Here we come to the second of the split chapters. This chapter was about 80 percent finished when I posted the last segment. So, this came out quite fast by my standards. Let us move on!

Chapter Seventy Three: Perfect Image

Finally, the day came. After the full week of bonding, Team CRBN finds themselves regrouping on the morning of the wedding. Everyone absolutely abuzz with a sense of hurry.

Roman leans against a wall in the wedding venue, leaning on a new prop cane he bought to complete the ensemble. His suit is stark white, with black under shirt, shoes, cuffs, and thin gloves. His tie is crimson, and his classic bowler hat remains on, despite his hair being swept back out of his face for once.

He smirks up from his scroll at the pacing boy. "What? Are you ashamed to be outdone in flare."

Carmine spares him a look and wrinkles his nose. "More just thinking you're trying to pull off a better Zandril. You look like the evil billionaire that invites the victims to the start of a horror film."

His smarmy grin is unaffected. "So I do look expensive? Good!"

Carmine rolls his eyes. He wears a black suit over his red undershirt, the red matching his hair. His tie is silver white, matching his cuffs, belt, and shoes. The boy turns to find to his surprise, Makara. "Oh, hey! How's the bride?"

Makara grins, hair neatly pinned to the side. "She's... stressed." Makara wears a rather conservative long sleeve blue dress that ends at the knees, gray dress leggings underneath. "How is Ar... Arn..." She frowns. She shakes her head. "How's Arnold?"

Roman thumbs to an off room at the wedding venue. "He, his best man, and three groomsmen are having a completely normal and no homoerotic prayer huddle." He then smirks. "So, there's a total of five men in the wedding party, but the girls just have Marionette, Barbie, Neo, and Secretary? Seems a number is missing."

Carmine smirks. "I still find it weird Neo got in." His look gets more nervous. "And... things have been fine with Glynda?"

Makara's excitement bubbles. "Of course! She only caught Neo taking something two times the entire week!" At Carmine and Roman's doubtful looks, she adds. "That I remember..."

"So reliable." Roman snorts.

The woman continues. "Also, Neo has been tasked with holding a picture of their fourth team member from the academy. Cella?"

Understanding dawns, Carmine frowning. "Ah. So she's their fifth. Erm... well, Neo is their fifth." He sighs. "And... what's the likelihood Glynda starts a fight to capture us the moment the reception is over?"

"Uncertain." She responds. She then looks over. "She also did not specify how many hunters will be at this wedding."

Both boys instantly grumble. Carmine grimacing. "Qrow... Yeah, been thinking of that."

"We got your weapons stashed in the second floor lock in closet." Roman clears up. "The pass code is 28141075."

"..." Makara blinks and stares back.

"Mine and Neo's AZRL numbers... Hers then mine." Roman clarifies.

"..." She dead stares still. "2...8...-"

Carmine snorts. "We'll just message all three of you the code." Roman stews as Makara nods. "Three of us will get a table on the right side, where most of Rowa's invited guests can sit."

"So we're boned." Roman states clearly. "Because who else is going to be there?"

The boy sighs. "Huntresses and Huntsmen..."

"Actually, Rowa showed us the listings, and there aren't that many Hunters on the invites. Many of them are people their old team saved during their Beacon years. Others are more recent friends Rowa made in Vale and Atlas. So, there should be less cause of worry."

Roman and Carmine share a look. "That helps one half of it. But, we still don't know about Arnold's half of invitations." Carmine voices. "Most of them are military based. Though, from his rank and job, I think most are low power in terms of aura."

"Worried about a fight?" A voice behind them calls out.

Speak of the devil.

All three whip around to see Arnold, smiling bright. He's wearing a dark blue suit with white undershirt and an aqua colored tie. His shoes and cuffs are brown. "Hey, guys! No worries on that front though. The only people on my side of things that could participate on that level declined the invitation. I think she's annoyed with me."

"Really?" Carmine and Roman share a suspicious look. "Also, why tell us that?"

Arnold shrugs. "As I have been clear, my priority today is my soon to be wife. Not the big wigs. Though, don't be unfair to me." He chuckles. "Other Arnold and I could go the rounds with you if he and I wanted to."

"Okay, this has bothered me. What's with the other Arnold thing?" Roman finally gets annoyed enough to ask.

"Huh? Oh! That's my semblance!" Arnold smiles wide. "A part of my semblance!" He winks. "You're looking at a guy whose semblance is literally indistinguishable from Schizophrenia. I can swap skill sets and battle habits between myself and an alter personality at will using my aura! Neat, huh?"

CRBN troop look at each other like they're suddenly with a crazy man.

Carmine gulps. "So... does Other Arnold hear us right now, or..?"

"Oh, he's always listening and commenting. Guy's a hoot!" Arnold chuckles before frowning. "Does make it strange whenever Pumpkin wants him sometimes on hot nights. Makes me think she's calling his name sometimes..." He purses his lips. "... I don't know why I told you that."

Roman lets a smirk crack for a moment. "Do you see Other Arnold right now? I'd like to speak to him."

Arnold actually gives a pout look to him. "Don't treat me like I'm crazy." He then directs a friendly smile to Carmine. "My point is that no one on my side of things will mess with you if I'm not messing with you. It's fine. The only worry candidate said no."

"Kind of a jerk move to not come. Why did they say no?" Carmine asks, earning a friendlier demeanor.

"Oh, she was my competition for the Special Agent promotion. We weren't too close, but we did offer critical assistance to boost each other's performance. She won out, unfortunately for me, so she's exceedingly more busy now."

Makara looks at the boys. "Special Agent? Should we worry about her?"

Arnold loses all jovial nature, giving a plain look. "Just imagine a Terminator and multiply its fervor by six. Winter is a bit of overkill for qualifications and duty." He shrugs. "Schnees, right?"

"Schnee?!" Carmine and Roman blurt out, taken off guard. Roman grimaces. "Yeah, no thank you."

"Actually, that gives me a question." Carmine starts. "So... Neo told us a story from back when she was Atlas upper class. Pulled another girl's white ponytail at an event. Would this be the same girl?"

Roman snorts and smirks. "Keep in mind she described said girl as being her own age."

Arnold blinks. "Oh. Well, if it WAS a Schnee, that was probably Winter's kid sister. She's your all's age. Though, I've never had the pleasure of meeting her."

"Neo: Agent of Chaos: Puller of Schnee hair." Roman flippantly mines a yanking motion as he mocks the silent girl.

A hard pinch jolts Carmine up. "OW!" He hops a step away.

Neo herself is standing in place. Her hair is done back, pink and brown bangs framing her face, with a braided tail down the back. She's in the designated brides maid dress, a reflective silver calf length apparel with open shoulders. Hints of blue to match the aqua blue theme of the men's chosen apparel.

She grins evilly and cocks her head, blinking pretty eyes. "Talking about me?" She signs.

Carmine's irritation and pain wipes away as he freezes in place to stare. "Uh..." His mouth works for a response, but nothing comes. "Well... uh..."

Roman's hand pops his jaw up. "Easy before you drool, Silver Streak." He looks at the girl and nods. "I assure you, it's all complements."

Neo gives her cocky smirk, but can't help the blush and warmth that flush her from the boy's reaction. She looks behind Arnold, seeing the groomsmen. They're off on the far end of the venue. They each wear identical suits to Arnold, except each of their ties are bow ties to differentiate themselves from him. The groom should stand out, after all.

Arnold gives a nervous look. "How's Pumpkin? She bite anyone's head off?"

The girl blinks before giving a mischievous grin. She signs. "You giving her a reason to?"

"Of course not! Only the best for my love!" Arnold proclaims.

Neo suddenly pouts. "Darn. I wanted a good show." She smirks to play off the joke and signs further. "She's okay. Blair sedated her with her semblance, and Glynda is touching up her makeup with her own semblance."

Carmine blinks. "Two Goodwitches is a terrifying idea. How was it?" The teen girl suddenly grimaces and pales. Her posture slouches, far off gaze looking like that of a hollowed out war veteran. Carmine gives a sympathetic grin. "I feel for you."

She recovers and gains a sweet smile. She teasingly looks him over before looking to Roman. She makes a hand gesture for drinking.

Roman snorts. In a flippant wave of his arm, he presents the boy. "Oh, yes. He became the Lord of Rum, as he says."

Now it's Carmine's turn to look like he's experienced the depths of Hades. "Hangovers feel like when I exert my semblance too much... Blair is gonna kill me."

"Only you can complain about becoming a man." Roman teases before sparing Arnold another glance. "The ceremony begins shortly?"

The Atlas officer nods. "First guests arrive within ten minutes."

. . .

In a separate, sequestered room, the three surviving members of Team CBRG remain. Both Glynda and Blair have identical dresses to Neo, more filled out to their maturity. Wearing identical clothing now more than ever showcases the twins being so. Each has their blonde hair pulled into a braided tail, much like Neo. However, where Neo's bangs frame each side of her face, each of the blonde twins chose a side to frame. Blair favors framing her left side, Glynda favored the right.

Otherwise, they differed only in eye color, Blair with amber, Glynda with green, and of course Glynda's glasses.

Sitting before the two is Rowa. The woman's violet hair is done up, her bright ice blue eyes filled with worry. Her dress is a pristine white hints of blue trim and ties. She gulps down her fears as Glynda continues shifting her makeup on with telekinesis. "This is good, right? I don't look like a hot mess?"

Blair's hand grips the bride's shoulder. "We know what is perfectly presentable, and you do not fail those standards. You will be perfect."

Rowa snickers nervous. "The two most terrifying people of our year dolling me up. Should I be nervous?" She quips with a shaky grin.

Glynda scoffs. "You forget you made ME do all our makeup jobs for public presentations back as students. Do you doubt me so suddenly?"

The violet haired woman slouches. "Right-"

"SIT STRAIGHT!" Both twins snap in unison! Rowa snaps at attention, wide eyed!

"Shoulders back." Glynda commands.

"Show your confidence. It is deserved." Blair orders after.

Rowa can't help the cracked grin. "Yes, Ma'ams." She trills a chuckle before eyeing Blair through the mirror. She notices a slight slouch of the shoulder to her. "You sure you slept well- AH!"

Blair's semblance, willingly flooded into her, weighs her. The blonde looms over like a dark shadow. "You've spent days worrying about me. Today is your day. You WILL revel in it."

The bride gains a warm smile at that. "I know. It's just that you'll be leaving after this again. I don't know the next time we'll all be together, so I just want to know you're okay." She spares a look at Glynda, the woman stone faced and looking too focused on decorating Rowa's hair. "Both of you. No matter what happens with you two."

Glynda's hands freeze in their movements, the professor sighing. "It will be under differing circumstances, that is certain." She spares a look at her sister, wary, but nods. "Yet, this has been one of the best weeks I've had in years."

The three fall into a comfortable silence, their eyes moving up one at a time to see the standing picture frame. A close up photo of a deer faunus smiles back at them from the frame. A celebration photo of their former leader, Cella.

A grim smile comes to Rowa, her hands coming to rest on one of each twin's own. "I love you guys."

Glynda looks off, but can't help a quiver. Blair is the one to allow more emotion with an actual smile. "Hold that in for just another hour. Tears can come after the ceremony." She stands away. "I'll go grab Neo."

"Be quick! Ceremony starts in ten!"

As Blair leaves the room, she closes her eyes, performing a cursory scan of the entire block. She spots more than a few higher than average auras, but does not detect any Beacon Huntsmen auras. Wait, no. She recognizes one... Why is HE the only one that came? Yet, she reminds herself.

Despite the danger, she sticks to the job at hand: Beginning the ceremony to begin the rest of her best friend's life.

. . .

So it came.

The ceremony enacted exactly as planned. The procession of the groomsmen and bridesmaids had come to the stage by the window overlooking the bay. Arnold was on the stage with a holy priest. The best man Riley offset the maid of honor Blair.

After that, Glynda was paired with Stern. Neo presented the picture frame of Cella, which was assisted into a stand Ron. The crude man was quite honorable with handling the prop, a testament to his own sentimentality of the fallen. Finally, Neo herself was paired with Noah.

Rows of friends and family affiliations lined seating for the affair as Rowa marched the isle. Carmine and Roman had to admit she was striking. Makara begins to take pictures for the event from the side with the two boy's direction.

Rowa took the stage, and the rings were exchange. In lieu of a normal ring bearer, the best man and maid of honor each carried the rings. The holy man's words were brief, but made special mention of those who could not be present.

The vows were simple, yet expressed everything needed. And so, the words came.

"I do." Both had said, kissing before the beautiful ocean front on the other side of the glass. Cheers radiated as it was official.

Yet... One surprise further.

Canon fireworks blew directly outside the glass, lighting the display it vibrant colors for the duration of the kiss. Dazzling in the moment, and accompanied by a begrudging thought... Roman was right about the dramatic flare to add...

. . .

Roman watches in boredom for the reception. It's too friendly. Yet, he can't bring himself to instill any further chaos. Rowa was quick to give him an ear full about the firework display. Oh well. Seems all the other people present were having fun... boring bastards.

He'd already placed all their tools and weapons in their van in preparation to take off at the drop of a hat. Now, he just had to be aware of his surroundings. Something which wasn't helped when the bride and groom approach him. He smirks. "Hello, Mr and Mrs Marionette."

Rowa glowers. "It's Carson-Dillon with a hyphen, but Blair says you're terrible with names."

The man chuckles. "Oh, I have a perfect recall of memory."

"Mhm." She grunts before clearing her throat. She looks to Arnold, who nods to Roman respectfully. "Hey, Babe. It's getting close to the end of the reception, so I'll..."

Arnold gives a chuckle. "Take care of your farewells, Pumpkin!" He kisses her cheek and looks to Roman. "Stay good!"

"That's asking too much." Roman playfully responds before giving a smarmy grin to the bride. "Why, you have a tear jerking goodbye for little old me?" A pause goes as Rowa simply stares at him, so he laughs it off. "Alright, I get it. You'd rather smother me in my sleep than speak one to one, so just get it out. I'm man enough to handle a single woman's ire."

Rowa sighs. "I'm sure you can survive feeling all the hate in the world." She stops and grimaces. "No, I'll hold that back, sorry."

Roman raises a brow, confused. "An apology for something that minor? Is this a wedding day miracle?"

She looks him eye to eye. "I don't hate you. I guess at this point I don't even dislike you. I don't like you by any means, but... I've heard nothing by how you factor in to Blair's, Neo's, and Carmine's lives. So, I figured I should just clarify a few things."

The conman's smirk wipes off. "Well... in light of your relationship with Barbie, I will dial back the back talk." He sits straighter. "Lay it on me."

"You're either a crowning achievement or a time bomb waiting to happen." Rowa says clearly. At his raised brow, she continues. "You're cynical, hateful, selfish, and almost all things a life like yours should make you. The fact that you're not actively fighting hunters on a daily basis I believe is solely due to your affiliation with Team CRBN."

He chooses to remain silent, waiting for the point.

"No. That's wrong. I should say that you've had your compassion stamped out of you all the way until you gave the last of it to the right people."

"Excuse me?" He cocks his head, annoyed.

This brings a smile to her. "You saved a boy before his fate could be what yours was. What's more, you continually help a girl who DID go through your fate, AND hitched yourself to a woman, my best friend, who just so happens to share a lot more of your dispositions than she or I would like to admit. This puts you in an interesting position from my point of view."

Roman snorts. "Is that so? Well." He holds both arms out and waits. "Hit me with it."

Rowa grimaces. "MEANING... That you are clearly on the path to becoming a far, far better person than I thought you capable of being when I first heard of you. I... want that for you, so I want to say that I support you..." She stops as if holding down bile in her throat. "-and hope for the best."

He's staring bored at her. Though, he can't help the slight irritation bubbling inside. "I'm not going to become a pencil pushing prat for goodness. Don't expect me to become some patron saint."

She shakes her head, grin cracking wider. "I won't go that far, but you ARE showing some defensive sides letting me know how right I am." She steps away. "Just... keep doing what you're doing, and do not disappoint Blair." Suddenly, her gaze turns ice cold. "Because THEN you will have something to worry about."

That makes him breath in relief. He can handle hostility. "Oh, save your dirty talk for consummating your marriage."

Her own smile grows. "Oh, I will. By the way, girl talk includes a lot. Arnold's way bigger than you." She ends in a wink to mock him.

Roman cracks a grin instantly. "Oh? Is that Arnold or Other Arnold?"

She freezes, paling with a poker face.

He lights up. "Oh, dear gods, you DO call the other one's name-"

"SHUT UP YOU-... PIG!" She huffs, flushed red in embarrassment while stomping away. Roman's open and hearty laughter fills the air.

. . .

Glynda continues marching along the reception party. Where is... ah! Glynda's hawk eyes locate her quarry. Her sister is sequestered along the venue walls. Alone. She begins taking her steps, but even as she closes, she doesn't fully know what she's doing.

Blair is against the wall, head drooped down and hand over her chest... her hand pulses with her aura.

Another scan... Glynda pauses, frowning.

Blair opens her gaze and looks up to see Glynda, tensing slightly. She looks off and huffs. "Is it already time?"

Glynda blinks, for just a moment forgetting it all. Forgetting Ozpin's order to bring CRBN in. Forgetting all their disagreements. Recalling them, she feels a twist in her gut. She forces it down. "No. Not if it doesn't need to be." Glynda begins to walk up. "This is still a celebration. Not a time for pointless worries."

Blair takes that for a moment, grimacing and lowering her hand. "I will take note of that." She tries to stand tall, but her shoulders slag ever slightly. "I noticed a lack of huntsmen... Is Qrow not coming?"

The professor sighs, moving to stand shoulder to shoulder with her sister. "It would be imprudent to tell you about who may or may not be coming."

"Just the one is all I recognize." Blair notes with a raised brow. "So, either you suggested hunters whose auras I would not recognize, or Beacon is simply that tight on resources at the moment."

A silence drags as the two peer over the reception. They even spot Rowa as she storms off from a cackling Roman. Glynda hums, impressed. "It would seem that Torchwick has managed to survive our scrutiny."

Blair hums. "He's a hand full, but could be a great deal worse. Also, his name is Roman."

"But not Torchwick." Glynda cuts an eye to him. "That's not his true last name is it? He's not a registered citizen of any of the four kingdoms, so the name is a fake." The professor huffs. "Has he informed you of his true name?"

"No." Blair nods. "It is irrelevant."

"And you trust a man that won't allow you to know his full identity? That is the man you attach yourself to?" Glynda presses. "I'd sooner gag myself."

"Careful." Blair playfully speaks, despite her clear exhaustion. "If Roman hears you say that, he'll interpret it as a role play proposition." Her sister spares a sharp glare, making the rogue blonde smirk. "Carmine is aware of his identity in full, and we've known that Roman will reveal information only if it becomes an issue. Which apparently is a resolved issue. Foolishly, I trust him to be honest when it comes to our survival."

Glynda nods. "I suppose... I find myself in a similar position with Professor Ozpin." At Blair's raised brow, Glynda hastily adds. "On trust! Not of THAT nature. That would be disgusting." Glynda huffs. "Ozpin is very elusive with details he is ashamed of. It took me quite a while before I discovered he had ME input your Team's identification into record years ago."

The CRBN blonde sighs. "I don't suppose you would part with some of his secrets then?" Green eyes give a glower. Blair shrugs. "I did not expect so."

The professor sighs. "He is partial to taking on blame is all I can say. He blames himself for the choices others make. I believe his harsh stance regarding Carmine stems was wishing the boy to not become like him."

"And yet, that's what he's facilitated... Hopefully, he can learn to back off until AZRL is dealt with."

Glynda smirks. "And then your children can go succeed at Beacon?"

"My children?!" Blair suddenly jerks, fully feeling slapped. At Glynda's pointed look, Blair blushes. "They... I... I just..."

"Do you plan on joining the SDC still if the both of them choose to go to the academies?"

The flushed blonde grimaces. "Of course I do. Ozpin couldn't deprive me of that dream. Only placed a barrier for me to pass for it."

"Hmm. I see." Glynda pauses before adding. "Then I suppose you should suppress any ill acts until AZRL is defeated. After all, you ARE seeking to vacate a few of the organization's top scientists. I am positive you could find a slot after."

Silence. Blair simply stares at her sister in shock while Glynda remains transfixed on the reception ahead of them. The scientist between them feels her mind process her sister's words.

"You... support me?" Her words are fragile, soft. "Then... what are-?"

Glynda answers, frowning. "Blair, things are changing. Some things are being put in motion, and in fighting is one issue we cannot keep going on with." She cuts a look to Rowa across the reception floor. "Rowa made a point before to me, and I believe she is on to something. There are a lot of problems occurring. They can even come at us all at once... Yet, we cannot deal with them all at once. They must be dealt with one at a time."

Blair looks away, a slight shame inside her. "I... suppose my disdain for the man is a touch unwarranted at this point." With a deep sigh, resignation fills. "Still, those two kids are astoundingly talented. Regardless of whether my dream is achievable, I want even more for them both to eclipse me... In every way."

The professor stands slightly straighter, a spark of optimism showing. "So... You'll come back to Beacon after AZRL is dealt with?"

The scientist meets the gaze, wary. "It is ultimately Carmine's decision whether to stay, but I will ensure we report to Beacon." Seeing the wariness in Glynda surface at that, Blair hesitates. "Will... you allow us to continue after AZRL peacefully?"

Glynda looks away for a moment and bites her cheek as she makes the decision. "I will be reprimanded by Ozpin for this, but it is the right call." She nods for herself. "I despise decisions like this, so would you please not make me regret it?"

The two stand in companionable silence for a moment, Blair staring amazed at the outcome.

"..." One sister looks away.

"..." The other can't meet the gaze either.

Glynda flinches as Blair lightly grips her arm by the wrist. She nods to chairs lining the venue walls. "As you can tell, I am quite tired. Let's sit." Glynda nods as the sisters move to the seating, tensions melting soon as they meet the metal. Sitting, Blair allows a ghost of a smile. "You've always been laser focused on following rules. I know it kills you to have to disobey authority for any reason."

The professor allows a small, almost childish pout. "All because you went and became a daredevil at every turn. Any time I reminded you of rules or directions, you insinuated that you were wiser. Being three minutes older than me somehow gave you an infinite ego."

Blair allows a chuckle. "It would not be an ego if it is correct." The blonde relaxes back. "Slight narcissism aside, I still believe I was right about most things."

"Do not delude yourself." Glynda allows a small smile herself, but it falls upon seeing Blair's left hand twitching. It keeps raising and lowering. "Give me your hand."

Realizing she was caught, Blair cringes back defensive. "Why?"

Glynda stubbornly holds her hand out, as if waiting for a student to offer themselves for punishment. "Please. I want to give you peace of mind."

The concern lowers Blair's guard. She catches on to the implication. "We haven't done that since second year-"

"Meaning it is only more effective now." Glynda presses. "You connect with mind. I connect with physicality. Even back then, nothing could ever hide from our sensory skills combined." The professor sets a determined look on her sister. "I am certain, whatever that man's skills were when you fought, he could never hope to hide from both of us." She turns slightly to Blair. "I want you to be certain that he is no longer inside you."

Blair stares wide eyed. A warmth builds up again. She looks away, but slowly offers her hand.

The sisters link hands, fingers laced. Each sister's hand pulses in their auras... Blair's a dark violet haze. Glynda's a lighter pulse. Their semblances coalesce together in a closed circuit of only the two of them.

One whose aura can possess any form of matter. One whose aura can infect and pierce life. When both auras are focused together, they erupt in a pulse around them. Blair's 'radar' ability activating both through her own and Glynda's physical force.

Within her focus, she sees not just the auras around them, but the full physical outlines of each body. The curves of each object in range. The furnishing makeup, weak points, load bears. However, the extreme detail fades, focus turning inward.

The twins' auras overlap, the dark and light hazes of violet pulsing and disappearing into Blair herself. Blair's aura vibrates, radiating to detect any other presence. All the while, her essence accepts the presence of her sister's own power. The power whose signature is so close to her own, it could almost be deemed identical if not for subtle tells.

If a third aura exists within this space, if Setante is still alive, then they WILL find him. He could disguise his aura as Blair's, only he hasn't felt Glynda's aura before. The function of allowing himself to be struck by his enemies was to facilitate his first contact, to facilitate infecting his opponent.

In this situation, Glynda's aura would reject his and out him. Likewise, even if he does disguise his aura as Glynda's, the sisters' auras overlap in such a way that they will notice a sudden pocket of more aura supposedly belonging to the professor.

He can't mask himself as both, so it is impossible for him to hide. They WILL find him. If he yet lives, he will not hide.

"..."

Both sisters remain seated, shoulder to shoulder with Blair's right hand linked with Glynda's left...

And Blair releases a breath, her body deflating entirely into a slouch. Her breathing picks up, as if her lungs were screaming. Still, her hand remains locked with her sisters. "Nothing..." Her left hand raises to cover her face. She gulps. "He's... not here."

Glynda opens her eyes and lets out a breath from her nose. "He is not. You successfully purged him." Glynda sends a side eye. "I hope that eases your mind... I congratulate you on your victory."

A pause, so Glynda frowns, listening to Blair suck in a breath. Is that a sniffle?

"Thank you." Blair's hand still clenches Glynda's.

Glynda's eyes widen as she feels it. Their auras still linked, she feels Blair's haze enter her being. Blair's aura coils beneath Glynda's skin, weighing a slight, snug pressure around her chest. If done to someone unfamiliar with the gesture, it would be horrifying, but Glynda realizes it immediately. Blair's aura is figuratively, almost literally, engulfing her in a soft, hesitant embrace.

A hug.

Her lip pulls up, though she looks off. "Haven't felt this since first year." Glynda speaks in a light voice. Her grip tightens to match Blair's fervor. So, she returns the gesture.

Blair flinches lightly as her sister's telekinetic power coils around her, very snugly wrapping her torso in a feather light pressure. Glynda is hugging her back with just her semblance.

Unimpressive to the observer, the sisters are just sitting side by side holding hands. To them, their powers embrace each other in the most intimate gesture the two were ever comfortable with for one another. "Well, we are not exactly individuals that enjoy 'cuddling' and the like." Blair says in a wet voice and slight chirp.

"Your overt gestures for the last week tell me you've gotten quite comfortable with intimacy and warm gestures." Glynda teases and chastises in the same light tone.

"I'm positive you have also found those to be open with as well." Blair finally looks up. Her eyes are misted, but a smile brightens her. "Come now. I cannot be the only one to have company for the last four years."

Glynda huffs and looks away. "I'm not discussing this." Blair's ghost of a chuckle urges a blush on the professor. "To move on from this, I will take the information you've given and provide James a warning that Atlas and the SDC may receive some shake ups."

Blair hums. "James? Since when are you on a first name basis with General Ironwood?"

A blunder. The professor's eyes widen slightly as a touch of flush reddens her. "I have a professional working relationship with ALL the headmasters, being Ozpin's right hand. How dare you insinuate any improper natures to it!"

Her sister isn't convinced. "He is your type."

"Excuse you?" Glynda whips her head to glare nose to nose with her smirking sister.

"Like you said, I enjoy when I know better than authority. Perhaps that lead me to a less than stereotypically honest man. Yet, you have always fetishized the law." Blair explains.

"I fetishize nothing!"

Ignoring her, Blair continues. "So having a look at someone in a authoritative position of power fits you is all." She shrugs. "You despise rule breaking too much."

"I-... I don't... I am not the one to seduce her internship supervisor!" Glynda weakly defends.

Blair shrugs. "Yes. I broke the rules with a oaf. I'd say it'd only be comparable if you WERE going for Ozpin, but you're at least appropriate enough to go for a leader outside your work place." Her head cocks in thought. "He's in his late thirties, early forties correct? What IS your age difference?"

Glynda glares death at her sister. "New topic. Now!"

Daring, the scientist can't resist. "Right. That's something for you to discuss with Roman. He's experienced with age differences."

Immediately, the professor jolts, eyes immediately darting around for a certain pink and brown haired girl. "He preyed upon- How could you-?"

Blair immediately waves her free hand and shakes her head. "No no. He was the younger counterpart in his prior encounter." She cringes at the unintended implications. "I think he has a thing for older women because of it."

Glynda calms, raising a brow. "How wide was his encounter difference-"

"Massively illegal and immoral." Blair answers unhappy.

"Disgusting."

"Very." Blair bluntly agrees before perking. "But back to my point, your happiness has a strong correlation to following the rules, and your choices reflect that."

"Hmm." Glynda huffs for a moment of silence. Slowly, Blair slouches back into the chair beside her. Their hands still lock as their semblances continue to embrace one another. "Do you recall before we went to Beacon? The Patch incident?"

Blair's tired eyes look over in surprise. "Of course. Actually, I told the others a fair bit when we were in Patch a few months ago."

Glynda frowns, but continues. "What you say has some merit. I recall being a mess afterwards. I despised being the sixteen year old brat in trouble for such childish reasons. Embarrassment and pride were the only reasons I wasn't blubbering and crying."

The CRBN blonde raises a brow. "Oh yeah? I do not recall much of the aftermath. Except that we were always a handful together."

"I remember it. If only because I appreciate what came after." The professor smirks. "You used your semblance without my notice to quell my negative thoughts subtly. I was too flustered to notice, and you held me in your semblance just like now. We then continued to argue until after our punishment was decided. You used our argument to heat me up through the shame. I barely remember the scolding."

Blair pouts, eyes drooping. "I recall no such action on my part. I merely wished to prove that I was the winner, which I was."

"I'm not taking the bait, and you cannot fool me." Glynda answers with a smirk. "You distracted me as a form of comfort, and it worked. You've done that a couple times."

"I've truly no idea what you mean." Blair's voice is softer, breathing slowing. Her tone remains coy. Teasing.

"It is why, for as much as your demeanor and care for the children shocks me, I must say that you've always had that side. It shocks me that it has taken hold finally, but I am... happy to see you as you are now. It actually makes me somewhat... proud of you. Proud of my three minute older sister." She ends with a light smile and slight tease to her tone.

Blair purses her lips. "... I thought you held nothing but shame for me."

Glynda sighs. "I've disagreed with you almost every step of the way, but I cannot deprive your spirit... At the least, I can be here for you when you need me most."

A minute of silence passes, nothing coming back from the exhausted blonde beside her. Glynda frowns.

"Blair? Are you-. Oh." Glynda blinks as Blair's head, droopy with sleep intended, lightly lays on her shoulder. Her breathing is evident. She's... asleep.

She fell asleep?!

Just how much tension released from her after their conversation?

Glynda blinks a calms. "Catch up on your sleep. And consider us even, Sis..." Glynda relaxes into the seat, letting her sister rest against her. Their hands still lock with one another, semblances still embraced upon one another.

. . .

In a separate room of the venue, Carmine sits back in a chair, top of his shirt unbuttoned. He groans and relaxes, the ocean side sunset before him beyond the glass. Watching the ocean, be hears the approach of heeled steps. She glances over.

Neo smiles predatory with a plate in hand. A great large square of vanilla cake occupies the whole plate with two forks. She pulls a chair and sits with their knees touching. The plate shares their laps, one fork offered for the boy.

His grin widens. "Wow, that looks fresh!" He accepts the share as both teens start to ravenously devour the cake.

More footsteps sound, those of dress shoes. Neo glances up, mouth full of cake as she takes in the posture-

Perfect posture... perfect balance... A telltale critical gaze meets her back.

Huntsman!

Neo bursts to her feet! She flicks a small knife out from under the fabric of her dress, eyes locking on the man!

Carmine reacts second. He can't recall his own weapons, so he prepared to recall A substitute: Neo's! He flashes Hush into his hands, having infused his aura with it this morning! He rises and weapons around the parasol, blade out, and points it at the man's throat-

"Eh..?" Carmine pauses, all fight leaving him for shock...

A brown suit, green tie and cuffs. The man holds a warm coffee thermos in hand. Large, thick glasses lenses do not fail to show the inquisitive eyes behind them. The man's wild mane of spiky green hair clenches it...

Carmine blinks. "P-Professor Oobleck?!"

The academy professor provides a light nod. "Excellent reaction time, and A for preparation for combat, Mr Uhlric and Miss Rhodes." His rapid speech gets out so fast, Neo almost double takes.

The girl scrunches her face, looking between Carmine and the man. Curious that Carmine's stance shifted entirely to passive.

Oobleck raises one hand, without threat, and lightly presses the blade of Hush away from his throat. Without a second of looking at Hush, he goes again. "Shall I presume you cannot Recall your own weapons? These belong to your very enthusiastic friend if I am correct."

Carmine steps back, Neo suspiciously doing the same. The boy shifts Hush fully to parasol mode and hands it to the girl. She hands him the knife and happily accepts her weapon. "Yeah... Uh, so... Ozpin sent YOU to bring me to Beacon?"

"Nonsense!" Oobleck announces as he swishes his coffee container back and forth. "I voluntarily came of my own free will. Your father's manpower is quite strained at present. Miss Goodwitch was supposed to coordinate with Miss Carson- Ah, Mrs Carson-Dillon, to have Atlas personnel apprehend you. Clearly, that has not panned out." He hastily explains despite the plain tone.

Suddenly, he speeds forward! Both teens jerk at the movement, almost hostile.

However, Oobleck is now at the window, eyeing the ocean. "Hmm... Tide is reacting strangely. The town should assume high ocean waves for the next few days."

Neo sends a wide eyed look at Carmine, which brings a sigh out of him. Translation: The fuck is this guy?

Carmine snickers. "He's... like this. Just- Okay." He looks to the professor. "Professor, why are you here?"

"Why, I was invited, Mr Uhlric! Seems a simple explanation." He doesn't miss a beat while plucking a single piece of cake from the paper plate now on the floor. He consumes it, as if a critic. "Hmm. I'd say it was finished baking just last night."

"But you weren't on the list." Carmine blinks then speaks more calm and confused. He looks to Neo. "Wait, we were shown both guest lists. You weren't on them."

Oobleck scoffs. "Mrs Carson-Dillon and I are pen pals. She and I speak often regarding the observable behaviors in the populace within Atlas. I was invited personally." Suddenly, he bursts and stops directly in front of the teens. "Not only could I not pass up such a momentous occasion for her development, I also could not wait to see your results."

Carmine frowns. "My... results?" He sucks in a breath and remembers...

Right.

A smile lights his face. He sighs and looks to Neo. "Stand down." A chuckle leaves him. "Neo, this is Professor Oobleck, colloquially my Beacon therapist." Neo double takes between the two, wide eyed. "Professor, this is Neopolitan Rhodes. I trust no one more in my life than her." He announces, a prideful tone in him that grabs Neo as she catches his words.

Oobleck doesn't wait for her to recover. "Hello to you, Miss Rhodes. I am glad to make your acquaintance." He then adds lightning fast. "Also, I am no therapist in official capacity. I simply have an open door policy this boy abused, in a good way."

Carmine can't help the chuckle that comes out. "Hey, I didn't 'abuse' anything. How have you been at Beacon? No problem students?"

"All students are problem students. It is up to the professor to find the answer to guide them." The man retorts.

"So... you've switched from History to Philosophy?" Carmine teases. "What's next? Is Port teaching Science?"

"Peter is well adept with biological sciences, and historical contexts often paint the views of the greatest philosophers. Such things are never so binary, young one." Oobleck lectures. Carmine opens his mouth, only to be cut off. "Sarcasm doesn't out you from wisdom. You still have a smart tongue that I presume has flourished absent of authority."

The scolding is light, so Carmine grins at it. "But... doesn't sarcasm display wisdom? Now, who is making a binary?"

Oobleck hums then smirks. "That is the correct answer." Carmine loses his grin, realizing the teacher was leading him. "I remain spot on in regards to your answering of authority, though. Recent events clinching such evidence."

"I have zero clue what ever it is you are referring to." Carmine responds cheeky. He then adds. "But that does beg a question. Are you the good cop to Qrow's bad cop?"

"Mr Branwen is a stellar huntsman, but a terrible negotiator. Social aptitude was quite lacking for the famed Team STRQ."

"Was half expecting you to defend Tai on that." Carmine raises a brow, tone souring at the discussing shifting to his mixed relationship with said legendary team. "Then again, you never argue with emotion." He nudges Neo. "Guy can flip from glass half empty and half full on a dime."

Neo allows a small curl of a smirk, but still remains wary of the professor. She can tell he hasn't stopped evaluating her any more than she has him.

"I would simply call it a Half Glass." The man retorts. "You understand what I mean, do you not Miss Rhodes?"

Neo tenses at the inclusion. She gives a polite smile and nods, bumping Carmine with a teasing look. However, her footing moves slightly away after. A shift for distance. Something is... off. She feels like she knows this guy from somewhere.

So she nudges Carmine and signs, hoping he doesn't know it. "Has he been on television?"

Before Carmine answers, the man fires off his response rapidly. "I have been the expert historical analyst for the Vale Kingdom Records, Beacon Academy, Mistral Correspondent, Patch Print Society, and the Southern Isles." He exclaims. "I've been featured in 37 documentaries in commercial broadcast circulation."

She blinks. So, she's seen him on feature, commercials, and passively skipping things to watch at times. Never stopped on him longer than five minutes, as the man's speech alone makes a bullet blush from speed.

"I've appeared in a new production detailing the development of dire wolf packs shifting behaviors to account for nests of Grimm in the western territories."

Neo gives a shaky smile and shakes her head.

"I see. Also, I noticed a favoring of Atlas sign language. However, your finger movements for the past tense are interestingly akin to the Eastern variants. Is that intentional?"

Neo blushes, having never realized this. She blinks and signs. "I... learned from three different books Blair gave me. Then the team learned what I was saying."

Oobleck then gives Carmine a look. "I would encourage you to inform Miss Goodwitch to be as thorough in her social book findings as she is with her medical research. Functional is not always optimal."

Neo instantly chills at the man. Her eyes glint and narrow. Carmine frowns as well. "Hey, we don't have any issues with it."

The man once more looks pleased. "Apologies. I was merely testing your attachments." He looks to Carmine. "She is indeed loyal, going by the clear irritation that bled through her posture. I could believe her to be hostile towards me."

Carmine purses his lips. Another lead in, though this one he doesn't understand why. He looks to Neo- Eh?

Neo's brown eye twitches as she signs. "I'm gonna stab him if he spends more time checking me than just talking."

"Easy, there. Don't make me be the calm one." He teases then looks with a pout. "Also, don't beat around the bush. What are you doing?"

Oobleck smiles. "I am seeing the results of your labor. You've grown quite well. You are of age to join Beacon academy, yet you show no sign of ceasing the crusade against AZRL." He nods to Neo while looking at the boy. "So, I feel obligated to check your current social and productive conditions."

That makes him sigh. "Of course." He then perks in a flinch. He looks to Neo and blinks. "You didn't clear the van out at all over the last few days, did you?"

Neo gives a raised brow then shakes her head.

With a smile, Carmine looks to the professor. "Hey, uh... we'll be right back. Will you be here long?"

"I am here for the night's festivities. I shall remain unless I suspect you are fleeing from the conversation." His focus is directed on the boy for a moment before he takes a drink from his thermos. "I believe you will return. Off you go."

"Be right back." Carmine and Neo walk away from the man.

. . .

Soon as they were in the parking area, chilled Atlas air breezing into the parking complex, Neo rounds on the boy, wide eyed. She swats his arm as they walk.

"Ow! What?"

Neo begins frantic, broad gestures between him and the direction they came from.

"He's a friend." Carmine says simply and resolute. He frowns. "He was the one who urged me to make my own path." He looks off, tone softening. "I wouldn't have left Vale with you all if he didn't give the advice he did... CRBN wouldn't exist."

Slowly, her tense nature loosens. She relaxes, surprise warping her features as she rubs her temple. She sighs, lightly running her hand on his shoulder as an almost pet. Translation: Sorry for overreacting.

She then glowers and points to herself before making a spiral gesture upward. Translation: She feels out of the loop. Like SHE'S the crazy one.

Carmine scratches his head with a nervous chuckle. "Sorry! I'm shit at discussing things. It never came up." He then calms with a soft smile. "Man... I hadn't thought about him in so long, but seeing him again is cool."

Neo smirks coy and nudges him. She signs. "Figures. You make best friends with the history geek."

"Wha- I-... S-shut up." Carmine pouts as he gets to the van. "Help me carry these."

He gestures to a small compartment in the very back of the van, raising her suspicions. She sends a wary look. Translation: Really?

He scowls at her. "Yes, really. We barely even use them anymore. Help me carry them." The girl huffs and suppresses a shiver. As she approaches the compartment, Carmine halts her. "Wait." He steps back, removing his rented suit jacket. He places around the short girl, instantly helping with the cold area. "There. Now, let's carry."

Neo smiles brightly, lit happily in his jacket.

"We need to return those, so you're not keeping it." He lectures with narrow eyes.

Yet, her expression remains unchanged... She's not stealing it, right?

. . .

Oobleck opens the cap of his thermos, lightly blowing steam away. He gives a test sip. "Hmm..." He clicks his tongue at the taste before reaching for a capped container the size of a coin. Opening it, he sprinkles a brown powder inside. Capping the container and the thermos, he lightly shakes the drink. Then, he uncaps and sips. "Ah..."

He hears their approach. Turning, he pauses. He wordlessly watches Carmine and Neo approach and place two piles of books on the tables. Not many, but a total of twelve textbooks. The boy carried ten in both arms while Neo had the remaining two tucked under her arm. Placing them, Carmine gives a nervous smile.

"So... I figured I should return these." He chuckles and pats the pile. "They were more useful than I thought they'd be."

Oobleck raises a brow and approaches the pile. "You two scampered off into the veil with these when your team formed." He then fixes Carmine with a look. "Yet you claim not to have abused my open door policy."

Carmine steps back, nervous sweat building. "I always intended to bring them back! Here I am!" Neo smiles at the boy's stress.

"Hmm." Oobleck picks the first book up. Compendium of Clans: Mistral's Backbone. "Excellent condition." He speed flips through the pages. He finds sticky note papers with differing frequency. "You favored the Southern clan villages. Mibu in particular, I see. Makes sense." He then raises a brown. "What brought a curiosity about the Northern families?"

Neo blinks. She didn't look into those, and Blair didn't force them to do homework on it. She looks at the boy.

"Personal interest." Carmine vaguely responds with a frown. He's not about to reveal Roman's origins, or his own attempt to learn about it through text. "No big."

"I see." He sets that book down. Next, The Great War: Twelve Perspectives. He flips rapidly. "This one is not much used."

"Outside of Blair assigning us stuff, we never had reason for it." Carmine responds immediately. "We primarily focused on practicality."

"I see. The most used section was on the aftermath to color name creation." He gives Carmine a look. "Personal interest as well?"

"A bit." He shrugs.

Next, Tales of a Grimm: Biology and Accounts. "Easily the most used for understandable reasons. We use the fifth edition now." He begins cycling through the texts. Closing a book on economic structures, he looks to Neo before moving on.

The girl raises a challenging look. She was interested in the economic loopholes her family used to abuse. The man must have spotted her notes left in.

After a minute, Oobleck places the last book down and pats the pile. "You've made adequate use of these. I hope you have found them helpful." Carmine smiles at the sentiment. "Also, seven of these are outdated, as we have updated editions. One's content has been retired as its contents were absorbed between the others."

"Yeah? Well, you can at least get use out of the last four, right?" The boy says nervous. "No harm no foul?"

"I was two textbooks short that semester, and one of these is my teacher copy." He retorts with a droning tone.

Carmine sighs. "Okay, so... you going to take them?"

"Not one step from your hands, Mr Uhlric." Oobleck responds, then looks to the grumpy Neo. She looks away wondering why they hauled the books up here to begin with then.

"Okay, so... can I pay for them then? I can do that now." The boy frowns. "I stole from you, so let me make it right."

"You were not the only one to do so, my boy." Oobleck remains looking at Neo, the girl tensing like a deer in headlights. "On another point, these books are intended to provide you young scholars with the knowledge required to make a difference. Regardless of how you obtained them, I can clearly see that they have accomplished their duty and then some. I am happy for you to keep them."

Carmine blinks once. "Pardon?" He blinks again and eases. "Um, t-thank you, sir!" He looks the pile and grimaces, then glances to a coy Neo. "Kay, so you were right." He places a hand on top of the pile and focuses.

"You infused your aura with the books?" Oobleck inquires with interest.

"Be right back! Recall!" Carmine exclaims as he and the pile blink out of existence.

"Hmm hmm." Neo hums her chuckle. She'd told him to be ready to recall the books back to the van in case they got to keep them. She then frowns, finding herself alone with the man she doesn't know. Hopefully, he doesn't try to start any awkward-

"So, how does the idea of a classroom suit you, Miss Rhodes?"

Instantly, her mood sours. This again?! First Glynda, and now this guy?

Neo glowers his way. She signs. "So long as I'm not called on for class answers."

"Being mute does not restrict you from class participation, should it happen." He faces her. "If fact, all the more reason to urge you onward, I say." Neo scowls at the man, but he continues. "It would be a shame for such an observant individual to remain in the background. You have keen senses, Miss Rhodes."

The compliment placates her response. She blinks and looks away, eye colors swapping as her mood shifts.

Oobleck's expression brightens. "I feel confident in that boy being in your hands. For as much as he wears his emotions on his sleeve, he needs someone with acute senses to see through the haze to ground him. And, I shudder to think what skills you can develop under further guidance."

Neo blinks a few times, not sure how to handle the compliments. She gives a suspicious stink eye. She signs. "You're buttering me up to convince me."

"I tell only the truth. Emotional arguments are irrelevant." He brushes off her accusation like nothing. "Also, I have seen reports from your day at Signal Academy back in November. You have everything needed to succeed."

The girl smirks, but shakes her head at the man's statements. Still, she sees it. The man is... strange yet endearing when you actually listen. Very supportive.

Carmine hustles back, huffing as he stops by them. "Whew. Sorry bout that. Makara stopped me so we could get pictures with Rowa. What's up?"

Neo smiles brightly and shakes her head. She pats him on the shoulder. She signs. "I'll go help Makara get pictures together." The girl then places a peck kiss on the boy's cheek as she marches off.

Leaving a frozen boy behind with the professor. He almost forgets to breath, even. Slowly, his hand covers the spot as he blushes.

"A rather intimate interaction, Mr Uhlric." Oobleck comments with no hint of approval or disapproval either way. Carmine flushes further.

"I-uh-I don- Ha..." Carmine sputters.

"Just as genuine as it was clever. She left with your jacket." Oobleck finishes, hand to his chin in observation.

All warm feelings bluster into reactionary anger. "WHAT?!" Carmine's burning eyes trail after, but Neo is gone! "NEO! DON'T STEAL THE JACKET!"

He fumes as Oobleck passively comments. "She manipulated you with genuine emotion. Quite impressive."

"Daughter of a BASTARD!" The boy exclaims in frustration. He slinks back into the chair nearby, groaning.

"Your language has remained colorful." Oobleck straightens his glasses. Carmine twitches stiff. "To be honest, I expected to hear it sooner. Kudos."

Carmine glowers at him, sighing. He feels five years younger. "Making me nostalgic. I remember you catching me unsettled too often." His anger peters out as a smirk comes on. "Damn it. I hoped I could stump you when we met again."

Oobleck hums. "You have several years of growth to go, so I expect you to work hard to get there." The boy perks at that. Oobleck allows a small smile. "You forged your own path, and I can tell that it's yielded great dividends. Be proud of yourself, and be prouder later when you accomplish your goals."

The boy stares wide eyed as he straightens up. "I... Thank you, sir."

"It is a shame that your relationship with your father has strained. Do you still plan on going to Beacon or another Academy to become an official Huntsman?" Oobleck continues.

Carmine sulks again. "Right... That." He pouts. A deep frown pulls as he wonders... Does he even have to be a Huntsman?

A familiar white cloak flashes to mind...

"Yeah... I need to become a Huntsman." He says, as if it's an inevitability. "Even after AZRL."

Oobleck frowns at his intonation, but says nothing of it. "So, shall I expect you at Beacon Academy come this Fall? Or will you be waiting a year and enter with Miss Rhodes? I'm sure she could enter a year above with you this year if that is an issue."

He pauses at that. "I... don't know." He looks away. "We're so close to beating AZRL, but I won't go to the academies while they still function." A scowl morphs onto his face. "Plus other things going on." He runs a hand through his hair. "Other questions still need answering, too. But... I just..."

He breathes out.

"I ran out of patience to deal with Father. Ran out of patience for lies." Carmine sends a tired look at the man. "He can be patient for a change."

Oobleck frowns at the result, but nods. A silent falls between them. Slowly, Carmine simmers and looks back out to the darkening ocean view.

"But... if I had to choose a place... returning to Beacon sounds... interesting to say the least."

The professor sits in the chair near the boy, sharing in the view. "And... what of your goals? Beyond AZRL? Will coming to Beacon further those goals?" His... goals? "What do you wish to accomplish, to bring what makes you happy into the world?"

Carmine's eyes widen.

. . .

"Even impossible, an ideal creates a goal... Striving towards such an ideal will always be a gift to the world." Blair's voice sounds. "You feel it... memorize it. Memorize why you fight. What you fight for."

That's right... the goal he'd envisioned to unlock his magic. The goal Blair urged out of him to fight Ray in Mountain Glenn... A world where all those precious to him can finally exist side by side...

Even his Father, Professor Ozpin...

. . .

Carmine sighs, but smiles. "... Damn, you're right." He looks off, suppressing a giggle. "Guess my choice is locked in. I'll have to come back to Beacon." He grumbles, despite the small smile. Looking to Oobleck, he says resolute. "A world where everyone precious to me can coexist. I'll have to go to Beacon to make up with Father, even if the headmaster is a right prick to deal with."

"So simple, yet an elusive goal, indeed. However, I'd say you're making delightful headway in that endeavor already." Oobleck responds immediately.

"Hmm?" Carmine blinks and looks up. "Are you kidding? We're listed as criminals by Vale until I get back to Beacon." He heats up.

"Yes, quite the pickle. But have you truly considered that good actions and interactions are occurring regardless?" He looks off. Carmine follows the look through to the main wedding venue. "Your chief conspirator is a former mobster, and he's laughing in the presence of a venue of Atlas officers, as well as a Beacon Huntress who chose to help over reporting you."

He catches sight of Roman sharing a drink with Stern.

"The person by your own admission is your most trusted companion is standing by helpfully with others. I've also failed to observe any thefts besides your jacket. Then a new ward who is concerned with making memories."

He then spots Neo still wearing Carmine's rented suit jacket assisting Makara with setting up pictures for guests. Neo is using her Shatter semblance to change touches to the backgrounds of shots. Makara is going into gun mode, lining perfect spacing for the camera focus.

"Finally, the only person who could be blamed as leading you astray is instead the one being rested on Beacon's up and coming vice professor." Oobleck then leans slightly for a better view. "Scratch that. Both are resting with each other."

Carmine sucks in a breath as he sees. Against the wall... Glynda and Blair have both dozed off. The sisters arm leaned against each other, hands still locked with one another. Sleeping peacefully.

"No shit..." Carmine mutters under his breath. His wide eyes take in the view. A sniffle breaks the air as he clenches his teeth and looks down. It's... wow... it's too much, and he hadn't even noticed. His heart clenches as he realizes something. He cannot recall the last time he felt this happy.

The professor before him remains passive, waiting for the boy to look up

And he starts.

"Mr Uhlric. What is the true name for the Faunus War?"

Carmine blanks, cocking his head. "Wait, what?"

"Answer the question to the best of your ability." Oobleck directs, straightening his glasses.

The boy frowns. "The Faunus Rights Revolution. Everyone knows that."

"You'd be astounded to know how many do not. We are not all keyed in out of interest via faunus family members." Oobleck lectures, crossing his arm. "Now, which battle was considered the turning point in the war's third year?"

Hmm. That's a bit shakier, but... Carmine answers quickly. "Battle of Fort Castle, right? Yeah! Goon Lagune! The Atlas General Lagune's famous loss." He snorts. "The moron thought he could ambush the faunus in their sleep. He didn't realize that the animal parts aren't just accessories. Most faunus have superior senses, including night vision. Completely decimated the general's forces within the night and captured him."

Oobleck smirks. "I knew if you paid attention to any history, it would be the history of faunus."

The boy grins. "Wouldn't want Mom to curse me, ya know?" He pauses and flushes. "Hey! You're testing how I answer in class room conditions! Don't lie!" He accuses with a finger at the man.

"I would reward you a bonus point for the alliterative nickname. Goon Lagune is quite catchy, and may help other students." Oobleck gets minor enjoyment out of the boy's embarrassment. "Be proud of your answer. It preemptively answered my follow up."

"Pop quizzes... kill me. Shouldn't you have waited until I get there to do that?"

Oobleck gives a genuine smile. "Personal interest. I could not squander the opportunity to know. And I must say..."

He slowly extends a hand for the boy. Carmine blinks at it, shocked.

"It would be a privilege for me to be your teacher when the time comes. You will make an extraordinary student."

It takes a moment, yet the boy manages a bright smile. He reaches up and grasps the hand. "Well... You talk REALLY fast and drone on about information most people can't give a crap about... but you're a damn good teacher. I want you to be my professor." The two shake hands, and the boy notices the man isn't bothered by the blatant insult. "Sorry, I'm used to dealing with compliments using playful insults."

"A dreadful tactic that will see you end up like Goon Lagune academically." Oobleck doesn't have any intonation, but the boy can tell he's mocking.

He cannot help the splitting smile. Because the professor is right... Maybe his dream, what's possible, is already being made.

Most of his precious people already proving that they can coexist. Only a few faces missing. Only a few phantoms haunting in the background. Yet, this truly is the closest he's ever felt to peace. He would enjoy this feeling as the team remains among friends and family.

Unfortunate then.

As this would likely be the last time they could all be together like this...

Aw. Fluffy conversations and people pouring hearts out. Oobleck was a fun swerve to toss in since he hasn't spoken to Carmine in years. Blair and Glynda's conversation was the heavy stuff while Carmine could bring the humor. I had a lot of fun writing this.

But the plot awaits. Next time, we will FINALLY get to the city of Atlas!

In terms of timeline, the Island Bash in Patch occurred in November the previous year. This wedding occurred in the start of May, signaling six months in Mantle. Next micro arc will take place over the late period of May, then we have the grand theater event in June the group knows AZRL plans to make a disaster.

After that... we can get into the final arcs of AZRL... and then beyond.

The Day is coming slower and slower as events need to be specified, but it's coming.

Join next time in chapter seventy four: City of Order.