An instant of deadly tension washed over the room as the siblings and their aggressor fell silent. After a single heartbeat's pause, Qrow swiftly moved in front of his sister and put a protective hand out, toward the bull faunus. Just as quickly, Raven forced his arm downward and stepped forward to stand beside Qrow. He grunted in protest, but quickly closed his mouth as Raven shot him an annoyed glance before training her eyes back on the stranger.
"So, what's your plan, here? Assault two new arrivals to Beacon Academy, while every student in the building is currently roaming the halls and the door is wide open? We're not just leaving without good reason, and to be completely honest- a weapon like that isn't reason enough for me," Raven spat as she relaxed her muscles and stood straight. "Your stance alone tells me that you probably have no formal training, and you look to be about our age. Who are you, what are you doing up here, and why are you armed?"
The boy's upper lip twitched in annoyance, and the faint scar upon its left side seemed almost to dance as it quivered slightly. For a moment, the redhead sank into a more threatening stance, before he thought better of it and rose to his full height with a ragged sigh. Slowly, he lowered his hand from the hilt of his sword, and cast his exposed eye off to the side as he spoke in a tense voice.
"Call me… Adam. Adam Taurus. I came up here to avoid other students. I would appreciate it if you two would leave me to what little peace and solitude I have left, before we're sorted into teams."
"… other students?" Qrow asked as he folded his arms across his chest. "So, you're a huntsman in training, too. A first year?"
"Correct," Adam agreed as he shifted his eye back toward Qrow. A guilty look passed over his boyish features as he turned his attention to Raven, who gave him a judgmental glare. "Maybe I was a little hasty with my reaction, but… I have my reasons."
"You're a faunus," Raven stated plainly. "It's understandable, given what just happened downstairs."
Every muscle in Adam's body seemed to tense as he drew in a breath through his nose. "What just happened downstairs…?"
"Yeah," Qrow began as he took a step backward and closed the door, before locking it. "Weren't you at the welcome speech? Or did you get up here so quickly by skipping it?"
Adam bit his lower lip and turned to walk toward one of the unoccupied beds. He sat heavily and rested his katana beside himself atop the mattress, before bracing his palms upon the sheets.
"I'm… here under special circumstances. Professor Ozpin told me I could wait for him up here, if that made me more comfortable. I took him up on the offer."
"So that's why you're armed, when all of us had our weaponry and luggage taken for inspection," Raven replied as she sat down on the bed across from Adam's. Qrow took to leaning on the wall as he kept his arms crossed and a foot against the plaster. "You've got connections already."
Adam snorted in response. "Connections. You could say that. The headmaster is the only human I know I can trust, here. That being said… neither of you is looking at me the way most of them do, even after being threatened. Why not?"
Qrow shook his head, and waved a dismissive hand. "What can I say? We're not complete assholes, if you can believe it. Qrow Branwen."
"Raven Branwen. We're twins," his sister finished as she folded her hands in her lap. "We have nothing against the faunus, Adam. We could be humans two and three that you can comfortably associate with, if you'll allow it. After all, there aren't that many freshmen. We will be seeing each other around. We may even end up on the same team."
Adam blanched at the notion, and slowly offered Raven his hand. She took it with a hiked brow, and tested his grip with a vicelike hold of her own. Adam returned the gesture, though found himself quickly overpowered before Raven let go of his hand and he shook it out.
"…you're right. I guess I'm just so used to the constant abuse that I acted without thinking. Even in Vale, I'm usually met with stares and insults."
Qrow chuckled despite himself, and kicked off the wall to sit beside Raven. "Trust me, you're not the only one who gets constant side-eye for something they didn't choose to be. We're cool, but maybe think twice before rushing to threats next time?"
Qrow offered his hand, and Adam shook it firmly.
"Yes. You're absolutely right. Both of you are."
Raven nodded as the boys separated once again. "So, where are you from, if not Vale?"
Adam made an uncomfortable noise as he shifted upon the bed. Suddenly, he spoke, his tone almost more of a growl than a sentence.
"…Atlas…"
Qrow and Raven exchanged an uneasy look, before the brother grimaced.
"…you don't need to say anything else, tonight. That's exactly the answer we were hoping we wouldn't get."
"I'm sorry, Adam," Raven added as a series of three light knocks impacted the door.
"Mr. Taurus? It's Professor Ozpin," came a familiar voice through the wall.
Adam stood up from his place upon the bed immediately, and called out in response.
"I'll be right there!" The faunus then looked over Qrow and Raven, before rubbing the side of his neck with a hand. "You two can stay, if you want. I don't know how long I'll be, though."
Qrow nodded slowly, and offered Adam a smirk. "We will. I'll put my tie on the doorknob, so we're left alone. Just knock, so we know it's you."
Adam quirked a brow, clearly confused. "How will putting a tie on the door stop people from coming in?"
Raven smirked despite herself, and ran a hand through her shaggy hair as her brother snorted in amusement. "We'll explain later, when you get back. Just trust us."
"Alright then," Adam replied as he shook his head. "Watch my sword for me?"
"Will do," Qrow confirmed. "Don't keep the headmaster waiting."
"Right. I'll… see you soon," Adam offered with a ghost of a smile before disappearing through the door and into the hall. Qrow flopped backward onto the mattress and folded his hands behind his head.
"Poor guy. Probably barely got out of the dust mines. Maybe he knew someone? Or the headmaster got him out, somehow?"
Raven remained silent as she stood up and transferred herself to the opposite bed. She sat slowly and took up Adam's katana, before drawing the blade. The steel was worn, notched, and stained with what the girl knew to be dried blood. An emblem of an ornate snowflake was embossed into the metal near the hilt of the blade, though frantic scratches were etched through it on either side.
"…no. No, I don't think he got out of the mines on account of knowing someone…"
"The headmaster will see you now."
The lanky, green haired boy sitting alone in the lobby beneath the giant glass elevator leading to Professor Ozpin's office looked up from his book, and adjusted his circular glasses with his free hand. Before him stood a familiar figure that he had seen a few times over the course of the first few days in his tenure at Beacon Academy, usually patrolling the halls with a riding crop in hand.
She was a good-looking professor not much older than him and likely fresh out of the academy herself, wearing a simple white blouse and tight-fitting black pants. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a professional bun, and her piercing blue eyes were partially hidden behind glasses of her own. She regarded the boy quite shrewdly, and folded her arms as he looked her over. Finally, his mouth caught up to his brain as he returned to the world around him, and he snapped the book closed with an enthusiastic motion.
"Ah, very good, very good indeed! Thank you, Professor Goodwitch!"
The older woman frowned slightly as she gestured toward the elevator with her riding crop. "Indeed. Do try to be on your best behavior. Professor Ozpin deserves the utmost respect."
The boy's eyes widened behind his thick lenses as he nodded repeatedly. He entered the elevator at a brisk pace, and his female companion joined him before pressing a button and causing the elevator to begin its ascent.
"Oh yes, I'm well aware. He's an incredible man, one that I admire already, truth be told. The youngest headmaster ever to lead an academy, and taking such bold steps to foster peace between human and faunus? Remarkable, truly remarkable."
Professor Goodwitch said nothing as the elevator came to an abrupt stop, and the doors slid open. She stepped out into a large circular office, and stood sentinel beside the elevator doors as the young huntsman in training emerged. He looked all around himself in awe at the myriad gears turning within the ceiling, walls, and large transparent desk at the far end of the room. Behind the desk sat Professor Ozpin, a coffee cup on the desk before him and his cane in hand.
"Come. Sit," the headmaster offered with a sweeping gesture. With a speedy walk, the student acquiesced, and lowered himself into the waiting chair opposite Professor Ozpin. The green velvet cushion was quite comfortable, and mirrored the headmaster's own seat.
"Good afternoon, Professor! Might I ask what this is all about?" the huntsman in training inquired while crossing his legs. He ran a nervous hand through his messy green strands to push the hanging hair away from his forehead, and offered his elder an unsure grin.
"All in good time, young man. Now, let's get settled in, because this may be quite an… interesting discussion. Coffee? Tea?" Professor Ozpin paused, before inclining his head downward slightly to look at the student over the rim of his darkened glasses. "Hot chocolate?"
"Coffee would be marvelous, sir."
Professor Ozpin's mouth drew into a tight line, and he looked almost disappointed before he nodded to Professor Goodwitch. "Glynda, if you would?"
"Of course," she replied with a nod before heading off to a small kitchen setup on the side of the room. Professor Ozpin looked back over to the student and regained his neutral expression with a small sigh.
"As I'm sure you might have guessed, I take great care in making big decisions that regard my school. This being my first year, I need to maintain appearances, and toe the line set by the headmasters of the other three major academies… to an extent."
"Understandable," the student agreed. "But I get the feeling that whatever this circumstance is flies in the face of all that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have called me here, sir."
Professor Ozpin let out a small laugh, and leaned forward slightly. "You're as sharp and direct as I'd anticipated. Those qualities, along with several other things I learned from your placement exam, are why I have chosen you to lead a rather… unique team of individuals."
The student blinked several times, before pointing a slender finger into his own chest. "I'm sorry, me? Leading a team, you said?"
"Yes, you," Professor Ozpin confirmed. "I feel that you, Bartholomew Oobleck, have the best chance of success at assisting a student who was rather difficult to place for several reasons. That being said, if you so choose… you are more than welcome to decline, and it's not too late to rearrange things a bit. This task is one that could irreparably sully your image as a leader, a student, and potentially, a person if it backfires. How do you feel about accepting a rather monumental challenge?"
Bartholomew leaned forward to mirror Professor Ozpin's movements as a curious glint flashed in his eyes. "Professor, I would be honored. What do I need to know?"
The headmaster's expression changed from a very serious and stoic gaze to a mirthful smile as he leaned back into his chair. "Excellent! Though, I should really give you the details before you make a final decision. The problem is, the details are scant, shady, and potentially… well, fabricated," Professor Ozpin finished as Professor Goodwitch returned to offer Bartholomew a steaming cup. The student accepted it with a grateful nod, and set the heated ceramic mug down onto the desk before himself.
"Thank you, Professor Goodwitch. This all seems incredibly unusual thus far, but you most certainly have my attention."
"Mm," Ozpin intoned as he took a sip from his own mug before setting it down once again. "I have chosen you to lead Team OKRA. 'K' and 'R' seem to be quite interesting personalities, but not of the sort that strike me as a concern. 'A', however, is a major concern."
"The kind of concern that involves things far larger than this school. You cannot approach this with such a blasé, nonchalant attitude, Mr. Oobleck," Professor Goodwitch warned from her spot next to the elevator.
"Thank you, Glynda," Ozpin said in a deadpan voice as he spared her a quick glance. He flicked his eyes back to Bartholomew's with a weary sigh. "As dramatic as it may sound, she is quite right. Adam Taurus is a boy… supposedly your age, who arrived at the school seeking asylum. Luckily for him, he came here at the height of admissions season, and I was able to accommodate him within these walls for a few days without causing too much of a stir. Mr. Taurus is a bull faunus from Atlas, and he admitted to me that he fled the Schnee Dust Company mines after losing some colleagues in a work-related accident. How exactly he managed to escape and find his way here, he wouldn't say… but given your expression and the answers you gave in your exam, I have a distinct feeling that such things are of little interest to you in comparison to the fact that he did escape."
Bartholomew's knuckles had gone white as he gripped the armrests of his chair, and the flesh on his face matched the pallor of his hands perfectly. He drew in a long breath through his nose, before speaking in a tense, slow tone far removed from his usual scatterbrained rambling.
"…the Schnee Dust Company's negligence and treatment of its faunus employees, even after the end of their literal enslavement of those people, is utterly disgusting," he began. "While there are, of course, limits to what is justifiable, I find it incredibly difficult to pity anyone who stood in his way while he made a bid for freedom."
Professor Ozpin offered a slow nod. "I had a feeling you might say something like that, and to be quite honest, I agree with the sentiment. Adam has taken several measures to protect himself and his identity while in Vale, and he made the right move by coming to Beacon Academy for protection. I have convinced him to study here and attempt to become a huntsman, but in order to do so, his attitude will need to change. I am not expecting a dramatic shift overnight, but I am asking you to lead him, and help him come to understand that not all hu-"
"Yes. I'll do it," Bartholomew interrupted. "Whatever it takes, that boy deserves every opportunity to prove himself, and learn that there are humans who care. I understand that this will not be easy, but I am more than willing to make the attempt."
The sound of high heels clacking against the floor drew Bartholomew's attention, and he turned slightly to see Professor Goodwitch walking around the side of the headmaster's desk, her arms folded and her eyes piercing his skull.
"Should you fail, we will have no choice but to strip you of your leadership position and eject him from this school. Yes, this… Adam boy deserves a chance, but only that. Should he bring undue harm to any human students in his tenure at this academy, Professor Ozpin cannot afford to make special exceptions. Quite frankly, I think this is a ludicrous move, and that he should be tutored personally by a member of the faculty… but it isn't my call to make."
"And if his career as a huntsman comes to an abrupt end, I am more than willing to accept responsibility along with you," Professor Ozpin added. "That being said, you have my profound thanks for being willing to make the attempt. Adam and I selected you together, when I showed him an anonymous selection of exam answers. There was a long discussion between us about who he would feel most comfortable with, and by the end of the process, he chose you. There is, however, one… little snag."
"Isn't there always?" Bartholomew asked before taking a long pull from his mug.
"He is unaware that you are a human. I may have led him to believe that all of the candidates were faunus, but… I never did guarantee him that fact directly," Professor Ozpin admitted as he spun his cane slowly against the floor.
Professor Goodwitch sighed heavily, and brought a slow hand up to hold her forehead as she closed her eyes. "A move that still makes little sense to me."
"If I may," Bartholomew cut in. Professor Goodwitch looked up and waved a hand for him to continue. "I believe that societal progress and change cannot be immediate, and needs to occur in small steps. That goes for our kind beginning to accept the faunus as equals, yes… but the same holds true from the other side, as well. Adam slowly needs to learn to accept that while he was wronged, he will need to cooperate with humans in order to be successful and rise above his predicament. Having a human leader who shows compassion and understanding is likely to expedite that process, and so, guiding him toward that path may make progress easier."
Professor Goodwitch let out a frustrated noise, and shook her head as she looked down to Professor Ozpin, who was trying to hide a smile. "He sounds just like you."
"Which is part of why I chose him, Glynda. Of course, you're going to need to tread lightly, Mr. Oobleck. I don't think Adam will be particularly thrilled at having a human 'master', given what little we know of his past. Keep that in mind, both with your style of leadership, and your words."
"Of course," Bartholomew agreed. "Is there anything else?"
"No, that should do it, for now. I would advise you to locate your room, and meet the rest of your team. Your luggage has been moved to Room 224 already, and the rest of OKRA has been told that you'll be arriving a bit late. Good luck, young man."
"Thank you, sir. Ma'am," Bartholomew replied as he rose from his seat. "I won't let you down," he added before walking briskly toward the elevator. With one final nod, the boy disappeared downward within the glass tube, and the room fell silent. Professor Ozpin propped his elbows upon the desk and folded his hands, before resting his chin atop the pair.
"…you're taking too many risks, too early," Professor Goodwitch warned as she kept her eyes forward, to where Bartholomew had been. "One mistake of this magnitude could cost you, and this school, greatly. I know I've only been here a year, but… Professor Oslo was a good man, and a great headmaster, and his gambles cost him his life. I would hate to see your career cut short over something similar."
Professor Ozpin kept his eyes locked on the elevator as well, and his face broke out into a knowing, hidden smile. "While I appreciate your concern… I prefer a little bit of risk in my career. Besides, if at first you don't succeed…"
Professor Goodwitch raised a brow, and looked down to her companion. "Professor? What do you mean…?"
"Nothing," Professor Ozpin said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Nothing at all."
Bartholomew exited the lobby with a weary sigh, and began to walk down the hall toward the nearest staircase. Upon spotting a nearby trophy case standing against a wall, he paused and started to look over his reflection. The boy took a moment to straighten his glasses and tie, before he heard an odd sound approaching from his left. He looked sideways within the glass only to catch sight of the approaching projectile far too late.
"Barty!"
"Who are y-"
Bartholomew never got to finish his thought as he turned and was abruptly tackled to the ground. He hit the tile floor hard, and his breath was knocked from his lungs in one swift rush. His round spectacles bounced off his face and tumbled over him, alongside his book. A blurry hand shot out over Bartholomew's head and snatched the glasses out of the air before they hit the ground. Deft fingers twirled the frames in a quick loop, and then the hand pulled back to offer them to Bartholomew. Curiously, he brought the glasses up to his face and blinked several times as he regarded the unfamiliar figure atop him.
A girl wearing a Beacon Academy uniform was straddling him in the middle of the hall, her legs on either side of his hips and her hands planted firmly in the center of his chest. She wore her shirt partially open to show a hint of cleavage, and her expression was an impish grin that matched her state of dress perfectly. Her face was framed with short, shaggy black hair and accentuated by curious yellow eyes. Two black feline ears poked up and out from her skull, and each was pierced with golden rings. She looked down at Bartholomew expectantly, her grin widening as he simply stared while trying to think of what to say.
"…while it isn't altogether unpleasant, you're putting quite a bit of pressure upon my crotch, and this uniform is already somewhat ill-fitting. Dismount me, if you would be so kind?"
The girl let out a peal of laughter and slid off of her prey with catlike grace. She dusted off her vest and skirt before offering a hand, and Bartholomew took it only to be helped up with a pull of considerable strength.
"Well that's one way of saying it, sure… though I'm glad you're taking it in stride, because this won't be the last time I tackle you. Kali Moonglove," the girl said while offering her hand once again.
"Bartholomew Oobleck," the boy replied before grasping it and giving her a firm shake. "I take it you're the 'K' in OKRA?"
"Mm-hmm," Kali agreed as she clasped her hands behind her rear and began to sway slightly in place. "We got word that you were called to the headmaster's office, and I came here to wait for you. Adam decided to stay behind, since he's… pretty antisocial, and just filled to the brim with angst. Gods forbid he get a little familiar with the school, instead of sitting on the bed and looking upset."
"Well, I can hardly blame him, all things considered. You seem rather… not like Adam. No, not like Adam at all," Bartholomew observed as he scooped up his fallen book and began to walk once again. Kali moved to follow, quite nearly bouncing with each step.
"Nope! We're about as different as can be, but he's still a cutie. We'll get him to open up, over time. He's already talked a bit to me, but I can tell he's holding shit back. Might take him a while to really start talking to you," Kali warned.
"Because I'm a human, I take it?" Bartholomew asked.
"Well, that, and because you don't have rockin' boobs," the girl explained with a bit of extra bounce.
"Trust me, stroking a chest and leaning into a guy can get him to spill more often than not. That being said, even I had a little trouble getting him to tell me anything interesting," Kali offered with a shrug. "Hopefully you're not an asshole, and this all works out over time. Hopefully 'R' isn't an asshole, either."
"You haven't met yet?" Bartholomew asked as he hiked a brow.
"Nope. He's late, too, but we don't know why. It was just me and Adam for most of the morning, until I came to wait for you and he continued studying the blade, or whatever it is he's doing in there," Kali replied flippantly.
"Kali, be nice," Bartholomew warned as they made their way through a door and to a series of winding staircases.
"I am so nice!" the girl protested as she snaked a hand around Bartholomew's waist. "You don't even know. I was nice enough not to snoop through your luggage. I swear."
Bartholomew stopped mid-stride, and gave his partner an unimpressed look. "…Kali."
"What? I didn't!" Kali insisted, as she checked the black nails on her free hand. "Really. Honest."
"Kali."
"Alright, so I took your mace out of the little strap on the side of your bag, and maybe played with it a little. A lot. For like an hour," the faunus confessed with a guilty grin.
Bartholomew sighed, and rolled his eyes skyward as he began to descend the first flight of steps. "And what possessed you to do that, if I may ask?"
"It looked cool! It's all telescoping, and shiny, and just… fun. I like weapons, alright? Weapons, semblances, all that shit. It's interesting. Both can tell you a lot about a person."
"Be that as it may, I'd like to insist that you ask before handling my property in the future," Bartholomew warned as they rounded a corner and began their way down another flight of steps.
"You didn't seem too upset about me 'handling your property' in the hallway, if you know what I'm sayin'" Kali joked as she slid her hand along the top of Bartholomew's waist and drew it back to her side. "Speaking of, what are you reading? Is it hot?"
Bartholomew rolled his eyes once again, and offered the book to Kali. The tome was a red leather bound, thick book that had Practical Non-Combat Applications of Dust in Everyday Life, Volume II embossed into the cover. Kali took it curiously, and began to flip through it.
"Not particularly, no," Bartholomew admitted as he adjusted his glasses once again. "Why would I be reading a book like that while waiting to meet with the headmaster?"
Kali shrugged, her nose practically buried in the pages as she pored over a passage. "I mean, why not? It'd be funny, at least. This reeks of Schnee. Is this Schnee propaganda?"
"I'm afraid so," the boy admitted as they made their way down to the fourth floor landing. "However, I find that even the most banal and uninteresting sources can sometimes hold nuggets of wisdom. You might be surprised what you can learn by reading between the lines."
Kali snapped the book closed, and offered it back. "If that was your attempt at telling me to give you a chance because you think you're boring, you don't need to go there."
Bartholomew froze with his foot upon the top step of the next flight, and looked over to face Kali fully as she, too, stopped. "I… that obvious, was it?"
"To someone paying attention? Yeah, little bit," Kali agreed as she turned around to stare up at Bartholomew from her place two steps below him. "You're already interesting, dude. Sure, you might look and smell like a super nerd, but that doesn't make you less worthy of attention. Besides, nerds are really cute, and you're already down to be a little frisky in public. That's bold. That's cool. I think you're intriguing, and anyone who judges based off just a first impression is a douchebag, anyway. Just relax a little. You look like you're holding in a fart at all times."
Kali turned and began to walk down the steps as Bartholomew took a hesitant step after her.
"…noted. I… suppose I'll try to relax a bit more, but such things don't come easily. I prefer to be alert, and ready, and I suppose that may come off as a bit high strung?"
"And you're self-aware. Bonus points," Kali replied as she opened the door to the second floor hallway and held it. "After you, Barty."
"…thank you," Bartholomew said as he stepped out into the hall. "So. Is there anything you'd like to request of me privately, in regards to Team OKRA, before we arrive at our dormitory?"
Kali tilted her head, and sped up to walk at her leader's side. "Um… not really, no? If I think of something, I'll tell you, though. I mean, I guess, just treating the faunus well, but… you haven't even mentioned my ears so far, so I don't think that's going to be a huge deal or anything."
"I've not mentioned them because I, too, have ears, and I didn't think it was anything worth pointing out. You and I are equals," Bartholomew reassured as they made their way to the door of Room 224. Kali offered him a weak smile, and sighed.
"Nice sentiment, but that doesn't hold up when you're about to meet a dude with horns."
"No. No, I suppose it doesn't. Still, you catch my meaning, hopefully. I… do have one request of you, as a faunus," Bartholomew said with a hint of hesitation.
"Sure. Anything reasonable," Kali reassured.
"Should I ever unintentionally cross a line, by saying or doing anything offensive, I implore you to call me out on it as quickly as possible. I want to learn, Kali. I want to understand. I've read books, interviews, and seen footage, but… none of that really matters, in comparison to living with two, or potentially, even three faunus," Bartholomew finished.
"I've got your back. As long as you mean well, it's all good," Kali replied before punching him lightly in the arm. Bartholomew offered her a smile, before another unexpected sound from his left side caught his attention. He and Kali turned, only to see a large, rolling rack of clothing making its way down the hall as a frustrated tone rang out from behind the obscuring mess of fabric.
"Come on, come on! Hurry it up, will ya? These people probably already think I'm some kind of jackass for showing up late. Hey, careful! Speed up doesn't mean throw caution to the wind!"
"Sorry, sir," another, older voice said from behind the mobile rack. Bartholomew leaned to the side curiously, only to see a second rack following the first, and a third uniformed individual dragging two suitcases on wheels down the hall behind the other men. The first voice rang out once again from behind the second rack, which paused as the clothing upon it began to ruffle and shift wildly.
"Hang on, hang on, this scarf looks stupid with this uniform. I need… there it is, perfect!"
A tall, thin boy stepped out from behind the procession of racks and made quick, confident strides toward Bartholomew and Kali. He wore the standard Beacon uniform with a freshly-wrapped red and black striped scarf dangling around his neck. His bright orange hair covered one eye and hung down nearly to his chin, whilst the other eye was done up with a healthy outline of eyeliner and thick, mascaraed lashes. He offer a pasty white hand with nails black enough to match Kali's own, alongside a million lien smile.
"Roman Torchwick. You two must be part of my team."
Author's Note:
This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one familiar with my past work, but I'm too excited to work on and share this story to stick to a 'once per week' schedule. For a while, at least, I'm going to be uploading twice per week. Of course, last week only had one chapter, and that just won't do. To make up for it, I'll be posting new chapters on both Wednesday and Friday this week, to bring the total up to four. From next week onward, I will be updating on Mondays and Thursdays for the foreseeable future.
Sometime around when What You Stole is due to return (December? January?), I'll be cutting it back to just Mondays again so I can work on both stories together. Once What You Stole starts getting updates, each story will receive one chapter per week until the hiatus. Up to that point, though, expect double the Arboretum each week for as long as I can reasonably keep that going. I'll make an announcement if anything needs to change. See you Wednesday!
-RD
