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.

21. Semper Debilis

Chapter 21: Semper Debilis

Alas, poor Violet Arc. Salem does not approve of selling your body.

---

Jaune watched the blonde like a hawk. He hadn't been around Weiss for a few days, preferring to keep her ignorant of what Yang had done to him. Anger burned inside him at the girl's callousness, not even caring for the people that she hurt. Pyrrha was restrained in her anger, burning like a candle's flame with her eyes watching every move that the blonde did. It had been kept between the two partners, the Belladonna girl keeping silent. He was sure that Weiss would have been upset.

He could see those lavender-lilac eyes look around with the brightness of life and love, something that only made the darkness inside him quiver. His arm had still ached, the movements of the pen making flashes of pain shoot through him.

'I won't let this slide.'

He wasn't going to make her bend to his will easily, he knew. With her skill in the art of fighting like a Huntress, there was no way that he could face her in the ring, no method that he could use that he could easily push her towards her limit without breaking out his powers, which would alert those hunting him to his existence.

"Jaune?"

Weiss asked quietly, seated beside him. He hadn't spoken with her about it, even as they ate their lunch, a softness of voice that Weiss often had when she was being shy. He liked that about her. She was so warm and comfortable to be around.

"I didn't do something wrong, did I?"

He didn't really want to talk about it. Weiss was a good friend, he liked her. She wouldn't want to think of what he was planning, because it would taint her beauty a little. She should not see the ugly side to him, because it would break her.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong, Weiss."

He said, voice low, his eyes watching the blonde eat, Yang's sister chatting to Blake, who didn't seem to be too talkative towards the silver-eyed girl with the cool weapon.

"She broke his arm because you were too open with Jaune."

Pyrrha spoke up and anger flashed through him again. He was trying to prevent Weiss from finding out about that, Pyrrha's voice unusually harsh in her tone.

"He's been avoiding you, because it would-"

Weiss looked at him, her eyes warm and concerned. There was anger building, but also a concern. She was such a sweetheart, thinking that he was as frail as glass. He didn't want to let her see the rage within him, he did not wish her to see what he had thought up in those dark hours of the night.

"Are you okay? Is it healing properly?"

He nodded, his eyes looking into hers, as the anger showed on her face.

"She's just… Bah, she's got no right to hurt you like that. I'll go and give her a piece of my mind, that lousy virgin needs to find herself at a-"

He silenced Weiss with a finger to her lips, pushing into her mouth to silence her with a little teasing hint to it. Weiss suckled on the finger gently, his eyes peering straight into hers. Her blue eyes held that glint of warmth and care, and that fierce fiery spirit behind it.

"It won't help, Weiss."

He knew that it wouldn't help. Yang was a brash and boisterous girl, who cared for her family. The harsh and easy way would only make her more likely to strike out against him.

"Just…"

He glanced at Pyrrha, looking at his partner. He glanced at Weiss and then smiled. "Let Pyrrha deal with her." The redheaded girl smiled in the manner that she'd been taught, her eyes glinting with that green sheen.

"She's my partner and she'll keep me safe. If I can…"

He had a plan already brewing. He had submitted his economy homework to Doctor Watts, including a message that he'd like to speak to the man through a Scroll call about something.

"Well… If needed, I can always tell Nora to break a leg or something."

The savage smile on Nora's face was something that brought a twinge of amusement to him, as she looked at her boyfriend who merely smiled a little.

---

"If you want me to, I can deal with her quietly."

He stared for a moment, Ren's eyes looking quite sincere. Pyrrha swallowed, but did not comment. Ren watched him for a while, as his gaze dropped once more, a licking of his lips and the faint hint of something coming.

"She isn't aware of the dangers. It'll be like an aneurysm. Too much stress, perhaps a blow to the head during a match."

He watched Nora and Pyrrha, the latter looking on quietly, trying to determine what he'd do. She would follow him anyways, because she was just that wonderful. He knew that she would be a great girl no matter what she did.

"No, Ren."

The small nod and having that pressure disappear from his shoulders was lightening his mood, as Ren took a step back. Nora laid a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder, as Ren looked at him with a questioning look.

"Then what do you do, Glorious Leader?"

It was a question, as he ran through his options. He looked at Pyrrha, before the anger flared once more.

"Pyrrha will demolish Yang. We'll leave it at that."

On the surface, at least. They did not need to know the plan that he had hatched already. The pain was a great motivator for thought.

"That's a bit light, isn't it? Getting away with breaking our leader's arm and just a little grin, like she's able to just hurt someone…"

Nora looked dangerous, her eyes lit up with anger. She might do something against Yang that would go against the rules and get expelled… That wouldn't do. They were his team and he would make sure that they were safe and sound.

"Nora, no."

He said, speaking directly to her, his eyes meeting the challenging gaze of the redheaded girl. She looked fierce and not hesitant in the slightest, her eyes glowing with that faint challenge and thirst for combat.

"We'll leave it at this. Officially, this will be payback."

His voice was more determined, as he thought back to the idea that he'd had before.

"I'm not going to let you be expelled because some dumb violent girl hurt me."

---

Nora was a good girl, despite being forward. He'd found her sleeping in Ren's bed a few times over the week, as Pyrrha geared herself up. They knew that the end of the week would have a challenger's round in the combat training lessons with Professor Goodwitch.

That was not today, though. He knew that there would be history with Doctor Oobleck first. The man was nice, although he remembered some of the historical details differently from Mama's memories. Whatever she had done, had pushed something in him, a shred of herself, mingling with her gift.

"Winchester will bully you again, Jaune."

Pyrrha's voice was soft, as Weiss stiffened a little. A sharp look at him, giving him the sense that she was watching him, before she looked in the direction of team CRDL. They were still tolerated, Jaune knew.

"If I let every little ruffian bother me, there would be quite a few people walking the world no longer."

He had a meeting with Adelheid, their first to be exact. She was going to show him what would be done. He had to dress decently well and to be there at a certain time.

He would do so. She was his publisher, after all.

---

Adelheid Blau was currently a mess. Already she was running through the contact details, her comfortable shirt already stained with coffee stains, her eyes running over the files on the screen as she sipped the coffee, collecting more of the data for her mind. It was important work, even as Saphron lounged on the sofa behind her, watching something on the TV.

"So… This."

They'd stood in the shop and Saphron held up something that looked like it'd do the job well enough. Adelheid let her gaze go over the display, just the two of them there. The staff of the sex shop that they were in was giving them a look that seemed to be more to ensure that they didn't steal anything, the large tool of feminine pleasure held up.

"How'd this look?"

Adelheid wasn't sure fully whether she should be thinking about Saphron doing something with that tool of pleasure, taking a low nibble on her lower lip.

"Looks fine to me, big sis."

Saphron smiled a little, nudging her and pointing at one of the strap-ons with a harness.

"How about I buy that for the time you'd like to take our relationship a little further, eh? You can become Arc-Blau if you'd marry me."

Adelheid scoffed, as her gaze went to the display of the bigger sizes. She wasn't prudish, and she knew that some lube might be needed…

"I prefer men with my dick, Saph. No offense…"

The hot dream of being sandwiched between a brother and a sister came back and her nipples hardened below her shirt. Luckily she'd chosen to wear a bra, so that made the look a little less. Licking her lips as her fingers tapped the price tag. A good price for something large and hard, for those lonely nights…

"Like my little brother, you pervy girl."

She didn't flush, as the thought of just doing that with the young man entered her mind. Sure, she let her gaze look around a few times, but she knew that she'd have to moderate herself. Selene Umbra was not a woman who really enjoyed the thought of someone being loose with their body.

"Hush. You didn't tell me he was that cute, Saphron. It's bad to even think it."

Another toy went into the little basket at Saphron's side, something that could be worn below the pants. Adelheid wondered about that for a moment, before she dismissed it. People's fetishes were their own, not that she would need to comment on it.

"Hey… We get on well. I didn't have friends in Argus, so you're now my bestie."

Adelheid smiled. She liked the older woman for her warmth and the kindness that she showed. She'd not met any of the other sisters, but they looked like a friendly bunch… and the brother wasn't half-bad.

"A bestie who's licking her lips… So, which one do you like? Mama gave me her platinum card."

Adelheid whistled softly. That was a lot of Lien. Miss Umbra definitely felt sympathy for the woman, if she'd let a platinum card be used by Saphron.

She let her gaze go over the selection before she picked one out. A nice one, with little grooved ridges. The switch for the vibration function was there too.

"Kinky little sister."

The ruffle of her hair was met with Adelheid's laughter as she sighed. She was a kinky woman, but she enjoyed the feeling of being wanted. Her mother and father were so old-fashioned that it hurt sometimes to just enjoy herself.

"Hey, you're the one paying for it, Sapphy. Your brother's gonna make me rich."

The money that she was being paid was definitely a good reason to keep on being sober. The dryness in her mouth was getting bothersome, as she let her eyes flicker over the features of the woman next to her. Saphron Arc's eyes were still that kind warm blue that she'd not mind looking at in the morning, sexuality aside.

It had been pleasant to sleep in the same bed as her. Of course, she'd preferred to sleep next to some cute guy with a big tool to keep her occupied, but it was nice to see that Saphron felt comfortable enough to sleep next to her.

"Hmm… You've still got that daddy fetish, Adel."

Adelheid scoffed, as they drifted towards the staff member behind the counter, Adelheid's eyes looking at the selection of condoms.

"Let's get some condoms too."

Saphron's amused smile was immediately hinting at things. Things that Adelheid Blau was NOT going to do, even if she wanted to.

"No, no, for toys. I don't want to have icky stuff. Yuck."

As their purchases were put in featureless brown bags, Saphron nudged her and pointed to one of the display stands. A model-worthy Huntsman stood there, with a big dildo stood below it.

"Are you going to make Jaune look like that too?"

She recognized the guy, someone who'd been handled well for the production of several brands. The man was in his late twenties now, nearly twelve years of being someone who'd had his brand everywhere. Why some people would want a Sylver Stallion cast dildo was somewhat beyond her, despite the feeling that was 'authentic' to the Huntsman.

She let her thoughts go to a wholly unsafe direction. If her client would get something like that, a deal of such a nature…

It would need to be vetted. She'd have to take measures, putting her hands on Saphron's little brother, because who else would she be able to trust to take accurate measurements, hmmm?

A thank you blowjob, maybe something more… Yeah, she'd have to test quality too, if there was going to be a mould made of his manhood. Miss Umbra would probably flay her alive for such an offer, but with how the guy had just made her react…

"Geeze, stop looking at it like you want to devour it, Adel. You're acting like you've got an itch that you can't scratch."

Saphron didn't know what it was like to be not drunk, to be sober and to know that you've got a hot guy at your disposal for meetings and stuff. Saphron was gay, so she'd probably not feel that rush of energetic thoughts at the sight of a cute-looking fellow.

"I can't. My job makes it so that mom keeps her home and that dad can take it easier. He's gone for a lot of the time, you know?"

Saphron gave an empathic sound, as Adelheid looked at her with a look of understanding where Saphron was coming from. Even if she'd like to give the brother a test drive, she'd have to think of the consequences. "Well, I've got us an invitation to a social event, where we can socialize."

"Wear a chastity belt, Adelheid. Wouldn't want mama to get mad at you again."

Her friend nudged her, and they departed from their little bit of adult shopping. She didn't even get mad for the tease, knowing that Saphron just meant well.

They'd come home with six new dresses for Saphron and a set of lingerie for each of them. Blue for her, black for Saphron.

That card had been a godsent for her budget.

She heard the door open and then looked up, spotting the tall man standing in the door opening, a tray with something light on it. Cucumber slices with some sort of pate. The man had been trying to keep them well-fed, as he stepped through the door and then set it down on the plate.

"The young Master will be coming in an hour's time. Do eat something before your appointment, it would be a waste to go there hungry and malnourished."

The man's habits were a little queer, but there was always something that he made for them. The man seemed to have a great culinary talent, as the liverwurst that she'd tasted at her first night had been exquisite, the man serving the stuff really well. He should've been a chef, rather than a Huntsman with how he could just make such delicacies.

She munched on some of the cucumber slices with liver pâté, as she typed in several of the other business proposals, before sending the file to Miss Umbra. The woman had demanded weekly progress reports, so she wouldn't be tardy with those, as her job did depend on keeping both her client as well as the one who paid the bills happy.

She hadn't been sleeping very well lately though. Saphron had joined her in bed a few more times when the nightmares had been growing stronger for the other woman and she'd slept well. Waking up next to her best friend had been awkward, Saphron having managed to somehow always land up being hugged by her, but it was pleasant.

'If only the dreams would stop.'

Dreams where she was pressed against the bed, whimpering and moaning, her buttocks smacked and told that she was a good girl, that she was going to be his good girl. Kinky little whispers in her ear, telling her of how good it would feel to be finally allowed to orgasm.

'Curse my preference for men who look like they'd be able to... Oof.'

The toy had been a godsend for those moments when she'd have time to take care of the need. She might just have a teensy problem with alcohol, but it would be fine if she didn't have those thoughts that were sinful and crude about the young man. That she hadn't been able to resist whispering softly to have him show her whose little bitch she was... well, that was just a secret between her and her pillow, right?

"Hey there, big sis."

The voice of the young man who was her client drifted to her ears, looking at her screen to see that she'd barely been typing, distracted by the thoughts through her mind. Watching him as he hugged his big sister, whose smile was a little warmer as she hugged him.

"Hello there, Jaune."

Saphron smiled, as Adelheid watched her look at his face. She had been concerned, worried that her father had been raping her little brother too. It was not something that she'd fault the guy for hiding.

"Can we talk for a bit? In private?"

Adelheid returned her attention to the work, trying to ignore the burning sensation between her legs. She'd been feeling that heat and the unpleasantness of the warmth for a while now.

'I should get to the hospital sometime…'

She might've caught something from those Mistralian guys. She was constantly feeling the warmth, feeling that heat of need. It annoyed her and worried her, her eyes following the brother and sister as they absconded for a moment.

---

Saphron worried for her brother as he waited for her to open her room to him. She felt nervous, as she closed the door. He looked better than before, someone who probably would make a girl really happy one of those days.

"Saphron, did something happen in Argus when dad was there? You've been acting a little strange."

She felt a spike of fear go through her, as she saw those eyes look at her. Eyes that asked her why, eyes that bore the brunt of the abuse, and who had undoubtedly seen the man take his liberty with his body.

"Ren asked me a strange question a few days ago and- If something happened with dad and you, you can tell me, Saphron." She felt disgusted, as she looked at him.

He was kinder than she deserved. Even if he was stained by dad's hands, he still maintained that good nature. She paused and then sighed deeply. It wasn't good to lie to him.

"Dad and Miss Umbra had a disagreement."

She couldn't say it to him. She didn't think she could even admit it aloud to her little brother. The woman had been his friend, one of the few people he'd talked to a lot. It would crush him.

"I- Jaune…"

She trailed off, looking into his eyes with a pleading look. She didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to do. She wasn't sure how to even broach the subject… But she could talk about herself. It wasn't right, it hurt, but she could talk about herself.

She felt his arms wrap around her and it was sweet, it was gentle and it was a hug. A hug that she felt comforting her, making her feel that splash of warmth go through her cool heart and make her feel even better.

"You remember Terra's ex-partner, right? The one who put Adrian in her before she met me."

She spoke with a tiny voice, feeling far less secure than she did, knowing that she'd remember it all. She shivered and shuddered at the feeling, something warm and manly exploding inside her, a guttural sound as her partner laughed at how she'd came, she'd just been the nanny, the lesbian who didn't know she was taking a dick.

"I've never met him, but-"

She felt safe, as she hugged him even tighter.

"He raped me, Jaune. They fed me drunk and- and he did that."

She trusted her brother, she trusted him more than her sisters. They didn't want to know that daddy had been raping their brother. They wouldn't understand.

An icy cold wrapped around her and she could feel his hug grow stronger, as he exhaled softly.

"Oh, Saphron."

She could see the skin fade in colour, only bone-skin pallid skin remaining, as eyes lost their blue colour, something in their depths changing. Strength and power and a livid rage, as his finger brushed over her cheek. "You're one of the best people I know." A comforting word, as his pale fingers brushed over her cheek.

"You don't deserve that."

Those eyes looked merciless and cold, red and black contrasting together, as they beheld her. The eyes of the strong, the eyes that belonged to her Mama as well, a faint flicker of something and similar facial features taking on the shape of this.

A low rush going through her, as she looked at him. "I'm dirtied, Jaune. They took me and treated me as a pet." It hurt, she hurt so much and she wanted to see Terra plead for mercy. She wanted to see that bitch feel the pain.

"You're not dirty at all, Saphron. No, this is just something bad that happened. It will all be okay."

He sounded so sure of it, and she pushed herself closer, smelling the cologne that he wore. She felt her heartbeat pick up a little, as she felt the cold fingers brush through her hair. It was such a warm feeling inside her, and she noticed that she was crying, feeling the emotions explode inside her.

'You're so kind…'

"Do you want them dead?"

A savage, vindictive feeling inside her told her yes, but her mouth did not speak it. She didn't want her brother to stain his hands, as she sighed softly. She nuzzled against him like he'd done to her when he was younger. It felt nice.

"Mama asked the same thing. I want them to suffer, I want them to…"

She sighed, her eyes looking into his own.

"It hurts, Jaune. It hurts so much. I just wanted to be loved."

He nodded softly, as she hugged him even more tightly. He was safe and kind. She felt like he'd protect her from everything, as his fingers held her head.

"It's okay. Mama is there to help us. I'm not going to give up on my big sister Saphron, so you'll be safe."

She looked at him, her blue eyes meeting the crimson ones that looked right into hers. They didn't look unkind, yet there was that brief threat that ran through them that made her feel a flash of danger. She smiled, feeling a surging of hope through her body.

'You are the little sunshine in our life, Jaune.'

"You should keep Adel safe too. She's not as strong as she looks."

She could at least place the seeds in the ground, seeing whether they'd sprout. Adelheid needed someone she could hold on to, to keep her grounded. He smiled at her and she smiled back. He looked sickly, with his skin so pale and his eyes the colour of red wine, but he looked at her with that warmth and she just felt her heart pouring heat into him.

"You adopted her as a sister, didn't you? I'll be there to defend all of my sisters."

Colour slowly returned to his skin, warmth blossoming once more as his features turned healthy once more. She felt a little colder, but she knew that he meant well. He was a little brother, but he was her big strong brother now.

"You better. I'm…"

She paused herself, mid-sentence. She wasn't sure whether her brother would be willing to listen to her request, knowing that she'd just admitted to him that she'd been raped.

'He's kind. He'll let her suffer…'

Terra deserved it. She deserved everything of it for lying to her. Her little brother would do as she asked, because he loved her. He'd be the one to protect them, she knew. Terra would pay for what she did to her.

'No matter how long it'll take, I'll make sure that you'll get what you deserve, Terra.'

A light knocking on the door, as Jaune let go of her and walked to the door. Saphron could spot Adelheid there, as she looked a little flushed.

"We've got to get going in fifteen minutes, before the rush comes in for the evening, Jaune."

Saphron met her gaze and she looked at Jaune for a moment and gave a little waggle with the eyebrows and a smile. Adelheid wouldn't know what that meant, but she would when she got home.

'Alright… I guess it's time to watch that soap opera again…'

She wanted to find out how it'd end. Maybe Parakeet would make out with Buraun.

---

He followed behind Adelheid, his mind still reeling with the thought of Saphron being raped. He'd shown his ugly side to his sister, feeling the darkness wrap around him and turn the flame into a little spec of light in a sea of darkness, his eyes having stared into his sister's and seen the craving for something that could be called justice.

Terra Cotta had never really been someone that he'd spoken with much. She was someone who didn't seem to bother with such things, throwing herself into the relationship…

'So, you thought you could hurt my sister…'

Anger rose inside him at that thought. He had seven sisters, more than most people ever had, but he would not be someone who was disloyal to his sisters. Adelheid was someone who didn't compromise on things when it came to being his sister's friend.

She struck a somewhat more petite silhouette, his eyes lingering a little on her, noticing that she seemed to walk a pace that was uneven. He worried about her, and so he asked.

"Are you alright?"

She paused, looking at him and smiled. She wasn't a bad woman, he guessed. A little open and free at times, but that just reminded him of his twin sisters. They were free and a bit crass too, but would mellow out a little when they got older, he hoped.

"I'm fine, Mister Arc."

He smiled at her and she looked a little uncertain, her blue eyes looking into his own for a moment. She didn't look very fine, a hint of worry in her features. As they descended the stairs, he could hear her exhale softly.

"If we need to cancel, it's okay. You are allowed to be sick."

The softness of the eyes that shone with that hint of vibrant life and a smile on her lips, as she poked his chest.

"You're not getting out of this appointment this easily, Jaune. Nope, we're going to the event and you're going to schmooze up to some people. Everyone should know how important Jaune Arc will be to the world in five to ten years… Yep."

He supposed he could do that, yes. She was after all someone who didn't seem to be bothered by such things.

"I'm glad you're the one who's getting to be my publisher. Thank you."

She smirked, her shirt still stained with some coffee stains. She should probably get something else on. That wasn't a good look for her, he guessed. Rouge always paid good attention to how she looked, but Violet had always known the best combinations.

"Thank you. I need to get dressed for tonight, but please… Make yourself comfortable."

Saphron pinched her bottom and Adelheid gave a hiss of pain and annoyance. Saphron grinned and passed by, Adelheid's tone more suffering than annoyed.

"You, keep your hands to yourself. I don't need bruises."

His big sister smiled. Seeing the friendship between the two women was something that made him smile a little more, knowing that those two had hit it off well.

"But what if I want to give you bruises, lil' Sis?"

Adelheid looked at him after Saphron had said that before she winked at him, wrapping her arms around him. It was warm and not forceful, as Adelheid leaned against him. She smelled like coffee and perhaps a little bit of aspirin.

"Sorry, your brother's the only guy for me. He's the man I like, y'know? Big, strong, hunky…"

She was just joking, he knew, but Saphron's mouth fell open, Adelheid turning back and giving her a look. She stuck her tongue out in a childish way before she spoke up.

"Nope, now he's mine. I'm going to pimp him out like a used hooker to a lot of dirty old men and women."

He hoped that it was a joke, Saphron's snort of laughter coming a moment afterwards, as Adelheid patted him on the shoulder. She was professional, but not against a spot of joking about.

"Now, you almost had me with that confession. What would Mama think of that, hmm?"

Adelheid frowned at his sister. She gave a sharp look at Saphron, who smirked in her smug manner.

"It's still my job, Saph. Don't take my job away."

Saphron's face sobered a little, looking at him. "We need to have a talk later, Adel. Sister talk, because… Yeah." She sent him a look, which Adelheid seemed to understand, letting go of him. It hadn't been too bad, Adelheid just teasing his sister.

He'd heard way worse from some of his other sisters. The twins especially were rowdy when they were up in a buzz about something. Hearing them call Saphron a 'cold-faced cunt muncher' to her face hadn't been the nicest. They were the crudest sisters amongst the bunch, though Azora could also make a few rude remarks that'd always hit the worst spot.

"I should get myself prepared. Have Tyrian drive the car out and we'll be on our way."

Adelheid said, as she got up, the portable laptop already somehow scrounged up from the place it'd stood at, put away. The casual set of clothing, the jogging pants and the loose shirt were replaced ten minutes later with a nice set of business casual pants and a white blouse that buttoned at the front, a jacket that had been dry-cleaned and made to look perfect.

"Sooo… How'd I make the professional look go, champ? Good enough to take out on a date?"

The woman's eyes were daring him, her gaze kept at him as she looked boldly into his eyes. He answered truthfully though.

"I'd date you in a heartbeat, but you're already claimed by my sister. I don't take my sister's toys."

Adelheid's face showed a small frown but she playfully bumped her knuckles against his shoulder.

"Feel free to make use of her whilst you're with her. She'll need a strong stiff hand around her throat to remind her whose little bitch she is. All big sis Saphron's, yep."

Adelheid gave a look at Saphron that was lukewarm in its nature, before she looked at him. There was a look of nervousness in those eyes as she glanced between Saphron and him.

"Professional, right? You don't mind the jokes, do you?"

He shook his head. It was just banter. Saphron had been someone who liked people easily, and Adelheid was a little like the twins. It wasn't bad having two people who could poke some fun at each other.

"It's adorable, 'big sis'."

She bit her lip, looking at him with a look, tongue sliding over her lips. There was a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Keep at it, Arc, and I'll have to tell my mother that I've been forced into slavery by the Arc family's brother and sister duo. And then you'll have to tell your mother about adopting little ol' me."

That would be a funny sight. His mother would probably roll her eyes and mumble something about not wanting to have another weird member of the family, before his other sisters would start grilling Adelheid on all those little details about her sex life…

Not that Adelheid saw him as anything desirable, of course. He was just her client and not some sort of irresistible prospect.

"My, should I buy you a collar and a leash?"

Saphron teased as Adelheid growled at her with a playful growl.

"Do that, Saphron Arc, and you'll feel Blau boots hit your darn sexy ass as a percussive instrument."

Embarrassment from Adelheid was expected, as she smiled nevertheless.

"But that isn't a bad thought. Do you want to wear a collar and have me hold your leash, Jaune?"

He thought back to Saphron, who'd been experiencing something like that, her marriage with Terra being… not optimal. He looked into Adelheid's eyes, and she took a step backwards, swallowing. He stepped closer, as the darkness inside him made those dark feelings swell. His fingers grabbed her neck and he brought her closer.

Her breathing was faster and a flush was on her cheeks as he pulled her closer, her hands on his wrist.

"Who said that you wouldn't be wearing a collar, hmmm?"

A low whisper of a voice, as Adelheid looked at him and then swallowed, the feeling of her swallow under his handpalm something that seemed to last.

"Mama said that I would not serve anyone… So I guess you'll be serving us, 'big sis'."

Adelheid's cheeks were red, as his hand left her cheeks. She stared at him, her teeth biting down on her lower lip. She smelled delightful, like a slice of rich chocolate cake, his fingers tightening a little. She swallowed and her eyes went wide, her breathing picking up as she just watched.

"But no, that isn't going to happen."

He patted her on the shoulder after letting go of her throat with his other hand, seemingly snapping her out of her daze. She blushed a deep red colour. It looked good on her, he thought.

"You're my publisher and mama said that you should be on your best behaviour."

She stared at him for a moment, before she snapped to attention fully.

"Yes, I should…"

She shuddered, her eyes looking at him with a challenging grin growing on her features. She was a little twitchy, he noticed, but that might just be the nervousness.

"Time to wow some women and men, Jaune. Let's make em all see what a wonderful guy you are. Ooh, but first, I need to go to the toilet. I'll be back in a minute or three."

He could put his trust in her. She meant well.

---

"And? How was your hot night with my little brother?"

Saphron had been waiting for them to get home. Adelheid looked at her with eyes that looked baleful, her lips pressed thinly together. A look that showed some anger and irritation and a little hint of something more before the door to the bedroom was opened and the hand beckoned her to get in.

"Like a fucking piece of meat in front of sharks, Saph. You wouldn't believe how many people just… Urgh. This makes my job harder, you know?"

The business jacket came off and the blouse was strained by Adelheid's chest. Saphron mentally drizzled some chocolate syrup on that chest and went through the process of licking it off.

'Shame that she's not into that kind of thing…'

"So, was he a good boy, or do I need to tell him to behave better?"

She teased, Adelheid giving a long-suffering sigh. The blouse came off and the bra she wore was visible. It had been a good choice, Saphron knew. Nice and fitting.

"He acted fine. Humble, a little self-effacing. He kept his answers generic, not answering much aside from the fact that his team is from Mistral mostly. He's not... Damn it Saph, he's keeping the secret that Pyrrha freaking NIKOS is on his team as his partner a secret."

Saphron blinked. "She's a nice girl, but does that really have anything to do with him keeping a secret?"

Adelheid looked at her as if she was mad. Saphron figured she might as well be. Adelheid groaned, stripping the pants off. "I'm heading to the shower. But your brother's a danger to my chastity, especially after that little warm-up before we left. He was all 'Don't stray too far from me, who knows what might happen?' and I just... Fuck. Gods, if I didn't..."

Saphron smirked, getting up and trailing after her friend. The door to the bathroom opened and she entered after her, spotting a little entry there.

"Ooh, he was like 'don't go too far from me, I've got to keep you safe', right?"

Her little brother could be so protective of his sisters. Saphron knew that she had to ask him outright, but...

'He loves us all. He doesn't want us to hurt, and that's why he's silent about what dad did to him.'

"Saphron, he's like a piece of meat hung in front of me and I'm a very hungry tiger. I'm going to push for some advertisements with him in it for the next month or so, if I can get things done properly with the production company. They had champagne. I had to fob it off as being supportive of my client by not drinking... it was Dom Valignon! That stuff's good!"

Saphron smiled, as she saw her friend hop under the shower. Adelheid might have a little problem with drinking, but she was a good friend.

"How about you come to my room after the shower? Let's have a chat, shall we?"

Adelheid made a sound of assent, as a hand reached for the sponge. Saphron didn't mind handing it to her, the other blonde woman's fingers snatching it from her.

"No peeking, you crazy older sister."

Adelheid's voice was teasing, and Saphron smiled, shaking her head.

"I'll get the lube and the toys out, lil' sis. You're gonna get Arc'd."

The snort from the other woman showed what she thought of that, as Saphron left the room. She was half-tempted to just get the lube and the toys out and just lay them on the bed for Adelheid to see, but that would've been a little mean-spirited.

She dressed in one of the nightgowns and got herself comfortable in bed, waiting for her night-time visitor. Sure, she wasn't going to do anything that Adelheid wouldn't want to, but it was nice to have a friend with which she could just chat about stuff rather than be too serious about everything.

Adelheid entered, wearing a nice set of pyjama's that made her look somewhat sisterly. It covered enough and showed rather little, Adelheid's eyes catching sight of her. She opened the bed for Adelheid, parting the covers, her friend getting in. It had been something that they'd started to do. Adelheid didn't complain about it, nor did she complain about Adelheid's sleep-talking.

It felt nice to have a friend with whom she could just talk about things. It wasn't like there was much of an age difference between the two of them, and they'd just clicked.

'Oh, Jaune would love you.'

It was a thrilling thought. A thought that probably wouldn't be happening, but she could keep the hope going.

"So, big sis... What do you want to know?"

She grinned, looking at her friend's face. Adelheid had that beauty that she knew well in her facial features, her tongue licking over her lips. Definitely hot for her standards, but not too much for that sort of thing, sadly.

"Spill the details! After your carriage arrived, what happened? Did they just leap at him like a pack of starving dogs?"

Adelheid snorted before she started to tell the tale of the events of this evening's events, Saphron settling herself in more comfortably in the bed.

---

He held himself carefully on the surface, trying to affect himself with that disposition of a king, someone who was in control and never to be ruffled. He could feel the pinch as one of the older women passed him by, his facial muscles barely twitching as that pinch had hurt, his eyes finding Adelheid, who was currently standing nearly three meters away, talking and gesturing, her face immediately set in a manner that was jovial and kind.

He could feel her annoyance, as her eyes found his own and he gave her a light smile. He wasn't going anywhere out from that circle that he'd assigned around her, because she was his publisher and she should be kept safe. It might be silly, but his sister had told him about her needing some support.

'I'll make sure that you're safe.'

Adelheid was a young woman in the prime of her life, fit and with that attitude that made him smile a little. She was cheeky and popular, reminding him a little of Saphron every time she spoke up. It might be their closeness as friends and 'adopted sisters', but there was an uncertainty in Adelheid that he had not noticed in his sister.

She looked like she was trying to restrain how she really was in order to make him happy. He had seen it in Weiss as well. She was much happier when she was with him than she was around others.

"Mister Arc here has great prospects."

Her voice was calm and business-like, the smile on her lips professional, as she indicated for him to join them. He joined, standing next to Adelheid, the faint smile on his lips there as he looked at the people she was talking with. Older people, decked out in clothing that looked much fancier than what she wore, there being some gold thread woven into the dress of one and a platinum set of cufflinks shimmering on the sleeve of one of the men.

"I'm just trying to do my best for the people of this world."

He deflected the praise, as Adelheid gave him a look that was as kind as it could be.

"Humble, Miss Blau. You seem to have gotten quite the talent under your care. Be careful, you might find him stolen away from you by someone with fewer scruples..."

Adelheid's face didn't change much, yet her lips curved into a smile that was a touch lighter.

"Mister Arc is my client, Miss Mondriaan, I wouldn't be so rude as to claim him as mine solely through backdoor deals..."

He smiled shyly, knowing that it would be the best option for this setting. He was there to be introduced, to be shown off and to know what the options were. Some of these people were media influencers behind the scenes, as they paraded their little prized Huntsmen around.

"Oh, hello there."

The perfume hit his nostrils first before the presence was noticed, Adelheid making a face that she couldn't hide showing disgust, a hand brushing over his side.

"I see that Adelheid's managed to let the bottle rest a little... The name's Artemis Manilla, a pleasure..."

Dark green eyes and hair that was a deep brown colour, like the tree bark in some parts of the park came to his eyes, the woman's eyes meeting his for a moment as a finger stroked over his chest. Behind her stood a young woman, dressed in a conservative dress with some sort of crest worked into the cloth with different stitching.

"Ah, eh... Jaune Arc. Adelheid's my publisher..."

He tried to look unassuming, trying to make himself just look non-threatening. It was best to not show one's hand during a game at least for the opening.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mister Arc."

The cleavage of the woman was deep and showed more than he'd like to see. He didn't like the tattoo on her collarbone either, a Mistralian symbol that he didn't know how to read, nor did he really like the look that the woman had in her eyes when she looked at him.

"This is my client, Sabrina Marsh."

He let his gaze go over the young woman, the haircut needing some additional touches. Black hair in that ponytail-like style... yeah, he was not a fan. Adelheid had suggested that he go see a hairstylist, but he'd rather wanted to grow it out a little. Stormy greyish blue eyes looked at him with an inquisitive look, the conservative dress that the young Huntress wore making her look distinguished.

'She looks haughty.'

"Hello Sabrina."

He went with a smile and extended a hand in order to shake it. Huntsmen should be able to shake hands, he guessed, but it merely stood out. The look in Sabrina's pinkish-blue eyes was dull as she looked at the hand.

"Not a fan of handshakes? Ah, okay. The name's Jaune, Jaune Arc. Short, sweet and my mom loves it... I guess? She married my dad, so I guess she did."

He saw the dismissal in those eyes, as Artemis pushed past him, her client passing him by too, Artemis starting to chat with one of the people. He watched Sabrina's face show little emotion. Adelheid didn't look so very great, her features turning a shade paler as she started to continue her talk with the woman, whose attention was claimed by the newly arrived Artemis.

'That just isn't right...'

He could see Adelheid's face fall, as Artemis claimed the attention of the clients. He leaned to her and whispered in her ear whether they should move, Adelheid giving a light nod of the head. There were more people around at this party, and he was sure that they could do something more than to listen to a woman who obviously didn't really think that positively of him.

"Say, Arc, with who are you partnered?"

The question came before they could make their excuses, as he rested his gaze on Artemis, a faint smile on his lips at the thought of Pyrrha.

"We can't forget the marketing potential of your partner, right? Sabrina here is partnered with Katrick Moss, a fine and upcoming young Huntsman."

He'd been vague about his partner, since he had to sell himself. A boyish smile on his lips, as he tried to make his statement as generic as possible. He didn't want to put Pyrrha in the headlights, because she'd not like that too much. It was just like Ren with his status as an ex-Yakuza. If nobody asked, well, he shouldn't tell.

"Ah, she's really not someone who's much for the spotlight. She's the type who likes to sit and read, maybe play a game or two with my teammates. They're really great teammates."

He knew that Pyrrha was the type to do good for people around her, rather than to be some ideal to aspire to. The pressure had gotten too much for Weiss as well, and now with Pyrrha... He felt bad for her.

The ache of his arm wasn't as bad as it had been before, his eyes meeting Sabrina's for an instant and seeing the cool distaste within them. He could feel something similar emerge inside him, a dark foreboding feeling slipping into him.

"A pity. Adelheid knows a lot about what it is like to make herself look pretty, so perhaps she could make sure that your partner shines as much as she does when there's a bottle or three of moonshine in her system and a dubious partner with her in bed, like it somehow always happens."

He could feel the anger inside Adelheid's eyes as she kept herself contained. That just wouldn't do. He could see the distasteful looks from the other guests to this fancy gathering, looking at Adelheid as if she was someone who didn't have the right to be here with them.

"She knows what she's doing, I think."

Artemis let her fingers dip into a pocket, pulling out a card and holding it out to him.

"If you ever feel like you need another chance at something better, Mister Arc."

He looked at the business card, taking it and then tucking it away. Making a scene would not advance his cause in the slightest, but Adelheid would be better off with careful handling of this.

"I'll be sure to give you a call if I have the desire for something better, Miss Manilla."

He could see the expression on Adelheid's face fall, as he smiled at the other publisher and the Huntress that she was publishing, laying a hand on Adelheid's shoulder. If Saphron thought she was like a sister, he'd support his big sister.

"They always say that you should try some store-bought hamburger once in your life, when you're used to eating fine steak. If I ever want to try a hamburger, I'll give you a call. Adelheid, do you think you can do the introductions to that person? I'm not sure, but-"

She nodded, as he steered her in the right direction, leaving the two behind. Adelheid didn't say a word, and Jaune hoped that she wasn't too mad about it, Adelheid's voice sounding chipper and enthusiastic as an older woman was addressed with a cheery 'Hello there, Miss Chocomint!' before the woman started to gush about how nice he looked.

On the trip back, Adelheid was looking out of the window, the gathering having been an hour and a half, but it had been tense ever since he'd steered her out of the danger zone.

"I'm sorry, Adel."

She looked at him, Tyrian changing gears. The car slowed a little as the traffic in the lane seemed to slow down. Adelheid looked at him and was quiet.

"She was a friend of mine, not so long ago. I would've called her a best friend, but she'd..."

He could feel some dark emotions from her, as he looked at her.

"She graduated a few months before me. Seeing her was just..."

He could understand that. He went for a smile as he watched her expression. "I would do it again. Saphron's my big sister and she sees you as her little sister, so... I'll keep you safe, Adelheid."

Her gaze turned away and he laid a hand on her shoulder. She didn't respond, but he could see her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes looked a little damp and he could feel something inside him whisper that she was ripe for the final push into darkness.

"I'm your publisher... I shouldn't get too personal with my client. Sabrina Marsh has a lot of potential. I saw the advertisements for her already skittering over the net, she hasn't been idle for a moment." He rubbed over that shoulder, smiling at her.

"You're the best. Mama would not select someone who has a trashy tattoo on her skin."

Adelheid's reflection showed a slight smile, her head turning around after a moment.

"Let's not mention that comment about my earlier indiscretions to Miss Umbra, okay?"

He wouldn't mention it to mama. Mama was someone who was a little old-fashioned in her thoughts at times. Adelheid was a nice woman and she deserved to do a good job, unbothered by people who didn't have the best intentions for her.

"Of course. Big sis Adel needs to be kept safe!" He smiled and Adelheid gave a soft sigh.

"If it was that easy, I'd just..."

He knew what she meant. She'd declined the champagne because she had been trying to set a good example. Jaune could see someone who cared a lot for others in her.

---

Adelheid knew that she was in trouble the moment that Saphron started to poke and prod at her story. The look on her adopted older sister's face was something that she felt inspire a dash of dread inside her, as she knew that she hadn't really told too much of what happened.

"Soo... Did you kiss my little brother? Come on, I know something's up, you look like you just swallowed a lemon."

It might not be inaccurate to say something like that, but Saphron was someone who would needle her until she got her way. Saphron was the type of woman who would go to the extreme to make sure that her friends were okay. It was nice of her, but thinking about what Artemis represented...

'He shouldn't have kissed me. She blames me, I didn't even know.'

"No, I ran into an old friend..."

Saphron's expression changed a little, raising her eyebrow just a touch. That was the look of someone inquiring whether it'd been an old flame or not.

"No, not the good kind. Her boyfriend kissed me when I was drunk and wanted to do stuff..."

He hadn't been her type, but he'd certainly thought that she was his type. The advances had become more of a nuisance, and Artemis had blown up at her. It hadn't been fair that she'd been blamed for Artemis' ex-boyfriend's obsession.

"Ah, that kind. Damn, you've got shit luck there."

Adelheid nodded. The bitch had offered Jaune a business card with a suggestion that he upgrade to her. She'd been hired to make sure that Jaune was someone who'd be making pussies wet and guys blush! Well, she was blushing sometimes and there was that whole thought about him just stirring her up.

'Hmm...'

"You're looking like you've got a naughty thought there, Adel." Saphron said and Adelheid snapped back to attention.

"Hey, you have a brother who looks like he's going to be a heartthrob. He was all chivalrous and stuff. Said to the lady herself that he'd rather go for a fine steak than some bargain buy burger." Saphron snorted softly with amused laughter, no doubt imagining that already.

"Yeah, I found it funny too. What'd you feed him, charm fodder or something? Eesh."

Saphron smiled softly, as a gush of warmth ran through her lower body. The thought of the charming young man here in the bed with her and Saphron just made her feel the warmth shoot through her.

"No, just a lot of cat food."

Adelheid stared, Saphron looking completely serious for a few seconds before she burst into laughter.

"No, of course not. We're not the best-off, but we make do. You should meet mom sometime, she's got this amazing casserole recipe that just makes you feel like you're full."

Adelheid pursed her lips. That wouldn't be too bad, she supposed. She could meet the family. It'd be nice to invite Jaune as well, though...

'Hmm...'

"I'd love to meet her sometime. How about we get an appointment for a meeting or something set up? I'd love to meet the woman who made big sis pop into the world."

Jaune was going to be a star, and she knew that Saphron might need some support from her lil' sis Adelheid, yep.

'I need a drink...'

Everything would be a lot easier with a drink in her. She'd not be worrying about stupid cunts who couldn't take the fact that Adelheid Blau was a hot piece of property.

'And a big hard dick or two...'

Her hand went to stroke over her groin, her lips pushing into a little smile as she brushed over the front, her mind already thinking about some of the dreams that she'd had. It'd been a sensual little tryst, and her body had woken up half-smushed against Saphron, whose amused eyes had taunted her with the fact that she'd probably been mumbling.

'God, I need something to take the edge off...'

"Addie? Hey, Adel?"

Saphron was calling for her attention and Adelheid realized that her nipples probably could cut through steel with how hard they were. Her finger was half-inside her already and she'd started to grope herself.

"Not that I mind, but you eh... Are you okay?"

Adelheid pouted a little, her gaze looking at her friend accusingly. She was not okay. She'd not had a drink or sex for a few days. The closest contact she'd had with a guy was when Jaune had helped her into the car. Right now, her nipples were like the mountain peaks of a burning volcano.

"No, I'm not."

She'd had dreams. Dreams that were naughty and sensual, dreams that left her panting in the morning, feeling the ache between her legs. Today had just reinforced that little feeling. First the little get-together at the airport and those caring eyes just looking into her own, then Saphron dropping her own little bombshell on her...

'Gods, if Miss Umbra finds out I'm out on my ass.'

She had to keep herself controlled, but that was feeling a little tougher with earlier events. It had been nice to see him leap to her defence. She wasn't going to deny that she felt an attraction. Guys who were caring and yet strict with her just made her feel like she wanted to do things for them.

"I'm going to go to bed and... Yeah, sleep. Alone."

Saphron's smirk was cruel and sisterly as she poked her in the side, licking her lips slowly. Adelheid disliked ever feeling so close to the woman as now, because she knew that Saphron was just ramping up for the kill shot.

"Sure that you don't want a plus-one?"

She growled at her friend and nudged her right back, Saphron's smirk teasing and not in the slightest bit serious. She felt dirty as she got herself out of Saphron's bed, stumbling to the door.

"I'll be fine."

She pushed open the door to her own bedroom and threw herself on the bed, hearing the bleep of her Scroll notify that she'd received a call. She pulled it out, seeing the face of the guy who just made her nearly masturbate. She pressed the button, calling him back.

She was in her nightclothes and so was he. She could see the features in the half-darkness of the night as he smiled at her.

"Hey, I just wanted to know if you were feeling alright."

'Fuck.'

Her heartbeat started to pound a little more, those darkened features giving that little edge of mysteriousness to his body.

"I'm fine, Mister Arc."

She tried to be formal, setting the Scroll on the pillow beside her. She felt nothing but the ache as she let her fingers grope and squeeze, a sensual hum coming from her lips at the feeling.

'Damn, I'm-'

He looked at her with that look and she felt herself swearing internally. Her pussy was already drenched and he just gave her that look.

"We're going to the hospital to get you tested. I'm concerned for you, and I don't want you to end up sick because of sex. Health is very important and I don't want you to regret it later."

This just wasn't fair. This was unfair and it sucked. He looked at her as if she was some naughty schoolgirl and he was the big bad teacher who was going to bed her over his desk and give her a D on her inner workings exam.

"I'm not-"

A narrowing of those eyes and those blue eyes looking a little fiercer. She shivered a little under that gaze.

'Oh yes, daddy… Give me that glare. I'm a bad girl and I need to be punished…'

"You could become infertile or sick because of some stuff. My sister Violet said that it's good to get a periodic check-up, so I'll be there with you. You're my publisher, so you need to be healthy. I want you to be healthy."

The sentiment was nice. That he'd go with her to the hospital just to make sure that she'd be comfortable was more than she'd expected, but-

"That's nice but-"

Another of those looks, a glare that seemed to make her shy back a little. Gods, this was getting hard to resist. She might just have to invest in another electric friend for the need, if she was getting that look again.

"I won't let my sister's best friend be sick. You're helping her more than you think. Saphron was really bad after the death of Adrian and now she's getting better."

'That's true.'

The heat between her legs slowly started to fade, as she slowly simmered down, trying to find the pace again that could be called normal. She shouldn't be getting all hot and bothered about the guy she was supposed to be making into this next best thing.

"So, I'll make an appointment for you. Let's go together, or you can take Saphron if that would feel better. Guys eh... We're not supposed to be there with girl stuff, Rouge always says."

She could take Saphron, she'd been meaning to… But if he was offering…

'Well, this counts as engaging with my client too, I reckon…'

"No, no, it's… It's fine, I can make my own appointments. I'm an adult, I'm-"

The sharp look at her was there. He was taking responsibility. She was weak against the look that was like a half-glare, telling her to stay put. This was harder to control, as her breathing picked up a little. She bit her lower lip, looking at him.

He looked a little older than her, just by his manner of appearance. With a bit of scruff and his hair just a touch shorter, he'd be just her type, but-

'Keep it together…'

"Sometimes, you've got to make sure that things are done for people. It's okay to let others help, Adelheid."

He smiled at her and she felt that weak feeling inside her. She could see the concern in his eyes, the honesty that told him that he was a man of his word. Just the type who'd see things through.

'Help me for a bit and then... Well, I've got to pay you back, don't I? Oneesan's going to take great care of you, Jaune-kun...'

Someone was added to the call and Saphron's face popped onto the screen. That distracted her good enough before she'd just take that long hard sh-

'Okay, no bad thoughts whilst big sis is on the screen...'

"Saph, I'm going to book an appointment for Adelheid at the hospital. Be a good sister for her and make sure that she's getting there on time."

The smirk on her friend's face was almost wicked, as the look came from the other woman's eyes. Her nipples were hard again as he looked at the two of them, the half-shadows of his dorm room making him look dark and mysterious.

'Oh yes…'

"Will do, lil' squirt. Should I ask Tyrian to take her to the docks so you both can go, or do you want me to take care of matters personally?"

Adelheid thought that it was great that he would do such a thing for her. It was pleasant to imagine the two of them to take care of her. She'd been tested once, but it'd been unpleasant.

"If you want me to be there, Adelheid, I will be."

'Nah… I'd like it to be... Oof'

It would be embarrassing and unpleasant, as she watched Saphron's expression. Saphron smiled softly at her, not giving her an option to respond yet.

'Damn you and your sister!'

"We'll be fine together, Mister Arc. Thank you for your concern."

He smiled at her, his sister giving her a wink. That smile did her in. Her finger pushed into her and she started to wriggle, as she watched the brother and sister. She could just imagine getting her hands on him, letting him feel her…

"You take care of me, I take care of you. That's how it works."

She could already imagine him taking 'care' of her, slamming himself into her. The finger was joined by another, her breathing a little heavier.

"Hmm, going to take good care of me, are you? My, I don't think Miss Umbra would be pleased with you flirting with me, hmmm?"

It slipped out, as her finger wiggled and shifted inside her. He smiled at her and she felt a shiver pulse through her spine.

"She's more understanding than you think. I'm an Arc, and when I've given my word, I will keep it. You're part of the family now thanks to Saphron."

His sister smiled a little and her fingers started to pump, her eyes watching those shadowed features, her body twitching a little. She felt it come, she felt the need rise.

'I'll be the part of your family that'll be getting you in bed, Jaune.'

A notification, as someone interrupted. The caller ID appeared and she immediately pulled her fingers out, as coolness slid through her. This wasn't the time to jill off to the thought of hot and blonde and sexy.

'Shit, it's the boss! Quick, look unflustered! Damn it, I was so CLOSE!'

"Sorry, the boss is calling. Eh, I'll be back."

'Shit, shit, shit!'

She accepted the call, trying to look as if she was not flustered in the slightest, aware that the woman on the other end of the call was the one with the power to fire her and get a better replacement in her spot.

'You don't fuck with the one paying your salary…'

The woman was seated in a room that looked to be better-furnished than the other one she'd seen before, the hotel obviously different. The woman's pale and aristocratic features were set in a look that boded very much ill tidings for her.

"Miss Blau."

'Yep… Boss lady doesn't sound happy.'

"I am calling to inquire how your first outing went with Jaune."

The question wasn't strange, the woman's eyes sharply peering at her with a look that sent shivers down her back. All the previous excitement had bled out of her as the young woman watched the woman raise a glass of something sparkly and decidedly alcoholic-looking, undoubtedly a very expensive and fine vintage, sipping it slowly.

"Explain, Miss Blau, why he is taking you to the hospital for a test of sickness of your womanly parts. I most certainly did not expect that you would be requiring an appointment after what was supposed to be an introduction..."

'Whoops…'

She cleared her throat, her eyes looking at the woman, trying to must herself to some standard that would meet the criteria of the woman who paid her wages. She had to talk and she didn't trust her voice.

"I didn't violate the terms of our contract, Miss Umbra! He was concerned, and I ran into an old friend, she insinuated a few things and-"

She was rambling now, she knew, but the woman's stern look made her feel the fear slip through her, as a cool smile curled those lips. There was something wicked about the woman's face as the eyes fixed her with a look that her mother would be hard-pressed to challenge in terms of sternness.

"He asked me whether it would be polite to offer you something like that, Miss Blau. Do not fear, he spoke to me about it earlier. It is a nice thing from him to think about your health, is it not?"

There was a tone of dismissal there, as the woman gave a maternal smile. That was a good smile! Boss lady didn't look like she was going to eat her up and spit her out!

'Safe…'

"It is good that you have not seen to your baser urges… Saphron is concerned for you as well, the poor dear."

The woman's faint praise for her being able to contain herself was something that she had not expected, the woman's smile giving her the creeps.

"Yes, Miss Umbra. Mister Arc said that he'd take me to go together with Saphron. He's a nice young man."

A soft laugh, as the woman seemed to find that amusing. Blue eyes met hers and she could feel as if something dark and terrible was looking at her, the lips showing teeth that had undoubtedly been treated with some sort of agent to make them as white as they were.

"Remember the terms of your contract, Miss Blau… I do not wish to read in the papers that you have been approached by an ex and engaged in something disgraceful…"

Adelheid swallowed heavily, as she nodded. She'd be good, and she knew that they just meant well. Miss Umbra had standards for her employees and Jaune was just a darn slice of sunshine and cute buttocks.

"Have a very pleasant night, Miss Blau."

The woman smiled, as the call disconnected and she was pushed into the call with her friend and her brother and currently subject of her working conditions.

"-course, she's just concerned for you as well. She's- ah, and she's back. Hey Adel! We're just talking about the details for our little get-together."

She smiled, as she felt the heat slowly return. Miss Umbra had cooled it, but she'd just… Yeah. An inspection of her nethers, fingers and toy-first.

'They're good people. A best friend and a hunky client.'

---

Salem strode through the room, the small glass of liquor in her hand carefully positioned to give the appearance that she was drinking, though there hardly was much about the vintage. It was not to her taste, nor was it in any way intriguing to her. The year had been better than most, but she remembered a wine that had been great, during the earlier years. A simple fruit juice from freshly imported Vacuan grapes might serve just as well for her palate.

"My, this is truly exquisite."

A breeze slowly brushed over her pale hair, the alabaster skin barely tanned by the heat of the day, as a servant brought forth a chalice filled with the dark red liquid. She let the vineyard's best swirl around within the goblet, drinking from it. A fine taste, dry yet with a hint of the fruity flavour of the berries that had grown in this stretch of the world for ages. The poison was barely noticeable through the taste, yet she finished the goblet nevertheless.

"A fine blend of wine and fruit, though I must comment that the poison was not very efficient."

Another woman would have been on the ground screaming as her internal organs started to shut down. Her gracious host was turning pale, the power within her having seized him in a bind of air and flame. The terrified screams were muted, as the servant slowly burned to a crisp.

"You really should have paid more attention when I said that there would be no backstabbing... Poison in a goblet, what sort of queen do you take me for?"

There was no obvious answer, of course. The man's tongue was slowly being set aflame. One did not lie to one's queen of the world, the goddess that brought bounties to the world for the mortals to suffer...

She should have some of her associates bring some of the wine towards the castle. It wouldn't do for such a fine wine to be wasted upon the tongues of one not blessed with the power of magic.

"Lady Umbra, what a pleasant surprise!"

Jacques Schnee in all his graciousness appeared, his wife following behind him like a shadow. It was a public appearance for the woman, her eyes unfocused. Salem could smell the liquor on her breath, as the eyes looked hollowly at her.

'Such a terrible waste of potential...'

The woman had been beautiful, once upon a time. A great beauty, one of the high risers of society with her father's company... truly squandered. It had been a consideration of hers before to bring the woman under her sway, yet she was glad that she had not. Drunkards were such animals.

A brief flash of the young woman who would be producing the success that Jaune had wished for came to mind, a faint expression of disgust ghosting below the skin, knowing that the woman was being good for the time being. Women should not overindulge and share their bodies with those who were not their husband.

'Oh, if not for the blessing of being Saphron's friend and Jaune's aide to greatness...things would be a little different, Miss Blau.'

It would all go according to plan, of course. Whether the young woman kept to the straight and narrow line or not was unimportant...

'A lesson, my child...'

Jaune would have to learn how to move through high society, through the pressures of the world that came with the job of being its divine monarch. A heavy burden, for most. Not for the young man that she had infused with the power that held her above those on this world.

"Jacques, Willow... What a pleasure to meet with you."

The casual smile, the eagerness on the man's face as much a mask as his desire to be away from her as it was genuine. She brought with her offers, requests... business. In her grand plan, Jacques Schnee was but a small grain of sand. Utterly unimportant.

"It is a pleasure to see you again."

The drunken wife said, the smell of the alcoholic beverage increasing as the woman exhaled. Salem barely approved of the woman as she was now. Drunken women were the easiest to beguile, yet they held it as a crutch, a hint of something to lean against.

'Disgusting.'

The smile on her face was as fake as the smiles on her two acquaintances. She spoke a few words on the business side of things, Jacques excusing himself. She wondered how long he would last. Not very long, she would imagine.

'Now...'

"How are your daughters, Willow?"

A smile on her lips as she showed some interest, the two young women barely a registered name on her mind. The youngest was a singer and but a touch more important than her father, serving as a willing courtesan for her boy.

"Very well, thank you. My eldest daughter serves as a Specialist in Atlas' proud Specialist corps and my youngest has ceased her career as a singer to become a Huntress at Beacon Academy."

The woman's gaze was unfocused, the stylist who had done the woman's hair having ensured that there was not a strand out of place. The liquor was thrown back and the woman paused for a second to gather herself again.

"My godson speaks highly of your youngest daughter's talent as a Huntress."

Intrigue wasn't sowed within a day. She would toy with the woman as a moment of enjoyment... The main target of her interest was not here yet, and it would be a way to pass the time. Willow Schnee would be a problem for the history books, after she had planted those final germinating seeds...

'A pity that your time on this world grows waning, my dear...'

"Oh? What's she done now?"

The disinterest galled her as a mother herself. The woman's hand motioned for a server and the glass was downed halfway before it rested in her hands. Salem put the smile for polite conversation, steering the woman towards one of the corners, a soft smile that would charm most simpletons... or drunkards.

"Made an impression."

The woman didn't seem to think much, as she drank more of the food.

"Your husband was quite irked when they were found in bed together..."

A hint of interest, a quirk of the lips that was common to the woman she remembered from before, a fading echo of what had once been a beauty, before the hollow eyes looked at her once more.

---

"Willow Schnee, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Bright eyes that were a pale blue colour beheld her with that interest that faded not with the breath that she took, the young woman looking to be in the peak of health. A smile that slid onto her features, as her eyes still carried with her the light and liveliness of her youth.

Disgusting, for her own eyes to see, yet the smile did not fade. The investment had been made and Nicholas would mine the Dust. She was not so foolish as to assume that the man would be double-crossing him.

"A pleasure, my dear. You are very fetching."

A compliment from her lips, as the beauty of the woman shone through. If she had a craving for being a deviant, she might have taken the woman to the bedchambers, yet she was most definitely not a deviant.

"Thank you. I hope to find someone to share my life with soon. A man who will love me for who I am and who will let me be as free as I wished to be, like father is."

Salem could hardly be amused by the wishful fancy. She spotted the young Géle making eyes at the woman. Not a young man that she would approve of, but her claws did not need to dig into the woman much.

"I'm just an older woman, my dear. Let's be friends, I'm sure Nicholas wouldn't mind us having a spot of girl-talk."

It had been interesting to pluck the woman's mind. It had been keen and honed, with an honesty that had been a refreshing start in the world. The boldness that the young woman had shown had been amusing, and Salem had to admit that it was entertaining to pluck at the strings of Atlesian etiquette. A miner's daughter whose Lien outstripped the old money still left...

---

'And how far you have fallen over the years, Willow.'

The woman's life was fading, the beauty long-since lost under a cover of dust and alcohol. She had heard that the eldest daughter showed the sparks of passion that her mother had been known for in her youth, she had seen the look in the youngest daughter's eyes that showed that there was still that spark...

'My...'

The cruel urge to push the woman to the brink of madness was suppressed as she watched a flicker of emotion in those eyes. The woman that had once said so brightly of the foolishness of some of the rich showed herself, as another glass was fetched.

"I'll have to place a call, Willow."

It was impolite in the extreme, yet the woman would hardly care. There was no flame lit within her, and the General was still far-off. Selene Umbra was here as a courtesy to the ruling elite... Where she could bear witness to the eldest daughter that served as an attendant to the man.

The connection stabilized, and her eyes caught sight of his tired features. It should be around the late afternoon in Vale, given the current late hour.

"Hello, mama."

A warmth settled inside her at his voice, a tender expression on her face as she looked at him. It was such a delight to see him once more and dear Saphron. It was almost as if things were to be alright again...

'But they won't be alright until Ozma lies dead...'

"Greetings, my dear."

Someone in the background was moving, and she could hear a soft voice inquire whether he could move a little faster. She recognized the voice and her lips quirked with a smile.

"Willow, this is my godson, Jaune."

The woman looked at the image, the blonde hair mussed up. Sweat stuck to the skin, as he smiled at her. Someone's pale fingers ran through his hair. She recognized it as belonging to the woman's daughter. A coincidence, but not an unwelcome one.

"Hello, Miss Schnee!"

Someone in the background gave a low hiss.

"It's your mom, Weiss."

A reaction on the woman's face, a flush on the cheeks that disappeared as the woman drank some more. Salem could see the look in those eyes, could almost smell the sudden nervousness within the woman.

'Oh, is that the feeling of failing as a mother, Willow?'

"I do not want to talk to her."

Her son's eyes turned softer as he looked, and he made a sound. She recognized it as a sigh that rumbled with a hint of displeasure. Already, she could imagine the face that the girl made, and the Scroll was seized.

Flushed cheeks and blue eyes looked at Salem herself, at her mother after a moment, Willow Schnee fixed with a look. Anger was in those eyes, anger and something that might be bitter spite. The girl was like her mother, except for her bust. That would grow, hopefully... A woman's figure had to be perfect for her husband and man, after all.

'Perhaps a corset, some stimulant hormones...'

"Mother."

The ice could be seen to cling to that voice, and Salem watched the effect that it had on the woman. A minute tremor, a shiver that went through the body. The woman was more affected than she showed, the body language unfazed, yet the minor hints showing clearly what a state the simple word spat out with loathing could achieve.

'With a few words... a little suggestion...'

A few suggestions to the woman to 'make up' to the teenage daughter, a gift perhaps... Oh, the blow-up would be amazing to witness from a distance. The Schnee matriarch might even take her own life sooner than expected.

'Children who loathe their mother... A louse for a mother...'

Her children had been obedient and pleasant. She loved them, and she loved Jaune. He was...

"Hello, Weiss. Are you..."

The woman trailed off, and something in her daughter's eyes just snapped. Salem enjoyed the flash of fear through the woman's eyes.

"Well?"

A hiss came from the daughter. Such disrespect would not be tolerated within Salem's own household. The governess would teach the children to be properly educated... They were to become queen or king in due time, after all. Proper decorum and worship to their mother the Queen were expected.

"She's wonderful, Miss Schnee. I'm really happy I have a friend such as her."

The girl's expression changed to a tender, warm look. A girl's look at the words of one she cherished.

'Love...'

A surge of jealousy came from deep inside her. She wanted to see the girl burned and marked forever, to witness the screams and the mutilation. She was aware that she had stopped smiling, but cared little for it, as the girl looked at the young man who was the focus of her world.

'The rightful prince, the king who would rule this world when Ozma has perished...'

Her attention went to the mother again, whose face showed an actual response. There was a tremor, a minor shake. The woman saw herself, in the clutches of her husband. There had been love from the woman for the man she had married. A reflection of that which had once been, before the man had shattered that marriage with his notions of Lien and power.

'A foolish notion...'

"Mother..."

The girl looked her mother dead in the eyes and then grabbed the Scroll, putting it right up to her face. The asymmetry of her face stood out, the scar marking her as different from her mother, adding a dash of battle-worn beauty to her features, her loose hair making her look even better.

"You know what?"

The girl scooted back, and she kept the camera of the Scroll aimed at her face, as her hand made a pumping motion, her shoulder moving quite slowly as she kept the pace on whatever it was. Jaune's groan was manly and amusing, as Salem knew that he was with a girl that loved him.

"I'm happy. He loves me."

A slipping of that love into the pool of her voice and creating ripples as the image of a room came into view, and Salem gave a minor sound of amusement, before something quite masculine and lengthy came into view, the girl's blue eyes peering at her mother as her tongue flicked against a sensitive part of the male anatomy.

"I hated singing lessons, mother. But you made me go, ever since Winter left. I had to sing..."

The tongue slid right up to the crown of that male length, as the blue eyes peered right into the camera. Salem observed the mother's reaction, seeing that response rock the woman. Disbelief and pain showed in the woman's eyes, yet her control was still good enough to keep her face composed.

'A good choice to go to one of the corners... It's not like people pay much attention to Lady Schnee...'

"Look at me now. I've got a dick here, mommy. Your little Weiss is sucking a guy's dick."

The lips slid down, the eyes staring accusingly at her mother. Salem found it awfully crude, but she had to compliment the girl on her lack of a gag reflex. Even if it was not a skill she would imagine most noble women would hold high in value.

A pulling off and a low groan from her Jaune, hearing that hiss of pleasure. She should perhaps attempt it as well. It might be a novel experience. A woman should not do such things, but if her Jaune requested it...

"Ahhh, hmm..."

The girl's tongue teased over the head, as she glared at her mother, who had gone paler by the second.

"Must've been more than a decade since you've last seen one, haven't you? Doesn't it look great? Doesn't it look yummy? I bet it's looking a lot better than father's, right? How do you like it, huh?"

The head slammed down onto her son's groin, the manhood between the girl's lips punctuating that statement, angry looking eyes glaring up at the Scroll, the girl's lips wrapped tightly at the base.

"Weiss, I'm not sure-"

The girl's head rose and she stared at the camera. "I've got some dick, mother. Your daughter's happy and she's in love. I fucking love him. Does that hurt? Oh, does mommy want to cry? I'm done with being father's little songbird, locked in a cage. Jaune likes me for who I am. He's given me more love than you have during all those years when you tried to help, Mom. This is going to go inside, Mom. Your daughter's getting fucked."

A hand grabbed Weiss' hair and her son's voice came again. "Weiss, she's still your mother. Miss Schnee, I'm sorry that-" The girl's hand grabbed her son's manhood and the angry glare at the mother increased in power. Salem would have to give it some points for intimidation, as the angry purplish head bounced against the girl's nose.

"How does it feel to be alone, mother? Nobody likes you. You're drunk and you don't care. Now, I'm going to fuck. Good night, mother."

The Scroll was taken and her son's face was on the screen for a moment.

"She's really a great girl, Miss Schnee. I'm really sorry."

The woman was devastated. Salem could see it in the woman's eyes as she lightly took the woman's hand. A quivering lip and a trembling hand that made the liquid in the glass ripple. The breakdown was coming and Willow Schnee would be broken.

'Oh no... What a pity. What a shame...'

Another nail in the coffin for the woman.

"Mama, can you please look after her? I'd feel better if she had someone to be there for her."

Such a request would not be denied, as she smiled softly and patted the other woman's hand.

"Have a good evening, Miss Schnee, Mama. I'm sorry."

In the background, the girl hissed something about not wanting to waste time with her mother when she could be getting laid. The comment that utterly dismissed her broke the woman even further.

'I guess you will need to be looked after...'

Guiding the woman to the bathroom with a light smile on her face whilst the woman staggered with her, her magic slowly letting the emotions build up.

They were within the marble-tiled bathroom when the dam burst. The woman collapsed against the sink, Salem's hand on her back. The woman was incoherent in her sounds, as Salem gave soft shushing noises, trying to get the woman back on track. The youngest daughter's name was uttered a few times.

"It will be okay... She's just young, she doesn't hate you..."

Words of comfort, words that would have been replaced with 'See what she thinks of you? Why not end it? A mother would wish her daughter's happiness... So why continue living if you hurt her so much?' upon another moment. Jaune had told her that she should look after Willow Schnee...

'I guess you live...'

It was a minor adjustment to the plans. Willow Schnee would not be throwing herself off Atlas today, it seemed. Most of the careful insinuations were discarded. It wouldn't do to make the poor dear perish if her darling child wished her to be taken care of.

"Now, we're going to clean you up after you've gone to the bathroom and we're going to walk out of there... You're the strong girl that I met all those years ago, Willow."

The woman's behaviour was like a child, yet Salem could find some amusement in how that look of trust was directed at her. It was foolish and simple, yet there was something in that look that just made her feel amused.

'I guess we might need a head maid...'

Any lady of fine standing had a maid or three... Willow Schnee would do suitably well. A king would have a bevvy of maids at his beck and call, after all.

'And if Jaune wishes to make use of her...'

A queen would not dress like anything of a lower class, after all. Boys enjoyed the pleasure of a totally obedient maidservant. It would not be unusual for them to be aesthetically pleasant womenfolk...

'I suppose we can fetch the daughter a maid outfit as well...'

It helped to be steadfast in one's dealings with the rabble and mongrels of this low caste. The smile on her face was warm and motherly as she helped the Schnee matriarch to get herself functional again for public viewing.

She couldn't resist a little meddling though.

"Perhaps it might be a good idea to cease your drinking?"

A hesitant look, the makeup wiped away and re-applied. A little touch of Salem's own hand to the woman's features. A lady had to look her best, no matter the circumstance. Be it a lowly serf or a queen...

"You've got a handsome godson. You're blessed, Selene."

She was quite blessed, she supposed. She was a goddess after all.

"Reconnect with your daughter, Willow. She will appreciate it. And..."

A devious little thought toyed with her mind, as she rubbed the other woman's back in a maternal fashion. It was perhaps a touch of weakness, but she felt almost kind. Almost.

"Do so before it is too late. Sometimes, that which we value the most will be taken from us before we are ready. If you must, go towards Vale and visit her. Don't let your husband chain you to your house."

The advice was free, and it would make the woman more vulnerable. Willow Schnee, in her prime, would have been able to suggest that she was perfectly capable of making such a decision by herself, but now, the woman gave a thoughtful look.

"Perhaps I will... It has been years since I last ventured out of the Kingdom."

Salem smiled gently. Her reflection in the mirror looked every bit the kind older woman that she was to Willow Schnee, rather than the frozen-hearted terror that she evoked within her husband. Different masks for different occasions, of course.

"I'll visit you when you're in Vale, dear."

The woman gave a hesitant smile, which firmed a little, the alcohol on her breath still an irritant to Salem's nostrils.

"Oh, and do try to stop drinking. A lady does not drink unless in the company of her trusted escort. Manners, Willow. I am sure that you remember the lessons in etiquette."

Perhaps it would not be bad to invest in some preparation for Willow Schnee's evacuation out of Atlas...

'Oh, I am sure that dear Jacques would just be beside himself with the worry for his precious company...'

The stocks would plummet with the Matriarch making an unexpected trip. The death of the woman would have caused an economic collapse globally, knowing the woman's husband, but this... This was still workable. There was some savage glee inside her as she could imagine the sleepless nights that the industrialist would have.

'I guess we're extending your lease on life a little, Willow...'

For her son, she would make sure that his Schnee girl's mother would live just a little longer. Why shouldn't he have a lady of suitable standing to teach etiquette to his sister Saphron, right?

---

Weiss was passionate in her own heart. As he pressed a soft kiss against her lips, he was aware that she had hurt her mother. He didn't like that, yet he indulged her. He'd tell her afterwards, as the warmth filled the dark ocean and he felt himself be reinvigorated.

As they laid on the bed, his arm lightly brushed over her back. "Weiss, I want you to apologize to your mother." His voice was stern, his eyes meeting hers with that delicate expression on her face changing. Confusion was in them, surprise too. Hurt, if he guessed right, as well.

"Why?"

He looked into her eyes and he felt understanding go through him. He looked into her eyes deeply and then smiled, sadly. The anger didn't leave him, as he imagined his sister Saphron. A wave of slow-burning anger surfaced, as he remembered Saphron's fear. She shouldn't have to suffer that!

"Because nobody deserves to have their child shout at them and hurt them, Weiss. I'm not asking you to understand completely but... Please, talk with your mother. My sister..."

He looked pained, as he remembered Saphron, looking into Weiss' eyes.

"She lost her baby. It was a Dust accident and she survived, but her partner's baby did not. We're both in a dangerous profession and your mother doesn't deserve to lose such a beautiful girl like you."

He could see that his words had an effect on Weiss, as she seemed to swallow heavily for a moment. Her eyes did not change much, though her expression turned somewhat warmer than before. There was a realisation in her eyes that made her realize that life was fleeting.

'When you've got a long while to live, life starts to become fleeting...'

"Perhaps... perhaps I will send a message. She has been..."

Weiss looked uncertain, and he knew that she was thinking about it, his hand touching her cheek and brushing over it.

"She hasn't been the best mother."

He looked into her eyes and cupped her chin in his palm. "But she's still alive and so are you. I know that you love passionately, Weiss. Nobody is beyond forgiveness, because we're all going to be heroes in our own way."

A softness to her eyes, as she smiled softly, inhaling deeply.

"Your dad is an asshole though."

She giggled a little at that comment, her eyes looking at him.

"He is. I'll call her in the morning. Thank you for- Thank you for being there to remind me that I should perhaps be a little more open."

She was such a precious girl, he knew. He got up slowly from the bed. He knew that it'd been something daring to do it here, but the room was empty for the time being, as he fixed his clothing once again.

He walked out, just as Yang and Ruby approached, the blonde's face looking suspiciously at him. The anger fiercely shot through his system, knowing now the burning inside of that anger as he watched her. The silver-eyed girl with her red cloak was unaware, but both blondes sized each other up, and Yang dismissed him.

"Had a good time with Weiss, Jaune?"

Ruby asked and he gave a soft nod. He wasn't going to elaborate, especially not with Yang there.

"Good. Good. Yang thinks you're just trying to get with her because she's rich. She really likes you, though. She keeps on mumbling your name when she's sleeping and shivering. She does moan your name when she's turning in her bed though." He supposed that it was one way to do things, especially with a younger teammate.

He saw Pyrrha lean against the wall outside their dorm, looking at her Scroll. She looked up and then watched him, her eyes widening.

"Wait, Jaune, don't go in yet, they're-"

He opened the door and heard a loud moaning come from within, stepping in fully and spotting Nora on the bed, Ren behind her, the long shirt that he tended to wear for sleeping still worn, Nora's breasts out and her face set in that half-mild-panicked look, and then a gut-wrenching sound came from her lips as Ren seemed to slip, his cheeks turning a deep pink colour.

"AH! Shit, OWW, SHIT!"

He stepped back out immediately. The fact that they were together-together wasn't any of his business, he should have totally guessed that they might need some couple time.

"PYRRHA?! I need a hand here, it got stuck!"

Pyrrha's face turned red and she looked away. Jaune was happy that Ruby and Yang had already entered their dorm, as he leaned against the wall. He could hear the conversation go on.

"Rennie, get off! It slipped inside me! Fuck, this HURTS!"

He heard Pyrrha trying to say something, as Ren tried his best, Nora cussing loudly.

"JUST GET IT OUT! IT'S METAL! PULL IT OUT!"

He walked off, as he dialled the number for Doctor Watts. It might be best to let such things be such things. Pyrrha and Nora could do their thing whilst Ren was doing his thing... and his girlfriend.

'Didn't Saphron have a toy that she could put in her rear?'

He'd seen the 'toy box' that belonged to Terra. A lot of things were inside it. He hadn't been supposed to peek but it'd just been there and he'd been fifteen.

"Good afternoon, Master Jaune."

The man's professional tone was somewhat indicative of how little the man was affected by him, a veneer of distaste and perhaps dislike spliced through the man's voice.

"Doctor Watts... I have a request for you."

The picture file was already being dragged to the send box. It was sent nearly immediately.

"Her name is Yang Xiao-Long. I need to know everything about her."

The man's minutely raised eyebrow was a telling sign, as Jaune leaned back against a wall, staring at the man coolly.

"And what, may I be so crude as to inquire, would you do with the information? I am no dating service, boy. If you wish to impress a girl, I am unsuited for-"

Jaune's smile turned darker, as he looked at the man's expression on the other end of the Scroll call. The red glow slowly slid through the irises of his eyes, as his skin started to turn a shade paler as the dark ocean swelled inside him, his tongue sliding over his lips.

"I'm going to make sure that she suffers, Doctor Watts."

The man's face turned stern, as he fixed the man with a look.

"I do not enjoy being manhandled by a brash girl that does not know her place in the world."

Yang Xiao-Long would break, just as his arm was broken.

'Payback is a bitch, Yang... If you thought that letting Pyrrha rough you up a little was all I could do...'

The man's eyes looked into his own and he smiled. His image on the screen was perfect, as he could already imagine the face Yang would make, the doctor's eyes narrowing a little as the man seemed to reach a conclusion and nodded.

'A first move is to determine the conditions... and then, the king shakes the board.'

"You have a day, Doctor Watts. Ensure that I get the information before tomorrow evening."

The man's eyes looked at him and an amused smile appeared on the man's face. The challenge had been taken, and the bait had been snagged.

"I look forward to seeing what you can do with the information I shall provide, Master Jaune. Do expect more economics homework as well... Your calculus skills are below-par. The Lady does not have much patience for failures. You may consider the plan you draft to be something of an examination, for Her Majesty's own appeal."

Jaune knew that he should make sure that he'd do the extra work then. It would be time to hit the books on economics then.

'Perhaps Weiss is willing to help?'

The least he could do was ask.

---

There was nothing else that mattered, to her. The mortal ones merely lived to sate her curiosity, as she drew the covers up in the bed, the warmth of the covers not like that of a lover, yet the heat still enough. The Scroll laid on her lap in front of her, a faint smile playing on her lips.

To anyone else, they would see an older woman perhaps in her sixties sitting in the bed, toying with her Scroll, something to pass the time. The illusion was carefully woven in order to ensure that no listener could spy in on her doings and goings.

The connection steadied and she saw the dialling button pop and flash. Contacting Absinthe was always a chore, as the woman did not believe in technology aside from the landline and the other official methods, a wise precaution, yet less wonderful if you had to reach the woman.

The connection finally went to green and the image on the screen steadied. "Mistress..." The old voice of the woman who had once been young had become something gnarled and twisted thanks to the tasks that she did for the one who held her leash. "I have done as you ask."

"Good."

The smile on her lips did not flicker in its intensity, as she grabbed a hold of the light drink that she had selected, something fizzy and sweet. The craving for wine had lost its taste after the little mess with Willow... the poor woman needing the comfort of her home. It had been a lengthy Scroll conversation about things, stacking the deck with little tidbits of knowledge and hopes. Everything that the woman needed, the decision firming in her mind.

'Such a poor dear...'

The woman was an afterthought, as things mattered more in the present moment. "There can be no place in my family for whores, Absinthe." Her voice was a sinuous whisper, her eyes looking at the aged features. A smile came to her lips as she saw the bitter look on the woman's face. It was of no issue what her subjects felt, they simply had to obey.

"The girl was not fit to be in your family, Mistress. A woman on her knees, serving the needs of others... Disgusting. It reminds me of the time you came to my aid, and it is not how a lady should act."

It was indeed not how a lady should act, in Salem's view as well. Violet Arc had been selling her body cheaply. For someone with such features and such beauty, the price could have easily been quadrupled with the proper talents...

'But that will not happen.'

It was regrettable that the girl had been a prostitute. The eldest at least practised a trade that was respected, which held with it some veneer of intelligence. It would be far less shameful than to see that the daughter of the house had been with more men than she had lived in years...

"Have you found what you sought?"

There was an urgency in her voice, as Absinthe nodded. The aged features split into a grin, as enjoyment shone within those eyes.

"Perhaps. I have seen the animals... they're weak and they are defenceless. Oh, how I wish to bring them the death that they yearn for with their twisted traits and their polluting effect on our cities."

Salem's lip curled slightly as she let the look of glee on the aged countenance of her assassin last for a moment, clearing her throat audibly for the assassin to hear.

"Apologies, Mistress. You know how I get when I have fresh grounds to prowl."

Salem gave a soft sigh, aware of the proclivity of Absinthe Moor to use Faunus test subjects. A few people would go missing, but it would scarcely matter. Humans were far more inclined to guard their own than to guard a mere Faunus, after all.

"You are aware that Vale has tighter scrutiny on its populace than Argus, right? A missing person might just give... issues."

The old woman carried the Scroll with her gingerly, walking through the rooms of her current apartment, furnished with furniture that had been brought to give the aesthetic of a kindly old lady's domain. A knitting work laid unfinished, and the veneer that Absinthe had given to those around was that of a kindly woman.

'And only those who meet with you will see the depths that you can go to, Absinthe...'

"Child, go and take the next dosage."

A pleasant humming came from the side, as someone moved in the background, the aged assassin sinking into the comfortable rocking chair with a low sound of contentment. If Salem hadn't been mistaken, there'd been a warm bottle set up for the older woman.

A shudder and a shiver, a pained groan coming from a throat that was younger than the other woman in the room, a softness of expression in the grizzled assasin's eyes, as the old woman's face turned colder after the groaning did not stop.

"Resist it! It's just some spider venom! I was taking those by the vial after a month, rather than the diluted version you will take! Cyan, resist the pain. The Mistress is watching." There was an amused laugh that came from her.

'The little Cyan Moor, the girl that was picked to be her replacement as my assassin. Has it really been thirty years since you started to train your successor, Absinthe? Failure after failure...'

She could remember the first girl. Dark of hair and dark of skin. The girl had been ugly, if Salem had to judge. The spider venom had killed that one. The pictures Absinthe had hung up in the living room, a memory of the failures that she had crafted into others.

'Poisoning, a little slip with the milking of the venom... Ah, wasn't there one that failed on their first assignment? Absinthe made it just in time...'

"Has dearest Saphron called?"

She inquired, her voice sounding more than a little curious. Her daughter had not been very forthcoming these past days, undoubtedly a little under the weather. The dear girl was so worried about her brother...

'Jaune, you don't have to suffer...'

She would get her vengeance on the man who had dared to lay a hand on her love's body. Nobody would take from a queen what belonged to her.

"She has called once, Mistress. She is settling in well, and the Scorpion has been over to request a minor favour. With your permission, Mistress, do I have the- No, silly girl! It goes in the OTHER vein!"

The gasps and whimpers increased, as the scroll was sat down and Salem merely watched on as Absinthe Moor, with the precision of a trained physician, inserted the needle into the arm of the girl, the pale skin looking even paler as she did. A jacket had been slung over one of the chairs, a nice leather jacket.

'My, this does not help your skin much, my dear...'

The shivering form looked like it was getting used to the seventh treatment already. Absinthe Moor was someone who did not spare the girls she had under her care much, and the blonde hair clung to the girl's face, as the aged assassin put another needle in the other arm.

"There, another extra dose for being a weakling. You were born weak, but you will be strong."

The girl looked younger than she was, as her body shivered. The pale skin was still pristine and perfect, as she let a low shiver out.

"Grandmother, it hurts. It's like fire going through my body, it's..."

Salem tuned out the girl's whimpers. They were unnecessary at this moment, as the assassin applied the dosages and then pumped them into the girl's bloodstream. It was an adaptive process, and Salem knew well that Absinthe Moor was someone who had a dedication to her craft. It was something that the woman had perfected.

'Truly someone who knows their trade...'

"I've got to go home now, Grandmother. I'll be back tomorrow. I'll bring some of mom's special soup. She's so proud of me being able to help you with your illness."

The pale features of a blonde woman came into view as Absinthe Moor's cheek was kissed, the woman not giving her apprentice a glance, yet Salem did not bother too much with that. Beautiful looks, a smile that was warm and appealing to the eyes, and beautiful features that would make it hard to resist her appeared, as Absinthe Moor's voice rang out.

"I'll be evaluating your physical training later this week, my dear. Make sure that you do your exercises. Tomorrow, we'll get started on your ability to mix poisons whilst poisoned. You're doing well, Cyan."

Violet Arc smiled back at the woman she thought of as a grandmother, giving a warm embrace, the older woman's face as impassive as always. Absinthe Moor was someone who cared for little more than the missions she was given and the death of the Faunus on her path.

A useful tool. But even the sharpest tool would dull with age, would wither away given time.

"Have a great evening, grandmother. My sister is recovering well, so I hope that she'll be right as rain soon. It's been so long since I saw Saphron happy."

The young woman walked out of the view of the Scroll, and Salem heard the sound of a door closing.

'From the dregs of whoredom shall grow a beautiful poisonous flower... And what a beautiful flower you will be, Violet Arc.'

---

Salem is back with her evil plottings! Absinthe Moor has an apprentice!

Have a Merry Christmas!

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