Taiyang Xiao Long kept his trident slung up over his shoulder as he followed the procession of students. The group was headed toward the staircase embedded into the side of the cliff overlooking the Emerald Forest, and the vast majority were conversing idly as they went. Just ahead, Bartholomew and Yatsuhashi were lost in conversation, each wearing their combat outfits and holding their weapons- a telescoping mace and oversized, curved, two-handed sword, respectively. Adam Taurus walked just behind Taiyang, and quickened his pace slightly to catch up with his friend as they neared the edge of the cliff.
"…can we… separate ourselves from the two lovebirds ahead of us, and hang back at the end of the line?" the faunus requested while giving Taiyang a desperate glance. He had his green bandanna back in place, and his visible eye was full of worry. "I get the feeling that everyone is going to be looking my way throughout this entire lesson, and I'm not in the mood for that kind of attention right now. Or ever."
"Why would they all be looking at you?" Taiyang asked innocently as he stopped just before the metal platform denoting the start of the staircase. He shifted his gaze from Adam down to the forest, and caught sight of the impressively large clearing that had quite obviously been carved recently by his friend's semblance. Several large, fallen trees still laid haphazardly strewn about the entrance of the forest, and some of the ones still standing featured deep scars from where Adam's aura-infused blade beam had raked at their edges. "Oh. Right."
"Yeah…" Adam agreed, seeming almost unnerved by the sight of his own handiwork as groups of students began to pass by. "It's worse than I remember it."
"It's impressive," Taiyang offered as he leaned against the railing of the upper platform and looked out across the canopy of trees. "Seems to me like you may have more potential than anyone else on STRQ and OKRA, with power like that."
Adam made a noise of slight discomfort as he, too, leaned against the railing and looked down into the tree line. Taiyang could feel an intense, warm embarrassment emanating from his faunus friend, and elected to say no more while Adam simply contemplated the words. Eventually, every other student had passed them by and started to descend the staircase, except one boy who had ended up walking alone at the very end of the line. Jay Winchester paused with his foot on the first descending step, and turned back to the two friends before clearing his throat.
"…you two coming?"
Taiyang raised a brow at Jay, and redirected his semblance to focus upon the new arrival's emotions. Instead of the usual pride and confidence that Jay generally emanated, Taiyang instead picked up strong feelings of unease and loneliness. The odd mixture caught him off guard, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before giving Adam a pleading look.
"Yeah, of course. We were just waiting on you, since it seems like something's up."
Jay raised a brow and walked back up the step to the metal platform, where he folded his arms defensively across his chest. "You were?"
Adam finally caught sight of Taiyang's insistent expression, and met Jay's question with a nod. "Yeah. We didn't realize you were all the way back there, at first. Figured you were up ahead with Yatsu."
"No," Jay denied quickly. "Gods no. I've got nothing against him and Bartholomew dating, or whatever they're doing, but… all of that sickly sweet affection, the little touching and shit? Makes me want to gag. It's too mushy and awkward. Can't stand it in public, and it's even worse in the dorm."
"…you strike me as the type to be more into one-night stands than genuine love, so that makes sense," Adam commented as he took the initiative and began to descend the staircase. Jay and Taiyang were soon to follow, and the latter chuckled awkwardly.
"I'm with Adam on this one. Girls must flock to you for a little throwaway fun," he added.
Jay scoffed, seemingly offended as he brought up the rear of the trio. "And is that such a bad thing? It's lonely at the top, sure, but I don't need to be tied down just yet."
"At the top," Adam repeated as he continued his descent, not bothering to look back at Jay. "At the top of Atlas, rivaled only by a company responsible for powering nearly every aspect of life, and magical capability. You were born lucky, it seems."
"Adam…" Taiyang began with a tone of warning, only to be cut off.
"No, he's… right," Jay admitted. "I got lucky, being born a Winchester. Given everything that's gone on lately, I'll admit that… but I won't apologize. It's not like I chose to be born to this family, and it's not like I chose for you to be born a faunus, Adam."
"I don't want an apology. I want assistance," Adam stated plainly as the group reached the next platform on the switchback staircase. He turned around to face Taiyang and Jay, and waited for the pair to catch up as he leaned back against the railing.
"Assistance?" Jay asked. "What kind of assistance? Lien? With girls?"
Adam paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before he looked up at Jay once again. "No. Assistance once we leave Beacon, is the easiest way to put it. If we're still on speaking terms at the end of four years, then I want you to at least make an attempt to let it be publicly known that you think I'm worth something. That faunus are worth something, other than dust miners. I don't want anything else physical from you- to be honest, I already feel guilty about the scroll. I just want honesty, and… a friend," Adam finished with an awkward shift.
Taiyang moved a bit closer to Jay, and zeroed in on the Winchester boy's feelings as he began to speak. A sudden sense of pressure and discomfort was threaded through what seemed to be earnest, heartfelt truth in his words.
"…alright. I can't promise that I'll always be pleasant when Rob's around, but… alright. We can try," Jay said as he offered a hand. Adam was quick to take it, and the two shook briefly before the faunus withdrew his hand and began to descend once again.
"Must be a lot of pressure," Taiyang began. "You know, being a Winchester. Yeah, there are advantages, but I'm sure there are drawbacks, too. Nothing as extreme as what the faunus deal with, of course, but… I doubt it's easy. Willow seems miserable sometimes, behind her pleasant smile. I'm guessing it's kinda the same thing for you?"
"Maybe not miserable, but it's not all private airships and models, all the time," Jay clarified. The trio rounded another platform, growing ever closer to the grass below and the students who had already assembled in a semicircle around Professor Ozpin at the edge of the forest. "There are a lot of expectations, both from inside of the family, and outside of it. I'm pretty good at engineering and research, but sometimes, it's never enough. The bar's set high, and it just gets raised for every success Rob and I manage."
"…that's one place that I have an advantage over you," Adam commented as they joined their classmates. "People look at me, and expect literally nothing. You have a burden to continue impressing the world, day after day, and year after year. Me? I've got the opportunity to shock its system, and the beginning of a path into the jungle before me. All I have to do is find what weapon will best cut through the weeds along the way."
"Something made by Winchester Military Technologies, of course," Taiyang quipped as he planted his trident into the ground. "After all, I've heard that their steel doesn't rust, tarnish, or crack, no matter the job."
"Hilarious," Jay retorted as he rolled his eyes.
"Maybe it will be a Winchester weapon," Adam mused as he rubbed his hand along his jaw. "I guess that all depends on what happens in the coming months."
"…brings us to the aftermath of the Great War," Professor Scotch said with a dramatic flourish. He thwacked his pointer against the chalkboard with a purposeful blow, and looked out meaningfully into a mostly comatose audience. "Though the conflict began when most of you were in diapers, the situation only truly drew to a close a few short years ago, and I'm sure that you all know many of the impacts it has had on society. Perhaps some of our faunus friends would be willing to share what they've heard, within their own homes?"
Willow looked mournfully at the empty seat to her left, where Kali would normally be. She let out a wistful sigh as palpable tension filled the classroom, and several humans began looking around at the few faunus present. Each of the non-humans reacted negatively, with some staring back angrily, as others did their best to avoid the pairs of eyes locked to them.
"…I wish Kal was here, too," Summer said softly as she laid a hand on Willow's shoulder. The heiress looked back to her right to see the other girl's face pulled into a sorrowful frown. "She would've answered."
Willow nodded softly, and placed her hand on Summer's knee while offering a weak smile. "She's just so… strong. Seeing her in so much pain is awful."
Summer merely nodded in agreement, before letting her hand slip back down into her lap. Willow looked expectantly past Summer, and toward Raven. Where there was usually no makeup at all around the girl's eyes, dark circles had manifested. Her hair was shaggier than usual and hung in a loose, bushy mess over one shoulder, and she seemed to be staring both at and past Professor Scotch as the portly man launched back into a speech, after no one volunteered to share out.
"Raven?" Willow tried, her tone hushed and full of concern. She received no answer for her efforts.
"Um… Raven?" Summer followed up, while tapping the girl on the thigh. Raven's hand flew up into an automatic fist as she whirled on Summer, only to drop the hand immediately with a guilty exhale as Summer cowered back into Willow's side.
"Sorry… I… sorry," Raven apologized as she let her hand fall limply atop her notebook. "I'm just… distracted."
"You've been distracted all day," Willow pointed out as she gently nudged Summer back into her seat. "And honestly, I think exhausted is more accurate. You look like you haven't slept."
"Ding ding ding," Raven replied sarcastically as she shook her head. "You're so incredibly observant. I bet when one of these professors sends us on some dumb scavenger hunt, you'll win first p-"
In her sleep-addled state, Raven was far too slow to react to Summer's punch, and the smaller girl didn't hold back. The hit had enough force behind it to shut Raven up immediately, and Summer offered her a rare, intimidating glare.
"Don't be an ass, just because you're tired," Summer warned. "We're all tired, we're all worried, and we're all doing our best to hold it together. You had it together pretty well this morning, and there are only two classes to go after this. Stay strong, and lean on us. That's an order."
Raven returned Summer's glare throughout her speech, until it finally gave way to a tired, somber expression. With a sudden, heavy sigh, Raven closed her notebook and propped her elbows upon the countertop before threading her hands through her disheveled hair.
"…sorry. You two are too good to me. All of you are too good to me, honestly."
"We're not too good at all," Willow protested as she leaned across Summer and offered a hand. "We're just doing our best, and trying to help you do yours."
Raven accepted the gesture and offered Willow's fingers a light squeeze, before standing up. Summer and Willow both gave her quizzical looks.
"Um… going somewhere?" Summer questioned as Raven began to shuffle past on her way through the aisle.
"Bathroom," Raven replied shortly. "I'm going to go splash some water on my face and walk around a bit. I'll be okay."
Willow watched her friend descend the steps to the main floor with a frown. Even Raven's normally perfect posture was a discouraged slouch as she made her way out of the room with the bathroom pass, and the sight caused Willow's heart to sink.
"You're worried about her, too?" Summer asked quietly as she stole a glance down at Professor Scotch. The man was busy flipping through slides of various charts and figures, and paying the teens no attention at all. "You should see her in our dorm. She makes trips out in the middle of the night to go and meditate on the roof, and sometimes, Qrow goes, too. Whenever we're doing something social, or break out a board game or whatever, it's always a fight to get her involved. It seems like you two are opposites, in some ways- you both want to be more involved with other people, but you just kinda melt right into our group, and open up. Raven… doesn't."
Willow nodded softly, and began to copy a few figures from the projections on the board into her notebook. "You make a decent point. Perhaps I'll talk to her soon, one-on-one, and see what she's thinking. Clearly, she cares about us, given how badly the situation with Kali has affected her."
"Yeah," Summer agreed as she picked up her pen and began to write as well. "Not gonna lie, I think it's only a matter of time before she has a total, sobbing breakdown. Possibly into Tai's chest, while he's shirtless and feeding her chocolates."
Willow rolled her eyes, but couldn't fight back her inevitable smirk. "You have a sick, twisted little mind, Miss Rose. Though… do you think you could… check in on her, and make sure she's alright? From here, I mean."
Summer gave Willow a blank look, and spoke in an equally unimpressed tone. "…Willow. Raven's in the bathroom right now."
"Yes, washing her face," Willow replied innocently.
"…and if she suddenly decides she has to pee, or worse, I'll be looking in on her," Summer pointed out. She watched with amusement as Willow's face scrunched up in sudden realization, and then nodded sagely. "Yeah. No future sight, right now."
"My apologies," Willow offered with a twinge of pink embarrassment upon her cheeks. "I wasn't thinking, I suppose."
Summer shrugged. "No biggie. My semblance sucks like that, sometimes. Limited foresight requires a lot of forethought to be both useful, and not utterly disturbing."
Willow made a contemplative noise, before a sudden vibration within the side of her skirt caused her to jump in surprise. She raised a dainty finger as she withdrew her scroll from her pocket, only to see a single word upon the screen that was enough to fill her entire chest with a sinking feeling of dread.
Daddy.
"What's up? Is it Kali?" Summer asked as she leaned over to the peek at the screen. Upon catching sight of the caller, her cheeks grew pale, and she caught Willow's worried eyes with her own. "Well… you can't ignore him…"
"I know," Willow hissed as she stood from her seat. "I'll… I'll be back as soon as I can."
Without another word, Willow began to descend the steps between aisles as quickly as she could, while taking care not to fall in her high heels. Upon reaching the ground level, she locked eyes with Professor Scotch, who folded his hands before himself with an amused look at the scroll in Willow's hand.
"Ah, Miss Schnee," he began as he brought a hand up to his chin. "A business call more important than history itself, I assume?"
"I'm sorry, Professor," Willow replied as she felt the heat of nearly fifty eyes burning into the small of her back. "I… my father is calling, and…"
"Ah, yes," Professor Scotch interrupted as he waved his hand toward the exit. "Arcturus certainly thinks he runs the world, so he may as well run my classroom, as well. Please, feel free. Some days, it feels as though this room was fitted with a revolving door, as it is. I suppose the realities and implications of your father's work don't interest some of you."
What little laughter had broken out at the professor's first comment about Willow's father died out almost immediately, and Willow felt the scroll in her hand fall suddenly still. Her heart froze in panic as she realized that she had missed the call, and she stammered out the most sincere apology she could manage before rushing to the door and pushing through it. Her fingers flew across the screen on autopilot to redial the number as she approached the large glass wall not far from the classroom. The scroll at the other end of the line rang three times before a confident, deep voice echoed within the speaker.
"Willow?"
"Yes, Daddy, I'm sorry," Willow spoke frantically as she wrapped her free arm around her waist. "I was in class, and I couldn't leave quickly enough to get your call. I promise I wasn't trying to ign-"
"Pumpkin? Breathe," Arcturus Schnee interrupted. Willow did as she was told and heaved a large, satisfying breath through her nose, before expelling it from her mouth. "Better?"
"…yes," Willow confirmed as she began to slowly pace back and forth in front of the glass. "May I ask what this call is regarding, Father? Is everything alright?"
"Actually, that's what I was calling to ask, myself," the man countered. "Weiland saw quite the interesting report out of Vale City, this morning. A report about you, a friend, and several thieves that made an attempt on one of our larger storefronts in Vale, not far from the Academy."
Willow thought for a moment that she might drop her scroll as her fingers went numb, and she stopped pacing immediately. "W-Weiland… saw that? Already?"
"He's my personal attendant, dear," Arcturus reminded in a tone that Willow found strangely calm for the situation. "His job is to assuage many of my personal worries, and right now, my biggest worry is you. Of course he found out- he's quite good at what he does, after all."
"He is," Willow agreed as she closed her eyes, as though she was bracing for impact. Several seconds of dead air passed over the line, before Willow couldn't stand the silence any longer. "So… what now?"
"First, and by far, most importantly, I want to know that you're alright, Willow," Arcturus replied in a comforting voice. "You weren't hurt, were you?"
"No, I'm alright," Willow offered quickly. "The training that you arranged for me in fencing and semblance application saved me from suffering any d-"
"Ah, yes, fencing," Willow's father interrupted, yet again. "And what, may I ask, were you fencing with, Willow? Myrtenaster, perhaps?"
Yet more silence echoed uncomfortably as Willow weighed her options. In the end, she knew that only one was viable, and choosing any other route would only cause more suffering than what was inevitably coming for her.
"…yes, Daddy…"
A soft groan came over the line, and Willow could practically feel her father's disappointment. "Oh, Willow, you've really done it, now. Your mother and I were both afraid that this very thing would happen, from the moment we enrolled you at Beacon. Without us there to keep an eye on you, I had a feeling that you might actually begin down the path of a huntress, and endanger yourself in the process. You do realize that you're poised to inherit the largest and most important company in all of Remnant, when I retire?"
"I do," Willow answered. "And I will, even now, but… I feel a need to be here, in the thick of things, and learning what it means to physically work. I want to connect with these people, these… incredible people who have become my friends, even over the course of only a week. They're watching over me, and teaching me, and allowing me to grow in ways that I know will benefit both me, and the Schnee Dust Company in the future. So please… please allow me to do this, and work toward becoming a huntress. And please don't be angry with me for wanting this."
Arcturus was graciously silent throughout his daughter's impassioned speech, though he couldn't help but offer another weary sigh after its conclusion.
"Pumpkin… I'm not angry. In fact, I'm quite proud of your drive to do what you believe is right… but I value your safety more than anything else in the world, the dust company included. There's that, along with the fact that you know how your mother is. When she finds out about this, containing her is going to be a several-man job. She walked the path of a huntress, and saw what horrors it can bring. The experience changed her in ways she doesn't like, and she isn't going to be thrilled to hear that you want to follow in her footsteps. Convincing her to let you do more than listen in on classes won't be easy."
"But nothing worth doing ever is," Willow reminded. She allowed another pause in the conversation, before trying once more. "…please. If you can't convince her, I'll make an attempt personally, when I'm next at home. I really feel like this is my calling, at the moment. I want to be more than a pampered pretty face, and… I've already made friends, here. Real friends, who care about me, and share my passions for righting wrongs. I… they invited me for a 'girls' day out', they offer me to visit their dorms, and it's… unlike anything I've ever experienced, at home. They went out of their way to accept me, when our family has done so much to deserve their hatred. I don't want to lose them."
Arcturus grumbled something incomprehensible over the line, before clearing his throat. "…alright. Anything for you, Willow. I'm sorry that you haven't had an opportunity for such things before now, but… I understand your feelings, and I'll fight for you. Make the most of your time at Beacon, and allow me to handle the situation at home, and in the Atlesian press."
"Thank you," Willow replied automatically as she opened her eyes and allowed herself a satisfied smile. She looked over her reflection in the glass window, and found that she was practically glowing. "And… not this weekend, but the next, could I return home to speak to you and Mother? There are some… things I'd like to talk about with the family, in person."
"Of course. You're welcome home any time," Arcturus said. "We miss you, you know."
"And I miss you," Willow agreed as the reflection of Raven joined her own in the glass. "Could you spare a transport next Friday night? I would come home this weekend, but one of my friends was hurt in the robbery attempt, and I want to stay and comfort her."
"Of course, and tell your friend that I hope they make a speedy recovery. You're a good soul, Willow. Better than me, for certain," Arcturus said with a weary sigh. "I'll arrange for Weiland to pick you up."
"Thank you again, Daddy," Willow said as she avoided Raven's eyes in the glass. Despite the effort, she was still able to see her friend's brow raise suspiciously in the reflection. "I love you."
"Love you too, Pumpkin," Arcturus replied before ending the call. Willow allowed the scroll to linger beside her ear for a moment, before slowly lowering it back into her skirt pocket.
"…I thought you hated your father," Raven said softly as Willow finally turned to face her. "Given how angry you are about what's happening to the faunus, and the way you talk about changing things up, I figured you two wouldn't get along at all."
"I… adore my father, and my mother, as well," Willow admitted as she drew her other arm up to cross them beneath her chest. "While it's true that he has perpetuated horrible things for the faunus people, and I want him to understand their pain, he's always been an incredible father to me. I don't condone his actions, in regards to the company, but… how can I truly hate him, when he sees me as his little angel? We have a bond that I can't just discard, and he's done his best to shield me from what he believes must be done to keep the S.D.C. in a position of power. He's been subtly encouraging my rebellious tendencies since I was a little girl, and… it's complicated. I'm sorry, I wouldn't expect you to understand," Willow finished with a shrug.
Raven frowned, and walked a short distance to a wrought iron bench set up before the glass wall before sitting down and folding her hands in her lap. Willow joined her silently, and looked out across the walkways visible outside, which were bustling with students.
"I… hate my father," Raven said quietly. "He isn't too far removed from yours, from the sounds of it, but… I can't bring myself to feel like you do. He's shown me affection and showered me in praise, but he treats Qrow like he isn't even family. How can I really respect a man who despises his own son, and my brother? All of the adulation in the world can't make up for that, and so, when he calls me his 'precious little bird'… I don't feel any warmth in my chest. All I feel is rising bile. He doesn't even want to see Qrow again, now that we're here. How else am I supposed to feel about that?"
Willow listened silently as she watched the hanging yellow lanyard bathroom pass twist and sway in Raven's hands as the girl's fingers began to tremble slightly. As Raven's volume rose throughout her ranting, Willow felt as though her heart was threatening to snap in two at the thought of Qrow being so neglected. Suddenly, she moved her hand atop Raven's and pressed down to bring it to rest, earning a confused look from the other girl.
"…I'm sorry," Willow offered lamely. "You don't have to talk about him, if you don't want to. Qrow… both of you, really, are loved here, at Beacon. I know it isn't the same as 'real' family, but try to focus on us while you're here, and take it one step at a time."
"You're right, it isn't the same," Raven agreed. "You're better than any 'real' family," she stated emphatically, her voice hitching suddenly as she choked out the last of her sentence.
"Raven…" Willow began, while softly massaging at her friend's knuckles.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me," Raven admitted as she sniffled and wiped feverishly at her eyes with the back of her free hand. "I'm doing my best to hold it together, but things have been so tense and awful lately that I can't put up the usual strong façade right now. I'm exhausted, Willow, and I just want to be alone. I appreciate you trying to be there for me and listen, but it's not going to fix the reality of what's going on right now, either here, or at home. I just want to get away, and not deal w-"
Willow interrupted Raven by leaning in for a tight hug, which caught the other girl by complete surprise. Raven paused, paralyzed by the warm embrace of her friend, and found herself unable to even protest before the comforting gesture was over. As Willow broke the hold, Raven felt a small, cold, metallic object on a chain with another plastic, rectangular one slip into her palm, and she looked down in confusion. There in her hand was Willow's student I.D., and the key to her dormitory.
"So do it," Willow offered. "Sleep in my room tonight, and take time to just… find peace, in whatever way you need to, alone. I'll take your place with STRQ, and tell them that you're visiting another friend."
Raven merely stared for a moment, dumbfounded by the gesture. After processing what had just happened, she captured Willow in a hug of her own, and doubled the other girl's strength. Willow squeaked painfully as she felt her ribcage being compressed, and it wasn't long before Raven pulled back and sniffed once again.
"Thank you. So much," Raven said with a sad smile. "I don't think the others would really understand. Maybe Roman, but… I don't know. And don't you dare say Tai."
Willow blinked in confusion, and shook her head softly. "I… quite honestly don't see what everyone else apparently sees going on between you and Taiyang. I mean, yes, he's… rather handsome, and caring… and mature, when needs to be, and empathetic… and just the sort of person who might be able to simply listen, and comfort you as needed," Willow listed off on her fingers, while slowly transitioning into a teasing grin.
"…damn you. And here I thought you had my back on this one," Raven laughed as she stood and teased out a knot in her hair with her fingers. "I should have known better."
"Most likely, yes," Willow agreed as she, too, stood up. "We should get back to class, before Professor Scotch gets angry with us."
"Probably. Before we do, though… you're going back home next weekend? Is everything going to be okay, with you doing legitimate huntress work?" Raven inquired as the pair began to walk.
"I think so, yes. He called to check on me, after hearing the… media version of what happened," Willow explained.
"And when you go back home, and talk to him… are you going to tell him the truth? About Kali?" Raven asked as they reached the door to the classroom.
Willow hesitated with her hand upon the doorknob, before locking eyes with Raven and giving her friend a sharp nod.
"…Kali can tell him herself. She's coming with me."
Author's Note:
The plot thickens, and also begins to speed up. Time jumps are going to become more numerous and significant after the conclusion of the Legends of Remnant scene in the forest next chapter, and we'll begin hurtling toward summer break at a decent pace. Next update is on Sunday, 12/21, and then we're back to the normal schedule of every Sunday.
-RD
