Chapter 12: Woman in the Mirror, Part 3
Blake also spent the evening away from Beacon. Although, her departure was less of a choice, and more of an obligation. She had been hoping to avoid needing to make the trip until the following weekend, but there was no getting around it. Her position in the White Fang demanded the trip.
"These are the current disputes taking place at Beacon Academy." Blake said, sliding one stack of reports to her father. She then pulled out a second stack. "And these are the solutions the faculty have chosen to come up with. They await your approval. The headmaster made it clear he would like a favorable reply sooner rather than later."
"And what did you say to him?" Ghira asked as he sat in his armchair, stifling a yawn at the late night hour.
"I said that I'd give him your reply as soon as you had one." Blake explained, feeling somewhat confused as Ghira didn't move to look at the papers. "Why, was there something wrong with that?"
Ghira closed his eyes, a low rumble starting from the depths of his chest. Though, it wasn't a purr of happiness. It was displeasured rumbling, the sort that told Blake her father was mildly annoyed. A sideways glance from the Belladonna patriarch made Blake flinch. Obviously, it hadn't been the answer he was looking for. Her gaze dropped to the floor, unsure of what to make of his expression. She'd always known him to be stern in his opinions, fair in his actions.
That was partially why his disproval hurt so much. He reprimanded her so rarely that when he did, she knew she'd done something wrong.
"Blake, think carefully." He finally sighed as he opened his eyes to look at her. "What exactly would I know of the situation taking place at Beacon?"
Blake looked up at him, as if the answer would be found in his steady gaze. Instead, all she could do is think that she failed him. "Whatever the reports tell you, I suppose."
"Then by that logic, you suppose that the documents are enough. You assume that no further insight would be required. That's not factual, and it will never be accurate. Matters such as these should be handled by those most qualified." Each of his large palms fell over both stacks as he slid them back across the table. "I am certainly not that person."
"Aren't you, though?" Blake asked, earning a somewhat grumpy look from her exhausted father.
The man slouched forward to rest his elbows on his knees. This was a teaching moment. Yet, he couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment. He thought Blake would jump at the opportunity placed in front of her, but her timid nature had prevented that. He lifted a hand to his chin, scratching at his beard. His five-o-clock shadow was already coming in around it. A sign of a long day.
"You know what, Blake? I've always found the Faunus plight to be an interesting one." He said slowly. "On the one hand, we sometimes demand too much. On the other, if we don't beseech the right authorities, nothing gets done at all. To be honest, knowing what to do isn't always easy. Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing. So, that's what I'm going to do. Absolutely nothing."
"You're not even going to look at them?" She asked, voice soft and surprised.
"I'm not." Ghira shook his head. "Every civil dispute between Humans and Faunus have a right to be heard. Ozpin is only doing as the council demands. It is already clear to him that I will not send a reply. Not on such trivial matters."
"I see." Blake replied tiredly. She had come all the way home for nothing, and knowing that she displeased him made her feel even worse.
"Blake, see this for what it is." Ghira said softly as he reached across the divide between them. Tucking his fingers under her chin, he lifted her gaze. "These are not the sort of disputes that could lead to war. Yet, they are not the sort of disputes that should be left to fester, either."
"If you're telling me to give it to mom, I already tried." Blake said to him. "She said that she wouldn't look at them, either."
"Well, I would certainly hope not." Ghira said with a small chuckle. "Blake, you are a Faunus of the White Fang. You also have a position of reasonable power. A voice, you can choose to use. Now, on the right rests the plight of your peers, and their wishes. On the left, the faculty has offered a list of actions they're willing to take. Both sides have now reached out. The White Fang has been called upon to mediate the situation."
"You just said that you wouldn't mediate it." Blake murmured, her ears pressing down atop her head.
"You are the one attending Beacon." Ghira said, grumbling at her with a slight frown. "You are most knowledgeable of the circumstances, and thusly, you should be the one to reply."
The stack for each side was thick enough to be intimidating. Blake didn't know what she would do. "It's easy for you to say that, dad. You've been doing this for years. I wouldn't even know where to begin. You've always been the one to reply to Ozpin, not me."
"And therein rests the problem. Nothing lasts forever, kitten." Her father noted, feeling the heavy burden of parenthood fall onto his shoulders. Blake had always been something of a disobedient youth. "I won't be able to speak on behalf of Vale's Faunus forever. I need to be sure that the person I entrust can be capable of taking on the task. The same can be said for the White Fang. As it stands today, it will not last forever. It must adapt along with each generation that governs it."
"I'm busy with training to be a huntress, I can't take this on right now." Blake protested.
"You can because you must, Blake." Ghira told her, not giving an inch. "I see this as training, too. Not only as a huntress, but, also because you're my daughter." He stood then, gathering his belongings. "This is my official order. You, Blake Belladonna shall undertake sole jurisdiction over the disputes taking place at Beacon Academy. I will not lend you my ear in this regard again unless tensions have risen beyond your control. I suggest you sit there and think carefully about what you will do with your newfound authority. I haven't given it to you thoughtlessly."
With that he exited the office, leaving Blake alone with her thoughts.
Ghira only rolled his eye as his wife stood in the hallway, one ear tipped backwards in agitation.
"Ghira…" She muttered, one hand perching on her hip, while the other lifted to her face.
"Don't even start with me, Kali." The male only puffed up his chest in reply. "I have spoken."
"Yes, you certainly did manage to do that." Kali told him, her eyes rolling softly in mild exasperation. "I only worry that you've put your foot in your mouth again."
"Consider it a gift passed down from my father before me." He said as he began the path down the hall to their bedroom. His wife followed, of course. He expected nothing less of her, plenty of retorts sitting on her tongue just for him. He silenced them all with a mere look, a frown that showed his own displeasure all too well. "I didn't do it to be cruel, Kali." He said to her.
"I know that, but, I worry that Blake may not." Kali pointed out. "It certainly sounded as though you were unhappy with her."
"If so, better for it. She needs to find her backbone, and find it quickly. She's far too skittish. I didn't raise her to be timid." Ghira stated as he removed his shirt and sat down on the end of the bed to remove his shoes. "The life she seeks is not safe. If she hesitates in battle even for a moment, we may lose her one day."
"Don't be so foolish." Kali said with a soft shake of her head. "Blake has a good head on her shoulders, and friends very willing to look after her wellbeing. Most of them are even human, a feat we'd never imagined possible. If only we had been so lucky at her age."
"If my worrying is foolish, so be it. That little human of hers isn't sufficient protection." Ghira muttered between gritted teeth, though his tone lacked heat. "I refuse to bury my child, Kali. I was there for her first breath. I would sooner have her hate me, than to be notified that she's taken her last one."
"All of that hot air doesn't do you any good. You know that just as well as I do." Kali was hardly intimidated by his bluster as she also began to disrobe for the evening. "I personally think Ruby's a wonderful influence. Even if I didn't, Blake's obviously very smitten with her. I think we wouldn't be able to get in the way of it."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" He groused.
Choosing to keep Blake's personal overtures as strictly that, Kali only smiled softly. It wasn't just a phase, or a fling. Blake had found someone she was very keen about, and that someone just happened to be Ruby Rose. Kali bit her lower lip thoughtfully. She certainly hadn't gotten over the memory herself, and knew she would need to address it with Blake soon enough.
"It means that the 'little human of hers' isn't going away any time soon." Kali said with a fond roll of her eyes as she tossed her clothing into the hamper. She went in search of a nightgown, her footfalls soft along the wood floor. "Now, stop worrying so much, or you'll give yourself an ulcer."
Perhaps Kali was correct. Perhaps he did worry too much. Yet, he felt that to be the right of any parent, and if he did, he could hardly be blamed for it. He continued to disrobe, leaving his thoughts unaired as they turned about in his head. Instead, discarded his own clothing before slipping beneath the sheets in the nude.
It was far too early to exchange pleasantries as Weiss and Blake sat next to each other waiting for the first airship to Beacon to be ready for takeoff. With complimentary water and a little bit of red dust, Weiss fashioned a small flame. Two paper cups sat on top of a gravity glyph. With utmost concentration she heated the water without setting fire to the cups.
"Tea bag?" Weiss grumbled sleepily, wishing Blake had managed to find something of value.
"Half caffeine…" Blake said, her ears drooping as she pulled out the small square in question.
"Really?" Weiss grumbled.
Blake only shrugged in defeat. "It was all that the open bar had."
The first flight out, and the complementary refreshments bar had yet to be restocked. Weiss wasn't sure if it was an ill omen or just bad luck. She cursed it either way. The two exhausted women exchanged a look of disgust as Blake plopped the depressing little bag into one of the cups. It was a terrible start to an unquestionably long day. The two of them said nothing as the tea steeped in one cup before the bag was transferred to the other.
"Ugh, now that's just a sin against nature." Blake scowled, having lifted her cup to her lips. She could feel her body rebel at the horrid taste. "Who in the world drinks this swill?"
"Unless it's someone with an aversion to caffeine, probably only morons." Weiss feared the taste, but there was nothing else available. She lifted the cup to her lips, discovering it was just as disgusting as Blake had promised it would be. Her lips smacked together, looking down into the cup to search it. "It's repulsive."
The Faunus was hardly surprised. "Now do you see why I normally keep a box of teabags in my go-bag?"
"I will never question your logic in tea preparation ever again." Weiss mumbled unhappily. "To think, I didn't assume it could get worse than the bags you buy at the student store."
The loud speaker chimed, indicating the airship was now taking passengers. They stood together, making their way onto the flight, sipping their partially brewed cups of tea the entire time.
After the silence had droned on long enough, Weiss finally regarded Blake with a bit of pity. "You look like you were run over by an Ursa."
"So do you." Blake mumbled from behind her depressing cup of tea.
"Indeed." Weiss said, pulling out her scroll to check the time. It was far too early for her own liking. "What business did you have in Vale?"
"White Fang stuff." Blake grumbled softly. "You?"
"Dust experiments." Weiss yawned. A cluster of other words sat on her tongue, perching there precariously enough to be worrisome. She was sure that Yang hadn't found the time to truly speak to the other girls at length. If Yang hand, Weiss was sure she would have heard of it by now. Then again, what time did they truly have during the week?
"Weiss…"
"Yes?"
"Ruby's worried about Yang." Blake said, her voice a soft and sleepy monotone. "There's that mission coming up soon as well. Is Yang mission ready?"
"Ready or not, we need that grade." Weiss murmured, biting down on the inside of her cheek. The thought of allowing Yang on any mission concerned her. They would probably need to cancel, and that meant Yang would need to explain why. There was, however, one saving grace. "I suspect that Ruby hasn't been informed yet on just what sort of cargo we're escorting, does she?"
Blake looked over, shaking her head. "You do?"
"Of course I do. General Ironwood is the one that put in the mission request." It was truly part of the greater problem, and something that unsettled Weiss. "We're transporting some of the atlesian gifts provided to Vale on good faith. Dust infused medical supplies, military grade limbs, and upgradeable armaments. It's just part of our treaty with the kingdoms, and Winter's been tasked with seeing that it all goes to plan. It would be inhospitable of Vale not to provide escorts."
"So, your sister will be there." Blake surmised.
"Yes, and the team assigned, in this case ours, will act as the military's escorts. Most of our time will be spent on boats of course. I've heard that most of the places were visiting contain island dwellers. Patch is a stop, of course, meaning that Signal will also be on the list."
The Faunus could only sigh. "Of all the stupid things…"
"It isn't that I don't agree." Weiss murmured. "That said, I'm not one to begrudge an easy grade, especially when two of our teammates have a prosperity to fail written exams regularly."
Blake nodded, eyes slipping closed as she leaned back in her seat. The announcements for take-off began, and Weiss settled in as well. The two of them said nothing on the flight back, indulging in the peace that came with the mostly empty airship ride. Then the most glorious smell in the word touched their noses as the refreshment cart rolled on by.
Fresh coffee.
During the early morning commute back to Beacon, Weiss had come up with the perfect plan to help keep Yang out of trouble. Using her connection with Winter, Weiss had steamrolled an advantage. Priding herself on her quick thinking, she printed everything off as soon as she got to Beacon, searching for Yang with newfound excitement.
"Weiss…" Yang muttered, blindsided by a thick packet with words too large to grasp, the legal jargon far beyond simple wordplay. "What is this?"
"In short, a military document swearing you into our newest dust project." Weiss said as she tapped her finger atop the collected papers. "I've taken the liberty of filling out all the forms, I just need you to sign your name."
Yang rolled her eyes as she slammed her locker shut. "I told you, I'm not going back to Peach's class."
"It's not for Peach's class. It's to keep you out of trouble with Goodwitch." Weiss rebuked hurriedly. She looked around, making sure no one else was near by. "Yang, for obvious reasons, you can't fight as you are right now." Her blue eyes trailed down to Yang's midriff, the implication lingering between them. "You shouldn't have been fighting before, either. Now that I know the truth, there's no way I can just let you keep going to her class. We should also keep you out of Port's classes too. One pop quiz of his without your aura..." She didn't want to think about what might happen.
"It'll be fine, Weiss."
"You don't know how long your luck will last." Weiss shot back, fingers gripping the papers more tightly than before. "This is a huntsman's academy, not a finishing school. Unless you plant to just waltz right up to the faculty and tell them that you're pregnant, we can't risk it. Goodwitch or Port could call you into battle at any time."
"You said that the dust your sister found was dangerous too." Yang said then, giving her teammate a somewhat confused look. "You said it could even be deadly."
"Yes, it might be. However I have no intention to put you anywhere near it." Weiss replied with a wag of her finger and annoyed glare. "Give me more credit than that at least. There's plenty of paperwork to be sorted and clerical research to perform. You would never come into direct contact with that dust, not if I had anything to say about it."
Yang hesitantly took the thick packet in her hands. "So, if I sign this, does that mean I automatically end up as the military's lap dog?"
"No, of course not. Don't be ridiculous." Weiss muttered. "You'd be working under me, as my assistant. If anything, your ties would be closer to the SDC, than the military. Although, even that would be fairly far removed."
Yang grinned sharply, sarcasm in her tone. "So, I get to be your lackey. Sounds like fun."
"You'll be sorting my thesis research. If anything, it'll help the team's grade in Dust Theory." Weiss groused, wanting nothing more than to get that all too important signature. "Yang, this is not a way out of your problems. You still need to tell Ruby and Blake what's going on. To that end, it would look better if you told the faculty before the medical bay finds out about this."
Yang grabbed a pen and signed her name across the highlighted segments of paper. Looking down at the black ink, she watched it dry. "One last mission. Then, I'll tell the Ruby and Blake everything. Even the dirty details, if they really want them. Just, give me one last mission, first."
"What?" Weiss asked softly. "Yang, that's crazy."
"We're just going to be dropping off supplies. It won't be hard, or even very dangerous." Yang went on to say as she pulled out her scroll and pulled up the mission details. "We've walked those paths hundreds of times as kids with dad. It's basically child's play. Patch is even one of the stop offs. There's no safer mission than this mission. When was the last time we ran into Grimm on the roads?"
"It's the risk, slim as it may be, of running into Grimm that makes it a mission." Weiss said. "Why do you even want to go, anyway?"
"I might not get another chance." Yang examined her gauntlets, and the bullets that she had prepared for them. There was something calming about the weight around her wrists. A comforting sensation of loading her weapon full of bullets. Cleaned, primed, and ready for battle. "This might be the last mission I go on in my entire life. The last time I might ever get to call myself a member of this team. Please, let me just have that..."