My speech is next week. Today, I alternated between writing White Sheep and what I'm going to be saying, lol. Here's to hoping I don't get up there and start talking about fanfiction when I'm meant to be going on about process control systems in the food and drink industry.

Which, of course, I know just about nothing about. "But he's an Editor for a big food and drink business magazine. He must be an expert!"

Yes, on journalism – not what I'm writing about. That's like suggesting a newspaper journalist is an expert on tax evasion, murder and whatever else he or she has to write about for that morning's news.

xD

Still, life will start to return to normal the week after next. Thank God!

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 84

"The Haven students are nervous."

"Are they?" Qrow asked, voice thick with sarcasm. "I wonder why. You don't think it's the huge freaking dragon parked in their front garden, do you? The dragon currently-" Qrow looked, and then sighed. "Which is currently laid flat on its back being petted by Ruby and Nora."

"Your uncle has a flair for making obvious statements," Weiss said to Yang.

"Yeah. I know. Dad calls him Captain Obvious."

"Not to intervene," Winter said, "But even I must agree with Qrow on this. I realise that you have some control over the dragon, Weiss, but not everyone will realise this. How long do you expect it will take before huntsmen and armed mobs from Mistral arrive?"

Weiss glanced at her sister, "Is that your way of telling us to hurry up?"

"If that is the only solution, yes. I don't think you'll be able to talk your way out of this."

"A mob is only as smart as its least intelligent member," Qrow agreed. "They'll shoot first, burn the bodies, salt the ground, sacrifice a goat and then ask what the hell happened afterwards."

Weiss sighed, accepting their wisdom. No matter which way she looked at it, time wasn't on their side. They might have stopped the battle at Haven, but Mistral was close enough that an alarm must have been raised, if not for them then for the White Fang. The Haven students were content to watch and wait for now, and Ruby and Nora playing with the Dragon probably helped on that front – keeping them calm – but it wouldn't last. Giving Leonardo Lionheart to them with an explanation of what he'd done would buy them more time, but sooner or later someone would ask the question on what to do about the Grimm Dragon and the three half-Grimm humans.

Jaune, at least, was content to stand at the back and let everyone else do the talking. He knew people would instinctively distrust him, hence why he'd made her his official spokesperson of a sort. Weiss would have normally considered that beneath her, but since he was technically Grimm Royalty, that sort of made her the Prince's Right Hand, didn't it?

That was an interesting thought.

"Whatever you decide, decide it quick," Winter said. "Meanwhile, I ought to start figuring out what excuse I'm going to give father and General Ironwood."

Weiss didn't envy her sister that. "Good luck, Winter."

"I can't believe you're saying that to me of all people. Good luck, Weiss. You're the one who will need it more with the path you have ahead." Winter paused to eye Jaune, perhaps wondering whether she could trust the man with her sister. In the end, and to Weiss' relief, Winter nodded and marched back to her troops.

"You Schnee and your little word games," Qrow laughed. "Would it have broken the icy exterior too much to give her sister a hug?"

"You, of all people, criticise our sibling bonds?" Weiss snarked. "Yours tried to kill you."

Qrow winced. "Ouch. Yeah, you have me there."

"Don't worry, Uncle Qrow," Yang said. "We all know Raven's a bitch. We need to decide what we're going to do, though. And like Weiss' sister said, we need to decide it fast. Jaune, can you grab Ruby and Nora while I get the others?"

"Sure thing."

It didn't take long to bring everyone together, mostly because given the nervous looks they were receiving, no one had strayed too far. They gathered under the shadow of Kevin, trusting the dragon's bulk and sharp teeth to convince any eavesdroppers to reconsider their options. The two teams, along with Sun and Ilia, Qrow and Jaune's sisters met, though Sapphire remained slightly to one side, arms crossed.

"Winter says we have to get out of here quick," Weiss recounted for the benefit of those who hadn't heard. "Otherwise, we'll have people coming from Mistral with torches and pitchforks." Or huntsman equivalent. "I'm inclined to agree with her."

"Well, we're done here, aren't we?" Nora asked. "We only agreed to come here so that everyone could meet up. Now that we're back together, we can head to the Grimmlands."

"Could Kevin fly us?" Ruby asked.

Jaune nodded. "Sure."

"Wait, if this was your plan all along, then why didn't you just all fly to the Grimmlands straight from Beacon?" Qrow asked.

"A couple of reasons," Jaune said. "For one, we agreed we had to split up to rescue Ren from Menagerie. And we wanted to go as a group. Safety in numbers. Secondly, I'd just come out as being Jaune Salem Arc and there were some doubts in trusting me to take Ruby and Nora alone to meet my mother. And thirdly, we'd have been shot down out of the sky instantly by Vale or Atlas, whereas we can fly across the ocean from Mistral. And that's assuming you didn't do something to try and stop us."

"Ruby wouldn't fight you, so if you tried to stop us it would have just been me and Jaune," Nora explained. "Not good odds. Better to wait until it's the eight of us again, or ten, and we could afford to fight you off if you tried."

"Right." Qrow nodded. "I guess that makes sense. So, that's your plan, fly to the Grimmlands, rescue your missing team member and then… what? You can't think it's a case of flying back and living happily ever after." He gestured to the people nearby. "You've been seen. I'd bet my liver your faces and names will be spread across Remnant by tomorrow morning. You'd be locked up the second you came back."

"Yeah, this wasn't quite as subtle as we'd intended it," Jaune said. Weiss and Ruby snorted, clearly amused. "But it's not like you left us a choice, mister gropes-a-lot."

"Hey!"

"Okay, okay, enough." Yang strode between Qrow and Jaune before it could come to blows. "Mistakes were made, we've all been seen and now we're on a clock. We get it. Blaming each other isn't going to help." She grinned when the two backed down, chastised. "Uncle Qrow, I know you're loyal to Ozpin and everything, but can we count on you to help…?"

Qrow ran a hand through his hair, clearly distressed. "Yeah, I guess. I mean… I don't like it, but Summer would have my head if I went against you and Ruby, and you've both clearly made up your minds."

"What do you think Ozpin will do?" Ren asked.

"Hard to tell. I may have been his most trusted agent, but that doesn't mean he told me anything. He might still go after the Relics. Hard to say how he'll get Raven on board with that, though."

"Is there a chance he'll try and stop us?"

"I doubt he can stop you getting to the Grimmlands, not with what he has available. But he might be able to set something up to stop you getting back. Or making life difficult if you do. Like I said, people aren't going to look favourably on you working alongside the Grimm. What is the end goal, anyway? What's the ultimate plan you have in mind?"

Weiss looked to Jaune, who took a deep breath and answered. "World peace."

Qrow waited for the punchline. When it was clear one wasn't coming, he sighed. "Well, you don't do things halfway, do you? Right. Peace. You're saying peace between humans and Grimm, I guess. Do you think that's honestly possible? I'm not nay-saying you," Qrow said, holding a hand up. "I'm asking you, if the stars align, is this theoretically possible?"

"Yes. It absolutely is. The Grimm… Salem can create them, as can I and my family. Our position as Grimm Royalty isn't for show. We can control all Grimm in the world if we need to. It'll take time, but we can pass orders on. If peace was declared, we could make it so Grimm won't kill humans. Or we can make it so they won't hunt humans. They'd still fight in self-defence."

"Alright. That means it's possible. The bigger problem will be convincing everyone to go along with it."

"Mom doesn't care much about destroying the world anymore," Jaune said. "I know it sounds silly, but she's mellowed out. I can't even remember the last time she bothered to kill something. It helps that she's married to a human, too."

"Yeah, but I don't even think she's the biggest problem, kid."

"It's everyone else," Sun realised. "Because with the Grimm you just need to convince one person, while on the other side, you'll have to make hundreds of thousands of other people understand and accept that everything they've ever known is wrong."

"Which will be harder considering the history of huntsmen, and with Ozpin working in the background while we're gone," Blake added.

"There might even be some people who don't want things to change because it could mean a loss of revenue," Weiss said. When she received some disgusted looks, she explained, "I'm not talking about the SDC. We sell more dust for power than weaponry, and I think my father would jump at the chance to not have to pay armed security to defend against Grimm attacks. But think of huntsman academies, weapon manufacturers or all the people who would lose jobs if the Grimm stopped being aggressive. Entire economies might collapse."

"Still better than people dying," Ruby argued.

"I don't disagree, but not everyone will see it that way. Look how hard it's been convincing people to treat faunus equally. Now imagine it's the Grimm." Weiss was convinced she'd gotten her point across when everyone grimaced. "I'm not saying it's impossible or that we shouldn't try. I just want everyone to know what to expect."

This was not going to be easy. Apart from Ozpin, there was Ironwood and other huntsmen, and anyone who had ever lost someone important to the Grimm, who would be clamouring for vengeance against Salem even if she did agree to turn peaceful. Many would see her as a mass murder trying to escape justice by turning a new leaf.

That the Grimm could not, and probably should not, be tried for human crimes didn't really matter. If she could reason and talk, people would want her to face justice. No one would care that huntsmen had technically been doing the same to her, trying to kill her for hundreds of years.

"I still have to try," Jaune said, shaking his head. "I know the odds are against this, but nothing will change if this continues. Ozpin will keep trying to kill Mom, and Mom will try to kill Ozpin in turn. Meanwhile, people like us will be caught up in the violence. I don't want to have to pick between my family and my friends."

"Well, I'm in," Ruby said, sticking a hand in. "I don't care if it's unlikely or not. I'll try."

"I'm already half-Grimm myself," Yang said. "And I'd like to see a world where my son isn't considered a parasite to be killed." She stuck Yin in, and he echoed her sentiment with a ripple of black skin.

Nora looked to Ren, who nodded once. "Ren and I are in," she said. "And Blakey too, right?"

"Sure," Blake said. "You helped me with my problems. It's only fair."

"Great! Blakey's harem is in, too," Nora said.

"Oi!"

"Hey!"

Ilia and Sun glared at one another, though it was Ilia who spoke first, "You can't just make those kinds of assumptions. Or relegate us to being a part of a harem."

"Does that mean you're not coming?" Nora asked.

"O-Of course I am! I can't leave Blake alone with someone like him." Ilia glared at Sun.

"And I'll come along because it's the right thing to do," Sun said, "Not because of some ulterior motives. This is saving the world. It's a big deal." Sun ruined his motives somewhat by glancing at Blake from the corner of one eye, practically waiting for her praise.

Blake sighed and ran a hand down her face.

"Well, that's official," Weiss teased, smiling behind her hand. "I already said I'd go to save Pyrrha. I am the team leader, after all. Besides that, you'll need someone to act as a diplomat, and as the heiress to the SDC, I'm uniquely qualified." She shot Jaune a look. "Though I wouldn't say no to a salary once this is all sorted out. My services don't come cheap."

"We can work something out," Jaune said.

"I wouldn't say no to a dragon of my own."

"Is that so you can intimidate people you don't like into never questioning you?"

Weiss hesitated to answer. What could she say? Convincing people to do what you wanted had been easier with Kevin behind her. Not even father would argue if she asked him nicely to introduce better working conditions for faunus. Not if her words came accompanied with the promise of fiery death.

"Maybe."

Jaune sighed. "I'll see what I can do…"

"I, for one, will be staying here," Sapphire said, speaking up for the first time. "I've little interest in this doomed endeavour, but I won't stop you trying."

"What will you do, sis?" Jaune asked.

"I shall continue my search for Ozpin. Uncle Hazel has been helping."

"He has? I've not seen him anywhere."

"I think he wanted to avoid what he called `inevitable insanity`." Sapphire paused. "Huh. The old man was right after all. Curse him. Either way, I'll be hunting down Ozpin to bring him back to mother. I assume you have no issue with that?"

It would be helpful if she managed it. Weis shrugged, and the others made various sounds of agreement.

"Does this mean you've forgiven Uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked.

"Ha! Not even slightly."

"But you're willing to let him leave without trying to kill him?"

"Of course. After all, I thought up a far worse fate for the foolish human." Sapphire grinned when Qrow took a step back, half hiding behind Coral. "And better still, you will help me put him through it."

Yang snorted. "I doubt that."

"You wish to travel to the Grimmlands to save your friend and entreat with mother. Jaune can help you reach it, but he won't help you talk with her. Nor find your friend. Mom isn't human, after all. She can mimic it, but her mind works on an entirely different scale. She won't return your friend to you and will instead use her as a bargaining tool to get what she wants."

Weiss hummed. "And what is it she wants?"

"Likely Jaune and all of you to stay there as her guests. Honoured guests, but essentially prisoners. Mom knows as well as Branwen does that true peace is almost impossible. She wouldn't risk one of her children on such a fool's errand, and in the interests of protecting his happiness, she would protect all of you as well. Against your will if necessary."

"That… does sound like something Mom would do," Jaune sighed.

"Over-protective much?" Blake said.

"When every human and faunus in the world nominally wants you and your kin dead, such methods are more caution than protectiveness," Sapphire remarked.

"I guess that makes sense," Ren said. "And how does Mr Branwen help us with this, then? And how does this tie into your revenge?"

"Because," Sapphire said, smiling cruelly, "I would grant him a fate worse than death. And you need a way to distract Salem. Enough so that her gaze will be so focused that she fails to notice the ten of you sneaking directly into her tower."

Qrow, slowly realising where this was going, tried to slip away. Coral caught him with a tentacle, while Weiss, Ruby and Yang boxed him in, preventing any escape. Qrow whimpered. "I-Isn't it a little early for this?" he pleaded. "W-We should at least go on a couple of dates first."

"It's to help save the world, Uncle Qrow."

"I'm starting to think the world can burn."

"Nope."

"B-But-"

Ruby's smile only grew. "Nope."

"It's time to meet the parents, Uncle Qrow," Yang said, clamping a hand on his shoulder. "If I have to do it, you're coming with me."

/-/

Cinder and Tyrian watched Kevin flap his mighty wings a few times, generating the lift required to move so massive a bulk. Many of the Haven students took pictures and videos on their scroll, and Cinder knew news of this would spread. The only fortunate thing was that they were so focused on the scene before them that no one had bothered to question the two of them.

"We should warn Salem," Cinder said. "If she knows how many will come, she can better prepare for their arrival. If needs be, with an ambush."

"We should," Tyrian agreed. The tone of his voice clued Cinder in to there being a problem. She eyed the faunus, who didn't quite return her gaze.

"What?"

"N-Nothing."

"What did you do, Tyrian?"

"I did nothing!"

"Then what is the problem with us contacting Salem? We can use the encrypted channels in the Bullhead we used to get here."

Tyrian's feet shuffled on the floor.

"Where is the Bullhead, Tyrian?"

"Well, that's a funny story. Do you remember how you saw the Spring Maiden and jumped out to fight her?"

"Yes," Cinder said carefully.

"Well, I thought to myself – Tyrian, you esteemed and loyal servant of the Goddess, how bad would it look if poor, little Cinder got herself hurt, lost the Fall Maiden's powers and our Goddess had to train up another young woman to go find them? Terrible. Absolutely terrible."

"Tyrian…"

"So, being the strong, dependable and loyal servant that I am, leapt out of the Bullhead to assist my loyal companion and long-time friend."

"Tyrian, we have never been friends."

"Ah!" Tyrian gasped and placed a hand on his heart. "That wounds me!"

"Where is the Bullhead, Tyrian?"

"Somewhere in the forest…"

Cinder glared at him.

"Wherever it crashed after I jumped out…" Tyrian smiled wildly. "Um. Whoops?"

"You just stranded us in Mistral…" Cinder's teeth began to grind together. "What the hell are we supposed to do now?"

"Settle down and raise a family?"

Tyrian's screams hit a high note when Cinder drove her knee directly into his crotch.

/-/

Jaune smiled, taking some small enjoyment in the way Yang and Ruby cheered as they flew through the air, their hair being whipped back by the strong winds. Kevin stayed at a reasonable height, enough so that the air pressure hadn't dropped and made breathing difficult. A fall, while dangerous, wouldn't prove fatal for a huntsman or huntress, but Kevin had numerous spines and scales along his back they could grip onto and even lean on. From a distance, his skin looked smooth, but up close it was anything but.

He did feel a little sorry for Qrow. A sacrifice was necessary to keep his mother distracted, though, and it couldn't be himself because he needed to guide the others through the twisting halls of the tower. Besides, if he showed his face then Salem would know something was up. She would look to see if any others had come back with him and quickly capture them.

But if Coral returned with Qrow, there would be no such suspicion. It was just Coral being Coral, heading off, finding a guy she liked and bringing him home to introduce to mom. All Qrow had to do was play it cool.

Well, as cool as he could. He needed to buy them time.

Once they found Pyrrha and got her back with them, Salem would have no pawns to barter with. She'd have to listen. From there…? Well, if he were being honest he'd say he had no idea how to convince his mother to consider peace, but there had to be something he could do.

"No plan survives contact with the enemy," Remy said. "I don't think the saying is intended as a suggestion you go in with no plan whatsoever."

"I don't hear any ideas from you."

"For good reason. She has every reason to say no and no reason to say yes."

"We have to try. And like Sun said, convincing Mom will be easier than convincing everyone else. If we can get her on board, she can do something to prove peace is possible." Like, for instance, a parade of Nevermore forming the shape of a love heart, or something. It would be ridiculous, but it would at least let people know there was someone controlling the Grimm, and that there was therefore a way to entreat with such a person and make a deal.

Jaune didn't hold any hope it would be easy. Weiss had pointed out as much and she was always the clever one in the team. There would be some people who simply didn't want to be convinced. Then again, not everyone had to be. Just those in power, and enough of the public that there wouldn't be any problems.

Surely, past all those eager for blood, there would be those who longed for peace and stability? Not everyone wanted an eternal war. He had to believe that.

"You have something in mind. I can tell."

"I do. But I'll keep it to myself for now. I'm not sure if it'll help or make things worse."

"Hm. I'll wait in anticipation, then."

"You look nervous." Yang crept along Kevin's back, one hand gripped onto one of his scales as she slotted herself down next to him. He'd chosen a spot between two scales, where he had something resembling a bony, uncomfortable backrest. "I'm hoping it's not motion sickness, or I'll throw you off the side myself."

"Ha. No. Actually, I don't feel sick at all."

"Probably because you're too nervous to feel sick."

"Yeah." Jaune sighed, and when Yang nudged his ribs with her elbow, explained, "I guess it's just hard to go home, and even harder to bring you all with me."

"Afraid we'll be hurt?"

"No, at least not physically. I wasn't exaggerating when I said Mom is protective. She loves us, but she sees all of humanity as a threat to us. It won't be the same with you since you're my friends, but she would absolutely want to lock me up and throw away the key. You too, considering…" Jaune nodded to her arm.

"And you're worried she won't listen to a word you say."

"Yeah."

"Parents can be like that," Yang said, leaning back beside him. Their shoulders touched. "Dad's pretty chill, but he wasn't always, especially not after mom died. There was a time where he wouldn't so much as let us out his sight. The thought of us becoming huntresses like mom? That didn't sit well with him."

"How did you convince him?"

"We didn't."

"What?"

"We argued constantly. Loads of fighting. Nasty words. Uncle Qrow trying to step in to fight our side. Ruby looking like her world was coming down around her ears. It was bad," she admitted. "Real bad. I said some pretty awful stuff and there were tears and screaming all around."

"Ah…" Jaune's face fell. "But your father seemed fine with you when I met him."

"He is."

"Then what changed?"

"Nothing." Yang laughed at Jaune's confused expression. "That's the thing about families. Shit happens. I don't think there's a family on Remnant that hasn't fought like that at least once in their life. We screamed, we ranted, we cried, and then we got over it and hugged things out. Thing is, you can only really get that angry with people you care about. Raven is my real mother and I can barely raise the energy to be pissed at her, but I could tell Dad I hated his guts over the stupidest things." She giggled. "Sometimes it was just him telling me off for not cleaning my bedroom and banning me from having a friend over as a result."

"I've never had that," Jaune admitted.

"Yeah, I can tell. Thing is, your mom obviously didn't have anything to base that on. From what you've told us, she went from genocidal dictator to stay-at-home mom with barely anything to work with. She's done her best, and by the looks of it did a good job, but she might not even have or remember any parents of her own to base how she should act on. Dad got protective over us and wanted to lock us away, and your Mom is doing the same. They're not so different in the end. The only thing is, Dad realised he had to let us make our own decisions to be happy, and your mother hasn't. Not yet."

"You're saying I need to fight her, then."

"Not fight. Just… tell her how you feel. Be honest with her." Yang nudged his elbow with hers. "The last time you disagreed, you ran away from home. I'm glad, since it let us meet and all, but that's not really the best way to confront the issues between you both. You just ran away from them."

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"Don't feel bad," she said. "We're off to correct that right now."

That was true. In more ways than one. Salem wasn't perfect but given what she'd had to work with when she became a mother – no experience, nor any other mothers to help or offer advice – she'd done the best she could. Maybe Yang was right. Maybe it was their responsibility as children to help Salem learn, too. Running away and making her worry really hadn't been the right way to handle things, even if looking back he was sure she'd have never let him go otherwise.

Either way, Jaune wasn't looking forward to what was bound to be an explosive reunion.

"Is that the Grimmlands!?" Ruby called, hanging precariously off the side of Kevin's shoulder blade, acting for all the world like there was no conceivable way she could fall off. Ahead of them, a large landmass began to appear, across which no human buildings could be seen. No ports, no towns and nothing but the craggy, sharp rocks that pierced up from the ground, and the flocks of what looked like birds that circled them.

That said birds could be seen from so great a distance spoke to their actual size. Jaune doubted the others realised that, but they would. What Salem had unleashed on Remnant was but a sample of what she was truly capable of. Grimm like Kevin made for a prime example.

"Yeah," Jaune said, standing. "That's the Grimmlands. That's home."

The Prince had finally returned.

/-/

"And news just in from Mistral, Kevin – and this one is a bit of a doozy," Lisa Lavender chirped. "Because it turns out that a recent attack on Haven was initiated by combined forces of the White Fang, and a local bandit tribe known for attacks on defenceless villages. This terrible act mimics what occurred in Beacon only weeks earlier, and at a time when people are already feeling nervous. While I'm afraid we don't have anyone on the scene, we will be bringing you news as-"

Lisa suddenly froze, one hand reaching up to her ear. "Wait a moment, ladies and gentlemen. We have an update and-" Her face twisted. "Is this…? Are you certain? You a- wait, pictures? I… well, yes, I guess. Um. Okay, but if this goes badly it's not my career which craters."

With a cough and a professional smile, Lisa turned back to the camera, acting for all the world like the argument with her producer had never happened, let alone live on air.

"Well, we've had a bit of an update. Information has come in directly from Mistral, including image sources and video that show that the White Fang attack has been foiled, ladies and gentlemen. That's right. Haven has not fallen. The attack, which saw fighting between Haven students, Grimm, White Fang and even SDC Agents sent on a business trip, was foiled by – and I am quoting this as I receive it, viewers – more White Fang, a group of teenagers and a Dragon."

An image appeared behind and to the side of Lisa, which appeared to show a zoomed-out image of a giant creature, and then a smaller, cropped image, which captured perfectly the figure of Weiss Schnee, unimpressed and with arms crossed, standing before said dragon.

"Reports indicate that Weiss Schnee was able to broker a ceasefire between the various factions while commanding what appears to be a thirty-metre tall Grimm Dragon which analysts have already confirmed as the same Dragon that attacked Beacon. However, I am receiving reports right now that the Dragon confirmed no kills at Beacon other than the invading White Fang."

"So," Lisa's co-commentator said, looking only a little frazzled. "Have the White Fang crossed a line so deep even the Grimm are offended? Is the world ending? How have you been affected? Have you irritated the SDC recently, and what will you be doing now that their legal team includes a Grimm Dragon? Feel free to send your comments in directly to our usual address, online or by scroll."

"And already we have some comments, Kevin," Lisa read off. "One here from Haven who claims to have been involved in the attack who says; `I was close enough to see and hear some of what happened, and it's clear to me that the dragon followed Weiss Schnee's commands. As a student of Haven, I'm concerned what this means, and whether she'll be allowed to use it in any future Vytal Festivals.` What do you think, Kevin?"

"Well, Lisa, I'm not certain on the rules, but I imagine there'll be some discussion there. On the other hand, I know who I'll be betting on. Another here from Carol, Atlas, who says, `I think it's unfair that it's one rule for one type of person and another for those who are better off. I forever wanted a pet and my father wouldn't get me so much as a kitten. Yet Weiss Schnee gets a thirty-metre dragon. How is that fair?` Well, Carol, I'm not sure it is, but at the same time, I wouldn't want to question Miss Schnee or her pet on the matter."

"Me neither, Kevin. Me neither. We've tried to reach Jacques Schnee of the SDC for comment, but our calls are not being answered at this time. We'll have a quick break for the weather and then we'll be coming back with an exotic animal expert for his view on the matter. In the meantime, all hail Weiss Schnee, we apologise for the three-star rating we gave your last concert, please spare us unworthy mortals."

"All hail," Kevin agreed. "And now, the weather."

"Thank you, Lisa and Kevin," a dark-skinned woman said, "And I'm pleased to say that there won't be any dragons casting shade over vale today, Weiss Schnee's mercy permitting, as we're looking forward to some very sunny weather. Meanwhile, on the weekend…"

/-/

Jacques Schnee stared at the television screen, glass raised to his lips but drink spilling out, staining his expensive shirt and pooling in his lap. His scroll buzzed angrily on his desk, Ironwood's face and name appearing on the screen.

Slowly, and with a blank expression, Jacques reached over, picked it up, opened a drawer and hid it inside, closing it shut and muffling the noise. He stood and dusted his shirt down, drank the rest of his brandy and turned to a nearby maid.

"Please hold all my calls. If anyone asks, I'm busy in a meeting."

"For how long, sir?"

"However long it takes for Remnant to start making sense." So saying, Jacques walked over to the drinks cabinet and took a bottle of his strongest whiskey and two glasses. He barely made it to the door before Whitley burst inside.

"Father, father!"

"Not now, Whitley. I'm going to spend some quality time with your mother."

"W-What? B-But the news. And Weiss." Whitley pouted. "And why don't I have a dragon? But since when do you spend time with mother? In your own words, she's nothing but a fool who drinks to escape reality."

"Exactly," Jacques said, hoisting the two glasses. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"

I can't wait to be free of this expo. I'll have more time to plan, the ability to write longer chapters again, no stupid co-speakers and chairs calling me at ridiculous hours because they're unsure what to say and want me to go through the concept for the fifth time. Ah. It will be delightful. I'll also be at a hotel for much of next week, so update times – while not affected in terms of the date – might still be awkward. I.e. the usual hour I update on might be a little out of whack.

I'll be dragged out to dinners with clients, an award ceremony on one night, and a few other after-show drinking parties with other exhibitors. It's inevitable when you have hundreds of people stuck at hotels for a multi-day event. I imagine it's the same with conventions for anime and the like, too.

Except presumably more fun than a machinery, packaging and processing event.

Next Chapter: 27th September

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur