Hello everyone, sorry for not posting sooner. I got a new job and it took a while to give my two weeks' notice at the two jobs I was working, find a new apartment, set up the utilities- twice because apparently, they lost the paperwork, somehow-, and move-in. then having to wait almost two weeks for them to bring my stuff when it was supposed to be the next day and I had to sleep on an air mattress that pops full of holes if you sneeze near it!
Moving is fun.
Good news, I will actually be making more per week at my new job than at the other two combined, WHILE still working half the time. (Insert most socially awkward and embarrassing celebration dance imaginable).
With any luck, this will all translate to me putting more chapters out quicker. Maybe. Don't quote me.
Also, I just have to talk about this, a lot of people say I make general Ironwood look like a dick- and in my honest opinion he is- Especially how he tried to usurp Ozpin's authority, however, despite his ham-fisted and bullheaded approach to things, he genuinely does seem to want to keep people safe. Whether bringing an entire military fleet to defend the maiden or trying to replace soldiers with more robots because they're easier to replace. Though I am a little concerned about the fact he was okay with a little girl android…but I won't go too deep into that.
The point is he does things with the best intentions, he just thinks his way is always right, even when it clearly isn't. And that applies to my fic as well. I mean you have a hormonal teenager with a literal appetite for the most dangerous creatures on the planet who in turn could potentially grow from consuming them and gain all of their powers. Could you imagine the kind of super Grimm William could become or worse what would happen if Salem got her hands on him… a lot of people would probably die, horribly. Especially if she fed him something like a Grimm dragon.
So, following that line of thought, while he is still an asshole, he is an asshole with a valid point. He wants to keep people safe, even if that means locking William away. He's willing to sacrifice the life of one to potentially save countless more lives.
It also probably didn't help that William broke some stuff on his ship.
Well without further ado.
Chapter 15: Parent and Child
William yawned groggily as Ruby knocked (banged like a spoiled child) on his door announcing for all of Remnant and all other alternate dimensions to hear that they should hurry up for breakfast.
He had stayed up way too late trying to get back at Yang.
It was a simple plan really; step one, wait for team RWBY to fall asleep. Step two, Sneak in and give Yang a chrome dome. Step three, sneak out of room undetected and pretend to know nothing about the ensuing chaos and possible dorm burning down.
Normally William didn't try things like that, but when you've been blasted off a four-story roof with a giant firecracker only to land into the cannon for an even larger firecracker… well, most people would say payback was in order.
It really wasn't such a bad plan, well, except for the fact he forgot that the dorm rooms can only be opened by the scrolls of the team inhabiting them or faculty.
Since there was about a zero to negative infinity chance of Ms. Goodwitch helping him give Yang a buzz cut he had to get creative.
His other mistake was that he hadn't expected that someone had, for some unknown reason, placed a high-voltage electric Dust trap on the ledge outside team RWBY's window. Though he did get a clue after about ten thousand volts sent him off the second floor with a deafening electric hiss.
The Schnee Dust company's logo on the trap's side was a dead giveaway. Even after he fell into the bushes next to a half dozen, or so, dead pigeons and squirrels.
Why would Weiss even put that up? It was hard to see any of her teammates either having the knowledge of how or the desire to set up such a trap. Especially Ruby with her love of all things small and furry.
On a different note, the rumor about one of the janitors collecting bags of dead rodents and birds for dinner seemed, at least a tad bit, more feasible now.
And on another more concerning note was that as he was falling he noticed a lot of late night activity on other roofs and nearby areas. Yet, somehow no one seemed to notice a six-foot-tall pink-haired wolf faunus getting violently electrocuted before falling two stories.
Makes you wonder about the future protectors of the world.
The first thing to catch his attention was the usually self-doubting emotion seeping from top of the dorm from, who else but…Jaune. William had known for a while now the Arc Knight was only at Beacon because of some forged transcripts. While he didn't really care about the lying, William did feel for the guy. Despite being the smiling goofball everyone knew and loved, he really did give being a Huntsmen his all and that was something he could respect. And not just him, a lot of people admired how he kept working so hard, especially a certain red-haired teammate turned potential girlfriend.
Who just so happened to show up as William's spine became intimately acquainted with a large protruding tree root.
He forced himself to hold back his scream. His body would heal soon enough, but he couldn't afford to draw attention to himself. Not like he could explain trying to sneak into an all-girls dorm room at night…for a number of reasons.
Returning to the couple on the roof.
From what he could sense from her concern for him, Pyrrha was trying to comfort Jaune to calm his nerves about the tournament. To her credit, the still tingling Were-Grimm could feel her words calming him. Even if just a little.
As they continued to talk as he lay there, sensing their emotions more than genuinely listening.
Soon seconds, or maybe minutes, he really wasn't sure with the who electric shock thing, it was definitely some form of time passed, the negative emotions the two emitted became less and less readable. Jaune's self-doubt and anxiety melted away. this, in turn, eased the Spartan's worries.
Those two seem to fit each other rather well. If he did say so himself.
With the loud clanking of the roof door, it was safe to assume Pyrrha's mission was a success.
It may have been his ears still ringing, but he could have sworn he heard a deep kiss just prior to the door's closing. Heh, lucky bastard. William smirked.
A little time passed allowing him to regain the feeling in his body.
Finally feeling able to sit up and he was about to leave only to crouch back down at a loud voice.
"Dwamn stwaight-t we-we-we are gonna weck dem all tom-rrow!"
Cardin and his cronies entered the courtyard staggering back from a dorm party. Smelling like they had taken a swan dive into a pool of booze. Or that could just be him being a wolf faunus- damn his sense of smell. He felt like he was getting drunk just by smelling them from afar.
Between Ironwood's mechanical soldier patrolling Beacon's borders, the media hounding people for information about William and/or the tournament; added to the massive influx of students from other kingdoms, and you got a recipe for the dorms never running short on parties.
Yang had even once invited him to one, but he refused to remember what happened last time. Junior had actually made a "banned for life" list just so he could put him and Yang on it.
Each one of the young huntsmen was slurring their words as they proclaimed that their team would be unbeatable in the tournament. Though judging by their difficulty walking William was sure they would be unable to even find their own weapons in their own hands.
William's opinion of them aside, they continued to sing their praise, followed by several profanities at Pyrrha and Yang. The latter having seemed to have also single-handedly trounced their sorry buts.
Now he felt a little bad about having tried to make her look like Yatsuhashi.
His distracting thoughts secede when the four froze as though death himself stood before them in the square.
They suddenly made ninety-degree turn in their path running for all their drunken stupor could offer.
Initially perplexed by the action William quickly realized they had probably made the right decision as he soon heard the all too familiar sound of heels on the cobblestone walkway.
Peering through a small opening in the bushes he'd crouched behind, trying to make himself as small as possible. Doing all he could to conceal his presence.
If this was who he thought it was it would be in his best interest to not be seen.
Through a small hole in the bushes he could make out his guardian in white walking towards the opening of the campus that overlooked the lake below Beacon.
A path that took her right by him!
Unlike with the others, William was using the years he spent hiding from Grimm and huntsmen alike to their fullest. Not moving, not breathing, not even affording himself the distraction of blinking.
Of all the faculty at Beacon, she was the one he would never let her catch him breaking curfew. Whether anger or worry he just could not hope to withstand either after the day he'd had. Gods help him if it was both. His emotional perception would be too much for him. Just kill him if that was the case.
He could smell her usual perfume radiating from her. She was that close.
As she walked past him, he held his position in the bushes, frozen in time, just waiting in the endless moment for her to pass him by. The moment, though only seconds at best, dragged on eternally. His lungs begged for oxygen for the blood flowing a mile a second thanks to his heart beating so loud he could swear it was audible.
Whether it was luck or skill, she passed by without event. However, he wouldn't take a breath for at least another couple of moments.
One good thing that came out of this is William learned he could hold his breath for almost five minutes. Though the bad part was that he had to hold his breath for almost five minutes.
He felt faint.
As he tried to quietly and quickly fill his lungs, his eyes followed his guardian moving towards the edge. Just off to the side, he noticed a tall man in a white coat starring into the distance- Ironwood.
How had he not noticed him?!
Then again, it was probably a good sign that he was safe for the moment. If the general had noticed the wolf faunus' actions, there would be a small platoon surrounding him rifles drawn on his head with a couple airships aiming their overly large cannons at him for 'good measure' by now.
When she stopped next to the man, the two seemed to be talking about something of great importance. Due to his depleted Grimm supply, they were just outside his range for reading negative emotions. However, based on the emotions he could just barely graze, he could tell it weighed on them. it was faint, but powerful nonetheless. Both were emanating a solemn dread as if they stood in front of a horde of Grimm they had no chance of beating but could not run away from. Whatever it was, whatever the enemy, it felt as the two were gazing into an endlessly swirling black abyss.
He remembered an old trick he'd been working on, so he transformed his ears, making them larger and giving he a wider range for him to hear.
He tried to listen in and focus on the two. Yet, just as he'd gotten able to make out what they were saying the transformation destabilized and vanished into ash.
Well, that's never happened before.
Whatever happened, he felt pain. His transformations, even the ones that altered his very bones, never hurt. Adding to it was that it wasn't a sharp pain, but more of a wriggling pain. Like his ears were caught in a bike spoke.
Before he could even ponder what had just happened, due to him still kneeling, he felt a small trimmer.
Then he heard the distinct emergency alert as two older Hunters' scrolls buzzed, and they dashed off towards the main structure of Beacon.
This, however, was of little concern to the Were-Grimm, who did not even try to hide as they ran past him not even noticing. Perhaps too distracted by whatever the message, and likely trimmer, was about. They ran by so quickly he couldn't even read their emotions.
Not that he really paid attention to that.
What happened to him? Was all his mind could form. Why did his transformation fail?
Was this because of before?
Had he depleted his Grimm supply that much?
Then why wasn't he experiencing withdraw yet? Could it- "-And then the entire second floor burst into flames." Ruby raised her hands in the air for dramatic effect snapping William back to reality. What?
He and team RWBY had just entered the cafeteria.
She continued, "-and that is how we learned that dad isn't allowed pull knots out of Yang's bed head." Ruby explained ignoring the red eyes glaring at her.
Not paying attention to the reaper's ensuing noogy from her sister William looked around. His stroll down memory lane left him a tad confused and bewildered by the seemingly instant change of scenery. Apparently more than was necessary as Blake was the first to speak up. "William are you okay?"
"Um, yeah. Just a little tired." He fake yawned.
It didn't take a Were-Grimm to know that she and her team automatically connected it to yesterday's rampage, and last nights…festivities.
"Yeah, sorry about that, again." Yang winced. He knew she was sincere. Though that still didn't detract much from him wanting payback.
But at least he knew she meant it.
"Oh, did you guys hear? Professor Port blew a large hole in the side of a research lab last night?" Yang gossiped as they went through the line placing whatever seemed delectable to them onto their trays. In William's case, it was just about everything.
Today was a five tray kind of day.
"Really?"
"Yeah, he tried making some kind of portable cannon and it totally backfired. Blew a big ol' hole in one of the buildings."
William wouldn't have pegged him as the 'build your own weapon' type of person. He still couldn't even figure out how the man aimed his signature weapon with its bizarre handle. Then again, if being at Beacon had taught him anything, it was that Huntsmen are often full of surprises.
One such surprise was the negative vibes he was getting from everyone else in the cafeteria- normally not something new, but this was different. It seemed clear that yesterday's venture into the Emerald Forest has already been promogulated across campus- and if he had to guess most of the Kingdom of Vale.
Give me a break, like none of them have ever killed Grimm to blow off steam. Granted they couldn't eat the remains- if there were any- afterward, but that makes no difference.
Then it was official he was back to most students fearing him. So much for people beginning to like him- or getting a good night's sleep.
Joy.
…
As they weren't participating in the first day they opted to spend the day watching the tournament and relaxing at the fairgrounds. Namely, Blake having found out about a seafood stall that had a reputation for both outstanding fresh AND saltwater fish- she put a great deal of infuses on the word 'and'.
This meant Yang would be accompanying her. Whether she liked it or not. The two of late seemed to develop this kind of reasoning that where one goes so does the other. While The blonde brawler didn't typically mind it, William didn't even need to read Yan's emotions to know she was trying to figure out how to get Blake to take a few dozen breath mints. She loved her partner- and how seafood made her frisky- but she could not stand the smell of her fish breath.
Though for some reason she was actually preferring the smell of Blake's fish breath as opposed to something else. However, due to his diminished Grimm supply, he couldn't seem to hone in on it as she was trying to actively push it out of her thoughts.
Was it weird to miss his Grimm powers being at full power in these situations, despite the potential risk?
The less icy-than-normal member of the team was content to accompany Blake and Yang under the guise of team building, but William knew differently. He'd noticed an almost instant changing in her since their little covert op. The usually harsh and cold ice queen definitely had softened up.
If only just a little.
Ruby said she had plans for the day and would be gone with Zwei. Beyond that, she didn't really go into detail. William wanted to pry a little more, but a look from Yang suggest not to.
Then it hit him- visiting Summer's grave.
Ruby had once mentioned that every time something major happens in her life she goes to give her mother an 'update'.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. It wasn't hard to see why, Ruby and her team had, despite not being intentional, rescued him. It was almost like a sick twist of fate that the daughter of the woman who tried to help him only to feel his claws on her flesh was the one who saved him.
He felt his blood heat up.
"Are you okay?" Blake posed directing attention to the other, normally, dark-haired faunus.
All that came out was, "Huh?"
"Your eyes were red." She spoke as he blinked his eyes back to their normal purplish blue. "Are you angry about something?'
Looking around William tried to think of something to say, but his mind was blank. He wasn't even sure why he was nervous. He normally liked when people cared about him, but somehow this time…not so much.
Suddenly his prayers were answered, "William, team RWBY, good morning." Greeted Beacon's deputy headmistress. Sitting down across from him with her typical breakfast of assorted pastries and a large coffee.
For all her talk of him eating a balanced breakfast, his guardian was definitely one of those 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of people.
Ms. Goodwitch came to join him for breakfast, an act as his chaperone to check up on his recovery- and to placate general Ironwood. She still felt she needed to re-list all of the places he wasn't allowed to go and things he wasn't allowed to do. All to not only appease the general and his floating armada but the uppity protesters as well.
By the gods was this morning too much of a pain in the ass.
No going into the city, no transforming in public, no interacting with the White Fang or their sympathizers, No eating Atlasian Paladins, yadda, yadda.
How old did they think he was? Five?
It had been a nightmare listening to it before. Hell, the list was sixteen pages. Thankfully, there was some salvation. Having learned from Ruby, how to tune out the rest of the world helped more than he ever could have imagined.
Despite her cute and innocent appearance, Ruby Rose was a force not to be underestimated.
His thoughts teetered between wondering about the progression Jaune and Pyrrha, as he hadn't really heard much about them since Nora's mass text. Not counting last night.
He had to make sure that their coupling could not be traced back to him by Ms. Goodwitch.
Then there was the matter of yesterday in the cafeteria. No matter how many times he ran it through his head it didn't make sense. The almost instant change in the general's demeanor, the fogginess of it all, and that weird image of fire. Nothing seemed to even remotely fit together.
Did no one see ANYTHING unusual? At the time he could only feel concern about/towards him with the only malice, not surprisingly, coming from the general and a few of his soldier. Any fear felt was either directed at the armed soldiers or William himself.
Now that he thought about it if the general was provoking him, wouldn't anyone respond to it? If the general had been that inciting then at the very least Ms. Goodwitch would have reacted, if not Sun or his team- they seemed like good guys? Right?
Ugh, where the hell is that creepy-ass voice when he needs it? Wasn't he always giving some kind of lecture after something like that happened…
…was it always like that? Had he already been aware of it before coming to Beacon?
He had… right? Wasn't there-
"-lliam? William are you listening?" his guardian asked forcing the young faunus to turn his brain back on or risk another lecture.
"Ya-yes ma'am, I'm listening." He lied. The older blonde woman clearly also knew he was lying, but let it go with a sigh.
The Were-Grimm got a read on her that she just hoped Yang wasn't influencing him too much.
She lowered her glasses and looked at him, "I know this isn't ideal, however until we can convince the general- and the public at large- that you are not a threat, I'll need you to follow me around today." Her eyes showed some sorrow to them but still showed her usual firmness.
While she spoke in a calm manner William got the real meaning: as long as you are with me, no one (Ironwood) will try anything. That and if I do go nuts… then one of the strongest huntress in the kingdom is there to stop me.
Joy.
It hurt to admit it, but she had a point. It seemed like only she and Ozpin had any type of power to stand against him. if he tried it himself, it would only make things MUCH worse. As things were now, he needed to avoid Ironwood's radar.
It was plain for all to see William wasn't happy with his current situation. "As much as it pains me to say, general Ironwood's evidence against you has only grown as of yesterday's events. While it is argumentative, combined with the damage to his ship and crew along with several other pieces of circumstantial evidence, he could present an argument to the council to lock you away."
More than people believed he hated this situation. If he went on his own, he'd probably be locked in a jail cell within the hour. On the other hand, he would have to be effectively shackled to Ms. Goodwitch. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but the distrust he sensed from her as they went their separate ways still weighed on him.
He couldn't do it. He just couldn't. She didn't trust him. He didn't want to hate her to distrust her, but…he just couldn't. If she couldn't trust him then where did it leave him.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place. His mind pointed out.
"Oh, come on!" he slammed his hands on the table as he rose, eyes tinging red, only to realize he had spoken too loudly and sheepishly sat back down. Speaking in a lowered voice, "Oh, come on. You and I both know that wasn't anything new, not around here at least."
"What do you mean?" His guardian asked genuinely bemused.
His eyes looked at her skeptically, "Since I've been here, more than a dozen students have gone into those woods to cool their heads by bashing in the heads of Grimm."
He wasn't wrong. In her tenure at Beacon, she had seen many a student traverse that forest the quell their anger or at least sate their overdramatic teenage angst. An all-to-common scene for those rejected prior to Beacon's annual dance she was afraid.
"While that is true." She admitted feeling William's smirk growing, "None of those students are a previously unknown lifeform that both the Atlas Military AND the Council of Vale have yet to declassify as hostile."
And like that his "valid point" was thrown off the cliff and fed to Beowulves. IT was the Goliath in the room that everyone had been avoiding.
Himself included.
They've all known it, but no one said it. But it was every bit as unpleasant and off-putting, and bewildering and…he didn't even know what this was.
"So, what is on the agenda today?" he asked smiling on the outside, but solemnly accepting his fate on the inside.
His guardian's eyes softened, "William, it takes time for people to trust what they don't understand. You are a completely unknown being as far as most of the world is concerned. The first recorded Grimm hybrid." And that was the problem, he was a Grimm hybrid.
"It will get better with time. But until that time comes, we need to make sure that you get a chance to prove you are not a threat." She tried to succor.
Somehow, that actually did make him feel better, at least until that last part. But still better. "Okay."
The deputy headmistress raised her scroll flipping to her day planner, "First, we will have to check with the engineering team to see if everything is going smoothly, then we will double check to see that all the vending permits are approved. At eleven we have a scheduled meeting with the pyrotechnics operator to make sure the fireworks for tonight ceremony celebrating the first day are in order and everything is on schedule. Then I'll be video chatting with the festival's sponsors to see that the advertisements and half-time performance are set up for tomorrow as well as their backups on standby should something happen. followed by twenty minutes for lunch."
Twenty minutes? Even I can't eat that fast! His mind protested as he poured a bowl of oatmeal into his maw.
"The rest of the day should be filling out the necessary forms and documents for the rest of the festivities." As she lowered her scroll she could see William's jaw almost resting on the table despite the fact he was sitting up straight. She knew it wasn't something a teenage boy would find interesting, not when the tournament was going on, but it was either this or a prison cell.
She was half right. Since out of the teams that rescued him only Cinder's team was fighting today, William wasn't really as excited by the tournament as he might have been, but he still would have preferred just watching the tournament on his scroll as opposed to this.
"Oh, we will also be paying a visit to Dr. Plum at four." She added as an afterthought. "Please rest assured that this is a request by the doctor himself to check up on you."
"Wait a moment," Weiss spoke up making William look to her for a possible way out, "I thought William wasn't allowed near Amity Coliseum… or Vale for that matter?"
"He still isn't; however, I can use my scroll to video chat with the engineering team. As for things like the vending permits; the permits are on their way to my office from the planning committee's office and we will be going to the pyrotechnician's mobile office set up on the school grounds." She explained calmly, ignoring the soft groan that escaped William's lips.
He needed a way out. Screw trying to get people to like him, he wanted out. He knew from his meetings with Ms. Goodwitch how dull and mind-numbingly tedious paperwork was. That was a big bag of hell no!
He needed something to get him out of this. Something to get him out of this… "What about eating more Grimm?"
"Excuse me?"
Here was his chance, "I used a LOT of Grimm up yesterday." He stretched his arms for added exaggeration. In truth, he was down to about an eighth of a tank. "More so than the time Ironwood locked me up." Not even lying there. "I don't even entirely trust myself as I am right now." About a fifty-fifty lie there. "This could be really dangerous especially with all the people around for the festival." Now he was completely lying.
"Funny you should mention that." His guardian smiled. But it was no ordinary smile, this was a smile William had never seen, but every part of him told him to run. "Dr. Plum was able to devise a way to measure the amount of Grimm inside your body and even predict when you would need to recharge."
He wanted to ask how and when he did that, but the woman's expression told him to not talk and just listen. It was only then that the sisterly half of team RWBY were having a dreaded deja vu experience. And he knew, she had caught him in a lie and her instincts as a teacher told her rather than quickly call him out on it. He also knew if he didn't give in now, she was going to make it slow and painful.
Only now did the Were-Grimm remember why his guardian was the most feared teacher in all of Beacon.
"We can swing by the Emerald Forest after visiting Dr. Plum." She compromised, "Though, I suspect he might actually have some samples for you to eat there." The tall woman smiled. It was the smile of a lioness who had trapped her prey and left them unable to even defend themselves. All that could be done was surrender.
Crap she's got me now. "Yeah, sounds like a plan." He weakly smiled.
"Cheer up William." Ruby patted his shoulder. She had been where he was too many times to count. "Just think, any day now you'll get your own customized weapon." She beamed, eyes sparkling like a starry night. It was both adorable, and just a little frightening, how excited she was about weapons.
He added a little gross to the list when he noticed a small trail of drool escape the edge of her mouth as images of sugarplu- weapons danced in her head. Then again, he was that way when he eats Grimm.
He had completely forgotten about his order! To be fair, a lot happened in between then and now. Though he was a little surprised he didn't think of his weapon when he was going on a Grimm slaughter-spree.
"Yeah, what was your weapon again?" Yang asked finishing off the last rasher of bacon.
Ruby's eye lit up again only for William to place his hand on her mouth turning towards the group once the reaper was silenced, "It's a secret." He winked.
Grinning he turned back to Ruby, his eye's telling Ruby to please keep it quiet.
Yang and Blake shared a look. Everyone knew they could just ask Ruby the moment he turned his back. A few seconds of talking about customizing weapons would have Ruby spilling the beans for hours to come. They didn't have any idea as to why he was keeping his weapon secret, but still nodded silently agreeing not to push it further.
The group finished their breakfasts and went their separate ways.
The tournament's first round was divided into two days accommodating a total of sixteen matches; four before noon, followed by a two-hour break, and then the remaining four matches for one day and then repeating on the second day.
To say that the tournament attracted the attention of many would be an understatement of the highest caliber. It was an event for everyone, regardless of race, culture, location, species, etc. it was even that gave a preview to the best of the best of the world's future protectors and how the world may change in the coming years. Anyone with a scroll was watching… well except for two.
One sat at a gear themed desk and the other, stood looking his signature mix of stoic and angry.
"Ozpin, I know you think of him as a student-"
"-And he is." The man at the desk cut him off.
"Even if he is, that doesn't mean it is a good idea for him to be here. For all we know he could be one of her creations. You know the lengths she will go to and the horrors she has brought into this world." He grimaced clutching his prosthetic arm, remembering his last encounter with her forces. "We know too little about his background."
The older man sighed. They had been going in circles about the issue over and over again since early this morning. "Gretna disagrees. From what she told me, William has been very forthcoming about his past."
"His school records beg to differ." He shot back pointing to the file on the man's desk. The file was as thick as his favorite Beacon coffee mug filled with incident reports of William getting into altercations other students.
Where did he even get this? Ozpin pondered glancing over the first page claiming William broke the arm of a young student named Billy Blanch.
"Forgive me James, but after having talked in circles with the mayor of Feign for nearly six hours as well as getting the same exact run around from various other sources, I'm not exactly inclined to believe anything they say at the moment." He placed the file gently on his desk. "then again, even if it was true both William and Gretna have stated William was the target of many attacks as a child. I can't imagine the incident that turned him into a Were-Grimm was the only time he retaliated."
"Besides, James, you have already proven that you cannot even contain William, nor can your methods even keep him calm- let alone even understand him when something happens. Unlike my staff and students who are at the very least able to calm him." He added that last part foregoing his usual subtlety. He was too sick of this argument for subtlety.
"How was I supposed to know that he was claustrophobic or that it would cause him to go on a murderous eating spree?!" The man shouted back, his patience having waned half an hour ago.
"I don't recall any of your men dying." He shot back, leaning forward. "But do tell me, how are the repairs going?"
The general looked as though he was going to erupt into a pillar of fire and rage. "Ozpin, he may have killed Jasper and Iris, the last thing we need is to have an unstable Were-Grimm running around in the middle of the largest event on the planet."
Ozpin just took a sip of his coffee, hoping against the odds it will ease his stress.
It helped a little.
"James", he began, "there is no evidence William did anything; no video feed, no physical evidence, no…anything really. Not to mention the burnt paper found in both cells. Have you found anything out about that, by the way?" he asked.
The general also sighed, "No, it appears to be normal printer paper, available anywhere." Ozpin could see the bags forming under his eyes. For all his faults, Ozpin had met few who worried so much about others like James Ironwood. "There was nothing else. Not even fingerprints."
"And you don't find that suspicious?"
"I do. I really do. However, we still need to focus on the more pressing danger in front of us. If he didn't do it, then he'll only lose a few days. However," The general's tone sharpened, "If he did do it then I'd be saving lives. Even if he isn't responsible, I know he is involved somehow."
That might very well be true. They still knew next to nothing about who sent them on the wild Grimm chase that brought them to William. It wasn't hard to imagine there was a connection in there.
"That is all the more reason to try and cultivate a home for him." The general looked like a child about to be lectured on something he'd heard a thousand times. "James", his eyes narrowed. "If we continue to treat him like a threat then that is what he will become. A Threat."
"However, not only myself but my staff have seen him bond with the other students and even come to their aid if need be. I would rather have him as a powerful ally than a powerful enemy."
Even Ironwood knew that he ran the risk of compromising a potential asset in William. The man would never admit it, but William had proven a remarkably talented young man. Skills forged in the harshest environment made only stronger by the ungodly regenerative abilities that allowed him to "train" himself at an unparalleled rate.
If not for his emotional state and unwillingness to cooperate with him, he might have even considered trying to recruit him. If not solely for his love of eating Grimm and the sheer volume by which he did so.
The tall man took a moment to formulate his thoughts, weighing them carefully before letting out the breath he had been holding in.
"You're right." He admitted causing the headmaster's eyes to widen. James Ironwood rarely ever admitted to being wrong. Was this the work of the Gods?
"However, you're also wrong." Or not. "I agree we should try to sway him to our side, if only so that she doesn't get her hand on him. But even if that is the case there are still too many things unclear. You said it yourself, Gretna couldn't fully read his memories?" He waited for a received nod, "We need to keep an eye on him. It concerns me that he has managed to become close to three of the maiden candidates."
"I do agree that we will need to watch over him, not through a prison cell, but from afar." He stated getting a begrudging nod from the man. A small victory. "As for his friendship with the maiden candidates I expected as much."
"You did, really?" disbelief dying his tone.
"Two of our candidates have a nurturing nature, albeit with a more aggressive twist than most. Miss Scarlatina and miss Rose could testify to that. As for my last pick, she has always desired friends who see her for who she truly is. It would be a difficult task to find someone with abilities rivaling William."
He reluctantly nodded again. "That still doesn't change what team JPIT was up to. If William is truly innocent than it might serve us better to still detain him as a way of keeping him safe from those pulling team JPIT's strings."
They both knew this was true. If team JPIT was working for, or more likely being manipulated by, Salem's forces, then that would mean the dark queen's forces were able to burrow deep into the fortress he'd spent decades creating.
Even if they were, in fact, unrelated to Salem, then that could mean two potential enemies to deal with. And that not only did they have someone knocking at the front, they also had to fear someone from behind them as well.
Neither option was preferable. But the choice was clear nonetheless. "James, I believe that there is more than meets the eye here. Perhaps it is time we take a more… proactive approach." He said pulling out his scroll.
/-/
William was by no means a coward, nor was he afraid to face his problems, unless they involved more than a dozen gun-swords pointed at him- but that was most people.
He wasn't hiding from his problems, no he was just taking an extra-long visit to the restroom. Nothing more.
Or that is at least what he told himself as he sat on the toilet with an earbud in his right ear, with the other two and a half listening for his guardian, and potential warden.
It wasn't that he hated her or anything. In fact, he still did care for her. It was just…he wasn't sure how to feel. Sure, he had said he'd preferred them to have some skepticism about him and not to fully trust him, but that was more for Ozpin and Ironwood. He didn't know why, but he couldn't find a way to mean it when it came to Ms. Goodwitch.
Probably because she was the closest thing to a mother figure he had.
Was he always such a momma's boy?
Then again, most momma's boys typically don't pretend to use the restroom to watch the Vytal festival and get out of paperwork and awkward moments. Well… maybe a few did.
"Ladies and gentlemen we have quite the treat for you today!" Doctor Oobleck cheered, "Today we will be seeing two esteemed teams from their respective schools clash!"
"That's right Bart, for our second match of the day we have Team ONYX from Atlas Academy, led by Orion Drip. Don't let the name fool you, their solid teamwork managed to ward off a hoard of Snow Wraiths from attacking a small village near Mantle."
"Right you are Pete but let us not neglect Team FLME (flame) from Heaven Academy, led by Cinder Fall. Each member of this team has distinguished themselves in one way or the other and each has multiple accreditations to their names. It seems we have the two opposing sides of the huntsmen teams; teamwork vs individual proficiency. Who will triumph!" He hollered into his microphone.
"Well let's see. Let the match begin!" Professor Port announced as the roulette landed on the Jungle and Storm fields.
"William are you okay?" his guardian suddenly called through the door forcing him to mute the broadcast.
"I'm fine. Just a little too much fiber."
"Do you need anything. I can call a nurse if you need me to." She offered making the Were-Grimm blush.
"No, No, I'm fine, almost done."
He waited for a response, "Okay, but please hurry, the conference call will be in five minutes and I don't want you to be absent."
At least she cared enough to suspect Ironwood's engineers would rat out if he wasn't present.
"Okay." He replied back unmuting his scroll. "And what a match, I've honestly never seen anything like that. It was so one-sided it was two-sided." Port blasted.
The image showed team FLME standing over the unconscious, and hopefully not dead, forms that were once team ONYX. Orion looked like he got the worst of it. the on-screen caption showed the girl in the black and white outfit standing over him was called Lacy Mintha.
William didn't know why, but he was compelled by her cuteness to almost forget about being cheated out of some primetime entertainment. Almost.
There was something about that cute and taunting smile of her's. she'd won and she had made sure everyone knew it, but with a subtle cutesy bow as the cherry on top.
Now he was hungry…Guess he'd better get ready to meet the engineers. How bad could it be? He was probably just psyching himself out at how bad it would be.
*15 minutes later*
The Were-Grimm could only look at the ceiling praying to whatever god would listen. Smite him. He didn't care, painless, painful, He. Did. Not. Care. Just do it!
Meeting with the engineering team was in itself torture. Due to the complex nature of Amity Coliseum's hover system a team of Atlas specialist had to be called in to keep it afloat. Each paid at an exorbitant hourly rate he might note. But that wasn't the main problem, no the main problem was that the meeting had been for lack of a better comparison like watching a bad comedy where six people all blamed anything wrong on the next guy in line, looping in a circle, but were also trying to hog all the credit for themselves.
William wanted to liken them to children, but he could honestly never remember children acting this… defective before. Arguing, blaming everything on everyone, even a little pushing and shoving. Accompanied by a series of name-calling.
He wanted to reach through the screen and strangle them all to death.
But through it all, somehow, the deputy headmistress managed to remain stern and unmoving. Eventually straighten out those arrogant, condescending, egomaniacs with only her signature cowing glare.
How he would love for her to teach him that one day.
However, it still took even her half an hour just to get them to cut the condescension and arrogance to get a five-minute report.
Oh how William wished, and from what he could sense from his guardian, they could have just smacked them around for a little. He couldn't help but imagine how cathartic that would be.
Freighted nerves aside, William could not help but hold some respect for Ms. Goodwitch. He'd always known she was the driving force behind Beacon, but now he had proof. If it was him he would have given in after the first minute and just ripped them to shreds.
Initially, he thought that Ms. Goodwitch was made his guardian because of their history- or her history with his mother. Then he thought it was because she was the true being to be feared on Beacon. Now, however, he realized was that she wasn't only a strong fighter, but also someone strong mentally.
/-/
"Hey dad?" Ruby peaked up startling her father and formerly sleeping Corgi. Usually, Ruby didn't speak much on the bullhead ride home after visiting her mother's grave, so this must be something big.
"Yes?" he smiled wrapping his arm around her and holding her tight.
"Have, have you heard about William?" she asked her silver eyes in full puppy dog mode. A look she had given him many a time the young girl found an injured bird or squirrel before begging to help nurse it back to health.
The blonde huntsman thought for a second. William, William... was he the guy who delivered their mail? No, that's a woman- I think….Oh, "The so-called 'Were-Grimm' all the tabloids are talking about?" he received a nod. "Isn't that just a made-up story to sell papers?"
"Nuh-huh, William's real." She defended raising her scroll to show him the video. Weiss had been really insistent that they record all their training sessions, so they could see what they need to improve on. In this case, however, this video included William transforming.
The look on her father's face suggested he was a believer now. And the look on her dog's face suggested he was hungry now.
Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, "…and Ozpin let him in the school?" was all that the parent could think about.
"Pretty much. They made Ms. Goodwitch his guardian."
"Never mind." It was then that Tai Yang went from concern to pity for the Grimm hybrid. Poor kid. But better him than me. He tried to raise his girls to not be too judgmental about people, but Glynda Goodwitch was honestly more terrifying than any Grimm he had ever encountered. He couldn't even imagine her as a parent. Being a teacher was one thing, but a parent?! That was an entirely different beast altogether.
"But everyone treats him so badly, well except for me and my team. And team JNPR. And team CFVY. And some of the professors. And…", Ruby began to drown on before she caught eyes with her father. "…and you get the idea."
He wanted to ask something, but first, "And what do you think of him?" for always being the socially awkward of his daughters, Ruby could always tell when there was good in someone, even if they didn't necessarily see it themselves.
"I'm not sure." She looked down, scrunching her tiny fist as she held on to her skirt, "He cares about people, but it's like he scared of something all the time. He tries to help us with our problems, but when it's his problems…he *sigh* he doesn't want to let anyone get close. He hides stuff from everyone and I think it's because he's scared."
"Doesn't he eat Ursas for breakfast? What could scare him?"
"General Ironwood for one thing." He could understand that one. He remembered dreading coming between the man and Qrow during their usual back and forth. A couple of times he'd thought he would have him and his idiot brother in law put in front of firing squad. "Fair enough."
"And then there was…" Ruby trailed off seeming to become completely lost in thought.
"Was what?"
She looked up at her father, her lower lip quivering ever so slightly, but oh so tellingly, "Dad did Mom ever tell you about meeting William when he was a little kid?"
"What? No, why?" He responded more out of reflex than actual thought. That was certainly out of left field.
"Because the last time he got hurt he said mom's name in his sleep."
The retired huntsmen's eyes show the perfect blend of surprise and confusion. "What are you talking about Ruby?"
"After he nearly died…again, he was mumbling stuff in his sleep. We couldn't make out a lot of it,"
"We?"
"Professor Goodwitch brought him to the infirmary and me, Yang, and the rest of our team rushed to the see him. Oh, and Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck were there too." She quickly added that last part. "but I'm pretty sure he said 'Summer'. There's no way they met right? Right?"
There was no way that was possible. Even for someone like Summer who wanted, and tried, to help everyone. He would definitely remember if a Were-Grimm ever came up. "Are you sure, maybe he was just talking about summer the season. Or maybe it was a different word altogether. Like 'bummer'. I mean you did say he had nearly died, right?" The single father offered in his corny 'dad' voice. Not yielding its usual response.
"I don't think so… maybe I'm just over thinking it." The young reaper slouched.
"Yeah, I mean there's no way he could have even met Summer before." He patted her on the shoulder. "I know you're worried for the guy, but you have to remember; he's been living in a valley of Grimm for the last ten years with the only people visiting trying to kill him."
Ruby began to look even more deflated, "Are you going somewhere with this?"
"Yes I am," He proudly announced, "When someone has gone through something like that it isn't hard to see that they would have trust issues, but that's okay. As long as you and your friends are still there for him, he'll open up eventually."
She perked up, just a hair or two, "yeah, your right. And I'll make sure he knows he can come to us for anything." She began to smile.
Now that's the Ruby Rose I know and love. I'm sure William will be just fine in your hands.
/-/
Professor Goodwitch sat on a small rock lightly covered in moss as an impromptu bench as the young Were-Grimm collided with the ground for the tenth time that afternoon. This time leaving a rather detail impression of his face in a large tree root she could see a good hundred feet from where she was sitting. Adding to the already growing clearing; having more than doubled in size as William's crash-landings fell more trees and displaced more features of the forest.
If nothing else, she had to applaud the young man for his determination. Even some of her best students would have called it a day after so many head-on collisions. Made even more impressive with the fact he was enduring it all without aura.
She just hoped this wouldn't result in brain trauma. Though, given his regenerative abilities, she doubted it. she had already seen him regrow a piece of his skull and brain after yesterday's rampage through the forest.
While William had assured her, the pain was gone and forgotten fairly quickly, it was still unsettling seeing William's head twisting from what fatal positions to its normal position. Though him just shrugging it off as though it was a normal action was equally, if not more, unsettling.
Professor Plum had canceled on them at the last minute, which she was going to get a thorough explanation for later, so she allowed her ward to go into the Emerald Forest to replenish his Grimm supply. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that she would be yelling at Ozpin or James sometime soon.
She was honestly surprised there were enough Grimm left for him to feed on.
After about an hour of eating his fill, and filling up a 'doggy bag', as he called it, which was really just a trash bag, William had asked his guardian if they could practice his flying.
She needed a break, so she agreed. What could go wrong?
Most who know of William are often mistaken in believing that with each new Grimm he consumes he instantly gains mastery. How they would be surprised to learn that with each new Grimm he consumed requires extensive practice to master its form. Something he admitted team RWBY had been helping him within their spars.
Oh, how those that feared him would change their opinion of his powers…and of his personality if they knew.
Such a thought made the professor chuckle as her student, and adopted son, pulled himself from the dirt, cursed a little, and then propelled himself into the sky again. She always found great joy and pride in students who put forth the extra effort.
Perhaps it was her age taking root, but she found herself becoming more forgiving and compassionate for students who showed great effort or peeked his interest. William would definitely fall under both categories. Admittedly, she was first intrigued by William for his abnormal physiology. However, after getting to know the young man she had come to find another interest in him. His mind.
And his heart.
It was probably this interest in him that convinced her to seek out the help of one of her colleagues.
Bartholomew Oobleck was many things; a teacher, archeologist, a coffee aficionado, but above all he was a man who craved knowledge with an unparalleled fervor. One such burst of fervor, some five or six years back, was regarding the fascinating field of psychology.
While not being officially licensed, he would argue that he could out analyze any psychiatrist.
It might have been considered by some a breach of trust, but he had somewhat made it a habit of building psychological profiles of his students. A breach she had needed to overlook once or twice.
While Gretna provided a great insight, it never hurt to have a second opinion. In passing, Bart had passed her a small notebook containing William's profile. Given how the Were-Grimm in question seemed too distracted with flying to focus on emotions- or branches if that last crash showed anything- she decided to read the man's findings while she sat.
In the profile, Oobleck noticed something rather unique with regards to William. He seems to adapt his personality to different situations. While many do this to a certain degree, but for the William Beorthwulf, he seemed to do it almost instantaneously... or deliberately.
His sensitivity to negative emotions obviously played a significant role in all of it.
The question the good doctor was perplexed with was if this was intentional or reflexive. Was he doing it as a means of lessening the discomfort he felt from negative emotions? Or was he doing it as a means to garner favor or some kind of advantage?
Not that other students haven't done the latter before. So many had tried and failed to gain the favor of Beacon's staff.
When it would have been fortuitous for him, William seemed to change his opinion or stance in conversation, sometimes a little too easily. He even documented a discussion with the faunus where he proved a rather well-worded argument, if not more emotional than he intended, against the expansion of Vale even if William, himself, had offered his assistance to them. William, though initially quite persistent in his assurance of his abilities, conceded his defeat without so much as a rebuttal.
The Green haired man did praise himself too much as a former debate club president, but he shouldn't be that good.
She had noticed before their similarities in the pursuit of knowledge. Despite his age, William was very intelligent- if only he could get half of their students to be that interested in history.
Another theory the report posed was that perhaps the professor himself had unknowingly given him a glimpse of his memories from the fateful day at Mountain Glenn when he saw the tunnel being closed…with half his team behind it.
Glynda knew all this, she had been there too. She also knew Bart would have been easy for William to read his emotions and sympathize.
He continued by noting that in the past that he had observed William did possess a kind and empathetic side. If his teammate Blake Belladonna could attest to. The two may not have noticed it, but he and Miss Belladonna were not alone when they talked about her concealing her faunus heritage. Neither probably knew he liked to sit in a small clearing concealed by bushes to read during free periods.
The deputy headmistress made sure to make a note of that when she was hunting him down to fill out his budget reports.
The report continued listing other examples showing him to be helpful towards the rest of his team and the other's that found him. He even noted he was certain that William had been helping Ms. Xia Long, Ms. Valkyrie, and Mr. Arc with their homework.
That was in all likelihood very true. She had yet to admonish the three for their assignments since William had arrived at Beacon.
She just hoped they weren't getting him to do their homework for them.
And after becoming a couple with Ms. Belladonna, at least according to the teacher's lounge bathroom, there has been a significant decrease in the number of brawls and classrooms set on fire that Yang has been a part of.
Which if she was honest, was a monumental relief. Team RWBY had caused more damage to the school's repair fund in their first year of attendance than most teams do for their entire four years at Beacon.
After listing several more examples Bart goes into how there was no immediate gain but does suggest that William is intelligent enough to think a few moves, or months, into the future. Something she was well aware of.
Oobleck begins to ramble, well more than usual, regarding this line of thought.
Posing several questions, not so much as a report, but his own personal thoughts: could this have been grateful to those who rescued him? He was not particularly close with anyone outside of those that rescued him. But on the other hand, the attachment is not unheard of in these types of situations either. And in such situations, it also isn't uncommon for those rescued to go out of their way assuage their rescuer(s).
The green-haired man seemed unsure as to where the line was drawn at this point in time. Chances are that his conversation with the group might have been the most positive social interaction the young faunus had had in months or probably even years.
Then there was how he acted around those that oppose him or present some type of opposition. Self-defense was well understood when he had been attacked by team CRDL. Yet when it came to afterward, and especially with general Ironwood, he became aggressive and if not a little taunting.
'Perhaps trying to draw them into a situation for 'self-defense'.'
That may be an over assertion, right? She hoped in her mind.
Given their behavior towards William, there wouldn't be too many that wouldn't understand his stance on the five.
However, from the position of trying to garner favor; would it not make more sense to try and prostrate himself to appease them or at least the general?
Yet William actively avoids team CRDL as they do him and he bumps heads with Ironwood whenever their paths crossed.
'Possibly him reacting to their negative emotions? If he cannot garner favor or advantage, then it is best to oppose them?'
Then he just starts writing down handwritten notes over and around the text.
'No, No, that is too simplistic. That would just cause him more problems later. Anyone could see that.'
Then he follows it with more writing but overlapping and highly illegible. Did he have a stroke when he wrote this?
It ends in what could only be described as a cop-out of a disclaimer. Saying that it can be difficult to profile a student, even under normal circumstances, but his ability makes it difficult discern intention from reaction to his Grimm power's influence. Too many inconsistencies that could be one or the other.
Was he a cold and calculating manipulator or a kind soul with an unfair burden? According to Oobleck's notes, it seemed it could have been either. Was this learned survival or his natural personality?
"…or both?" She whispered to himself. Was William attached to his rescuers, but also using them for something? A barrier from others perhaps? Could he be more frightened of his new world then he lets on?
She cared for him and would do whatever it took to keep him safe. Even if that meant she had to be harsh with him like at breakfast.
Yet she didn't want him to become isolated from the world. By no means did she.
But that was what she had done just the previous night. The realization caused her to slouch slightly.
She knew he didn't want to be with her. She saw how he looked at her yesterday. Both in Ozpin's office as well as the nurse's office, even if he tried to hide it. she knew.
He had reached out for someone to trust- no not someone, a parent- a parent to love him. And she did love him. at least she thought she did.
She felt pride in his achievements, sadness at his pain, and just genuinely cared about him. that was parental love, right?
This was all new territory for her.
Whatever the case she had burned that bridge. And what's more, she had to trample the remains in order to keep him safe. Too much had happened too fast for her, or anyone really, to handle them.
She just wanted him to know there was someone he could come to no matter what. Someone who only had his best interest at heart.
She was left alone with only her thoughts and the quiet of the forest.
Wait.. quiet?
Breaking from her contemplation the sorceress realized William had gone several moments without crashing into the forest.
She sprung up looking around for his probable crash site only to notice a pair of large black wings soaring through the air. She could only smile as heard the young man exclaim "YAHHHOOOOHOHOHOHO!"
"If nothing else, his stay at Beacon will be a memorable one."
While his guardian may not have realized it, William had sensed everything. And he meant EVERYTHING. A full tank of Grimm can do that for a guy.
He was still a little hurt about before, but he still couldn't help but want to give her another chance. Empathy was truly his blessing and his curse.
Though if it would be any consolation, her thoughts calmed him, which turns out to be the secret to flying. Being calm.
Who knew?
It felt so good. So…free. His body was light as air.
Maybe it was realizing his dream of flying, nevertheless he wanted to cheer up his guardian a little.
"Ms. Goodwitch," William sailed down from the sky, bumpily skidding before falling on his face.
"Are you okay?" She asked somewhat chuckling at the bizarre expression he made on impact.
He quickly got up and began dusting himself off, "Yeah, just need to work on the landing." Before stumbling a little. His legs felt like gelatin.
She reached down helping him stand up, "It couldn't hurt."
"So," he shuffled a little awkwardly, "When we get back to Beacon if you're not too busy, would you mind helping me with a little project?"
She honestly looked surprised. Or at least to everyone who can't read negative emotions she did. Judging by how little emotion he could sense from her she was probably doing mental cartwheels.
"I would be delighted, William."
/-/
It was just turning 7 p.m. and the general had left some time ago say he had to meet with one of his operatives. And that was all he said.
The grey-haired man knew he himself was vague and a little foreboding at times, but that was more an accumulated- and well-practiced- routine rather than intent at this point.
Still, he sighed into his empty coffee cup. He had spent so much time arguing with James that he forgot today was the day he was supposed to stock up on coffee. Guess I'll be making a run to the teacher's lounge tonight.
Much of this day had not gone well. In addition to having to run a school, which was a chore among chores, he had to deal with- or more accurately have Glynda deal with- various vendors, security, and countless screaming people.
It might sound to some like he's getting off easy, but they never had to deal with Glynda Goodwitch watching over their shoulder for an entire day. Comparatively speaking, it's much easier just to let her handle it and get yelled at later.
But that wasn't what weighed on him this evening, no it was something else. He had intended to read this message early this morning, but things didn't go as planned. It was a simple message: "I just wish I was free."
Oh how that one message reminded him of a feeling he had experienced numerous times, each and every one a disaster in their own right, but what was worse was that all of them could be avoided. In his experience, he'd come to see the signs, and this was a giant neon billboard.
He didn't need to do it. He told himself. William was under the watch of one of his most trusted and most powerful. His attachment to her would lessen the chance of him going astray. He had bonded with his team. And even then, he still had his natural predator as an ace up his sleeve.
Oh, who was he kidding, that would be asking too much.
The headmaster pulled up a screen with a dozen or so icons on it each unique. One was a lion's head, a maple leaf, a tiara, and so forth. His finger hovered over one icon in particular. Each of his small group of confidants was assigned a different task in addition to their usual orders. This one, in particular, was a last-ditch effort.
His finger seemed to hover over that one icon for an endless minute before falling. He couldn't do it, for all he talked about wanting William to be free, he had honestly considered that.
He just prayed to whatever god(s) would listen that he was making the right call as his fingers tapped a different icon. "Yeah?" a gruff voice answered.
"I need you to come see me tomorrow afternoon. We may need to get ready to move soon."
"Got it." The voice responded before the screen showed the call had ended.
He just need to wait a little longer. It would be over, for now at least, before the festival even ended.
/-/
William sighed a deep, but very happy sigh as he entered his room. He wasn't sure why, but he had fun.
Never in his life did he think that baking could be so much fun. He smiled setting the bag of treats he had created with Ms. Goodwitch on top of his dresser.
It honest reminded him of the time he had stayed the night at her place. She had been surprisingly insightful on how to bake his project from the other day. He had intended to do this sooner, but after he got sick on Ren's green sludge from hell and this and that happened it got pushed to the back burner and nearly forgotten.
Until now that is. William remembered helping his mom in the kitchen when he was younger. Was it as fun back then?
He couldn't remember, but he just decided to say it was. It was his memory anyway.
He smiled kicking off his shoes before falling onto his bed. His legs felt a little numb from all the walking- and crashing- he had done all day.
How Ms. Goodwitch walked around in those high heels of hers he couldn't even fathom. He mentally chuckled sinking into his bed.
He missed his soft bed. A luxury that he had dreamed of for so long. Years of sleeping on piles of leaves and discarded, often badly damaged and lumpy, mattresses made just sleeping on the dorm bed almost worth dealing with general iron-dick, almost.
He breathed again, this time in relief rolling onto his back allowing the softness of his mattress to envelop him. this comforting warmth was something he never wanted to give up.
Just as he closed his eyes ready disappear into the comfort he suddenly felt a weight on his chest followed by another different, but pleasant warmth and a familiar softness.
His nose became filled with the smell of citrus shampoo and…ice cream.
The wolf faunus could only grin. "Hello Neo." He said before opening his eyes looking down.
The adorable mismatched pink and brown confirmed for him.
Neo was on top of him in her usual garb, smirking like always. Confident, playful, and just a little dangerous, which only made her all the more adorable.
"Hey Will." She greeted moving slightly forward to meet his lips in a chaste, but meaningful kiss.
The two separated not breaking eye contact, "How are you?"
The ice cream themed girl just giggled. "Most people would ask how I got in."
"I know better than that. It would be weird if you couldn't sneak in." he sniggered. Anyone who can regularly walk in and out of a police station without being noticed could sneak into Beacon. Even if it wasn't being flooded with people, students from other academies, and their parents. As the parasol at the foot of his bed confirmed.
"Awwww. You are so sweet." She cooed before kissing him again.
As the two parted, "Had a good day?"
"Yeah, a really good one." He sighed, "Days like this are fine, but lately my days are more pains in the neck than anything else."
"You could always switch sides. I know my boss would definitely be happy to have you." She teased. At least she tried to. They both knew she was serious.
It was just as telling that William didn't even deny it. Sure, he loved having a mom, a bed, and his friends were great, but there are only so many times a person can be accused, arrested, or attacked before they had enough.
"Want to just cuddle?" he asked nonchalantly.
"I thought you would never ask," she said moving into the croak of his right arm, wrapping her arms around his torso as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
He missed this warmth.
Neo tried to get comfortable, but she still shivered a little, "Can you get up, so I can get the blanket?"
"No need." He closed his eyes before black hair seemed to flow from one side of him, over his chest and neo before covering the other side completely."
Initially a little surprised, Neo felt the softness and warmth of the Grimm blanket, she could get used to this. "I didn't know you could do this?"
"I can alter how I use my Grimm for almost any purpose."
"Handy little guy aren't you?" She kissed his cheek.
"Only when I want to be." He replied holding her close as she did him.
-Later that evening in general Ironwood's office aboard his main ship-
"Thank you for coming ahead of schedule specialist Schnee."
"It is my duty General."
"Do you have the file I asked for." The general calmly asked sitting behind his desk.
"Yes sir," She saluted handing the general a vanilla folder almost three inches thick. "Though, sir I have to ask why you told me to deliver this in person. Wouldn't it have been faster to simply scan and message you the files?"
"Normally yes, however, this file is of the utmost importance and I need to keep the number of people who are even aware this file exists to a bare minimum."
"Understood sir."
The general opened the folder on his desk and quickly began flipping through the file seemingly to be looking for a particular piece of information. Looking at the side of the folder that slightly spilled out when the general opened it Winter noticed a photo of a gray-haired wolf Faunus with three scars on the left side of his chin. Noticing winter making a somewhat troubled looking expression Ironwood stopped his flipping and looked up at her.
"Is there something you would like to say?" He asked.
"N-no, well, yes sir, that man," she began pointing to the spilled out photo "that is Fenris Mingan, is it not?"
"Do you know him?" The general asked her somewhat perplexed by how she could have possibly known about the individual in question.
"Not exactly, however among the Special Operatives Unit, he is somewhat of a legend."
The general showed a faint smile. "I suppose he is, though I cannot say he ended up as a legend should."
"Sir?"
"It's nothing, is that all of your questions?"
"No, sir. What I am most puzzled by is why the name on the file says 'Philip Beorthwulf'."
We all should know by now that I like endings like this. Ozpin isn't as trusting as he says he is and the general is keeping secrets. WOW! I am pumped to get back to this!
Had to have some mother-son time in there. Ms. Goodwitch isn't a bad person, but more that she tends to rely on her head over her heart in most cases. That being said, it makes sense she have trouble in situations when her head and heart were in two different places.
And Ruby…well, you'll just have to wait to see more on that.
Finally, rounding this up, is of course Neo. Neo at Beacon, what could possibly go wrong. He said calmly before transitioning to dark and maniacal laughter.