Jaune woke up early the next morning and checked that last night had not been a dream. Nope, he could still flare aura. Amber had really unlocked it. He, Amber, Darren Marine, and his squad had not celebrated excessively last night. The squad were on call and Amber had said that she would help them out if needed.

So far he had not told anyone else the good news. Amber had pointed out that mother was likely to be working all night and would not really have the time to take it in and for the rest it might be better to show Lavender and dad in person rather than over the scroll. Besides seeing was believing and a slightly inebriated call late at night might not be appreciated or believed by either of them.

He wandered down to breakfast and saw that Amber was up eating muesli and drinking coffee. She poured him a cup and he helped himself to muesli.

"What's the news from Kulsa?"

"Darren and I spoke to Jesse and Reynard this morning. Tense but peaceful was the message. The Kingdom Guard are starting to arrive. There are still a lot of missing Faunus but for the moment the assumption is that they are hiding, skipping town, or injured rather than dead. Jesse says that dad is joining mother this morning to help talk the temperature down around the family patriarchs. He will do his patented the local Faunus could not organise a party in a brewery spiel and certainly not pull a long con. They'll both stay in Kulsa tonight and come home tomorrow. Mother and the mayor are doing their best to keep the journalists from the hospitals. The staircases at police stations were unusually dangerous yesterday. Luckily or unluckily, Team Blood have been useful distractions."

"Are you needed?"

"Not after we get back to Ansel. Reynard asked if you could drive the car back to Ansel for him and for us to pick up more dust supplies on the way. He will be in the Faunus quarter keeping the peace. The Kingdom Guard have asked that the LGDF and the local police deal with matters there."

"No patrolling?"

"Darren and his team will be flying around the district, but there were no reports of unusual Grimm activity overnight. If you check in the office and see if anything needs doing. Let's try and get underway by eleven."

Jaune had a couple more visits to do seeing humans who were looking to move out of town and reassuring them about the process. They were both more in sorrow than in anger and said that they had nothing against their neighbours. One said that he was more frightened about something kicking off in Kulsa and reigniting the Faunus wars.

The journey back was uneventful. Amber was happy for Jaune to drive, there were three stops where Amber got out of the car carrying some CDs and came back with receipts plus dust supplies. She said that it was best if she did the purchases herself.

She mused on the way back, "Dust is really cheap here. I won't talk to Jasper about it, but have you ever wondered why?"

"Them that asks no questions, isn't told a lie."

"Fine, and that's why we aren't speaking to Jasper and Debo about it. But this is us."

"Smuggling I guess?"

"Of course, doofus. But who is doing it?"

"It's the national sport or so dad tells us."

"I assume mother is happy about the quality. I know I was yesterday."

"No complaints. Indeed, if anything better than the normal supplies."

"Smugglers with quality control and who care about repeat business? How long have prices been that low?"

"About nine months. They have also been consistently in stock."

Amber said, "The last shopkeeper was a little careless. Probably thought I was a Faunus when I handed over the CD. Smugglers who have their own brand and packaging plant."

"What?"

Amber held up a packet with the brand name "QED" on it and a picture of a Nevermore on it.

"I suppose that the cheap dust is only in the Faunus areas?"

"Well, yes." Jaune had realised that the likelihood was that the White Fang were involved in the smuggling but had taken the hint from mother that better they sold it to the LGDF then used it against civilians.

"I have a friend in Vale who will be interested in this. Let's see how much gossip we can get from Jasper tonight about the Badlands. I've been wondering about whether things are really as awful there as everyone pretends."

Jaune wanted to change the subject on to what mattered most to him and besides which he hated thinking about politics and things which he could not control.

"Amber, now my aura is unlocked how do I become a huntsman?"

She looked at him and grimaced, "Jaune, let me think about that."

"Do you think I could get into Haven?"

"I'm not exactly on speaking terms with anyone there. The twins are a better bet to speak to about that."

"OK."

"Look, you're in an unusual situation and me and the twins followed the normal path. I don't have the detailed stuff about Mustangs to hand. I do need time to think about it and I'm not just blowing smoke in your eyes."

Later on, Jaune realised that Amber had not denied that she was partially blowing smoke in his eyes, but for the moment he was satisfied.

They got back to headquarters and Amber handed in the dust and the receipts to Marion. Mother's deputy did not comment on the fact that the amount of dust handed over was about seventy percent in excess of the amount recorded on the receipts. Perhaps a raised eyebrow as the normal excess was sixty percent. Marion looked at the time and told Jaune to take the rest of the day off as he did not often get chance to see his sister.

The two of them walked back to the house. It was now about three in the afternoon and Lavender would be home from school soon. There was a note on the fridge from Lavender that there were some left over cheesy potatoes in the fridge which had been cooked in a garlic broth with layers of onion and some left over sauce from the main course. Jaune heated up the sauce. The potatoes would be fine cold and indeed arguably being left overnight improved the taste. Both he and Amber would not be eating now until 7.30.

He served about half of what was left over between them. Amber looked up and said, "You're still growing and besides which you will find that you burn off more calories now you have an aura. Let's just leave one-third for Lavender."

They sat down and ate the potatoes with the spicy tomato sauce.

Amber looked across at him, "Any idea which of them did what?"

"Potatoes would be Lavender, the sauce, dad. He would have done everything else although Lavender would have done most of the chopping."

Big sis shook her head, "Me and Saffy still find it hard to believe how much of a domestic god dad is nowadays. He's dealt with retirement far better than we thought he would."

"He still volunteers for the LGDF and does teaching stints at ACS."

"Yes, but no more travelling all over Remnant or even Mistral. He was often away for months."

Just then Lavender came in. She ran over and hugged Amber. Lavender missed her two older sisters who rarely came home nowadays. She especially missed Amber who she idolised. She had been eight and ten when Amber had fought in her two Vytal Festivals, and she had made up her mind then that she would be a huntress.

"I have a present for you, Lavender."

Amber produced another CD. "Ignore the label and only listen to the second disc using the headphones or when dad is out."

Lavender eeped with excitement. She was a teenager and needed to test the boundaries but preferred to do so without causing offence or upset. It helped that mother's mantra about questions and lies applied to things other than buying dust in the Faunus areas.

Jaune said, "Last we heard mother and dad will be stuck in Kulsa tonight so you can listen to it properly this evening."

Amber said, "That's right. By the way, the potatoes were excellent."

Lavender smiled. "Thanks. There were lots left over because mother was out."

"How was the dinner party?"

Lavender said, "I spent most of it in the kitchen or talking to Lily. David's parents and dad did most of the talking. Everyone enjoyed the food."

Jaune saw that Lavender was uncomfortable talking about the evening. Amber nodded but did not press for details. Instead, she asked, "Do you want to practise in the gym for a bit? I have some tips on aura control for you and another surprise."

She looked at Jaune and said, "You'll join us."

"Of course, Amber."

Lavender was surprised at this. Jaune had been sensitive for so long about the fact that he did not have an aura that the family only alluded to it when absolutely necessary when he was around.

Dad had built the gym when it became clear that Amber and the twins would be following in his footsteps and also used it for private training sessions with some of the ACS students who need coaching to get into haven or to join the private sector as guards and security specialists. He had also had a lucrative contract for one of the multi-Kingdoms in Vacuo about that time.

Amber went through various tips on concentrating aura, on how to maintain a low level of aura in dangerous situations which could block knife throws and small bullets without risking burning out when one really needed it. She said that as with all things to do with aura and semblances constant practice was essential to finetune things. She even explained how it was possible to generate aura when asleep and how while aura could reduce the effect of fist blows and knife attacks with the knife in hand, a skilled attacker could trip you up or draw blood if they got the timing right. Lavender was so engrossed in the lesson that it took her fifteen minutes before she realised that something was different.

"Jaune, you've got aura!"

He smiled at her as she raced at him to give him a hug. He remembered to power down his aura before she bounced off it.

"Thanks. Amber unlocked it last night when I was moaning about my fate." He winked at her to make sure that she realised that he was making a joke against himself.

"But I thought….." She trailed off in confusion.

Amber said, "It's not unknown for people's auras to unlock late."

Lavender said, "Jaune can you show me your aura again, I got the sense that it was strong."

"He's got the strongest in the family."

Lavender said, "But late unlocked auras are weaker….."

Amber said. "Normally yes. But he is an Arc. We do things differently."

Lavender nodded at this. "The teachers always tell us that the more you study aura the more you realise how little we know."

"That's right." Amber looked like she could say more.

Jaune joked, "Perhaps Amber is an aura-whisperer."

Both of them laughed at this.

Jaune said, "Lavender can you keep this quiet until I've told mother and dad tomorrow? I don't want to do it over the scroll especially when they are busy on LGDF business."

"Of course."

Amber said, "Jaune can help you train as well now and learn to use his aura at the same time. You can practice sword work together."

Lavender was half happy at the thought, but said, "Swordwork….."

"I know you're smaller than most and sensibly prefer the ranged options. Sometime though one needs to work at close quarters and that's when you need better than basic sword and dagger skills and even unarmed combat. You and Jaune can teach each other. Perhaps dad will let Jaune use Crocea Mors."

Lavender looked happier and besides which had decided long ago that on hunting matters Amber knew best. Dad was of course excellent, but Amber was more up to date.

"Will Jaune be coming back to ACS?"

Amber looked at Jaune, "Too early … Look I doubt it. He will be four years older than the other first years and he will be a lot taller and stronger than all of them."

"But if the headmaster had unlocked his aura four years ago."

Amber said, "No doubt dad - or mother - will make that point to Brown."

"But mustangs are up to seven years older than the other students at Haven."

"Students are normally close to full grown at 18."

"I don't think it's fair!"

"Let's see what happens. It was only unlocked last night, and this is a rare situation. We'll all have to think about it."

After an hour and a half, Amber called time on the training. They went back into the house so Amber and Jaune could prepare for the evening. Lavender helped herself to the rest of the potatoes and the sauce and listened to her new CD in the kitchen.

Jaune could hear the music as he changed. Amber's gift had been well chosen for her purposes. It would please Lavender, amuse mother and annoy dad when he found about it. Lavender liked certain types of music and when someone at school had told her it was animalistic had been puzzled. All the singers she knew were human and the tone of the remark had made it clear what the imputation was.

Oddly, it had been Debo (rather than Amber or mother) who had explained to Lavender that the music she liked had originally been recorded or sung by Faunus singers. Human singers and bands who had liked the music had adapted it for human audiences and had made more money out of it. Debo had lent Lavender some of her CDs of the old Faunus musicians and Lavender had been hooked. It made it easy for Amber and Saffy to give her presents as the reissues of the old songs were easy to find in Argus and Vale (if not in Ansel) but finding her a new Faunus singer who had taken some of the human changes and given them a new twist was clearly catnip for Lavender.

Jaune wandered down but before he entered the kitchen he could hear that Lily had come round. He nearly went into say hello when he realised that it would be embarrassing for both of then if he joined them now.

Lily was saying, "I'm sorry, Lavender. My father-in-law did not mean most of what he said last night, he's just worried."

Lavender said, "Lily, I was in the kitchen a lot of the time. I don't know what you are apologising for."

"It's good of you to say that, but I was there. I just wanted to let you know that neither David or I thinks what he said about Amber and Jaune."

"Lily, I know that. They are both in the house now, so …"

Just then he realised that Amber was behind him and had heard what was said. She pushed open the door, "Hello Lily, how's the baby?"

Lily darted round. She was 5 10. Tall for a woman but not by Arc standards. She also tended to make herself smaller by crouching or sitting down. She was twenty and had married at seventeen. She had decided early on that she did not to be a huntress and had refused to allow her aura to be unlocked or to attend combat school. She had met David, who was two years older, at the Ansel high school and the two had married as soon as it was legal.

"Amber, it's good to see you." The two of them air kissed.

"Good to see you as well. I'm afraid that I am not a nice woman, so you may as well accept that I am going to get out of you or Lavender what George (some of my best friends are Faunus but) said about our brother last night. I know that you and David don't think the same. I also know that neither of you dare contradict George or say boo to a goose."

Lily and Lavender reddened. Lily looked at Lavender and patted her on the shoulder. "They're my in laws and I know that you think that I am a coward."

"No, you've made a choice. I don't agree with it, but it was yours to make." Jaune inwardly cringed. This was escalating quickly. He also hoped that Lily would not register the lyrics of the song now playing. Even he realised that the phrase "You've got the right keyhole, but you've got the wrong key" was not about doors.

"Ok, Amber, if you want to play it that way. You make things difficult for mother and dad and the rest of us. I would like a fairer world, but I live in the real one."

"So, in your real world, what do people think about our brother?" Amber paused and then hugged Lily, "I know that you want to get on well with everyone and would never do any harm to anyone. I also know you aren't a fighter."

Lily sobbed and closed her eyes.

"People are scared. The White Fang operate with impunity, the bandits are getting closer, and no one is certain that Mistral City cares about us. You are just someone they can let off steam at because you say things."

"I get that. I made that choice years ago. Am I making things worse by turning up here twice a year?"

"If people just thought you were a troublemaker and self-evidently wrong, then no. The trouble is that they are worried that you may be partly right."

"I get that, Lily."

Lily had her head in Amber's shoulder and said, "My father-in-law thinks that you burned down Judge Blanche's woods deliberately, but that you covered yourself and that Jaune was used to complete the stitch up. David and his friends don't believe that, but Blanche is looking for payback."

Jaune said, "There were Alpha Grimm out there and we did everything by the book…"

"I and David know that. It's just that others are angry. They will be looking for reasons to have a go at you. Well, Amber as well, but you are never here long enough."

Amber said, "Thanks for the warning, Lily. Jaune, best keep a low profile for a couple of weeks and don't cross the road other than when the little green man is showing."

"That's probably for the best. Anyway, I'll need to be back home before young Nicholas wakes up. It was good to see you Amber. See you soon, Jaune, Lavender."

Lily left and Lavender looked thoughtful. "Jaune, I know that the LGDF is not about law enforcement, but there is something you need to do."

"What's that?"

"Notify the police that you have unlocked your aura."

Amber looked at Lavender, "I thought that only applied to Faunus."

"As I understand it, they recognised that the law was discriminatory and that the supreme court would be forced to say that it was. They changed it so that it applies to everyone. In practice, things might be different."

Amber nodded, "Understood. Jaune, best do it before we go to meet Debo and Jasper. It would suit Judge Blanche to make an example of you and it would have a secondary advantage in reducing the risk of an accusation that enforcement of the law was discriminatory."

The next thirty minutes involved working out how to notify the police online and then timing it so that no one who knew his parents would look at it tonight. Jaune still wanted to tell his parents in person, and he expected that they would be back by nine tomorrow morning.

Lavender then told them that Debo was bringing over the children and that she was babysitting them here rather than going over to Debo's.

At 6.45 Debo and the children arrived. Janet was four and John was three and were on the whole sweet children. It was a treat for them to stay with Aunt Lavender. Debo was twenty-four and was an efficient mother and wife. Dad had coined the phrase, and everybody knew what he meant. Unlike Saffy and Lily, she had kept her options open until she was eighteen. She had gone to ACS and had her aura unlocked. She was said by Amber to have been capable of going to Haven, but by seventeen had decided that she wanted to have a family with Jasper and become a political wife. She had not told anyone else this, especially Jasper, for another two years.

Jasper was ten years older than her and had arrived in Ansel when she was sixteen. He was a member of one of the Mistral political families and had been sent to Ansel to look after the business interests in the province.

Jaune had always been prepared to like him. He made Debo happy and amused mother. After Jaune's first six months in the LGDF mother had made it clear to Jaune that Jasper was a mid-ranking political operator and fixer and merited some respect. He was also mostly an ally of the LGDF. Amber had told him that Debo was cleverer and more ambitious than she admitted to and that she and Jasper made a good couple.

Jaune found Jasper troubling. He was always polite but had a sense of humour which occasionally was disturbing. He and Amber sparred together when they met.

Debo had walked in while Lavender was playing her new CD. She had clocked it, checked the tracks on the second CD and gently suggested to Lavender that she changed it while the children were awake. "Lavender, I know the lyrics are amusing and satirical, but I can guarantee that Janet will repeat all the most outrageous lines from Mistral City. The phrase "Uppity, Uppity Faunus" and spoof Ear and Tail Minstrel refrains about what happens to Faunus who dare to vote will not be easily forgotten or explained away when repeated."

Lavender blushed and changed the CD to something safer. Debo kissed her and made it clear that there was no problem between them.

The three of them walked to the Antelope. This was a hotel, bar and restaurant which was really too large for the city of Ansel. Somehow it kept going because it was owned by a wealthy family and was the default social centre of the city. They would be eating in a private room in the restaurant area but would meet Jasper in the bar area. The bar area had two stories with a balcony on the second story the middle of the first floor could be cleared to be used for dancing, but currently had tables and chairs occupying it. There were benches and fixed tables around the sides.

Jasper was at the bar speaking to some cronies. When he saw them he made his excuses and came over to them. "Amber, far too long since we last met. Jaune, I gather you both had a memorable day out yesterday, you must tell me all about it."

He checked his watch, "Our table will be ready in twenty minutes. Some cocktails or beer while we wait?"

Amber said, "Pint of best for me, Jasper." Jaune ordered the same while Jasper and Debo both had a Banana daiquiri.

Debo was scanning the bar area and whispered to Amber. "Richard Fuchsia is already a bit worse for wear, Amber. I suggest we take a table where you have your back to the wall and let me know if he starts to come over."

Amber nodded, "Fine Debo. I won't start anything if he doesn't."

"I know. It's just that I don't trust him not to. You did rather humiliate him last time you met."

"He deserved it."

"I know. It's just that your retort stuck. He's known as Limping Dick to everyone now behind his back and often to his face."

"I think my phrase was pithier."

"I'm too used to censoring myself in front of Janet and John these days."

"Understood."

Richard Fuchsia had been at ACS with Amber and had dated her a couple of times. He had sold a fictional kiss and tell story to the Remnant Enquirer about her. Amber, instead of totally denying it, had "corrected" some details which were designed to cast him in a bad light in front of his friends. They also had the merit of being based on the experience of a classmate of both of them with Richard at the ACS prom where he had drunk too much.

After ten minutes, Amber nodded to Debo who turned round and stepped in front of Fuchsia who was approaching the table with a full pint of beer in his hand. There was a short confrontation with Fuchsia shouting something derogatory about Amber before the staff and Fuchsia's friends led him away. Jaune noticed that the headmaster of ACS who had failed to unlock his aura was in the room. The man nodded in Debo's direction but either ignored him and Amber or felt that the one nod covered the whole family.

They were instantly shown to their private room.

They were seated and Jasper ordered a bottle of wine and some sparkling mineral water. He told the waiter that he would press the buzzer when they were ready to order.

After the wine had been delivered and the waiter had left the room, Amber looked at Jaune, "Doofus, why do you think Jasper has invited us to the Antelope rather than entertaining us at his house and why did we meet in the bar?"

"Is he sending a message that he's not ashamed to be seen with you?"

"Up to a point. There's more though."

Debo said, "You can't expect Jaune to get that bit of it."

"He will need to in the future."

Jasper laughed, "Amber, perhaps you can explain your theory?"

"Meeting me in public means that it is easier to cast this as a family duty with nothing serious about it. If he met me in private and gave all the servants the night off, news would almost certainly leak, and he would be suspected of conspiring with me. This way it is easier to sell it as behaving with politeness to a disgraced family member who is his wife's older sister."

"You may very well say that. I could not possibly comment." Jaune worked out that Jasper was hinting that Amber was broadly right, without actually saying so.

"Still, why the private room?" asked Jaune.

Jasper said, "After yesterday's news some idiots like Fuchsia might have caused a scene if we sat in the main restaurant. It helps that he did."

"You didn't by any chance arrange for it." This was from Amber.

"How could I possibly do that?" The man had a glint in his eye and the denial was clearly designed to be unconvincing.

Amber laughed, "Maybe not arrange. However, improving the odds would not have been hard. A look of distaste, a laugh combined with a quick glance in his direction."

Debo said, "We only changed the booking to the private room this morning. Amber dear, Jasper wants to have a frank conversation with you. Me and Jaune will listen and occasionally ask questions without repeating. Jaune, this is part of your learning curve."

Amber said, "Let's order first. Is there anything you would particularly recommend, Debo?"

After the order had been given and second bottle of wine ordered to arrive with the first course, Jasper said, "In Vale or when you were visiting Saffron and Terra, did anyone mention an influx of highly competent Mistralian Faunus?"

"No. Actually Terra mentioned that they had lost some. In Vale, my contacts aren't obsessed with the Faunus, but the press focuses on internal issues and not immigration. Why do you ask?"

"My job involves me travelling a lot and speaking to people. Part of what I am meant to do is pick up what concerns people and ideally spot long term developments. A year ago, people started mentioning without prompting that their best Faunus staff were leaving their jobs without asking for references and refusing to serve more than the contractual notice period."

Amber said, "I'm surprised it does not happen more often."

"I agree that there is a glass ceiling for Faunus in both the public and the private sector throughout Mistral. A Faunus can only rise so far within any organisation. Often they are left working for a human who is not as good as they are, slacks on the job and blames them for his or her mistakes. That normally resolves itself in boom times by them moving to a competitor in the same city or county where the immediate boss is less of an ass and there is a small pay increase.

Amber said, "And in bad times?"

"Sucking it up because they need the money to live. That's the point. We are in a recession in most of Mistral. The White Fang tactic of damaging the infrastructure and the economy has made supply chains unpredictable, increased spending on security and guards, raised prices, and has led to multi-Kingdoms freezing investment or moving operations to Vale and Argus."

"And the Faunus are still leaving their jobs?"

"Yes and their bosses don't know where. My first response to this was to ensure that my organisation found ways of paying our best Faunus for the job they are doing rather than the job title. I then started nudging my conversations so that the issue came up. I also spoke to others in my line of work and while I avoided nudging heard them say things which suggested that there was a particular shortage of skilled Faunus staff in mining and manufacturing."

"Hence your question?"

"Indeed. Where on Remnant are they going? Not Atlas or Mantle as far as I can tell. Maybe in Vale the glass ceiling is a little higher, but checking the going rates and the number of advertised jobs did not suggest that many people were going there."

"Unlikely, but perhaps the multi-Kingdoms are hiring in Vacuo and are going for Faunus rather than humans after the Rising Sun scandal?"

"Possible, but Vacuo is, well, Vacuo. If you are going to risk the wildlife you might as well go to Menagerie. At least there is plenty of water, fish, and fruit there."

"So, where are they all going?"

"That's why I wanted to speak to you two."

Debo than intervened, "One of my hobbyhorses is the Badlands. I did my fourth year long essay at ACS on the Tribe who now must not be mentioned. As all my conclusions have proved to be wrong, I have taken an interest in them."

"My wife has shared her thoughts with me. It is troubling that a tribe which was down to an estimated 2,000 adults eighteen years ago now controls eighteen per cent of Mistral."

Jaune looked up, "Is it really that much? Anyway, isn't it worthless land?"

Amber said, "Go on. There must be something more."

Debo said, "After Kuroyuri, anyone who could fled the areas next to the Branwen Tribe. As they have expanded more people have been prepared to stay put. Although there are stories of mass murder, none of them seem to be supported by actual evidence."

Jasper said, "Of course, if you kill everyone, eyewitness accounts are unlikely to be available, but what I did find when I talked to some of the people who have left within the last eight years is that the Branwen Tribe are rumoured to now shear the sheep instead of slaughtering them."

"In my essay I said that the Branwen Tribe's expansion would eventually collapse or stop expanding. It depends on a single woman who is now in her early to mid-forties leading a small tribe of mostly male warriors who are vastly outnumbered by the rest of the population. There aren't enough of them to prevent people fleeing and if they spread their numbers then eventually there would be enough acts of resistance to seriously reduce their numbers. They didn't have the technical expertise to farm."

Amber said, "Well she could have killed or enslaved everyone." Jaune could tell that this was not meant seriously.

Jasper laughed, "Your sister got me interested and I began looking at the fall of the New Mistral Province five years ago. It was not overrun but over a fifteen-month period the major towns just surrendered to the Branwen Tribe. For two years before the fall the tax revenues had been cut by 35%. There were no attacks on large towns, but trade on the roads and rail was disrupted. The military was left alone in it stayed in barracks but badly mauled if they tried to make an attack. It was calculated that about 50% of the population of the towns fled before and during the surrender, but very few afterwards. Certainly, no documented stories of major atrocities or starvation."

"So, what is going on?"

"It looks like the Branwen Tribe has become a functioning government and are using the Faunus to do the day-to-day administration."

Jaune laughed and then realised that it was meant seriously.

Amber said, "Go on."

"The Branwen Tribe was about twenty per cent Faunus twenty years ago. Let's not go too much into the details, but they were concerned about inbreeding and not much bothered about miscegenation or courting. The children were treated as members of the tribe in any event. A paper was done on them by a Mistral University professor who said this showed the degeneracy of the Branwen tribe and justified their extinction. He also claimed that the tribe showed that the Faunus genes are dominant and wanted laws against humans and Faunus breeding."

Debo said, "The man had an obsession, but the percentages were based on papers done by people who believed in accuracy."

Amber looked at Jasper. "OK. I know the brother and he is equally offensive to humans and Faunus. She and he both grew up with Faunus as people they met every day. I would not be surprised if she is happy to use Faunus to run things for her."

Jasper nodded, "Thank you. That confirms some suspicions I had. I'll need to think about it. There is a real left field idea I may try on you when we get back to the house."

Just then the starters arrived. As they ate, Jaune tried thinking through the implications. He saw that Amber was as well.

After the starters were cleared away, a new bottle opened and they were told that the main course would be ready in fifteen minutes, Amber said, "Right Kulsa. Mayor Braun was elected on a strong traditionalist platform with all that implies. He wears the leather boots in the office and talks the talk, but I assume in practice has tilted to the centre."

Jasper said, "Yes. He tells Scarlett and his other supporters that to keep the multi-Kingdom employers in town and the funds flowing from central government, he has to ensure that people don't recall the massacre or if they do, can say to themselves that Kulsa has changed."

"Do they believe it?"

"Side effect of the recession, the White Fang campaign and other factors is that Kulsa is in decline and the multi-Kingdoms are downsizing in Mistral generally. At least two of the multi-Kingdoms today signed contracts to relocate to Ansel City from Kulsa and most of the rest have frozen recruitment in Kulsa and are keeping an eye on the market for opportunities to rent or buy office space in Ansel. Government tax revenues are in decline and only Mistral City and Argus Province are net contributors to the exchequer. Spending on the provinces is being cut. If Kulsa is losing the multi-Kingdoms anyway and the government further cuts the grants, then his supporters may say they want a real strong human. Braun is up for election again next year and Judge Blanche wanted Chief Scarlett to run even before yesterday."

Jaune grimaced to himself. He knew that mother could work with Braun, but it had taken time for him to accept that she was the best option and for her to accept that he would often do as she advised without admitting it.

Debo said, "Kulsa had lost 8% of its human population over the last three years and 15% of the Faunus population. The city is contracting."

Amber said, "Would it be better for Braun to change the talk and see if he can take the electorate with him?"

Jaune excused himself as the conversation became more political and went to the nearest toilets which were in the bar area. He decided to practice what Amber had been teaching him and had his aura on a low intensity. He was washing his hands when he heard someone coming through the door and glanced round to see that it was Dick Fuchsia and a friend.

Fuchsia was very drunk now and took one look at Jaune and grabbed a knife from his belt. The friend said, "Don't Dick" as the blade was thrown towards Jaune's stomach. Jaune reacted by flaring his aura at full and the blade bounced back, nicked Fuchsia's face, and broke a mirror. Just then the door opened, and Jasper charged in followed by the bouncer and headmaster Brown.

They saw Fuchsia throw himself at Jaune and bounced off the fully flared aura hitting his head on the sink.

The friend and the bouncer hustled Dick out of the room. Jasper said, "Are you as well as can be expected, Jaune?" Jasper then looked at the knife and broken mirror. "Did he try and stab you?"

"He threw the knife, but he has a bad aim."

Jasper looked at the knife. "Even the Limp one was not that drunk or as bad a shot. When did you unlock your aura?"

Jaune saw Headmaster Brown frown when he heard this.

"Amber did it late last night. I notified the police online this evening."

"Have you got an acknowledgement on your scroll?"

"Yes."

"Have it ready."

The manager came in and surveyed the damage. He was very apologetic, but as Jasper said it was hardly his fault and the bouncer had spotted the possible problem promptly. Jasper then counted to ten and a policeman came in, "I've had a complaint about an unnotified aura…"

Jasper grabbed Jaune's scroll and showed the notification acknowledgement to the policeman. "If you even think about taking Jaune down the station and dicking him about for ten hours, then me, Amber Arc, my wife, and my lawyers will come with him. I can guarantee that Nicholas Arc will be on the first flight back from Kulsa and calling every number in his address book. I know everyone in the bar tonight and I bet someone will tell me who was winding up Dick to take revenge on Amber by beating up a man they thought was without aura."

The man went white and said, "Everything seems to be in order, sir. I had to check."

"Of course. Run along now. Jaune here won't be making a complaint." The policeman disappeared.

Jaune said to Headmaster Brown who seemed unusually disturbed by the whole affair, "Please don't call dad or mother. I want to tell them face to face tomorrow."

"Of course, my boy. You must be the one to tell your mother. Congratulations, by the way." Brown left looking perplexed and unhappy.

The manager continued to be apologetic, but Jasper eventually persuaded him that there was no harm done and he was not being blamed.

Once the room was empty, Jasper said, "Just as well both your sisters are paranoid. I dislike being that unsubtle about exercising power, but it does save time."

They returned to the private room and Jasper explained what happened to Amber and Debo. It was agreed that they would eat the main course but would go back to the family home afterwards.

As some of you may know, the site has been having some issues recently and I put this aside until they were resolved.

The song which Jaune's sister Debo warns Lavender about playing in front of the children is similar to one sung by Millicent Martin in 1963 on an UK satirical program called "That was the week that was." It can be found on YouTube if you search Millicent Martin TW3 and Mississippi. Warning this was a number designed to be offensive in 1963. If you are fine with Blazing Saddles then try it out. The past is indeed a foreign country.