far away. Vacuo is a nice place, and it just so happened that his employer had requested him to head there for an excavation…" It had been the full truth. Marcus Montblanc was supposed to be on an international transport towards Vacuo, to work for his employer's new venture…

An awful shame that there were so many Lancers and Nevermores on that path… Truly horrendous, really… All those people, lost due to Grimm…

"You… You managed to do that?" There was relief in the woman's voice, as well as a shred of fear, a deep-seated one that seemed to rumble and rummage. She didn't trust her in the slightest, and probably that was the little animal part of her that told her so. "Miss Umbra, I don't know what-"

She held up a hand to silence the girl. Obedience was to be rewarded, after all. "Firstly, I ensured that I got the negatives… as well as the device upon which the material was recorded. I never engage with a business partner without at least ensuring that they will not sell out secrets to the highest bidder post-contract… That just isn't good business."

She was Selene Umbra, a wealthy woman who had money to throw around on idle fancies. Her eyes spotted a little easing of the muscles on the face, a sign that she was starting to relax. "I simply made a little suggestion. It is important that the business goals of my associates are met... and Henri was such an acceptable fellow..."

The leaked document to one of the man's associates had spoken of a potential recruit for the talents that the manager could scope out at Shade Academy, easily allowing the man to see the potential value. Of course, it was hardly more than conjecture... Yet the star power of an icon could bring many potential thoughts to the forefront of more wealth. An 'excavation' often was the excuse that people in the talent business used for the finding of new stars... If the Nikos girl could be a world-renowned brand, so could her child... and Adelheid Blau was one way of achieving that.

"I don't know what to say... I mean... woah." She blushed. An actual blush from the young woman, which confirmed that the young woman had bought the tale that she'd concocted.

"Well... I don't see a reason why I shouldn't sign this contract... The... the clause, I think I can hold myself to it. I swear." The young woman would have to temper her enthusiasm, as Salem nodded.

"See to it that you do... And especially... Keep your hands off the young man." The look on the young woman's face was enough, as she looked away, clearly chastised. Adelheid Blau had a problem. When she got drunk, she wanted to have relations with men... and that generally had made sure that the material that was available about her on the web had to be scrubbed with a very fine-toothed comb... But it hardly was the worst that she'd ever had to ensure. It had been a task for Doctor Watts, who had been more than willing to assist, once the plan had been unveiled to him... well, whatever part of the plan would be needed to be unveiled to him.

As far as Arthur Watts knew, the young man was another way into Beacon and Adelheid Blau was yet another pawn to make sure that the suspicion would be deflected away from him.

'If only you knew what I know, my dear Doctor... Oh...'

She knew everything about Adelheid Blau. From the childhood home that she lived in to the failing grades that she'd had during her childhood... there was much to be said about the young woman... But that was beside the point. "I wouldn't dare, Miss Umbra. I swear, I'll be as straight as an arrow."

'For some reason, I doubt that... Liars and cheats never survive long within reach of the liquor...' The simplest truth was that there was always some vice available for the addict to stimulate their need... But the contract was tight and knelling around the woman's activities in the private sphere. She would allow Jaune at least a dedicated worker, who would be glad to serve as his public agent...

"See to it that you do. Touch him in an untoward way, and you will get to see what my displeasure brings you." The look that she gave her was enough to cow the woman a little, the righteous irritation in her eyes, as the quick nod was.

The coffee was brought then, and Adelheid cleared herself up a little, flashing a little smile at the server. "Ah, I'd like to p-"

The fifty Lien card was in the server's face, Hazel's motion graceful. "For the drinks. The rest is a tip." The man was gruff and spoke little, his size more than a little intimidating to most people. Adelheid seemed to have forgotten that the man had been there, looking at him for a moment and then shaking her head.

"I'm sure that we'll get along just fine, Miss Umbra. Being concerned for the young people is what we do, as managers!" The hope in the young woman's voice was like a snarl in the face of those who valued their order. "And eh... I hope we can keep it quietly between the two of us about my past. I mean... Jaune looks like a nice guy, but..."

"Miss Blau, you can trust me on my word. I never lie. I simply wish what is best for him." She could hear Hazel shift a little, showing his own thoughts on the matter. A subtle little smile twitched in the corner of her lips, as she schooled her face into a warm smile. "But you must know that as long as you abide by our contract, I will do whatever is necessary to assist you in making my godson's dream come true."

The truth was spoken, with no hint of a lie. She would do whatever it took to make sure that there would be a happy Jaune at the end of her plans... No matter how many bodies it took. No matter how much money she had to spend. The moment that he shared himself with her once more and banished the loneliness within her, was worth it.

The woman smiled. "Aww, isn't that sweet? Now I am just aching to get to work with... oh, you said that you would visit his sister... Do you want me to prepare flowers? I mean, that's a part of the job as well, if we're going to be caring for Jaune..." Salem could imagine that the woman might be caring for her beloved in a different manner than she herself would care for him... But it was a noble sentiment.

"I simply wish what is best. I've already made some arrangements for some flowers... Mister Arc, Jaune's father, is with me in Argus." The smile on the woman's face was genuine, the bad memories banished by those happy giddy feelings that everything was going to be okay.

"Should I... I don't know, introduce myself? I mean, he is going to be pretty important to Jaune, right?" The smile on her lips was as warm as the flames in her heart burned, her tongue caressing her well-made-up lips for an instant, as she raised the cup and then drank the hot coffee. She could see the woman's eyes go wide at her drinking the hot brew, yet she cared little.

The burn was inconsequential, as she drank the hot coffee in a single gulp, a slow exhale of caffeine-laced breath escaping from her lips for a moment. "That will not be necessary, Miss Blau. I wish to... keep you as a little secret from the family. They do not agree with my sponsoring of Jaune, and seem to be convinced that I wish the young man nothing but ill will..." The truth was like that, even though Ashton Arc had been an agreeable sort of man. With the makeup done up in the manner of an older woman, there could be no greater difference between Alexandria Umbra and Selene Umbra... Her 'daughter' was off to Mistral city now... and she simply had taken another flight in the next morning.

"Ah... I can understand that. My mom was supportive, but dad... Dad was afraid I'd become a Huntress or something, just like he did. Heh, you'd be finding me cowering behind our little blonde hunk." She arched a brow, as Adelheid's eyes went wide. "N-not to say that he's an... eh... Well, hey, I am allowed to appreciate the goods." Salem's eyes narrowed.

"From a distance... If I hear one peep of you 'sampling the goods', Miss Blau..." The audible swallow, and the way that the woman looked at her changed slightly, as Salem knew that she had the woman by the metaphorical balls now. Her eyes already started to categorize the accessories that the woman might need. "But let us make this a fruitful partnership, shall we?"

Adelheid stirred her coffee, looking down at it for an instant and then clearing her throat. "I... eh, yes. Sure. I'm just a bit... dazzled, I mean... You're listed as one of the top people in the listings of the Sorbet 500." She raised an eyebrow. That publication had added some legitimacy to her being a businesswoman, yet it had come out ten years ago. "I'm... Well, from what I can see, the young man is perfectly alright, and you might be... a bit over-protective, I guess. Your... daughter? Did I have that right?"

"Alexandria, yes." The businesswoman whose daughter's name was Alexandria spoke, as Salem slipped the mask of Selene Umbra on a little tighter. "A sweet girl whose health sadly is in decline... Asthma. I adopted her when it became clear that I could not have any children... not anymore." The truth was the hardest punch for many. There had been a girl adopted, and there had been no more children from her since the split between her and Ozma.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to open up wounds... I mean... I'm not trying to be offensive but..." Selene Umbra smiled, a smile that was a little more conspiratorial. The ice had been broken between the two of them. She held the leverage, yet had assured the woman that she would not make anything of it through her actions.

"Well... I mean, it's not... You could've gone for any other graduate. I know a few who'd be really good for him but... Why me?" The doubt was in her voice, with her eyes looking at her for answers... And she would give them.

"You're only six years his senior, Miss Blau. Comparing yourself to his classmates and to himself, you are in the perfect age group to make a difference." The carefully sculpted hope in her voice was like a lure for the desperate and the foolish... the latter of which this girl met one of the criteria. Salem would never be caught DEAD in a public place with her breasts uncovered. 'It is rude to others and to your husband to show your womanly bits to other men with whom you are not in a relationship.'

"I could have selected Miss Rum, if I would have decided upon someone who had less of a chequered past, yet I selected you. You were far from the only candidate that I had lined up for the young man..." The bait was thrown in front of the needy little pet.

"What... What influenced you? To... To pick me, I mean?" The question came, her eyes uncertain.

"Jaune. He took a liking to you... A personal project, indeed." The girl had the grace to flush, as she looked down at her overpriced coffee. "I don't make decisions for his life, my dear... I simply provide the money. Should you fail in your appointed duties, well... The contract is pretty clear." The serious look in the young woman's eyes was real, as she nodded her head.

"I won't let you down, Miss Umbra, I wo-" Her finger pressed against the girl's lip, stopping her from finishing that sentence.

"You will not let Jaune down, Miss Blau. You should worry about his happiness far more than about mine. As I said... It is to him to make you work for your pay check." The look in her eyes was far more level than before. "I simply pay the bills... He makes you work. I am but a godmother..." A smile, far kinder than she usually wielded against people.

"I want what is best for my little blonde." Her eyes locked with the young woman, seeing her nod.

"Then you'll have the best in me, Miss Umbra! Adelheid Blau, at his service." Salem idly mused whether she should put in an order for a custom-made Valean maid outfit, just to put that into the proper terms... It might be worthy of some amusement when things would come to a head.

"Good, Adelheid." The first use of the young woman's name, as she smiled. "I hope to be able to see his star rise."

The woman grabbed her hands and shook them in a gesture, her eyes bright and shining. 'Just what a woman needs to have, when dealing with a man... An interest, a hope and a dream.'

Adelheid Blau was a simple woman, born to an average mother and a father whose absence was noted. Berndt Blau was a man often witnessed entering Argus worn and weary, his weapons dented and his kite shield worn from use by defending from the Grimm.

'Now... It is time that I meet with Mister Arc.' "I have a pressing engagement with your client's father, Adelheid." The closeness that the use of her personal name would inspire in the girl would buy her silence. "Remember..." A finger pressed against her own lips. "Confidentiality."

The enthusiastic nod was more than enough to confirm to her that the girl would shut her mouth. One should know when to keep secrets... Secrets could end up getting people killed, after all...

"Mister Rainart, please fetch the car. We are due at the Atlas Pride restaurant..." The spot had been strategically chosen for its accessibility as well as distance from the meeting place with Adelheid. It would hardly do well to involve the man with the efforts that she was taking to ensure that his son would eclipse his father...

"I'll tell them that I'm moving to another Kingdom... Well, for work reasons. I've been hired to represent a new and upcoming talent, so... Who knows?" She winked, a smile on her lips. Salem was not enthused greatly.

"Please ensure that you keep professional standards, my dear... It was tough enough to ensure that the photographic evidence ended up safely..." The three swift nods that she got from the young woman were enough to confirm her, as Hazel pulled the car up nearly a minute later. "I look forward to seeing you again, Adelheid. Let's make sure that my godson has the best career in front of him."

That was a promise that she was going to ensure that she would keep.

As she sat herself down in the back of the car, she allowed her driver a look, Hazel's eyes a little distant. 'The pawn realizes that there is more at work.'

"It is a lot of effort for one young man, Ma'am." The man's doubts were natural, as she smiled.

"Our work at Beacon would be stymied for months if we did not ensure that we have ears on the inside, mister Rainart." The excuse was valid under all circumstances. Cinder needed time to fit in, Haven was but another step of the way towards greater independence.

"But to involve a young man like that..." The man's question was undoubtedly truthful. She did not feel the need to expound on those thoughts of his, yet her amused smile remained.

"He is willing. Remember... As long as it brings Ozpin down... What harm is there in allowing a young man to achieve his dreams? Ozpin always enjoys the idealist who will come and bring forth the new dawn... Let him." She had taught Jaune well. His body would endure... and his new friend would gladly ensure that he was well-catered to. A princess for the prince...

"As you wish, my lady." The conversation was done.

She exited the car, spotting the tall blonde man standing there to await her. He noticed her immediately, as did several others. "Please park the car, Hazel." The personal touch of a name would keep the plebeian masses away from her, as she let her eyes glint at the sight of the man, a set of glasses having been procured for the look to be more authentic.

"Mister Arc... A sad thing to meet under these circumstances." Her tone was professional, her makeup was a touch higher in grade than Alexandria would have worn it. She could see the man's eyes go over her form, the dress still as modest as it had been, yet with one of the buttons slightly undone, to show a hint of cleavage. A man's eye roved often, she had found.

"Ah, Alexandria's mother?" The man was astute, as he offered his hand to her. She could see his face, scruffy and uncared for, could smell the scent of a man on his body.

"Selene Umbra, at your service, Mister Arc." The man's eyes lingered a touch too long for her liking, her hand shaken with a firm hand, the man's face still grave. "I've heard what happened to the poor dear... I wish to offer my utmost support, wholeheartedly."

She was not telling a lie to the man. Her wholehearted support would be given to her sweet little Jaune's family. The man looked relieved, as his gaze turned away, shame on his expression.

"I mean no disrespect, miss Umbra, but what you're doing to our family..." The obvious caveat.

"I only wish for the best for a young man who has drawn me from my funk. As I have had... issues... I have been forced to search for an heir. It would be my wish that my darling Alexandria inherit the majority of my shares, yet fate is a cruel mistress..." The strings of the heart were easily swayed. The darkness in the depths of hers was like a living thing, as she could see his empathy rise. "I have been barren since the birth of my last child, and there is..."

Her head moved down, in a sympathy-evoking manner, her hand rubbing over her stomach softly. "There is no chance that I will be able to have children. Your son has been a light to me in the dark years of my life..." The truth cut harder than any blade ever could, as she severed the strings of doubt within the man's heart.

She could see it in his eyes. A moment and he would be hers... fully wrapped within the web of truth... Ready for the spider to sink her fangs into him. "It would be a shame, indeed, to pass up on a young hopeful who wished to be a Huntsman. My ex-husband... used to be one." The truth was reality. Ozma had been a great warrior and a Huntsman. His current incarnation that was called Ozpin, was more or less one of the greatest Huntsmen in the world.

"I can understand." The smile that had won her over on his son's face, smiled back at her. Hazel took his place behind her, acting the part of a bodyguard. "Would you care for a drink? My daughter is still being treated... She woke up a little while ago and... She's going to be alright."

"Would you care for some wine? Sad tales always go well with wine." The man smiled, yet he did not deny the offer. A fine wine would be enough to get the tale from the man... even though she knew it well herself, the details streamed to her Scroll and already there...

'What great joy... a devoted father...Oh... This is going to be amusing.'

She was amused. This was going to be much more fun than she had originally intended...

Saphron heard the rhythmic beep, the hands of the nurse helping her to move a little, the therapy having restored the majority of her body to perfect state. The clock read nine in the evening, and the medication had finally worn off. Thanks to the aid of Miss Umbra, the best doctors and healing Semblances had been offered to assist her, most of the feeling of pain having faded away. It was a grim reminder of the loss that she had suffered, the pain that still roiled inside her like a raw wave.

'Adrian...'

Her little boy was gone. Terra must be feeling horrible by now, in need of some comfort. "Miss Arc, you have a visitor." The look on the nurse's face was sympathetic, as she looked to the door. Terra stood there, dressed in a simple black suit. Her glasses were on her nose, the look on her face worn and tired. 'She looks as gorgeous as the day we married.'

She watched the look on Terra's face, immediately noticing the tension. "Terra, hey..."

She wasn't eloquent at this point in time, with enough of the pain inside her system flaring up still as she tried to sit up, tried to make some more sense of the world. "Hello, Saphron."

'No Saph?'

"Did... did Adrian have a nice funeral? I mean... I'm sorry, Terra, we lost our baby." The look in her partner's eyes changed. Her gaze narrowed. Something dark and something pained, something that lurked in those eyes and that writhed in anger. She didn't like the look at all.

'We both lost our little baby, Terra...'

"I buried my son, Saphron. He was never yours. I carried him for nine months, you accompanied me to the doctor, but it was MY labour." Her heart froze, looking at her partner. Her skin turned paler by the second, hearing the accusation in her lover's voice. "And now he's DEAD. My baby is DEAD and it's all YOUR fault."

'What? No, I just did what you said I should do. Set the case on the table and make sure that it stood upright... You've said that the cases are able to survive a Grimm attack without a scratch...'

"Terra, he was ours, we both wanted to-" Terra's eyes grew hot with that angry look that she got, ready to show her anger again. It was when she didn't like something, that she got like this. The makeup sex was enough, but the arguments sucked.

"He was my son, Saphron. Mine and Jeremy's. You were just my partner." Her heart bled as she heard that, as she heard the name of her partner's previous man. A lout who'd barely been able to string together a few polite sentences, who'd kept looking at the two of them and making comments about how hot a lesbian threesome would be. "He was never yours. You killed my baby, because you set a Dust case on a table."

'No, don't do this to me... Terra, please... please, please... no...'

"But... But I just put the case there for you to pick up... You've told me that I should just leave it there and it'd be okay. You were going to pick it up anyways!" She was getting louder, her voice growing more desperate, her partner's eyes narrowing even further.

'This is not happening, this is not happening, no, don't leave me... please, don't leave me too...'

"Well, that wasn't good enough. Now the house is destroyed, a house I paid for, because you were so broke that you couldn't even get a good credit score... and my son is dead. We're through, Saphron. I filed for an annulment of our partnership. We're done. I hope you suffer for what you did to my baby. I should have never left Jeremy for you... At least he knew how to produce something worth a damn." Terra turned around, towards the door, her hand grabbing the doorknob.

"Terra, please! Please! I love you!"

'No... No... No...! Don't leave me, don't leave me...'

The door slammed shut, leaving her sitting there in the bed, the nurse giving her a pitying look. "Do you... want a moment?"

She nodded. The door opened and then shut again, and the tears came. Hot tears leaked from her eyes as she began to burn through her reserves of tears, as she let her body mourn the relationship and the child that she had lost.

"Ahhhhh..." The moaning cry came from her mouth as her hands rubbed at her eyes, the feeling of being alone in the world stretching around her like an endless field. The soft click of the door opening and then closing shut made her look up. "I don't want more drugs... Just... Just leave me be for a moment."

"You poor, poor dear..." The woman's voice was one she hadn't heard before, her eyes looking between the haze of tears at the woman, whose dress was conservative and motherly, her blonde hair combed elegantly, set within a bun. "I've... I've heard your wife speak to the doctors..."

'She's no longer my wife... She's just... She's just Terra.'

"We... parted. Not amicably." The reality sank in like a bag of bricks hitting her on the head.

'I... I've got nowhere else to go, after the hospital. What am I going to do for food? What am I going to... where do I live?'

Fear filled her heart. She didn't really have friends since she moved to Argus to be with Terra... They were all Terra's friends, she'd always been caring for Adrian as a housewife.

"I'm sorry, my dear... My name is Selene Umbra." The look on the woman's face held caring and understanding, as the woman reached out with a hand, seemingly to offer her some comfort.

Like a small child would, she took the hand. It was warm and the squeeze made her feel a little better. "Saphron... You don't mind if I call you Saphron, right?" The shake of her head, and the little sobbing sound that she made gave the woman hope, as her eyes glinted faintly with the tears that just didn't stop coming.

"I'm here for you." The woman's voice was so soothing, so understanding. "I know what you've been through... Not personally, but I've had to bury my four daughters... I know that feeling..."

She started to cry, her aching muscles protesting against the motion, as the woman's arms suddenly wrapped around her, the woman's voice soft in her ear. "I know that it's tough, but you've got to keep hope... Do you know what your little brother asked of me, when he had heard about that terrible accident? 'Make sure that my sister is okay.' He is such a bright little spark of life and joy, Saphron... Just like your little boy was."

"He... he was Terra's... She's..." She hiccupped, the emotions heavy on her mind. The woman pulled her gently towards her, like a loving mother.

'I'm just... so... sad. Why did this have to happen to me?'

"No matter what... Everything is going to be just fine. I've had my daughter fly your father in to Argus... But I figured that it'd be time for a little chat between women first... Soften the hurt a little, because I can feel what you're going through... Don't worry, sweetheart..." Saphron smiled, as the tears did not stop coming.

'Perhaps... Perhaps there is still hope?'

She still had a family to return to...

"You can consider me like a second mother..." The thought was comforting, in the deep dark place that she found herself in. It didn't feel strange, as she hugged the woman with all her strength, fully breaking out into tears, as the woman's arms wrapped around her.

"Yes... I'm going to make sure that you'll be alright, Saphron... That everything that happened will just be a bad dream... Make you a part of a big and happy family." She held the woman, feeling the tension bleed out of her.

'Terra... Fuck you... When I needed you, you were... You spat in my face... And now...'

The hope inside her welled up, and she asked in a soft voice. "Can I hug you for a little longer?" The woman's soft laugh was breathy and sultry, as a comforting warmth spread over her body.

"As long as you need another failed mother to hold you, Saphron." She felt safe now, in this woman's arms. The pain of losing her... of losing Terra's son, was no longer such a pain to her. Terra had made it abundantly clear that it was never her baby... and that hurt.

'His little smile when he was about to do something that'd upset Terra...'

"I'm going to make you smile again, Saphron... Just like I promised your brother... I will make sure that you will be part of your family again and be the bright big sister that cares for her younger sisters." She felt comfort in the woman's arms, and just held her a little longer.

She didn't even notice that she'd drifted into a half-sleeping state in the interim, as the woman gently tucked her into bed.

"A part of the only family that matters..." The words were soft, spoken with a deep and passionate love, a hand caressing her hair gently. She just felt so tired...

'A loving family... We were... Terra was loving... We fought a few times, but we always made up but...'

The door opened and her father came in, the man hesitating for a moment, the faint voice of the woman sounding like a fading fragment of time. "The poor dear is sleeping... She just broke up with her partner."

Her father's soft grunt of understanding. "She made that abundantly clear when she saw me in the lobby..." The sadness was drifting away, as the woman's hand gently brushed over her cheek.

'I'm safe...'

Tomorrow would be another day... Another day of healing.

And her first day as another single woman, ready to mingle...

She dreaded it more than she'd allow herself to voice it.

Oh yes... Salem's intimidating. (What's with the whole NTR thing, by the way?)