"This can't be real. There is no way in the world that this is real. Are you pranking me?"
Jaune sighed. "Look, sis, I know it's kind of a lot—" He began.
"You're at Beacon? You're at Beacon. You're really there, really really." Saphron said, crossing her arms. Jaune couldn't quite tell what she was thinking over the CCT video screen.
"Yeah… really really." He said, grinning sheepishly.
"That's… that's amazing!" She said, smiling from ear to ear. "I can't believe it! You talked about it so long, but I never thought—ah, I mean, I believe in you, of course, I just, didn't think you were going to go through with it!" She finished.
"Well, I did. And now I'm here." Jaune said, scratching his head. It was actually a big relief to have her approval—he'd been half expecting her to lecture at him about how he wasn't ready. Which, to be fair…
"You… don't quite seem happy about that. Is something wrong?" Saphron asked.
"No! No, Saph, nothing's wrong—just realizing I've got a lot of work left to do, I'm definitely a bit behind." Jaune said, trying for a cheery laugh. It sounded a lot shakier than he'd hoped.
"Well, duh, dummy—that's what happens when ya have your siblings 'help you out' with the transcripts to get in." She said, rolling her eyes.
"Shhh! Please don't talk about that on here!" Jaune hissed.
"Alright, alright, sheesh. I'm curious, though—what did Liv and Luce end up asking for in exchange for their services? They always wanted me to do something embarrassing, or buy them ice cream, and I know you don't have the cash." Saphron asked. Jaune felt his face heat up as he flushed with embarrassment.
"Believe me, you don't want to know." Jaune said.
"Hmm… it was the bunny dance, wasn't it? Probably with the costume." Saphron asked.
"Hey so—how's Adrien doing? He speaking yet" Jaune asked, a bit too quickly, in desperate need of a subject change. Saphron raised an eyebrow.
"Oh he's wonderful. Lots of work to take care of the little guy, he's getting pretty good at crawling around. Terra's still an absolute dreamboat, and just amazing at keeping track of him. I'm loving Argus, too—I think this really was the best choice. I can't wait for you all to visit! Though… I guess I might not be seeing you this summer." Saphron said. Jaune frowned.
"I don't… I mean, I maybe I can make it. We've got a break in a few weeks, and mom and dad aren't angry with me or anything, but the scheduling might not work out." Jaune said, feeling suddenly very sad. He'd given up a lot to come to Beacon, but it hadn't occurred to him he might be giving up the chance to visit Saphron in her new home.
"Well… I'll see you when I see you, then. Buck up! There'll be other visits, and right now, you're living the dream! I'm sure you've got wonderful stories—and I bet you've met some cute girls, huh?" Saphron said, grinning. Jaune blushed.
"I mean, you're not wrong—they're all out of my league though." Jaune said.
"Pshah—out of your league? Jaune Arc, coolest boy in school?" Saphron said.
"Yeah well, that was only true when I was the only boy in school and school was our house. When I was seven." Jaune said.
"Hey, no brother of mine is gonna sit here putting himself down. Especially not when he's just doing it so he won't have to talk about all the cute huntresses in training that have caught his eye." Saphron said, grinning devilishly. "I can always try to look up the class myself you know. Unlike you, I can afford ice cream, though I'm sure Liv and Luce would help me out for free if they knew what it was for."
"Ugh, alright, I surrender—but easy on the commentary, okay? Ah… the first day I met a bunch of cool people, and a lot of them were girls. There was Yang, after I threw up on her shoe—" Jaune started.
"You threw up on her shoe?!" Saphron asked, mouth gaping. Jaune resisted the urge to slap himself in the face. Of all the things to say and of all the people to say them to, why did it have to be this?
"I—uh—could you maybe just forget about tha—" Jaune tried. Saphron began to cackle.
"You—you threw up, on a girl's shoe, on the first day? This is amazing." Saphron said. Jaune crossed his arms.
"Look, I just didn't realize how airsick I was going to get because I didn't read how long the flight was going to be and I forgot to pack—ya know, it doesn't matter. I met Yang—"
"You really showed her who you were inside, huh? Threw up your best lines?" Saphron said, grinning like the Cheshire cat and having way too much fun. Jaune was never going to hear the end of this. He sighed.
"Ya know, coincidentally, she does like puns. I also met her little sister, Ruby, after she exploded." Jaune said.
"She… what?" Saphron asked.
"Freak dust accident, but she's okay. Great, actually." Jaune said.
"Great? Reeeeally?" Saphron said, grinning wider. "She a cutie?"
"Well, yeah, and she's really nice, but honestly I think we're more just friends… also she saw me throw up on her sister's shoe." Jaune said. Saphron sighed.
"Ah, okay then. Vomiting introduction isn't great for romance. What about your team? Your partner?" Saphron said.
"My team is great! They're all, ah, really impressive, actually. Lie Ren is basically a ninja. Strong and silent type, stylish dresser, cooks good pancakes." Jaune said.
"He cute?" Saphron asked, waggling her eyebrows.
"We've been over this Saph, I'm still not into guys—also he's pretty much joined at the hip with his partner, Nora Valkyrie. Who, and I say this with love, is a handful." Jaune said.
"A handful? I'm gonna need more details here." Saphron said.
"Well, she's pretty manic most of the time, especially when Ren isn't around. Her heart's in a good place but she's got no filter, and can get really worked up about things. She babbles a lot. A bit of a daredevil, pretty much feet-first into everything she does. Also, when she's fighting, she can be downright terrifying. I once saw her arm-wrestle a construction crane for fun. The crane lost." Jaune said.
"Oh… uh, my. Perhaps not her, then." Saphron said, smiling nervously. "Sounds like her and Ren already have a thing going anyway."
"It's pretty clear. They haven't said anything, but honestly, she gets angry at any of us if we take her spot next to him or wake him up in the morning, and the guy makes it his personal responsibility to go pretty much everywhere with her and even tucks her in at night. If they're not dating, I'd eat my hat." Jaune said. Saphron sighed.
"Jaune, you don't have a hat." Saphron said.
"Not important. Anyhow, then there's my partner, Pyrrha. She's pretty much the only reason I'm aliv—I mean, that I'm keeping up with things. She's kind of amazing." Jaune said.
"Uh—I'm sorry, did you say Pyrrha? As in, Pyrrha Nikos?" Saphron said, eyes wide.
"Yep. Red hair, green eyes, tall, confident… you've heard of her?" Jaune asked.
"Jaune. You… you're joking, right?" Saphron said.
"Saph, why would I be joking?" Jaune said.
"Legendary youth tournament champion Pyrrha Nikos? Cream-of-the-crop of Sanctum Academy? You know, in Argus, the city where I live? The girl on every Pumpkin Pete's box from here to fricken Balmora?" Saphron asked.
"That… was pointed out to me, yes." Jaune said.
"She's your partner? For real?" Saphron asked.
"Yeah. She, uh, helped me out a lot, during initiation." Jaune said, trying not to blush. Honestly, he owed Pyrrha his life several times over. It was pretty embarrassing to think back on how badly he'd messed up during that challenge.
"You… you lucky bastard. Stars, that's amazing! I've seen her, she's a pretty darn good catch. I can't believe you managed to reel her in! I suppose if anyone could it'd be my adorable baby bro." Saphron said.
"Shush! I am not adorable—and I didn't 'reel her in', we aren't dating or anything." Jaune said.
"You aren't…? Dude. Is she not into you? She can't not be into you." Saphron said. Jaune squinted at her.
"What…? Look, I don't want to be one of 'those' guys, you know? I'm not gonna say she's not beautiful and kind and impressive and a total catch, because she seriously is. She hasn't said anything about being into me, though, and I—I really don't want to disappoint her, alright? I've already relied on her to get this far, and she somehow hasn't seen how much of a screwup I've been. I want to live up to her expectations, and be there for her when she needs me, and not turn into just another guy trying to get into her pants. She probably has that happen all the time. Ugh… she's such an amazing person, and I really, really don't want to make things weird. I owe her a lot, and I just want to be the best partner I can." Jaune said, looking down. He… hadn't actually put that into words for himself before. It startled him, how intense this feeling was.
"Aww, Jaune…" Saphron said, beaming at him.
"Uh… anyway, there is actually a girl I like! I haven't had a lot of success with her so far, but I think she's warming up to me. I actually overheard her saying she thought I was cute on the first day!" Jaune said.
"Oh? Really? What's her name?" Saphron asked.
"Weiss Schnee!" Jane said. "She's really amazing too, actually—"
"Jaune." Saphron said, sharply. "I'm sorry, Weiss Schnee? Like, Schnee Dust?"
"Uh… I mean, yeah, I think she's the heiress to the company or something? But that's not really—" Jaune tried.
"Weiss Schnee, the girl who does exclusive concerts for the richest of the rich in Atlas? Whose father owns half the world? That Weiss Schnee?" Saphron continued.
"Yeah… anyway, she's really pretty and talented and has this cute scar but she's kind of a tsundere. People call her the Ice Queen, which I think is a bit rude actually, she's just very direct and critical." Jaune said.
"Little brother… this is probably the richest girl in the world. You know that, right? Like, this could have serious consequences if something goes wrong." Saphron said. Jaune frowned—that was kind of unfair. Sure, she was rich and all, but technically so was Cardin. That didn't mean much to Jaune, all-told.
"Saph, she's really lonely. I think—I mean I haven't heard her say anything, but she doesn't really seem like she has anyone she's close to, yet, aside from maybe Ruby. Who is her partner, by the way. Weiss is gorgeous and clever and talented but she definitely seems to scare guys off. I think there's a lot more to her, and I'd like to get to know her better. I'd really like to make her smile, you know? Not in a weird way, just, give her a reason to be happy? And she's so cool. Figuratively, I mean, the Ice Queen thing isn't literal." Jaune said. Saphron shook her head.
"Alright, baby brother, if you say so. I'm not gonna stop ya, but be careful. Sometimes the ones that are prickly on the outside are just as prickly on the inside once you try to reach in for their heart. You're definitely going to have some stories to tell at the next family gathering, though, gosh… anything else wild happen since you've been there?" Saphron asked.
"Oh yeah—a Britannian Prince flew in on some sort of battleship just after initiation, and now he's going to school here. Pyrrha knows him." Jaune replied. Saphron laughed, then stared at his slightly bemused expression.
"…really. Really?" Saphron said, staring.
"Yup. He seems… nice. Kinda scarecrow-y, actually, just sort of stands there being quiet and mysterious most of the time." Jaune said.
"Well… uh. On that note, I've actually got to go—my time is almost up here, but you are absolutely telling me more about this the next time we see each other, kay?" Saphron said.
"Oh, okay! Will do, sis—it was really nice to hear from you!" Jaune said.
"Nice to hear from you too. Don't work too hard, now!" Saphron said, flashing Jaune one last smile before ending the video call. Jaune smiled. It was always nice to hear from Saph… he'd missed all of his sisters since heading to Beacon, but he'd been missing Saphron even longer. It made him happy that she was following her dreams, and not fighting so much with Eleanor anymore. Their oldest sister had never really had much tolerance for Saph's rebellious streak. She'd left a long lecture on Jaune's own scroll when she'd heard about Beacon, though it'd ended with a promise to keep in touch and send him care packages when she could, so he knew she wasn't that angry.
After standing up and taking a moment to stretch and yawn, Jaune made his way to the Beacon Tower elevator.
He'd been a lot busier than he'd expected, this first week at Beacon. In hindsight, Jaune wasn't really sure why he expected it to be easier. He'd never realized how much schoolwork and studying went into being a hunter—it wasn't all training in the arena, hanging out with wise old mentors or walking out and camping in the woods in search of Grimm. He'd never been a bad student, but it was still a chore. At last, though, it was Saturday.
Breakfast had been relatively normal, and Jaune was grateful, after everything that had happened over the last two days. Pyrrha was back to her normal self and didn't seem too shaken up. It made Jaune both happy and a bit guilty that she would share such a personal and clearly traumatic story with them, and he was still a bit upset with the others about how they'd acted. Ren and Nora had at least made up for it—Nora had given up that morning's pancakes to Pyrrha, shocking all of them, and Ren was taking Pyrrha out on a spa day.
Yang, Ruby, and Blake had been talking with them all as if nothing had happened. It was probably better that way, not bringing it up, but in Jaune's opinion they still owed Pyrrha an apology. It really wasn't any of their business in the first place.
As for Weiss… Jaune didn't really understand what was up with Weiss. He really wanted to, but between her and Pyrrha, he had a responsibility to his partner, and he wasn't about to try and comfort the white-haired heiress when she'd been so callous to Pyrrha. It was so impressive, most of the time, how Weiss spoke her mind so easily and didn't let other people shake her confidence. As his mom would say, though, every up has its down. Being mean to Pyrrha was definitely a down in Jaune's book, even if it hadn't necessarily been intentional.
In any case, they'd gone their separate ways after breakfast. Ren and Pyrrha were out in the city somewhere. Jaune guessed they were probably somewhere in Kingstown, the commercial district; most likely 'Boomtown' in the eastern part near Beacon, where the smaller, newer businesses were. Eleanor had taken him, Saph, and Calliope down there a lot to the small amateur theaters to see shows that some of her friends were in, but Jaune hadn't seen the place in awhile. It was a bit of a hassle to fly there, though, so he wasn't planning on heading down that day.
Nora and Yang were most likely down at the gym, if that weight lifting challenge they'd been talking about during breakfast was for real. Weiss and Ruby had gone off to study, probably in the library. Jaune wasn't really sure what Blake was up to, though he assumed it involved books. That left him time, to do… well, he wasn't entirely sure what.
Jaune began to consider his options as he rode the elevator down to the ground floor. He was lost enough in thought that he was a bit startled to see two people standing directly in front of the elevator doors when they opened.
"Oh—ah, hi professor Goodwitch! And you're Lelouch, right? I don't think we've met." Jaune said, smiling. He got out of the elevator and offered a hand. Lelouch stared down at it for a second, looking a bit surprised. For a moment Jaune wondered if he'd made a mistake, but then the violet-eyed prince reached out and shook his hand. He had a firm grip, though not a crushing one.
"Yes, that's me. You must be Jaune Arc, Pyrrha's partner? I've seen you in class." Lelouch said.
"That's what they put on my name tag! Heh… well, It's good to meet you!" Jaune said. Lelouch smiled.
"Likewise." Lelouch said, nodding. Jaune smiled back, then glanced up at professor Goodwitch. She looked… worried. Alarmed. She was glancing between the two of them and their hands. Jaune frowned.
"Professor, is there something wrong?" He asked. Immediately professor Goodwitch's expression seemed to shift into a vaguely reassuring professional smile that did not reassure Jaune in the least.
"No, not at all, Mr. Arc. If you don't mind, we must be going." She said. Jaune looked between her and Lelouch, who nodded at him. Something felt… off.
"Ah—yeah, of course. I'll just, uh, get out of your way." Jaune said, offering them both a smile as he walked past. He resisted the urge to look back until he heard the elevator doors close. There wasn't anything to see by then, but he still looked anyway. He stared back for a moment longer before heading out into the sunlight. The half-formed plans he'd had in his head for a nice pre-lunch nap had vanished.
What in the world had that been about?
Glynda Goodwich was nervous. It didn't happen often these days, and she was more than happy to keep it that way, as she hated the feeling. There was no denying it, though. She kept herself in as good and relaxed a posture as possible, but her traitorous palms were sweating severely. The tickling sensation was at least a distraction—and she refused to wipe them off in sight of this… student.
Fetching him from the cafeteria had been nerve-wracking, and the walk to the CCT tower had seemed to take ages. She'd had to lead the way, with the boy-shaped killing machine at her back. It had been difficult to hold onto an air of calm, but she'd done it… at least until they ran into Jaune Arc, and the foolish boy had reached out and taken the hand that Glynda had seen rip out an Ursa's throat while its master cackled with mad glee. Her instinct was to slap the hand away and put herself between the two of them, but she had kept her calm and it had all been fine.
Except, now she was alone with the prince in the elevator. She could feel his eyes on her back, and worked to keep taking deep, calming breaths. Long experience told her to expect a fight, screamed at her to at least face the boy. But Ozpin's instructions were clear; approach him calmly, and give no provocation.
"Professor Goodwitch… is there any chance you'll tell me what this is about?" The prince asked. Glynda fought the urge to turn and face him.
"The headmaster wanted to discuss your performance so far and check in with you." Glynda said, projecting calm authority.
"…of course." He replied, disinterestedly. Glynda tried not to react, but it was clear he suspected something. Thankfully, they reached the top floor moments later, and the doors dinged open.
Unthankfully, the scene in front of them was not what Glynda had expected to see. Professor Ozpin had visitors, one of whom was speaking loudly enough that the sound of the elevator opening went unheard.
"Headmaster, we insist that you reconsider. Our men are simply not sufficient to handle this, the situation is out of control! We have funds to compensate you, if necessary, but the safety of the kingdom is at stake!" The man leaning over Ozpin's desk shouted. Glynda knew him in an instant; scrawny, a beak-like hooked nose, grey hair worried thin except for his characteristic sideburns, bushy eyebrows and beady eyes hidden behind spectacles.
"Councilman Crane, I have made my policy on hiring hunters as enforcers very clear. We fight the Grimm, not criminals, unless in self defense. This understanding is integral to our operatives—" Ozpin tried, massaging his forehead.
Councilman Ichabod Crane, known for his own massively debilitating migraines, had a knack for recreating them in others. Glynda was only mostly sure it wasn't his semblance, being as she doubted then man had ever trained a day in his life.
"'Maintaining a reassuring presence and neutrality', yes, yes, but can't you see that this is an emergency?" Crane continued. "The Vytal Festival is only months away. The dust thefts were bad enough—now criminal activity is on the rise, the damned Vox are stirring up trouble, and to top it all off we have a gang war brewing in the slums! This is serious! These thugs won't listen to anything but force, and we simply do not have enough of it!" Crane finished. His two companions shared a glance, and Glynda could sympathize with their concern.
On Crane's right was the ever-elegant dark-haired and sharply dressed Junior Councilwoman Snow White, looking a little less elegant than usual. Glynda had never seen the woman with bags under her eyes before. On Crane's left was Glynda's old classmate and the second person she'd seen today that made her hand flinch for her weapon on sight, the broad-shouldered, stubble-bearded, habitually glowering Police Commissioner Bigby Wolf. It had been a long time, and still she couldn't look at him without remembering the sound of that howl.
"Please, Professor Ozpin—my people are working overtime, but we're just too few. The gangs on their own were difficult to manage with our resources, but the White Fang? The Vox? This is more than we can handle." Councilwoman White said.
"In that case, I would suggest putting an extra levy to expand the police force on the popular ballot for the end of the month. If it is this serious, the people will vote accordingly." Ozpin said.
"You want me to get on my hands and knees and beg for money to hire fools who won't even get the job done? We don't need more 'policemen'—incompetents and miscreants, the leftovers of your oh-so-special huntsman training!" Crane said, gesturing at Wolf, whose frown deepened into a scowl as he glowered back at the man. "You think you can just sit up here and laugh at us while you—" Crane tried.
"Enough." Ozpin said, standing. "Ichabod, I have been very clear, and my patience is at its end. Security of the city, aside from matters involving the Grimm, is outside of Beacon Academy's jurisdiction. Frankly I am disturbed that I must be the one to remind you that keeping the peace is the responsibility the people of Vale elected you and your compatriots to fulfill. My responsibility is to keep Beacon and myself uninvolved. The Huntsmen and Huntresses, while serving as such, cannot become involved in any political administration. They do not uphold the law, and they will not act as your enforcers. My hands are tied. Now, if there is nothing else, I have another appointment waiting, and wish you a good day. Councilwoman White, Commisioner Wolf."
"Headmaster." White said, nodding in Ozpin's direction before turning to follow as Councilman Crane stormed past Glynda and her charge. Commissioner Wolf hung back for a moment.
"I told them it wasn't gonna work. Good seeing you, professor—sorry to waste your time." Wolf said, following the other two into the elevator.
"Glynda." He said in greeting, nodding as he passed. Glynda nodded back. The man may have been terrifying, but he'd never been impolite. His eyes flickered over the prince next to her, and he frowned, pausing for just a moment before shaking his head and walking into the elevator where councilman Crane was muttering. The doors closed with a 'thunk'.
Ozpin sat back down as Glinda and the prince approached his desk, steepleing his fingers and letting out a sigh.
"I do hope that little drama wasn't for my benefit, professor." The prince mused, smiling slightly as Glynda turned to face him.
"Goodness, no. That visit was as much a surprise to me as to you. Perhaps moreso." Professor Ozpin said. He turned to Glynda.
"Thank you, Glynda. I trust your walk was uneventful?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes. We did run into the Arc boy on the way, but he was just leaving." Glynda said.
"Indeed. I suppose, Mr. vi Britannia, that you are wondering why I've asked you here?" Ozpin asked.
"I'm told that you wanted to 'discuss my performance so far and check in with me'. Is that not correct?" The prince said, in a voice that seemed a little too innocent.
"It is. We have a rather serious concern regarding your performance, I'm afraid." Ozpin said, pulling out his scroll and placing it on the console.
Behind his chair, a hologram blinked into existence. Footage of one of the nights over the last week, showing Lelouch vi Britannia cleaving his way through a pack of Beowolves in the night. Glynda saw the prince's eyes widen in alarm, his smile wiped away into a controlled neutral mask.
"You see, the Emerald Forest is where we do our initiation tests. The footage recorded there is important to our placement of students here at Beacon. The cameras remain, year-round." Professor Ozpin said, casually.
"I… see." The prince said, glancing down at his feet for a moment and crossing his arms before looking back up at professor Ozpin. "What is your concern?"
"Mr. vi Britannia, I should think that would be obvious. This activity is… well, rather disturbing, to say the least. These are not the actions of a responsible hunter." Ozpin said. The prince frowned deeper.
"I would have thought that an academy devoted to hunting Grimm would be pleased at their destruction." The prince said.
"It is not the Grimm I worry for. We hunt them, not because they exist, but because they threaten all of our lives. We protect people. Every creature of Grimm we strike down will one day be replaced, but not one person has ever been brought back after their life was taken by Grimm. We destroy so that we may protect. And this…" Ozpin gestured to the hologram behind him, where the prince was hacking a deathstalker to pieces, bit by bit, smile gleaming in the moonlight. "This is not protection."
"I…" The prince seemed at a loss for words. He took a breath, closed his eyes, then stood a little taller. "I am… sorry. This last year has not been easy for me, and this…" He gestured up at the hologram, where he was punching an Ursa to death. "This has been my best way of coping."
"Coping…?" Glynda said, staring. Ozpin shot her a warning glance.
"We all have our burdens to bear, Mr. vi Britannia. Whatever this is, it does not look like a healthy way of doing so." Professor Ozpin said. The prince glared up at him fiercely for a moment, and Glynda almost drew her Disciplinarian, but then the boy closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Professor Ozpin… please overlook this. I promise you, I am a danger to no one here but the Grimm. I simply wish to learn." The prince said. He sounded earnest, to Glynda at least. It didn't exactly change what she'd seen.
"This brings me to the other concern, Mr. vi Britannia. Based on this footage, it seems you are vastly overqualified to be attending Beacon Academy at all. I am finding it difficult to understand what it is you could possibly hope to learn here." Ozpin said. The prince frowned deeper, glancing back and forth between Ozpin and Glynda. He looked slightly desperate, and Glynda did her best to ignore the pang of sympathy that thought brought forward in her.
"I want to be a hunter of Grimm, professor. I can't follow that career without a license, and there is no way I could get a license without graduating from one of the four academies." The prince said.
"My dear boy, we both know that is not true. Officially, certainly, that is how things are done. With strength and skill such as yours, however, I can't imagine the examiners would refuse you a license. You could be a huntsman tomorrow, and be on your way." Ozpin said.
"Strength and skill is not all that is required to be a huntsman, professor. The tests of law, of geography, and bestiaries—" The prince tried.
"All could be studied for elsewhere, without having to travel across the sea further than Anima." Ozpin said.
"Do you genuinely think that Haven Academy would have accepted a Britannian prince as a student, professor? That Medea Colchis would let one of the Witch of Britannia's half-siblings just walk on into her city without a fight?" The prince argued, voice shaking with dismay.
"Perhaps not. But an instructor certainly could have been acquired. I can't help but think you would not have had difficulty gaining access to the library at the University of Edo, either. Even ten years out of date it should still more than suffice." Professor Ozpin replied. He leaned forward, looking intently at the prince over his spectacles. "I should like to know the truth, Mr. vi Britannia. You were accepted to this school as a normal student without prior secondary combat training, and those seem to have been false pretenses. I am willing to listen if you have more to tell me, but the reasons you have given me so far are not enough to convince me that allowing you to stay is an acceptable decision. If this is all, I'm afraid you will be asked to leave tomorrow." Ozpin said. The prince seemed to freeze, staring at the man.
"I…" Glynda saw tears begin to gather at the edges of his eyes, and felt the pang of sympathy grow stronger. The boy furiously wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, his face seeming to crumple in despair. "Would you like the official reason I'm here, or the unofficial one?" The prince asked. Ozpin frowned, thoughtful for a moment.
"The official, I suppose." Ozpin said, sitting up. The boy stared back, eyes red and watery.
"My brother Schneizel wanted me out of his way and put to good use. He wanted me to help 'build relations' in Vale. Present a better image of the Empire." The prince said, bitterly.
"Hm… I see. That doesn't particularly help your case, I'm afraid… what is the unofficial reason?" Ozpin said. The prince glanced away, looking suddenly very tired.
"I had… hoped… that I might find sanctuary here. For awhile, at least. It's been a long time since I've felt safe. I've spent most of my life, hoping to come to Beacon. I was training for it, back at Ashford. I was going to apply, before…" He waved his hand.
"Before the All-Mistralian Youth Combat League Championship last year." Ozpin supplied. The prince nodded.
"My family is difficult to escape. They didn't know I was attending Ashford, and the consequences for my deception were… severe." The prince said, looking back at Ozpin. "It was a dark year. I am still haunted by it, I won't deny it. But, please… I would very much like to attend this academy. When I return to the homeland, or even to Nihon, I will have no more chance at friendship or purpose. The great game is all that matters, there. As a prince I have no other choice but to play. I'd like to do some good for this world before then." The prince said, eyes full of passion and despair. Ozpin was silent for a long moment.
"…very well. I will not turn you away. But your nocturnal activities remain troubling. At the very least you're putting yourself at serious risk, fighting so many Grimm on your own." Ozpin said. Glynda could practically see tension flow out of the prince as he let out a sharp breath and looked away. Glynda stared at Ozpin. Surely he couldn't just…
"I—thank you. This means more than I could ever say. I will try to be more cautious in the future, if that would help." The prince said.
"I strongly recommend you find some other outlet for whatever it is you're struggling with. Have you considered painting? Music of some kind?" Professor Ozpin said.
"I'll do what I can." The prince said, nodding, smiling weakly.
"Very well. We'll be keeping an eye on you, of course, but if there is nothing else, you are dismissed." Ozpin said. The prince hesitated.
"Well… Professor. There's something I've been meaning to ask… have you heard about the fall of Irahuataz?" The prince asked.
"I… no. I'm not sure what you mean." Ozpin replied. The prince grimaced.
"Ah. Perhaps the Inquisition has done a better job of suppressing this information than I'd hoped." He said, shaking his head. "Well, then… Schneizel would probably have me hanged for this, but I honestly don't care. Irahuataz was the kingdom of what was left of the Irahuatl confederacy back on Albion, until early last year, when Cornelia finally put an end to it. The jungles held her off for awhile, but with the whole continent behind her her victory was inevitable. It was the last part of Albion that Britannia didn't fully control." The prince looked out of the window, staring at the horizon.
"Before Earhart found Dawn, the empire was taking its time with the invasion. It was supposed to be the last land left that the empire could conquer, the tenth and final area. I'm not sure if you know this, but Britannia defines itself against its enemies. Conflict is its lifeblood, the core of its philosophy. If it has no one else to fight, no one else to prove itself superior to… suffice to say, the imperial high command was uneasy about the consequences of finishing Britannia's glorious march of conquest. No one was sure what the great armies and ambitious generals would do once they'd finally taken hold of the whole continent. Now…" the prince gestured outside of the great windows, out at Vale, and Glynda felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. No...!
"They have their answer." The prince finished, expression deathly serious. Ozpin was silent.
"I don't know how much time there is, but they will come, sooner or later. The empire is on recovery footing, for now. It's building up its forces, re-stocking, preparing. Planning. In the next decade, it will strike. I do not know where. Mistral is the most likely spot, but Atlas is the more threatening target—it may take priority. If they conquer both, they will not stop. Vale will be next, and… I do not want this place to fall into their hands. This is a great city, a beacon of hope for the world, and the empire hates nothing more than hope." The prince said, quietly.
"Why are you telling us this?" Glynda asked, working hard to keep the horror welling up inside her from showing on her face. The prince looked at her, smiling a sad little smile.
"You seem like the people to tell. I'd hoped you already knew—if anyone should, it's the headmaster and foremost huntress in Beacon. I owe you something for letting me stay, at the very least." He said.
"…Thank you, Mr. vi Britannia. Is there anything else?" Ozpin said, voice shaking only slightly.
"Ah… just one thing, actually, that's been on my mind... I'd heard Ruby Rose was accepted here after stopping some sort of dust robbery?"