Blake thumbed through the remaining pages, discovering them to be blank. After the final page fell, she closed the journal from the back cover, running a hand over the leather binding, before reclining into Markus's couch. The team had migrated to the living area during the reading, with Blake and Yang claiming the piece of furniture, while Ruby and Weiss intensely listened from the floor.

"That's it," Blake said quietly. She leaned forward and placed the journal on the coffee table. "It ends there."

Yang whistled in awe as she kicked a leg out from under herself, sitting up in the process. "Wow, sounds like he's had a few more adventures than he's led us to believe."

"I dunno," Weiss wondered aloud. "Doesn't it sound like he was taken from Camaden against his will, or is it just me?"

"What, like he was kidnapped?" Ruby asked.

"Maybe not kidnapped. More along the lines of coerced to leave."

Yang hummed in agreement. "Not only that, but there are some times in there where it does get a bit… ambiguous, especially there at the end." She leaned to reach for the journal.

"I'm more interested in his first mission," Weiss said, looking to Blake.

"You mean his foray into the Emerald Forest?"

"No, his mission to Bluff Falls."

Blake's attention had been on Weiss, but at the mention of the location, she quickly looked to the journal now in Yang's hand. "You want to know about the fighter he called the 'unadorned.'"

Weiss nodded, all eyes now on Blake. "That was you, wasn't it?"

Blake slowly drew in a breath. "It was, yes," she said, nearly a whisper. "He was the one that convinced me to come to Beacon, that there were better causes worth fighting for."

Yang gave a small chuckle. "I suppose we owe him for having you with us, then."

"Tell us more about your fight!" Ruby excitedly said. "He didn't go into much detail about it."

Blake gave her head a small shake. "There's not much else to tell. It was short and fast… though I was genuinely surprised when he used the Gambol Shroud to free his captive team."

"I'm surprised he was able to keep up with you," Weiss remarked, earning a scathing eye from Blake. "That's not what I meant! It wasn't a knock on your abilities, but an astonishment at his."

"Yeah," Yang said. "He had only been training for a year, and you've been fighting for most of your life, haven't you?"

"Believe me," Blake said, sighing, "I was just as amazed then as you are now, that a mere student could keep up with me." She closed her eyes. "There was a brief period where we traded blows that he didn't mention," she paused, running the engagement through her mind, "and now that I think on it…"

"What?" Ruby asked in anticipation.

Blake opened her eyes. "When we were fighting, I was using my Shadow Clones, but… it was like he could see right through them." Her sight went to Yang. "He never took his eyes off me."

"Weird," Yang said. "A testament to his training."

"Or maybe it's something else."

"Also," Ruby interjected, "what's so special about his blade that it requires a book to know about it?"

"As soon as I find a copy," Markus announced to the room, leaned against the doorframe, "and have the time to read it, I will let you know."

Team RWBY immediately flew to their feet. "Markus!" Ruby shouted. "I'm so sorry! Your door was open, and we thought -"

Markus held out a hand. "It's alright." He stood from the door and talked into his room. "I'm slightly annoyed that you're in here without my permission, but I suppose it is better the intruders are people I know, rather than some stranger."

The team all exhaled simultaneously. "How was your mission?" Weiss asked.

"The one from which I'm returning, or the one about which you read?" He asked, letting himself fall back into his couch between Blake and Yang. "I have no doubt you all have plenty of questions."

The girls resumed their seated positions. "How about we start with your most recent one," Yang suggested.

"It was eventful, unfortunately," Markus said, wiggling himself to a more comfortable position. "There was drama, soul searching, a firefight, roasted venison chops with mead." His hands went behind his head. "It was almost worthy of being in a storybook."

"A firefight?" Ruby inquired.

"Yes," Markus groaned. "If you would to know the specifics of it, I will cee-cee you the report I will be writing for Professor Ozpin and General Ironwood… provided you try not to share the information with anyone other than among yourselves."

Yang shrugged her shoulders. "Who would we tell?"

"Anyone," Markus quickly answered. "Everyone."

The girls laughed. "Well, our lips will be sealed," Yang said as she brought the journal front and center. "So, what more can you tell us about this?"

Markus held out a hand. "There's not much more to tell, unless you would like me to regale you in stories of how much time I've exhausted in reading."

"Oh, c'mon!" Yang edged on as she placed the journal into Markus's outstretched hand. "There's got to me more juicy details than that."

"Isn't that an extreme invasion of privacy, Yang?" Weiss interrupted. "At the beginning, Markus said that his journal was for private thoughts."

"That may be true," Markus agreed, "but high Justice Ignar also said that they were to be used for and by future generations." He used a foot to slide off a boot. "History books can tell you what happened, but they do a poor job of telling why, or convey the emotions of the participants." His other boot came off. "You were merely using it for its intended purpose, albeit its acquisition was a bit unorthodox." Markus turned to Blake. "How did you spot it, among the small library I have?"

"Something about it made it stand out against the others," Blake said. "I don't know if it was the color, or the wear, but my eyes went right to it." She gave the journal a glance. "What does it say on the front cover?"

Markus flipped the journal to its front. "It says 'Journal' in Old Atlesian."

"Called it," Weiss chimed.

Markus's Scroll buzzed twice in rapid succession. "Are you gonna answer that?" Yang asked after Markus didn't move to read it.

"I'm too exhausted to give it much of a thought," Markus said. "There's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow."

"Does that include letting your girlfriend know you're back?" a voice called from the door.

Markus turned to look over his couch to see Velvet standing in the doorway, arms folded. I need to make sure my door are closed, he thought as he stood. "Of course not," he said.

"Then why did I have to hear from Coco, who heard it from Yatsuhashi, who heard it from someone else, that you were back?" Velvet asked with mild agitation.

Markus began to move toward Velvet. "In my defense, I was no more than five steps into my quarters when I was summoned to Professor Ozpin's office for debriefing."

Velvet also began to approach. "But you had the time to meet with your friends here, yeah?"

"They were here when I was dismissed," Markus said, the two of them now inches apart. His hands moved to his hips. "It appears I'm having issues shutting doors today."

"And why should I believe that?" she asked, mirroring Markus.

Markus smiled. "Because I said it."

Two seconds of intense staring passed before Velvet's composure broke. She smiled and leaned into Markus, wrapping her arms around him. She let out a content sigh. "I missed you."

Markus pulled Velvet into him. "I missed you, too."

Team RWBY watched the rekindling before Weiss made a silent gesture to the door, indicating they should depart. "Welp," Yang said as she stood, stretching her shoulders, "I think it's high time we hit the ol' dusty trail."

Velvet pulled away from Markus, tapping on his chest with two fingers, and seeing a puff of dust escape his dogi. "Speaking of dusty…"

Markus also watched the cloud dissipate, then turned back to Velvet, who was giving him a seductive eye. "You make a compelling argument."

"Before you two do that," Yang began as her and her team moved to leave, "you have to at least promise us answers to those questions."

"I'll answer what I can," Markus assured as Velvet removed his belt, "at a later time."

Team RWBY exited Markus's room, hearing the door latch and lock behind them. "Before they do what?" Ruby innocently asked. "Laundy?"

Yang pulled Ruby's hood over her sister's head. "Of a sort."

A slumbering Velvet was brought back into the waking world with a snort, after having the most peculiar dream of bowling Beowolves with a White Fang mask. She let out a quiet groan of disappointment from being awoken, stretched, and reached out to pull Markus into her. When her hands found empty air, she cracked open an eye to see Markus was no longer sleeping beside her, the overs thrown to indicate he had roused. Velvet's head lifted from her pillow as she glanced at the alarm clock, its soft glowing display showing "02:26."

A squeaking came from the bedroom door, causing Velvet to turn her hazy vision to it. In the dim light she could see it had been left ajar. Moving air, Velvet told herself as she laid her head back down. He must be in the bathroom.

Sleep did not readily come to her, and five minutes later, Velvet sat up fully. He should have been back by now. Aside from a small oscillating fan, the bedroom was silent, telling her Markus was not in the washroom, which was on the other side of the wall. She again looked to the nightstand hold the clock, and to the spot where he typically put his Scroll, to see it was also gone. Instinctive dread filled her heart, causing her to throw off her own covers, put on her robe, and move quietly into the main living area.

Though her scotopic vision was not akin when compared to other Faunus, her ears did hear the sounds of breathing upon stepping through the door frame. The breathing was slow and methodical, and she immediately recognized Markus's meditation breathing. Velvet could then faintly discern the seated figure of Markus himself, facing out his large window, silhouetted by the reflected moonlight from the eastern mountains. A wave of relief washed over her, letting out a barely audible breath.

Through the stillness of the night, Markus heard Velvet's release, causing him to open his eyes. He quietly cleared his throat. "Did my sudden absence startle you?" he asked softly.

"It did, a little," Velvet said, walking to Markus. She seated herself beside him, facing the window. "When I saw your Scroll was gone, I feared you had been called away, after just getting back."

Markus hummed. "If I had, I would have refused to go." He put an arm around Velvet. "I may be a Huntsman of some advanced skill upon which Professor Ozpin has come to rely, but even I need sleep."

Velvet rested her head on Markus's shoulder, her ears tickling the back of his neck. "So what are you still doing out here?"

"I awoke to relieve myself when I remembered I hadn't given the proper tribute to Sister Moon. I would have earlier, but I was…" he paused, giving Velvet a squeeze, "...otherwise preoccupied."

Velvet let out a laugh, louder than she intended. "I suppose so."

Markus couldn't help but let out a small chuckle of his own. "After giving my tribute, I stayed, and meditated." He held a hand out to the window. "I don't understand why, but I have observed that the might has an undeserved reputation in the southern kingdoms. It is almost seems like it should be something to be shunned."

"Well, it is when most of us sleep," Velvet said.

Markus gave his head a slight nod. "Perhaps I am biased on it, seeing as the coming of the night was once something I celebrated."

Velvet hummed in understanding. "Something to do with balance, I assume?"

"Yes," Markus said, turning and giving Velvet's forehead a small kiss. "And speaking of balance, the Fall Equinox is quickly approaching."

She looked back to Markus. "Are the Equinox days holy day to you and your people?"

Markus opened his mouth to speak, but his words caught. "They used to be."

"Used to be?"

"Not many Camadens are as devout to the ways of balance as they once were. High Justice Ignar, however, thought it appropriate that a Justicar be a follower, so he and I were oddities among the current culture."

"Why abandon it?" Velvet asked. "It seems to bring you great peace of mind."

He shrugged. "I once asked the same to High Justice Ignar, and he said that there were many who thought the adherence to the old ways had kept Camaden from the world stage."

"I thought Camadens were paranoid of outsiders, by nature," Velvet said as she stood. She reached down to Markus. "Why would they want to be a world player?"

Markus took Velvet's hand, lifting himself up to his feet. "They young are often enticed by the technologies and stories of passing caravans, not realizing just how big the world outside of Camaden is."

Velvet's hands, still in Markus's, slid to his shoulders. "You've been out of Camaden for a while now. What do you think of the larger world?"

Markus smirked. "That has yet to be determined."

Velvet laughed. "Oh, I see." She started for the bedroom. "Still silently judging us, are you?"

He threw his arms out innocently. "I can't help being judgmental. Once upon a time, it was going to be my profession."

"You and your valid points," she said. "When and what is your first class tomorrow?"

"I have been excused from classes for today, in light of recent events."

"Good," Velvet said as she disappeared around the corner. "We can sleep in. Now, come back to bed."

Markus took one step toward his bedroom before stopping and looking to his Scroll. The title of the message he had received earlier still lingered in his mind. The RMNT Initiative? He shook his head. It can wait until after breakfast.

Markus awoke six hours later to the sound and smell of his coffee maker finishing its brewing cycle, and the feeling of Velvet nuzzled into his chest. He smiled in the morning glow and planted his lips on her head, knowing it would cause the light sleeping Velvet to wake. The effects were immediate, and as she stirred, her Faunus ears extended to their normal positions. "Nuh uh," she moaned in protest as she buried herself deeper.

Markus ran an affectionate hand down Velvet's back. "The call for coffee is strong in this one." He started to uncover himself. "I hadn't realized my dependence on -"

In an unexpected display, Velvet quickly pulled away from Markus and shoved down on his shoulder, pinning his back to the bed. A deviously playful grin same across Velvet as she climbed atop Markus, pulling the covers with her. "You are staying in this bed," she said with a sultry tone, "until I say otherwise."

Markus couldn't help but laugh at Velvet's sudden bravado. "Yes, ma'am!" he said. "From where is this?"

Velvet sighed as she laid on Markus's chest. "I started seeing this guy who I just feel comfortable being myself around." She rested her chin on his breastbone. "He's well-spoken, polite, intelligent… charming," her eyes looked away, "he's really cute, has gorgeous blonde hair, tall, fit."

Markus grinned non-stop through Velvet's description. "What's his name?" he jokingly asked.

Velvet responded by taking her pillow and lightly smothering Markus with it. She removed it and leaned in, whispering, "I don't think you would know him if I told you."

His Truthsense fired. "Is that so?" he asked as he rubbed behind his ear.

A sudden knock from the main door caused both of them to snap their attention to it. They both groaned in unison. "Will we ever get a moment's respite?" Velvet asked as she rolled off.

"I doubt it," Markus said as he rose from the bed. "I fear that keeping the peace is a constant, demanding process."

"It could at least do us the favor of keeping more convenient hours."

Markus donned a blue and green fleece robe. "I wish it would." He walked to the bedroom door before being overcome with a thought. "I am curious as to why they have only knocked once."

Velvet began to stir, taking her own robe and walking with Markus into the main living area. Upon reaching the door, she looked through the peephole. "No one's there," she quietly said, backing away.

Markus threw the latch slowly, easing the door open. He moved his head into the hall, observing it to be devoid of passerbys. He then looked down, seeing a brown box, taller than it was wide, resting at his feet. Markus picked the package up, immediately taking note of its deceiving heavier weight. He could hear the contents of a liquid sloshing from within the box.

"What is it?" Velvet asked as Markus brought the package inside.

"I'm not sure," Markus said, inspecting the box. He turned it over to reveal an envelope had been attached to the far side, with a small note adhered to the envelope itself. "'Markus,'" he began to read aloud, "'we received this last night via private courier. We didn't want to disturb you with it until this morning. Signed, Roy, Front Desk Relations.'"

Velvet eyed the package suspiciously. "Private courier? Who uses a private courier in this day?"

"Someone who wanted to get this here with discretion," Markus said, finding the sealed opening of the envelope. "Then again…"

"What are you thinking?"

Markus gave it a quick sniff, before sliding a thumb underneath the flap. "I think I already know from where this came." The envelope opened to a letter, while Velvet was quickly working on the box. She tipped the now open end onto the table, a bottle containing a golden liquid bouncing off its surface, with two folded pieces of cloth following.

Velvet took the larger cloth in her hands, unraveling it to reveal an elongated diamond made of a semi-sheer material, one half of it black, the other half while. Centered was a circle also divided into black and white, the halves occupying the space of their opposite. She unraveled the smaller, showing it to be the same. "What do you make of this?"

Markus inspected the cloth. He could only furrow his brow and shake his head as he reached for the letter. "Perhaps this could shed some light on this unexpected parcel." The letter itself was trifolded, heavier than paper, but smoother than parchment. Markus opened it, chuckling aloud as he read the first word.

"What?" Velvet asked as she attempted to see the letter.

Markus turned it around to show her. "I'll willing to wager you do not recognize this."

Velvet then saw the letter's content, discovering the words and characters to be incompressible. "What language is that?"

Markus turned the letter to himself. "It is Old Atlesian, a language that predates the formal recognition of kingdoms." He shook his head in disbelief. "I no longer have any doubt. He is of kin."

"Who?"

"Oran, in the village of Kansa." Markus brought his hand to his chin. "What is a Camaden doing so far south?"

"Perhaps it's in the letter," Velvet suggested. "What's it say?"

Markus cleared his throat.

Markus,

I hope this letter and the accompanying package find you in good health, and in good time. I apologize if my sending of the parcel via a private courier brought any undue alarm or distress to you or any persons at Beacon. I was the only way I could assure a safe delivery of its contents directly to you, for reasons you have already, or soon will, discover.

First, I congratulate you on the successful execution of your mission, even though, at the penning of this, you have only been gone for one day. However, I know you will succeed in find the people you seek, as well as the perpetrators, for even your mere arrival has bore effects. And I will forever remember that day.

The morning had been unusually cold, and I feared that, with the White Fang's recent intrusion, the spirits of my people would be dampened, and attract Grimm. Then, around the noon hour, the wind blew from the west, blowing the warm air, and the resolve of your soul, with it. I could feel my people ease, and the day seemed to progress like nothing had happened.

Then you arrived. I do not think my grandson would have led his little band against you had he not been inspired. We have had more people on the road in the last day than the entire month, faces are brimming bright with hope, and we are trading again.

You have already done more for my people than I expected, and we find ourselves, again, out of balance. So, I bestow upon you two items to bring our equilibrium back into place. First, a bottle of mead, distilled in the traditional Camaden method, for the coming winter nights. No Camaden should be without at least one bottle.

Secondly, I noticed a distinct lack of a personal emblem upon which many students express their identities. I have asked Lilac to make this piece to be attached to your dogi, and I hope you will accept it. I found it to be fitting of your Justicar status, and as a keeper of balance. Feel free to modify it to your personal desire.

May Lady Destiny continue to light your path.

Oran