Even though it had been little more than a week, Weiss had missed having the whole of her team around her. Still waiting in the lounge watching Ruby's flight land and taxi up to the landing gate filled her with more excitement than she had expected. She was slightly surprised to see Velvet dressed in her Beacon uniform, but she explained that she was here for the official photographs.

Weiss nodded. Ruby did not enjoy the attention and felt embarrassed by it. Velvet was someone she knew and trusted even since they had met at Weapons Club at Pharos combat school. This apparently explained the uniform wearing.

It seemed as though Ruby must have used her semblance when disembarking as she was the first one out. Seeing the smile spread across her face when she saw Weiss and Yang waiting for her just lifted her spirits. Luckily, Yang had suggested that she brace herself as Ruby raced towards her. She kept her footing somehow and responded to the hug of friendship. The thought that she would even consider showing her happiness in public would have shocked her six months ago. Now it just seemed natural. She whispered in Ruby's ear, "normal knees" and felt the hug intensify in response.

Yang greeted her father and Zwei with similar levels of enthusiasm. Zwei was then handed to her father to hold while Yang high fived Russel and shook hands with Cardin. Cardin was looking stressed but responded with a smile.

Yang then joined a group hug which included Zwei. Weiss had never thought of herself as a dog person previously. Mother preferred cats and currently the queen of the mansion was a cat known to mother, Klein, and Weiss as Winter. She was a dignified but slightly bad-tempered animal.

Mother and Specialist Amin greeted Professor Goodwitch. She was looking, as normal, mildly exasperated. Five minutes later Winter arrived. Weiss, forgetting herself, skipped over towards Winter, but remembered in time that Winter was not a tactile person. Winter nodded at her, said "Sister." It was by her standards friendly but conveyed that Winter was here on business. She and Goodwitch shook hands, had a brief word, and then disappeared towards the main military terminal building.

Specialist Amin confirmed that the airship from Menagerie was due to arrive shortly. He introduced the old lady to Ruby saying that they would have opportunity to speak later. Apparently the woman was called Maria Calavera. The name meant nothing to Weiss, but Ruby squeed and produced Crescent Rose to the consternation of all around her.

"Uncle Qrow and I based our weapons on yours. Weiss, this is the Grimm Reaper."

The woman laughed sardonically, "It is a long time since anyone called me that. Anyway, I am here to prevent you making the mistakes I did. Let's talk properly tomorrow."

Specialist Amin greeted Russel warmly. Russel responded in kind and introduced him to Cardin who also shook hands. Ruby whispered in her and Yang's ear, "Marrow helped with Russel's tribe being allowed to join the Atlas military. He was hoping to see him here."

Specialist Amin clearly had received a message over his earpiece. He coughed loudly and said, "The passengers on the flight from Menagerie will be disembarking on the tarmac outside the international terminal. I hope that this will not mean a long delay before you can greet your teammate, but Kali Belladonna is the deputy chief of Menagerie which Atlas officially recognised last week. Your teacher Herr Doctor Professor Oobleck pointed out to us an hour ago that this is therefore a state visit."

Cardin and Russel made their excuses and left with a group of Atlas military types. Yang said that Russel had told her that they were worried about the pictures in the Remnant Enquirer and were meeting with the Atlas legal department. Apparently there had been developments in the last hour.

The rest of them were whisked across to the main terminal's VIP observation lounge through the military access route. The windows were apparently opaque from the outside but allowed them an unobstructed view of the Atlas airship landing.

Waiting below were TV film crews, about fifty Atlas solders and security officials, a smattering of Faunus and some Atlas academy students including one carrying a trumpet and a few others carrying violin cases. These included a very striking cat Faunus with a distinctive mostly orange tail with a hint of pink.

Yang asked Velvet, "Didn't some of those students play at the club two nights ago?"

Marrow Amin answered, "Yes. One of the requirements of this being a state visit is that the Kingdom Anthem of both kingdoms have to be played. They were the nearest available who admitted to knowing the music."

Weiss almost had an attack of the giggles at that point. It took all her self-control to contain herself. The Menagerie anthem had its origins in the Faunus Wars and unlike the rest of the Kingdom anthems was actually a rousing piece of music. It was, however, a product of wartime.

Velvet had clearly also got the point, "I assume the lyrics will be omitted."

The dog Faunus looked at her, smiled, and said, "No doubt a diplomatic solution has been reached. Miss Scarlatina, Mrs Schnee, our presence is required among the welcoming party." He looked over as another the Ace-Ops, Elm Ederne, bounded through the door.

The woman greeted Ruby enthusiastically praising the girl. Ruby reddened and the old lady sniggered. Elm said, "Miss Rose, Miss Schnee, Miss Xiao-long, the General assumed that you would prefer your team reunion to be held in private and the intention is for your teammate to be brought to you as soon as possible under the circumstances. Miss Belladonna has asked me to let you know that she agrees."

Ruby nodded at that. Yang started to object and then looked at Ruby and said, "Does that suit you, sis." Ruby said in a soft voice, "It's fine."

Weiss's whispered to both of them, "This is Blake's mother's moment. A public Team RWBY reunion would only distract from it."

As the airship came to a standstill and the disembarkation ladders were wheeled out another twenty troops appeared. In their midst strode General Ironwood with his fellow council members Sleet and Camilla by his side.

Flynt Coal, his team and another six Atlas students took out the instruments and were ready to play them. The door of the plane opened and ten Menagerie guards together with Clover Ebi left the plane. Clover saluted the General and the other council members who advanced towards the plane.

Then Kali Belladonna with Blake by her side came through the door and halted at the top of the steps. Flynt Coal nodded to his fellow students and the instantly recognisable tune of "La Menagerie" started to play.

/-/

In Vale Roman, Neo, Ygor, and Perry were sharing a bottle of wine. Roman still found using a Grimm as a form of communication thoroughly unsettling and the threat that after a week of freedom, Cinder would be returning was unwelcome. Ygor and Perry felt much the same. He had got used to the two nerds. They could do things he could not and even more importantly did routine things well enough that he did not have to do them himself. They also happily indulged Neo's whims which made her happy.

Perry had asked if they could watch the news. Adam had dropped hints that things would be happening today in the wider world which were important to the White Fang. It was agreed that they would have the TV on with the volume turned down until something interesting seemed to be happening.

Ygor spotted something and turned the volume up. The picture showed General Metaldick and two nonentities standing to attention. The camera then turned to a plane door where two cat Faunus stood. He recognised the Belladonnas. Perry had, unlike the majority of the White Fang secondees, never badmouthed Kali.

Suddenly a band started playing. Perry rose to his feet, placed his hand on his heart and started to sing. The lyrics were rather bloodthirsty, but he had never heard Perry sing before. As the song played tears filled the Faunus's eyes and Roman turned to Ygor for an explanation. Ygor was looking stunned. Clearly this had a significance for the Atlesian and the Faunus which passed him by.

As the song ended, Ygor hugged Perry, "Man, I never thought I would hear that song being played officially in Atlas."

He looked at Roman and Neo who were still gobsmacked. "That song was banned from being played in public in Atlas for as long I have been aware."

Roman shrugged, "Symbols are important." He looked at his relative and said, "Time to break out the champagne. Neo, could you open a bottle of the good stuff."

He then looked at Perry and Ygor. "Somehow I don't think that this was what Adam was hinting at."

/-/

Back in Atlas, Weiss watched as Councillor Sleet and Kali Belladonna mounted the podium together and said what had to be said. While the general was the most important man in Atlas, Councillor Sleet was actually head of the council. Cosmetically it looked better and in this case it had the advantage that the two representatives of their respective governments could air kiss without one kneeling or the other being given a box to stand on.

Perhaps it was a term at Beacon and having listened to Dr Oobleck twice a week and spoken with Blake daily, but she knew that this was an important moment for the kingdom. Kali went on to shake hands with Ironwood and Velvet was there to take two money shots. The one had them looking into each other's eyes and trying to convey mutual respect. The other being the one where both had their eyes to the front acknowledging the significance.

A few second later the two mothers met. On a personal level, seeing mother and Kali Belladonna hug each other in public made her proud of her mother in a way she could not have imagined six months ago.

Yang asked the question. "What's the big deal? Blake said that she and her parents had spent time in Atlas previously."

Weiss tried to explain, "In the past Atlas did not officially recognise Menagerie as a legal entity."

"What – they have been governing themselves since the end of the Faunus wars." Yang said this with the pride of someone for whom history was not a strength and had grasped a relevant fact.

"They were recognised as being self-administering in fact but not of law. Anyway, the then government saw her and Ghira as being leaders of the White Fang rather than as heads of state. It suited both the Atlas government and the Belladonnas that if they came to Atlas it was in that capacity and not as rulers of Menagerie."

Ruby said, "That sounds silly."

"It was symbolic. At that time Atlas was not ready to treat a country of Faunus as being in any way equivalent to a kingdom. Neither were the Belladonnas happy for Menagerie to be snubbed. It suited both to have an excuse to talk in person."

Ruby said, "Oh, politics. Still sounds silly."

Just then the speeches ended. There was applause from the bystanders and more photo-ops. Weiss watched Specialist Amin whisper in Blake's ear, she nodded, and she moved towards the lounge. Velvet, Flynt Coal, and Neon Katt followed along in their wake.

She had explained to Ruby that she had agreed with Yang to allow her to greet Blake first before the group hug. She had also, she believed tactfully, suggested that Taiyang hold Zwei during the group hug. While Blake hated living up to the stereotypes, the fact was that she loved fish and was not fond of small yappy dogs. While she adored Zwei, she suspected that he could sense trepidation.

As Blake and Yang hugged she saw Professor Goodwitch and Winter enter the room together. They both nodded in her direction but moved towards Taiyang. The man raised an eyebrow and talked to them. As she and Ruby joined the hug, she was that he was looking towards them.

On the other side Flynt and Neon were speaking to Specialist Amin and looking at Blake. The dog Faunus looked embarrassed but nodded to them.

Weiss decided that the first year Atlas students' request was unlikely to be as overwhelming as whatever Winter and Goodwitch was going to spring upon them. She took the opportunity to introduce Blake to Specialist Amin and the first year Atlas students.

"Blake, meet Specialist Amin. He worked with my sister and Leslie in Vacuo."

To her surprise Blake slightly reddened but accepted him kissing her hand gallantly.

"Thank you Miss Schnee. Miss Belladonna, two of my friends would like to invite you to a night club in Mantle and to pass on best wishes from a mutual friend."

Blake looked at them and smiled. "You played the anthem without sheet music. I am amazed that anyone knew the music by heart."

Neon says, "It is a favourite in the clubs we play in. We use different lyrics mind you, but the Faunus in the audience know what we mean."

Weiss was amused to see the dog Faunus looking into the middle distance pretending not to hear anything.

Flynt intervened, "The guest vocalist this week asked her to pass on her best wishes to you. Her stage name is Foxy Heart, but she says you may know her better as Julie or Alison."

None of the team missed how Blake's ears first pricked up and then flattened. Weiss certainly did not miss Yang's shock. The blonde recovered quickly and said, "Is that an ex-girlfriend Blakey?"

Blake ignored the comment and said, "A fox Faunus with a husky voice and magnificent tail? How is she?"

Flynt said, "That's her. She is doing well at her career."

Neon said, "Yes, it is a good tail. Somehow the kink she got in it after a fight with a bear doesn't matter that much."

Blake's ears flattened still further, and her fists clenched. She said, "Tell Julie that we must meet up soon and tell her that I should have taken her advice sooner."

Yang clearly sensing something had upset her partner which she probably did not want to say anything more about held Blake closely and asked Flynt, "Are you guys and her playing at the club this evening?"

Flynt said "Yes. Mind you it is only the expensive tables left."

Neon said, "Come off it, Flynt, no way the management aren't going to make room for a Belladonna. Hell, Marrow here can reserve the corporate table again."

Blake said, "Girls, I owe Julie a lot. Do you mind if we went down to Mantle tonight?"

Weiss looked at Ruby who said, "It sounds as though she is important to you Blake. Of course, we will."

Specialist Amin coughed, "Perhaps Miss Schnee needs to check with her family security team. Miss Belladonna may also need to check with her mother as she may have social commitments. Ruby, I am afraid that you are underage for the venue even if you only drink milk."

Yang said, "Blakey, I will go with you."

Winter then interjected, "Perhaps you should delay any decision for the time being. Miss Xiao-long, your mother.."

"Egg donor."

"…is about to have her first interview since winning the Vytal festival broadcast on Remnant wide TV. In addition, the White Fang have promised to make a major announcement thus evening which will be covered by the same journalist."

"So what? I have not met her in more than 18 years, and she has made it clear how much I matter to her."

Goodwitch responded, "Nevertheless, I do suggest delaying finalising your plans. Your … egg donor was never one for explaining herself, but on the few occasions she did it was revealing."

Marrow said, "Flynt, Neon, I will let you know. I assume you need to get back to the academy to change before tonight's show."

The two took the hint and said their goodbyes. Blake held it together until they had left and buried her head in Yang's chest. "She warned me about him when she knew I was not ready to listen. First, he exiled her and then he allowed his acolyte to mutilate her."

Weiss edged Ruby away from the partners. Ruby sensed as well that this was something private and did not object. Glynda nodded with approval at her and motioned to Specialist Amin to join her in blocking the sightlines to give the two privacy.

That did not prevent Weiss registering that Yang was trying to cope with the mixed feelings of being told how much someone else mattered to Blake with the fact that Blake was seeking comfort from her.

/-/

Back in Vale, Adam Taurus unclenched his fists after watching the footage from Atlas and thought both about his own reactions and what he should tell his followers.

He was more determined than ever to implement Cinder's plan and destroy Beacon. Blake had deserted him and sought a home there. He would take away her security from her as she had burned away his capacity for love and trust.

He had persuaded himself that unlike the plans of those fanatics in Mantle there would be few Faunus deaths. The Faunus students would be allowed to surrender or run away – the rabbit Faunus would even be encouraged to take photographs for posterity.

It was a slightly guilty secret of his that he had agreed with Sienna that the best thing had been to blow the cover of the lunatics. They had become convinced that the power station which heated seventy per cent of Mantle was the reason why Atlas floated above Mantle and destroying it would decapitate the ruling elite.

A potential rival of Adam's had volunteered to be the "traitor." Adam was still not entirely certain in his own mind whether he was a double or treble agent or simply a man with his own agenda. He believed the latter but had enough self-awareness to know that was what he wanted to believe.

The man had been convincing enough when he had told him, "Everyone assumes that my father was an aristocratic human who deserted my Faunus mother. Total nonsense, old bean. No one engages brain and wonders where I learnt the accent and the mannerisms from. I have as much reason to hate humans as you do. My father was killed because he was a dirty animal who had impregnated my mother and my mother was killed by her family because she fled rather than abort me or give me up for adoption. She ran for eight years and died t' give me a chance of living. I had learnt my lessons and hid in the priest's hole in the armoured car until the Mohawks discovered me."

The lynx Faunus had paused at that point, "Old man, I have done more harm t' Mistral by wielding the stiletto than you have by wielding the sword. I have been employed by Atlas t' expose the multi-kingdom's crimes and to kill the perpetrators of them. An Atlas colonel has been disgraced and his faction marginalised because I danced with his mistress's daughter. The multi-kingdoms have been forced t' change their working practices because I passed on information to an honest woman. I kidnapped a main board SDC director from under the nose of his protection squad without firing a single shot and single handed ruined the hat industry in Mistral. The point is that I did this to revenge my father and mother and not for a cause. Remnant, I have as many friends in the Mohawk tribe and the Atlas Military as I do in the White Fang. It is for me t' do this dirty duty and leave the coast open to you to succeed Sienna at the proper time. You believe in the cause. I believe in individuals. However, my revenge still requires the disgrace of one of the elite Atlas families. I can do that best as a trusted double agent and it serves both you and me t' get rid of the lunatics in Mantle."

He still was uncertain what he made of the man. His actions had meant that Sienna could not call him out on his secrecy about the Vale plans without revealing that she had been a party to the decimation of the Mantle White Fang and his plausible deniability was greater than hers. In any event, the Atlas authorities had not mentioned the plan to blow up the power station and the leaders had apparently died resisting arrest. That was consistent with his old rival's modus operandi. The man had talked about making your opponents' destroy themselves and covering your tracks.

He would tell his followers that the fact that Atlas recognised Kali as a representative of Menagerie just showed how declawed she was and that Ghira was now a neutered tom cat. Ghira was an Uncle Jerry and that she was an Auntie Thomasina, stock servile characters whose deference allowed humans to feel that their dominance was justified and a reflection of the natural order of things.

Still, hearing La Menagerie played in Atlas had been a pleasure. Just as well it had been played too late to save Sienna Khan. The woman had argued for keeping the Belladonnas alive to get humans used to negotiating with Faunus.

A short standalone chapter. First, it seemed like a natural break. Second, as often with my stories I have ended up having a day or two days during which a lot happens and so having chapters which cover an hour or two in real time seems the right way to go. Third, it is an experiment. It is mostly a single POV but with two outside reactions which I hope are illuminating.

The next chapter will also be shorter than normal. With luck I will publish that this week, but no guarantees. The one afterwards will probably be a long one but will be delayed. I am going on holiday and will have limited computer access for eight days.

While I have no doubt undershot, I am trying to convey that having the Menagerie/White Fang national anthem played in Atlas is a big deal - a little like Nixon going to China or South Africa releasing Mandela. Having two minor characters reacting viscerally to this scene is of course inspired by a scene from Casablanca. If you have not watched the scene in detail before I would recommend that you look at the David Youngblood article on the significance of the Marseillaise scene in Casablanca and then watch the clip on you tube.

I have justified the reference further in my own mind by the fact that the Faunus undoubtedly had morale raising songs during the Faunus wars and would not be a dissimilar situation from that in which the Marseillaise was written.

Roman's rude version of Ironwood's name is both in character and reflects a joke from childhood where a younger sister referred to her older brother Nicholas as Tin Bum.

I hope the main flashback part of the Adam POV makes sense and is consistent enough with past stories to be plausible.