A Cosmic Journey

A/N: Happy Tuesday all! First time I'm really updating on this day, so we'll see how the numbers look. In any event, thanks to the readers waiting on me. Also on another note, with Memorial Day weekend coming up, I hope that those who are partaking in any festivities stay safe with a myriad of things opening up.

Chapter 33: It's Easy to be Wise

Chapter Date: 05/18/2020

Mercury Black lazed around in a chair beyond the Dust barrier, affixing me with a bored look. "So? Come to pump me for information, or are you here to gloat? Oooh, how about talking to me so I can realize the error of my ways." He rolled his eyes at the last part of the statement.

"None of those, I suppose. More along the lines of some general things, even the mundane. I don't think I really qualify as a bona fide interrogator anyways." I rubbed the back of my neck, then paused when Mercury started laughing.

"Oh, this is just sad…how on Remnant did I end up losing to you?" After a moment, the assassin's laughter died off and he gestured downwards. "You wanna talk mundane? How about providing me a pair of prosthetics so I don't have to wheel around like a cripple, huh?"

"It's not up to me, but even if it were, you're a kicking-based fighter; if the barrier happens to malfunction or gets sabotaged, better to have you in a more nonthreatening state. The facility you're in now is also equipped to handle your disability."

"Doesn't make it any less demeaning."

"…No, it doesn't. Then again, ambushing and kidnapping me to use as a hostage wasn't exactly an ego booster either."

"Nice try. If that was your best to dig for clues, you're still green." Mercury scoffed.

"Alright then, let's talk about things that we don't need any clues from. What was it like growing up with your father in Mistral?" Mercury's only answer was a raised eyebrow, to which I gestured with my hands out. "I grew up in Mistral too, as I already mentioned. It wasn't hard to come across tales of an infamous assassin specializing in hand-to-hand combat, one Marcus Black, who also incidentally happened to be found dead quite recently. All it took was some DNA samples off you and him, a little testing, and bingo, we've got his missing sitting right here."

"Doesn't sound like there was much of a question there, and I'm not getting psychoanalyzed by anyone, least of all you."

"Fair point. I probably wouldn't be very good at it." I shrugged, noting Mercury's curious eye. "If you suffered a tragedy in your life, which I'm guessing you did judging by the examination of your legs, I can't attempt to empathize because I haven't experienced such a level of misfortune. I know a couple people who might be in that boat, but well, it's just you and I here."

"And the people who'll be watching the recordings."

"True. Well, if you'd rather not touch on anything from the past, let's head to the future then, specifically about your pals at the docks and warehouse." Mercury opened his mouth and I waved a hand. "Yes yes, you're not giving information about them and they're not your pals, especially that green-haired bitch. So, let's talk messages then. If Beacon sees them again, and considering their actions so far, they will, anything you want passed along to them? Personally, I'm preferential to a punch or kick, but I understand if things need to be more personalized."

"Nothing. That's the message."

"Nothing, as in you have nothing to say to them?" The gears clicked in my head. "Or nothing, because you don't want to let them know that we have you?" Mercury stiffened nearly imperceptibly, before wheeling around and heading towards his bed. I took the dismissal for what it was, and gathered up my things to leave, before pausing by the door.

"…I'll ask about getting you a pair of regular prosthetics, but it's kind of a long shot on my end. See you around, Mercury." The door shut behind me, and I walked back down the hall towards the main entrance of the building. After a couple minutes, I was again greeted with the sight of Ozpin and Qrow waiting. "Told you I wasn't getting much from him, even with the conversation topics you gave me."

"On the contrary, Mr. Higure. Thanks to your conversation, we are more certain of the belief that Mr. Black was educated in the basics of interrogation, either through secondhand accounts or personal experience. We also learned that this Cinder Fall is ruthless in her prevention of potential information leaks, and would likely seek to silence Mercury by any means necessary should his location be discovered. In addition, there is also the information that Mr. Black's time within the facility is wearing on his patience and fortitude, and subjects such as his childhood and especially his father appear to aggravate that." Ozpin took a sip from his mug. "There was a good deal gleaned from underneath the bluster and biting remarks."

"Look, about the whole patience and custody thing, couldn't you just set him up with a set of prosthetics, even just something with low structural integrity? He's a pretty good fighter that admittedly played pinball with me during our fight, but a little accommodation wouldn't hurt." I mean, Mercury was a bit of an asshole, but he was already thrice locked-up and surrounded by captured Grimm.

"May not be the wisest play security-wise, but can't fault the kid for wanting a little walkabout, if only to keep from going stir-crazy." Qrow mused, with a hand on his stubble. "Oz and I will think on it. In the meantime, not a bad job, and remember to keep these visits all hush-hush."

"On that note, who exactly is aware of Mercury's status here in Beacon, and who knows about my visiting him? It'll be helpful to know who I can and can't speak to about this at times." I was already juggling about a million private factoids.

"In terms of the former, that knowledge is extended to the Council of Vale, the faculty here at Beacon, Qrow and Taiyang, and some of my closest allies such as the headmasters of the other academies." I froze at the mention of the other headmasters, but Ozpin was continuing on. "As for the latter, knowledge of your visits is held by Qrow and I, along with Taiyang and Glynda. Results from your meetings may be sent to others in due time, thereby potentially revealing your involvement, but I see no reason as to why your identity would be information that they would need to know."

'Welp, with Lionheart having a direct line to Salem, there's a crap ton to worry about there! So please keep my name out of it for all of eternity, please and thank you!' I was so busy trying to keep a cold sweat from breaking out that I almost missed what Qrow said.

"-So Jimmy might wanna meet the kid in a few weeks time once he gets here." Qrow finished with a look at me, to which I looked at Ozpin.

"Hmm, Qrow may be correct, as General Ironwood would likely take an interest in meeting with you, if at the very least to hear your account of events due to this mysterious group's involvement with Roman Torchwick and the White Fang. Rest assured however, that we will notify you of the potential of such an event happening and you will be excused from lessons should such become necessary." The bell sounded in the distance, and Opzin's eyes twinkled. "Well now, it appears that you should return back to the campus proper, lest your teammates, friends, and enemies come looking for you."

"Hehe, good on ya for surviving a fistfight with Yang, and you can feel safe knowing that there are no recordings of it whatsoever." Qrow made no attempts to hide his messaging a video file to Tai and Raven from the other side of the clear scroll screen. "Now, get going before you get swamped with more female attention. I swear, some guys have all the luck."

"Qrow, one of my teammates is a lesbian, the other two are my boss' daughters, my female friends are either in relationships or are your relatives, and the others are openly hostile with me."

"All the luck…"

… … …

"So Kouzai, what did Professor Ozpin want with you, anyways?" Ruby asked in between bites of strawberries. "Because you've been meeting up with him a lot recently, sometimes even during the leadership class."

The table not-so-subtly leaned in to hear my response, including the new additions of team RWBY. Although Weiss and Blake were still reluctant additions towards the end of the table, Ruby and a begrudging Yang had joined in on the comradery that was JNPR, CFVY and KMMI sitting together. And by comradery, I meant 'sideshow constantly about five comments and one bad idea away from blowing up'. Things were even more volatile now that Ruby and Yang were included into the mix that was Nora, the twins and Coco.

Back to the matter at hand though. "It's about some of the stuff that happened during the time I was abducted." Not untrue. "Ozpin's looking to put together some information that might be useful when tracking down those involved." Also correct.

"Huh, that was more straightforward than I expected. Lame." Yang swallowed her food before turning to Weiss. "Though, it's probably good to hear that Ozpin's giving the investigation proper attention, especially if the White Fang's involved, right Weiss?"

I looked over, confused, as Weiss replied, "Indeed, I am quite satisfied by the level of effort that the headmaster appears to be putting forward in searching for those responsible for these crimes, be they the White Fang, Roman Torchwick or this Cinder Fall."

"Don't forget about that umbrella chick. I'm putting my nose to the grindstone, and next time we meet, I'll pound the smirk off her face, along with a few teeth." Yang took a characteristically vigorous bite of her steak, drawing complaints from Weiss about her table manners. That conversation fell into the background though as I focused on something that'd been missing.

'Of course, Weiss should be concerned about the White Fang, but there's someone else that should be more…' A look over to the end of the table showed one Blake Belladona focusing very strongly on her food, and not at meeting my gaze. Eventually though, she lifted her head up and caught my stare, before amber eyes widened with a slow shake of her head.

'Concerned…oh…oh damn, still?' I polished off my plate, before standing up. "Man, I could go for a plate of sushi. Anyone else wanna join me?" Familiar with everyone else's usual dietary habits and proclivities at this point, I knew that none of the people who might usually be in the mood for it had the space left on their plates and appetites for it…except one particular fish-lover.

"Sure." Blake slowly rose out the seat and joined me, and despite the clear awkward tension in the air we both headed for the line. As soon as we were apparently out of Ilia's and Fox's earshot, Blake glared at me. "Could you be any more obvious? Also, it's kind of bigoted to just assume that I like fish."

"Okay, first, I heard that you like fish from Ruby," I lied out my front teeth. "And second, you're already kind of obvious. Seriously, it's amazing that apparently no one but Ilia and I know about you. On that note, why does no one else know, especially your teammates?"

"This is not the time for this conversation!" Blake hissed as we neared the food displays.

"Considering how much you love to run, finding time in the first place is a miracle unto itself." I shot back, before calming down. "Look, it should be pretty clear at this point that your team doesn't care about that. Weiss was the only uncertain one, and I think the events at the docks, along with all our teams being there, proves that even she knows that there's Faunus fighting on both sides of the law, just like there are humans. So, what's the issue?"

"…" Blake was silent for a moment at she picked some of her sushi, though her bow was twitching slightly, really only noticeable if you were looking for it. "I…think I might have missed my window to do so. Now that the White Fang is confirmed to be working with people like Roman Torchwick, it'll look bad no matter what I say when I tell them about me."

If the conversation got any more aggravating, I'd need more sushi. "And you think that the fact that you left them before all this partnership business happened won't count for anything with them? Or your whole explanation as to why you were part of the organization in the first place, Ms. Belladona?" Blake flinched at the emphasis on her last name, and I sighed. "At least don't tell me that you were planning on hiding it forever, or even for the duration of your time at Beacon. You're literally one bad incident with Fire Dust away from being outed."

Amber eyes narrowed to slits. "I, know. I just…needed a little more time, to come to them with some explanation and evidence of why I left when I did, why I stayed when I did, all of it."

There was a sinking feeling that did wonders for my appetite. "Oh no…no no no, you're not gonna do something extremely reckless like track down the White Fang…right?"

Blake faced away from me and squared her shoulders, her plate in her hands. "We've got a break coming up, and I plan on using that time to do some research. After break is done, I'll have something for when I tell the rest of my team."

"Oh come on, you're not serious…Blake!" I swept out an arm to try and grasp her shoulder, but she broke away from the line with fluid grace and walked ahead back to the table. 'Damnit, I just got out of a mess involving the evil trifecta, and now Blake wants to throw herself headfirst back in, and likely deliver herself to Adam on a silver platter?'

"What was that all about? You two seemed pretty heated in line," Coco commented as I returned to the table.

"…Blake ended up taking all the good cuts of tuna, and wouldn't split any with me." I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or insulted as how easily the table seemed to buy that explanation.

"Well that's relief." Nora grinned mischievously. "And here some of us were thinking that you were trying put the moves on her instead."

My jaw dropped, though the twins were very much in tune with Nora.

"Makes sense. Both of them wear a lot of black and are pretty broody," Melanie commented offhandedly, though her eyes were glinting with playful malice.

"How adorable. It would be like Beauty and the Beast," Miltia added.

'Right reference, wrong comparison! How the hell do I-"

"Absolutely not!" The simultaneous shouts rang out as Yang and Ilia looked at one another across the table, before realizing what'd they said and focusing back quite quickly on their food.

"Oh, that reminds me, if everyone has time over the break, you can all stop by Patch and come to our house!" Ruby cheered, drawing the attention over to her. "Weiss, Uncle Qrow and Weiss's sister Winter are already staying over during the break, so there won't really be a lot of room for the whole break, but if everyone would like to meet up during that time, my dad and I would love to have you all."

"That sounds lovely. I've been meaning to visit Patch as I've heard it's a wonderful scenic island, and I've been acquainted with a few such spots in Vale thanks to Jaune," Pyrrha replied, with Jaune nodding his assent.

"Hmm, a chance to visit one of the other Valean combat schools? I'm in," Coco added.

"A vacation from our vacation. I like it," said Melanie.

Nora jumped up on her seat. "PAAAARRRTTTYY!"

As the rest gave their confirmation, I noted the one member of team RWBY who wouldn't be staying over on Patch, though she steadfastly refused to meet my gaze this time. After a few seconds, I realized that Yang was speaking. "…And on that note, you sure you don't want any pointers on dealing with Qrow, Weissy? You and him'll be in the same house for a while, after all."

"While Qrow Branwen is quite a unique individual and huntsman, I am sure that if my sister is able to enjoy his company, then I am capable of at the very least tolerating him." Weiss primly cut some of her food. "As such, I will not be requiring your help in this matter."

… … …

"I require your help in a matter."

I looked up from the library desk and to the side, seeing the imperious face of Weiss waiting expectantly. I closed my book, predicting that work for the day was done. "And what would you ask of this humble student?"

"Don't be sassy now," Weiss growled. "You should be fortunate that I am using your favor to me for such a task, but I feel that it warrants the proper attention and preparation."

"And that is?"

"I wish to…learn the mannerisms of Qrow Branwen, so that I might better understand Winter's attraction to him and Ruby and Yang's enjoyment of his presence."

"Soo…you wanna learn about Qrow so that you can get along with Winter, Ruby and Yang better?"

"Fine, yes, just help me already!" Weiss hissed, noting the careful threshold of sound.

"Hmm…" I thought it over for a second, knowing that it was a favor that I was required to grant. But… "I'll give you the rundown on Qrow, if you tell me something in return."

"Whaa-that's not how a favor works, you imbecile!"

"True, but just think it like advance payment for future services. Sure, I can help you out with Qrow now, but with Ruby liking hanging out with us and Yang not hating me, your team will have to get used to ours or risk upsetting Ruby. And I'm sure you don't want that." I waited patiently for about ten seconds as Weiss muttered something about 'stupid puppy eyes' under her breath before I continued. "So, think of it as an advance towards helping our groups get along better."

"…How shrewd of you. And what exactly is the information you seek?"

"Tell me about your prep school days in Atlas, before all the tutoring." Weiss' eyes narrowed as she tried to guess my game, but I held firm. After about a minute, she nodded.

"Very well. Though if a single shred of that information finds its way into some ridiculous exaggerated tabloid story, I will level an entire shipment of Dust on you."

"Ha ha, such a kidder. Let's get talking about Qrow, and not on excruciatingly painful and expensive ways to kill me." Weiss took a seat my table, and I thought for a second. "Alrighty, where to start?"

"How about how he and my sister…got together, and how you apparently played a part in that."

"Way to start it off with a bang…alright, I'm not exactly sure on the how and when, but from the talks I've had with Qrow things kind of started a couple years back, after Nora, Ren and I helped resolve a little family issue of his, along with the much larger issue of a swarm of Grimm attacking a village in Mistral." I enjoyed the sight of Weiss' eyes comically widening before I continued. "Long story short, I told the man afterwards to have a chat with the people in his life, and especially the ones he wanted around and who wanted him around. Turns out, a couple years before that, I actually spoke with your sister on following on one's gut instinct at times, and how a leap of faith may be required."

"And those conversations facilitated their first meeting leading to a positive acquaintanceship, which led further once Qrow was able to acknowledge his own feelings regarding others," Weiss finished as I nodded. "Perhaps your involvement in their relationship was not as direct as I anticipated."

"Judging by the fact that I'm many years younger than either of them, I'd hope it didn't take a teenager playing matchmaker to get them together," I drawled, and Weiss cracked a hint of a smile. "In any event, what else do you need to know?"

"I am…aware of some of his faults, as an evaluator of his worth and benefit to my sister." Weiss ignored my scoff. "I suppose I am seeking to understand his positive traits that endear him to those around him, so that I may seek to outweigh the negative with the positive."

"Well, that's more subjective opinion left up to Ruby, Yang and Winter, but I can give the explanation a shot. For Ruby and Yang, he's the 'cool' relative, someone who can both flaunt tradition and regulation and yet be successful and admired by others. Some of that success and admiration is because of that flexible mindset, and some if the perseverance needed to establish oneself outside the box in the first place. Most of all, from what I've seen of him, he's fiercely loyal and devoted to those he cares for, and would do nearly anything for his dear nieces." I paused to let that soak in for Weiss, who was attempting the reconcile the image. "I imagine much of the same attributes are what draws Winter to him, though his loyalty may be replaced by love. He's also willing to listen to problems, and his solutions and opinions come with the experience of decades of hard work, and at times, suffering. The ability to make it through what he has, and still remain as whole as he is, is both a testament to the effect that the love others have for him has, as well as the fortitude he has to protect that love."

"I…suppose I didn't view things in that way, or perhaps that I didn't want to," Weiss murmured. "Thank you for the explanation. It was illuminating, and speaks to his positive attributes, as well as yours."

"Mine? Didn't you nearly chastise me five minute earlier for suggesting an equivalent exchange?"

"Hush, you! Hah, as I was saying, yes, you gave an explanation on his positive traits, but you also understand that he possesses these traits. That means that either you are intuitive and observant enough to glean his character, or that you are held in such confidence by those who do know him. And that itself is also an example of your character." Weiss fell silent, and her eyes appeared to gaze off into the distance. "You wished to know about my preparatory school experiences?"

"Yup. Causes, classes, incidents, when it all ended. The general shebang."

"…I had actually attended school in Atlas since I was five, and that continued until I was in middle school. The classes were fine, and full of rich, entitled heirs to some of the largest companies and corporations in the world." Weiss stopped to acknowledge my flat stare. "Yes, I know how that sounds coming from me, but that doesn't mean that they weren't. Still though, as the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, I was the figurehead by which most of the other children set to measure themselves."

"And when did that all end?"

Weiss turned to face me, her eyes hollow for a moment. "When the White Fang turned violent. For years beforehand, I had heard rants and tirades from my father about the arrogance and ignorance that was the Faunus advocating for their rights, something that had already caused a rift in my family. Then, five years ago, the White Fang began their new stratagem of extremism, and attacks began occurring. Still, I was allowed to attend school in order to 'build influence and connections'. But when the family friends began disappearing, the board members began getting executed, the target that was on my family's back became too prominent to ignore. And so, I was removed from the school system, and spent the remainder of my adolescence being tutored in my family's estate, eventually deciding to become a huntress."

I nodded, the narrative of events checking out with what had been described in the show, but I was searching for something a little more. "So before the White Fang turned violent, did you have negative interactions with any Faunus at your school or outside of it?" I knew exactly what kind of school Weiss had likely attended, but I was fishing at this point and feigning ignorance.

"The schools that I attended in Atlas were…biased, in the kinds of students they let in, so interactions with Faunus were few and far between. Although…" Weiss' brow furrowed. "There was a girl in my class who was revealed to be a Faunus after a mining accident where her parents died. The other students laughed at her misfortune, to which she retaliated by beating them before disappearing."

"And were you against such a display of violence by a Faunus?"

Weiss glared at me. "Do I fault an emotional teenager for punishing those who laughed at her parents' deaths? No, I do not. She was a lovely girl during the times that I spoke to her. She just happened to suffer a tragedy, and happened to be a Faunus."

I sat there mulling over her words as Weiss stood up. "Thank you for the insight into Qrow, as well as yourself. I cannot say that was a pleasant conversation at times, but it was enlightening. Good luck with your studying." As Weiss departed, I looked past my table towards another table a few rows down. Amber eyes shined back at me, and I sighed.

'Just my luck…these next few weeks are gonna suck…'

A/N: Ah, Blake…worry not, this story isn't turning into a Blake-centric fic or anything of that nature. It's just that, given the progression of events, and the fact that the majority of plot events in the first three volumes was singularly driven by Blake, it means that there will be more involvement from everyone's favorite Faunus than last volume. Now for reviews.

Gizmo Gear: Yup, that's the philosophy of Bruce Lee which Kouzai swears by.

Anzafay21: Weapon mods would be nice for Kouzai, though we'll have to see what Ruby and/or Kouzai may have planned.

AlexFalTon: Well, some distance exists between getting along and tolerating. Where Kouzai lies on that spectrum remains to be seen, but rest assured that a pairing with Yang does not appear to be in the cards. If such a thing ends up happening, it will blindside me as the writer just as much as it does you. And the distinction is likely if Salem is ever up to doing good, instead of the other way around, haha.

Blueassassin996: Fear the individual with a wealth of experience. Have nightmares of the one with all the exerperience.

-SE

Next Chapter Date: 05/25/20