The three sat in silence as the bustle of the restaraunt went on around them. Velvet ducked her head down, trying to fully understand what it was that Ozpin just told her. A waitress walked by, asking "Would the young lady like anything to drink?" Dorian had turned and calmly ordered a small platter of fries. She likely knew that Velvet would not want to eat, but felt that if she simply ordered something, then they could avert the accusations of loitering.
"I--" Velvet began, but silenced herself when she came to the realization that there was nothing she had thought to say.
"I know that this is a lot to take in at once." Ozpin consoled. "Do you have any questions?"
Velvet looked around, the one question forming in her mind that came as a result of the story of the Four Maidens. "Am I--" She stopped, feeling the weight of her question stop her.
"Are you what, Velvet?" Dorian asked, leaning in on her.
Velvet took a deep breath, then let it flow from her mouth like a stream at flood tide. "Am I one of them? Am I a Maiden?"
Almost immediately, the Copper-haired boy sighed and put a hand to his face. Dorian gasped and looked back at Ozpin, who shook his head and raised a hand over the table in Velvet's direction. "No, no. I'm terribly sorry for the miscommunication."
"Velvet, honey. I'm sorry. That's not what we meant at all."
"Yes," Ozpin continued. "We are quite sure that you are not a Maiden. We have almost all of them under a close eye. Despite that, your power level, your abilities and their qualities are on the par of theirs. It's quite a peculiarity, one that could be honed to form you into one of the greatest Huntress Remnant has ever seen."
Embarrassed that she had jumped to such a conclusion, Velvet began to blush. Her eyes veered down to the table once more. She wished that she could think of a proper question that would move the attention of the table away from her, but, in her irrational state of mind, she could think of none. Instead, it was Dorian that took it upon herself to move the topic over to one that Velvet had thought of herself when she had walked in. "Well, I suppose that now is as good a time as any to introduce you to my apprentice. Velvet, this is Fox Alistair. Don't be expecting to hear much from him. He's not the talking type, are you, Fox?" All that she received as a reply was a small grunt. Fox took his eyes off of Velvet and focused on who she now knew as his teacher. His lip twitched, hardly noticable to Velvet. She was tempted to ask why he was so reclusive, but she knew that she would not get in an answer. "Make no mistake, Velvet. If there's a time when he communication is needed, he lets you know. Fox is a bit like me, and I don't just mean the tech. He prefers to stick to the shadows and only come out when he needs to. Kind of like how you have done. Gotta say, Velvet. You must have been pretty freaked out to enter such a large populace while you thought you were on the run, huh?"
Velvet quickly exchanged glances between the other three people at the table before the last snippet of Dorian's monologue fully sunk in. "What you mean, Dorian? Has something happened while I was out there?"
Dorian looked over to Ozpin, getting a nod for a reply. She turned back, taking a deep breath. "You could say that. Let's just say that we opened some people's eyes to a few things, pulled some strings upstairs, and rattled all of the right cages. We're not one to get into messes like the ones in politics, but when someone finds out just how powerful a certain Faunus is and wants nothing more than to see them dead, it's an issue we don't mind dirtying our hands with."
"What do you me--" Dorian put a hand upwards, immediately silencing Velvet.
"We weren't the only ones to find out about your abilities, Velvet. I'm sure Kandase, despite her several orders not to, filled you in on some details regarding what it is that people like us do. I'm sure that you're aware that we've tasked ourselves with dealing with some very bad people intent on doing some very bad things to good people. Well, one way or another, those people found out about you. Once they saw the kind of person you were, who you were related to, they likely saw you as a threat, as they damn well should. They wanted to silence you before you could make a sound. They found a certain Councilman and his mistress with everything to lose, and set the last few months into motion. Long story short, you were set up, Velvet."
Velvet leaned back in her chair, shocked. "But..Hansel..." She gasped, covering her mouth. Fox leaned forward before Dorian and placed a hand on her shoulder. He looked at her through his milky eyes. "The only assailant that your Hansel companion was victim to was his own greed." Almost as fast as the interaction had begun, he leaned back and crossed his arms, eyes forward.
"He's right, Velvet. Your friend was a pawn in our enemies' game, and they played to his weaknesses. You weren't at fault for what happened. He brought it upon himself. I know that this can't possibly take away the pain that you're feeling, but you deserve to know the truth about what happened."
Velvet nodded somberly, grasping the gravity of what it was that had just been revealed to her. "I see." Was all that she could manage to utter.
It was then that the waiter had brought a platter of fries and placed it down in front of Velvet. After asking if she was hungry, and receiving a reply in the negative, Velvet followed Dorian's hands as she slid it over in front of herself, furiously eating her food. Velvet thought that it was odd for Dorian to have eaten so much so quickly, but a later thought process put it into perspective. They were probably waiting a while for me to come here. It makes sense. She rationalized.
"Velvet..." Dorian began. A pained expression coming over her, she looked to Ozpin for assistance. He placed his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together.
"Miss Scarlatina, there is a reason we have told you all of this today. There is a reason why we want so desperatley for you to attend Beacon and become the greatest Huntress you can possibly be. The details of this will have to be discussed at a later time, but for now, allow me to tell you this: while we are aware of your desire to hunt the creatures of Grimm and uphold the peace of Remnant, we are offering you a choice. You may go off, pursue your studies, graduate, and achieve such goals to the best of your abilities. If you want to truly fight, however, on the frontlines of a war that will ultimatley decide the fate of the entire planet, a war that only a handful of people, aside from us, are even aware about," Ozpin paused, tipping his head downwards, his face taking on a serious expression of stone. "Then we have just the job for you. You have a choice to make, Velvet. I pray that you make the one for the good of all of the people of this world."
Velvet was shocked at the idea. She realized that this person was implicitly attempting to recruit her into a shadow war that she had only been aware of for an extremely short time. "What about my family?" She asked.
Ozpin uncoupled his hands, placing them under the table on his thighs. "A reasonable concern, yes. One we've also thought of. Velvet, doing the right thing has the unfortunate consequence of attratcting the attention of the most undesirable sort. That being the case, we are fully prepared to provide the best protection that we can give. I make no promises, but know that no corners will be cut when providing for the defense of those who are sacrificing to help us defend the kingdoms themselves."
Velvet nodded once more, her brain taking on a fuzzy feeling with the sudden loading of information upon her. She knew not what such a decision meant for her, but she knew that it was a large moral obligation for her to defend her fellow human and Fauna. Velvet knew herself well enough to know that she would never forgive herself if she were to abandon the world when it had called on her. She also couldn't help but feel the romantic sensation of being given the chance to iterally save the world. ("I'd be a liar if I were to tell you that this aspect wasn't a small part of my decision process. He managed to call on one of the main reasons behind my wanting to be a Huntress in the first place. I wanted to destroy what evils plagued the world, and Ozpin had offered me a perfect opportunity to" She told Rojo. He remained silent through all of this information, likely trying to process it as she did on that day.) After a small bit more of thinking, Velvet looked up from the table, staring directly into Ozpin's cool eyes. "OK. If you can protect my family, then I'll do it. I'll aid you in your fight."
Ozpin made no indication peratining to his reaction to Velvet's declaration. He only nodded once more, lifting his hands up to clasp the mug in front of him towards his mouth for a drink. He momentarily took his eyes off of Velvet to focus on the brim of his mug. His eyes then turned to Dorian, where they remained until she returned his gaze.
He nodded to her, and she nodded back without a beat. Afterwards, her eyes fell on Fox, to whom Dorian instructed, "Fox. Why don't you put some of that audio jamming tech to good use and make sure that no one hears what's about to be said?"
Fox nodded, quietly informing his teacher that he had already been performing such an action. "That's awesome. I taught you well. Why don't you go out and make sure that there's no one out trying to plan a little surprise party for us?" He paused, then nodded understandingly and rose, walking to the door, and exiting without a word. Velvet eyed him, unsure what it was that was at play. Because of this, she remained on her guard, not sure what to expect once more. Dorian rose herself, walking over to the counter. She whispered into the ear of the nearest cashier almost incoherently, even to Velvet's sensitive hearing.
She must have equipment against that.
The cashier pulled away, eyeing Dorian incredulously. She flipped her dark blue hair, and scoffed at whatever it was that she had been told. Dorian clutched her shirt collar and pulled her in once more, whispering more vigorously this time. The second time that the cashier pulled away, she called over a person with a bright yellow fauxhawk and dark freckles that Velvet assumed was the manager. Upon his arrival and subsequent asking of what the problem was, Velvet watched intently as Dorian repeated the same whispered phrase that she had uttered to the young cashier. The manager's eyes grew wide, his mouth forming in a defined 'O' shape, and he chastised his subordinate for not doing what the 'Huntress Woman' had asked of her. "They do so much for us, already. Why, you know what? Everything is on the house for you and your party. I won't take the Lien of such wonderful public servers. Shannon, hurry and do what she asked." The woman groaned, then raised her voice to garner the attention of the people in the restaraunt.
"Excuse me. I'm terribly sorry, but we're closing early. You need to leave." She asked with a small hesitation, likely anticipating the groans that would follow the bad news.
"What the hell for?" Called a stout, balding man eating with young blonde woman.
"Huntsman business." Dorian said, turning to face the aggressor.
"Why do we have to bend over for you Huntsmen?" All Dorian had to give for an answer was a cock of her eyebrow. "Right." He said, offering his hand to his still-seated date. She slapped his hand away, and rose herself. The woman, in a flowing blue sundress with heart patterns over it, walked out the door with the stout man waddling in tow. It didn't take long for the others in the restaruant to follow, grumbling and looking amongst each other, trying to use each other to figure out what exactly 'Huntsman business' meant. Once they were all out, the employees followed. Dorian made a promise to the manager that no harm would come to her shop, and that she'd personally pay for any damage that may have occurred.
Once he was gone, Dorian took to dimming the lights of the room. She maneuvered the switches until there was no way to view the outside world. The restaurant was almost pitch black, not affecting her vision in the slightest.
"Have a seat, Dorian. You know the procedure." Ozpin gently directed. Dorian as directed, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead.
"What's wrong, Dorian?" Velvet asked in genuine concern. Dorian waved her hand, as if to physically ward off Velvet's worry.
"Nothing, dear. The years have just taken their toll on my eyes. I can't always adjust into the dark as easily anymore. Another perk on those contacts. I'm able to see in the dark as easily as you now." she said with a snicker. Velvet politely laughed, although she didn't think it was too funny.
"All frivolity aside, we must begin. Before this, however. I do feel inclined to set you straight on one other matter, should you have come to another incorrect conclusion. Make no mistake, Velvet. My trust in you over this matter does not come lightly, nor in a naive light. You see, as I told you, your father took great care to ensure that our knowledge of you was up to date, ever since you discovered your Semblance. Despite what you may think, this did not come solely as a result of a father's pride. Rather, it was a precaution. Zandu was a great man, who understood that there may come a day when a pure-hearted warrior was required for the defense of the world. He knew that you were just the warrior we needed, and began breeding you to become a Huntress for such a task as early as he could. This is your destiny, Velvet, a destiny that has been molded by many before you. It is one that you have been brave enough to complete on your own terms. Do you understand?"
Velvet nodded. She couldn't help but feel slightly cheated by her father. Before I was even able to fight, my father had recruited me to fight in a war that I wanted no part in or even knew about to begin with. I made a choice in a matter that I never had a say in to begin with. She shook those thoughts out of her head, realizing her head had ducked under. She rose to meet Ozpin's gaze once more, who had since placed a lit candle in the center of the table, striking intimidating shadows across his face and around the room. Dorian kept a closed fist to her mouth, as if in deep thought. Velvet exchanged looks between the two of them.
Once again, Ozpin clasped his hands together. "With that out of the way, let us begin the process. Close your eyes, Velvet." Velvet reluctantly did as she was told. Ozpin continued. "Velvet Scarlatina, do you know who we are?"
A small pause. "Yes."
"Do you have a full understanding of what we are asking of you?"
Asking, he says. As if I have a choice. I don't even think I can answer this sincerely if I say 'Yes.' "No."
"We are asking you to fight alongside us, for the good of Remnant. We are asking you to be prepared to lay down your life, as your father did, to defend the people of this world against the evil forces that conspire against it."
"I'm sorry?"
"Answer this question, please. Are you prepared to lay down your life to protect the people of this world from the forces that conspire against them?"
He omitted the bit about Father. Strange. "I am."
"Are you willing to devote your life to eradicating these forces, not resting until they are dealt with?"
Velvet remained silent for a brief moment. "Yes."
"Do you fear death?" He said in a chillingly cool tone.
Velvet paused, thinking back to her bouts with suicidal thoughts. Finally, she settled with the answer that properly emulated how she felt on the subject. "I do not fear death itself, only the havoc it wreaks on the world left behind me. Death is a calm release from worldly bonds, but it is also an enemy. An enemy I can never hope to vanquish."
"Interesting." Ozpin observed. "Your father said something similar."
Velvet tensed at the mention of her father once more, hoping it would not show. To her relief, Ozpin did not comment on it, and continued. "You may open your eyes now, Velvet."
She did as she was told, her eyes quickly readjusting to the dim light. Both Ozpin and Dorian were staring at her with a superficial smile, serving only to amplify her feelings that she had just sold her soul to the God of Darkness.
"You made the right choice, Velvet." Dorian said, putting a soft hand on her shoulder.
Did I? She asked, feigning a smile.
"Miss Scarlatina, my list of wrongdoings and mistakes is several lifetimes longer than anyone else on this planet. I need you to reassure me that you will not become a part of that list."
Confused, Velvet did not immediately answer. She wondered just what it was that Ozpin meant with his description of his past mistakes. Was it hyperbole?
Velvet hesitantly shook her head in the negative.
"I need to hear you say it.
Please." She could have sworn that there was desperation in his tone.
"I won't be a mistake. I'll do my part." Velvet couldn't help but recall the similar situation in which she said nearly the same words to gain entry into the White Fang.
"Thank you. Now I have no qualms with doing what comes next."
"What comes next, Professor?"
Rather than answer, he turned his attention to Dorian. "You know what to do." She nodded and turned to Velvet.
"Give me your hand, Dear." Velvet complied, and watched as she did the same with Ozpin. His eyes began to glow the moment their hands touched, and Velvet couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation throughout her body.
Ozpin's eyes began to glow, and his head jerked back. "Let not the sanctity of this ring be broken. Allow us to banish all animosity and hated be banished to beyond the borders of our inseparable bonds. Let us be the only ones to bear the burdens of past mistakes. Let the innocent live on in blissful ignorance, with no recollection to bar them from moving forward into the future." He took a deep breath and grasped the edges of the table. Velvet moved to assist, but Dorian only held Velvet in place.
"Don't worry. Doing that just takes the wind out of him for a little while. He'll pull through in a little bit." Velvet realized she was lifted into a hunched over position over the table. She seated herself, putting a hand over her mouth as she was witness to the slow recovery process that Ozpin put himself through. After a while, he looked to Velvet once more.
"That will certainly make your attendance at Beacon a bit less troublesome."
"What will, Professor?" Velvet asked.
"Over the years, I've been able to acquire quite a few special skills. One of which is the one you saw just now. Everyone outside of our ring will have no recollection of the past few months. As far as your family and friends are concerned, you've simply been here the entire time, preparing for your studies."
Overjoyed, Velvet impulsively asked, "What about Hansel?"
Dorian choked back a small gasp, and Ozpin looked to the table. "Unfortunately," He reasoned. "Even my abilities have their limitations. I can change the memories of the past, but not the physical manifestations. I'm sorry."
Velvet curled her lip back, embarrassed that she had put too much faith into the man in front of her.
"It's quite fortunate that you made it here when you did, Velvet. Thankfully, you're able to slip into the classes at Beacon without any trouble, since the term doesn't start for another two weeks." Dorian said,making an unsubtle attempt to push Velvet's thoughts away from the blood on her hands.
"So...No one here or anywhere recalls who I am?" Velvet asked, deciding to play along with Dorian.
"You can go see for yourself, if you'd like." He offered, gesturing to the door. Without a beat of hesitation, Velvet walked out the door, the afternoon sun irritating her eyes.
She swiftly ran up to a lanky man slightly shorter than her. He was wearing a black suit with white pinstripes. His hair was jet black, slicked back with gel to show a receding hairline. In one hand was a chrome briefcase, in the other a Scroll held tightly to his ear. His eyes were plagued with bags.
Velvet ran directly in from the man, eliciting an irritated look as he reluctantly removed his Scroll from his ear. "What?" He asked in a manner that reflected his mood.
"Do you know who I am?" She asked briskly. The businessman scowled before offering a gasp, his expression brightening.
"Of course! You're the stupid girl who won't get out of my way!" He violently shoved Velvet out of his path before putting the Scroll back to his ears. "Yeah, sorry about that. Some damn kid was being an idiot. You were saying?"
Shocked that Ozpin had been able to manipulate such a large mass in such a way, she slowly reentered the restaraunt. As she walked in, she felt the eyes of both Ozpin and Dorian on her.
"Now, then. I would normally instruct you to never disclose your knowledge or your experiences of the past months, but I know that you won't be able to keep this a secret forever. All I ask is, when you find that person with whom you can trust this information with, you make sure that he's worth the risk."
Velvet nodded and agreed. Then, she didn't think there would be anyone she would ever reveal this daunting secret of hers to.
"Now that that's taken care of... " Dorian began, her sentence to be completed by Ozpin. "We can begin to make arrangements for your time at Beacon."