Dies Irae

by Cyanide Sins

A vengeance for millennia, a hatred carried through the ages. A mother once, yet never again. "Of course, mama." Three words that brought the world to a halt, a covenant made between mortal and immortal, a soul damned and perhaps another redeemed. "Hush, my beautiful child. Mama is here." A bright, bold soul given a gift beyond mortal knowledge.

17. Incipio Crocus

Chapter 17: Incipio Crocus

A new chapter, delivered with love and labour!

---

She felt happy, the woman's hand in her own. She had slightly broader fingernails than the woman who'd been so accepting of her. They were seated on a bench, the cherry flavour still in left on her taste buds. "I'm sorry." She whispered to the woman, who smiled at her.

The features of an older woman, a woman who could be her mother if the tricks of fate had been different, looked back at her. Blue eyes and a few wrinkles, age-lines that had accumulated through the stresses of life, a body which looked well-kept... and a sin of her father weighing upon the woman's shoulders.

"It's okay, my daughter."

The words felt right to her, as she leaned against the woman, who hugged her. "I wish for nothing but your smile." She smiled, the woman's endearing look making her feel better. She was forgiving, something that she would've never thought.

'Terra, you cold frigid bitch...'

She felt a stab of hate well up inside her. She could already see the summons to court come for her... There was going to be a legal battle ahead of her. "Don't frown, my sweet daughter." She smiled again, looking down. This woman, not related by blood, was warmer than her own mother. Carmella Arc was not someone who would take the time to sit down with you and listen, because there were more children around the house. She had more talks with her older sisters than with her mother, and...

She liked this woman. "You've done so much for our family... What can we do in return?" The question had been nagging at her, the soft smile on the woman never fading, as a hand brushed through her hair.

"Your little brother asked the same thing, a week ago. It is not something that I would allow for family... Repayment, such an ugly word..."

The woman's voice was light and soft, the momentary fragment of distaste gone.

"I simply want what is best for your brother."

She remembered when dad had disapproved of the notion of him ever becoming a Huntsman. It had been punishment, but she had seen something in her brothers eyes that wouldn't perish, persisting through the punishment. Her mind continued to the sight of her father raping Miss Umbra, her own groin squeezing together as the images of herself being raped came up...

"He's... He's a good boy."

She knew that he was one. He wasn't like dad... He wasn't like...

"He wouldn't hurt someone intentionally. It reminds me of my daughters..."

A sigh, deep and genuine came from the woman, as Saphron watched a set of inhuman crimson eyes look to the heavens, the blue replacing them after an instant.

"The eldest was so curious... She always stalked the library, asking questions."

There was a wistful tone to the woman's voice, as the woman seemed drawn into her memories. Saphron took a good long moment to observe Selene Umbra, the woman's features now standing out. "My youngest loved her father more than she did me... She always wanted to be with her daddy, even though protocol wouldn't allow for it. She was not allowed to mingle with the servants out of fear that they would taint her..."

"What... I'm sorry if I'm rude, but..."

The woman looked distraught, pulled out of her memories. Those eyes looked at her with a sadness. "Mama?" There was a blossoming warmth in those eyes as the woman smiled. "What happened to your daughters?"

"My ex-husband killed them."

The words were spoken simply, but she could see so much pain in them. She started to cry, even though the woman's expression remained stone-like.

"When the fighting was over and we parted, I found my eldest. She was half-crushed below a pillar." The look on the woman's face was unsettled, the memory obviously painful to her.

"I'm so sorry, Mama."

She felt sorry for this woman, this woman who cared and who supported her like a mother should. She hugged the woman, the coolness of her skin barely an impediment to the hug, as the woman held her in return.

"Your brother was the first spark of love that I'd felt in a long time..."

There was a softness to the woman's voice, as Saphron could imagine it. Contrasting her brother and her father, her brother was full of love and care. He cared for those around him and just wanted to make the world a better place, to be a hero...

A little part of her had wanted him to protect her. To make the hurt go away. It was a silly thing, but when her father had... done bad things, she'd wanted her brother to help her. It was stupid, it was... silly, but...

"He will be your brother forever, my child."

Miss Umbra's voice was soft, as she spoke lightly. "He'll... He'll be destined for great things."She knew that he would, from the woman's words. She was just the daughter of a rapist, one of seven...

"I don't hold the sins of his father against him... Ashton Arc has earned my displeasure."

The words were something that intimated something far greater, as the woman shook once more in her arms. Saphron felt bad for her...

"I'm afraid, mama."

Her voice was soft. "I'm... I'm so afraid." It was an admission of weakness. She was a weak creature, just the nanny for some half-blood spawn of a woman who never saw her as a partner worth loving.

"You will have nothing to fear, my dear. My trip to Atlas will be over soon and I will make sure that you remain safe."

The words made her feel comfortable. She was like a mama. She'd said that she'd love her like a daughter of her blood.

"Your father will not lay a hand on you or your sisters, I swear it."

The blood drained from her as she realized that her sisters were there too. If dad could do that to a woman... Adelheid had said that there would be little chance of prosecution...

'No, he couldn't... We would have noticed...'

Jade and Verde had started to act out more before she'd gotten out of the household with Terra. It had been simple things, but... but what if there was more behind it? What if...

Violet's choice of employment... Was it because she wanted to help out, or because... She knew that Beryl still did those street fights from time to time, but... but was that because she liked it, or because at home she would get...

Rouge was probably safe. She'd done psychology, she'd been away at university... But she, next to Violet, had the most womanly curves. What if dad had just done things to her big sister? What if...

'No... He probably would. Mom doesn't stay at home all the time.'

She knew that he'd beat Jaune into the ground a few times whenever her little brother had been insisting that he'd do the family name proud... But... could he have gone further? Do things to Jaune? The thought was sickening, but... but she didn't know what to think anymore. She didn't know what to feel anymore.

"Do you think daddy could've... done bad things to my sisters, Mama?"

Her voice was like a child's, seeking reaffirmation. Here she was, in her mid-twenties, asking a woman who had been a support during this dark time, whether her dad might've done bad things to her sisters...

"He did it to me. I don't think he would've been restrained by much at home. Jaune spoke about the punishments that he got from his father, a few times. Did your sisters ever get punished?"

It was not confirmation, but it did hint that she thought of it as possible. Her sisters had never been punished harshly... But Jaune had.

She hugged the woman tightly. She was already imagining it, her mind leaping to scenarios. A door slamming open, the sound of a struggle... punishment given to a struggling body. She wasn't even sure why her mind leapt to that conclusion, but she remembered where the pills laid that could get a pregnancy aborted, right below the sink, taped there with some special tape that'd make it stick. Violet had said that it was for herself, just as insurance... But had that been a lie? Had that been there because they didn't want to bear the shame of having given up fighting with a man who should have been there for them as a protector?

Jaune had wanted to protect the family. Did he know? Did he want to defend them?

He was such a kind brother. He would've wanted to keep them safe, that was just in his nature.

---

"Dad, stop it. He's... He's had enough."

The bare bottom looked red as her little brother writhed, the man's large hand smacking against the reddening flesh, his eyes meeting hers. It had been a spell of bad luck that'd landed her without a partner. Her girlfriend had decided that she'd rather try things with boys again, to her displeasure.

"That dream of his of being a Huntsman needs to die, Saphron. I didn't raise my son to put his life out in danger, just so that you girls could be safe. That's what I am for."

Jaune's eyes met hers, a pained blue colour, as his body still laid on the man's lap. He was fifteen, and he'd said that he'd be a Huntsman.

"He'll be just as good as a farmer... Nice, safe... Not out there with the monsters like me."

She believed him, because daddy had always been right. She'd always known that he would be right, because he fought for the family to survive, even with money being tight.

"I WILL be a Huntsman! I'm going to protect everyone! Just like great-granddad!"

It was a noble sentiment, she knew. She could see her sisters look away, Rouge thumbing through a small novel-like tome of her course load, not interested.

"I'd rather die than to let you turn into a Huntsman, boy!"

The man's voice was rough, and she realized that she'd whimpered, not liking the tone of voice. Her sisters were also not looking at the spectacle, even as mom watched with her usual apathy to the punishment. Father had the rule of discipline whenever he was around the house.

Jaune had never been the one of which expectations had been heaped upon.

---

She had thought it wilful child behaviour, but... Now she wasn't sure. He had wanted to get out, just as she was. She had been one of the favourite daughters, and... and Jaune hadn't been much of a favourite for his acts of trying to be a Huntsman.

She tried to think back to times when Jaune had been withdrawn. Rouge could probably formulate it in interesting and sensible ways, but Rouge wasn't there right now. Had dad been upset for longer? Was Jaune withdrawn? Dad had shouted at her and looked like he was going to hit her when she'd moved out to be with Terra...

'What if he...'

"Do you think that he might've... done things to my little brother? To discourage him from... becoming a Huntsman? The... the thing that happened to you."

Selene Umbra stiffened, a look in her eyes that looked so pained. She seemed to have realized what she meant with that. She didn't need to use the word that meant pain for the woman.

"Rouge probably knows more about psychology than I do, but dad really didn't want him to become a Huntsman..."

The woman had frozen up, those eyes looking horrified at the contemplation. "Rape is something that people use to control someone." The words were mechanical and flat, as the woman seemed to recite them from memory. "It is used to effect of controlling the victim and ensure that they do as you wish, or out of the desire to destroy someone completely." The words made sense, as the woman's teeth gritted.

"If he did..."

The woman's voice was soft, something in those eyes that warned her. "If that... that commoner bastard performed sodomy on my son..." There was a vile load in that woman's voice, as those eyes turned a deep crimson colour, anger fusing with that expression.

She felt something crushing her, as something inside those eyes snapped, a powerful energy burning around her, a gust of wind rustling through the stalls, knocking some over. The woman's hair was barely ruffled, as the woman finished her sentence.

"I will make him an example of what it means to cross a woman who wields true power."

She wanted to say something, but she knew that the woman's feelings were genuine. Where was her mother, never complaining about dad punishing Jaune for simply wanting to be the man of the house whilst dad was away? He had been raised on the old stories of heroics and Huntsmen... They had played with him, they'd stuck him in a dress a few times, but...

'Did mom know?'

She must have. Mom loved dad, but dad was a rapist. Was mom not complicit? Mom had never really had much affinity with Jaune, and dad had tried multiple time to get Jaune entered into a vocational school... But Jaune had refused. They as his sisters had just condoned him as the silly brother, mocked him for his inability to...

'Oh gods, what if dad had been abusing him? We were just tormenting him with the fact that he couldn't get a girlfriend...'

She felt so bad as a sister now. She just felt so damn bad, so damn wicked. She hadn't loved her little brother as a big sister should, no... She'd teased him and she'd not paid attention. She'd even said that he might turn out gay like her if he didn't turn up with a hot girlfriend...

'Saphron, you've just earned yourself the worst sister award of the year...'

If it was true that dad had been doing stuff to the family, that he hadn't just raped Miss Umbra in a whim... If he'd punished Jaune like that... If he'd... If he'd been treating her other sisters like that, just because he could and she'd moved out...

She wasn't sure what she would do. She was already disgusted, but to imagine that dad would punish her little brother by just...

Her mind was going in circles, coming to the conclusions that came naturally. Alarms started to go off, the signal that there was a Grimm attack incoming. Selene stiffened softly, as she didn't let go of her, the faint brush of the woman's hand over her body as she rose up.

"We should go, my dear."

The woman made sense, they should go. She looked at the seaside, where a leviathan Grimm was raising itself from the sea, the look on the woman's face strict.

"Alright, move it! Civilians to the shelters! The Atlas military will take care of the Grimm!"

A familiar voice came from nearby, as Saphron could see her. The uniform fit Terra as if it had been made, the gloves looking as white as they came, the emblem of the Specialists of Atlas emblazoned upon the young woman's chest. Her boyfriend... or she supposed, partner, was at her side, a similar outfit worn. It was clear that they had known each other from work...

'Another lie, Terra? Were you ever real, or was it all just a lie to impregnate me with that bastard's spawn? I loved you...'

"They won't recognize you."

The voice of Selene Umbra was in her ear, as they hurried past the two specialists. Fear wrapped around her for a moment, afraid that she would be detained by her former lover, but Selene continued without any sort of hesitation or fear.

"Please make your way to the nearest shelter, Miss."

The voice of her former lover came from the side and she nodded, a hushed "Thank you." coming from her lips as she was hurried along. As they entered the reinforced shelter, she noticed the many people already closely packed together, the market having been busy.

Selene was with her though, as her hands brushed over the woman's hands gently. She was here and she felt safe. "What you did... Thanks, mama." The woman smiled softly, as she leaned closer and then put her lips close to her ear.

"For my daughters, I would kill this whole world... You are going to be a beautiful princess, Saphron..."

She felt warmth invade her heart as she heard those words. They sounded so loving, so caring.

"And I won't let any man hurt you... Your brother, he's being trained to be the best... He'll be the best."

Jaune would never hurt her, she knew... He was a good young man. He called this woman mama, and so would she. Surely, the two of them couldn't be wrong about this lovely woman, right?

"It's our little secret, Saphron..."

She smiled, knowing that the woman meant well. That anger, that rage and that hate that she had seen in those angry wrathful eyes was genuine. This woman loved her little brother like a mother should.

"Of course, mama. I love you."

The words made the woman stiffen, before a soft kiss was delivered to her cheek. It was a soft kiss, more maternal than anything, but Saphron yearned for that warmth. She spoke those three words again.

"I love you."

It was what she needed. A mother's love. She'd talk to Jaune after... after getting home.

"I love you too, child. You make me happy by saying that."

She had been one of seven daughters. Maternal care had been thin and spread out... So the words were like a breath of fresh air. She felt the fear ebb away as she looked at the woman, a smile on her face at the look of warmth on that face. She felt safe and at home in the woman's presence.

---

The weights rattled, Nora grinning broadly as she added some more to it. "Alright! Thirty more! Come on, glorious leader... You can do it!" He tried, at least. His body ached a little as he forced the weight up, the strain on his muscles growing. He was aware that Pyrrha's eyes were riveted to his form, watching as the weights rose. Sweat clung to his skin as he was worked over, Ren having opted for some exercises that he could do, to make his body stronger. He was aware that they were taking pity on him, but it was for the sake of his team.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Nora."

She smiled at him, patting his cheek.

"Lift, Glorious Leader... Weiss might like you to look like Mister Muscles... I've got enough to worry about with my Rennie. Rennie is the best."

The smile on her face was enough to make him realize that those two did everything together. That was an interesting thought.

"But that doesn't mean that we want a weak boy in the bedroom! Pump those muscles! BREAK THE LIMIT!"

He did as she suggested, moving the weight up, trying to force that strength. He was weak, but he would be strong. Weiss deserved a strong friend, his family deserved a strong Huntsman to carry the name of Arc on to the next generation.

He was aware that Yang was in the vicinity as well, her arms busy with the weights that she was training with, her body sat there as the weights rose and fell in a methodical manner. He focused back on his own trial, yet the sight of the blonde beauty was something that he recognized. His own team was pretty in their own way. Pyrrha's beauty radiated out, as did Nora's exuberance. Ren just looked effeminate, but that was likely because of the Mistralian genetics that he had. They were a different kind, or so he'd heard.

"That's the spirit, Jaune... Now... get up."

Nora took the place, Ren adding the weights, as Nora started to work out, her weight easily triple that of him. Pyrrha handed him a water bottle.

"Thanks, Pyrrha."

She smiled, looking at Nora, whose body laid there, her muscles moving with fluid motions as she moved. It was a sight of beauty, seeing the chest rise and fall at the motions that she made, her breasts straining against the tight white top that she wore. Nora was a beautiful girl, just as Pyrrha was. Nora was with Ren, though.

"And that's how you pump some iron, glorious leader..."

Nora's gaze met his, a shark-like grin on her face. Those blue eyes twinkled with an impish desire. "Unless you'd like to pump your rod between my 'weights', hmm?" Ren stiffened a little, giving his girlfriend a look that looked a little irritated.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, Rennie. A girl is allowed to look at a boy if she wants to."

The look intensified, Nora giving a wan smile at him. "Well... You can say that I'm blessed." Her voice was soft, getting up and then motioning for Pyrrha.

"This weight good enough for you, Pyrrha?"

Nora moved to his side, as Pyrrha adjusted the weight a little, removing a few of the heavier weights, to about double of his own weights.

"I prefer to exercise the muscles lightly, so that I don't pull anything."

Watching Pyrrha move was like watching a dance. As Nora stood there at his side, he could feel her hand pat his bum, a conspiratorial grin on her face.

"So... How was your little date? Miss Prim and Proper looked a little... out of sorts."

Pyrrha's body was still in motion, the exercise outfit that she wore perfectly allowing the curves to be seen, his eyes gliding over her form. "We fought together." He remembered Tyrian's fighting style well. It was the sign of a killer, an agile flowing style that used every advantage to the maximum potential. The weapons that he wielded had been enough to harm Pyrrha... and she was one of the best, or so he'd supposed from the people around.

"Ooh, the damsel defending the man..."

The soft amusement in Nora's voice was there, as he clamped down on the feeling of anger.

"He was going to kill us. That man would not allow us to have walked away."

Tyrian was a man of principle. If it meant the death of some innocents, the man would do it without a fault. A creature that had been brought to heel with the power that Mama wielded, and the power that he wielded.

"He was convinced otherwise."

Tyrian Callows would obey or he would be crushed. He would be the one who held Tyrian's leash whilst Mama was elsewhere. "Ooh, ooh! Strong Jaune!" The excitement in Nora's voice was real, as his hand grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him, his eyes looking into hers.

"Obey, Nora."

He wasn't sure why he had said it to her, but she breathed a little faster, as his finger caressed under her chin. That burning spirit was like a flame and he was the tsunami that would quell it, his eyes boring into those bright sparks.

"I am weak, but I will be strong."

The words were not mere wishful fancy... He would be strong. He was aware that she had gone very quiet, that her body had frozen up, her eyes looking into his own.

"I won't let my team be hurt."

That was a promise, he knew. A promise that he would keep. An Arc kept their promises.

"You're all important to me."

Weiss was important as well. Nora knew that he would mean it in that sense, as she took a step back. Her cheeks were a little red, and the briefest of thoughts fluttered through his mind...

A quick visit to some abandoned janitor's closet, her body pressed against the wall, his mouth against hers, her smaller body pressed there, as he took what was his by right as a leader. She was stronger, but he was the one who was more willful. A wonderful symphony of groans and moans as she was defeated and brought to heel.

"Rennie?"

Nora's voice was a hushed whisper, as he realized just how close he'd been. A numbness of emotions came over him and he was aware that Nora was looking at him, her smile brighter than before.

"He's someone worthy. That was... wow. Gets a girl hot under the collar." He noticed her hard nipples that pressed against her shirt, Pyrrha setting the weights back, giving him a look of worry.

"You were showing, Jaune."

Ren's calm voice reached his ears. "Nora is a very pretty girl, I know..." The caution in the other teenager's voice was there. "but making mating calls is a bad idea. I know. She's not a quiet girl."

"We should get your cardio in order, Jaune... A heart attack isn't a good thing." Pyrrha's voice was somewhat hesitant to intrude, but Nora took it as a challenge.

"He'll get a heart-attack with your seductive wiles, Pyrrha! Looking so snazzy and so sultry like you should be a crime!"

The excitement in the girl's voice drew some stares, Pyrrha barely flushing, as her demure gaze met his own.

"It's... It's not that..."

He decided to come to her rescue. They were partners, after all. Saving her bacon was part of the deal.

"She looks perfect. Jealous that you don't look that good yet, Nora?"

It was a tease, he could see Nora's eyes get that spark of competitiveness in them as she pushed herself up against him.

"Oh? Is that a dare, Mister Arc? Does your glorious leaderness want to see Nora Valkyrie try her best at seduction?"

Her voice was a pitch lower, as her eyes burned with that zest for life. For a moment, he deliberated it. His Mama had said that he could make friends...

"Try is not to do, Nora..."

He rebutted, as his finger tapped her nose. "You're going to have to do better than just a little bit of pushing. "

The look on her face was wilful, but he knew that she was just teasing him mostly. She was together with Ren, after all, that guy just being unable to properly stop Nora's outbursts of creative expression. He walked with Pyrrha towards where some of the cardio equipment had been arranged, Pyrrha putting in the important stuff for him whilst he watched, giving an encouraging smile. The treadmill was a good way to build stamina, he supposed... Or to get tired.

Something pinched his bottom and he glanced at Nora, who looked as innocent as she could, Ren merely giving him a placid look. A good guy, Ren. He didn't think he'd ever see the young man act out... or somewhat like it. He should get to know that part of his team better.

As he started at a light jog, he was aware that the feelings inside his chest continued to explode, the dark craving starting to pulse, as his heart beat faster with the exercise. By the time that sweat started to gush over his skin, it was already the pace of someone trying to improve, his eyes firmly pointed towards the future, a soft grunt coming from his mouth at the feelings that welled up deep inside him, a soft guttural sound that worked to put out a sound of his frustration.

"Are you alright?"

Weiss spoke from the side, his head turning to look at her. She looked adorable, as she should. Her eyes were on him and he smiled at her, encouragingly. She flushed a little, as her gaze went down.

"I'm not... I'm not here to laugh at you. That cow woman might be... But I don't want to laugh at my friend."

"Thank you, Weiss."

She smiled, with her eyes glinting softly as he thanked her. "You're amazing." A tender look, before she drew her attention to Pyrrha.

"Make sure that he has the best training, Pyrrha. He deserves it... Because..." She flushed even redder, her expression turned away, so he couldn't quite read the emotion there.

"Because he's Jaune Arc and he was selected to be a leader, just as I have a leader who is... fifteen." There was an emotion in that voice, as Weiss seemed to be a little tense.

"She'll be fine, Weiss. I was made a leader, wasn't I?"

Weiss turned to him, as the machine upped the pace. Blood flowed through his veins with a strong pulse, the sensation burning through his veins of power that lurked within him. The closeness with Weiss, the need that he felt to quench that dark desire inside her, all welled up. He upped the pace, as he let his mind wander for a while.

He wasn't the best leader, he knew. He hadn't been made the leader on martial skill, but rather on the skill of tactical insight, of being able to give orders and having them obeyed. He was a weak link in the team, but... that could be a strength on its own.

If he had enough force at the front, he would be able to deny the enemy a chance at him. With the mind intact, the body could function as he saw fit.

Mama had drilled him on some of the tactics required for managing large amounts of people, akin to some of the Great War's final battles before the Vacuan Blitz. It was something that had humbled him, yet there was also that hint of something inside him that made him feel different from those around him. The dark ocean of power continued to roil against the flame inside him, as he imagined what it would be like to lead his team into the dangers of the War...

Ren would be a good flanker, with his Semblance allowing him to come closer, whilst Nora and Pyrrha could take defence and offence for their own, whilst he just wielded the powers that Mama had given him.

Mama would want to be proud of him, he knew. He was going to make her proud, as the members of his team were proud. He could feel the living force inside him burn brightly, the darkness banished for a space around it, as the beep of the machine announced that it had been nearly thirty minutes of exercise. He had blanked out, and he came to see the looks of amusement from his team, Nora looking like she'd eaten something really nice, with her broad grin never flagging.

"Sooo... You want to make us proud, don't you?"

He must've said so aloud, as Weiss looked a little embarrassed. Pyrrha smiled at him, her smile radiant and warm.

"Every single one of my friends deserves to be proud. Thanks to your support, I will be the best leader that Beacon will see for decades. You'll be the best team that Beacon will see."

He wasn't boastful. He knew that an army was the sum of its fighters and the willpower of those in charge.

"That's the spirit."

Ren said, his face set in a manner that made him look almost wanting, if the dull pink eyes were any indication. "Our glorious leader." Nora's excited little squeal was enough, as she joined him on the treadmill, bumping against him.

"Now... Shower! We can't make you get too sticky! I'll wash your back!"

The offer was nice, but he knew that Nora and Ren were a thing. He wasn't going to disturb what had been fated since the time that they'd met.

"I'm able to wash myself, Nora."

He said, looking at her, Weiss looking at him shyly. "The last time I was in a bathroom, I had..." He smiled. "an interesting conversation."

Weiss flushed, even as he knew that his mama was an interesting conversation. Mama knew a lot of things, and he should talk with one of the teachers if they could get some time free for getting Saphron picked up from the airport.

"I've got to talk to a teacher about asking for us being released a little earlier, because my sister is coming home from Argus tomorrow... I'd like to see her."

Saphron was warm and nice, even if tragedy had struck her. She was one of his sisters that really cared much for the whole family, even if she was gay.

"I'll... I'll see whether I can arrange for something."

Pyrrha said, which was a kind gesture from her, but he shook his head.

"No, I'll have to do this on my own. A leader shouldn't let his partner do the work for him. A man should stand straight and look danger in the eyes, before he would let his woman be hurt, mama always said."

They all looked a little affected by that. Ren gave him one of those stoic looks of approval whilst Nora and Pyrrha made a little 'aww' sound, Weiss smiling brightly at him.

Weiss was really pretty when she smiled. He knew that already, but he thought about it again. "So, I'll hit the showers and then go to meet with Professor Goodwitch, see whether something can be arranged... Surely there's some sort of schedule for classes... people have that whole freedom of expression thing, I believe..." He was sure that it was in the Vytal charter or something. He'd do extra work to make up for it, if he had to.

---

Freshly showered and having his hair done up with a brush of the comb, he knocked on Professor Goodwitch's office door, the sound of a snappy voice from within telling him to enter. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open, aware that the teacher hadn't been happy with his performance in combat class. The look on the woman's face was stern as she looked at him, the seat in front of her occupied by the headmaster himself, the man currently raising a cup of hot chocolate to his lips.

"Mister Arc, a surprise to see you this early..."

The woman spoke, his attention going to the woman, a smile on his face.

"Miss Goodwitch, I was... well, you see..."

He straightened his back, trying to come to a short and swift conclusion. "My sister, she's returning from Argus, there was... there was an accident there and I'd like to request that my team be allowed some time off to leave school about an hour earlier. I'd... I'd like her to see all of us." It was an odd request, he knew, but he wanted Saphron to see the amazing people that he had on his team.

"Mister Arc, do you really imagine that we would give such dispensation to students and-" The headmaster's hand rose, as his head turned to look at him.

"Was that the accident involving a chain Dust explosion in the residential district, Mister Arc?"

He nodded, the man's frown light as he sighed.

"My condolences, Mister Arc."

The words meant little, as he felt himself drifting away for a brief instant.

---

"Daddy! Daddy, look! LOOK!"

The air circled around her as she looked at her daddy, the brush of wind through his pale hair like a comb flitting through the strands. A warm smile was on his face, as he looked at her. Best daddy in the world!

"That's wonderful, princess... Say, why don't you show mommy?"

The suggestion was great, but mommy was busy with the management of the peasants. She didn't want to disturb mommy, but daddy liked it.

"Master Ozma, shall I accompany the princess towards her mother, the God-Queen?"

The maid asked, as her daddy shook his head. Daddy was important for the army, mommy always said. That's why he wasn't around much. This maid with her silver eyes looked warmly at her daddy. That was a good thing, right? Everyone should love her daddy, because he was the best.

---

"It's... It's okay. She... She's just coming home."

He didn't know why he felt the pain inside him suddenly, as the man looked at him. "I spoke to her whilst she was in the hospital, she's... She's a mess, sir. Her partner was working and the baby... didn't make it." The man looked sympathetic. He wasn't like Mama, but he felt a bit like a father.

"My condolences. It is the start of the year, so it isn't like there are highly critical things to be spoken of in classes yet... So perhaps an exception can be made, Mister Arc. Do you have a good relationship with your sister?" The man sounded curious, his voice soft.

"She's one of the oldest... Well, there's still Rouge, who is a psychologist. Rouge is great." The man nodded, his gaze turning to his deputy.

"It'd be a rude thing to allow Mister Arc's sister to be merely accompanied by her sisters. We are still human, Glynda. As long as mister Arc promises to do the assigned coursework together with his team, I see no reason why they could not miss a class on..."

The man's Scroll pinged, calling up the schedule. "Grimm Studies, right? You know that Peter always takes the time to get to the good points, so..."

The woman gave him a look, as he saw the determined gaze rest on him. "Ensure that you and your team are back before curfew, Mister Arc. We'll overlook it for this time since it's only the first week of term... But do not make it a habit. You have the weekend for such expeditions, and special circumstances are not a privilege that will allow you to head into Vale on a whim."

He knew that he was going to be in hot water with the woman at any rate due to having to take time off for a visit to his sister, but it was important to him.

"I am sure that mister Arc would not wish to shame your confidence, Glynda. Why, he seems like an earnest soul..."

The headmaster's words were enough, as he let his fingers tap against the desk, the spider-like fingers dancing a little pattern. "Sometimes, a little has to be bent and at another time, a little has to be given. It is the journey that matters for the children, rather than the result." The words made little sense to him, but he remembered that the man would have made that into some sort of wisdom to impart.

"He is underwhelming in his capacity, Ozpin."

He winced. He wasn't quite sure that the woman would mention it, but now that she had, he did see it. "I would have to give him remedial classes for endurance at the very least, if I had the time." The man's eyes looked at him, a curiosity within them that Jaune seemed to find hard to shake.

"Oh? Do you think there is something wrong with your body, Mister Arc?"

The question felt dangerous, like there was some hint below it for him to see but not to take. It was a question that was deeper than he guessed at.

"My stamina is pretty bad, sir. It's been bad since I was... sick."

The man's eyes looked at him with an expression of care. It was almost paternal, and he-

"It's going to be fine, princess... It's just the flu."

Her daddy was looking at her with care in his eyes, his fingers tracing over her cheeks. A sniffle and a cough, the burn in her throat continuing to ache. She didn't like it much.

"It's going to be fine... You'll be fine."

The words offered comfort, as she knew little of the burdens that he faced, except that big sister always said that daddy was at war. Why was he away at war? She liked the flower crown that she wore... Daddy should come home more often. Playing with the maids wasn't fun...

Knew that the man cared, at least on some level. "My health's been poor... And, well..." He smiled, somewhat self-deprecating. He knew that there would be little sympathy for him from the teachers, but it was worth a gamble. "If I don't make sure that there's someone who's going to be a Huntsman to put food on the table for the family, there'd be a lot of hungry mouths to feed."

"Personal circumstances are no need for us to feel pity, Mister Arc. Shape up or be expelled."

The words were harsh, as the headmaster looked at him, his eyes watching him carefully. "We expect nothing but the best of the people who study at this academy."

He knew that, and he glanced away. "I'm going to try. Ruby said that she'd gotten in on merit despite being two years too young, so I'll do my best." He could see the deputy of the headmaster look fiercely at her boss, the man smiling at him.

"Indeed, indeed... Mister Arc, I do hope to see some progress soon. Everyone needs some time to adjust to new surroundings." There was a mollifying tone to his voice, Professor Goodwitch giving him a look which meant ill.

"Thank you, Professor Goodwitch, Headmaster Oz-...pin." He was polite, even though he felt the strange urge to call the man Ozma. He'd nearly slipped up.

It mattered not, at this moment in time. He had gotten permission and he would make sure that Saphron saw his team, because they were all amazing.

He pulled his Scroll out once he was at an isolated spot, pressing the number that corresponded with Tyrian, the ringing going twice before it was answered. "Master Jaune? It is a touch unfortunate that you call me at this time, I was just-"

"Be at the docks to pick me and the rest of my team up. We're going to see my sister get off the plane at the airport and you will assist her with anything that she needs."

Someone was screaming, but Jaune did not find it in his heart to really care. It sounded like a young man screaming for help... The lack of care didn't even astonish him. "Selene said that I was to use your services as I saw fit, Mister Callows. I would hope that a refresher wouldn't be necessary... lest I grow displeased with you?"

The man's voice was like a whine as he heard that, Jaune's lips curling into a dark smile. The man understood now. He was not going to let the man get away with another assassination. If the leash was too long, it would need to be shortened.

"Indeed, Master. I will assure you that there will be a car waiting with yours truly there to properly ensure that your sister will be retrieved, swiftly, swiftly..."

There was another scream, and the gurgle as the man seemed to end the scream. "And I will need to find a new morsel... Such a pity, such a pity... But yes, yes... This Tyrian will ensure that the Master is pleased, yes." The smile on Jaune's face showed as he turned the camera on, his eyes looking into the camera, a deep dark crimson streaking through the blue.

"Good. Mama may be displeased... But I know that you'll be willing to work to get in my good graces, right?" The words had meaning, as he saw the camera click on, Tyrian's face there, blood-splatters clinging to the skin. Yellow eyes looked at him, as he nodded, the braid bobbing up and down.

"Yes, Master Jaune. Let us... let us create a wonderful thing together."

The man's smile was too broad, as his eyes flashed with that glow of mania, sure that they would gaze upon him with murder in their eyes once more.

"Indeed."

He shut the Scroll down, not really interested in what the man was doing at that moment, save for the fact that the message had been communicated. He had a team to tell the good news to. That would be wonderful.

---

"Jaune... can I... can I talk to you for a moment?"

Weiss said, her expression looking a touch more serious than before, his smile easy, as he watched her, her petite form looking as beautiful as it always did.

"Your... your partner said that you had... issues."

She looked down. Hesitation warred on her face. He moved in, gently cupping her cheek with his hand and leaning down. The warmth flooded inside the dark ocean, blazing flames licking at the darkness.

"And... and I want to help. If... if I can, that is. If you... want me t-"

He silenced her with a kiss, her blue eyes looking into his own, as she kissed him back, a low moan coming from her lips. "Thank you, Weiss." He smiled, as he brushed his hand down to her neck, giving it a squeeze.

A collar might suit her, as she moaned like an animal in heat. She was such a pretty girl... such a good friend... A girl who he would like to keep around, as he knew that mama had said something about a prince requiring a harem...

"I... I think I love you."

The words were soft, as she looked at him imploringly, and the gaze she sent was brittle and frail, like an old lady with brittle bones at a tricky staircase during the rainy season with frost on the steps.

"It's... It's silly, isn't it?"

Her voice was small, as she hoped with those beautiful eyes. She hoped so much that it would be true, that he would love her back and that there would be a happy ending...

His mama's face came to his mind, even as he sighed slowly. Mama wouldn't want him to immediately strike out... He knew that this was too quick, the girl might just be mistaking feelings of friendship for love. "Weiss, come." He said, taking her hand. She followed him like a meek lamb. A thought of taking her to the nearest place where they could be intimate rose, but he denied it existence. He opened the door with his Scroll to the electronic lock, opening the dorm, spotting Nora and Ren busy with some sort of game of chess, the black and white stones laid out there, Pyrrha looking a little curious as she watched him.

"Guys, I'm sorry but... Do you think you can give us five minutes, maybe ten?"

Weiss looked pitiful, her eyes looking at him as if he'd torn the rug from under her feet. She didn't look like the beautiful girl that he considered to be a wonderful friend.

"That's one hell of a quickie, Glorious leader! There better not be semen on my pillow when I get back!"

He gave Nora a smack to her rump as punishment, her soft shriek of displeasure silenced as Ren ushered her out. Nora was just a wilful girl that teased, just like his sisters did.

"We'll be back with some snacks. Do tell how that conversation with professor Goodwitch went when you're done with her."

There was an emotion in Pyrrha's face, a dark one that he could feel as her emerald eyes looked at Weiss with a warning look.

"I'll tell you later then." A smile on his lips as he glanced into Weiss' eyes, the girl's attention riveted at him, as he motioned towards the bed.

"Take a seat, please."

She did as he asked. Lithe body moving with elegant steps, like a dancer who was to move to her appointed place on the stage, eyes looking into his own with barely veiled anticipation. The door clicked shut, as he waited for the right words to come.

"It's not silly that you think you love me, Weiss."

He smiled, as he sat down on the bed next to her, her eyes looking at him, as his arm wrapped around her. He could feel the urge rising to press her down, to claim her like the woman she was, to defile her once more with horrid filthy things of a sensual nature.

"It's... It's natural."

He smiled, looking into her eyes. Her lips opened and closed, as she leaned up, pressing against his own in a soft manner, a gentle lip-lock that she broke. Her heart was beating faster and faster, as she looked at him.

"You might just be infatuated. I don't mind being with you, Weiss... But I can't say that I love you."

Her eyes were surprised, yet understanding. She looked sad. "We've known each other for a week... and whilst I know that you mean well... I want you to be happy." She smiled softly, though there were tears in her eyes. "Now, don't take that as a sign of me denying you, Weiss... We've not known each other for long enough."

"But... But... You make me happy. I'm not so alone anymore..." She wanted to say more. Her lips moved and no sound came out, as he pulled her against his chest. It was a soft exhale, a pathetic sound that his mind suggested that he squash like a bug, but he was aware of the feelings that she felt.

"Let's be friends first, Weiss. I'm not... I'm not so very good at being a Huntsman." He was honest about his capabilities. Weiss hissed.

"But you will be! I know you will be. You're just... You're just finding your footing."

Her eyes looked into his own, a delicate twist to her gaze that held so much care and love within her eyes, as he leaned down and kissed her nose. "Don't abandon me... Please..." Her hand tangled within his shirt, tugging on it. "Please, Jaune..."

"You're amazing, Weiss. You're such a good girl."

She seemed to preen at those words, her eyes looking at him with a delicate glow, as she inhaled sharply. "And I don't want to deny you your friendship with your team... They don't... they don't really approve." The words were natural, as he looked into her eyes. He could see the doubt within them, the fear that he was going to leave.

"They'll... They'll always complain. I'm... I'm better than they are, I had more training, I am..."

He placed a finger against her lips. The urge to press her down he squashed, knowing that his team didn't want that.

"You might've had more training, you might've been better equipped, but they are your team. I don't want you to fight with your team. So what if Ruby is younger, so what if Yang looks like she wants to eat me up and spit me out? They're still your teammates... and you shouldn't be relying on me solely. I'm..." He paused for a moment, as emotions worked through his system.

"I nearly died last night."

Her eyes went wide, her frantic look enough, as he pulled the shirt open. The blackened spot around the heart where the Dust crystal had been discharged was still there, the skin slowly mending. "An assassin decided to test me..." He left out the part where it had been a man he knew that had tested him. "Pyrrha was able to fight him off, but..."

"But you didn't fully escape." Her voice was soft, as she seemed to be aware of the life and death efforts. "They... She shocked you back to life?" There was a tenderness in her voice, as her eyes leaked tears.

"I'm not... I'm not that healthy."

He said, putting a sad smile on his face. He knew that to win Weiss over, he would need to make sure that she believed him... A measure of the truth, sprinkled with a measure of half-truth.

"My aura is... maybe a quarter of what people have." He knew that she would listen, he knew that she would care. He could feel her quiver, as her eyes looked into his own, waiting for his words.

"You were untrained... You've... You've only just had your Aura unlocked. Maybe it'll grow?" He smiled at her.

"The only thing that'll be growing when I see you is in my pants, Weiss... No, jokes aside..." She had turned red, as her gaze turned away, a smile teasing at her lips. "I'm... I'm not able to take many hits."

"I'll... No, that wouldn't work."

She looked thoughtful, as if she were contemplating something. Her eyes went to him and she smiled. "You're a good friend, Jaune... What we... well, what we do together, is..."

His smile warmly met hers, as he nodded. "We'll still be able to make love together, Weiss. I don't abandon my friends." She smiled at him, kissing him, her fingers brushing over the burn mark on his chest.

"G-good... I... I like you. It's not love... but... I am fond of you. Please..." Her fingers dropped down, stroking over his groin. "Can we... Maybe? Later tonight? I'm..." She smiled at him, almost conspiratorially.

"I want to show the virgin with the cow tits that there's a real woman in the room with her. Make it loud... So she'll stop her teasing." That was the smile that he liked. The smile that he fought to protect, even though he was...

He realized it at the moment that she smiled at him. Was he... was he really feeling this? Was this a reality that he had or was he merely adrift?

The warmth inside him, the heat that kept the dark ocean at bay, it all spiralled around that empty ocean and the warmth that contained it. It was not a touch of a lover, but a mere cycle of anguish and hate, the thirst for destruction inside him. His eyes looked into hers, and he pressed her down to the bed.

She didn't struggle. Her smile broadened, as her lips pressed against his own in a sweet kiss. It was the lure of something dangerous, a beast inside him that was untamed. The darkness swelled around him, as he felt his manhood threaten to burst from his groin. Her dainty hand brushed over his groin, as she smiled at him.

"Later... Alright?"

He knew that he would have to wait, but...

It was with pain in his head that he pulled away, getting up. Tremors went through his body, as he had almost... he'd almost...

"Are you okay? I'm not-" He groaned, grabbing his head. Was this the right thing? Did he need to... be like this? He was going to be a hero, not...

"Just... Just... It's okay, don't worry." She looked worried. He felt the darkness inside him recoil and twist. Mama was...

---

"I love you, mama. You're such a wonderful queen."

She knew that it was so. Mama always had the best of intentions for the whole world! She was going to be Queen one of these days, when she was fully grown.

She knew little of what mama and papa did, save that they did right. It was the divine right within their blood that governed everything, mama had said.

"I know, my sweet... It is a harsh task, but we are those who have the vision to see the common folk thrive..."

She knew that she would learn how to be a queen too. She was a princess and she was the eldest. She was going to show mommy that she could make light too! It was going to be her gift to mommy.

---

He shook his head again. Pain flashed through his mind.

'I'm not her... I'm not... Selene. No...'

"Jaune, pl-" A blast of wind suspended her in the air, as the darkness smothered the flame. He was in control, he was... he was his own person.

He could see Weiss' frightened eyes, as the power fed through his veins like a dark ichor, as he straightened out, his head shaking. "Alright, deep breaths... Deep breaths, calm..." The wind lessened, letting her drop down onto the bed. The bedsprings creaked. "You're Jaune Arc, you're seventeen and you're not..."

"Jaune, listen... You're..." He heard Weiss, as he took deep breaths, the power inside him shrinking away, as the flame inside him roared to life. He felt the power fade from his veins, as he sagged, the warmth inside his flesh starting once more.

"You're okay... Whatever this is..."

He groaned, feeling her touch him. "I'm... I'm sorry." He wasn't a hero... He felt... He felt sick. A hero didn't want to hurt, a hero didn't want to be... like this. "It's... it's something my mama gave me... A..."

"Semblance? Jaune... It's okay."

Her voice was soft, understanding. He felt the darkness inside him swell once more, as he felt the veins in his body burn, as he turned around. Her eyes were fearful, as he held up a hand. Pale skin, black veins running through the flesh. Eyes that were the colour of red blood, desiring to corrupt and destroy.

"Do you think this is okay, Weiss?"

His voice was angry, as he felt the urge to smack her rise. She spoke against him...

"My Semblance is inherited too... It doesn't change who you are."

Her eyes were moist, as she hugged him. "It doesn't change... anything. No matter what... I... I like you." He was crying, as he was held by her.

"I want to be a hero..."

He said, his body shivering. "My mama..." He wasn't sure anymore. The first instinct was to go to her, to hope that things would be okay... "I'm... I'm..." Her soft shushing was light, as she guided him to the bed. It looked still perfectly, thanks to whatever solid construction had been made to create it.

"You're okay. I'm... Even I was scared when my Semblance activated... My sister..."

There was a dark feeling in her, as she held him close. "She left. She left me and I had to... perform. I taught myself, and... and then you came." Her voice was dark, depressive. "You... You were so crude, so... so arrogant... But... but you didn't see me as Weiss Schnee."

"You are Weiss, not just Weiss Schnee." Her hands pulled him closer. "I'm... I'm sorry. I just wanted to be... I wanted to be..."

She kissed him. A gentle kiss, a softness of her lips. He felt the warmth of her body against him, as her eyes teared, drops hitting his cheek. "Silly boy... No matter what... I'm not sorry. I chose you. I wanted you to... I... I might've r- done it with coercion, but... I wanted it."

He looked at her. His red eyes looked into her pale blue. "Even if I needed to... touch, to keep alive? I'm... I'm not sure I can..." Her lips pressed to his own again.

"It's okay. You may need it, but... But I'll be glad to help. It'd really annoy Yang... She's not happy with things." He supposed that she wouldn't. His mama... Selene... She'd been a guiding light during his days, but with her gift...

The dark urge came inside him, as he heard the door open. He was aware that his team was coming in, but he looked into her eyes. Could he trust her? Would she be someone he could put his faith in... Mama had... Mama must've...

No... He would be a hero, and he would use the power that she had given him. It was his. He knew that she meant well, and from the memories... She had been a glorious queen. No matter what had happened between her and her husband.

He was... He'd ingested her blood, he'd inherited her magic... he'd survived. He was...He was Jaune Arc. He was a hero.

She was his Mama. She was to be trusted... She was... "I'm sorry." He whispered, the silence that had fallen enough for him, as he laid down on the bed, peering at the ceiling. It was perhaps the morose state that he was in, as Weiss gently brushed over his cheek with a hand.

"No... Having a Semblance that makes you a bit different is okay... I..." He had taken her. He had despoiled her, and she had liked it. She was such a friend that forgave him...

"It's okay. No matter what, we'll be here for you. We're a team..."

Pyrrha's voice came from his side, as he felt bitterness in his throat. He was a fake, a forgery, perhaps even a saddled creation that had been made by mistake.

He'd... He'd just not noticed. He'd been... not a hero. He'd lied and... "It's okay, Jaune... You want to do good." He wanted to do good, yes... But he'd been manipulating them... He'd been...

'But what if... what if I was...'

He was weak. Weaker than most. It would make sense that he would need to guard himself with those more able to protect him. He'd been told...

"You're a good person. You've got my trust."

Ren's voice was soft, light and so wonderful. A Semblance washed over him and he felt the darkness slide away. He felt clear of mind and looked at them. His team. Weiss. They were to be trusted...

"Thanks."

He said, smiling at them. He was sure that it looked horrific, but he knew that they would care for him as he would care for them. "That means... That means a lot. I was... The Semblance, it's... it's given me memories of dead people."

"That happens... Sometimes we bear the memories of people who we once cared for."

Ren's voice was soft, as he looked at him. Jaune could almost see tears in the young man's eyes. "I've... I've noticed that about you, Jaune. You care for us... And the look in your eyes when you looked at Winchester..."

"Rennie notices. Rennie always is a good scout." The words were calm and quiet, as Nora spoke. "We've... We're okay, even if you were just using us. I trust Rennie's word."

"You're a good person. Sometimes... Sometimes a good person needs to do things that aren't always... legal." The words were soft, as Ren looked at him. "I like you, Jaune. You're someone who cares. You'd have our back. Pyrrha told us about the... man."

The young man meant Tyrian. A man who was obviously a killer, if Jaune knew it. It had sounded so nice, back when Mama had been with him, but... now...

'No... If he is a tool to be used... Mama said that I could use him.'

A good tool did not rust. He would make use of the man, and he would... He would deal with mama. If it was just the shock from those memories, the...

"Jaune, listen... We're a team. Everyone's got their own personal demons." Jaune looked at them, his gaze meeting theirs. He knew that Mama would be upset, that she would be... irate. He...

He firmed up. He wasn't going to be a quivering child. He was Jaune Arc, and he loved his family and he loved his team. "I'm... I'll..." He felt ashamed for the first time since he had gotten the gift. Was he really so far gone in this delusion of being a good son that he had forgotten that he wasn't the woman's son?

Rouge's advice rose to his mind, but he didn't dwell on it... There was more to say, more to do... They were his team. He looked at them and smiled.

"I'll try to do better, even if I need to make the hard choices. For all of you."

He was sure that they would accept it. If he... He could control the darkness inside him. He knew he could, the flame of his life burning brighter and brighter. The ocean had receded and there was a warmth inside him.

Weiss kissed his lips gently again, her eyes warm and friendly, just as she should. She was no whimpering, needy girl... on the outside. "That's all I ask... 'friend'." She smiled.

"Group hug!"

And then Nora gave a hug. He felt better... even with the ghostly memories coming to the fore at times. Ren joined in, together with Pyrrha, and he received the rather unique sensation of someone rubbing over his groin.

He thought for a moment that it might've been Ren, but Nora was wiggling, giggling somewhat loudly. It must be Nora, even as Pyrrha's smile reached her eyes. They were his team and he was their leader... magic or not. If he had to be a man, if he had to fight to guard himself from the maddening whispers and the power...

'If I am to be blessed with the powers that Mama has, then let me be blessed. I accepted it, I accepted her as a Mama and I will stand by my decisions. Saphron will be home soon... and I will make sure that she is received warmly.'

Saphron would be back, he would... comfort her, if he could. He didn't know if he could, even as Weiss whispered in his ear.

"How's it feel to be sandwiched by tons of girls, hmm?"

It felt kind of good. The hand that was stroking over his groin seemed to increase its motions, as he felt the warmth of the flame blaze through him.

He would be a hero...

His blonde hair was visible in the reflection in the eyes of Nora, as she squeezed just a touch harder. No sign of Mama's visage... and the dark thoughts returned...

'A moment of weakness...'

The urge to violate these girls, no, these women and this young man rose, as his manhood bucked against the stroking hand, his hips pushing up. Pyrrha noticed, sending a look at Nora, who grinned.

"I love you for accepting me."

He was sincere in that feeling. Just as with his Mama, he felt the love for them grow. They were his team, they were his partners and they were his friends and... and if he fell into the darkness and become a cold and hateful existence that forgot even the things that mattered the most, he would be glad to find their company in the darkness with him.

"Friend... I still am expecting that you fill me up in the bathroom, making me scream."

Weiss said, as he untangled himself. His manhood was hard, and he looked at Ren.

"A bit of help here, buddy?" He caught the smile on the Mistralian, as a hand touched him and the numbness of emotion made his manly sword go down. He caught sight of a blush on Pyrrha's face, as Weiss smiled at him.

"He's a good one, don't you think? "

It was crass to say, but... Pyrrha nodded.

"I couldn't have wished for someone better." That made him smile.

*WEISS LEWD STUFF GO TO ARCHIVE*

*Weiss Lewd be done*

He looked at her and kissed her again. The urge of possessiveness rose inside him, yet he fought it down. He wasn't like... he wasn't like some vile tyrant... He was a hero. She breathed at him, as she got up, grabbing a sponge and rubbing it over his body. It was sufficient to clean his body, the taint still felt inside him.

"Thank you for... well... believing in me."

He whispered into her ear, a soft smile playing on her lips, her hair plastered against her face, her eyes looking up at him as she reached for his neck, pulling herself up and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"You're worth it, Jaune. Don't ever think you aren't... Because the Gods know that you're worth it." He could feel the distance between him and her fading.

The Gods... They had abandoned humanity.

"Why?"

Her voice reached to the heavens, as she stood there, her body wrapped within the black shroud that she had woven herself, the empty world looking like it had once more wrapped itself in a blanket of darkness.

The gravesite before her was something magnificent, an edifice carved with the power of her blood and her might, the gift of the God of Darkness still within her veins, as her birthright had been. She had been born with the divine gift to rule, and to be ruled by none.

"Why would you do this to me?"

Her voice was soft, the emptiness only allowing her to look at the world with the dark shades. The puddles reflected her features back at her, a pale face and red eyes, eyes as red as the blood that would not spill.

The power inside her burned. It burned with spite and hate and will, and it raged inside her. The Gods had abandoned her! They had abandoned the world that they had seeded with life, as the stories had claimed. She had but asked for one thing, one simple thing that they had been able to grant!

Her husband, her beloved one... Her... Ozma.

His name was carved within the stone, the statue that she had lovingly crafted over tens of years, each year having brought a new gemstone to bedeck the ancient work... A monument to him that would last for as long as she would, to remember that which she had lost. She had lost a husband... she had lost everything. She had not even had children with him...

She so wanted to have children... To show the world that the bloodline remained unbroken by the test of time... Something small and helpless to nourish and love, even as the hate and thirst for destruction warred inside her.

He could feel her emotions, the dark ocean smothering his flame once more. He could feel what she felt, he could feel her pain... Mama had not... lied.

He was Jaune Arc, son of Ashton, brother to seven wonderful sisters. He was Jaune Arc, blood-child to Selene Umbra... and...

And that was alright too. He was still who he thought he was...

'No matter what...'

He was crying, he noticed. Bloody tears leaked from his eyes, as Weiss held the kiss, a lengthy moment of a slow inhale and exhale, a sudden shudder that wracked his form, a lengthy exhale, the sensation tingling across his spine, as he watched her open her eyes.

"You're my dark and handsome man again... Jaune."

It was a term of endearment, he knew... and he supposed that with this gift... He'd better make sure that he served the world...

He was his Mama's prince...

"Remember... Three steps to the left, then bow. Offer your hand and he will be there for you."

The instructions had been clear and she had performed well. It had been easy, the boy that was her partner for this dance nervous, yet they danced. Mama had looked happy. Her eyes weren't as cool as when she was busy with reigning the country...

He was damned by this gift... But he would be a Huntsman who would care for his family. Selene might have helped him... But he was not going to demand her help.

"A prince of darkness..."

His voice was breathy, richer and more mature, as he felt the darkness slither from the flame, as his pale hand touched over her pale skin, seizing her finger and then drawing her hand up. A sweep, as his hands grabbed a hold of her, drawing her from the shower.

"A dance, for a princess."

He moved, guiding her. They were naked, yet they were not fussed. As her body was in motion, he smiled. She laughed, as he did. It was a moment of happiness...

Right before Ruby Rose opened the door. "We-Oh-go-" The door slammed shut, as Ruby disappeared just as swiftly as she'd come, Weiss laughing aloud.

"Oh... That was perhaps a touch cruel, Jaune..."

He felt amused, as he looked at her happy smiling face.

'A laugh, a tear... a body that is as fresh as the spring that had come...'

He liked her. She accepted him... And he knew that he would be the best. If his Mama had been a queen... Then he would be a prince. Jaune Arc, son of Ashton, adopted child of Selene Umbra by blood and magic...

He was going to seize the world and make sure that nobody harmed what was his.

Saphron was going to come home and he would make sure that not a hair on her head was harmed. It was a pity that the child of her partner was slain in the explosion...

But it had not borne the blood of his family.

That was what was really important. The Arc family, a generation of warriors to rear another generation of warriors... would not made into something disreputable. He would make his family proud, he would make it so that his father would acknowledge him...

He dressed after towelling off, looking at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes glowing faintly with a deep crimson glow before the blue replaced the red. Weiss smiled at him, and all would be alright.

He pushed open the door, coming face-to-face with Yang... or rather, face-to-crown-of-her-head. His eyes met hers, as he waited for her to speak.

"You two have some nerve to do something like that, right here and now!"

He wasn't having this conversation with her. "Are you jealous? I'm sorry, but we're both consenting to the acts..." He heard the brunette teammate give a soft chuckle, her eyes looking at him. The blonde seemed to grow more irate, as she worked up steam. Ruby looked at him with her evil silver eyes, the pain still searing through his body with every glance of his that met her eyes.

"That's not a thing to do in a bathroom! We've got to shower there too!"

He looked into her eyes, a grin on his face as he heard Weiss emerge from the bathroom behind him, undoubtedly ready to tear into the blonde.

"We do use condoms... I don't know what sort of freaky sex acts you've been party to, but..."

She punched him in the chest, pain blossoming in his chest. He felt his Aura break, or whatever that sensation was, as the pain came to his heart, staggering back.

Weiss bristled. "Stop that at ONCE. Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Her worry was normal, he supposed, as he coughed, feeling the blood well up in his mouth. Something had hurt, and it'd hurt plenty.

"Fine... I don't think I need my heart restarted again today... Once was bad enough..." He gave her a weak smile, feeling utterly shit, Weiss turning her gaze on her teammate.

"Keep those hands off him, Xiao-Long. I don't know in which barn your mother shat you out, but I am not going to let you hurt my friend. He's a wonderful young man who is... who is better than most of the ruffians that partake of your talents in some grimy back alley!"

Her anger showed through in the heat of her voice, as the blonde drew herself up, ready to take to the field with a slew of verbal insults, or physical attack.

"It's okay, it's okay... I'm unhurt..."

He hurt, but he wouldn't let this come between their team. The blonde looked at him, her teeth gritting and her mouth about to let loose, when her team leader and younger sister came in-between.

"It was just dancing... right? Naked dancing, and he was... leading. That's... that's new, isn't it?"

It was a feeble excuse, yet Yang looked at him with a look that spoke of murderous thoughts. He could feel the darkness inside him bubble and boil, the ocean wrapping around the flame, the power already coming to his hands. He could easily blast her through a few walls, the power beckoning its use.

'The anger within her burns and tempestuous gusts of wrath inside her boil the temper to a fine trigger... with a single push, her life will forever change...'

She was angry, angry at him, her sister not dimming her anger. "We were dancing, indeed. Weiss is... She's wonderful. I... I'm so happy I met her." There was a tenderness in the girl's eyes, as he looked at Weiss, Ruby giving a little sniffle.

"Just like in the storybooks... True love."

He winced. He couldn't call it love... but he could call it appreciation. He wasn't sure whether he felt real love for her, or the drive to desecrate all that made her Weiss.

"He's... He's a close friend. It's..." Weiss smiled. "It's so nice, just wrapped in his arms. It's safety. Father... Father wasn't always kind." He smiled at Weiss.

"You should be the apple of his eye. I know that..." He sighed. "I know that I wasn't. My father didn't agree with me becoming a Huntsman." The man had spanked and punished him time and time again. He knew that his sisters supported him, but the man never would...

"You're... You're probably mad that I made your sister see... things."

He sighed deeper, as he knew that this part would be tough. "I'm sorry, Yang." She looked surprised, before her face firmed.

"I'm sorry, but... Don't you think it's better that Ruby sees something like this before someone convinces her it's okay to do it with her?"

He knew that it was a long shot, but Violet had been somewhat broad in her explanation of the naughty bits and pieces. How a woman could pleasure another woman had been explained in detail.

"Whatever asshole lays a hand on my sister is going to feel Ember Cecilia give his face a bukakke of Fire Dust." The thought was unpleasant, as he supposed that she meant her weapon with that.

"But what if you're in the hospital? What if she's curious?"

He tried, knowing that it would resonate. He felt bad, but Yang didn't seem the type to hesitate to pound him into paste if he did the wrong thing. It felt somewhat wrong... but it was needed.

"Yang, I'm fifteen! I can do things on my own!"

Ruby piped up, as Yang looked horrified at the thought.

"No, you can't! You won't! Not..."

He sighed, trying to affect his sigh with an understanding. It was important to make them see that Ruby was more than just a fifteen-year-old girl.

"It's okay... Weiss... Weiss was the first girl I made love to." The technical definition fit. Mama was still a woman... She used to be... No, she was.

"I was... probably way too clumsy. We did it like Faunus in heat and she was screaming at my father to leave us alone..." He grinned, as he remembered that. "And my sisters, the twins, were surprised when she hissed at them that I was good for orgasm eight, nine and ten... Right, Weiss?"

The pale-haired girl's grin was smugger, as she winked. "Yes, I suppose I was not at my best." She blushed a little. "Not that you weren't amazing, of course."

He smiled at her, knowing that she was right. "But... I'd like it if we can just... y'know, bury the hatchet?"

Yang looked at him with a particular look that still seemed to reek of the thought of bloodshed, Ruby turning her gaze away. It was clear that Ruby didn't want to comment on it, as Yang looked at him with an aggressive look.

'To turn that gaze to someone else, to enact a massacre...'

"I don't want you looking at my sister with those eyes! I know you've got something going on with her partner, and I'm sure that you'd want to have that fantasy of a harem, like most boys do." The words weren't that unusual. He would've done the same, if he had been in her position. She reminded him a little of Beryl, his older sister.

"And what is preventing others from looking at her with those eyes? I'm weak. I'm not going to be able to fight her off with just my Aura to guard me. She can beat me in ten seconds." He wasn't afraid to admit it, his eyes looking into Yang's, a determination rising. He felt the darkness inside him bubble, the flame lit up with a fiery conflagration.

"What's preventing Cardin from grabbing her and making sure that she's the team toy, hmmm?"

His dislike for the other red-haired team leader was already affirmed, as Yang's eyes turned a deep red. Weiss shivered, as his fingers traced over her. "It'd be easy... Just a little something in her drink, and then... poof. My older sister had something like that happen... If it hadn't been for Saph being the drink guard, she'd no doubt have no recollection of it."

"That won't happen!"

Yang's voice reached higher octaves, as she grit her teeth. There was unrestrained anger in those eyes, anger that he felt was empowering to him.

"And you'd drink the juice for her? Do you want to be a victim, Yang?" He asked, as his hand brushed over Weiss' arm, sliding down. Warmth flowed into the dark ocean, the flame slowly emerging once more. "I think not."

"It's not uncommon for drinks to be guarded... There's a lot of people who would wish to have a nice and warm body for the night, heedless of the consequences..." The silent member of team RWBY spoke up, Yang looking at him with an expression like she was going to pounce on him.

"Still!" She didn't back down. He squared his shoulders.

"Why should I have an interest in your younger sister whilst I have a beautiful partner and another at my dorm? Do you think your sister so beautiful that she is able to stand together with a set of seventeen-year-olds that've got a D cup and a high C?" Yang's face twisted. "Do I look like I want to lay a hand on your little sister? No offence intended, Ruby."

"He's got taste, Xiao-Long. He deserves nothing but the best of the best." He glanced at Weiss, who looked oddly smug. It was something of a girl thing, he imagined.

"I don't... eh, I don't mind."

Ruby said, even as Yang looked at him with a cross expression on her face. Ruby's words didn't seem to have the intended effect.

"I like her though. She's a friend, even if she's got an odd taste in weapons." Ruby puffed herself up.

"Crescent Rose is going to beat you up, you... you... Tall blonde!" Her declaration was met with a grin, as he could imagine it.

"Looking forward to it, Ruby." He knew that she wasn't-

The flash of silver eyes made his body shake. He had forgotten the effect that it'd had on him, as he gripped his chest, doubling over in pain. He shuddered a little, trying to make his heart stop hurting.

'Note to self... Get her sunglasses or something.'

"Are you alright? Do you need to lie down?" He could hear Weiss' concern, as he breathed in and out. "Look at what you did, Xiao-Long! Do you want him to die?"

"Hey! It wasn't my fault that he's weak."

The urge to silence her with magic welled up. He could explode her lungs, make her body splatter all over the walls. She was a girl who breathed, so she would breathe no more with the power that was within his blood.

"It's... it's okay. I think I need to lie down in my bed for a bit..."

He felt his heartbeat slow down again, feeling the darkness creep around the flame.

"You're pathetic."

The words hit hard, as he suppressed the urge to blast her with flame.

"I have sisters who are fiercer than you." He said in return, as he walked, half-staggering, to the door. He felt the pain, as Weiss supported him. She led him into his dorm, her eyes concerned.

"She's... She's going to get it. She has no right to call you pathetic... not... Not because she can't get a man herself. She has the looks, but her will is weak."

He could have said the same about Weiss, with her plea for him to make love to her loudly, but it was not something that he wished to dwell on.

"I'm okay. Thanks, Weiss." She smiled, a sweet and gentle smile, her hand brushing through her hair, which was still somewhat damp.

"You're my... special friend, yes. I won't let anyone harm my friends."

He smiled at her, the knowledge that she was important enough for him.

Sleep came easier now that he knew that he was special in someone's eyes. Mama was... not going to be a subject to think about for now. He had to see his older sister. She was the one who mattered, as did his family.

He was Jaune Arc-Majesticus.

---

Salem allowed herself the brief liberty of a smile as the assassin stepped aboard the plane, the woman's job already charted out. It would be time for her to obtain her apprentice, even as the world turned itself around once more.

The girl, Saphron, would already be flying by now, the special flight that she'd booked for the woman on one of her own personal aircraft allowed to transfer her towards the Kingdom of Vale, even as Salem was left behind.

It had been an unusual surprise to see the concern in the girl's eyes, she mused, though the loss of control that she had when she had mentioned a suspicion that the man had laid a hand on her Jaune...

'Disgusting and wrong. No man should lay with a man!'

She had her values. She knew her right in the world, the right to rule over it all and be the goddess that this world needed. To imagine that her beautiful boy would have been ravished by the uncouth brute that had provided the seed to put him into this world, to imagine such a thing...

'Disgusting.'

She was a woman of high quality. She did not bend the knee to anyone who stood before her, nor did she flinch when the need came to pass for harsh measures to be taken.

Saphron Arc had called her mama as well. It was her right, as she had been accepted. A girl, cast adrift on the despair-laden tide on a raft made of the shambles of her life. It had been a casualty of circumstance, a mere whimper of the bang that it could have been...

But there had been no woman who belonged to the line of Arc who had stood there, tearfully hugging her goodbye after the shelter had released them, the eyes moist and the embrace lasting for more than a minute.

It had not been faked in its nature, she could tell. Saphron Arc had found no solace in her father and her mother would be utterly devastated to learn that her dear husband had raped a woman. Saphron saw the truth in the world of the lies now...

Just as she should. Saphron Arc was now adrift...

'A brother to find shelter with, in a world that has been ripped apart... A mother who would care for her, whilst her own flounders...'

It was such an easy task to worm the cracks open more, to see that look of acceptance in her eyes... And so much rage. Saphron Arc smouldered with rage and frustration and wrath...

The girl must've recalled more of the bad memories that Absinthe had uncovered...

'And when you will find yourself adrift...'

A notification on her Scroll, a contact that'd been added only a week before, when the plan had been crafted...

Saphron: 'The flight is nice... Thank you for arranging it, mama.'

A smile on her lips, as she brushed her fingers over the keys, her eyes looking at the aircraft as it slowly took off, the sight of the circumstance enough to ensure a moment of peace.

Saphron was a sweetheart...

S.: 'Anything for the sister of a boy that managed to wrench open my cold heart, my dear.'

A light smile teased along her lips at the thought of her dear girl returning home to her family... the seeds had already been sown within the girl's mind... Who could she trust of her family? Who would wish to know that their father had ravished a benefactor in a drunken haze?

The simple mortals were so easily led astray by the promises of power, the promises of pain... delightful things that did not touch someone such as her in the slightest.

Saphron: 'Thank you... I wish that you were here with me.'

The girl could have her wish, yet her destination was Atlas, departing in an hour's time. She had things to ensure... her dear boy would need some groundwork, and she just so happened to know of a special arrangement...

It would be such a shame to let his liaison with miss Schnee be merely something... regular. The girl might have been born in a family which had held a certain level of power... But that was not enough to be fit for the woman who would be a part of the royal family as a concubine at most.

The girl's father might need... convincing.

S.: 'I will be in Vale in a month and a half. Let's go and pick out a nice dress for you, my sweet darling Saphron.'

Her eyes watched as she saw the message ping to the status of having been received, a sudden file coming to the screen. She tapped it, seeing a smiling Saphron, whose blue eyes looked so dear and warm...

'Ahh... You will realize soon enough that you have nobody to depend on aside of me...'

A brief glance at the Scroll and the other messages that had been collected there, she decided to enter the special code for the message to the one she had in mind. The ringtone was loud, in the sudden stillness that she found around her, the air buffeting the sounds away from her.

"Ensure that my wishes are carried out."

The sound of confirmation came from the other side, as the call shut down. She smiled lightly at the thought that surfaced to her mind. It would be for the best. After all, what queen did not have to erase some of the bad eggs from the family tree every once in a while? Illegitimate children, daughters who did not properly prepare for their relationship...

She turned her attention to the chat program once more, tapping Saphron's name.

S.: 'Saphron dear, please take a picture of your sisters and your brother... It would be nice to see all of you reunited.'

It was a simple thing... The girl would hardly deny her, after all. It was an innocent request...

'Jaune... This is for the best. For you, my sweet child...'

A rush of desire flowed through her, as the number was selected and the call connected. "As an additional request... Do ensure that one of the twins sisters suffers an overdose..."

Such naughty children, doing drugs and trying to look fashionable... They did not know the worry that her child felt for them... Not that she would allow them to ever hurt her little prince...

'Yes...'

She was going to ensure that he got what he deserved. A prince deserved a family of sisters who loved him... Sisters who scorned him and slandered his masculinity...

Well, they had to be shown the error of their ways, right?

"Ma'am, your flight has been readied for departure." The voice of Hazel came to her ears and she turned, her smile on her lips.

"It wouldn't do to be late, Mister Rainart... It would absolutely not do... Have you prepared the package for Absinthe to receive once she has arrived in Vale?"

The tall man nodded his head, the woman's package having undoubtedly been arranged for by the man.

"Was it necessary for Saphron Arc to suffer? Her brother would not have-"

Her eyes narrowed. The man's body shrank, as the power coalesced around her target by her will.

"A kind soul, no matter to whom it belongs, would not imagine her father doing such a thing. That there were more circumstances beyond my control, including the sad affair with her former partner and her... partner... I did not know." The man seemed to be conflicted, yet once more.

"What would Ozpin have done to her, I wonder?" The man's eyes widened. "A young, attractive blonde woman... Raising a child not of her own. Did you know that she had been impregnated by her partner's ex-partner whilst the bastard was carried in her partner's womb?" The man had not. It had only been at the last moment that the dear girl had whispered the damnable truth in her ear. Another nail to the coffin of her trust in her father.

"Ozpin would have patted her on the head... Whispered a soft 'It's for the good of Argus'..."

The man would. His goal was to unite humanity, no matter the cost. "And then, my little prince would hear of his sister being thrown from her own home, pregnant." Not an unusual circumstance in the times that she had lived. A mother and a child, alone...

"And then, the dear girl would have been working bad jobs... All for the vaunted 'safety' of the world. He would not know that she existed... But his mark would be on her death certificate either way..."

There was a certain cruelty in those words, as the man's eyes turned cold, his face gritted, the marks on his arms glowing as the Aura cycled through it.

"My dear Jaune would not enjoy the sight of his sister destitute... He would be upset... If they ever told him." There was a simplicity in her reasoning, as the man's eyes found hers.

"Do I take care of them?"

A moment of thought, seemingly spent on the merit. Terra Cotta and her partner would not be blessed...

"Mister Rainart... Are you suggesting violence?"

Her eyes showed her mirth. The man was predictable... Perhaps she should send him to meet with Miss Stones once more.

"No... It is best to let the grieving parents mourn their little child..." Her lips twitched to that smile that had bedazzled many weak-minded fools.

"I have something particularly delightful in mind for the two of them..." The two of them had not endeared themselves to her...

They had hurt her daughter...

"No... Let them rest peacefully, as they breed their unwed bastard spawn..." There was a poetic irony somewhere, she supposed...

"I think my dear Saphron would need a moment for herself... but do not worry, Mister Rainart... Vengeance will be coming... And it will be as cold as an Atlesian winter"

The man looked to be sated with that answer. Truly, the heart was the easiest led astray by such feelings of warmth and care...

She supposed that she should send her dearest child a message from his mama. It had been nearly eighteen hours... But she supposed that he might be sleeping.

S.: 'I love you, my sweet Jaune.'

She was a loving mother, after all...

---

The moment that the aircraft touched down, she felt anxiety shoot through her. It was the familiar place where she'd grown up at, the sensation of descending making her ears pop, her eyes glancing at the weather forecast, a pleasant sunny day... As it wasn't quite summertime yet.

Saphron Arc felt better than she had been. Telling miss Umbra... No, telling Mama about the issues with her memory and the discovery that she might've been pregnant and had an abortion... It had been cathartic. She had cried, the woman's arms around her, holding her and telling her that things would be alright...

She knew that things wouldn't be alright for a while. She was still... she was still not certain. She knew that she could trust her mama, she knew that the woman meant nothing but good... She'd been so nice.

Jaune would...

She smiled softly. If there was one thing that she liked, it was the tone that Miss Umbra had taken when she spoke of Jaune. It was not the tone of fondness but rather one of a deep passion and like. A tone that a woman in love with a child might take... something that she had felt for Adrian.

The thought about the child brought a grimace to her features, as her hand brushed over her stomach. She could've had a baby of her own... But they'd taken that away from her. They'd taken the choice from her by drugging her and doing that to her!

'Just a heavy period...'

They'd treated her like a pet. She had never been anything aside from the nanny, the little curiosity that they had kept around. She hadn't told Miss Umbra everything... but she suspected more. The anger inside her was not sated in the slightest, as the sadness warred with it. If she could put her hands on Terra to wring her neck, she would do it...

'But she's a Specialist with the military... Relay Tower technician... I should've known better... Nobody earns enough to afford a house with more than one floor with just a simple tech job.'

Houses did not come cheap. It would have been a one-bedroom apartment for the two of them, with perhaps no space for Adrian... But no, it'd been a house with five bedrooms and multiple floors...

For a family of ten, the house had been barely sufficient. Money was tight even with Dad taking missions all the time. How they could afford to put food on the table was beyond her... and she knew that Violet was working as hard as she could to keep them all fed. Rouge too...

"Miss Arc, your suitcase has been prepared... Miss Umbra said that we are to deliver you to Arrivals One..." She got up, her dress feeling a little breezy as she moved. The in-flight movie had been something that she hadn't seen before.

"Thank you."

She smiled. She was going to see the rest of her sisters again... and then... a new home.

'At least it's not in...'

She didn't want to think about it. She could almost smell the scent of alcohol on the air, as if something was about to happen. She was going to be with her mother and her sisters and see her little brother again.

As she passed through the customs checkpoint, flashing the newly made passport, she saw them. Seven people, six of them around her age.

Rouge looked a little dull, dressed down for the occasion, her hand tapping away at her Scroll, a set of simple frames on her face to complete the look of the 'stern psychologist'. She was absorbed by the Scroll's function, typing away like she always did. It must be work that she was typing up, as she was focusing on it intently.

Jade and Verde looked bored, their eyes flicking around, some sort of energy in them that seemed to hype up when one of their eyes fell onto her, and the other twin was nudged. They were delightful if a bit too callous with their words... It hadn't been the first time that they'd verbally demolished someone... and it usually had been Jaune.

Her younger sister Beryl wore a short top and tattered jogging pants, her athletic frame skipping lightly from side to side, as she seemed to be in the flow of some sort of dance... or probably just practicing her punches, against some unseen boxer that'd come up against her, the look of challenge on her face as normal as it was.

Violet was dressed to impress. The low-cut top perfectly gave the goods a good showing, even as the mysterious smile made people guess more... and to say the least, it had been hard to keep Terra from staring. For a moment, she felt a flicker of annoyance, the thought of her ex-partner making anger rise to the forefront of her mind. Violet met her eyes with that mysterious gaze, a smile blossoming on her younger sister's face once Jade had pointed her out to them.

Azora with her glasses half-perched on her nose, looked the picture-perfect 'good girl' with the conservative blouse and the long skirt, though her chosen study in the art of painting was something that she'd never quite gotten the mind for. The flecks of paint that covered the fingers were remnants of that education, as well as her chosen passion. She was still working on getting her teaching degree, but the last that she'd heard from her sister was that she'd been working with some kids that were in secondary education at an artistic project.

Their mother, standing there with the grey speckling through her blonde hair, looked every bit the proud mother that she was, her eyes looking at her with a warmth that she had seen in Miss Umbra's eyes as well... A warmth reserved for a daughter, a warmth that did not die...

'You slept with a rapist.'

The thought was sobering, as her gaze looked at her sisters. No sign of them being abused, but that was easily hidden... After all, she'd never noticed that her wife had always gone out in the same clothing and returned... She'd done the laundry, after all... There had been no change.

'How many of you have been pressed down on your bed and made use of by that man?'

She could imagine Violet, whose womanly curves would entice even her to think unsisterly thoughts, squealing as her father violated her... it was normal, undoubtedly... Had Violet turned to whoring because daddy had shown her some special love?

The twins always acted out, their partying and excitement-seeking never diminished... Were they trying to escape a home where their father reigned?

"Saphron!"

Her mother called out, and she put a smile on her face. It had come easier, as she knew that the woman probably barely cared... Why should she? Daddy had betrayed his oath to her and...

She was hugged by her mother, her sisters crowding around her. She wondered for a moment where Jaune was... Mama had said that he would be there too, even with the time difference... She wanted to... she wanted to ask. She needed to ask...

If dad had...

"I love all of you."

Her voice whispered, emotional and heavy, as she felt the tears come, as she was held by her sisters, the squeezing a little tough on her tender form, but it still was something tolerable.

"We love you too, Saph."

Rouge commented, as Saphron could feel someone pinch her ass. That definitely was Violet, who had liked to pinch the ass of those unaware as a prank when they'd been kids.

"Stop that, Fifi!" She growled, as Violet smirked and winked.

"Had to check whether the accident made you gain weight, Saffy Saph."

She smiled, knowing that Violet didn't mean anything with it. She was happy enough that she was with her sisters and... dubious about her mother. Would mother really care for her worries... Or would she be telling her that it was all lies... That Miss Umbra was just out there to harm the family...

'She's been there when I was hurt and pained... She's said that things were going to be alright and they were!'

"I'm going to show you my next painting, Saph."

Azora's voice was light and warm, the soft tone of voice that she always took when she was talking about her art as warm as her teacher tone had been strict and dedicated.

"As long as it isn't a pinup of Rouge, I'm sure I'll love it."

Rouge gave Azora a look, clearly unimpressed. Azora smiled, a little tense suddenly. That hadn't been a happy moment when Azora had accidentally unveiled that she'd drawn pinup versions of some of the family members... The picture of Jaune riding a unicorn whilst wearing a pink frilly dress had been hung in the living room, last time she'd checked.

"No... not quite." That meant that it was one of the adult nature... Well, there was little accounting for taste...

She turned her head, and then saw him walking towards them.

Her younger and only brother walked with a slow pace, his movements measured. He was paler than when she'd seen him last, his eyes sparkling with a special trick of the light, as his eyes met hers. The warm smile that blossomed on his lips, and the light that shone in them, happiness at seeing her again, the warmth and love that he felt for her, even though she'd made fun of him a few times for his early teenage awkwardness...

"And there's little Jaune... With..."

Her eyes found the people he walked with. A conservative long garment that belonged to Rural Mistral, covering what seemed to be a young woman from a distance, a set of pink eyes showing a muted emotion, and next to said Mistralian a bouncy little ball of energy, a set of ginger hair and a broad grin enough to make her smile as well, and...

'Is that Cereal girl? Oh gods, it IS the cereal girl!'

She hated the taste of the stuff. Fifty box tops... "It's the Cereal girl!" Someone said, and a snicker ran through the gathered sisters as they disentangled, looking at the coming Huntsmen-in-Training.

'You're going to be okay, Saph. Smile and bear it...'

She smiled broadly, as they arrived. The girls looked a little less comfortable with the surrounding blondes, as he threw himself forward, hugging her. The feeling of the hug was comfortable, as she felt him embrace her. It felt... nice.

He smelled nice too. A cologne that wasn't too intrusive to the nose, the briefest of twists to the fragrance so that it tickled the nose. "Saph!" His voice sounded happy too, and she smiled, as she hugged him back.

'No matter what... You're a good boy, Jaune.'

She knew that he would, as he rubbed his head against the nape of her neck. She felt that same feeling inside her as she'd had when they all still lived in the same house.

"I love ya, big sis."

She smiled, as her gaze went to his teammates. "Well... There's definitely some love here, if you've managed to bring me three lovely girls for the ravishing..."

He looked away, just as she'd expected. It wasn't something that she'd imagine that he'd do. The shy boy who had hoped for a date with a girl was still there in his core, as he smiled.

"Well... I don't think Ren is much of a girl. He's Nora's best friend. They're not together-together... or so she says."

There was a stoic look on the Mistralian's face, as Saphron realized the clothing style.

'Yeah, you stuck your foot in your mouth, Saph... That's definitely a masculine style of dress... You just called a guy a girl...'

"Oh, sorry."

The stoic faced young man merely nodded once, as he looked away to their third member. Saphron mentally shrugged. If it was okay if it wasn't mentioned. She wasn't Mistralian, so who was she to say?

"This is my partner, Pyrrha Nikos... She's eh... yeah, she's the Pumpkin Pete mascot, and she's the girl who saved my life."

Saphron saw the girl flush, the green eyes looking at her little brother.

'Oh my gods, she's into him! She's got a crush! YES!'

There was no denying that interest there, if those 'fuck me' green eyes looked at someone like that. She'd personally get a whole bottle full of chocolate sauce and dip the green-eyed redhead in it and make sure that she was very darn clean by the end of it... But that probably wouldn't be happening if those eyes watched her little brother like that...

"Sooo... Did you check out my brother's special partner package?"

Violet asked, ever the predatory older sister to her little brother. "Surely you must've peeked... That sexy body under the shower, washing himself slowly..."

"FIFI!"

Saphron smacked her younger sister's head, a disapproving look at her sister. "She's usually better than this, I swear."

"Yeah, spill the beans, Jaune. How'd you get Weiss Schnee to give dad an earful like that? She looked genuinely impressed with what you were selling her in the meat and sausage department..." Verde said, her voice a touch less kind than Saphron would've wished.

"We're friends." He said, and she could see something in his eyes, as he fixed his older sister with a look, the twin giving a grin.

"Didn't look like 'friends', Jaune... looked awfully intimate."

Saphron could feel something rise inside her, the urge of an older sister to protect her brother.

"Jaune, honey... It's nice that you brought your team. I'm Carmella Arc, a pleasure to meet you..."

Mom stepped to the fore and the Huntsmen-in-training looked at her, their eyes watching her for any movements that were out of the ordinary. Jaune didn't do so, as he hugged mom.

'He still trusts her...'

"Nora Valkyrie! This is my partner and bestie of the whole world, Lie Ren! Oh, that's just Ren, Rennie doesn't lie. Nope!"

The smile on the stoic boy's face was warm and friendly, as if the world had been lightened by his friend's words.

"I am Pyrrha Nikos... eh, the cereal girl, yes."

The redhead who looked damn fine to gobble down with a glass of milk was a touch more hesitant to introduce herself... But Saphron supposed that it was alright.

"Jaune... We've... We've got a little problem. Money is a bit tight these days, and..."

There was a plan to go to dinner together, she knew. Her bills must've come through...

"It's okay, mom."

He smiled, knowing that she'd try her best. There was a matured air about him, like something had made him grow... It was different from the bumbling little brother who she'd tackled to the ground and given the tickle torture to... To this. She could see the look in his eyes, that look that had once been frightened easily, disgusted with the dresses that they'd made him wear...

It was mature now. Dependable. Like he could stand in front of her to shield her from danger, which she knew he would. "It's... It's okay." She said, adding her two Lien to the discussion.

"Miss Umbra has made some arrangements for me to get a place to stay at..."

Her mother frowned. She didn't like it one bit. Her other sisters varied in their expression, but Jaune... He looked somewhat pleased. A light smile curled on his lips.

"I don't know whether you should take her kindness, Saphron dear... You can just come home and we'll have you stay at Jaune's room..."

The thought of coming back home... The thought of being in the home where she'd had sex with Terra, where she remembered the times that she'd frolicked, having fun with her... ex-partner, where her dad had knocked mom up eight times...

"I'm sorry mom... It's... I'm sorry, but the memories..."

She glanced to the floor. An excuse had to be given. "I'd rather not be in the place where I made love to Terra." The lie was thin, but it was accepted. As long as she didn't look one of them in the eyes, she knew that she would get away with it.

"If you're sure..."

The hesitation in her mother's voice, as she'd insist again. The others still lived at the house.

"It's... It's okay. Happy thoughts, yep."

She smiled. She tried to, but the smile merely curled her lips. She reminded herself once more that it should be happy and her cheeks curled properly.

"I'm happy you're all safe."

Her voice was soft and tender, cracking at the end as she was hugged again by her sisters, her brother's arm around her feeling like a life vest in a deep ocean. Mama Selene had said that she could trust him... That he was there for her, like a good brother should.

"We love you, Saphron. Your father does too."

The voice of her father, imposed in her mind. Watching the rape. Hearing him growl her voice like a beast as she was taken like a mere bed warmer. The feeling of warmth in her loins as he came.

"I love you, Saphron."

Her stomach lurched. She threw up all over Jaune, who bore it, stoically. He barely flinched, even as the teammates looked a little worried.

"Motion sickness... It runs in the family. Are you okay, big sis?"

He mentioned it as an aside, as he stood there dripping, the nice clothing looking messy with reddish bile all over it. Her sisters had managed to dodge the deluge, even as she felt shivers go over her. She gave a sad smile.

"We never really were that great with air travel..."

She apologized, as she noticed that the members of his team looked worriedly at her little brother. Her sisters, the older ones at least, shared a glance, before Rouge popped out a small tin of breath mints.

"This'll clean the puke taste up a bit, Saph. Not extra strong, but I figured you might not've liked the trip much."

She winked, clearly misunderstanding her reaction. Jaune mumbled something under his breath as he walked away.

"He was quite horribly sick on the air ride to Vale."

The redhead commented, looking a little worried, whilst the ginger and the dark-haired young man looked at the eight of them, their expressions hardly changing.

"Yes... It is quite unfortunate. My husband's state can be described as 'barely functioning' when he's travelling by boat. My little Saph's got the same thing with planes, I think. Terra told me of the bad sickness." She closed her eyes.

'You keep on using her name... Don't you care that we're done with the relationship? Don't you know that she's going to sue us for a lot of money?'

"You doing okay, Saph?"

Violet's voice was soft, as Saphron felt the rubbing fingers in the spot of her back that always was a touch tender.

"Yeah... I'm sorry for getting sick." She felt sorry for a lot. Violet smiled softly.

"You're home, that's all that matters." Saphron hoped that they'd all be able to pick their life up soon enough. It would be bad if misfortune came knocking once again.

'I'll ask Jaune whether dad... whether dad did things to him.'

She didn't know whether her sisters could be trusted. They no doubt believed that dad was innocent, that he'd never do such a thing...

But she'd believed that Terra loved her too, and she'd paid the price for her naivety. She'd been treated like a toy, like someone who was just there to raise a kid, her whole life there a shamble and a lie...

She had no friends, too busy with her own care for the baby that hadn't even been hers...

She gripped the hand of Rouge softly, leaning against her. "My friend is okay." She murmured, Rouge's exhale of relief.

"It turned out to be nothing... It was... a bad break-up."

Mama had told her of the death of her daughters... How her husband had caused the death...

"Soooo... How's my little brother doing?" Beryl inquired with the usual subtle grace of a rampaging Faunus Rights activist.

"Has he been beating up people yet?"

The three shared a look, before the cereal mascot stepped to the front. "He's been more than sufficient... A few little hitches, but nothing that can't be fixed with some good old-fashioned patience and a careful hand." The words made sense. Jaune would need some help...

But Mama Selene would help out too. She'd promised her that she'd be happy again.

Saphron nudged her older sister Rouge. "I think Cereal girl's sweet on him." Rouge smiled, a little smile that always made her look like a good ol' time.

"Oh, don't count the ginger out... Or her friend."

Saphron raised an eyebrow, feeling a twinge of happiness go through her at the little by-play. A little mouthing of the word and a slight nod.

'Well... They say that each great man has a fan club of both genders...'

"When he's back... Are you going to let us drive you to the place you're renting?"

Her oldest sister asked and she looked thoughtful, as the red-haired girl answered some of the questions that were being posed by an over-eager Beryl.

"Miss Umbra offered a chauffeur... Oh, you simply have to meet my friend Adel. She's amazing... She'll be in Vale soon too..." She knew that Adelheid would be just a darling... After all, they got on great. Rouge's relieved smile made her feel a little better.

'I'm going to recover... I'm going to make something of my life, and... and if dad...'

She let her eyes look over her sisters. Jade and Verde were already embroiled in a conversation about clubbing with the ginger-haired girl called Nora, whilst Beryl was entertaining Pyrrha a little, Violet, Azore and Rouge and her standing a little to the side, just content with watching.

'If dad did something to my sisters... There'll be hell to pay.'

Mama Selene had been clear on that with her outburst. Whatever had gripped her had been wrath and power, as the woman's clear rage at the thought of her father doing such a thing to her little brother was enough to show that she cared.

'Now... I should talk to him on the trip to the place where I'll be living...'

She'd be subtle about it... But nobody hurt Saphron Arc's family, no matter the blood relation... If dad had punished Jaune like that...

She had to know, and if he had...

He was no father of hers.

---

Jaune's mental state is a little messy now... But there's hope! Salem plots nefarious schemes!