Kali smiled softly to herself as she watched her husband speak with some unseen figure through a holoscreen. While yes, is was clearly a serious matter, Kali has always been intrigued at how easily Ghira could switch from a loveable oaf of a husband to the people's finest choice of a leader. It was one of the things she loved about him, to see him working so heartily doing something her loved. He dismissed the called and sighed, smiling as he caught sight of her and a more than welcome cup of coffee. She kissed his cheek and went back out, leaving him to his paperwork. Silently traversing down the stairs back to the living room-intent on relaxing after worrying so much-only to stop near the balcony.

It seemed Ms. Schnee and her partner were taking the lull in action as a chance to relax with one another, they desperately needed it. Catalaya, though she insists on being called Cat, was laying on her lap eyes closed but clearly still awake if it weren't for the twitching of her ears. Listening intently to the Altesian lullaby softly spilling from her lovers lips. Though Kali could not understand a single word even she could see that it was meant to soothe, to comfort the weary soul.

It was a sight that both made her want to smile and shed tears all the same. From what she had gathered from Blake, the two had suffered tremendously recently and were barely hanging on if not for the prescence of the other. She smiled gently as Catalaya turned and pressed a gentle kiss to the inside of Weiss' wrist. Only to recieve a grin and a soft kiss upon her forehead in return.

Leaving the two to their private moment, the cheiftains wife headed back down the stairs with a grin and a plan in her head. Perhaps Blake would like to join me.

Later

Catalaya stretched her arms above her head as she adjusted the enchanted bracers that contained her armor with a sigh. She nodded stiffly at one of the staff members roaming the Belladonna home, more mentally tired than physical. Though that wasn't all that unusual these days. She was part way to the kitchen when a familiar scent tickled her nose. She followed after it hesitantly, for all she knew it could be another illusion, a mere memory.

Only to walk into the sight of her compatriots setting up the kitchen table while chatting with huge smiles on their faces. Kali smiled when they saw them, "Was wondering when you'd come down. Come, join us!"

Catalaya blinked in confusion allowing herself to be pulled along by a grinning Ruby and then placed in a seat.

She glanced at Weiss who seemed to share her confusion at the situation.

"I know it's not much after everything you girls have done for us. Risking your lives and defending strangers, but it's the least I could do to make sure you all don't go hungry on your way home." The elder faunus placed a bunch of covered dishes before them and uncovered them with a grin.

Beneath each of them was a specially made plate of breakfast food, their favorite meals in fact. Ruby didn't waste a single moment before digging into her meal, as did Yang. Though Blake was slower to start, giving her mother a kiss on the cheek in thanks. She could hear Weiss try to protest the special treatment yet she made no effort to really listen to what was said. Because in front of her was a meal she hadn't had in ages.

Back home it was called Baletava; sunflower seed based granola, mixed with frozen strawberries, rasberries, and blueberries. Spread atop greecian yogurt and drizzled in honey. It was more of a shock to her than it really seemed possible. Gingerly she picked up her spoon and carefully portioned some before eating. She could feel Weiss' confusion at her shock as well as Kali's expectant gaze on her. She looked up, "Thank you, Mrs. Belladonna. I've not had this in a long time." The words were spoken in quiet reverence but the gratefullness was clearly felt.

Kali smiled wider than she thought possible. "It's no bother. I asked Blake what you all normally ate for breakfast and she mentioned that you normally at something similar after a fight." Catalaya nodded in confrimation but raised an eyebrow at Blake who turned away shyly.

Must've been trying to cheer me up.

You can't say it didn't work though. Jakal spoke to her softly.

True. She continued with her breakfast in moderate silence. Speaking every once in a while to offer her opinion when the conversation called for it but she was content to just be for now. Weiss ran a soothingg thumb across the top of her hand beneath the table as they spoke, though was forced to let go when the shook the Belladonna couple's hands upon leaving.

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay? We'd be happy to help with any repairs." Ruby offered only to be waved off, Ghira insisting that any further help was a waste of their talents.

The team left through the same market place Catalaya's battle had taken place. The team had known the fight was a difficult one but seeing the wreckage was another story. The multiple storefronts caved in from the impact of a body, the stands crushed and trampled on by hurried feet. The owners were looking at their wrecked stands with both sadness and acceptance. The team had been in the process of requesting a portal back to the headquarters when Ruby noticed that Catalaya had disappeared once more. Scanning the shoreline she smiled softly to herself when she noticed the shifter sneakily leaving bags of gold coin within reach of the owners. Knowing her, it was more than enough to rebuild.

The team walked calmly through the portal which let them out inside B.E.A.C.O.N headquarters main lobby. Director Ozpin had requested an immediate debrief from the team leader, Ruby, as well as a collaborative meeting between the Hunter teams. The others took this as a chance to fix up their weapons. The constant battles having dulled and in Blakes case even chipped their blades.

Weiss wandered off from her team not long after their debrief, lost in her thoughts and just barely aware of her surroundings. Without even intending to, she found herself once more in Forever Fall. Overlooking a quiet field from the apex of a large boulder gazing indifferently at the sea of crimson leaves before her.

A beast with no control. She grimaced softly.

You will spill blood. Weiss shook her head at the insipid voice.

A monster in man's skin. Weiss snarled violently, hurling a rock into the distance, vaguely registering the sound of it slamming harshly into something. "I'm not a monster. I'm not." She dug her nails into her palms, ignoring the feeking of blood flowing from the punctures.

"Maybe not now. Maybe not ever." Weiss whirled around with a glare, baring her fangs in a snarl. As from within the shadows of the trees came a cloaked man. A sickening aura wafting around his form, chipped armor around his body. The bow slung across his back wreathed in a disfiguring violet glow.

"What you become is entirely up to you." His voice was rough but hearty. As though young but sorely fatigued by life.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Weiss asked tersely, just barely restraining herself from leaping upon the newcomer.

"My name is Maelstrom," his head snapped towards her jerkily and Weiss flinched at his sparking eyes that shifted from gold to black to violet shakily.

"We need to talk."