The Crow
Qrows first encounter with his nieces team was hardly what he had expected.
After all, one hardly expected to have a watermelon hit them in the face as they opened a cafeteria door.
As it dropped from his face the only thought in his mind was I should have known.
As he wiped the remains of the watermelon from his eyes the food fight came into focus.
The room was devastated, benches and tables overturned, the remains of food everywhere, students lying on the ground or using food to fight each other or the Grimm among them, a castle of tables and benches...
Wait, what?
His hand twitched towards Harbinger, his admittedly more complicated than needed weapon, when the presence of Grimm registered, only to let it go slack when he realised that the Grimm weren't actually trying to harm anyone.
In fact, it looked like at least a couple of the Grimm were utterly confused by the concept of a food fight (even as the Beowolf was grabbing any flying meat out of the air).
As he watched a white-haired girl (could that be Winters sister? Could be fun finding out if she was an easy target for teasing as well) was hit by an orange-haired girl wielding a watermelon on a stick into a wall.
A flurry of petals heralded his nieces (at least he considered her his niece even if they weren't technically related. Hell, no matter who Summer married he would have considered himself uncle to their children, their team was so close) arrival at the girls side and overacting in pretence of the girls 'lethal injury'.
Wait, if they were teammates he probably shouldn't taunt the Schnee.
Damn.
And then Ruby revealed her semblance was much greater than he had even suspected.
Somehow she spread her power over an area around her, while increasing her speed to the degree that she created a vortex behind her, drawing the vending machines (those that hadn't already been used in the fight) after her as she charged the castle, accidentally drawing the Beowolf with her (still snapping at the meat flying along with them).
"Damn that's impressive," he muttered to himself.
"What's going in here," a familiar voice called out as the Rubynado (that would be the right term for her technique, right?) hit the castle, causing Qrow to instinctively snap to attention. Or at least, do his best to stand at attention.
There was a similar response from the students, a few aided by Goodwitches familiar semblance holding them and any still moving debris to prevent further injury.
Everyone still able to move turned to look towards the doors through which the deputy head, and headmaster come to think of it as well, were entering.
Qrows eyes narrowed as he realised the strange looking woman with them had to be Salem.
"Uh, I can explain," Ruby tried hopefully (and unsuccessfully), even as she floated in the air under Goodwitches power.
As Qrow had expected Goodwitch simply fixed Ruby with a glare and waved the riding crop she used to focus her semblance, restoring the cafeteria to its former state (or at least close enough for the students not to realise another semblance was going to be used to restore the actual structural integrity).
"I am sure you will all have more than enough opportunity to explain while in detention," Goodwitch declared once she was satisfied with the state of the room, only for Ozpin to step forward and place a hand on her shoulder.
"I hardly think that's necessary," he assured her. "It's best that we let them enjoy their youth while they can."
Salem snorted. "I'd like to hear your reasons for such a decision."
Qrow agreed.
He remembered the food fight that had happened while he was attending Beacon and the way that nobody was punished then either.
He glanced around, making sure nobody was watching him, before making the switch to his bird form, and flying towards the ceiling, preparing to follow the trio to wherever it was Ozpin was going to explain.
As it turned out, rather than having to follow them he was able to settle above them and wait as the students (including the Grimm, which he would be making sure to keep an eye on) filed out, some carrying or dragging teammates.
"What are your real reasons for letting them all get away with destroying the cafeteria?"
Qrow nearly fell from his perch from the way Salem asked the question.
Ozpin took a sip from the mug he had taken to carrying with him before answering.
"There are a number of reasons. First, it is a tradition, dating back to Beacons founding."
"Which you were around for," Salem noted.
Ozpin ignored her.
"Second, consider this. Beacon is a school for aspiring Huntresses and Huntsmen. As such the students are superpowered teenagers, with all the potential issues that come with."
"Like what?"
"All teenagers have trouble managing their emotions. Throw the power of semblances in, and it becomes a priority to give them some kind of emotional release. Spars help, but a full on brawl is more effective, and a food fight is less damaging than other such fights."
Qrow blinked. That explained so much about his time with the tribe, with his nieces growing up and even at Beacon.
"And finally it is good practise for aura control."
"How is this mess practise for aura control?"
Qrow agreed with Goowitches question.
"It is simple. Aura is used to protect its bearer and their weapons. As aura control slips they or their weapons can be damaged. And given the unique and valuable nature of Huntsman weaponry that is hardly desirable, or the best way to get students used to protecting their equipment."
"That only covers using aura to protect equipment. What about its bearer?"
"All lives are to be protected. In any case, how well do you imagine food should hold up as a weapon? If a length of baguette is swung fell strength into another, what should be the result?"
Salem shrugged. "I've never been one to play with food."
Ozpin coughed awkwardly.
"My point was that the baguettes would be reduced to crumbs. Potentially even just from the grip needed. Instead, you can see just by looking around you that the food the students wielded have survived multiple hits. Which, in all fairness, is much more impressive than protecting weapons. After all, weapons have structural integrity, while food doesn't so much."
He took a sip.
"The best thing about this is that I no longer need to keep ordering so many watermelons for the cafeteria."
This explained so much.
"In any case, it appears Qrow has arrived, so if you'll excuse me I'll be returning to my office to speak with him."
Qrow got the unspoken message, and dropped back into flight, heading for the clocktower.
[]
Somehow Ozpin was already in his office when Qrow got there, despite having had to head through the school rather than heading for the office as the crow flies.
"I had wondered about the food fights," Qrow commented to announce himself.
"And yet you never asked. In any case, we have time before the problem students can act, so I would appreciate a report on your last few missions."
Qrow shrugged. "What's there to say? I found an old ruin, some crystal thing was glowing but that was everything interesting there, then when I was on my way back I got your call about the Nuckelavees and helped teams of Huntsmen kill a few."
Ozpin nodded. "Things went... better than I expected. In any case, the students I want you to keep an eye on is team CMSN, or Crimson if you like."
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "CMSN for Crimson?"
"They are coming from Haven. You know how Lionheart has been about names. In any case, it is their leader, Cinder Fall, that you will need to focus on. Her team may be involved, but it is only her that we know is involved."
"So you want me to stalk this girl whenever she leaves Beacon."
"You have a bird form."
Qrow shrugged. "Doesn't change who I am on the inside. Anyway, why do we need to spy on her, I mean we have the 'Queen of all Evil' on staff now."
"Salem was behind the direction to eliminate the Nuckelavee. They weren't a deliberate attack after all."
"So I was right about killing them after all."
Ozpin ignored him.
"Cinder was one of Salems followers, but appears to have gone rogue. She was the one to attack Amber, and Salem maintains that her orders were to attempt negotiations."
"Right, and she isn't after the Relics after all."
"It is only thanks to Salem that we know anything about Cinder. Her response to learning of Cinders involvement with Torchwicks actions was to bring him in and tell us about her."
"That doesn't mean we should just blindly trust her."
"Who says that I do? I have you t confirm if Cinder is up to something and the rest of the staff in case Salem is just trying to distract us." He his a smile in the mug. "No matter what her intentions are, I am prepared."
"In any case, I'll be spending some time with my nieces while we wait for the Cinder to make a move."
"Of course," Ozpin accepted. "Whenever Cinder tries to visit Vale a message will be sent to your scroll. Good luck," he finished with a another smile he his in his mug.
[]
As he watched Qrow leave Ozpin smiled to himself.
Long before the Brothers left humanity had built sites to boost their magic, which had then been lost during wars between countries (for a moment he wondered if the Brothers had been involved, but dismissed the thought).
Since the start of the conflict between him and Salem he had sought these sites once more, to grant himself the advantage over her.
And now, if their conflict should start again, he would have that advantage.
AN: Been too hot to write as much as I would have wanted to, so the chapter is a bit shorter than usual.
In any case, the real reason for the departure from canon should be quite apparent now.
Yes, it is all Qrows fault!
Well, his and Ozmas.
