Ruby Rose had never had a panic attack in her life - at least, she was pretty sure she hadn't. But she would have bet a hundred lien that whatever this feeling was must have been damn close to one.

What in the hell was I thinking?!

Indeed. It was one thing to stalk an infamous criminal via news reports of his Dust store robberies - strange, but innocent enough when she could just delete her search history. It was another to try and pinpoint the Dust store where he'd most likely strike next, then stake it out at that store for four nights in a row. (Luckily, the store also sold snacks and drinks, and with the aid of a couple of comics, she'd had plenty to keep herself occupied.) As far into suspicious territory as this might have gone, it was all too easy to make it seem like she was seeing some boy on the sly. Vehemently denying her father's prodding and her sister's teasing made sure of that. But it was quite another thing entirely for her gamble to have actually paid off, and for said infamous criminal to be in the store with an armed posse. And now, there she was, leaning back against a shelf full of Sweet 'n' heat Chippoz with her heart pounding out underneath her hands.

Part of her wished that her plan had just failed, that she'd have kept coming until boredom and disappointment stopped her. The other part made her dare a peek around the shelf to assess the situation. Her target stood with six goons, three of whom were pilfering every bit of Dust they could find. The others stood beside their boss, with one holding a gun to the cashier's head. Damn...she'd have to do this carefully, or the cashier could be killed. Or she could do nothing at all and risk nothing. Well...nothing but an opportunity for which she'd been waiting for years.

Oh god, what am I doing?

God didn't answer, though Ruby figured it was nothing he'd recommend. Then again, considering her ultimate goal...

She inhaled shakily, pulled the black bandanna over her nose, and stepped into their field of view, not saying a word. It seemed like forever until she got the henchmens' attention - most importantly, the one threatening the cashier. By then, two others had brandished Dust-infused katanas and barked out warnings at her, but her stylishly dressed target didn't seem to pay much mind as he puffed on a cigar. For her plan to work, that had to change.

"Torchwick!"

That got the attention of the other goons in the store, and they all drew weapons. The man at the counter trained his gun on her - good. None of them struck her as dangerous; if she had to, she could take them. The real threat was her target, who spared her a lazy glance. Ruby felt her chest constrict; she'd seen footage of Roman Torchwick in action.

Unlike the others in the store, this man could easily kill her.

He regarded her for a second and threw up his hands in mock despair.

"Oh, no - not a masked vigilante! Whatever shall we do? We're done for...might as well surrender now, boys!"

His henchmen laughed except for one, who looked at him quizzically.

"Wait, uh...are we, like, for real, surrendering?"

"No, idiot!" snapped Torchwick, bonking him over the head with his cane. He then marched towards Ruby, any humor now gone from his features. "Alright, kid, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you've just landed yourself in some deep sh- "

"I'm not here to fight!" Ruby squeaked out. Torchwick stopped, now barely five feet away.

"Uh...what?"

"I-I said, I'm not here to - "

"Yeah, yeah, I heard that part. What I wanna know is, if that's the case, then what's with the mag-clip that's obviously got a weapon on the back? You're not planning on using that there, huh?"

Shit...she'd seriously debated on bringing Crescent Rose with and was now starting to regret her decision.

"I, uh..." she stammered. "N-No, I mean, it's just that I always - 'cause I'm, uh a Huntress, and - you know, you never know if, uh..."

Torckwick's gaze was soul-penetrating.

"Uh, I... the point is, I'm not gonna use it! On you guys. 'Cause like I said - I don't wanna fight."

"Uh-huh...so, then, what the hell are you here for? I'm not hiring, if that's what you're - "

"I need information. About somebody."

A brief pause.

"Well, kid," Torchwick half-laughed, half-sputtered out, "You're asking at a really bad time! We're kind of on a crunch here."

"I - I can make it worth your while…" Ruby fumbled around in her pocket, eventually producing a wad of crumpled lien notes - her entire personal savings, worth about a few hundred in total. "I have money!"

The criminal regarded the cash with a raised eyebrow.

"That wouldn't buy me a half-decent pack of cigars."

"But...I - "

"Sorry, kiddo...looks like you're outta luck. Alright, you two morons got the Dust? Good, let's blow this popsicle stand - oh, hey! Speaking of which..."

As Torchwick went to grab a popsicle from a frozen novelty display, Ruby realized she only had seconds before the chance she'd risked so much for slipped away for good.

"Wait - please! I can't - I need this! You're the only one who can - "

For a moment, Torchwick's expression was indecipherable - but it quickly changed to clear annoyance.

"Boys, teach this little brat a lesson. I'll meet you all at the rendezvous."

And he strode out of the store.

No, no, no, no, NO -

"Where do you think you're going, kid?" A henchman grabbed Ruby by her cape as she tried to follow.

"Oh, I know where," another laughed, hefting a shotgun as if to cudgel her with the butt. "She's goin' to hell - "

Ruby did not want to go to Hell, so she incapacitated the goon grabbing her with a backhand to the groin, smashed the nose of the second with a massive roundhouse, then elbowed the first in the temple as he doubled over.

All within two seconds.

The other four henchmen got their wits about them, and the one carrying an automatic rifle opened fire. A red blur flying across the store nearly knocked all four of them off their feet, and the henchman's wayward aim shattered the store's windows. Ruby pressed her advantage, pulling out Crescent Rose in gun form and rushing towards the shooter. Another henchman attempted to intercept her with his sword. Hardly stopping, she swept his legs out from under him with her weapon and kicked him into two of his comrades. Before the gunman could fire again, she spun Crescent Rose at him in an uppercut, knocking the gun from his hands. A second hit sent him flying outside through the broken window.

With her foes incapacitated, she took a second to breathe - and it sunk in then how badly she'd screwed up. Her dad and uncle going off on her would be the least of her worries - she'd have to answer to the police! She might even get a criminal record because of this! And not to mention all the damage to the store that her family would have to pay for -

With a jolt of panic, Ruby suddenly remembered the cashier. She rushed to the counter with a pit in her stomach, expecting to see the worst -

"Shit, shit, shit...are you -?"

"Raaah!"

Ruby spun around to see one of the henchmen, apparently having recovered, rushing her with his katana raised above his head. She grabbed the handle before he could swing downwards, and then punched him in the face. He spun around once and fell. Ruby turned back to the counter.

"Are you okay?"

The cashier, an older man, was curled up on the floor - unharmed, but scared shitless. He nodded dumbly.

"Oh, thank God, thank God..." Ruby whispered to herself. She looked back at the windows, then down to her shoes. "Oh, god, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean for this to happen, I..." A thought struck her. "Here…" She fished out her wad of lien and held it out for the cashier to take. "For the damage. I, um...it's not a lot, but...well, I hope it can maybe help for, you know, something..."

The cashier continued to stare blankly, not making any move to take the money. Feeling exceedingly awkward, Ruby dropped the money at his feet. "I'm sorry," she whispered again, and left.

Once outside, Ruby walked to the middle of the empty street and just stood there, miserable. Torchwick had ended up being right - she had landed herself in deep shit. She'd lose everything for this - her career, her dreams, her beloved Crescent Rose. And what if Torchwick wanted revenge for beating up his goons? If she was even allowed in public after this, she'd have to worry about him coming after her! And all of this, for a fleeting hope of an answer that she'd never get now; it was all for nothing.

All for nothing.

Why? Why did she have to know, why did she have to care so goddamn much about something she couldn't even change?! It's not like knowing would bring -

"Hey, you!" Ruby straightened at the male voice from behind her, wiping tears from her face. "Yeah, that's right! We're not done with you, bitch!"

Ruby whipped around, unfolded Crescent Rose into its full scythe form, and slammed it down into the pavement, causing cracks to spider several feet outwards.

"You want more?!" she screamed, all her rage and frustration pouring forth. "I'll fucking cut you in half!"

The two goons took a couple steps back, then dropped their swords and ran for their lives. She watched them go, chest still heaving; after they'd disappeared behind a corner, she turned and -

"Bwa-ha-ha-ha-haaah!"

- saw Roman Torchwick standing there with a pair of Dust cases and popsicle in hand.

"Oh man, that was gold! Pure, fucking gold!"

"Wha...?"

"I'm serious, kid, that was the funniest shit I've ever seen. I mean, I knew it wasn't gonna be a fair fight, but that? You just mopped the pavement with - "

"Wait," Ruby said, trying to process all of this. "You - you made them fight me...for fun?!"

"Oh, yeah. Those guys were worthless; I half-expected them to get iced by the cops or some dumbass vigilante anyway. Besides, I know Huntsman training when I see it. I didn't think you'd be in any danger and, as per usual, I was right."

"You - somebody could've been killed in there! Somebody innocent!"

"Oh no, what a terrible burden for my poor, tender conscience to bear! How would I ever sleep at night?"

"I'm serious!"

"And I'm a serious criminal, which means I don't care about shit like that. But that's not what I'm sticking around to talk about, and you came after me for a reason, so how 'bout you put away that giant-ass gardening tool and take a walk with me for now. It'll be your best chance at getting whatever it was you're after. That sound good to you, kid?"

Ruby hesitantly complied, though chafed a bit at the insult to Crescent Rose; it wasn't the first time she'd heard it. The two began walking at a leisurely pace down the quiet streets, Torchwick carrying the Dust cases.

"Alright, so, let me make one thing clear," he said between licks of popsicle, "You have officially impressed me. You're apparently either smart or lucky enough to have managed to figure out where I'd be at next, then had the balls to come and interrupt a goddamn robbery - to ask for information? I'm not gonna lie, you had me curious at that point. I figured I'd see if you were worth the time of day and throw some goons your way and, like I said, you exceeded my expectations. And that power move with the scythe you pulled at the end! Oh man, whenever I'm feeling down, I'm gonna light a cigar and watch that video over and over again..."

The blood drained from Ruby's face. "You recorded that?"

"Oh, don't worry, kid - I'm not gonna post it anywhere. I'm a lot of things you probably wouldn't agree with, but a snitch isn't one of them."

They arrived at a ladder on the side of a building. "Here…" Torchwick handed her a case. "Carry this one up for me, will ya?"

Against all inhibitions and better judgement, Ruby did as asked, and they climbed to the top of the building. She couldn't believe how deep of a hole she was digging herself into (aiding and abetting a wanted criminal, of all things!), but there was the slight reassurance that at this point, she was already neck-deep in trouble. Might as well see if she could get what she came for.

"Now," Torchwick said as they cleared the top, "The point is, you've really built up some positive credit with me, especially since you didn't even try to stop me from committing any crimes. Case in point, no pun intended." He held up the Dust case he'd taken back from her. "So, I'll tell you what. You want information? I think I just might be able to help you out with that."

Ruby felt her heart jump, not noticing the distant, low thrum that was quickly getting louder. "R-really? You mean it?"

"Hell yeah, kid. What was it, a person you wanted to know about?"

"Yeah! It's my - "

Then, with a gasp, she noticed the bullhead, fast approaching.

"Shit, that's my ride," Torchwick muttered. "Alright kid, look," he had to shout over the now-deafening roar of the aircraft's engines, "I've gotta scram right now, and fast!"

"Wait - what? No, you can't - "

"Hey, I told you - I'm a serious criminal, and this shit's dead serious! But if you ever see me after this, tell me who it is you wanna know about, and I'll see if I can't figure it out - whatever it is."

"No, wait - please, I -!"

By then, the bullhead reached the building and stopped to hover in place. Torchwick boarded, but called out to Ruby through the open door as the aircraft departed:

"One more thing, kid: stay the hell out of thiiiiiis...!"

Leaving Ruby alone, with a pleading gaze and outstretched hand.

"Whoa-ho-ho, boss," Roman brayed as he waltzed into the cockpit and flopped down in the copilot's seat. "You wouldn't believe the night I've had!"

"I'll bet. Did you get the Dust?"

"Huh? Yeah, it's back there in the hold. But anyway - "

"Good." Cinder Fall's tone made it clear that the conversation was over. Roman sighed, slurping down the rest of his popsicle as he leaned back in his seat.

"So, Roman..." she spoke again, but this time with a smirk in her voice. "Who's the girlfriend?"

Roman nearly choked on the stick. "The...what?! Eww, no! She's, like, twelve! She's - "

" - not my boyfriend!" Ruby squawked at her uncle.

"Sure, Ruby. That's what they all say, eh, Tai?"

"Cut the crap, Qrow." Her father loomed over them both as they sat on the bench, then bent down on one knee to level with her. "Though, I'm gonna need you to be honest with me right now, Ruby. Were you - hey, look at me - were you doing anything sketchy, or uncomfortable, or...adult, with that man?"

"Dad, you don't have to talk to me like I'm a nine-year-old who doesn't know what the hell sex is! And I told you, no! Gross - he's like, thirty, or something!"

"All the more reason why you oughta give me his address." Qrow cracked his knuckles. "Set 'em straight, you know?"

"Good god, Qrow, will you stop?!" Taiyang was back on his feet. "This is not a situation to joke about!"

"Yeah, Uncle Qrow. I can't believe I'm taking Dad's side, but I'm kinda getting tired of your - "

"And you are already in an unbelievable amount of trouble," Taiyang said, whirling towards her. "So, I would suggest cutting back on that attitude - "

"And I would suggest turning down the volume, Mr. Xiao Long." A policewoman had appeared behind him. "We'd like to keep this station disturbance-free, if you'd please."

Taiyang took a moment to collect himself. "Right, of course. Sorry."

He sat down between Ruby and Qrow, hand over the bridge of his nose. It seemed like forever before he broke the uncomfortable silence:

"Ruby...what in the hell were you even doing out there?"

She didn't meet his gaze.

"Ruby. I asked you a - "

"If I tell you, do you promise not to go off on me and make me feel worse than I already do?"

"Well, I - that really depends on what your answer is. You caused a whole lot of damage back there, Ruby; you realize that you could've gotten someone - "

"I know, Dad! And I didn't mean for any of this to happen! I didn't want there to be a fight, I didn't..." She sniffled.

"Look, I..." He sighed. "I know you didn't. You've got a good heart, Ruby. It's just, everyone makes mistakes - really big ones, sometimes - but it doesn't change that about you." He took her hand in his, letting her lean on his shoulder.

"Speaking of mistakes..." Qrow earned a dangerous glare from Taiyang, though hardly seemed to care. "...what I wanna know is what you were actually doing with that criminal."

"Qrow..."

"I told you, he's not - "

"You did, and I believe you. Joke's over, I promise. But that still doesn't change what I saw on the footage."

"Footage...? How did you -?"

"Oh, believe me, I have my ways. Anyway, after the fight in the store, it shows you two walking around - even looks like you helped him out a little. Forget everything else that happened tonight - if that ain't suspicious, I dunno what is."

"Qrow, you - " Taiyang stopped himself. "...Actually, yes, you have a point." He turned back to Ruby. "We really do need to know what exactly was going on. Hell, I didn't even know the full story - I just came here hearing reports that you picked a fight with a wanted criminal, and I knew you weren't hanging around there by accident. I'd thought you were just trying to stop a robbery...but from what you and Qrow said just now, that wasn't the case, was it?"

"No. No, I wasn't trying to fight Roman Torchwick, believe me. I'm not that dumb."

"And yet," Qrow said, "You still sought him out. Why?"

"...Because I...I needed...information."

"Infor- what?" Taiyang said, flabbergasted. "What do you mean, 'information'? And about what? Ruby, this is starting to get into some really dangerous territory here! You - " He sighed. "Look - understand that if there's anything serious that you need to know, anything - you come to either me or Qrow, or at least somebody whom you know you can trust! And definitely not somebody like Roman Torchwick!"

"Yeah," Qrow said, "I'm really not seeing the logic here; this isn't just basic safety stuff, it's common sense. What's a wanted criminal gonna know that the two of us...wouldn't... Wait." The gears in his head seemed to click. "It's about your mom, isn't it?"

Ruby's gaze fell to her shoes. Taiyang looked to Qrow, then to her.

"That's what all of this was about? Seriously?" Ruby glared at him, eyes glistening. "Ruby, I - I thought we were over this!"

"You promised you wouldn't go off on me like you always do."

"In fact, I did not! And young lady, you have got some serious explaining to do! You put yourself and others in danger - "

"Goddamnit, Dad, I was there! I know what happened and I regret it for all I'm worth, so you don't need to throw it back in my face!"

"Don't I? And yet, you just won't drop this! Even after years of us telling you to let it go - "

"I can't just 'let it go', Dad - "

"And that's the whole problem! Has been from the start. It's an obsession of yours that's leading you nowhere, and it's been nothing but unhealthy for both your mind and for your schoolwork. And now this?! I'm starting to think you might need that counseling after all - "

"No!" Tears started escaping. "I don't - I don't need counseling, I just need to - I just need to know what - "

"Ruby…" Qrow interjected before her father could. "It's already been well-established what happened. Has been for years. I know it - "

"But it doesn't make sense! She'd came back from worse missions - I've read the logs! She - it shouldn't have happened - "

"But it did." Qrow moved to sit beside her. "Sometimes horrible, evil things just happen, for no damn good reason. And, well..." He sighed, a hint of water in his eyes. "...when it does, we can't do jack-shit about it. And when you or Yang run out and do something stupid, that's...that's what we're afraid of happening again, your dad and me. You see where we're coming from, when we have these talks."

Counterintuitively, her uncle's gravelly voice and the stench of booze did their magic on Ruby. She felt the tension leave her body with a couple of shaky breaths before the floodgates burst open.

"But...everything's just been so wrong after she died..." she bawled. "Everything...I can't make friends to save my life, and nobody likes me at Signal, and Yang and I can't stop fighting, and Zwei died, and it feels like our family's just falling apart...and...and it can't just all be over like that! It can't, I can't - I can't keep going on like this..." She brought her knees up to her chin. "...I just need to know what happened, I just need to know...maybe, if there was a chance, just a small chance that...that she didn't...that maybe, somehow, she's still somewhere out there..."

There was silence, save for Ruby crying into her cloak. Taiyang put his hand on her shoulder.

"I know...I know. It's so hard, and it's so tempting to try and get around the truth. Whether by hoping it isn't real, or...or just trying to forget." His gaze became distant. "Well...what's done is done. Only thing left is to pick up the pieces and - "

"Mister Xiao Long, Miss Rose." The policewoman had returned.

"Speaking of..." Tai rose from his seat, patting Ruby on the shoulder to follow suit. "Let's get this over with, then we'll figure out what to do next. Just one step at a time. Okay?"

Ruby nodded, wiping her eyes. The three of them followed the officer down to the interrogation room.

A lamp shone just short of blindingly over the three warriors seated at the table. All the rest of the room was robed in darkness.

"Sure are taking their time..." Taiyang muttered. Qrow grunted his assent; it had been close to ten minutes since the officer closed the door behind them.

Another minute passed. Then there was a creak from the other side of the room - no light, but there was clearly a door there.

Approaching footsteps became a tall, shadowy silhouette that, stepping into the edge of the light, became -

"Hello there, Miss Rose."

"Oz?!" Taiyang cried out. Ruby gaped at the sight of Beacon's Headmaster, of all people to be here.

"Hmph. You're late."

"Haven't I ever told you, Qrow - oh, who am I kidding, of course I have, but I do so love saying it. Ahem...I am never late, as I always arrive precisely when I intend to."

"That's bullshit and you know it," Qrow mumbled.

"Don't we all," a mellow, female voice said from across the table. Glynda Goodwitch stepped into the light beside Ozpin.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa - okay, what is going on?" Taiyang raised his hands. "Why is Ozpin here - Ruby, is there something you're not telling us?!"

"Uhh..." In truth, there was - that being her intention to seek out Torchwick when the time was right - but she doubted it had anything to do with this. After all, it wasn't like Professor Ozpin could read minds or anything like that...

Then again, maybe he could.

"To answer your third question, Mister Xiao Long, I can absolutely guarantee you that your daughter is not telling you something important."

Oh no oh no oh no -

"Whatever that might be, I have not the slightest clue, but seeing that she is a teenaged girl, it's pretty much a given."

Oh.

"But, as for the other two questions: I have come to offer Miss Rose a bargain."

"A... a what?" Taiyang sputtered. "What do you mean, a - wait a minute. Is this about - "

"Why, yes, it is!" Ozpin said, smiling. "You see, when Miss Rose rejected the offer of admission to Beacon Academy this past June, the processing machine suffered an unfortunate malfunction and read her rejection as an acceptance. Therefore, she has technically been officially enrolled as a student at Beacon for two months - and with all the benefits that entails."

"The processing - what do you mean, Beacon doesn't have a - "

"Shhhhh..." Ozpin shushed Taiyang. "Now, Miss Rose, I don't know if you knew this, but I have a bit of a reputation for getting my students - particularly the ones I like - out of sticky legal situations. I'm sure your father and uncle can attest to that."

"Goddammit, Oz," Qrow grumbled, palm over face.

"Are you seriously - ?!"

"Ap-bup-bup - stop - nope - stop that." Ozpin cut Taiyang off, then turned back to Ruby. "Anyway, this little clerical mishap has the potential to work greatly to your advantage tonight, Miss Rose. Seeing as how you are technically my student, hardly anyone will bat an eye should I find a way to make all of your legal troubles disappear..."

"Uhh..." Ruby spoke up for the first time in many minutes. "And... how would you do that? It sounds, I dunno...kinda sketchy."

"Well, I suppose in your case, I'd pay to fix any collateral damage, then either bribe the local justice precinct or threaten them with a tediously long court battle until they drop whatever petty charges they've levied against you. That's really all there is to it."

"'Petty charges', you say," Qrow said. "Does that take the contents of the footage into account?"

Ozpin blinked. "The...footage? What are you talking - "

"The footage, Oz. That I saw."

"...Oh. Ah, yes! Um, good on you for bringing that up, I would've missed it. Um...what, by chance, does this footage show?"

"It shows her walking around with Torchwick after the fight with his goons. She was even carrying stuff for him."

"Oh - well, that's simple. She was clearly just complying with his orders out of fear for her safety. After all, she wouldn't be any match for a fighter of Torchwick's caliber. Isn't that right, Miss Rose?"

"Uh...yep, that's right." Torchwick had technically told her to carry the case...

"Wonderful! Now, I want you to understand something: I'm willing to go out of my way to bail my students out of trouble, and I do it because they very often get into trouble for good reasons - again, your father and uncle can attest. But know that the degree to which I can help you is limited. For example, if ever you are found to be responsible for any wrongful injuries or deaths...well, that's when things get messy, and I become much less sympathetic. But I don't think we have to worry about that for your case, is that right?"

"No, nobody got hurt." Ruby paused. "Well...I mean, the thugs did, but they attacked me first, so..."

"A non-issue, then." Oz leaned back in his chair. "So, all said and done, that would probably only leave the charge of open carry of a dangerous weapon in public...again, with your technical status as a Beacon student, I could get the precinct to let this one slide. Maybe even without a bribe, who knows?"

"Okay, that sounds pretty good..." Ruby raised an eyebrow. "But what if I don't want to attend Beacon this year?"

"Well, then you're pretty much screwed. Not much I can do for those outside of my supervision, you see."

"Oh. Well, then..."

"Now, wait just a minute!" Taiyang spoke up. "Oz, I don't know what the hell your deal is with my daughter, but she's already made her decision! You don't get to just come in here and coerce her into - "

"First of all, Mister Xiao Long, shut your goddamn mouth!" Ozpin's tone betrayed mild annoyance. "Sorry about this, Miss Rose. Anyway - second, I am not coercing anyone into doing anything. In fact, I am giving your daughter a choice where she previously had none - that being, she had no choice but to face the legal consequences of her own actions. She is free to do that, and she is also free to take me up on my offer - which, by the way, is now the only feasible path where she'll be able to pursue her dreams of becoming a Huntress! Because otherwise, she'll have earned herself a serious delinquent record, and good luck getting into any Huntsman academy with that! But again: I am not forcing anything. I am merely ensuring that Miss Rose knows what all her options are. It just so happens that only one of them is good."

Taiyang's face was brooding, but he conceded with a sigh.

"Fine, then. It's her choice." He looked at Ruby. "And I'm on your side no matter which one you make."

"Thanks, Dad. And, uh...yeah, I'll attend Beacon. Thank you, Professor."

"Oh, don't mention it. Now, I suggest preparing for the upcoming semester. Whatever lies ahead from this point onward, I can guarantee you this: it will not be easy."


Ozpin sat at a bus stop later that night, hoping against all hope that the gas station coffee he'd bought would keep his eyelids from drooping. Beside him, Glynda sat in a visibly bad mood. He had woken her up to accompany him on this very important evening venture, only to realize halfway through his meeting with Summer's daughter that he didn't even need her to be there. He had confessed as much to her afterwards, and thus, her bad mood. He didn't care; in fact, he probably would have found it funny if he wasn't so tired.

He thought he heard something to his left, but ignored it; he was too busy lifting the styrofoam cup to his lips. It wasn't until Glynda said, "Qrow?", that he looked to his left -just in time to see the grizzled alcoholic flop down on the bench beside him. Ozpin cursed in surprise, and the coffee cup tumbled out of his hands, spilling all over Glynda's shirt and lap.

"My coffee..." he moaned. Whether or not Glynda's eye actually twitched, he never found out, because she slugged him hard across the face.

"I'm walking home." And with that, she marched off, removing the coffee from her clothing with her Semblance as she went.

"Ow..." Ozpin rubbed his face. Well, at least he was awake now.

"I'm not sorry," Qrow grumbled.

They sat in silence for a short while, until Qrow broke it.

"So. That's why you told me not to intervene."

"Hmm? What?"

"You told me not to jump in there so that she'd get in trouble, didn't you."

Ozpin opened his mouth, then stopped; there wasn't much that he could deny. He'd have to word this carefully...

"Uh...yeah. Pretty much."

"Pretty much, huh?" Qrow slowly swiveled his head to look him in the eye. "And you realize that she could've died down there - ?!"

"Come on, Qrow, we both know that if she were ever in any real danger, you'd have disregarded my orders in a heartbeat. Besides, everything turned out fine, didn't it? In fact, I'd say things are going better than expected now."

"Really."

"Yes, really! She's got to go through Beacon, and the sooner the better. Time is of the essence here - "

"Oz, she's not ready yet - "

"Oh yes, she is! She is absolutely, objectively ready to face the challenges at Beacon, otherwise I'd never have offered her admission in the first place! I'm not a fool, Qrow."

"That's debatable. And her skills aren't what I'm talking about; I mean that she's just...not ready for, for all this..."

"Yes, exactly. And that's the whole problem! She has to get ready - and fast. We've both seen the signs...something's been brewing these past few years. And this time, it feels...different. Like the stakes are somehow higher than usual, if that's even possible with Salem." He sighed. "Well...if her goal's to make me paranoid, it's certainly working."

The familiar lights of the Late Bus rounded a corner and approached the stop. Just as well, too; Ozpin felt a wave of dreariness wash over him once more. He looked to bid Qrow a good night, but the Huntsman was gone. He shrugged, then boarded the bus and flopped down on the closest seat.

He was asleep within seconds.