Chapter 15: Winter Solstice


Inside the Airship station where they see the glass panels in front of them with airships flying by, Tanya and Ruby are waiting for their parents with General Ironwood besides them. It is the Winter Solstice as everyone is on break. While they're waiting, the twins are mentally arguing about how they go with Second Phase.

You really need to relax on the Second Phase! Everybody is getting stress out with the Physical Conditioning Phase and they're kids for crying out loud! At least make it less rough before they have a mental breakdown. Arguing with her sister, Ruby is starting to get really worried about Tanya's condition as her soul is becoming worse. The black ichor that's sticking on her sister is becoming thicker and sticky, Ruby is becoming unnerved of its presence.

Seeing your arguments, I guess I'll go with your idea. I intend to make Thorn Week a lot less punishing and harsh, but when Grif cheated…I think I completely went overboard back there. So I guess I'll revise the Second Phase to focus on aviation and practicing their Type-13 that Adel created with the help of those morons, addition on giving a decent education on controlling flight. Thinking with Ruby's logic, Tanya sees it as a necessity as she indeed feels their stress leaking out their minds. Having a stressful mind tends to make a person reckless, so she's going soft with them for now.

Just, please. It's bad enough that you beat up Grif harshly.

That guy deserved to be punished and do not mention about him as I'm still in a foul mood of that bastard.

Whatever you say, sis. Deciding not to want to argue with their conflicting morals, they hear the hissing sound of an airship landing on the deck and look up to see their family's designated airship arrive.

"Hey! Your parents are here! I bet you twins are going to have a lot of fun right!?" Looking down at her neck, Tanya snarls that Andy is with them when Dr. Adel decides to give them their Elenium Type-100 back as a holiday gift. Tanya just wished that Andy has a mute function so she doesn't have to deal with his constant chattering.

Please be quiet when we're talking to our parents Andy. It's bad enough that you don't have a mute function and I still don't know how those morons manage to create your A.I function.

"Hey! Be proud that I'm here. I can fly and stuff! Also, it's better to hang out with you than hearing Adel keep bitching about other functions which I can do spells or something with aura." Taking notice of that, Tanya looks back down at Andy when he said he's going to have other functions.

Did you say spells?

"Yeah, that's right! That batshit scientist who keeps talking about spells? I just ignore him, thinking he's crazy or something. The fun part though is seeing him squirm with those retards fucking with his projects." Wanting to know more of what Andy eavesdropped at their fanatical scientist. The twins hear a certain motherly voice calling out to them.

"Tige, Ruby! Glad to see you two!" Suddenly the twins are tightly being grasped by Summer's arms and feeling their mother's warm embrace. Tanya's eyes turn silver and happily looking at her mother. Gazing at her clothes, she's wearing a white thick jacket that gives protection against the coldness of Atlas.

"Hi, mama! Sis and I are doing good at Atlas academy! Is that right Mr. Ironwood?" Turning back to Ironwood, the General gave an uncertain but decent enough smile at Summer, trying his best not to upset their mother as he's not having positive feelings over Tanya's condition.

"Yes, Tanya did really well here in Atlas and she's a bright little girl with some…quirks." Doing his best not to frown at Tanya's recent actions, Summer happily smiles at James and thinking the Ironwood's euphemisms as genuine.

"Glad to hear my little girls are being geniuses here. Oh, I brought my family and their uncle Qrow as well." As she said that, Tai and Yang step out from the bridge with a big smile when they see the twins again. Their blonde half-sister runs towards them and hugs the twins tightly with her massive bear hugs.

"Good to see you again Rubes and Tanny, I miss you a lot as it's really lonely back at home!" Feeling strangled by her raw strength alone, the two weakly whimpers at their elder sister who's wearing her thick winter clothes. A deeply yellow thick coat and a thick beanie on her head, giving a jovial smile at the twins which she's hugging.

"Yang…you're hurting me. Good to see you again big sis." Hearing they're struggling for air, Yang let go of the twins as they got enough air to breathe. Catching their breath by Yang's unyielding strength, they feel someone gently rubbing their hair. Looking up, they see Tai happily grinning and trying to give a fatherly greeting to the twins.

"Glad to see you again, do you miss your big dad Tai?" Ruby smiling at their father, she happily jumps for him.

"Yeah, sis and I miss you a lot dad!" Giving a big fat smile at her dad, Ruby nudges at Tanya's blacken soul to join with her. Mentally sighing, Ruby's turn golden bright as Tanya calmly smiles at her father.

"Yeah, Ruby and I miss you a lot." Doing her best to maintain a good smile, they heard a certain rusty, drunken uncle coming out from the bridge area.

"Do you miss me little squirts?" Giving a sly smirk at the twins, Ruby's eyes are filled with mirth as her Semblance suddenly activated. Ruby shoots out like a bullet with rose petals flying out as she tightly grasping onto her uncle's right arm.

"Uncle Qrow! Do you miss us? Do you miss us?!" Giving him a puppy expression, Qrow was about to nudge her head till he notices two birds perching on the twins' shoulders, a dove and a Grimm. To the drunken huntsman, they look a little bit transparent to his eyes.

"I want to ask you little squirts, where did you get those birds from?" Hearing this, they were completely caught off-guard when their uncle can see their strange avian creatures.

"Hey, how this old geezer can see your birdies?!" Aiming his eyes at the twins' chocker, did that stone insulted him and where did they get that talking jewel from?

"Excuse me, Summer, can I have a little chat with my nieces. It's really important and personal for me." As Summer raise an eyebrow of why he needs to talk privately about them. Their mother presumes that Qrow is going to talk about one of his school embarrassments back at Beacon with his social quirks.

"Sure thing Qrow, you can talk with them. So Ironwood, how are my daughters doing?" Seeing Summer is distracted with Jimmy on how the twins are performing in school, Qrow brought the twins at a far distance away from them and giving her a small talk.

"Alright you two, where did you get those birds and how did your stone talk to me?" Quizzically looking at the birds to their gem which their uncle feel a funny vibe coming out from them, Ruby reverts back to her golden eyes and explains away to Qrow since their uncle can see the invisible birds which is a big surprise for the Devil.

"I have no idea where they came from Qrow. They appeared out of nowhere when we touch our souls and then there they are. For the stone, let Andy talk about two Pinkies and a religious Brain." Glancing back at the stone again, Qrow can faintly hear the stone is speaking to them. Everyone didn't get Tanya's reference, but he looks down at her orb.

"That's right old man. I can talk, I'm really surprised you're the only one who can hear me and see what they see. Like you have showered in magic or something? For my creators, let's just say they're not in the right mind." Qrow doesn't want to buy what Tanya said about her birds, the orb they had is more convincing enough. But when it said magic, Qrow slightly tensed up. So he's going to evade that question until the twins are back at Patch.

"Anyways, I heard what you did at Ironwood's Academy. Was that necessary to abuse your fellow students and forgetting that you're still underage?" As he said that, Qrow might have accidentally sparked an argument.

"That was a disciplinary measure when everyone didn't take me seriously."

"This is a personal opinion, but was it necessary Tanya? Everyone is scared of us of how you brutally design the First Phase!"

"It is necessary to me! For the staff though, I'm surprised they didn't stop me or seeing my ways a little too brutal for their moral conscious."

"Seriously Tanya, is that being a little…too rough of what you did." As their flashing between gold and silver as their argument about to get heated up, Qrow decides to break their argument before it attracts their attention of their family.

"Okay, okay. I'll just talk to Ironwood then. Just don't argue here, you might attract unneeded attention." Reminding the twins they're in a public place, they quickly shut up as they walk back to Summer.

"So the orb that my baby girls have allows them to fly? That sounds so awesome." Hearing a happy Summer talking to Jimmy, Qrow just sneer and heading back to old Ironwood as he needs more answers.

"Yes Ms. Rose, it's a special orb from R&D. But this orb could not be recreated." Feeling someone tapping on his shoulder, he looks back to see a scowling Branwen looking at him, knowing what's going to happen next, Ironwood sighs.

"What do you want now Qrow?" The drunken crow simply gestures his fingers at the outside entrance in the frozen streets of Atlas.

"We're going to talk outside, now. Second, bar." Knowing this is going to happen when it revolves around with the twins as Ozpin doesn't like to keep secrets from Qrow, James just nods his head as the two walk out into the freezing streets of Atlas.

"So…how's your talk with your uncle Tanya?" As Summer looking down at her two little girls trapped in a single body with her big sister Yang besides them. Ruby's golden eyes look back at her mother with peculiarity.

"It was enlightening so far." Looking back at the streets, it is strange their uncle can see the birds and hear what Andy is saying. But when Andy said magic, did their uncle really experience with magic or their orb is merely bluffing?

"Anyways, Tai and I rented a five-star hotel here in Atlas. It has all kind of fun activities, an indoor swimming pool, workout facility, a massive arcade, everything, a great way to celebrate the holiday with you two girls." Hearing what their mother is saying, Ruby's become wide-eyed of hearing those amenities as a big smile rising across her cheek. But then her face loses its joy and her silver eyes turn to gold.

"Is there a bookstore or library near the hotel?" Questioning her mother if there's more to that as Tanya's needs to keep her wits sharpen, Summer carefully planned when it comes to her other daughter's intelligence.

"Already planned it Tige, there's a highly rated bookshop nearby the hotel that we rented, we have enough money to buy a stack of books for you if you want." Hearing this, Tanya gives a rare genuine smile to her mother of knowing what she wanted.

"Thank you mother, I appreciated that. So now, off we go then-?" Tanya was cut off when the excited Yang is dragging their dad as the two quickly exited out the airship building.

"Atlas, here we come! Let's go, everyone!" Hearing Yang's voice that's filled with high spirit, Tanya just decides to leave immediately before they get ditch by her blonde sister.

"Your family is quite full of misfit isn't Tanya?"

Shut up.

"Well never mind then, let's just go." Heading outside, the twins need to catch up with Yang before she forgets about them.


In the streets of Atlas again, the family witness towering skyscrapers that reached the heavens, the snow is pounding Atlas hard as it's the Winter Solstice. They see technological wonders everywhere where robots patrolling the streets, some cars that hover, and many more to see here. The same thing when the twins first arrive here.

"Wow, this place is really big here ain't it Tanny, Rubes? Do you ever go here?" Looking back at the twins if they experienced anything before, Tanya politely replied to her big sister.

"Actually dear sister, we don't have the time to visit Atlas personally as I'm off 'studying' at the Academy." Giving Yang some half-truths of what she did in Atlas that may cause them to morally questioning her, Tanya leaves it at that.

"That sounds lame, but fair enough-hey is that the hotel in the review picture!" Looking where she pointed at, they see it is indeed their hotel as its white geometric design is really eye-catching to them and tall like the rest of the buildings here in Atlas. They see a lot of tourists going in and out of the well-respected hotel.

As Tai and Yang enter inside with no hesitation, the twins and Summer were about to enter the hotel until they heard a little girl yelling amongst the crowd.

"Hey, get away from me you freaking sicko!" Looking where the voice is coming from, the three look to see an orange haired girl with a tail coming out behind her, for the other voice, Tanya quickly dropped her heart in disgust and horror when she recognizes that perverted voice.

"Who's that sicko?"

Hush!

"You supposed to return back to the mines, no animals should be here in this fine establishment." Fully seeing who it is, she saw a middle-aged man that's going through balding, beady eyes that's being covered with his round glasses, and a deviant expression growing across his cheeks.

"Get away from me Yalo!" Seeing this horrible flesh called a human being; it is the reincarnation of Loliya who may be the second reincarnation of the infamous sexual predator Lavrentiy Beria.

"What's the matter? I'm your foreman and foremen watches animals like you on a leash. So let's go dear, we're going to have a lot of fun." As the two left and the people here who don't give a damn about the faunus as they simply snarl at the tailed girl. Summer got extremely unnerved of what she saw and tightly grasping her fingers of this injustice she saw. But knowing about society, she doesn't have the power to make a change here especially to the Schnee Dust Company.

You seem to know him, Tanya? Is one of those people in your previous life?

Seeing that bastard is not in hell yet, then yes. I know him.

What's so bad about that guy?

A person you wish he die miserably and it's best we don't get near him at all if you're a young girl. For what he does, it's not pretty. Remembering the disgusting rapist, she read unsettling reports about him and personally almost got raped by that bastard. Luckily, she didn't lose her virginity and evading his attempt to capture her. Watching Yalo force the faunus into the truck, the two left and Tanya wishing she wouldn't meet that guy again. The Nevermore Muggy screech in rage as it's ready to meet the darkness of mankind.

"So that creep likes to molest people?"

Yes, thank you for ruining my thoughts-and would you please shut up Andy.

"Let's just go you two, its best we forget about this." Giving a voice of sorrow in her tone of what she saw and ruining her perfect movement with her daughters. Ruby's silver eyes gaze at her mother of why they can't do anything.

"Why mom? Shouldn't we help her?" Trying to give a melancholy smile at her daughters, she only says this.

"Dear, I don't have the power to change the people's minds and my injuries are still kicking. It's best we don't get involved." Giving a sober tone to her two little girls, Ruby is not ready to see the horrors of what Summer face and not knowing the potential of how evil mankind can be.

"For now, let's just celebrate and ease our minds. Okay?" As Ruby reluctantly nods her head to her mother, they walk inside and ordered their room key.

Try to forget and ease your mind Ruby, you will get used to it. Remember what I said before when we first step into Atlas. Hesitant to take in sister's advice, she will let loose of what she saw.

Stepping into the elevator. The three were then lifted up towards the fourth floor as they hear a ding. With the doors opening up. They look around to see a white pristine hallway with the many white automated doors. They see the glistening blue lights above them to guide where their room is.

Pulling out her card, Summer placed the keycard on the scanner. Scanning, the door slides open to reveal Tai and Yang inside. With Yang is excitingly looking around and found a Scroll password for the flatscreen T.V access on the table.

"Hey sis, do you like the room we got?" The twins see a pair of Queen Size beds that is again, white. The wall in front of them is a glass panel where they can see the city's landscape. There is a bathroom beside them and the walls are painted in light gray.

"You know, do you want to go swimming you two? Cause we have swimsuits with us." Before Tanya can object to swimming as she's more interest in going to the bookstore. Yang quickly grabs their arm and dragging them into the bathroom for them to change into their bathing suits. As Yang is pretty energetic about how their vacation here.

"Too late Tanya, we're going swimming!"


A day went by as the twins are enjoying the hotel's amenities. They were swimming in their warm indoor pool with Yang splashing at their face. Ruby enjoying the 16-bit games at the arcade while Tanya is getting bored with the pixel games. They eat the finest food at the hotel's buffet as Tanya wants to hurl by how much her host is stuffing herself. Everything they did is for Ruby to forget about that faunus girl she saw. But that memory still lingers in Ruby's mind.

"Honey, I'm heading out to get books for Tanya. Watch Yang for me okay?" As evening reach and the sun about to set, Summer waves at her husband in their hotel room as they're heading outside to get some books for Tanya.

"You got it Summer, have a safe trip you three!" Giving him the thumbs up to her blonde headed husband, Summer and the twins left their room and heading down to the lobby. The lobby they're in is quite luxurious with a touch of modern design. They see crowds of people passing through them as the twins are holding her mother's hand.

Exiting out and seeing the snowy white breeze of Atlas. The twins walk through the streets with their mother beside them, they see folks going by their day until someone that Tanya knows in the past made her tense up. At a local chapel. Tanya saw Marlene Sue walking that presumes to be her father as Tanya instantly recognize that face. It's Anson Sioux, the man she killed in battle.

Is that her dad? As they're near to the chapel. The priestess appears to them and chatting with Marlene's dad. Hearing him muttering a name called Delphine. As they're talking. A guy who looks like a cameraman is egoistically boasting with the priestess. Hearing him yelling out his name which he's called Jack.

Yes. It is. Doing her best to ignore them, they continue to head for their bookstore.

Walking casually with the citizens who are well off as they laugh playfully, the twins look around at the seemingly normal streets until she spotted a black old man talking to a little boy. Behind them is a shop that looks is about to shut down pretty soon. Summer sees it as well as the mother hears their desperation.

"So what's up with those two?"

Are you really going to state the obvious Andy?

"What are we going to do pops? People here aren't buying our dust because of those Schnee jacking up their prices." Seeing the boy who's probably around Yang's age, they hear his troubled voice of what would happen to their old dust shop. The shop they see is quite humble and simple unlike the modern design in Atlas.

"I don't know my boy, Flynt. If we don't get the Lien to pay our expenses in the next year, this little store of ours will go under. After that…I have no idea what will we do?" Hearing this, Summer grabs their daughters' hand and decide to strike a conversation with these two strangers.

"Excuse me? What's going on here?" Hearing her voice, the shop owner looks at Summer and giving a mournful look to her.

"Oh nothing, it just our financial needs. But sorry, our shop closed in the Winter Solstice. The names Mr. Coal and my boy here is Flynt, so about how you dear and your little girl?" As Mr. Coal looks at them strangely, the boy name Flynt kindly waves at them.

"I'm Summer, this here is my little Ruby, but her other sister is Tige." Looking at the silvered-eyed girl as she's smiling at them, Mr. Coal raises his graying eyebrow at Summer.

"Your other daughter?"

"It's a special condition." Looking back at Ruby, her silver-eyes turn into gold as she has a permanent scowl on her face.

"I see. I don't know why you're here. But I appreciate your concerns. But there's nothing to worry." His sadden face defied of what Mr. Coal said. As there is going to be a lot of financial hardship for them, even the orb sympathize with their situation.

"Man, that sucks."

Yeah, Andy, I can feel you.

"So what will you do with your shop Mr. Coal?" As Summer gives a concerned stare at their store which it mainly sells Dust. Mr. Coal soberly spoke with his idea what's going to happen.

"It will remain Summer, but…if we don't have the Lien. The store we have here will not last. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your solstice. Flynt, let's go my boy." As Mr. Coal locked the store and leaving his shop. The boy gives a feigning smile at Ruby on trying to break the depressing vibe in the air.

"See yeah, Ruby, Tige!" As the two left their sight, the twins look at the price of their Dust. It sees its range around the standard twelve per lien for Dust compare to the Schnee which is dirt cheap around two per Lien.

That doesn't look fair.

Business is business, Ruby. The Schnee are extremely influential as they can change their price at will and doing its best to monopolize on Dust. It wouldn't be surprised if they run everything on our daily lives. Hearing Tanya's cynical outlook on wealth, Ruby wish there is a way to give financial needs for the poor.

In Tanya's opinion, the Schnee will be the only business who runs in Dust and there will be no competitors. There will be some benefits as there wouldn't be anyone to oppose them, but there's a back draw on a singular Monopoly. Their price will always be fixed as their demand is at a standstill. If they get cocky, they might produce inferior products to the consumers if they are that gullible.

About to go in through her economic theories while going thinking the pro and cons on monopolies. Tanya's snap out of her thoughts when Summer grabs their hand.

"Let's go dear; I think the store is just ahead of us." As Summer trying her best on forgetting on the inequality here. Their mother saw the desired bookstore to see customers going in and out with bags full of books.

"There it is Tige." Stepping inside the bookstore, they see towers of bookshelves of many kinds of genres lining in rows and a board to see where their designated desired books would be at. Seeing what's around her, Tanya completely forgets about the Coals or that disgusting pedophile she encountered.

"Hmm, quite a place here. Can you take me to history, myths, and aviation, mom?" Her mother happily nods to Tanya's request as they walking through sections on finding the books she wanted.

Okay, Aviation Theories, Piloting 101, and the Mathematics of Flight. That's what I need. Seeing the books that are thick with pages, she grabs them and handed to her mother as Summer puts them in a plastic bag.

Man, that sounds boring, how we get the new issue X-ray and Vav? Of what Yang told me about them, it sounds pretty awesome! Suddenly changing direction than going to the Mythology section, Ruby grabs five volumes of X-Ray and Vav series on the comic book area. Tanya couldn't help but scoff at it. To her, reading those comics is a waste of time for her unless they have Shonen or Seinen genres she enjoys in her previous reincarnation when she was a young Japanese teen. Thinking about her past, she didn't finish reading Part 4 yet and not knowing what happened to the Serial Killer.

Can we go back where we supposed to go Ruby?

Fine, let's go find your lame books. To worsening her mood, her orb joins in on taunting Tanya.

"Yeah Tanya, it looks really fucking boring."

Shut up. Why didn't Adel keep you instead? Resisting on throwing away her orb, thinking its goal is to annoy her. Even though it's driving her crazy, it's usefulness cannot be discarded.

They arrive at Tanya's desired sections, she grabs books on that relates to Atlas's or Northern Mistral's old religions and grabbing a lot of books that relate to the history of Remnant that has fewer biases in them.

"Okay mom, we have the books we wanted. Can we check them out?" Summer happily nods to her daughters as they went to the front counter. Of how many they brought, Tanya got twelve books that relate to her and Ruby's five issues of X-Ray and Vav series.

As all their books scanned and paid, they are holding a thick bag of their purchased books. Exiting out the store, they heading back to their rented hotel as the twins are satisfied with their purchase.

Man, I can't wait to read X-Ray and Vav!

I don't get why everyone likes it, but whatever. Just hurry up because I need to sharpen my understanding of aviation. Wanting to read her books to get a better understanding of her skill, the books she has will give a better perspective of the many situations she's going to face. Like increase terrorist attacks, hoards of Grimm, unsavory factions, and many more. When Atlas decides to release the Computation Jewel to the public, she will have an advantage in flight and tactics when it comes to experience.

Planning what her future is going to be, Tanya feels the air of panic on a certain individual as the person is running. To see who it was, she turns her head at the alley to see a certain deer faunus sprinting away.

Seeing her again, her heart is starting to feel sudden pains out of nowhere. The girl who resembled Visha is running for her dear life, her clothes are ragged and filthy, her face filled with muck with her antlers hanging in the air. Smelling her rush of adrenaline pumping through her veins and dodging through the traffic street with great finesse, they see two humans who are wearing their Schnee foreman outfit are chasing after her but can't keep up with her athletic nature.

"Get back here you animal!" Trying their best not to get run over by traffic, they proceed on trying to catch the faunus but she's way too far for them to catch. The cars are honking at them to get off the road as the foreman heading to another alleyway.

Hey Tanya, can you tell me about that girl? I can feel you really care for her. Hearing Ruby mentioning about Visha, Tanya is doing her best to suppress her emotions and replying calmly to her host.

Why are you so interested in that deer girl?

Come on Tanya! You can't hide it. You look like you know her too well, someone you really trust. Biting her lips, it's too late to make a cover-up.

She's my Second Lieutenant. Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov or Visha for short, but here, I think she's called Victoria Tiwaz. She's a bit of a ditz and good-natured; sometimes she gets on my nerves as she interpreting my words differently. Like lecturing her on poison sprouts, she thinks them as spy names from her homeland for some stupid reason. Remembering those moments with Visha, she's a bit of a chocolate addict, extremely lucky in poker for some reason, and some point thinking about Visha's body as she's eating way too much on the Empire's rations.

Thinking about her, Tanya has a complicated relationship with Visha as she's somewhere between a great friend to a horrible nuisance to Tanya's plans.

You sound you really care for her. Seeing it's the Winter Solstice, about we find her? Widening her eyes, she would like to but that's not possible in their current situation.

Tarnishing my reputation? I would love to meet her but seeing everyone is really biased against the faunus for some unknown reasons. I don't want to ruin my career with the racist individuals. About to argue about her sister's unwillingness to meet her old friend in this life, Ruby is then distracted when saw marking on the alleyways.

Hey Tanya? What are those markings on the alley walls? Wanting to know what she's referring to, she gazes at the vandalized, grey walls to see arrow markings that almost shaped like a T. The foremen didn't notice them as the arrows are leading to somewhere where the reincarnate of Visha is going.

How about we follow them, it might lead to your friend Visha? She wants to follow the scratches that might lead to Tiwaz, but the Devil really doesn't want to go with Ruby's plan.

Leading to certain death and ruining my image. I don't think so. Besides, I don't think Summer would appreciate without her knowing that we left…her. Pausing what she said and putting into context, Tanya can tell that Ruby is determined on meeting with Tiwaz. Looking over to their mother, Ruby mischievously smile at her plan.

Oh no! I thought you said wouldn't want your mother get harm and she's still recovering her wounds!

Come on Tanya, I think she can handle it! Besides, I think she appreciates a little adventure once a while. She's experience, she knows how to fight!

Ruby, I don't think she would agree with your idea.

I'm going to do it!

No!

"I think I can agree with Ruby on this one. A good boom would make me happy!"

You're not helping Andy!


"So that's your story, Jimmy?" Taking a swig on is pint-size beer. James nodded to Qrow as they're inside a fancy club where all the rich would drink in. The air that's filled with pretension and hearing the snarky voices of the wealthy of how better they are. The club is glistening with the finest crystals and plated with gold by what the patrons are wearing. Nobody can hear them as loud music deafening the room and the bartender wasn't present to eavesdropped them.

"Yes, that's all I can describe." Hesitant and the fact he's not enjoying with every moment with Tanya as she's asserting every control of what she's doing. Qrow can sympathize with James in his current moment, as the General himself is not enjoying with Tanya's presence.

"Is that a little too much that a little girl is bossing your students around? What's up with that?" You do know what she's doing to them right?" Holding his fists tightly. all of his choices are all risky and the only option he has is to submit. How did he get here in the first place? First, the Council wants to study their aura, now they want a specialized army? How did that happen?

"Look, do you want me to remind you that a lot of my staff are interested in her that feels fanatical and unreasonable? With the Council putting a noose under your niece would be a great idea if I tell the truth that she's part Grimm?" Placing his mug on the counter, Qrow just pitches at the bridge of his nose and trying to process what they should do with Tanya's increasingly violent behavior.

"James, how about you assert some dominance over Tanya and telling her to calm down before her Grimm side would go into a frenzy?" Thinking about it, Ironwood would love to do that. But there's another creeping problem with his more aggressive staff.

"Again, the staff. They will be extremely bitey at me if I do that. As they want powerful fighters from how Tanya presented to them in her proposed papers." When Tanya present her claims and ideas to the staff. A lot of them are intrigued by Tanya's approach to battle. Also hearing the success of the Operation Orb, they got really excited about this new group that Tanya is going to make as sacrifices were made to achieve Tanya's goals.

"Although, of what I've heard about the Second Phase. She will be a lot softer than before which is mainly doing aviation with the selected students." Recalling on her papers, the Second Phase is a lot calmer than the First Phase which is mainly Tanya being brutal with the students to root out the ones that aren't going to listen to her. It is mainly practicing their orbs and developing tactics for them to survive when they're into battle. She has a backup plan if Adel's technology fails, but the staff wasn't enthusiastic about her backup ideas as they're really pushing for flying soldiers.

"So how long will the Second Phase last?" Waiting for Ironwood for his answer, James starts to memorize what the Second Phase duration will be like. Remembering, it's quite a while.

"According to her in the fine print, three years is how long the Second Phase will last. She wants to perfect their flight techniques and getting the updated gear for Tanya to be satisfied with since this a technology that Remnant never experienced before. When she is done. We are greenlit to mass produce the Computation Jewels for the Academies and the Militaries. As Tanya adamantly states that she needs the experience before we can freely give away to everyone. Knowing those jewels will be also taken by unsavory individuals." Giving what the Second Phase will be like and Tanya's reasons to delay the mass production of them. Qrow starts to carefully listen to Ironwood's words.

"That sounds reasonable...I think?" Not sure if Tanya is going to be aggressive again or being nice this time. Ironwood rubs his temple and trying his best to negate his stress on this predicament.

"You have no idea of what I'm going through, right Qrow?"