Almost forgot to get this out today – I was super busy in the morning and absolutely swamped at work in the evening. The weekend at the wedding was alright. Social engagements like that aren't my cup of tea, but it was nice to spend some quality time with my dad. I'm missing that vacation already, but at least this is a three day weekend.

To Heartmachine, that 'Semblance into himself' stuff was completely off the cuff. I was spitballing ideas of what he could do with his Semblance and thought 'hey, what would happen if he could change his own mass?' Considering the hell it would play on your cardiovascular system, among other things, I felt it'd be appropriate to make it a significantly risky gambit.

To AxDevilman, I for one am thoroughly disappointed with what they did with Cinder in the show – namely, nothing. She had one season where she got to be a villain lurking in plain sight, then spent the next three seasons doing nothing of note. Not to mention, we still know next to nothing about her – no idea what her past was like or how and why she came to work for Salem, etc. I was hoping to rectify some of that.

Alright, that's enough out of me. Time for sleep.

Actually, one more thing. Starting this weekend, I have plans to double my writing output. If it goes well, I may switch to a two chapter a week model within two weeks. Fingers crossed!

Chapter Thirty-One: Treacherous Waters

Cardin hadn't slept that night. Eyes closed, breathing evenly, Cardin's mind burned like an overworked CCT terminal, thoughts darting back and forth, connecting stray points of data he had on Cinder. Torchwick and the White Fang, Emerald and Mercury, Nelly's sudden appearance and behavior, Duke Orgen, the Grimmlands, letting him advance in the Vytal Festival. If she didn't mean for her pawns to kill him off in front of a live audience, did she have something else in mind? Was there some other way to kill him in a later round, or was it all misdirection? Was she even trying to kill him at all? He knew that the Aura transfer machine was her ultimate goal. It all had to tie back there, somehow.

She wanted him to go to Ozpin. That much was obvious. If she had some unknown way of recording his conversations, the moment Ozpin tipped his hand to him, it would be over. But without Ozpin, he wouldn't know her true objective. Without Ozpin, he couldn't make a plan.

Maybe he didn't have to. Ozpin couldn't help him, not while Cinder had the Dukes behind her and Ozpin's grip on the House of Commons grew weaker every day.

The Grimmlands. Junior's tidbit stuck out like a broken arm, bent backwards over what was otherwise a straightforward plan of attack. With everything else, he could at least guess why, but hiring all those bandits, just to throw them to the Grimm? He had to know more.

His ruminating mind woke him just after dawn. While his teammates slept, he slipped into his clothes and went down to breakfast. He was halfway through his eggs and bacon when Weiss walked inside with a bald, portly man with a bushy brown mustache. He had a buttoned white undershirt and gray vest, gray pants, and a tie the color of Schnee blue.

"And this is the cafeteria, and hey, that's Cardin over there! Good morning Cardin!"

Cardin quickly rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes, stood, and waved. "Morning Weiss. Who is that?"

"Oh! Cardin, this is Klein. Klein, Cardin. He's the one I told you about, the one who helped me with father."

The man looked at him with smiling yellow eyes and bowed. "My thanks to you for helping my lady. If there is anything I can do for you, you only need asked."

Weiss bounced in her high heels. "Isn't this great! I thought you said that there was no way father would send him."

Cardin chuckled. "I guess he wanted to make sure he stayed on your good side. Hey, even I can be wrong sometimes."

A brown-haired girl slunk into the cafeteria behind her. Cardin squinted, trying to figure out who it was, but they took a seat by the far wall, too far away to see clearly. He turned his attention back to Weiss. "Why don't you get breakfast and join me?"

"Oh, yes, that would be lovely! Wait right there, I'll be back."

As she ran to the breakfast line, Cardin went back to his seat. Klein sat opposite of him. His eyes flashed red, and Cardin's heart skipped a beat, imagining Yang in full-on meltdown mode.

"I'm only going to ask this once," he growled, "What are you planning to do with her?"

Cardin swallowed and cleared his throat. "You're sharper than she is." With a shrug, he said, "Nothing immediate. It would be advantageous to form good relations with the heiress of the SDC while I can. It may lead to better business deals or political favors down the road."

The anger and red left Klein's eyes, turning brown. "I hope you understand that I'll have to let her know you can't entirely be trusted."

Nodding, Cardin said, "That's probably for the best. She's too naïve as she is. She'd get eaten alive the moment she stepped into her father's chair."

One of Klein's eyebrows rose. "Is that so?"

"She won't be much of an ally if she can't hold her own in politics."

Weiss returned to the table with a cup of steaming coffee, two dainty slices of toast, and a bowl of chopped fruit. Klein smiled at her, and his eyes were back to yellow. "Is the selection of food here to your liking?"

"Well, it's got nothing on home," she said, "But it's not bad once you get used to it."

Klein chuckled. "I suppose I'll have to bring you my French toast casserole."

"You mean it! Oh Klein, I missed that so much!" Weiss pulled out her Scroll. "Hey Cardin, you mind if the three of us take a selfie? You know, for father."

"Why do a selfie when I can take the picture?" Klein asked, holding out his hand. "Go sit by your friend, and I'll get a good picture."

Weiss set down her tray and leaned up against him. One hand wrapped around his shoulders, dragging him closer. He felt himself tense up from the contact and forced himself to relax. His own hand went on Weiss' shoulder. He felt his face flush from the intimate contact and growled inwardly at himself. No distractions. Deep breath. Smile, gentle and smooth. The warm tingle receded, but Weiss' body heat radiated from her touch, leaving his shoulders and hand sweaty.

"And cheese! There, looks like a keeper!"

"May I see?" Weiss took the Scroll. "Oh wow, that's perfect! I'll send it to him right away!"

While Weiss tapped away on her Scroll, Cardin picked over his breakfast, drawing out the meal as long as possible. Weiss ate with him, drinking all the coffee before tackling the fruit and toast, though she left the food half-finished.

Cardin tried talking about the Vytal Festival, but with Weiss still sour over how her last match went, it quickly devolved into a rant against Yang and Ruby. "I mean seriously, how is four against one fair? And if I hadn't done something, that guy would've totally nailed Yang, and that would've been that."

Klein reached across the table and patted Weiss' arm. "There there, you did everything you could. Not everything works out the way you hope it will."

"But it's not fair! Of course Yang's the one that Ruby chose to move on to finals. Sure, she can punch hard, but she's short-tempered and has no strategy. Against a faster opponent, she won't be able to land a single blow."

Klein appeared at a loss for words. While Cardin could have helped him out, a little fracturing of Team RWBY would only make Yang an easier opponent. "Can you really blame Ruby? It's her older sister. She can't help but look up to her."

Oddly enough, that seemed to deflate some of Weiss' anger. "Yeah, I suppose. And it didn't help that Yang was the last one standing." She set her head on the table and groaned. "Of course Winter had to see the whole thing. I don't think I've ever been scolded that hard in my entire life."

"Wait, Winter?" Cardin asked. The name rung a bell, but he couldn't remember why.

"Yeah, my sister. She had just arrived a few days ago. Right now, she's on the Atlesian flagship, overseeing the transfer of troops to the frontier."

Winter's blue-gray eyes and silvery hair popped up in mind, and all at once, he realized the reason behind Jacques' bitterness towards military training, Winter's paranoia towards the White Fang.

"She's your sister?" The words left his mouth before he could take them back. Both Weiss and Klein stared at him in surprise.

"You met her?" Klein asked, with an edge of red in his eyes.

Grimacing to himself, Cardin said, "I met with General Ironwood yesterday. She was there."

Weiss nodded. She looked paler than usual, and her mouth tightened itself in a slight grimace. "What did you speak with him about?"

"Chess. Apparently, he's sick of losing against Ozpin and wanted a more reasonable opponent."

"Did you win?"

"Nope. I got close to forcing a stalemate, but that was it."

"I see."

Weiss' hands went to her stomach, and she doubled over. Klein vaulted over the table and shook Weiss' shoulders. "Is something the matter? An upset stomach?"

"It hurts," she groaned.

Cardin lifted her by a shoulder. "Health room's in the other building. Let's move."

Klein took the other shoulder, and together, they helped her out of the cafeteria. Weiss' steps faltered, and she nearly fell a few times. Cardin reviewed what she had ate. Bread and fruit would be difficult to poison, but a bit in the coffee would go unnoticed.

"Was there anyone in there with you?" he asked.

Weiss was half-delirious, but she heard his question. "The servants. No students."

Cardin frowned. There was an automatic coffee machine in the corner by the lunch lines. Someone would have to be standing right next to her to slip something in before she put on the lid.

Klein shot him a worried look. "Do you think someone poisoned her?"

"It would be tough. It'd take a good stealth or transport Semblance to pull it off."

Like Russell's. The thought sent a chill through his gut. He forced a weak laugh and said, "I could just be paranoid. You know how it is with politics here."

"That's why I'm worried."

The nurse was sorting medical supplies when they threw the door opened. She rushed over, clipboard in hand, the moment Klein and Cardin set Weiss on a bed.

"Symptoms?" she asked.

"Bad abdominal pain," Klein said. "It happened so suddenly."

The nurse watched where Weiss was applying pressure and bit her lip. "How's her appetite?"

"She didn't eat much," Cardin said, "Though I think that's normal."

The nurse did some poking and prodding around Weiss' midsection. After observing her groans, the nurse took out a Scroll, and called Vale Central. "Sorry," she said when she hung up. "I think it's appendicitis, though I can't rule it out with what I have. She'll need to be taken into town. Will one of you help me with the stretcher?"

"I got it," Klein said. "I am authorized to serve as her guardian on Mr. Schnee's behalf and will handle medical affairs for the time being."

"Thank you." The nurse brought out a portable stretcher and laid it out next to Weiss' bed. Cardin and Klein helped her down, while the nurse took out an ice pack for Weiss' stomach.

"Could you inform Weiss' teammates that she will be indisposed?" Klein asked.

Cardin nodded and held the door open for them. He followed them out the building and watched them board a Bullhead. As the aircraft darted towards the hospital, Cardin went back to the dorm building. He knocked on Team RWBY's door. From the other side, he heard a muffled shout of "Hey, don't you know how early it is? I haven't even had breakfast yet!"

The door swung open. Yang's hair clung wetly to her back, and all she had on was a bathrobe.

"What is it?"

"Weiss is on her way to the hospital. The nurse thinks it's appendicitis."

Yang winced. "Is she going to need us there?"

"She's got Klein. Her servant."

"Right, that guy." Yang frowned and drew away from the door. "He was here the second visitor's hours started, and Weiss wouldn't stop gushing about how good it would be to finally have a servant." She snorted and said, "Is that everything?"

"Yep. I'll leave you to get dressed."

Yang looked down at her bathrobe, blushed, and drew it closer around herself. "I just got out of the shower, okay? Not like I'm going to keep someone waiting so I can throw some clothes on."

"Bye."

As Cardin turned away, Yang grabbed him by the shoulder. "Wait. Did you hear anything about, you know?"

It took Cardin a moment to remember what she was talking about. "Nothing. I'm still keeping an eye on it."

"You better. Now get out, I'm getting changed."

After the door closed, Cardin checked his Scroll. Professor Oobleck wasn't holding office hours, but he made a habit of doing paperwork in the morning. When he knocked on the door, Oobleck called him in.

"Ah, Mr. Winchester! Congratulations on your victory yesterday. I got all fired up watching it."

"Thank you, Prof- Doctor Oobleck." Cardin pulled up a chair and folded his hands in front of him. "I was very lucky yesterday."

The professor scoffed at his words. "Luck had nothing to do with it, Cardin. You kept the secret of your weapon all through your primary education and your first year at Beacon. It's obvious you've been planning this for a long time."

Cardin shrugged it off. "I was hoping not to use it until the singles. I didn't come here to talk about the Festival anyways."

"Oh?" Oobleck took a long swallow of coffee. "And what did you want of me?"

Cardin took a deep breath, trying to phrase his question without arousing suspicion. "I've been curious about the Grimmlands. After all, it's rumored that there are incredible Dust stores on that continent. If we could establish an outpost in an easily defensible area, we could gather more intelligence on the continent's dangers and resources.

The professor sighed and went over to his bookshelves. "You aren't the first to have those thoughts. Dozens of expeditions went to the Grimmlands, along with a full-fledged colony. Most ships don't even get within sight of the coast, not with all the Feilongs, Kraken, and Leviathans lurking in those waters. Of the ones that did make it, only four had any survivors return, and none of those were unscathed."

He pulled out a book and opened it to a page with a bent corner. "The last expedition ever sent was also the one that made it the farthest. The Huntsmen of the Fifty-Second traveled seventy miles inland along a river. Their reports are nothing less than horrifying – thick black fog choking out the sunlight, vegetation that's brittle to the touch, no animals, fruits, or food of any kind to be found. Flocks of Nevermore like clouds darted through the sky, packs of Boarbatusk and Beowolves stretched as far as the eye could see. They documented record sizes of King Taijitu and Death Stalkers lurking in its many caves."

Professor Oobleck slammed the book shut. "What made them turn back, however, was the Wyvern, as it's been named. A flying Grimm the size of a mountain, capable of generating lesser Grimm and commanding them, according to the Huntsmens' accounts. It drove them back to their boats, and the Huntsmen lost half their number holding the swarms of Grimm back while the others fled to the mainland."

"So, that's it then?" Cardin asked. "Nobody else has tried to go there since?"

"They'd have to be mad to try." Oobleck scratched at his hair. "Well, Ozpin had been trying for years to organize another expedition, and I can't help but agree with his logic. We know far too little about the Grimm, and it's likely that the lost continent holds the key to their origins."

Cardin leaned back with a queasy feeling in his stomach. "I take it no one's tried to establish an outpost there?"

"Far too many Grimm, and that Wyvern is too great a threat. All of Atlas' fleet could go up against that monster and not leave a scratch."

Cardin racked his brain for other reasons to send a ship over there. But as Oobleck said, there were sea Grimm lurking in the waters of the Grimmlands. It took a full team of professional Huntsmen just to keep them at bay. Unless Cinder had serious connections in Mistral, it was unlikely she had a military force that could get to the continent. Oobleck had left him more questions with answers, and he felt his heart sink lower.

The professor adjusted his glasses. "You seem awfully curious about the Grimmlands all of the sudden. Might I ask what brought this on?"

"Academic curiosity. I'm sure you understand the feeling."

He smiled. "You never struck me as the type."

"Thank you for the information," Cardin said, rising from the chair. "I better get ready for the singles tomorrow."

"I'm sure you'll do Beacon proud."

Cardin listened at the door for a few minutes, but all he heard was the rustling of pages, no tell-tale clicks of a Scroll or talking to Ozpin. When footsteps came down the hall, Cardin straightened and quietly walked away.

As he walked outside, he caught sight of Emerald pushing around a wheelchair. He veered away from her, walking through the grass to get back to his dorm, but she caught sight of him, spoke to the person in the wheelchair, and went after him. With a grimace, Cardin stepped onto the sidewalk and slowed for her to catch up.

"Hey," Mercury said. "Nice work yesterday."

Cardin turned around. Mercury's damaged leg was removed, leaving him with two stumps wrapped in gauze.

"How's the legs?" Cardin asked.

Mercury wriggled the stumps up and down. "Hurts like a bitch, but the doc's have me snorting painkillers through a funnel."

Cardin winced. "The neural link was damaged?"

"Yeah, you fucked them both up. Luckily, the guy who installed these flew in this morning. He'll get them fixed up the moment he's ready."

Emerald shot Mercury a warning glare, but he didn't seem to notice. Cardin did, and filed it away to look into later.

"And in the meantime, you have Emerald wheeling you around."

Mercury laughed. "It's a miracle she hasn't dumped me into the fountain yet."

Emerald smiled and said through gritted teeth, "Keep up the smart-ass comments, and I'll head straight there."

"Which is why it's probably better for both of us if you let Cardin take over. You wouldn't want to get in trouble for dumping a helpless cripple out of his wheelchair, would you?"

Emerald shoved him forward, fast enough to make the wheels rattle, but Mercury hit the brakes and the wheelchair squealed to a stop. He looked back and grinned.

"He's your problem now," Emerald said as she walked past Cardin and left for the transfer dorms."

Cardin took the plastic grips of the wheelchairs. "So, what now?"

"Let's go somewhere."

"What do you mean?"

"Get lunch, I guess. I don't know."

Cardin checked the time. "It's not even ten yet."

"Breakfast?"

"I just ate." He looked down at the back of Mercury's head. "What's this about?"

"Look, let's just go somewhere and talk, alright?"

There were students walking all around them, but none paid any mind to Cardin and Mercury.

"Somewhere we won't be overheard?" Cardin asked.

Mercury craned his head and nodded.

"There's one place I know we will have some time alone. I'm not sure you'd want to go there."

"Please tell me it's not a bar."

"Well, it's more of a nightclub. You've seen it before."

Mercury sagged in his wheelchair. "Would they even be open this early?"

"They'll be open for me."

Cardin stood still and waited for Mercury to speak up. The plastic arms of the wheelchair creaked and groaned as Mercury clenched and unclenched his hands. The air tossed his hair back and forth. After a long minute, Mercury took a deep breath. "Screw it, there won't be anyone there, right? Let's do this."

The Bullhead pilot helped him load Mercury and his wheelchair in and out of the Bullhead. Between the long walk and the weight of the wheelchair, Cardin was sweating once they made it to Junior's. The streets were even dirtier than the last time he visited, and there were fewer cleaners picking up the trash.

"Shit," Mercury said as they passed a corpse. "Never thought I'd see that in a city like Vale."

"That's what happens when you cram thousands of people into a city for a month. This Festival can't be over soon enough."

"Hear hear."

Cardin stopped outside the doors to Junior's. It was still early enough that Junior's goons haven't started preparations for that night.

"Last chance," Cardin said.

"After you pushed me all the way here?" He turned back and gave Cardin a cocky grin. "As fun as it would be to hear you puff and wheeze pushing my fat ass back to the Bullhead, I'd rather not waste our time."

"Please, you're two legs lighter."

"Which makes it even more embarrassing that you're winded."

Cardin chuckled and pushed him towards the doors. Cardin thumped the door twice. After a moment, a hung-over Miltia opened the door a crack and peered into the sunlight with tired red eyes.

"The hell do you want?" she murmured.

"A table, if Junior doesn't mind. I've got an important acquaintance I'd like to speak with in private."

Miltia groaned and closed the door. A moment later, a goon ushered him inside. Mercury's hands trembled as a second goon took the wheelchair. He looked down between his knees and nervously licked his lips.

Junior's men brought them past the dance floors, past the tables that lined the walls, through a door in the back. A long, narrow hall was lined on both sides with numerous small rooms. A goon opened the door to the nearest one, and after Cardin and Mercury clambered onto the red cushioned booth, the door closed with an audible schlick of a soundproof seal. A light clicked on overhead, bathing the booth in a gentle red glow.

"Wow," Mercury said, bouncing on the cushions. "You really get the red-carpet treatment here."

"Considering I'm his only big customer these days, it's no surprise."

A rap came from the door. Cardin slid aside the eye slit and saw Junior's face. He unlocked the door. Junior set a glass on the table and raised a glass of whiskey to pour. Mercury recoiled from the bottle as though it were a burning stick of dynamite. Cardin held his hand under the bottle's neck.

"Not today, Junior. I'll stick with seltzer and lime."

One of Junior's eyebrows rose, but he took the bottle away. Mercury cleared his throat and said in a shaky voice, "Cola, no ice. And no alcohol, got it?"

Junior rolled his eyes and nodded. Once the door was closed again, Cardin said, "Let me know if you have to leave."

"No. No, it's fine. I – I just need a minute." Mercury sank into the chair and gripped the glass table.

"Don't break that," Cardin said as Mercury's knuckles went white.

"Sorry. I just – it's something I'll have to get used to, right? I mean, I'll be having more meetings in places like this with clients." With a nervous laugh, Mercury added, "Cinder chewed me out for not following you and the blonde chick in here that one time."

"Eh, we didn't talk about anything important anyways." Another knock came at the door, Junior with their drinks. He set the drinks down and left with a bow. Cardin took a sip and felt his face pucker up at the bitterness.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Cardin asked.

Mercury looked down at his drink and swirled the straw around. Without any ice, it floated up until it nearly fell out of the glass. "I know you've been trying to buddy up to me."

Cardin shrugged. "I've never tried to hide it."

"Why? You think I'll switch sides just because we talked a bit?"

"Not at all." Cardin took another sip and braced himself for the acidity. This time, he was able to keep a straight face. "Cinder suspects you, doesn't she?"

"Well yeah, of course she does. That's why I'd like you to stop."

"And you think that coming here with me, alone, wouldn't rouse her suspicions further? After all, Junior's back rooms disable all electronics in them. Even if you were recording this conversation, your Scroll lost power the moment you scooted into your seat."

Mercury's fingers froze around the straw. He checked his Scroll and looked up with anger in his eyes.

"You set me up, didn't you?"

"Welcome to politics." Cardin leaned forward, pushing his drink aside. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

Mercury pushed himself towards the door. "Simple. Leave and never talk to you again."

"She'll just assume we've devised some means of passing messages that she can't intercept. Besides, it's not as though she needs you, does she? After all, Team CMEN is done."

Mercury looked away. "It's not like that was all I was for."

"Then why is she threatening you?"

Sipping on his soda, Mercury didn't answer him.

"Look, assassins rarely last long in Vale. Either their contract goes wrong, or they were set up from the start. The best ones, the ones that get to retire, know when they need to bail on a contract. This is one of those."

Mercury laughed into his soda. "Do you have any idea how dangerous Cinder is?"

"All the more reason to run. She could easily have you killed once you've played your part."

"If I ran, I'd be dead within a day." Mercury shook his head. "You don't have a clue. You think you know, but trust me, you don't. Don't bother trying to fight her. She'll only make you suffer for it."

Cardin's hands tightened into fists under the table. "Thanks for the advice," he said wryly. "Should we head back now?"

"Yes, let's."

On the way out, he stopped by Junior's counter. He fished around in his pockets for lien cards, but he had spent them all last time.

"Sorry Junior, I'm out. I'll swing by the bank and pay you this afternoon."

Junior waved him away. "It was just soda. On the house."

Cardin smiled and thanked him. A short walk and a Bullhead trip later, they were back at Beacon. Emerald was waiting at the Bullhead terminal and took Mercury the moment they arrived. Mercury didn't say a word as he was wheeled back to Cinder's room.

On his way back to his room, he nearly ran into Yang. She was carrying an empty glass to the cafeteria.

"Oh, hey Cardin. Weiss just got back. It was her appendix after all."

"I see. Mind if I check up on her?"

Yang nodded towards the open door. Cardin walked past her and found Blake and Ruby standing around Weiss' bed. She stared blankly up at the ceiling. When they saw him, Ruby looked away while Blake glowered at him.

"Just seeing how she is," Cardin said. He went up to the bed for a closer look. Her eyes didn't twitch as he entered her field of view.

"She's still out of it," Ruby said. With a grimace, she added, "Aura blockers."

Cardin winced, remembering his own surgery. Still, the timing was bugging him. Right after they moved on to finals, Weiss went ill. Now Yang would be their finalist. He felt a shudder run down his spine.