The door to James' apartment opened and closed with a quiet click as Ozpin stumbled in after a long and dull frustrating day. He wasn't a scientist at least not where it would have been useful and with so much time since he had actively researched there was a lot regarding new technology and old that appeared out of touch for him. So when he came home feeling a strain on the mind and eyes he barely yanked his boots off before following the scent of freshly brewed tea. The sight of James, seemingly waiting for him with a grim look on his face did not bode well and Oz knew his day wasn't about to get any better. Without a word James gestured further into the flat the library and the doors were shut and locked behind them. Oz sat down heavy on the sofa and sighed. "What happened James?"
"Qrow happened. Here." James pulled out his Scroll and showed Ozpin the picture Qrow had submitted. "Qrow did that earlier today, strung her up on a hook, the blade went deep enough to cause some severe damage, a deliberate move to cause as much pain as possible without piercing any organs. Then when I confronted him on the matter he told me it was what she deserved, it took a bit but he admitted he's…"
Ozpin regarded the imagine passively, he couldn't afford his feelings for Qrow to get mixed up in this display, though there was an ounce of pity in his gaze. "An addict with a new fix, I've had my suspicions."
"Why haven't you done anything then?" James took his Scroll back and pocketed. "I can't really believe it, if I hadn't read the report and knew Qrow was involved I would have never believed it was him."
"I said suspicions, not that I was sure. I had to ask him to clean up the bandit mess that was Mistral. The place was infested and it was damaging the city in a way it wouldn't recover from without direct attention. Especially since almost all the Huntsmen employed had been killed. Qrow was taking the brunt of mess and I did notice when he stopped being… hurt by it. Then when we were visiting with Roi, Qrow killed a man directly with his Semblance yet didn't seem to feel anything. I've never in all the years I've known him to do that. He has always felt every life taken as a sin and grieved accordingly for them. Qrow was never one to become deaf to death."
"I simply thought he was getting better, not allowing every life taken to burden him, cripple him. Part of me was relieved and had hoped that he had started to find a way to manage it on his own but then he stopped drinking as well. Though that was for another reason. I should have known that it wouldn't be so easy." Ozpin pursed his lips. "I really should have known. I had… have an issue with Refuge. I've spent a few lives as an alcoholic as well, you can't just stop."
"Never figured you for an addict." James crossed his arms over his chest. "I fall out of touch for a few years and you all go to hell."
Ozpin glared at him. "Shit happens."
"Yeah right, something tells me I'll be pulling more of your dirty laundry out into the light soon too."
"You saw Garrett, he was responsible for a lot of what happened. I won't dump all the blame on him but the drug abuse… that was his stepping stone in controlling me but with help, I was able to get off of it." Oz ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Qrow, we were talking about Qrow."
"Yeah any ideas?" James sat down in the high backed leather chair.
"... Let him drink again." Even saying it out loud had Oz cringing, he really didn't want to go this route but he could tell from James expression that he wanted potential solutions now. "He went cold turkey rather suddenly, letting him drink even if it's just supervised and not allowing him to get hammered might work. If he has something else to do and look forward to maybe he won't jump to hunting just for something to kill time with."
"You're suggesting we let an alcoholic drink?" James rubbed the corners of his eyes.
"We can't pay attention to him all the time. I'd rather prefer that he's here, safe and sound having a rum toddy then out down in Mantle smashing someone's skull in. Sure he's never met a bottle that he didn't like but he has proven he can control it. He can stop. I guess that's the difference, we'll have to keep an eye on him but I have faith that he'd be okay." Ozpin got up and started to pace. "Ruby has problems with alcohol as well, she will need further exposure and to manage it just to function in society eventually."
"She mentioned that Tyrian drank while he had her. I take it that left a lasting impact on her." James said.
Oz nodded, his face stony as he remembered the frail shaking woman, beaten and raped to an inch of sanity. Trauma never went away completely, it only lessened when worked at and Oz was starting to realize that he hadn't helped either of his spouses with their afflictions, at least not properly. "Yeah. Qrow is the worst one for trying to help her work through it but it can't always be about her. Ruby will understand that as well and I will tell her why." Oz paused. "Where is he now?"
"Shower, I had to uhh. Well you know how to get under his guard, I'm sure he was feeling a bit sweaty." James blushed slightly.
Ozpin smirked. "I bet you enjoyed that."
"It has been a while yes."
"Fine, help me make dinner then. I had a long boring day and making something would help."
The pair went to the kitchen and set about making a cheesy stew. Weiss and Ruby quickly followed their noses when they woke from their impromptu nap and helped with grating cheese for the topping. James did the things that required two hands while Oz stirred noodles. He glanced over at the two women and took a breath. Better to rip the band-aid off quickly then let it fester. "I need to tell you something, James and I have been talking and it seems Qrow… found a different fix to replace his drinking problem. One that is arguably worse then his drinking. The effect its having is dangerous, so with that in mind I think reintroducing alcohol in moderation and under some level of supervision is a… better route to try." Ozpin said leaning on the counter turning to watch Ruby and Weiss who had been behind him working at the kitchen island.
Ruby shivered and put down the cheese she had been working at before she dropped it. "But-"
Oz stopped her with a shake of his head. "You need to get over it Ruby. I hate to be blunt and I don't want to upset you, believe me I don't but you can't go through life avoiding the things that scare you. You'll only cripple yourself. You can't be having a panic attack every time we go to a social function. Roi was kind enough to overlook things considering your condition at the time and with the breastfeeding but make no mistake outside of those conditions asking for something else is rude. The next person might take more offense then he did." Ozpin kept his tone even and flat, he wasn't angry with her but hiding from a problem was not how to mend the problem. "I'm sure we could find a formal therapist if you desire."
The red head backpedaled, turning away from her husband and picking her grater back up, it was easier to talk about this if her attention was split a little, give her something to focus on. "No, no thank you. I've already been a bit better. I did have a sip of Brivari last time we were at the Crimson. I-I can't just ignore it and you are right about having to g-get over it. If Qrow is doing something you think is worse and would rather he drink again. Well to be frank you know what to do better then I do. Qrow isn't going to change just because we want him too. I guess going cold turkey didn't help him if it just moved the addiction to something more dangerous. I don't want him to get hurt." Ruby put it down again threaded her fingers together squeezing tight, she could be rational about this, like an adult and not a scared little girl. Still, it didn't stop the tremor building between her hands, nor the slightly raised thumping of her heart beat.
"Exactly, I have faith he can be responsible with it. It of itself isn't a bad thing, we'll just have to keep an eye on him." Ozpin set the spoon he had been stirring with on the counter and walked over to Ruby and kissed her cheek, good arm coming around her middle in comfort. "Thank you for taking this so well, but trust me not doing anything about it will be much worse. I won't make you look at what he did."
"I trust you. If you think this is the better thing to do then we'll do it." Ruby kissed him chastly upon the lips. She forced a smile. "Can't hide from the world forever, am I right."
Ozpin drew her in closer and she snuggled against his chest. "We'll get him, heck you might even get him. Or we'll get lucky and all be available when we find him."
"That would be nice." Ruby took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Sorry, I've just been so stressed out lately. I miss our baby, everything has just been moving so fast I don't feel like I can just take it all it."
Oz pet down her spine. "We understand, with how everything has been going we really did have to hit the ground running. Didn't have much of a chance to settle first, unlike at Mistral where we had months to do what we wanted."
"Did you have any luck finding what you were looking for?" Ruby looked up at him as she asked.
"No." Oz shook his head. "Solitas is a big place and I have never liked it. So finding stuff that is thousands of years old in a place I never went back when this stuff was being studied… I don't know, the suggestion that we were looking into this was a good way to buy time but I'm not convinced I'll find anything." He pursed his lips and was careful to shield his thoughts from Ruby, at least not without asking Garrett for help. The Chalice is here too, I can feel it at least but he cannot be trusted.
"Well, you've only looked once and we've got time. Cinder is probably on our heels but she was trying to get the Spring Maiden powers and you've got those and the Relic is hidden in me. So it is a safe guess that she would try for the Winter Maiden powers which you also have. Without those she can't get to the Relic of Creation so worse comes to worse you run and draw her away from Atlas. We can at least manipulate her a bit."
"That is a good point." James said and drained the pasta. "With the Winter Maiden gone the protection of the Relic is definitely in our court."
"She won't want to get into a fight with me either. She's a thief, hungry for power and needy for it. Though I'll be surprised if she attempts to use her Grimm power to steal my magic only to realise I can probably reverse it. I'm confident that if she tried my magic would come from her instead, it is mine and does seem to know that. All streams flow into the ocean sort of thing."
"One can hope. My worry is about Salem, she's been quiet for far too long." James said as Oz went back to him and they mixed together the dish and added the cheese the two women had grated to the top. Then put it in the oven to bake.
"She is immortal and does have time, it's entirely possible she's shaping new Grimm. If she knows I've taken the magic from two Maidens, which it's possible that she doesn't then she won't realize that my magic is growing again. It doesn't seem like Cinder returned to her and she is the only one that knows I took it from Raven. Cinder strikes me as the type to stew and not listen to anyone. Salem does know I am alive though, she held for centuries because I was around." Ozpin washed his hand.
"Hmm, so we have to keep an eye out for Cinder and our eyes on her continent." James said as they all walked out into the living room.
James sat down and Weiss snuggled into his side. "So basically we are in some measure of control for now. Cinder can't get the Winter Maiden powers nor three out of four Relics and Salem is probably biding her time. So the best thing we can do is try and straighten out Atlas and be ready when she comes." The icen eyed woman traced over a metal knuckle of her partner.
"We do have time it seems. If Cinder thinks she can one v one me, she will be in for a nasty surprise. I remember the last time we tangoed and she is arrogant in the extreme. I don't think she even knows I can just explode her heart." Oz snapped his fingers. "Salem was always very bad at being creative and magic is at its greatest when the user is creative. Cinder thinks of it as just another tool to fight with, her fight with Raven was embarrassing in just how uncreative it was."
"So, we breathe a bit." Ruby said and felt some of the weight off of her shoulders. "And our next milestone is the election. Getting who we want where we want them."
"Yes, I for one do not wish to work with Robyn but she is popular in Mantle and not working with her could come back and bite us. She will at least be somewhat more open to listening then some of the others running. We have a full council election so any number of things could happen. However, the city seat is the only one really up for grabs." James explained.
"Huh? How does that work?" Ruby had to admit she hadn't been giving it much thought, to much other more personal stuff going on.
"This election is split into three, one election for each seat. Military, Academy and City." James lifted a finger for each as he explained. "As you know that for all Kingdoms, those running have to have the educational and career background to apply for the corresponding seat. It's how I've held two seats for all this time, I have both Huntsman and military background. I had to beat the last Headmaster in a fight before I could apply to be the Headmaster. So for example if Robyn wanted to run for Academy she'd have to formally challenge me and the match would be broadcasted for Mantle and Atlas to watch. I went military first, got that seat and then went for Headmaster. Now for this election. Winter or Robyn would have to challenge me, given that no formal challenge has been given I find it safe to assume Robyn won't try it. Which is wise of her because not only can she not beat me but it doesn't allow her the control she needs to achieve her goals. So she's stuck with only being able to run for city, it's also the only position a civilian can run for."
"Which is why my father is gunning for it. Though I half expected him to withdraw when you announced that you were ending the embargo. He must be up to something else." Weiss frowned looking down as she thought about her father. His behaviour and actions as of late had her concerned but since she had no basis for her worries she kept it locked down for now.
"So you step down from the military running. For the good press basically, then set Winter up as your replacement. Doing that makes you staying on as Headmaster easier for the public to swallow and gives Winter a leg up as your apprentice so she has the career and background to apply and hold that application as her education gets reviewed. Robyn and Jacques don't have the background for either of the other seats. Robyn could in theory challenge you for the Headmaster seat but probably knows she'd get her ass pounded and that would damage her public image so she's picking her battles?" Ruby worked through the logic, politics was never something she liked to study.
"Basically." Ozpin said and ran a hand over his face. "It's set up like this because the average person just doesn't have the time in their life to master all these fields."
"You have."
Everyone looked over to see Qrow leaning in the doorway, his wet hair dripped as he listened in. "Speaking purely for educational reasons." Qrow got up and walked over to sit slowly down on the corner of the sofa Ruby and Ozpin were on. "If Oz showed everyone just who he is, that he was the guy who won the Great War. He could apply for all the seats and make a proper Kingdom again with a monarchy and people would probably celebrate. Given how they got their asses kicked in the Great War having the guy that kicked them come and help sort them out would have it's own charm."
"Which we won't be doing." Ozpin mock glared at Qrow. "Setting a precedent for it would give other people the idea and then it would probably be in less then a couple decades were other ambitious Academy students decide they want to bring the monarchies back and then it's just a spat away from another war."
"Which is why we don't have monarchies anymore, it's too easy for things to devolve into a pissing contest because someone's feelings got hurt." Qrow said flicking his fingers out.
"Okay I get it." Ruby looked over to Qrow who was sitting like he was sore. There was a look of guilt on Oz whereas James appeared irritated if the way his crossed arms tightened was any indication. Tension grew so Ruby did the only thing she could think of and took a deep breath before turning to the red eyed man. "So what the heck did you do today that freaked Oz and James out so much they think you should drink again."
Qrow froze, he hadn't thought the two would have moved so fast. "Uhh, I don't think it would be a good idea to talk about it. It won't happen again."
"So we're back to you hiding your job from me again. I thought we were past that." Ruby's eyes narrowed. She felt Oz's hand pet her wrist as though trying to tell her to back down but damn it, if she was to grow up and be okay with all this she needed to understand why.
The raven-haired man got up and walked to the liquor cabinet and leaned on it with both hands. It was rich ebony smooth and polished till shined. "You know what my job is and I just did a bad job of it. You know I have issues and going cold turkey didn't help when I was given something else to do that… wound up being fun." A drink was so tempting, now that he knew they wouldn't stop him. His mouth both watered for a sip and felt dry as a bone at the same time.
Ruby put two and two together. She got up sharply with clenched hands. "And you hid it, we are mentally tied together! You could have just showed me, you wouldn't even have to say anything!"
"Ruby," Qrow turned towards her. "I-."
"What did you do?!" Ruby shouted.
Qrow swallowed knowing this wouldn't end well but if it was a choice between willingly show her or let Oz and James tell her … Qrow opened the bond and showed her exactly what he had done.
The colour drained out of her face and she took a step away from him both physically and mentally. She could practically smell the decaying rot and coppery blood that pooled around the broken dead body. A hand went to cover her mouth as she gagged on the image. "How, how c-could you?"
"Ruby, please don't-" Qrow moved towards her a step.
"You found pleasure in this? In ripping apart a defenseless person. I know the people you hunt aren't good. They are vile and evil but to enjoy 'that', you're no better than Tyrian! You sick piece of shit!" Ruby felt the tears gather in her eyes. "You're supposed to be better than this! Not, not torture someone because you think you're in the right! She was already going to die, but you did it anyway. Not for information but because you could. BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S FUN!"
"Ruby." Qrow crossed the space and reached for her.
She swatted his hands away, taking a step back. The others remained stoic, none of them moving to help or hinder the argument taking place. If anything they looked as though they'd rather be anywhere else. Ruby's anger over her husband's actions grew but underneath that fury was a sad desperation, one in which she pleaded with Qrow to tell her it was all a lie. That he hadn't done what he'd just shown her. How could he?! "Don't touch me! You could have told us at any time, that you weren't doing well. We could have helped you, done something. Gotten you off that job! ANYTHING!"
"I-."
"Are nothing but an addict! You've always been and I thought that maybe you were better now. That you had it controlled but you don't! And we-we enabled you!" That was what hurt the most. That they had all been too blind with their own problems and needs to see that Qrow was struggling in his own way. By not acting or intervening what they had done was nothing less then enabled him to continue. Unable to get a grip on her emotions Ruby backed away moving towards the door. "Don't touch me, don't come near me."
Ruby couldn't allow herself to be touched right then, her heart hurting for her lover. "Maybe the Red list is a mistake, I know why it exists but it doesn't change the fact that you, a huntsman go out there and kill. I've never wanted to see you with this kind of blood yet I understand why it sometimes has to be. But this!" Ruby held her hands over her head, the image of that woman's death burned into her memory. "This is not the act of a Huntsman."
"Ruby…"
"No! You know next to my mother, you were the one who set me on the path to being a Huntress. I'm not a child anyway, the world isn't all black and white or good and evil but to me … being a Huntress, it's not about destroying the Grimm, it's not about killing or taking the biggest bounty. It's about protecting the people! The weak and the innocent from the predators that threaten Remnant." Ruby removed her hands, staring up at Qrow with an almost cold look, if it weren't for the tears swimming in her eyes. "But I see no huntsman in this picture. No fighter of the darkness and Grimm. Protector of mankind and life. All I see . . . Is a killer."
"Ruby please, I fucked up I know that. As you said we are bonded together. I messed up, I… I knew what I was doing. I just- hell I don't even know. It hurt less to do the job when I couldn't drink, when I." Qrow sighed. "When I made it fun. When I enjoyed it and it was so easy to start thinking in a way that made it fun. Made it right. Look I'm sorry, I messed up. It won't happen again."
Ruby shook her head. "I don't believe you. You've always been like this, I just thought I gave you a reason to be better than this. I'm just sorry I've failed you in that."
"You haven't! I don't drink myself into oblivion any more. I'm sure that if I do start drinking again I could control it. I won't ever come back to you drunk, I can do my job and do it right. Maybe it won't ever tear me up like it did before, but I don't see the problem with that. I hate being haunted by my work, I won't cause unnecessary injury anymore. I swear to you. On our child if you need it. You are a part of me, I can't bare you turning away. I know I screwed up. Please, please Ruby. Don't push me away."
There was one nice thing about having a bond to him, she could feel that he meant it. It was impossible for him to hide his true feelings from her, impossible to lie to her or himself. He did regret it, he was afraid to lose her. "I'm only trusting you because I am in your soul, I can feel that you mean it. We-we will fix this." Ruby didn't move she was still angry but she couldn't deny that she wanted better for Qrow, to forgive him for tarnishing his view on death. She vowed to herself that she would be better too, for all their sakes.
Qrow sagged with relief and when he took her hands she let him. "I'm sorry I disappointed you." He knelt before her and kissed her hands, slowly one after another. "I can't just stop this job, someone has to do it. But I will do it right, I won't hide it from you. You can come with me if you want or just see what I do with through my eyes through the bond. I won't hide, whatever you need to feel safe and to trust me again."
Ruby tightened her grip finally returning the action. "Alright, I'll hold you to that."
Qrow stood up and Ruby let him kiss her, it was not deep or long but respectful, another way to apologize to her. "Thank you." They walked over and sat down beside Oz with Ruby between them.
The tension still hadn't dissipated but since no one seemed to be in the mood to talk or act right now Weiss turned the tv on, in hopes for a distraction. That confrontation had frightened her, that Qrow had not just been killing but enjoying it. She couldn't help but feel a little bit at fault for it, she had been spending a lot of time with him and had never noticed. After several minutes of silence Weiss was just about ready to explode from the still present tension when the doorbell rang and James stood up and answered it. He turned and held up a letter. "From Jacques." He opened it and glared at the letter. "We've been invited to a Masquerade on the Day of the Dead."
Weiss's jaw fell. "No, no way. Father is furious at me there is no way something horrible won't happen."
"That's my birthday too. Do we have to go?" Ruby asked as James handed her the letter. The day of the dead was only a couple weeks away. She had been looking forward to hiding out in this flat with all her family but that dream seemed to be growing more distant with every second.
"We should, it is a masquerade but I doubt our absence wouldn't go unnoticed." James pursed his lips. "It could be a good time to gauge what is going through the heads of Atlas nobility before the election."
"It could be fun Ruby, we'd get to dance and eat the food." Weiss said.
"And find ways to irritate Jacques! I want to go just for that." Qrow leaned back on the sofa, grateful to just have something not him related to talk about.
"Too true, we are either going to have to learn Atlas dances or we could just flaunt our stuff as the Valean's we are." Ozpin had to admit a ball sounded like a lot of fun right now. He was also hoping the change in discussion might help alleviate the conflict between Ruby and Qrow.
"I get to teach you to dance Ruby!" Weiss clapped her hands together, pulling the red head up from her seat and dragging her towards the bedroom.
"NO LADY STILTS!"
Yang woke up with a groan and put her metal hand to her head. She had forgotten to drink water before sleeping and was paying the price for it now. She sat up and looked over to her companion. Clover was dozing with an arm over his eyes, the sheet had fallen short over his torso, giving the blonde an unobstructed view of his chest. And what a chest it was, Yang resisted the urge to pick up where they left off last night. Slowly holding her head she walked over to the bathroom and was very happy to find a cup by the sink. Several cups of water later and a pee she was set about cleaning up. A shower washed the sweat off her body and the sticky fluids of sex from her butt. When she headed out Clover was sitting up with his legs over the side of the bed and stretching. She glanced over at the clock and it read six pm. "Do you want the shower?"
"I washed up while you dozed I'm good." Clover got up and turned to her. Gosh she had amazing tits, they were just begging to be squeezed. "Can I take you out to dinner?"
"Maybe another time, I've got friends to catch up with." She walked over and pulled her pants on. Then pulled out her Scroll. "But I'd be game to trade numbers. I'm going to school at the academy but I'm sure I'll have free time."
"Sounds good." Clover walked over to his coat and they traded numbers. "So see you soon?"
Yang put on her bra and pulled her shirt on. "Oh I'm planning on it and hey perhaps next time I won't blow you off."
"If there's a next time I'm really hoping you do."
"Oh I think we're gonna get along just great." Yang waved as she headed out now dressed and a bit sore. She was suddenly jealous of Ruby, who got to fuck whenever she wanted to. At least she had a contact in Atlas right now to booty call if she wanted. She pulled her coat closed and headed up to Atlas Academy. She got a few odd looks from students marching passed but found the room she was sharing with Ren, Nora and when he arrived Jaune. She punched the code in and the door slip open with a hydraulic hiss. Nora looked up from her Scroll as Yang walked in. "You're back! How's Ruby? I was surprised that she didn't come to classes today."
"Eh yeah, turns out there might be more to that. Since they know that creepy Faunus is somewhere in the city Ruby's feeling a bit more than afraid to be out in public after what happened last time. I can understand that. I didn't get to see Qrow yet, apparently he pissed James off and it ended up with sex so he wasn't in any state for company." Yang jumped up to her bunk, her and Nora had taken the top ones. "Then I just went out for a drink and found someone to shack up with."
"Yang~." Nora poked her head out and looked over. "You know that's not a good idea, you could have just asked Ren or I. We would have been more then pleased to play."
"Yeah but I hadn't planned on it and I just really wanted a drink. He just looked really good and someone new was nice."
"Weren't you and Bart trying to be a thing?"
Yang hummed as she picked up a brush from the bag at the end of the bed. "Eh, we were busy. He said he'd be there for me should everything else hit the fan but we aren't in a relationship per say. At least not right now." She added with a mumble and brushed her hair trying to get the knots out. "It was just some fun, I got his number but I have no idea if I'll call him again. It was good but I was drunk so not the best time to judge a persons refuckablity."
"Are you still on birth control at least? You would have finished around the time we got the train back." Nora asked.
"Uhh, no. Figured I'd save some Lien." Yang blushed a bit. "Didn't think I'd be having any sex for a long while after Sun turned me down."
"YANG!" Nora bounced out of her bunk then up into Yangs. "Come on you can't be that stupid! You should know better then to get drunk and have sex with someone when not on your own birth control! Heck you should know better then to drunk and fuck period!"
Yang pushed Nora away. "I'm fine, I'll go back on after my next period I promise I just… didn't see the point."
Nora scowled at her. "You should know better. Your uncle's Semblance is freaking bad luck. Taking unnecessary risks like you did is stupid."
"Yeah yeah. Let's go get dinner and then you can take me to wherever you got your new gear."
Ozpin knocked as he walked into the private library. James was sat reading alone, Ruby and Weiss were keeping close to Qrow who had stayed away from the liquor. "About the masquerade… normally I'd reach out to..." Oz took a deep breath and held himself together. "Lydia, my mother for her designs but she's gone now. So I was wondering even if you don't wish to do it alone. If we could design some costumes. I can help finance someone to make them but I was hoping we could design them." Oz pulled a sketch book out from under his arm, a pencil already in the spine.
James set his book aside with a smile. "I've actually been practicing since I got my fine motor skills upgraded. So yes, let's have some fun you and I. I already have a couple contacts we can take designs too."
Ozpin didn't contain his smile as he walked over and sat beside James and offered him the book. "Aren't we a pair, your right side my left."
"Between the two of us you get one whole person." James took the book and pulled Oz over by the front of his shirt for a kiss.
Oz purred into it and withdrew. "Who do you want to start with?"
"Qrow. He's always fun to work with." James opened the book and pulled the piece out and started to draw Qrow, with a fresh image of the man nude in his mind it was easy. He even picked the pose Qrow had used to show off how lovely he was. "He makes a good crow but it's a masquerade and that's a bit obvious."
"Well depends how much we want to mess with all the nobles. If we don't do animal themes we could either play up that it's Atlas and work with that to be anonymous or go with Vale designs and announce who we are and that we are here to play." Oz leaned back into the soft sofa thinking back on all the parties they had gone too.
"Well the level of anonymity can vary we don't know if this is a masquerade where everyone's masks are more on the silly side. Or if this is full blown costume party. So going for tasteful beauty would be the safest bet. Atlas fashion has also been rather dull these last few years, so if we want to show our stuff going with the styles of the other Kingdoms could be fun as well." James started to sketch into the base he had drawn. "I'm thinking a lace up as the first corset for Qrow, something to really show off the lines of his torso and to mold to his abs. Perhaps a loin cloth, almost floor length in black with red and silver trim. With two separate side panels underneath, just enough to show off a bit of love handle while they clip into the back. As long as the first to give a discrete but tempting look."
Oz looked over and pointed to the drawing hips. "If you shorten the corset he can wear a couple thick belts, more skin but mostly hidden. Maybe a tailed over-shirt? Underneath? Something he can leave the buttons undone for you know he'll like that."
James drew it in and then added gloves to tuck the shirt into. "Heels, probably broad ones but up to to his mid calves just and inch or two. No one will guess it was him if he's too tall. Mask…" He tapped the pencil end against the empty page. "Elven? With a veil built in to hide his hair so he doesn't have to wear a wig."
"Sounds good, could make it mid way down his back to make everything flow together."
"Red black and silver." James drafted a simple mask that would inhere to Qrow's facial structure. "Silk and satin, with a base layer of linen. Flowing and light will be key for Qrow. You can I can have heavier clothes it will help hide our distinct err attributes."
"Well we are all of the lighter skin tones, so we could all design to match and mesh with each other. Ruby would be a silver base with red as a second and blacks last. Weiss would be red, silver black. The red and silver would have to be more equal to not wash her out with too much red. I have noticed a bit of colour in contrast to her usual whites works well." Ozpin tapped Qrow's undershirt. "We make that red and do white and silver embroidery and carry that theme through the entire outfit."
"Sounds good." James made a few notes and drew in a familiar floral design. "Weiss and I should be discreet, even if we still end up matching… Actually. You and Ruby should be more discreet as well. We can put the focus on Qrow, with everyone staring at him we'll be able to move more freely even with the matching colours. AND! We should shift the amount of colours around to make it less obvious… till we dance."
"I like how you think."
It was later in the following week when Jaune and Maria finally arrived at Atlas. Jaune looked up at the huge tower with his jaw on the floor as an icy breeze blew through him. "Brrr." Jaune hugged himself. "So cold."
"Come on then. I messaged the General when we arrived." Maria started up the steps.
"You just messag- right of course. You're the Grimm Reaper after all." Jaune threw his hands up.
As they walked in Jaune tried to take in the sights. Everything was just built so high, so different then Beacon and Haven. Before they got far James appeared with Qrow and Ruby in tow. "Maria! You arrived safely, I hope your trip was uneventful."
Maria offered her hand and James bowed from his waist and took her hand kissing the back. "Very much so James, Jaune has proved to be an excellent trial by fire student. Not unlike someone else I know." She smiled wrinkles drawing at her lips.
James released her hand and stood straight again. "Well I am glad you were not bored on your way here."
"Speaking of which, this one needs to hit the forges rather hard. I've been teaching him a new style and needs proper armour to work with it." Maria gestured at Jaune.
Ruby slipped out from behind James and clobbered Jaune around the neck in a tight hug. "Wow, hi missed you too." Jaune hugged Ruby back and felt her quiver. "Something happen?"
"Tyrian is somewhere… close." Qrow crossed his arms over his chest. He would not be jealous, no he would not be. She was his wife and was just happy Jaune got back to them safe.
"Ohh, yeah I'm okay Ruby. Totally boring trip, I might actually be able to hold a fight with you now." Jaune patted her back.
Ruby backed off and took a deep breath and then smiled. "I'm just glad your safe and I look forward to seeing your new skills."
James pulled another new Scroll. "This has all your course work, skip what you know it's all open book and there are tests at the end of each section. You can ask for help if you need it. Catching up with your peers is the most important thing."
Jaune took it and opened the files, the amount of work was daunting but he was determined to not fall behind. "Okay thank you. So since you've already registered me can I use the forge?"
"Yes, make whatever changes you wish. Keep the cold in mind." James actually liked Jaune's wish to use the facilities as quickly as possible.
"Cool, Maria?"
"Yes I will help you, let's go." Maria pulled Jaune along by his hoodie and they headed off to the forge.
Ruby giggled as Jaune was dragged down the hall. "He's different. I think these last couple weeks with Maria have done him good." She worried her lip. "I'm gonna go hang out with them for a bit. Maria is strong too. Maybe we'll catch up with everyone else and do something fun after! Hey Jaune wait up!" The silver eyed warrior charged down the hall after Jaune.
Qrow walked over and rested an arm on James's shoulder leaning on him. "Well she actually headed off on her own."
James looked over to Qrow. "All the more to pay attention to you."
Qrow flinched and got off of James. "Yeah yeah, I haven't gone hunting in a week now. What about Tyrian?"
"Clover is off his suspension, I have brought him up to date. Excluding the more personal details." James took a deep breath and then smiled. "So do you like your masquerade garb?"
Qrow ginned. "Oh heck yeah, I can't wait to screw with everyone!"
"JAUNE!" Nora flew through the hall crashing into the unarmoured Jaune.
"OOOOFF!" They pair crashed to the floor as Jaune tried to breathe through Nora's stranglehold of a hug.
Ruby was sitting on an anvil that was at least ten times her weight if not more. She giggled as Nora started kissing all over Jaune's face and hugging him like he would vanish if she let go. Ren walked over and sat beside Ruby on the anvil. "You poofed, how are you doing?"
"Better, Qrow's been around a lot more lately even if Oz is who knows where out on Solitas." Ruby snuggled up to Ren. "Now Jaune is back too, everyone's back together and I am trying to worry a bit less."
Yang who had been lurking pounced on Jaune as he came up for air and picked him and Nora up and squeezed them tight. She set everyone down and Jaune gasped for air. "So what are you making blondie?"
Jaune slumped and mock glared at her. "You're blonde too!"
"That's where you're wrong vomit boy, I'm 'golden.'" Yang ran her hand through the glowy locks with a smile.
Maria who had been supervising the smiths with the designs she and Jaune had made spoke up. "Making him a proper vanguard. With Oz out of commission you are in dire need of one. Not to say he has ever really filled that role but he is multipurpose and now without him your team has been suffering from a lack of a proper front guard."
"Cool oh! Do you guys want to see my Crescent Rose?" Ruby jumped off the anvil and pulled her new beauty off her hip.
"Sure!" Yang was glad that Ruby had reached for something they all understood and adored.
Ruby activated Crescent Rose to it's full length and swung it around to slam down cutting into the ground. "OOOOHHH!" Nora bounced all around it. "It must be so much lighter now! Is that a new spear function? Oh oh oh did you change the rifle?"
"I did! Watch this." Ruby clicked a switched and the shafted folded in as the blade straightened. She grabbed it by the head and spun the new red and silver claymore around. "No more getting caught with a weapon that's easy to hook and lose!"
Shivers went up and down Yang's spine. How Ruby was standing was just like how Adam and stood with his weapons. Wilt and Blush, the style was fast and terrifying, would Ruby be learning something similar?
"Much better Miss Branwen. I was going to bring up the flaws with your old weapon if you hadn't already addressed them before we arrived." Maria liked the new weapon as well.
Ruby transformed the weapon again rejoining the pieces and switching it to spear form. She shifted stances and held it ready, the straight edge gleaming. "It's not perfect and it still has weak points but I really wanted a sword. Giving up a sniper function for just a straight up rifle was a small sacrifice. It's way more maneuverable now and with the barrel on the side of the blade I can still fire when it's in scythe form."
"We should spar when my new stuff is ready to go." Jaune said he thought Ruby looked more herself with Crescent Rose in her hand then she had since she gave birth. The kick ass Huntress.
"Speaking of which." The head smith a huge man of fifty walked over with two others. "No paint yet but you better get it fitted."
Jaune's eyes went wide at the plain silver armour. He was hyped, finally he got to make what he wanted without financial restraint. "Thank you." He took the biggest of the heavy bundles and walked to the change rooms with the two others following him.
The brown eyed smith looked Ruby up and down. "You look like you could do with some armour too missy."
Ruby paused swing Crescent Rose up so the end was planted into the ground. "I hadn't really thought about it. I'm more the don't get hit type." Today she had been wearing the new huntress gear she picked out when they arrived to Atlas. The black and red vest belted around her middle but she was sans her cloak and it left her arms with only white blouse tucked into gloves. "I usually have a coat that covers my arms."
"Maybe bracers to layer onto your gloves, with such a large weapon you can never underestimate the use of armour on your forearms. Or greaves on your calves. I do have some segmented new armours that wouldn't hamper flexibility and would protect your middle a bit better."
Ruby remembered Tyrian's stinger slicing into Qrow's middle, when it pierced her belly. Her hand pet the area where old scar tissue remained. "Sure, whatever you suggest." She offered him her hand. "I'm Ruby Branwen."
"Nice to meet you Miss." The smith shook her hand. "I'm Vulcan Lemnos. I haven't had a scythe wielder come in here in years so I'm very curious as to what my ideas will turn out as."
"Well my husband uses a heavy scythe claymore combo so if you want a style different from my own to design for there is him too." Ruby liked the old man, he had a slow soothing manner of speaking.
"Any injuries on his part of late?"
"His side, got cut open by a scorpion faunus who had a corrosive poison. He's fine now but it was a close thing." Ruby touched her side. "Right here."
"Hmm, I have been developing new armours for Huntsman. Bring him in some time and I'll see what I can do." Vulcan looked her up and down again.
"WOW!" Nora's shout had everyone looking over to the change rooms.
Jaune blushed and rubbed a hand through his shoulder length hair. "I guess that's a good sign?"
"I'll say!"
The cuirass was fitted tight to his chest in two simple layers to conform to his ribcage. The torso was split into three pieces a grey middle panel framed by silver and then leather filling out the sides. Over his hips were twin layered around pieces that each had a leaf like extension down his thigh to his knees. On his right side was a panel of chainmail and leather that extended down to almost his ankle. The boots and greaves were interconnected pieces of heavy steel that end mid way up his thigh just up past the thigh guards. The middle of the hip region had another much shorter extension of chainmail and decorative white cloth. On his right side was a full heavy pauldron of two layers one simple that shielded his neck and shoulder. The bracers were simple and effective on both sides and his left shoulder had just a leather shoulder pad.
"I don't think that needs painting. You look good Jaune." Yang put her hands on her hips. "No longer the weak kneed vomit boy."
"Do you always have to bring that up?" Jaune scowled at her.
"Just needs one thing." Nora reached over and pulled the tie out of Ren's hair despite his protests. She bounced over to Jaune and pulled his hair up and high to the back of his head in a wolf knot. "Perfect."
"Nora~." Jaune blushed. "I thought you forgot about that."
"Never!" Nora grinned and backed off and Jaune reached back and pulled off his new shield. It was twice the size of his old one and made in two pieces. The edges were all sharp with the uppermost one swooped down to a straight edge, then tucked in a half circle before sweeping out again. The second part of the shield had two straight sword edges as well as another addition edge merged into the middle straight blades.
"Wow." Ruby grinned as Jaune brought the shield out in front of him then split it in two down the middle. Jaune grinned as the shield locked down magnetically down on his bracers and spun around so the sharp sides were up.
"Maria has been teaching me to fight more directly with my shield and well this puts the sword part straight into the shield." Jaune stepped away and struck out twice the shield sides were up at his shoulders. While the blades reached down mid calf about equal to the shield side.
Ruby really liked the new toys, she was practically vibrating in place with the need to pit their weapons against one another. "We should spar."
"Is that always your first response to new weapons? Lets play with them?" Jaune asked, he would never understand that.
"Please~." Ruby begged unleashing her big silver puppy eyes.
"Ohh fine."
"WOOOT!" Ruby jumped up and started to bounce down the room towards the training room.
"I think I will come and watch." Vuclan said.
Yang grinned watching her sister bounce, Crescent Rose still in spear form over her shoulder. That was the Ruby she knew, eager to practice and to geek out over new weapons. The training room was a huge empty space and covered in green and white squares. Ruby spun around looking at the huge space, she hadn't been in the room yet but she liked it. It was different from the classroom style sparring pits of Vale and a far cry from the outdoor training fields back in Haven. Jaune looked around and wondered just what the room was capable off. Their friends sat down beside the doorway to stay out of the way.
Ruby spun, sweeping Crescent Rose around and moved into a low ready stance. "Till yield or Aura break?"
"Only if you don't cheat and use Oz and Qrow's Aura to bolster yours." Jaune said and moved into a ready stance, low like hers one shield up with his elbow up and back ready to jab forth the other low and tight to his chest to deflect the stab he knew was to come.
"Ha, fine." Ruby took a deep steadying breath. "Ready?"
"Go."
Ruby blasted forward and Jaune struck the spear aside and stabbed out with his raised shield. The Huntress bent out of the way the shaft of her spear pressing into her back. She let it go with one away from Jaune and as it fell stepped sharply down on the end. The blade snapped up and sliced along Jaune's cheek his Aura protecting him. Jaune lunged forward with the shield rammed into Ruby as she jumped and spun over her spear. She pivoted and dropped sweeping her weapon out and whacking him in the back of his legs.
Only Jaune's new armour protected him, he spun and almost clocked her in the head. Ruby petal burst away and returned to the physical form. She pulled the head off her scythe it already in claymore form as the shaft collapsed into rifle from. She rained down bullets on Jaune but he slammed his shield back into its complete form and hunkered under it while her bullets bounced off.
Ruby landed and charged at him, putting her gun on her hip. She brought both hands to her claymore and cleaved against Jaune's shield. He bashed forward the force staggering her back as he dropped the shield and punched for her face. The redhead blocked with her sword's flat end and danced towards his free side. Jaune quickly separated the shields again and attacked.
The silver eyed warrior was surprised, Maria had clearly been working hard on him. Ruby upped her pace, blade clashed with swords. Jaune kicked her in the gut and stabbed out over and over, forcing Ruby to back away blocking as she dragged her rifle out and mixed it into her shots. Jaune's new shield was extremely hard to penetrate. "Holy heck Jaune."
They traded blows again and Ruby slipped her rifle through his guard and shoved it up against his throat. "But you need to spend more time with Oz."
Jaune panted with the exertion but grinned. "Says the one who just about has her guts all over the floor." He looked down at her belly.
Ruby looked down and sure enough one of his shield blade tips were pressed up against her stomach. She had blocked the other with her claymore but Jaune through the magnetism to his gauntlets had spun the shield to seventy degree angle. "Wow."
"To be fair you're using a new weapon too. I'm sure you could have beaten me if you had kept to spear and scythe." Jaune backed away and they lowered their weapons.
"Maybe but I had to practice too, this is actually my first spar with my new Crescent Rose." Ruby rejoined the scythe head to the rest and collapsing it putting it away on her hip.
Jaune rejoined the shield and set it on his back. "I'm still just trying not to be giddy over coming out in a tie with you." They walked back to their friends Nora bouncing. "That was so cool Jaune!"
"Me next! Me next!" Yang punched her fist her hair blazing. Jaune felt the dread sink in as he noticed Nora also looked ready to jump in but he looked to Maria who only smiled then grinned himself. After all, he wasn't going to the weakest link in the team anymore, not the strategist because he had no other worthwhile role but an actual fighter. Little did he know he'd be the training partner for everyone that day and only half of the time did he get his butt whipped.
It was a good day indeed.
