Knight and Dragon

by obsidian dreamer

A missed step and a moments' reflection leads to steel drawn and fire flaring; atop the shattered castle pawn faces queen, newfound resolve wrestles manifest destiny and past brutally collides with present - does their part in the great game end here? As the cold ash settles can there be any chance of a future, for any of them? Oneshot(?).

8. Chapter 8 - Talking it Out

Chapter 8 – Talking it Out

A/N: This took me far too long but one reason for this is that I set myself a challenge this chapter – as you'll read below, the whole chapter is nothing but speech and the odd sound effect. I've always wanted to check if it's possible to have several spoken scenes represented in an entirely verbal format, so if you could once you've read this chapter please let me know if it read okay and/or if you'd like to see more or similar chapters like this in the future. As always, happy for feedback and hope you like this latest chapter.

XXX

"Why'd you make those bedroom doors only open outwards?"

"Just in case anyone had to get in in an emergency, and don't you start – I've had Yang and Rubaby yakking for years to try and change it but it's not easy."

"Neither was holding it in that long – if Zwei hadn't got you up when he did…"

"You'd have been doing your own laundry, and anyway if you're looking to be a Hunter get used to holding it in, especially if one of your team's a sniper or scout."

"Lucky for me they're not and luckier for your flowerbeds you got me out just before I started aiming out the window. Anyway, enough of that, need to talk to you about the blonde Ursa in the room."

"Yang huh – given how close she was to ripping your hide off yesterday I'd have thought you'd wanted to let that sleeping bear lie, though just remember that is my daughter you're talking about."

"Don't I know it? Anyway, first to admit I'm not an expert in any of this but given what's gone on so far I think the best thing we can do is stop her dwelling on what happened – it's going to hurt, especially because Yang's not really lost before far as I know, or at least, not like this."

"Combat was always her forte; academics on the other hand..."

"Another dizzy blonde eh – guess she had to get it from somewhere. Anyway, back on track what I'm going to try and do is keep her out of her room – I know she was close to her team and partner so losing them is probably hitting her as much as her wound, especially because Ruby said Blake dragged her out and then disappeared."

"Not the first time from what I've heard; what I wouldn't give to get my hands on that…"

"Enough, Blake is not the issue here; she's a factor but not the main cause. I know she and Ruby have different mothers; I don't want to know the full story but I imagine it's left a mark that what happened at Beacon's just built on, not to mention what happened with the tournament and her bout there. Does she know about that at all?"

"No, or at least I've not brought it up; we both had more important things to deal with."

"I get that – I reminded her yesterday that she's got a lot of people in her corner. Has she got any friends on Patch?"

"One or two at least but she won't want to see them now, not as she is."

"Not yet but that's something we can build towards; for now though, as long as you agree, I think we ought to keep her in some kind of rhythm, not letting her wallow but giving her time to breathe if you catch my drift?"

"I think so, though to be honest it feels like I should be doing this and you should be keeping your head down."

"That's the problem Mr Long; to Yang, you're dad. She knows what you're like and how you act so if you start acting different she's going to think you're trying to coddle her."

"Which isn't true but I see what you mean, sort of a good-Brother, bad-Brother thing?"

"Almost; basically you act like you normally would to both of us but try, when you can, to give me a bit of top-cover. I'm going to stretch her a bit, get on her nerves to make sure she doesn't fall into a pit – long story short we're going to clash, like, a lot. I'm not going to blatantly be the bad guy but I might need some back-up and Yang's going to need a dad, both to bitch about me and tell her how it is."

"Story of my life, and hers come to think of it. I'll, do my best Jaune – I'll admit I've been a long way from perfect, I should have done more for my girls growing up but, but I didn't."

"You don't have to be perfect Mr Long, none of us do – just as well or they'd have scraped me off the Emerald Forest floor with a spoon at graduation."

"Still got those launchpads eh? Hah, the classic never die."

"No but I nearly did, and I hate flying; anyway apart from Yang let me know if you need anything – I'm not the best but I've got two hands and a working brain near enough, so if you need to take it easy for a bit and just talk to her tell me what you need doing and go ahead."

"Thanks Jaune, I'll probably take you up on that offer sometime – so, what's your plan?"

"Sunday today so we all get it off, though if possible let's get Yang out in the garden and the fresh air, staying indoors might start her fermenting again. Tomorrow's when I'm going to start needing your help."

"Starting early huh? What with?"

"Well…"

XXX

"Morning!"
"Wurgh?"

"Yeah I know, it's a beautiful day…"

"Mnngl?"

"…so hands off, er, whatever you've got down there and on with socks! Breakfast in twenty, be quick or be hungry."

"Umph, wha….? Jaune?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out or you'll owe me a new one."

"Wha, what time… oh you have got to be shi-"

"Shining like the sun, assuming he hasn't jumped on a ship back to Vacuo yet."

"Urgh, what the Hell, it's half-seven!"

"I know right? We, my team this is, we're usually up at half-six to make sure we got some training in and were first in line for breakfast but we thought you could have a lie-in."

"Lie-in… are you fuc-"

"Not with you I'm not; nothing against you of course but your dad would fold me like a napkin if I tried, assuming you didn't do it first."

"Wha…? Are you…, no, no I am not doing this. I'm going back to sleep, get out."

"You'll miss breakfast."

"My heart bleeds."

"Most important meal of the day?"

"Bugger off then bugger yourself – I mean it Vomit-Boy get the hell out of my room."

"Wow, hiding under the covers, real mature. Okay, fine, you brought this on yourself; hem-hem-hem, it's mooorning, it's mooorning, it's moooorning, it's moooorning…"

"Rrraggh! Stop bloody singing!"

"Never… well, actually now you're up no need to continue. Get dressed, a dressing gown will do, and we'll see you downstairs – how do you like your bacon?"

"Tenderised, same way I'll leave your face if you're not gone in the next five seconds!"

"Fine, fine, just don't make me come back here or you'll get a full renditioooonI'mleaving!"

XXX

"Okay that was… not what I was expecting."

"Believe me Mr Long nobody expects the Valhalla Chorus, and more to the point no-one ever sleeps through it either."

"Call me Tai and the Valhalla what? Who dreamt up that insult to music?"

"Now that's just mean – if Nora heard that she'd either cry or take a swing at your kneecaps. Nora Valkyrie, one of my team, five-foot-nothing of crazy and explosions, though to be fair we need her to balance out Ren – if Nora's not around we've tried everything short of fire Dust to get him going in the morning and nothing's worked yet."

"Huh, sounds like a prank waiting to happen. You okay over there?"

"Yeah, your toaster seems a lot friendlier than Beacons – take your eye off one of them for a second and it'll come out black. Nearly done with the frying, and keep the door propped up."

"Letting the smell go up?"

"More like giving me a warning if she comes down out for blood."

"Well get your running shoes on, I'd recognise that stomping anywhere. Good mor…"

"It is not a good morning dad; did you hear what that idiot was doing earlier, in my room!"

"Uh, well, kind of… Jaune what did you do?"

"You want an encore? Hem-hem…

"Pull that crap again and I will drag you to the Grey Cliffs, chuck you into the sea and laugh as you drown!"

"Yang! Language!"

"What?! But he…"

"He woke you up and got you out of bed, that's not worth a death penalty. Now sit down, I'm about to dish up."

"Humph, fine, I'm eating this and going back to bed."

"You are not."

"What? Dad…"

"Don't 'dad' me, you were in there most of yesterday and pretty much all day before, let the room air out. Stripping your bed means we'd get it washed later, though if you could run a duster around there as well it'd help."

"Urgh, really? That'll take me all morning…"

"Sounds good; fancy helping out in the garden this afternoon?"

"Depends; are you digging your grave out there Vomit Boy?"

"I, uh, I hope not…"

"Then no; dad, I'm just – oh, thanks."

"Eat first, we can discuss everything else later."

"Fine."

XXX

"Hey, Tai, look what I found."

"Hah, where'd you pull that from?"

"Back of the shed there – it's an old sun lounger isn't it?"

"Somewhere under all the muck yeah."

"Where's Yang?"

"Inside I think, why where are you…?"

"Hey, Yang – you can stop that, I know you can hear me – oh very mature but you can only cover one of your ears. Oh, that got your attention – listen, get outside, we found something for you."

"You're walking a line Jaune."

"I know, catch me if I fall over it?"

"Maybe; hello Firecracker, look what we dug out the back of the shed. It still folds out if you want to stay outside?"

"Yeah, if I wanted to wake up eaten by spiders – what crypt did you exhume that relic from?"

"No idea but it was under some old Dustmas decorations if that helps – anyway, nothing a bit of spit and polish can't solve and there's plenty of rags in there."

"Right… okay fine, nothing on TV anyway. Where are those rags and VB you'll have to get underneath, I can't reach down there."

"Sure, long as you fill the watering can occasionally; if your dad and I can get these beds sown and watered in today I can head back into Patch tomorrow."

"What's so great about the village – planning to move out?"

"That desperate to get rid of me Yang?"

"Believe me if I could I'd pay to have you a house built if it got you out of mine."

"I think you mean mine kiddo, it's my name on the mortgage deed at least. Anyway, you two sort that out and I'll get the seeds in, if you could keep an eye or ear on the washing machine as well I'd be grateful."

"Sure thing Mr Long; Yang, rags are this way…"

XXX

"All right Jaune, we're doing better than I expected; break for tea shortly and if we go into the evening we should be good."

"Sounds fair, I didn't have any plans for the niiieeeehhhh – damn itYang! That's the third time!"

"Sorry, my hand slipped."

"I'm sure and also soaked, again."

"You wanted me to fill the watering can."

"Which I am now deeply regretting; anyway, once I've dried out I can get started on dinner, any preferences?"

"You'll do nothing, my turn to cook – anyway, Yang, you and Jaune need to get your room set up again."

"What? No, no, after what happened this morning I don't want him anywhere near my room."

"Well if you can do it on your own go for it, otherwise you'll be sleeping on your chair for the night."

"After the wake up call this morning don't tempt me, and VB if you try that tomorrow..."

"Excruciating death and eternal torment, I know I know – still, let me wash my hands and change my shirt. If you check your sheets are dry and start bringing them in I'll give you a hand as soon I'm free."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, what's wrong with that?"

"Uhh, probably the phrasing Jaune."

"Phrasing, what did I s… oh, oh right. Sorry Yang, I'll try to leave the puns to you."

"Puns – you think this, this is funny?"

"Depends; how many hand or arm jokes do you know?"

"You… are you actually serious right now?"

"Sure; I can't help getting airsick but that never stopped you calling me Vomit Boy – don't dish it if you can't take it Firecracker."

"…I don't believe you; I've lost my arm, you can't cure that with over-the-counter pills!"

"Obviously you've never boiled cough syrup down."

"What?"

"Heat up cough syrup, the water boils off and concentrates it; two spoonfuls might not cure you, but it'll make you forget what the problem was."

"…Really?"

"Oh yeah."

"Oh no – Brothers know I'm not the strictest but I draw the line at you pair refining drugs in the kitchen, and Yang remember what the doctor said if you get any pains or aches."

"I know, anyway Vomit Boy get out of here, the less I have to see you and the sooner I can get some sleep tonight the better."

XXX

"Ready on this side Yang, got it slid over?"

"Yeah I think… oh you utter bastard, why's this damn elastic so strong?"

"'Cause if it wasn't you'd forever be pulling the undersheet off in the middle of the night?"

"I wasn't asking you smart-arse, just keep holding the mattress up."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"More's the pity, now come here you sod…"

"Wow, and you kiss your sister with that mouth? How did Ruby's language stay so clean?"

"Self-control on my part and scoldings from dad when it slipped – what, you thought it was some sort of magic?"

"No, just not used to hearing you preaching self-control – ow!"

"You deserved that, and you should be grateful for my self-control. I'd have snapped you in half during our spars if I didn't, not that they lasted that long anyway."

"True, though if nothing else it helped teach me to dodge. Anyway, got the corner in place yet?"

"Yeah, drop it down; great, now beat it."

"What?"

"I'll handle the rest and want to be alone so get out, I don't want to see you until tomorrow morning and even then not early, got it?"

"I reckon so, okay, I won't see you first thing tomorrow."

"Good; why are you still here? Out!"

"Sure, sure, but, one thing?"

"What, and if it's a joke I swear…"

"It's not – in all seriousness are you okay?"

"Huh, you've given me crap since you got here and now you ask me that?"

"Uh, better late than never? No, all joking aside I have no idea what to ask or how to ask it, so apart from mysteriously disappearing is there anything I can do to help out?"

"…"

"Okay, you don't have to answer – have a night on it, long as you need really, and I'll see you tomorrow."

"…Yeah, just not too early right? Ruby said you keep your promises so I'll hold you to that and so will dad."

"Sure thing Yang, we Arcs are an honest bunch more or less – still, have a good night."

XXX

"And what are you up to?"

"Huh?"

"Yang told me you promised not to wake her up this morning."

"She did now? That's not what I remember…"

XXX

"It's mooooorning, it's moooooring, it's mooooorning, it's mooo-"

"AAAAarrgh! What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Your daily sing-song, at least until you learn how your alarm clock works."

"But you said you… why have you got your eyes shut?"

"You tell me – what did I say yesterday?"

"That you wouldn't do this!"

"Uh-uh, wrong answer – try again."

"You said…uhhh, you said that, you wouldn't…"

"I wouldn't see you in the morning, and I haven't."

"…You suck!"

"That's what Professor Goodwitch said."

"And she was right!"

"You know I can hear you? You just yanked the covers over your head."

"Sod off!"

"Nope, can't do that – come on Yang-a-Rang, up and at 'em!"

"Kyyahhh! Wha'd'you do that for?!"

"Can't hide under a blanket if there's no blanket, and be grateful I didn't break out the ice-cubes…"

"Wha… bu… what if I'd been naked under there?!"

"Then you should be grateful I've got my eyes closed and really grateful I didn't break out the ice-cubes."

"Out! Out-out-out-out-oooouut!"

XXX

"I know that face."

"Wh' what face?"

"The 'I-really-want-to-laugh-but-it's-my-daughter-so-I've-got-to-hold-it-in' face, you're making it right now. Let's get downstairs, maybe that'll be far enough away."

"No, no I've got it – hoo boy, you know she's going to murder you later right?"

"I don't doubt she'll try but I'm not going to be around much today."

"Good call; come on, breakfast and I can write you a shopping list, we're running low on a few things…"

XXX

"Umm, what's this cereal called again – we don't get it at Beacon."

"Fortifier, made with oats they grow further south around here. Been a staple of Patch for longer than I've been here, though the girls were never that keen."

"It's no Pumpkin Petes' but it's pretty good, though since it's not sweet enough to cause cavities by sight I can guess Ruby wouldn't be fond of it. Yang not a cereal lover?"

"No but given what you pulled this morning she might be a cereal killer; speaking of which, here comes my baby psychopath now. Morning Yang, how…?"

"You!"

"…okay, go ahead and ignore your old man…"

"Give me a good reason not to drown you in your cereal bowl!"

"One it's illegal, two I can run faster than you and have slippers on, three I kept my promise…"

"You said…"

"I wouldn't see you first thing in the morning and guess what, I didn't."

"Why?"

"We Arcs keep our promises, so I was always going…"

"No, no forget about that crap; why did you wake me up?"

"Because sleeping in on a school night is a really bad habit, one that'll be hard to kick when Beacon fires back up. If you think I'm bad imagine having Snow Angel on your case every morning."

"Beacon, bloody Beacon… you think I'm going back to school? Like this?"

"Of course; you always said you could kick my arse with one hand behind your back; I believe it then and I believe it now. If Goodwitch couldn't throw me out there's no way she could get shot of you."

"…I… no you know what I'm out, I can't do this. Dad I'll be in the lounge."

"Yang wait I… okay, I'll bring something in. Jaune what the hell…?"

"It's something she has to think about; not all the time I'll grant you, but Yang's going to have to weigh up what she wants to do next. I don't doubt she can go back to Beacon, hell I don't doubt she can be a great Huntress; even injured I'd give her better than even odds against half our class; it's going to be whether she wants to and, if she does, how she adapts. Unfortunately that I can't help her with all that much, I was never a brawler."

"No, that's my department; I do see where you're coming from but please, just ease up – I've, had things go wrong and the last thing I want is to see that happen to my daughter."

"I know; he didn't give me specifics but Qrow said things happened in the past and it hit you all hard. I'm not looking for a fight, though knowing Yang one's coming whether I want it or not, but as long as she knows people believe in her maybe she'll start to believe in herself again."

"That, might be tricky…"

"I know; it took time, a long time, but in the end it worked for me. Anyway, I'll be out for the day but have that old Scroll on me if you need me."

"Right, but what do you mean it worked for you?"

"Ask Yang about my sparring record, that should cheer her up if nothing else – anyway, see you later on."

XXX

"Hey Little Dragon – don't worry, he's gone, he wouldn't hear it."

"Shame he's not gone for good."

"Oh come on – he didn't say anything that bad, in fact it sounded to me like he was on your side."

"He has no idea, none – Uncle Qrow said it best, I'm not going to be the same again and he comes in talking about Beacon? Stupid git, like I can go through Huntress training like this?"

"Well, and I'm not saying this to be contrary Yang, but why can't you? No, listen – I've known other Hunters injured like you are who are still active; it's not easy, I'll never say that it is, but once Beacon's back up and running there's nothing stopping you going back, if you want to go back?"

"…"

"Yang? Please talk to me."

"A, about what?"

"Anything – you know whatever you want to do I will back you to the hilt…"

"I know dad, I really do but, but I just don't know any more! I don't know what I can do, or what I want; I screwed up dad, I screwed up so badly…"

"I know, I know it hurts kid – come here."

"Daaaad…"

"Shush, this is Tai-time right now."

"You're such a sap."

"And you love it – anyway, I don't think you screwed up. I think you, and Ruby and everyone else at Beacon put it all the line when you had to and more than that you all pulled it off. Nothing that happened that night was on you, any of you – you should have been at the Vytal Festival, either in the ring itself, cheering on your friends or stuffing yourself stupid at the fairs there."

"Or being locked in your room because everyone thinks you're a raving nutcase who pulled a Nora for fun."

"Nora – isn't she Jaune's team mate?"

"Yep, Queen Break-a-Leg herself – heh, have to remind her I took that title next time we catch up. Anyway, like that's not already a mark on my record…"

"It's not…"

"Dad, I know what I saw but no-one else did; I've given up trying to convince them."

"Well not everyone has; did you see the final match?"

"Uhh, no – I, uh, I didn't really have the urge right then and even as I was thinking about it I, I started hearing screams…"

"Stop, stop; breathe… okay?"

"Y'yeah – sorry I, I didn't sleep all that well."

"Nightmares?"

"Some, not to mention the dork knight kicking my door in first thing – I swear if he tries that tomorrow I'm going to kill him."

"Please don't – I've just finished digging in the new beds, I don't want to have to dig one to hide the body."

"Whoa, turning down fifteen stone of free fertiliser? Who even are you any more dad?"

"Someone who doesn't want an angry Nora chasing after him, whoever she is; anyway, back on track Qrow told me something interesting about your bout and the final – not only does it look like the whole tournament was rigged somehow, they also think one of the finalists was affected like you were."

"Affected? Affected by what, and who was affected?"

"Not the girl from Atlas, the Beacon one…"

"Wait, P-money?! What the hell happened?"

"Her power, or Semblance, it went crazy, tore the other girl to pieces…"

"Oh Brothers!"

"…it's alright, well, not alright but the other girl, I think she was called Penny, she wasn't real, not like us. She was some sort of robot, an android from Atlas who was competing probably so Ironwood could make a statement about his country's tech or something – Pyrrha's power is some kind of magnetism because it destroyed her. Qrow said, though, that Pyrrha's report on the whole thing didn't match what we all saw, it was an illusion…"

"Like I saw! Who was it, one of that silver-haired bastards' team mates?!"

"That's our best guess, especially since that whole team's since gone AWOL but no-one knows for sure."

"So it wasn't me, I was right – hah, suck it Iron-Dick I told you I was telling the truth! Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"Honestly it slipped my mind and don't look at me like that – Qrow dropping our other guest on both our laps left me a bit disjointed."

"I'll bet – seriously are you sure you don't want to dig another bed. I'll pitch in, I'm sure I can handle a trowel…"

"Hah, should've guessed it'd take covering up a murder to get you to show some green fingers LD. Anyway, while we're here want me to help run a brush through your hair?"

"Is it that bad?"

"No but you've missed a few bits; did you wash it out last night?"

"As best I can, still not used to working it like this."

"Looks better than it did Yang, a lot better; go on, go get your combs and I'll do the rest. Can't promise I'll be as good as Jaune but I can try."

"You try, he's just trying – I'm going to bed early tonight but I promise you, if his pasty arse wakes me up tomorrow we'll both be digging that spare flower bed if we like it or not!"

"Just keep the screaming to a minimum; anyway, brushes, go, I'll wait here."

XXX

"Hi all, anyone in?"

"Arf!"

"Hello Zwei, anyone with less than four legs about?"

"Huff, pant."

"Take that as a no; right, let me sort through this lot…"

"Jaune?"

"Oh hi Tai, sorry I'm a bit late, spent a bit of time around the rest of Patch before coming straight back."

"Settling in with the natives eh? Find anything interesting?"

"Nah – well, perhaps; I'm probably going to be out for at least a few days this week, I've got a few ideas."

"Dare I ask – you're not planning to flood the island with cough medicine-derived drugs are you?"

"Shhh, don't tell everyone my evil scheme – keep it under your hat and this time next year we'll be rolling in lien."

"Cut me in for a third and I'll think about it – anyway, thanks for doing the shopping."

"Not an issue, it was a nice day; not a cloud in the sky, good for a bracing walk."

"Shame that walk wasn't off a short peer."

"And just like that a thunderhead appears – hello Yang, how was your day?"

"Peaceful and quiet, just like my night and tomorrow morning's going to be, isn't it Jaune?"

"Well, I mean if you just set your alarm earlieeee!"

"Isn't. It. Jaune?"

"I'm, sensing a little hostility here…"

"You do have survival instincts, colour me impressed; now read my lips and smell my breath. If you wake me up before breakfast tomorrow you won't live to see lunch, do you understand me?"

"Ow, oww got it, and just for the record you really need to floss more. Hey, you did your hair?"

"Uh, yeah, well, dad helped – how'd you know?"

"What, you think just 'cause I'm a guy I don't do grooming? Which reminds me, Tai how'd you pull off that soul patch of yours?"

"Careful use of a razor, now both of you settle down. Nearly time for tea and then we can sort the night out – Jaune, your choice for what to watch?"

"I was thinking about that on the way back, oh which reminds me, I picked up a paper while I was there, check the front page."

"Give it here; oh they got the CTN up fully at last? Wait, does that mean…?

"I think so, I can't check with this thing but hopefully you'll be able to call Ruby tonight, said they'll be testing the connections today and if it holds it'll up the width."

"That's great, we can call straight after tea – how about that Yang, we'll be able to speak to Rubaby, see how she's getting on."

"…Uh, yeah, great – I, ah, I don't think, I mean, she shouldn't…"

"She'll be overjoyed to hear from you Yang – hearing you're okay will do more for her than anything on Remnant."

"And you'd know that how VB?"

"Because you were all she was talking about when I asked her to lead NPR for me; believe me, she…"

"Wait, what? She's hunting, around Beacon?"

"Well, yeah; she was starting to go crazy in Ocean View."

"Are you, are they insane! She, she can't go out there, it must be swarming; she doesn't know your team well enough to…"

"Stop, Yang stop…"

"No! No I will not stop, not for this! It's not just Grimm, the White Fang could still be there, that psycho, he could still be hunting us. If he can't find Blake he'll go for her…

"Yang."

"…she can't fight that, no-one can; dad we have to call her, we have to get her out of there…"

"Yang!"

"…she's got to come back, she can't be there she can't she can't she…"

"Yang breathe, breathe for the Brothers' sake. In-out, in-out, with me."

"Ha… Huh…"

"In-out, in-out, just breathe – Jaune get some water."

"On it."

"Okay, okay, calm down, steady now Sunny, just calm down."

"Huh, huh, hooo, ohhh, ohh Brothers – it's all right, I'm all right dad. Sorry I, I panicked…"

"No need to apologise kid; here, drink this."

"Thank you, but, but why Ruby, why did you give her your team?"

"Me?"

"Yes you; what, you ran here and left a kid to hold the front?"

"What? I didn't…"

"Wow, real hero material you turned out to be Jaune, absolute first class knight."

"Hey, you think I want…?"

"Why are you even here anyway, there's not a scratch on you – what, dad's just keeping the wannabe safe so the actual Hunters can get the work done?"

"…You're upset and worried for Ruby; that's the only reason your nose isn't on the other side of your face."

"Oh really, you're threatening me?"

"No, I'm saying watch your mouth…"

"Or what, you'll take a swing – don't make me laugh. Face it VB, this is the best shot at me you'll ever get and you still don't have the balls to…"

"Enough, both of you! Jaune take a walk, Yang with me."

"…Fine."

"Hey, I'm not done…"

"You are; get your shoes on and come with me."

"I don't… fine."

XXX

"Right dad, why'd you drag me… is that a pad?"

"Yep, the old touch pad; now hit it."

"What?"

"Hit it; you know how to box, I taught you well enough."

"This is stupid."

"It's Jaune's face – oh come I said hit it, not tickle it; put some effort in!"

"Rrragh!"

"Zwei hits harder than that!"

"Raahh, ahhh!"

"Good, good get some flames going – that's better, at least I can feel it. Come on, it's still there…"

"Why?! What more do you want…?"

"What are you willing to give – I told you, you and Ruby both, if you wanted to be Huntresses you had to be willing to put it all on the line…"

"I did, I risked it all and look what it got me? Arm cut off for a partner who bailed, now you and Jaune are driving me insane – is that what you wanted, your crippled daughter flailing like a fish against a pad she can barely hit?"

"Yes! Yes that is what I want!"

"W' what?"

"You wanna know why? Because if you weren't out here flailing like a fish you'd be lying in your room like a dead one – I've been there Yang, I've been there and, and you and Ruby had to live through it! After Summer – I know what I did Yang, I will never forgive myself for it but I broke, both of you needed me but I broke and the worst part is I remember it, like a part of me was screaming that you and Rubaby were hurting but I, the rest of me, I just couldn't do anything..."

"Dad, dad don't…"

"…no, you need to hear this Yang, for your sake not mine. That, that sort of, existence; I'm not even going to call it living; it's worse than death, a pit that sucks you in – you can't get up, you can't move forwards, you can't even finish it. When you came back that was and still is my worst nightmare – you lashing out, getting angry, I'll take that over you wasting away Little Dragon, any and every day of the week. I don't want to see that Yang, I can't see that and I don't think Ruby could either."

"S'she won't…"

"Oh come here."

"I'm sorry dad, I'm so sorry…"

"It's not your fault Yang, none of this is; you're just picking up the pieces and you're doing better, so much better than I did."

"It, it doesn't feel like it – Brothers dad Ruby's hunting, she's actually out there fighting Grimm and I'm just… here. I can't do anything about it because I got stupid and rushed in, I didn't think and that Fang just, he just didn't care. One swing, like I wasn't even a threat to him – all that training and, and it just didn't matter, one hit and he put me down."

"Did they tell you his name?"

"Adam I think, Adam… I can't remember his surname. Why, does it matter?"

"It does; Adam Taurus is a Huntsman Yang, or near enough it makes no difference – he's not someone that should have been anywhere near Vale let alone Beacon. That he was there, that any of the Fang were there was a failure on Vale's Council and Ozpin – in truth, and don't take this the wrong way because I love you more than anything Yang, but when I heard what happened I was so grateful you even survived."

"S,sometimes, and don't you take this the wrong way, but sometimes, I wasn't. Grateful, I mean."

"I understand, believe me I do but just promise me…"

"Already did; that's not happening, ever."

"Good, you've got no idea how much a relief that is. Let me know when you're ready, then we can ring your sister if you'd like?"

"Yeah, yeah that, that does sound good but, uh…"

"But?"

"…Can we, stay here, just for a minute?"

"Long as you need Little Dragon."

"Thanks dad."

XXX

"Hey, Jaune?"

"What, no Vomit Boy? Must be important."

"Yeah, yeah; listen I don't say this often but, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it – did you speak to you Ruby in the end? How is she, and my team?"

"She's great actually, really doing well – you were right."

"You don't say that often either."

"Shut up, I'm doing my best here."

"I know, and I get it – hurt people hurt people."

"Huh? Huh, not heard that one before – still though, I shouldn't have called you a coward."

"You didn't."

"I might as well have done; don't try and let me off Jaune, though while we're on the subject why actually are you here? Drunkle Qrow mentioned something happened and you were mixed up in it but I don't know the full story, if it's something you want to talk about?"

"Hmm, I'll give you one-for-one; you tell me about your call to Crater-Face and my team I'll tell you what happened, or at least what I know about it – sound fair?"

"Fair enough, you first though."

"Thought it was ladies first?"

"True; alright, off you go."

"Touche…"

XXX

"Damn, so they really don't know?"

"Not a clue, I'm just stuck here waiting for the results. Not even Goodwitch knew anything about that last plan, though since it took down the Wyvern no-one's complaining too much. Still, as long as the others are all okay?"

"Yeah Ruby was fine; well, she was a bit tired and achey; she can't hide that sort of thing from me, much as she might believe otherwise; and she said P-Money, Ren and Nora are doing okay as well."

"That's a weight off my mind, and yours as well I'd imagine?"

"Got that right, it's still hard though – I mean, I know she's growing up, she's not going to be little Rubaby forever but, but I was supposed to be there, just to keep an eye on her. You know, and don't tell her this, but when Ruby first told me she was coming to Beacon with me I was happy for her but at the same time I was a bit, er, a bit… I'm not sure what the word is."

"Okay, what do you mean?"

"I mean I was hoping that while I was at Beacon for two years Ruby still be at Sanctum – that might make me sound awful but it's not like that. I didn't want to get away from her, I never will, I just thought that while we were apart she'd have a chance to be someone other than 'Yangs' little sister', then when she got to Beacon I'd be there as a third-year to show her and her team the ropes. She's always been shy and maybe I haven't helped with that…"

"You always did strike me as a bit of a 'team mom', especially compared to the Checkmate duo."

"…got that right, more than you know. Anyway, those two years might have let her be her own person without me being there, though believe me I'd have been ringing every night. Instead we both ended up at Beacon and on the same team with her leading; I tried, believe me I did but I know sometimes I made it difficult for her – it's just so hard not to see her as my little sister."

"Trust me she appreciated you being there, especially when Weiss was being difficult."

"Wow, going cold on your Weiss-cream Jaune? Never thought I'd see the day."

"I like the Snow Angel but I'm not blind to her flaws Yang, can't afford to be; still, I know you and Ruby are very close and I do get where you're coming from – perhaps those two years would have done both of you good but unfortunately we'll never know. Looks like old Ozpin pulled a fast one on both of us; swept your sister into his school and me out of it, though to be fair in my case he was probably only just in front of Goodwitchs' crop."

"Hahaha, you weren't that bad VB, though I appreciate the joke. Anyway, I just wanted to apologise and that's not a joke – you might not be a great fighter but none of us can say you don't have guts."

"Thanks, from you that means a lot, though before you go serious question – how are you sleeping, and don't say in bed or on your back you atrocious pun-monster."

"My puns are awesome; honestly not too bad, I mean I've got some mild painkillers if the phantom pains start but I've not needed them much."

"That's good – nightmares, if you want to say?"

"One or two but I don't really remember them, just jolt awake and, try to drift off from there. Apart from this one I've been having recently…"

"Yeah, if you want to talk about it?"

"Sure, this weird blonde noodle who's in love my uncle kicks down my bedroom door and screeches until I wake up, though somehow I think that's not going to happen tonight."

"Oh really? Proof, if any were needed, that your uncles' a lucky man and you shouldn't be a fortune-teller."

"Oh I should; I've got a nightmare-repelling charm that I'm sleeping with tonight, that'll keep anything, or anyone, away."

"I'm sure; well, we'll have to see tomorrow won't we?"

"We will, though fair warning to any nightmares listening; if it wakes me up it's going back to sleep, permanently, got it?"

"Maybe, maybe not – we'll have to see. Goodnight Yang, though I wonder what dreaming about your uncles' love-life says about you…"

"Shut up Vomit Boy; see you tomorrow."

XXX

"Yang, do we really have to do this? Okay then; hem-hem-h-"

*Ka-chak!*

"-Ah, your anti-nightmare charm I presume? Uh, she's not actually loaded is she?"

"Open your mouth again you'll find ou-"

"Yang Xiao Long!"

"Eeeek!"

"Waahhh! Bloody Brothers dad…!"

"First rule of this house, what is it?"

"What? Uh, no feeding Ruby after midnight?"

"Don't get smart – gun safety, what's the first thing I ever told you and Ruby about it, lesson one, day one?"

"Ummm, loud end at the enemy?"

"Right, so why is Ember Celica cocked and pointed at our guest?"

"Ahh, well he's kind of…"

"No, no excuses; they didn't wash when you were seven they sure as hell don't wash now. Get dressed, get downstairs and then get out to the shed; I know you've not looked over Ember since you got here so you can start today."

"What?! But, how'm I supposed to…?"

"You're a smart girl, figure it out."

"It'll take me all day…"

"Well you'd better get started; if you're not ready by eight you'll be doing weapon maintenance in your nightie, understood?"

"But…?"

"Understood."

"Yes dad; can I get changed now?"

"Jaune..."

"I'm moving."

XXX

"Really, seven?"

"Seven, what do you – oh, the guns? Yeah, started them on pistols then, just the basics like how to strip and clean them, worked up from there. You never handled firearms?"

"Sword and board all the way – gotta love the classics as Ruby said. Anyway, much as I loved the angry-dad bit can I please ask that next time your daughter's pointing a shotgun at me please don't startle her! What if it had gone bang?"

"Suck it up and stop being a wuss; you're a Hunter aren't you, one shot from Ember wouldn't even break Zwei's Aura."

"Fair I… wait, Zwei has Aura?!"

"Yep, he's a registered Hunter dog – anyway, help me get the table set. I might be a softie for the girls but Yang knows when it comes to weapons safety I mean exactly what I say."

XXX

"Stupid dad, how'm I supposed to do this…? *…mutter-fuss…* …'why's it pointing at VB'… *…grumble-mumble…* …reason, like these past few days… *…rassum-frassum…*"

"Ah, hey Yang…"

"Go! Away!"

"I brought tea."

"Grrrr!"

"And biscuits, lots of them, even some of those shortbreads I cooked a few days ago?"

"…Leave the food and disappear."

"Right, as you command; just put them down here shall I?"

"Fine, then vamoose."

"Pushy-pushy; they're over there when you want them."

"Good."

"Great."

"…"

"…"

"…I heed a discord in the Symphony."

"Really?"

"Yes, as if a Dork Lord of the Siff stood close by, not realising the hint he's ignoring is about to be administered rectally!"

"Okay one, great Sun Battles reference, two, ouch, and three you really need to cut down on Ninjas of Love."

"I don't read that crap but you have, you'd have to know about it. Wow Vomit Boy, wouldn't have pegged you for a deviant."

"Please never talk about pegs in conjunction with that series, and I blame you lot; RWBY left a copy in the library and Nora picked it up during one of our free periods. Luckily I slammed it in the bodnut before she got too many ideas, though Ren did have a bit of a thousand-yard stare for a few days afterwards."

"Don't blame us for your boy-buddy being uptight, though back up a minute, what's a bod-nut?"

"The bodnut? Surprised Ruby didn't have one, or at least something similar – it's the B-B-O-D-N-T, the Big Box of Do-Not-Touch, a massive cardboard thing I had shoved under my bed."

"You're joking?"

"I wish."

"Wha… why would you need something like that?"

"You have met Nora Valkyrie right?"

"Oh come on, not even she's that bad."

"She's the Little Sister of Chaos to the Brother Gods; laugh if you like but that box was all that was keeping at least some of Beacon standing. Grimm adoption agency plans, pancake factory blueprints, probably at least one juvenile 'wolf she wanted for a pet, those fire-and-lightning Dust grenades she invented when Peach wasn't looking…"

"Wait, she Peach let her keep those?!"

"…not officially; anyway, point is if I'd been in our room when the Fall happened we'd have been fine; I'd have just chucked the bodnut out the window and watched the fireworks, 'specially if Nora got hold of those Mistralian sweet-sticks Pyrrha's mother sent over."

"You confiscated your teams' sweets? You monster!"

"Four, no five words; Nora on a sugar rush."

"Brrr, objection withdrawn, just like you should be – you're the reason I'm out here!"

"And maybe your ticket back – that's what Ember looks like under the hood?"

"Yes and eyes off; the closest you come to weapons' maintenance is blade-grease and a whetstone, you're not getting your greasy fingers all over the girls."

"Now that's just hurtful and not true – I took all the same electives you did Yang. You're not wrong Crocea doesn't take much but there's not just me in JNPR – I'm not the quickest but I'm pretty sure I can field-strip and clean Stormflower and Magnhild, though I can't work on Milo without Pyrrha there as it's a tri-shift mecha, bit beyond me at the minute. Anyway, I can be a spare pair of fingers if it'd help – I did kind of put you out here after all."

"Too right you did – next time I pull the trigger and clean up afterwards. Still, maybe you can help, see the lip over the knuckles there? Need you to pull it back for me so I can hold it open…"

XXX

"All quiet on the Mistral Front, hopefully the kids are getting on better…"

"YYYeeeoooowww!"

"…hope in haste, repent at leisure."

"Sorry!"

"You're not, you did that on purpose – oh, me finger!"

"I did not, it's not easy doing this left-handed – look, use your thumb and ease the cocking handle back, and get your finger out your mouth out. Can't call yourself a gunsmith without a few nipping scars."

"Nip – she almost took the nail off! I'm beginning to see what they mean about weapons being the soul of the user."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Stormflower's quick and hits hard up close, Magnhild hits like a truck but is actually surprisingly simple to keep in shape, now Ember's got a temper like an Ursa with a sore head and a bite to match – look, it's turning black!"

"Urgh put it away, I do not need to see that before lunch! Look, click the hammer guard back and make press the button by the side of it, that's the hammer guard, stops it going off."

"So it's like the safety?"

"Sort of, Ember doesn't have a safety per say…"

"Just like its user."

"…one more comment like that and I'll go off; anyway, the hammer guard deploys when she shrinks down, makes sure it doesn't misfire when I deploy them… her…"

"Yang…?"

"S'Alright, still got them both, they managed to find the other one, she's over there – anyway, when it deploys the guard is removed, so I can punch as soon as the gauntlet is over my hand. Thing is, because the guard has to fold away I can't manually click it out so once out Ember is live she's dangerous until I fold her away."

"So how did you cock it earlier?"

"Ha, that old trick; I didn't, she's always chambered. That was me slapping the ammo feed shut, sounds like a cock and got the message across."

"To me or your dad?"

"…Shut up; anyway, speaking of which, I need a favour off you, call it payback for dropping me in it."

"The sacrifice of a digit wasn't enough?"

"Nothing is ever enough VB; no, I need your help for… a project, once we're finished here, and no I'm not going to tell you what it is. Just help me out and we're square, okay?"

"Depends what it is, and I might need a favour from you in return?"

"Again depends – right, let's get this done; hand me the widget key, the Dust rag and one of those shortbreads…"

XXX

"Hey dad."

"Pardon us Mr Long."

"Hi both… uh, what's with the drill and screws?"

"Oh nothing, just a little idea I've had in mind for a few days that VB agreed to help me with, right Jaune?"

"If I scream you'll come and rescue me right?"

"Not if you want that favour he won't – anyway, won't be long dad, see you in a minute."

"Right… okay, have, uh, have fun I guess."

"Oh this'll be more than fun; follow me Arc!"

"Okay, okay; sooner we start screwing the better."

"What?!"

"Oww, in stereo? You need something screwed in somewhere right, otherwise you wouldn't have had me rifle through the screwdriver box – sooner whatever it is is up sooner I can get on with my day."

"You're joking right? Please tell me you're joking!"

"No, I was getting into a couple of the books Ruby's got in her room, never had a chance to read much of the Silver Moon series and it's quite good. Call me a wimp if you want but I'm aiming to finish Waxing Moon today so, if you're ready Yang?"

"Uhh, right, yeah, right, follow me – looks like we both want this done. Later dad."

"Bye; wow, I know Qrow doesn't have a filter but at least when he knew what he was saying. He's either the most innocent teenager I've ever met or he's got the best poker face I've seen, and I'm not sure which is more worrying!"

XXX

"And done, smooth as a whistle, what do you think?"

"Fair enough job, nice work with the drill by the way – without meaning to be rude are you ambidextrous? I wondered because of your fighting style; you kept switching up so much I could never tell."

"No I'm, I was right-handed, but fighting like I do meant I trained both ways, just as well in this case. Anyway, what do you think; reckon it'll keep the nightmares out, specifically the scraggly blonde ones?"

"You dream of me Yang? Not sure if I'm flattered or disturbed."

"Eww, mind out the gutter VB; anyway, mind getting the tools back into the weapons lab – I need to talk to dad."

"Sure, though before I do about my fee…?"

"What, aren't knights all about helping damsels in distress – what happened to the thanks of a fair maiden being reward enough and all that jazz?"

"Inflation, and anyway that only applies to damsels in distress Yang, not distressing damsels."

"Oh ow; even I felt that burn."

"Dad! What are you doing here?"

"Seeing what the two of you were up to – oh, nice job, you did want a bit more privacy. Just remember to hoover up afterwards, and what was the favour you wanted from my daughter Jaune?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to borrow her scroll – ringing home, nothing more – that relic Qrow gave me doesn't do calls, it's just an Aura monitor. I haven't spoken to my folks since I got here, I really should let them know I'm okay."

"You didn't speak to them before you left?"

"It was kind of a last-minute trip Yang, one of your uncles' drunken brainwaves."

"Eesh, okay that makes more sense – sorry to hear that."

"Not a problem, and in truth he's probably right it's safer here than in Ocean View, or at least I'm less likely to be found here, no-one saw us leave as far as I know. Anyway, mind if I borrow it, I'll get it back to you before tea?"

"Yeah, fine, it's on the side there; don't look at anything or change the settings, got it?"

"As you command…"

XXX

"Hey mum; yes, yes it's me and no I couldn't call earlier…"

"…"

"…no scroll, that's why; Qrow was afraid I'd be tracked by it. Anyway, are you good to talk; I don't want the girls to overhear this and I can't talk long."

"…"

"No, no I'm not in any trouble, or any more trouble than I was in Ocean View. I can't tell you exactly where I've gone but I'm safe, getting three meals and a bed so better than I expected."

"…"

"I am taking care of myself, I can manage; I know you all worry but I'm fine. Main issue though, reason I rang apart from getting in touch – I don't have a strict timetable for being here but nothing's changed yet and given what we know I doubt it will."

"…"

"Yeah, bit of a change; I'm giving it until Guls, then if nothing's changed I'm coming home."

"…"

"I know it's months but there's something else I can do here – one of my friends, she got badly hurt at Beacon. You remember Ruby?"

"Heh, yeah that's her; it's her sister, Yang – it's not great so I'm doing what I can to help her father and her. It's no Grimm extermination but it's something – by then everything should have settled down on this end. Anyway, enough about me how are the girls, apart from annoyed at their idiot brother? You don't need to tell me I'll be catching hell off the twins for years for this…"

XXX

"Here Yang, thanks."

"Not an issue, your folks okay? And have you been crying?"

"A bit yeah; I'm not that much of a tough guy; and they're hanging in there so far."

"Glad to hear it; anyway, looking forwards to an early night and, better yet, a long lie-in tomorrow morning…"

"Do you have to rub it in?"

"Yes, yes I do – it was a good run VB but nothing beats a Xiao Long when it comes to getting their head down."

"I'm not going to argue, you got me good and proper, shouldn't have promised a favour without knowing what it was. Anyway, better start tea – your dad asked if I could use up the eggs so do you want scrambled, poached or an omelette?"

"Omelette please; shout me when it's ready, I'll be in my room."

XXX

"No, you are not hammering on the door until she wakes up."

"Wasn't planning on it; going to use a bit of the old Arc magic to get her up."

"Okay if it'll get you past a dead-bolt this I have to see."

"Not much to it really – got your Scroll handy?"

"Yeah wh… what did you do?"

"Hand it over you'll find out."
"You drive a hard bargain; fine, she's under SLD."

"You've got to tell me what that means one of these days; anyway, abracadabra and listen up."

"It's moooorning, it's moooorning, it's mooo-"

"You didn't?"

"AAiieeeeeeyou'readeadmanVomitBoy!"

"…I changed your ring-tone, it's moooorning…"

"You did – you realise she's going to be out for blood as soon as she shuts that thing up?"

"Yep, speaking of which stand right there."
"I'm not your bullet-sponge."

"Naaaargh, make it stop!"

"…I changed your pass-code, it's moooorning…"

"I am not holding her back this time."

"No but the deadbolt is, though speaking of which I think she's almost got it."

"…it's moooorning, it's mooo-"

"Oh, it rang out? Never mind – morning Ya-"

"You. Fix. Now!"

"Whoa, cool it or I press the button again."

"That's cruel."

"It's that or an angry SLD after me Tai – his fault by the way, that's what you're down as in his contacts."

"What? Dad you said you changed that?!"

"Uhh I, uh, I just forgot – thanks for that Jaune."

"No problem; now, assuming I'm not going to be brutally mauled…? I can just leave it as it is Yang, you know that?"

"He's right Yang, this isn't a fight either of us can win."

"Oh I can; I said don't mess with my settings and what did you do?"

"Changed your ringtone and password, which are under the Audio and Security tabs respectively."

"They're still settings!"

"But they're not directly under the Setting tab – trust me Yang, I have seventeen years' experience of being very careful with the deals and promises, you are not going to beat me on technicalities. Now, do you want me to reverse the changes I made?"

"You'd better!"

"If I do, you cause no intentional harm upon my person until at least tomorrow morning?"

"Grrrrrr, oh by the Brother's dangling dongs fine but if you touch my stuff again I'm murdering you."

"Okay, hand it over; go magic fingers go and, viola – you can change your ringtone to anything in the settings. So, breakfast?"

XXX

"Hey, Yang…"

"I am not talking to you!"

"Fine, just nod or shake; anything in your room need washing?"

"Washing; hey, are you in the bathroom?"

"Yeah, how else amahhh, that was nearly my face!"

"It should've been; what are you doing?!"

"Sorting a wash out; I don't have many clothes here."

"But my stuff's in there!"

"I'd hope so; I know your dad's stacked but I didn't think he needed that much support."

"You, you absolute pervert! You're not even ashamed."

"No I'm running low; unless this lot get dry tonight I'll be flapping in the breeze from tomorrow, something I doubt anyone under this roof wants."

"…That image will never leave my mind."

"Well Ms Xiao Long, calling me a pervert when your mind's on…"

"Nothing, nothing didn't put there you absolute… urgh that it, I am now officially swinging for my own team!"

"You weren't already? Anyway, not like it matters, I'm not going to do anything."

"Really? You think I'm going to trust a teenage boy, even one as dense as you, with my delicates? What, what's so funny?!"

"You, you admitting you've ever been or had anything delicate, and anyway enough of you impugning my honour – I'm the safest pair of hands in Beacon for any girls' unmentionables apart from Ren."

"Really? Go on then, how'd you work that one out?"

"Simple - who's on my team?"

"What?"

"It's not a trick question; hint, she's tall, red-haired, mild-mannered and famous."

"P-Money – wait, you did her washing?"

"We all did each others'; had a rota for it though not at first, it took Pyrrha a few weeks to settle in."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and bless her she was so apologetic when we asked; when we, JNPR this is, first started we all thought Pyrrha was a real trooper – she did her own laundry, her own chores, everything. Thing was she kept doing it; wasn't a week before a wash-bag from all three of us was chucked on one of our beds but Pyrrha never joined in, though she was never not polite about it – you know how she is?"

"Yeah, never a bad word to say about anyone – up until she handed me my ass in the ring I thought she was a body-double; no-one that famous is that well-mannered, look at Weiss-cream."

"True but don't do yourself down, Pyr always thought you were a tough match. Anyway, goes on about three weeks when one of us asks why – three guesses who?"

"Nora."

"Me actually, I was her partner after all. Anyway, I really did mean it as a quick question after our last class – turned into over an hour of team bonding, though I don't think Pyrrha stopped blushing until it was over. Turns out, and none of us considered this, it wasn't just about being polite – she was looking after her, huh, I'm going to say 'assets' but don't take it the wrong way."

"Sn'rk, too late – what, she didn't want some horn-dog perving over her underwear?"

"Worse; you remember the bodnut I mentioned, the Big Box of Do Not Touch?"

"Yeah, don't tell me you stashed…?"

"No; I now have a mental bodnut into which I've crammed some of the scroll-sites Pyrrha showed us. Do you know what some people are prepared to pay for a pair of underwear worn by the Invincible Girl Yang – I do, and I really, really wish I didn't."

"Please tell me that's a joke?"

"I wish I could, really I do; all I can say it's triple figures."

"Oh Brothers…"

"Four or even five if they're unwashed."

"…Let the Grimm take us, we're not work saving. Oh gods I think I'm gonna spew!"

"So did we, first thing we all did when she shut that site down was swear that we would never, on pain of death, ever stoop that low and luckily she believed us. That was really when we took off as a team, but apart from that if I can resist the temptation of pocketing the most precious pairs of panties on Remnant I'm fairly certain yours are safe. Anyway, coming through, I know where the machine is."

"Makes sense, if Pyrrha says you're okay I've not really got a leg to stand on, though are you saying people wouldn't put their hands in their pockets for mine?"

"Compared to Pyrrha's?"

"Come on; one look at this body and I could make as much as she does."

"Only if you were selling them by the square inch."

"Wow, P-Money wears skinnies? No, wait… hey, hey!"

XXX

"Right VB, it's been fun…"

"You don't have to say anything; I'm out all day tomorrow."

"Really? Why?"

"Uhhh, I just, really like one of the coffee shops on the harbour?"

"Wow, and Yang and I both thought we'd never find anyone who could lie worse than Rubaby? It's because we've got a visitor tomorrow Yang, remember?"

"Yeah, though I was trying to forget."

"Well don't; physio's important Yang, you know that."

"I know, doesn't mean I have to like it. Physiotherapists, only people on Remnant who can beat up cripples and get paid for doing it."

"Pfffttt – okay I'm remembering that; nice one Yang."

"Finally coming around to my sense of humour VB – took you long enough. Anyway, why are you heading out so early?"

"Believe it or not got a few projects on the go in town, hopefully tomorrow will have them come to fruition – if it comes to I'll let you know at the weekend."

"You have to keep going into town?"

"'Fraid so Tai, perils of having a scroll that can't call."

"Ah, yeah, sorry forgot about that."

"Not an issue, keeps me fit at least."

"So you're not around tomorrow morning?"

"Nope, early breakfast and then out."

"I really, really want to say good; no tricks?"

"Not about that, I really am away."

"Right; well then, early night for you since you're up in the morning?"

"Same for you as you should be up in the morning – 'early to bed, early to rise will make a Hunter healthy, wealthy and wise'."

"That so?"

"Old Arc saying and we've been around a while, so we must be doing something right."

"Apart from running away?"

"Yang!"

"Sorry, sorry, that just slipped out – I didn't mean it Jaune, I'm sorry."

"Not a problem, and let's face it there's bound to be one or two blips in the bloodline along the way. Anyway, I will turn in early, let me watch the news and go from there."

"Lightweight; still, I get it and I do apologise Jaune, if you had any choice I know you'd still be out there."

"So would you Yang, don't do yourself down and with a bit of luck the doctor will give you some good news tomorrow. Still, you have slighted the Arc name and I am honour-bound to avenge it so watch yourself."

"Oh you are, are you; best of luck to you but until then or you go to bed stay where you are – if you need any references tomorrow put me down as saying you're a damn good foot-warmer."

XXX

"Feels weird not having Jaune here; hopefully Yang won't fall into bad…eh? Yang?"

"Hello father."

"Are you…? Have you been crying?"

"No."

"But, your face?"

"Jaune."

"Jaune?"

"Yes, Jaune."

"How?"

"He shot me."

"What?! How?"

"Through the window."

"How? Was he on a ladder?"

"Must have been; never saw him though, lucky for him. He must have found our old water pistols in the shed, nailed me with one through the window… are you laughing?"

"N,nooo…"

"Don't. You. Dare."

"Gotta, gotta goho; seeyouatbreakfahahahast!"

XXX

"Hi Yang, looking good."

"What?"

"The porch, good bit of sweeping up – whoa, hey, I come in peace!"

"You shot me first thing in the morning you, you cur – don't come rolling up to my front door speaking of peace when you've been using daggers in the dark!"

"Funny thing about chivalry, when it comes to restoring your honour there's virtually no limits on what you can do. Also, no offence but that code only covers ladies and lords and you, unfortunately, don't qualify."

"Ouch."

"Hey, don't look so down, I don't either."

"Wait, really?"

"Nope; the Arcs have had a few knights in our history but we're not actually a noble line."

"What makes a line noble – Doc Oobleck said it was to do with the last king of Vale but I think I zoned out around then?"

"Zoning out around the foremost historian in the kingdom – for shame Miss Xiao Long. Luckily I took decent notes; a noble family is one who was land-owning during the reign of the Last King, though they needed a certain acreage which I can't remember; when he died, the kingdom was split between those families and their descendants. The families waxed and waned over the years and eventually the land-owning bit fell through but the titles were never revoked, though they don't mean much these days. There's a noble scion in our class believe it or not."

"Really?"

"Yep, the ancient and noble house of Winchester still exists, though perhaps proof that neither money nor breeding can make you a good person."

"Cardin, Cardin's a noble? Urgh, you really know how to ruin a girls' dreams of being swept off their feet by a Rusted Knight of their own."

"Ha, true, though in Cardin's case never mind the girl, it's the jackalope I'd feel sorry for. Anyway, permission to enter your domicile fair Xiao Long – my travels have been long and my travails many."

"Depends, have you an appropriate toll?"

"Long I quested for a suitable gift; jewels and gold are so gauche these days, so I instead went for this."

"Alright I'll bite, what is it?"

"Believe it or not it's a shoe-horn, just with a long handle - it'll help you get your boots on without having to stoop down all the time. My grandfather used to have one, he had trouble bending down when he was older and swore but it."

"Oh, right – uh, okay I'll try giving it a go later. Thanks, what do I owe you?"

"You don't..."

"No, don't even try – neither of us are nobles so no favours; in the Brothers I trust, others pay or are paid cash."

"Heh, were the Xiao Longs a mercenary family once upon a time? Fair enough, how about you forgive me for the wake-up earlier?"

"Oh you ask a high price Master Boy of Vomit, but I'm in a generous mood so you get away with it, this time. Just make sure you knock your boots up before you get in, took me a while to sweep this off and I don't need your clod-hoppers mucking it up."

"Fair enough, and how did your physio go?"

"Bloody sore, especially because I can't do much at the moment – it's more or less waiting for the whole area to heal up and settle down, even Aura can't help with that."

"Like everything, first few steps are always the hardest – do they, or you, have a long-term goal for the therapy or is it a bit more playing it by ear?"

"The latter for now – have to see how it all heals up first."

"Fair enough, Vale wasn't built in a day. Still, anything else you've been up to, and has Tai mentioned anything about tea yet, I'm starving…?"

XXX

"I hate this…"

"…"

"It's early morning, I've got nothing to get up for but the second I close my eyes that gangly nerd is going to do something to wake me up."

"…"

"He's coming, I know he's coming but have no idea what to do about it – heh, the Jaune of Damocles, ready to swing down the second I don't expect it."

"…"

"Maybe if I get up quickly enough I can pop him in the mouth before he opens his? Hmm, I could try but it's not likely, he really is good at heading for the hills and the last thing I want is to give him a free show sprinting after him."

"…"

"Come on, am I missing something – I even left the door unlocked because I didn't want another water pistol the face – can't sleep with the window shut when it's that hot at night."

"…"

"Seriously, what time is it?"

"…"

"Oh you absolute… no, no this is perfect; I mean it's not going to stand but it's perfect! Where's my dressing gown?"

XXX

"Morning!"

"Mumph?"

"Hands off whatever you've got down there; probably not much; and on with socks!"

"Ough!"

"Right, you asked for it; a-hem – it's mooring, it's moooorning, it's mooooring, it's bloody, early mooooorning…!"

"Zatade."

"What?"

"It's Saturday."

"…What?"

"And like most civilised people I like to sleep in on the weekends. Go back to bed Yang, it's too early."

"But… but…"

"Yang, if you're going to make that much noise at least put the kettle on; I'll be down for breakfast soon."

"But… okay… okay dad I, I'll see you there."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"AAAAAAAAaaaauuuuggggghhh!"

A/N: Poor Yang, but then again taking on a known tactician was never going to be a problem she could just bull through! Hopefully the next chapter will come though a little more quickly, though please let me know if this chapter was readable and made sense – I knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge to do a whole speech-only chapter but let me know if a. I pulled it off and b. if you'd like to see similar chapters in the future. Until the next time, enjoy this story.