Next update: Sunday, April 15th.

Chapter 4

Blake forced herself to keep focus. It would be a long night, and an even longer week. She had to be persistent in her endeavors to get the next few missions planned out. The village counted on it.

With a sigh grit between her teeth, the Faunus pulled out a few more maps from storage. Warming some hot water and dropping in a tea bag into it with a plop, she got to work. Her ears caught the faint sounds of the celebrations back in the village, fireworks marking the end to the first night. It was all the motivation she needed as she studied the maps closely. Thankfully, Blake kept diligent notes, marking new information when it became obvious that it would not change rapidly.

It took hours of careful planning and she knew that it was only the start. Yet even so, she was ready to make the first upcoming mission official.

It would be a northern voyage, and the waters were particularly dangerous in northern territories, where aquatic Grimm were rarely slain, and grew to impossibly large sizes. She didn't hesitate in spite of the late hour. Any stalling could make the mission a failure. Calling two of her most prized humans into her office, she had every ounce of faith that they would be able to successfully complete this mission.

"It's almost time for the yearly voyage to Atlas for dust supplies. Obviously, due to the destination, it's a cold water mission. Grimm activity is high, and there are plenty of icebergs. Worst yet, there have been reports that the temperament towards Faunus has been particularly hostile recently." She said to the two women in her office. "Pyrrha, you and Ruby will lead this expedition to our White Fang brethren to receive our dust supplies."

"It's just the normal there and back again, right?" Ruby asked. "No weird stops like last year?"

Blake let her ears fall flat atop her head. Even remembering that nightmare made her skin crawl. "No, you will not be riding on any more civilian boats. It takes precious time out of your journey. Besides, the safety of those traveling to and from the island should not be reliant on you to protect them."

"But, we're huntresses, it's our job to protect people."

"Yes, Ruby, it is, but not at the expense of the mission for this island. Menagerie requires supplies, and those who make the journey here by boat know the risks. You have only one concern. Completing this mission on time, and returning safely." While Blake believe those two things to be paramount, she found herself tenting her fingers as she sat at her desk, a strange restlessness tingling at the tips of her fingers.

She looked down to the great glacial territory. Against her own wishes, her fingers rubbed at the destination spot, and the women in front of her seemed to catch onto this.

"Blake?" Pyrrha murmured. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." The cat Faunus offered as reassuring a smile as she could muster. "While you're docked there, I need the two of you to do me a personal favor. Something a little questionable...well, for a Faunus to ask you to do, anyway."

"Anything." Ruby said, jumping at the chance to put to rest any lingering problems Blake thought might arise.

"I have prepared a gift of the finest tea we have to offer. Also included are two rather long letters of apology. One from myself, and one from my father." Blake began, her amber eyes glancing down at her maps once more. She then looked up and took a breath. "I'd like you both to represent Menagerie, and give it to the Schnee family patriarch in a show a good will. I have a feeling he'll be less likely to turn away two humans."

"We've never given a gift to him before." Pyrrha pointed out. "We've never even stepped foot near the Schnee manor. He doesn't particularly enjoy uninvited guests to his property."

"I've never had to explain the insubordinate actions of White Fang members on his property before, either." Blake said as she slid forward the report so that Pyrrha could see it. "These two members are now being sent back to Menagerie. They will take part in our remedial training program this year. I plan to put both of them through their due paces. However, first we must try to do damage control."

Pyrrha's fingered tightened around the written documents sent from Atlas. She frowned, almost in disbelief. "It says here they're being followed by the heiress for reparations. However, it fails to state which one. As I recall, the man has two daughters."

"He's got a son too, doesn't he?" Ruby asked.

"Now that you mention it, I think so." Pyrrha nodded conversationally. "The youngest among them. He would be far too young to travel on his own. Winter, on the other hand..."

"Winter Schnee is a blueblood, and a diplomat of the highest order. She would not be coming." Blake cut in stiffly, pulling the attention back to the task at hand.

"Can you be sure?" Pyrrha murmured.

"No...but, my thoughts on the topic are somewhat grounded by knowing the woman on a personal level." Blake explained at length. "The Schnee family name doesn't come lightly, especially not to Faunus, and particularly not the ones here in Menagerie. I have every suspicion that Winter Schnee wouldn't make the journey over such a small scuffle."

"This report makes it seem anything but small." Pyrrha noted as she handed Ruby the paperwork. "Dust explosions, even minor ones, can have lasting issues. Besides which, even looking at the report at face value, it was an act of vandalism by two Faunus. That's hardly something to overlook."

"Agreed, but Winter is intelligent, and thrives on intimidation when it suits her." Blake said, pondering her thoughts aloud. "I'm sure if she would have chosen to come here, she would have sent word about it personally. She isn't one for surprises."

"Supposing she did come unannounced?"

Blake let out a tiny growl, one of displeasure even thinking of it. "I would not presume something like that."

"Yet, pretend that you did…" Pyrrha pressed. "What would you expect?"

"Pyrrha, I have no words to describe the magnitude of that question, or how it could reflect on our survival as a village. Winter is not a woman to toy with. If she feels hostilities are rising, and that Faunus are to blame, we would not be met with the pleasure of her company." Blake said slowly. "It would be retribution."

"Yeah, but on the reverse side, she is generally fair to Faunus." Ruby said.

"Fair, perhaps. However, I'd hesitate to call her kind when provoked." Blake continued, pressing her point. "That is why you have been tasked to appease the Schnee patriarch in the best way that you can. We can hope that he might forgive the insult on his property."

"Even if we do give him a gift, I doubt he will accept it." Pyrrha said softly.

Blake was obviously displeased, but she knew the words to be true. "Still, you have orders to try, Pyrrha."

"And try I will. I promise you that I'll do my best." Pyrrha assured, ready to give her best attempt. "Honestly, though, you should not expect much."

"Honestly, I don't. You and Ruby will ship out two weeks from today in one of our cold water vessels. I expect the journey to take about a month, all things considered. The boat crew shall be hand selected by my father for this mission. As with all journeys to Atlas, if you choose any Faunus teammates they are not to leave the safety of our established White Fang headquarters."

"I'm going to want Yang for this." Ruby said then. "I don't like going all the way to Atlas without her. The aquatic Grimm are more likely to retreat due to her semblance, and she's the one least likely to catch hypothermia if she's in the water for any length of time."

"You're going to have to go without her this time. I'll need her in Menagerie for a while longer after the festivities have concluded." Blake said then. "Anyone other than Yang is at your disposal."

"Understood." Pyrrha said, looking over to Ruby. "If we take both Yatsuhashi and Fox along, that should compensate for the loss of Yang's semblance."

"Alright, but we'll need ranged fighters too." Ruby said, biting her lower lip in thought. "Sun's semblance could would, if not, his guns are about on par with mine."

"You're free to build your teams however you wish, so long as you keep Yang out of the rotation." Blake replied. "Just get back to me as soon as you've built them. Until then, Pyrrha, you're dismissed. Ruby, I have something else to discuss with you."

"Um…did I do something wrong?" The woman asked, but Blake merely shook her head.

"No, of course not." Blake said, her voice gentling itself under Ruby's worried expression. "If you'll accompany me, outside, we can continue our discussion there…" Then she looked over to Pyrrha. "Please excuse us, this cannot wait."

"Perfectly understandable." Pyrrha nodded. "I should be off too. I'll need to check our supplies and write up a report of what we'll need more of. Ruby, if you could meet me at the supply houses by the docks when you're finished?"

"Yeah, I'll see you there." Ruby said with a smile. "Just after I talk to Blake."