"You want me to… what?"

Weiss bit her lip. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to explain this to her partner, but it was important that she did.

"I need you to… to do that… thing. You know, where you become… almost like a different person."

The look of confusion she got in return wasn't comforting. Weiss sighed and looked away. Not many people paid attention to them as they passed by, more focused on the ships coming in from the docks on the cliff edge.

That might also be due to the fact that Beacon was mostly empty, Amity having attracted the majority of people. Team JNPR's fight had come and gone with the winner being obvious. Pyrrha was a champion fighter, and Jaune 's excellent leadership as well as Ren and Nora's teamwork was enough to lead them to victory.

Weiss had enjoyed the fight thoroughly, and they'd even met a pair that seemed friendly enough.

They'd introduced themselves as Emerald and Mercury. Yang had mentioned something about remembering them and offering them a seat beside them during the fight.

Weiss like them at least. The silver-haired teen seemed perhaps a little overly-nice, and Emerald was particularly snarky but she found it amusing, and they were respectful towards her partner despite her age, and maybe a little bit curious of the younger girl, asking plenty of questions without being rude about.

Though she favoured Emerald in particular, if only because she seemed practically abhorrent to even the idea of Yang's puns.

That was a point in Weiss' books.

However, SSSN's fight had been next and Weiss hadn't much-vested interest in it, so had simply left. Yang and Blake had decided to stay behind if only to cheer them on, and the heiress had managed to convince Ruby to come with her for a very specific reason.

Winter was coming.

…Ruby had immediately contradicted that by saying no, it as Fall before Weiss had groaned and explained she had been referring to her sister, who would be arriving at Beacon today.

That was where they were off to now. To greet her.

Weiss was excited to see her sister. It had been almost a year, in fact she hadn't seen Winter since before she'd left for Beacon. Now that she was apart of a team (the best team in Beacon if she was to speak her personal opinion) she wanted to formally introduce her team leader and partner to Winter.

Which lead to her current predicament.

"Don't take this the wrong way Ruby," she tired. "you're a wonderful individual that I enjoy spending time with."

"Uh-huh."

"it's just that… your usually excitable and dorky self-"

"Hey!"

"might not be as endearing to my sister as it was to me."

"You hated it for weeks."

"And it is because of that you need to understand," she pressed on, choosing to ignore Ruby's constant retorts. "Winter is a professional. She's a highly trained, traditional specialist operative serving under Ironwood. She will be serious, no-nonsense."

Wiess looked Ruby up and down. "So… she might not be as… assured of your ability, being that you were moved up by two years."

"Wouldn't it just be an example of how I'm good enough to keep up with everybody else at the very least?"

"Winter told me she prefers actually proof of someone actions before she accepts them rather than the supposed merits they receive… I wasn't sure what that meant at the time."

Now though, she could understand at least a little bit of whether sister meant.

It had ironically enough been directed at Weiss herself; that her last name was not what she should base her options on, that the Schnee name didn't equate to talent or skill and that there would be people who proved themselves far more than her if she thought herself superior.

It had taken her a while to realise that, and in the beginning she had been the perfect example of it when she'd judged her teammates.

Ruby as immature and unfit to lead, Blake as a coward and a criminal or even Yang as an ignorant brute and an idiot.

She'd been so wrong about them.

And now she couldn't even picture a life without them in it.

Was that strange? Maybe she could ask Winter that.

A nudge took her out of her thoughts and she turned to an expecting Ruby.

"So?" the young leader asked. "What do you want me to do then?"

"I'm sorry?"

Ruby rolled her eyes. "You said you wanted me to do a 'thing' whatever that means. You still haven't explained exactly what that is yet."

Oh… right. Where had her mind gone that she'd forgotten what they were talking about. She shook her head. Back to the subject at hand.

"It's… it's something I've seen you do before you change how you act almost completely. You act all…" She fought for the right words but could find ones exactly describing what she meant but ultimately failed. "Smooth? You're more relaxed and mature."

"…Really?"

Weiss blinked. "Yes really, why."

"Weiss you do realise that's my-" Ruby sighed. "you know what, never mind. Fine."

And just like that before her Ruby changed.

Her entire posture shifted, becoming more relaxed, more confident as she leaned back with her shoulders loose at her side and a smirk akin to Qrow's made its way onto her face.

But it was Ruby's lower half that told Wiess what she needed to know. The placement of her feet, the tensing of her legs. Ruby was coiling like a spring, ready to leap into action at a moments notice.

Her body was prepared for threats, and although Weiss knew there would be no danger of violence, the very sight of Ruby like this gave off a… feeling.

"Is this good enough for you?"

"R-right," Weiss cleared her throat suddenly. "Yes, that's fine. "L-lets go and see her then."

The heiress led would have led the way, but at that moment, a certain ship came into their sights. It was huge, bigger than any Valean bullheads and certainly bigger than the standard Atlesian Dropships.

The distinctive four wings and banner gave it away though, and Weiss couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

It docked carefully and a ramp descended from below. On it, there were half a dozen pristine white robots she hadn't seen before wielding rifles, and beside them actual men and women in body armour.

And in the centre a women with the same white hair as her, tied up in a bun and draping across one side. The white and blue coat the signature uniform of the Atlesian Specialists and a sabre hanging from her hip.

"Winter!" she called out.

She ran over, Ruby following behind as she did so. She came up short however as Winter looked past them, to Beacon with a critical eye.

"It's been… a long time since I've been to Beacon." Her sister said. "It feels… different. I suppose that could be because of the diversity Amity has brought… like a convergence of the civilised world. Befit with its own problems most likely.

That was… one way to put it. Ruby shot a confused look towards Weiss, her white-haired partner caught the look and coughed into her hand.

"So Winter, what is it you're here for? Did you come to see the tournament?"

Winter shook her head. "That information is classified. The general has ordered me here. that is all I will say."

"O-oh. Then… how long will you be here?"

Winter narrowed her eyes at her sister in warning. "However long I am needed. My apologise Weiss but it is not something I can discuss with people Ironwood has not entrusted."

"Yeah well," Ruby scoffed light-heartedly. "I think Ironwood trusts us fine thanks."

Weiss stiffened beside her as the specialist gaze snapped to Ruby.

Her voice was icy. "And just what are you referring to?"

Ruby just shot her a smirk. Weiss had wanted her to take on the persona of Ozpin's eye. if that was the case… well, Winter was in for a shock when she realised Ruby outranked her, though she'd keep that a secret for now.

"T-this is my partner, Ruby Rose."

The older of the Schnee's didn't respond right away, eyes roaming up and down Ruby's form the reaper didn't flinch older the cold look, instead flashing a smile she knew was reminiscent of her uncles.

Winter's eyes narrowed. She recognised it.

Ruby's smirk stretched wider. She knew Qrow then? That could mean more than she let on. Had Ironwood let her into his circle? Did she know about the maidens?

Probably not, or she'd have reacted differently to Ruby… but it was still something the reaper stored away in her mind.

"Yes…" Winter groused. "I have heard about you Miss Ruby Rose. Weiss informed me of you at the beginning of the year."

"Did she now?" Ruby glanced at her partner, who flushed in embarrassment.

"I-I may have been too quick to judge in the beginning."

The younger girl raised an eyebrow. "Really? To think that my partner was writing home saying mean things about me."

"I-"

Ruby rolled her eyes and nudged the heiress gently. "I'm kidding Weiss. Even I know I was a crappy teammate in the beginning. You don't have to feel bad for saying it."

"We're better now though." Weiss rushed to assure, bother her partner and her sister. "All of us are. Ruby is an excellent leader."

"I see." Winter clearly didn't. "I will ask again since I was not given a sufficient answer last time. What do you mean General Ironwood trusts you?"

Instead of answering, Ruby simply pointed at the medal decorating her chest, flicking it once to shine in the sunlight. Winter's eyes zeroed in on it, shock clearly written on her face. They flickered to Weiss, and that shock became even more prevalent as she realised the younger Schnee donned the same.

"You didn't hear?" Ruby asked. "The General gifted these to our team as rewards for our service. Sure it's not an actual rank in the military, but he knows that we've been through and that if it has something to do with a particular former activist group we're already in deep."

"I…" Winter swallowed, forcing her features back into something more militaristic and calm. "I see. I was not made aware of this. I'm afraid I have not been able to keep myself informed with my workload piling up recently."

She looked away from Ruby. "My… apologise." It sounded like it was dragged out.

Ruby blinked. Sure she wasn't exactly being formal but what was making Weiss' sister so… hostile towards her? Had she done something wrong?

"A-anyway," Weiss coughed. "Ruby is my team leader as I've mentioned before, and I feel that with her leadership we have an excellent chance of winning the tournament."

Winter hummed. "Well… that is certainly a bout of confidence from you Weiss… now that I think about it, I do have some time before I must conduct my business with the General. Perhaps the… two of you could show me to your living space."

Weiss practically beamed. "Of course!" she caught herself. "I mean, I'm sure our teammates wouldn't mind if u showed you around, right Ruby?"

"Sure why not." The younger girl shrugged. "Unless you touch Yang's shampoo you shouldn't have too much of a problem."

Wiess laughed, though coughed when Winter sent her a questioning look.

"I-It's an inside joke, don't mind it Winter."

The specialist didn't answer, or if she was about to she was taking an uncomfortably long amount of time.

Ruby winced and decided that she should probably do her partnerly duty and taketh heat of Weiss.

"So!" she chirped as they walked. "What's it like in Atlas being a Specialist? Or being in Atlas in general, I've never been."

"It's cold." Was the response, though when she saw Ruby flinch she sighed. "Forgive me Miss Rose, I don't mean to come off as frigid. It has been a long journey."

"Oh don't worry," Ruby said. "I know how it can feel sometimes after travelling a lot."

"Do you now?"

"Oh yeah, ya see-"

Ruby was cut off by a terrible screech of metal.

…

…

Cinder took a breath.

The last few days had been too much. Salem's generals had converged in Vale and plans had been set in motion to take down Beacon.

A new, more destructive plan than anything Cinder had come up with.

A child holding his mother's hand passed her. The small one laughed and giggled as they pointed out some attraction the festival had brought.

Cinder took a breath. She'd needed to think, needed to compose her thoughts.

So she took a walk.

She'd been lucky. Even as someone definitely on the wrong side of the law no one knew her face yet. She'd not been caught, never been in a situation to be caught. The only one who knew her face, the only one who'd seen her was Ruby and Qrow.

Her hands tightened into fists as she walked a little bit faster.

Dammit, she needed to stop thinking about them!

She shook her head. She'd had everything planned out and it had all been ruined at the CCT.

Her cover had been blown and now she was forced to sit on the sidelines as Watts, Taurus and that psychotic excuse for Funus took over the reigns.

Her plan had been perfect! It yes it had been destructive but it had been targeted! Beacon had been the only target, everything else had been set up as to distract her foes. The city of Vale would have been left mostly unharmed, at least giving people enough time to evacuate it.

Now it was to be ravaged along with everything else.

Not even the Black Queen virus that she'd lost her cover for in the first place could be used, since the Breach hadn't even happened. Ironwood had called back his robotic troops, now all situated on the outskirts of the city instead. What was worse, the defences that were in use were living, breathing people. Human Atlesian soldiers, and dozens of huntsmen hired Beacons headmaster.

Cinder was not adverse to killing. She held no guilt or regret for murder. To her, even as a child the act of taking someone life had been justifiable in the name of her goals. Be that obtaining power or protecting Ruby and Qrow.

…And now she was back on them again.

She stopped in front of a store window, looking at her reflecting in it.

Yes, she was fine with taking lives for such reasons. What she detested was wastefulness. Cinder wasn't insane like Tyrion, an extremist like Adam or… whatever Watts was. She had always carefully planned out her tactics to take the path of least resistance and limit destruction.

She didn't like killing for no reason.

And now that was exactly what she was expected to do.

Heat flared in her palms, the half of the maiden power she had flaring to life. The feeling soothed her. Calmed her.

But it didn't stop the questions in her mind.

What would happen? What would happen if she had to face Ruby again?

She knew what the child was like. she was a hero. No matter what she said or thoughts Ruby would always protect the innocent, always want to fight against the evil that was Salem.

Would Cinder have to fight her? Would she have to kill her?

Could she even do that?

And for as much as the drunken bastard irritated her sometimes, Qrow was still important to her.

He was like… well, Ruby always called him Uncle but to her?

Perhaps it was something different.

And he would be there too.

Qrow was loyal to Ozpin, and would defend Beacon no matter what.

She ran a hand through her hair.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

Beacon was meant to be destroyed, the maidens powers taken, the Relic found and then she was to leave.

Leave the city intact, leave its defenders alive. Leave a spar of hope for them to rise anew. Now everything was to be destroyed… And… Ruby would be… No, she had to see this through.

"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered to herself. No answer came from her reflection, except for the glow of the maidens power.

She closed her eyes.

Her goals were everything. She would take the full powers of the maiden, nothing else mattered.

Nothing.

No one.

…

…

Winter narrowed her eyes at the sight in front of her.

The Atlesian Knights had been decimated, torn limb from limb and left twitching and discarded on the ground.

And before them, a drunken man stumbling around.

He glared at her with red eyes and spat to the side.

"Look at that, the trash of Atlas comes crawlin' into Beacon."

His voice grated on her ears but she remained calm. "Do you know what you just did? Attacking Atlas military property is a crime."

The man barked out a laugh that made her grit her teeth. "Oh that's rich, you talking about crimes. Hey, while you're at it, why don't you ask his boss why he has more men marching around in the city? Sounds to me like he's getting a little too into controlling the kingdom."

"If you haven't noticed those are men down there, not machines." Winter shot back. This… fool, had no right to berate the General. "I'd have you watch your tongue when you speak of the men and women protecting this city."

"No, you'd be pissed if I told the people what was really happening, that your boss is grabbing at power and turning his back on Ozpin, but hey you would know all about turning your back on the people for your own selfish desires right? You're a Schnee after all."

Winter's lips peeled back into a snarl as her hand flew to her sabre. "You son of a-"

She froze, though not by an attack or some physical force, but the sight of the red-caped huntress appearing beside Qrow and pulling him down by his ear!

"What are you doing?!" Ruby hissed through gritted teeth. "Stop causing a scene!"

Winter blinked, looking around. In her anger directed at Qrow, she hadn't noticed the congregation of students around them, looking on as if ready for a fight.

The drunken Huntsman let out a pained yelp as Ruby tugged at his ear again. "Ow alright!" He growled. "I'm sorry!"

The girl didn't look impressed. "Don't apologise to me," she said, dragging him before Winter and Weiss complete with yelps of pain as his ear was tugged and he stumbled. "Apologise to them for what you said."

"What?" he slurred. "Why?!"

Another tug.

"Ow okay I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Ow! I'm sorry for insulting her family!"

"Now apologise to Weiss."

"Ow! I'm sorry!"

With that Ruby let go, letting Qrow rub his ear as it burned red.

All Winter could do was stare, unsure of what to do or say.

Beside her, Weis shook her head and sighed. "How much have you been drinking Qrow?"

"Why you wanna know?" he grunted and then cried out when the heiress stamped on his toe.

"Because you're being a fucking idiot!" she hissed and Winter actually felt her jaw drop at her little sister's language.

"Indeed."

The four Huntsmen turned to Headmaster Ozpin as he watched them with an amused smile on his face. Beside him however, a not so amused Ironwood and Goodwitch stood.

"What is going on here?" the general questioned, stepping before them.

Winter straightened up and saluted. "Sir!"

He nodded, eyes scanning over the students and to Qrow. He sighed. "What are you doing here?"

The red-eyed huntsman glared back. "I could ask you the same thing Jimmy."

Winter turned to glower at him only to see both Ruby and Weiss stamp on his feet in synchrony.

Goodwitch glared at the onlookers.

"Well? What are you all staring at? If you want to see a fight Amity is open, otherwise move along." She smacked her riding crop against the palm of her hand to emphasise her point, and under the glare of Goodwitch not a single student stayed behind.

Ozpin shook his head. "Miss Rose, bring your Uncle to my office for a word."

Winter blanched. Qrow was this girls uncle!?

Ironwood turned to her. "Winter, come with me as well."

She nodded, but hesitated as she turned back to Wiess.

Her sister just shook her head. "We can talk more later. I'll be in the gardens at Beacon when you're finished."

"…Alright." She said. "I'll see you soon then." With that she followed behind Ironwood and Weiss made her way back to the school. Not exactly the reunion she'd wanted, but the sight of seeing Qrow dragged away by the collar by her… niece, improved the situation slightly.

They made their way to Beacon tower, and the eldest Schnee got into an elevator ride that might have breached her top five worst right behind everyone she'd been in with her father.

She let out a breath as the door opened. It was fine, they could discuss what just happened and-

"What the fuck was that!?" Ruby snarled, spinning around to face Qrow. Winter almost tripped at the sheer vitriol in the girl's voice.

Her Uncle looked very nervous at the sudden change in Ruby's demeanour, and Ironwood had a look of surprise on his face that said he had not expected this.

Ozpin and Glynda watched silently.

"What are you getting worked up about, I only-"

"No," she growled, shoving a finger into his chest. "Don't you dare. You know damn well the situation we're in. This festival is supposed to be about cooperation between kingdoms and you go and tear apart an Atlas robot in front of a fucking crowd!"

"I-"

"Did you even think about how that looks? In case you've forgotten. People can upload that online in seconds, I bet they already have."

She cut herself off, pacing back and forth with a growl.

Winter couldn't believe what she was seeing; this girl wasn't even old enough to rightfully be attending Beacon in the first place, and here she was reprimanding a fully fledge Huntsman. No reprimanding was too generous, she was tearing into him, and to make it even stranger all the while the others simply listened on.

She even found herself nodding along with the criticism.

Ruby ran a hand through her hair. What were you even planning to do anyway? Did you want to start a fight? Two Huntsmen-level fighters duking it out in front of students and you think it wouldn't have caused an accident? That some onlookers wouldn't get caught in the crossfire and hurt? Or worse? Did you even think about that?"

"It was-

"And don't even get me started on that comment you made in front of Weiss. You're lucky I don't ram Crescent Rose up your-"

"Miss Rose." Ozpin interrupted. "I believe Qrow has had enough."

The girl didn't look pleased, but she backed off all the same, walking past the headmaster and pressing a hand to the window.

"Things are moving," she said. "I have a feeling. The Vytal festival is going to be the main event, not just for us. We do not need Vale and Atlas seen as enemies now of all times. She's on the move… you're not just here because you're drunk Uncle Qrow. What did you find out?"

Qrow sighed, glancing at Ozpin, who gave the go-ahead.

"This… it's not good Ruby. I went deep, looking into the criminal underworld for answers about what they might be planning. I found what I was looking for, but not what I wanted."

Glynda tilted her head. "what is it? You make it sound… personal."

"That's because it is."

Winter wasn't sure what happened, but the temperature in the room dropped. Ruby turned to face her uncle very, very slowly, but the look on her face sent shivers up the specialist's spine.

It was anger, rage… and sadness.

"Schnee," Ironwood said suddenly. "This topic is sensitive… above your clearance. I need to ask you to leave."

She blinked. "S-sir?" he… couldn't be serious, could he? If this was a matter of security surely she should know. They were discussing the white Fang and their next move. What else could there possibly be? Her eyes flickered to the girl. "But what about-"

"Miss Rose is Ozpin's eye, she had the right to be here… I trust you know to keep this a secret."

She swallows. This wasn't making any sense, but what could she say? She couldn't argue with her superior, and this… whatever this way, sounded far too important for her to keep them. That only made things worse however. Why was Ruby allowed here and not her?

"…Yes Sir." It didn't matter, she'd been told to leave so she would leave. It… it wasn't all bad, she could speak to Weiss sooner because of this.

She made her way to the elevator and stepped in, the doors closing behind her.

But before they did, she heard something from Qrow that she didn't know what to make sense of.

"Cinder's the one who took Fall."

…

…

Weiss took a sip of her tea as Winter sighed. Her sister has just finished explaining how tensions were building up in Atlas. Apparently, the inhabitants of Mantel were… causing trouble for the other half.

There was even talk if a vote to separate themselves from the Atlesian government, if such a thing were possible.

It meant more work for Winter, more bureaucracy and more care with how she managed situations.

"That sounds hard," Weiss said. "You have a break from it though right? Being here I mean."

Winer shook her head. "If only. Things are… complicated. As it stands we have next to none of our automated troops stationed here… because of that we've needed to rely far more on the quality of our men. The general had to call in several specialist task forces to guard Amity."

"And you?" the heiress pressed. It might have been a bit forward of her (though she was sure Yang would be proud) but this was sort of a big deal the Headmaster had plenty of Huntsmen already stationed in the city, this whole thing just seemed… excessive.

"I will be overseeing the transfer of our manned machinery." There was a complication in Vale I believe. I saw reports that a certain Huntress team had an encounter earlier this year with it."

Weiss blinked. "The Paladin?"

"Indeed." Winter nodded. "I heard you were able to beat it. Though I wouldn't put much stock in it. It was a weaker version, a prototype. The newer versions are much more powerful."

The laugh that escaped Wiess was almost contrary. "They would need to be, Yang took it down all by herself."

Winter frowned. "Yes, well as I said, they are stronger now."

Weiss shot back a smirk. "Yes, and so is Yang, much stronger."

"…I see."

Clearly Winter did not, but that was fine with Weiss. She didn't know Yang. If Winter thought a hunk of metal would be enough to even come close to the blonde's level then she needed to reevaluate her stance.

You just couldn't beat Yang in a strength centric fight. Weiss didn't think she'd ever seen anyone who might come close to her in those terms.

The comment did give Weiss' sister the perfect opportunity to talk about one other thing however.

"That reminds me… I saw your fight earlier today."

Weiss perked up at the topic. "Really?" She asked excitedly. "What did you think?"

"I think you did well," The older Schnee smiled, nodding appreciatively. "You were coordinated, precise and aware of how to exploit your opponent's weaknesses skilfully."

Weiss felt a swell of pride at that, and her chest puffed out ever-so-slightly. Some might have said it was childish to feel so good from such a comment, but Winter wasn't one to give away praised easily. It had to be earned. If Winter said she was impressed, she was impressed.

"Thank you sister." She accepted gracefully. "Though it wasn't all of my own merit alone. Blake and Yang each did their part, without them we wouldn't have succeeded, and Rub was the one who came up with the plan in the first place.

"Yes… Ruby Rose."

Weiss paused at the tone her sister used. It was not a friendly one.

"Is there something wrong with my partner?"

Winter jumped a little at Weiss, who winced; she'd said that a far sharper than she'd meant to.

"I…" Her sister hesitated, taking a sip of her tea to mask her need to construct her thoughts. "There isn't anything wrong with Miss Rose persay but… she's a bit… I mean…"

"Yes?" Weiss pushed.

Winter took a breath, as if steeling herself for something. Weiss frowned. What could be so-

"I understand that the two of you are exploring a relationship together, and that it is not my business who you are with, but the associations Rose makes are perhaps not ideal in your situation. Again, I understand that it is your own choice, but as your sister I feel as if my must judge her worth myself."

Weiss… stared.

"…What?"

"I know, you think I'm overstepping my boundaries by as your big sister I must-"

"No, no not that!" Weiss interrupted. "What are you talking about? What is this about Ruby and I?"

Winter looked confused. "Your… relationship. The two of you are… intimate are you not?"

"W-what!?" Weiss spluttered. Oh no, the heat was already rising to her face, it burned. "No of course not! Why would you even… what!?"

"But… your letters." The specialist blinked. "there was such a drastic change from scorn to overwhelming positivity that I thought… and then with the call you made at the CCT."

"That was just me talking about my team! I had judged them too quickly and changed my mind!"

Winter frowned. "then what about today? You introduced me to her as if the two of you were close."

"We are close," Weiss snapped. "She's my partner and team leader!"

The older Schnee scrambled for words. "So… the two of you aren't… together?"

"No!" this was so embarrassing. It was too much! Weiss buried her face in her hands and groaned. Her sister had thought she was- this was ridiculous!

"The two of us could never… c-could never be like that!"

And now she was picturing it in her head!

Her cheeks were getting even hotter!

"R-Ruby is too young for that anyway, no, even more than that I've never even seen an indication that she was interested in romance."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Then why did you take her to the school dance?"

Weiss recoiled in horror. "H-how did you know about that?"

Winter rolled her eyes. "There were Atlas soldiers stationed there Weiss. When they saw you, word was guaranteed to get back to me."

"T-that doesn't mean anything." She insisted. "We j-just went as friends and had fun together, that was all."

Winter didn't look convinced but eventually she let out a long sigh. "If you say so sister. I suppose I'll have to apologise to the girl next time I see her. I feel as if I was a bit too standoffish in my defence of you."

Weiss nodded, relieved. The warmth was still burning her face but the moment had passed. Honestly, where had Winter gotten such an idea? Ruby for all her maturity was still a child, even if one day she would grow into a beaut- no, don't go there.

"I think Ruby and Weiss would be an excellent couple."

"Gah! Penny where did you come from!? Fuck Sake!"

"Weiss! We need to have a talk about you're language!"

"Or for the love of-"

"This seems fun!" Penny smiled brightly.

"Ugh!" Weiss head met the table.

...

...

Oh Winter, you have no idea what you're in for, and poor Weiss, being subjected to this torment. It can't get any worse.

Right?

Well you'll find out soon enough. You all know what's about to go down, but before it does, we've got a few more character to go around. This is probably the hardest part of Volume three; because so much happens all at once character moments are harder to squeezer in without dragging things along but I'll give it my best shot anyway.

And can we talk about Qrow's introduction? I mean, I love the guy, but how is it that he can stumbled into a school drunk, destroy military property for no reason, bad mouth a general in front of not only Atlas students, a specialists and impressionable teens, but also at a time when cooperation should be the main selling point, and then start a fight in front of said teenagers with deadly weapons.

And in the end, still become one of the fan favourites?

Is it Vic's voice? It probably is.

You're probably wondering how a *ahem* certain meeting is going to play out also considering who's still around, but it should be worth the wait.

For now, that's all I've got.

Be sure to Follow, Favourite and Review while we get closer to the big bang of the Beacon Arc.

And let me know if you liked this chapter. Or, if you hated it, let me know that too.

Bye!

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