A/N: I added a to the end of the last CH after the second line break. I was going to put it at the beginning of this CH but this one had SO MUCH CONVERSATION. I suppose it fit better anyway and also kept a more uniform chapter length.

~Red~

I wonder why Ammy was so adamant that I come to this Sunday meeting. I was already planning on coming seeing as I have nothing better to do today, but she hasn't demanded I attend the other times. I suppose it doesn't really matter as long as they are not planning on another night out. I thought as I walked into the training room they reserved, the ladies pausing their conversation to turn and see who had walked in.

"You're late," Rikku accused with metal covered hands on her hips while I crossed the room. And, being at the training room meant that each of us were wearing our combat clothes and had weapons on hand.

"You're early," I countered then figured I would try and satisfy my curiosity. "So why was coming to the meeting this time so important?"

"This is an important meeting," Ammy answered, mimicking my tone and making Rikku snicker. I just rolled my eyes and waited for a real answer. Ammy took a deep breath to steel herself and continued with clear determination. "First I want to say, I have accepted my responsibilities and want to be the leader you deserve."

Rikku jumped over to give her a quick side hug, which Ammy returned with an awkward smile, and Shiva nodded and smiled. While I decided to be more practical, "about time."

This got me a glare from Rikku and Shiva, though Ammy had a different reaction. "My apologies, I realize now that it was wrong of me to be selfish in such a way," she sounded remorseful but kept her determined look.

I simply nodded to accept her apology, in return she gave a small smile and the other two looked much less annoyed. Honestly, I was slightly impressed with Ammy, not only did she get her thoughts sorted out, but admitted and owned up to her mistakes. And thinking about it now, the other two have been much more bearable lately as well. Apparently all they needed was to see some things were outside of their normal problems. "Alright, what's next then?" I asked, moving the conversation along.

"Next, I wanted to discuss some things that I should have found out at the beginning of the semester," Ammy started. "I know by now that we have seen or experienced each other semblances and fighting styles. But, we should know them explicitly to maximize our efficiency." We nodded to agree with Rikku adding, 'makes sense.' "Then I will start, as Shiva helped me to discover, my semblance lets me manipulate black dust in a way. Is that an accurate explanation Shiva?" Ammy asked off to the side.

"Basically yes," Shiva replied thoughtfully and automatically starting to stroke a braid. "From what you told me and what I have seen, you can only use the dust inside your body, or more specifically your tail. Meaning it most likely is a unique mixture that your semblance can control. Also, you can only activate one certain aspect of the black dust per use through the pattern of your glyph, with your glyph creating the resonance to select the dust effect. But yes, it is a form of black dust that you can manipulate." After what was probably the most I've ever heard her say at one time, she turned her focus to Ammy. "If you are willing, I would like more samples to get an accurate measure of the mixture, which should answer more questions you may have."

"That would be fine, thank you Shiva," Shiva nodded in return. "That would be all the details on my semblance, would you like to go next Rikku?"

"What about your weapons?" Rikku eagerly asked.

The sudden question throwing Ammy off a little, "oh, they are nothing special. Just a straight forward sword and shield with some decoration."

"Did you name them?" Rikku's eagerness continued.

"I did not name them, but yes, they have names. The sword was named Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and the shield was named Yata-no-Kagami," she answered easily, gesturing to each as she mentioned them.

"Huh, I don't know what any of that means, but it sounds pretty." Rikku complimented with surprise, which I could understand.

"Thank you, any more questions?" Ammy asked, getting the conversation to move along.

"Nope, I'm good. So I'll go next then?" Ammy nodded for her to begin. Rikku cleared her throat loudly and started talking in an overly sweet voice. "My name is Rikku Margrace, it's a pleasure to meet you," making Shiva chuckle at her facetiousness and I snorted at the unamused glare Ammy gave Rikku. Once she got that out of her system she continued normally, well her normal at least. "My amazing weapons here are the Kaiser Knuckles," holding them up to show them off. "They each are equipped with a short sword," and a blade slid out from each from a slot in the metal at the back of her writs. "Along the outside are the machine guns," at her mention, the guns popped out from the metal along her outer arm, between the elbow and her wrist. "They use .380 ACP, FMJ rounds that are in the clips on my belt. And lastly, is the harpoons that are connected with steel wire," underneath her arms the tips of the harpoons slid out at an angle. "Pretty awesome right?" She asked with a proud smile while shoving her gauntlets in our faces.

"Yes Rikku, they are very impressive," Ammy said while gently pushing a sword out of her face. "But, I am also interested in hearing about your semblance," keeping Rikku on track.

"Well my semblance is not as interesting as my Kaiser Knuckles. I just create a bit of an electrical charge, which I mostly use just to operate my gauntlets." Rikku summarized disinterestedly and returned the various weapons to their place inside her gauntlets.

"What about the strength of the charge you can create, how long can you sustain it, and how does it or other electricity affect you?" Ammy questioned, "I also remember during the fight with the machine where you collapsed after using your semblance."

"Um, I never really measured anything, but I know it's strong enough to stun a person. Grimm are pretty much unaffected as they are usually bigger and have armor and stuff." Rikku taking her time to think and idly swinging her arms around. "I can only make a continuous charge for a few seconds before I get too tired, it doesn't hurt or anything just exhausting. As for outside electricity, I don't ever remember getting shocked by anything, but I definitely haven't tried to electrocute myself before."

"Would you be able to describe it as either AC or DC?" Shiva inquired.

"Um," Rikku had to think a moment to figure it out, "I suppose it would be DC. The electricity just does straight from me to wherever I push it to."

"Your mention of stunning people reminded me of the civilian tasers. They use converters to change the small charge of a 9 volt battery into a considerable force," Shiva thought out loud.

I was amusing to see the surprise on Rikkus' face, clearly not having known about it before, then slapping herself in the forehead but forgetting the metal covering her hands. Rubbing her head she moved closer to Shiva to excitedly grab her hand. "How are you so amazing and smart Shiva? I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that before, I think there would even be room in my gauntlets for the converters. And if it works, it would basically super charge my semblance," Rikku finished by hugging Shiva in her happiness.

"I am just glad to help," Shiva told her, looking embarrassed by the close contact.

Rikku released Shiva before continuing, "I think I'm finished now, so who wants to go next?" She asked, looking between Shiva and I, "you two probably won't take long as you don't have weapons."

"I have a weapon," Shiva corrected, surprising Rikku again.

"Well, now you have to go next," eagerly tugging on Shiva's hand.

Shiva chuckled at her, "I am pretty sure Red wanted to go next though," she teased.

Rikku spun her head around to glare, which I just waved my hand for Shiva to go. "See, he doesn't care, so it's your turn," she demanded again.

"Alright," Shiva accepted, still smiling. "I obviously favor dust, I hold my uncut crystals in the reinforced pouch on my hip and the more stable powder within the bracelets on my wrists. I exclusively carry ice dust in each due to my semblance."

But Rikku needed to interrupt, "what about your weapon," she whined.

"Patience," Shiva replied, holding up a finger and making Rikku pout. "My semblance allows me to reshape Ice. Meaning after the initial discharge of the ice dust, I can still make use of the ice created."

"Shiva," Ammy said, catching her attention, "does it only affect ice or does it extend to water as well?"

"It does extend to water, but loses its effectiveness, as my semblance only changes the shape it is useless on a fluid. With some focus I can create and hold a shape out of water for a time, however it does not have any real combat effectiveness." Ammy nodded to Shiva in understanding, then turned to Rikku who was silently begging with her puppy dog eyes. Shiva just snorted then proceeded to reach under her robe to her bottom, left ribs. Withdrawing her hand she held up the item Rikku was waiting for. It was a Kris dagger about 5 inches long with the iconic serpentine blade. The blade had a black finish that seemed to have reflective pieces in it, making the reflected light resemble stars against the black night sky. Shiva handed the blade over Rikku while she told her the details, with Rikku taking hold of it with reverence. "The dagger itself was well made by a popular manufacturer, however the important part is the paint. The blade is covered in a coating of black dust."

"Of course you would have a weapon that is more dust than metal Shiva," Rikku joked. "The coating must be a pain to maintain though."

"If I used it often the coating would have to be reapplied constantly. But, as you know I rely on my ice dust and only carry this as a reserve," drifting off a bit while she answered.

"Well it is a nice little blade, did you name it?"

"Diamond Dust," Shiva answered while twisting a bit of hair.

Rikku handed the dagger back and Shiva slipped it back into place under her clothes. "Why do you hide it under your shirt anyway?" Rikku asked sounding a little annoyed.

"My robes are too long to strap it to my thigh," Shiva replied easily.

"That's not- ugh... whatever. Red your turn," Rikku spun around to point at me.

By this point I was just kind of zoning out and the sudden finger in my face made me flinch a little. Ignoring Ammy's smirk I asked sarcastically, "you sure you're finished?"

"Yes," Rikku stated, but then looked back, "right?" Which Shiva nodded, then Rikku turned back, "yes."

I let a sigh out through my nose before starting, "alright. My semblance captures energy that I am struck with then lets me redirect it. I have to activate before I am hit though, which creates a kind of second layer around my aura that manages the energy."

"Ah, so that is how you make those explosions," Rikku realized.

"It does seem to be a rather powerful semblance," added Ammy.

It did cross my mind to just leave it at that, but my semblance's weaknesses are a bit obvious and not that important to keep hidden. "It has its drawbacks of course, like I said, I have to activate it before I get hit and have to be able to keep my focus. There also has to be a certain amount of energy, too little and it won't help. Too much and I can't control it, which can literally blow up in my face. And in top of that, it is not a perfect shield. I can still feel the hits I take if they are hard enough."

"Yet despite all that, you have relied on it the entire semester thus far," Ammy stated with a kind of muted expression. If she weren't so naive, I would have thought she was suspicious of what I said.

"Well I have had experience using it after all. It is mostly about the timing," I said, I suppose, to reassure her. Ammy nodded to show she understood, so I figured I explained well enough, "so that is the details on my semblance."

"Thank you, I appreciate all of your participation," Ammy concluded looking to each of us, Rikku replying 'no prob,' and stopping at me. "As for the rest of the time we have left here," she continued. "We should do some simple sparring, but rotate opponents until we each fight everyone at least once. And afterwards, we can exchange any constructive criticisms we notice." While pairing got settled, I mulled over Ammy's slightly strange behavior while I was describing my semblance. The best way I could describe it would be that she was concerned, even though she knows that I can use it and be fine afterwards. Even in professor Goodwitch's combat class I am in the top ten for first years, so what would she be worried about? Or maybe this is just a part of her trying to be a proper leader? Either way, I hope she doesn't start to concern herself with every little thing I do.