"That… isn't good," Jacques lamented as he nodded toward the hallway on the left side of the gargantuan room. Arcturus Schnee, Nero Torchwick, Willow, Kali, and Roman were all gathered there and speaking with what appeared to be heated tones and aggressive expressions.
"No. No, it isn't," James agreed as he narrowed his eyes. "Something's going on. Do you have any idea what's happening?"
"Potentially," Jacques said cautiously. "I… have an idea as to what they might be discussing, all things considered. It's a sensitive matter. I may need to step in."
James raised a brow and took a slow drink from his wine glass.
"Is that something you realistically have the power to do? Getting involved with Arcturus Schnee if something serious is going on could do more harm than good, unless you have some serious pull," James warned. "Sometimes, the best way to help a situation is by waiting for the opportune moment to get involved. I don't see how jumping in now would help anyone. It would probably do more in the long run to wait until the discussion is over, and then assist them afterward. I'll contribute, if I can."
Jacques let out a noise of frustration as he watched most of the group walk farther down into the hall, while Willow lingered to speak to Nero.
"…you're correct, of course. My clout in Vale counts for nothing, here. Not yet," Jacques lamented.
James regarded the other man with suspicion as he, too, sipped his drink.
"…what is it that you do in Vale, exactly? I intend no offense, but you don't have the look of a huntsman about you, and Kali didn't mention your team."
Jacques made an amused noise as he finished his drink, before nodding to James.
"Very astute of you. I'm a roaming businessman, offering… extracurricular activities for the students of Beacon," Jacques explained. "Side jobs dealing with grimm that the school doesn't see fit to pick up, namely, as well as the occasional job from a less than reputable source that Beacon won't pick up. I benefit, the students and freelance hunters I sign on get valuable experience, and the authorities come away none the wiser. A far less damaging crime than the ones occurring in this very room, at present."
"I can't deny that," James agreed with a sigh. "Yet still, a crime. You're flouting lawlessness in front of a military man, and you seem entirely blasé about it. Why?"
"Because I'm an 'ends justify the means' sort of man, and I sense that you are very much the same," Jacques said simply. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be at this party- the entire thing is a farce, and you're not stupid enough to believe anything different. You know that backdoor deals are occurring, illicit conversations are being had, and swindlers out to coerce you specifically are in attendance and looking for their openings. So rather, let me ask you- why allow this to go on, in the name of celebrating your return to Atlas? Why not refuse on principal alone, if you truly serve the greater good?"
James' mouth pulled into a tight smirk as he exhaled sharply through his nose.
"From your tone, I think you know exactly why."
"Indulge me anyway," Jacques insisted with a shrug. "It's satisfying to be proven right."
"Well in that case, you're guaranteed to be satisfied about at least one thing," James offered. "I am an 'ends justify the means' sort of person. I agreed to make an appearance here specifically to bait exactly the sort of swindlers and criminals you mentioned into the open, while I'm still just a low-ranking grunt from a privileged family. I appear harmless and just young enough to be swayed toward corruption to those looking only to make a profit, and I'm not opposed to listening to their pitches. That being said- I have a very good memory, and I don't intend to stay a low-ranking grunt forever. As I said before- sometimes, it's best to wait to step in until you can make a measurable difference. Tonight, I'm just observing. In the future, I'll use those observations to do what's right, and bring justice down on those that deserve it."
Jacques' mustache angled upward as he smirked and let out a mirthful chuckle.
"Running a little hustle of your own, are you? Then how about we cut a deal?" Jacques offered with a wide smile.
James merely shook his head and set down his glass before folding his arms across his chest.
"Offering me an under the table opportunity just after I told you that I'm targeting people who would do the very same? Bold," James replied. "I'm listening."
"Why don't we divide and conquer?" Jacques offered. "I'll go and see what trouble I can stir up, and report back to you with a list of names at the end of the evening. We'll cover more ground if we separate, and should anyone offer me something relatively harmless, or even for the greater good… then I'll capitalize on it and keep that particular connection to myself. You have bigger fish to fry than someone like me, and quite honestly… I think we both want the same thing, James. Strong and capable protectors of the people, both on the frontlines, and not."
James rubbed at his chin for a moment, and then offered a sharp nod.
"…alright. But keep in mind, Jacques- I'm watching you. Your silver tongue could do both great and terrible things. Sometimes, there's no distinction between the two," he warned.
"Don't I know it," Jacques agreed. He quirked a brow as Robin Winchester approached, moving at a brisk pace and wearing a filthy grin. The boy's curly red hair was slick with sweat, as though he had been running through the banquet hall.
"Hey," Robin began before pausing to catch his breath as Jacques and James regarded him with wary looks. "You're that Ironwood military guy that this whole party's for, yeah? There's something you should know."
"I am indeed 'that guy', yes," James replied with a hint of annoyance. "Please- just call me James. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name."
"Doesn't matter," Robin said with a wave of his hand. "What matters i-"
"I believe it does matter," James interrupted. He gave Jacques a meaningful look, and the other man offered a nod before he slipped off into the crowd. "I'd like to know exactly who I'm talking to, for future reference."
Robin put on a nasty scowl and heaved a dramatic sigh before rudely snorting.
"I'm Robin Winchester, Walther Winchester's son," the boy grumbled. "You know, Winchester Military Technologies? If you move up the ranks, we'll probably be seeing a lot of each other, soldier boy. I plan on running this company by the time you have your own office."
James did his best to keep his expression neutral as he nodded along.
"…yes, I imagine that we will, in that case. What is it that you believe I should know?"
Robin's expression shifted back to its former delighted, mischievous grin as he cracked his neck.
"Well. This party's pretty nice, ain't it? Turns out, it's not as nice as you thought. You seen a girl with a bow, wearing a little black dress? That's Kali Moonglove, from Beacon. She's a faunus," the boy spat. "She snuck in to dirty everything up for the rest of us."
James raised a brow and transitioned his arms behind himself while clasping his hands. He squeezed his fingers rather tightly in anger, while keeping the gesture out of sight.
"Is that so?" James asked, his inflection showing genuine curiosity. "I can't say that I've had the opportunity to speak to many faunus directly before tonight, and I wish I would have known sooner so that I could offer to remain at her side this evening. She seems lovely, and far more personable than you."
Robin's face fell as James continued to speak, until his expression twisted into a scowl once again.
"…those filthy fucking animals don't belong here, unless they're carrying trays of drinks! We call them 'tinder' for a reason! Kali is the last person from Beacon who should be here t-"
Robin let out a yelp of surprise as a hand gripped his shoulder and forcefully spun him around. The boy had no time to react before a fist crashed into his face and sent him reeling backward into the buffet table. A section of the display collapsed to the floor under Robin's weight, and several trays of food fell atop the boy and all around the floor. James just barely managed to get out of the splash zone and regarded the attacker in shock as gasps of surprise and worried yells echoed through the hall.
"Sincerest apologies about him," Jay seethed as he shook out his hand before offering it to James. "Jay Winchester. Pleased to meet you."
No one dared to speak for several seconds as Arcturus finished explaining the situation. The man leaned back in his chair and put his arms on the armrests as he looked over each of the teens, finding them to all be wearing similar tense expressions.
"…as you can see, there is more to this than you realized," the man explained. "There is always more to complex situations such as this than I would expect you to understand. No, the Schnee Dust Company isn't perfect, and yes, things have been said and done that I find regrettable, both publicly and not. That being said, I am doing what I can to ensure that everyone is kept safe… but primarily, right now, my focus is on Willow."
"I knew about this," Willow said softly. "I told all of them, as well. All of STRQ. All of OKRA. They know exactly why I'm at Beacon, and I trust them with that information."
"That information was not yours to give," Arcturus said in a tone full of disappointment. "Though, now that it is out… there's no sense in denying it."
"Then give me the details you denied before," Willow insisted. "What do we know about the one who committed these murders? Where are we in the investigation?"
"We know exactly who committed those acts. All eyewitnesses described a one-eyed bull faunus. Red hair, fairly tall," Arcturus explained.
"What's his name?" Kali tried, doing her best to look surprised by the information. "We're hunters. He could have easily moved to another region, and Professor Ozpin should know about this."
"Professor Ozpin does know," Arcturus reassured. "As for his name, I… that isn't something I can share."
"Why the hell not?" Roman asked, glaring daggers.
"Because it's an open investigation being handled by law enforcement, his name becoming public knowledge could incite unnecessary panic, and you are not entitled to that information," Arcturus warned. "In fact, I likely shouldn't have told you anything about him at all."
"…I should be told," Willow said coldly. "If not now, then before we leave, in private. On that note- we should leave. Kali isn't safe here anymore, what with some of the extreme ignorance and alcohol around. I want to go home."
"I understand. I'll arrange a tr-…" Arcturus paused, halfway through rising from his chair. "…home? Sweetheart, you are home. You mean Beacon."
"It no longer feels like it," Willow clarified as she stood up, looking upset. "I feel safer at Beacon. I feel loved at Beacon, and I feel like the people that I associate with care- not just about me, but everyone. As far as I'm concerned- when I'm in Atlas, I'm just visiting, at this point. Beacon is my home."
For the first time throughout the conversation, Arcturus' expression changed to something other than calm and businesslike. The man looked down at the plush carpet as he stood and furrowed his brows as he tried desperately to compose himself. His efforts mostly failed, and he looked crushed as he returned his eyes to Willow.
"…please don't say things like that," he began. "Your mother and I love you very much, and what we're doing right now with the company is largely for you. Your future and financial stability are paramount. Things can change overnight in Atlas, and I want to protect our family to the best of my ability. I do care…"
"It isn't enough," Willow replied with a sniffle as she rubbed her hand against her eye. "It isn't just about me anymore. This is bigger than that."
Arcturus visibly deflated and smoothed a hand through his hair as he shook his head. Finally, he locked eyes with Kali, and gave the faunus a nod.
"Miss Moonglove… you were very brave to come here tonight, and I commend you. While I'm sure that this conversation has been largely unsatisfying… please understand that there is only so much I can do at the moment," Arcturus asked, only for the girl's feline ears to fold back against her skull. "Twenty years is, in fact, almost nothing when it comes to social change. Sentiments long thought buried will continually resurface, and company foundations built upon those sentiments need to be shifted slowly and carefully. I can't promise you that things will shift completely in my lifetime… but I can promise you that I'll do what I can to improve things, out of respect for you."
Kali's face twisted into a conflicted expression, and she let out a sigh.
"…right. Thank you, Mr. Schnee…"
"…and what about the rest of us?" Roman asked as he stood and walked around the couch to drape an arm over Kali's shoulder. "It's all empty words, as far as I'm concerned, until we start seeing results. What about people like me, who are dealt shitty hands and suffering up here in Atlas thanks to men like my father? Even if you don't cut deals with him, you're enabling others that are just as bad."
Arcturus shook his head and straightened his tie.
"…that's on a case by case basis, and there's honestly little I can do. Would it not make things better for you if I did cut a deal with him? I wasn't planning on it, but giving him some financial security would trickle down to keep him from taking out his frustrations on you, would it not?" Arcturus asked.
Roman pulled a face and gave Kali a gentle squeeze as she rested her head against his arm.
"…I don't know. I don't have an answer for you right now."
"That's alright," Arcturus reassured as he approached the group of teens. "You and I can meet again privately next weekend, Mr. Torchwick, and hammer out the details. Miss Moonglove… I would like to invite you back, to do the same. I would like to work with you and Willow to… do what we can, in terms of making you both feel more welcome here."
"…and to make changes in the company?" Kali added, her voice devoid of hope.
"…indeed," Arcturus agreed as he turned his attention to his daughter. "Provided you'll join us, of course."
"…of course," Willow replied as she avoided his eyes. "I'll be there."
Several knocks came to the door, drawing the attention of everyone present. Seconds later, a house attendant in a white suit opened the door and made his way into the study, looking worried as he addressed Arcturus.
"Sir," the man said with a quick bow. "There's been a fight in the banquet hall. "The Winchester boys a-"
"I've heard enough," Arcturus interrupted as he made his way for the door. He turned just as he reached the exit, and locked eyes with Willow. "Return to your rooms, grab your luggage, and head to the roof. I'll arrange a transport to return you to Vale. Mr. Torchwick… I would suggest you go with them. I'll deal with your father, and any concerns he might have, later."
"Thank you," Willow said quickly as her father and the attendant disappeared into the hall. "Come on. Let's not linger."
A quick, yelling exchange could be heard in the hallway as the group approached the door, and Roman paled.
"…that's him. It's Dad," he said softly. "I'm fucked."
"…and he believes us to be enemies," Willow added as she looked at Kali. She drew in a deep breath and shook her head as she rubbed her temples. "Kali, I… I have a plan. A horrible plan, but we need to make it look convincing."
"Just do what you have to do," the faunus replied with a look of resignation. "You lead, I'll follow."
Willow nodded, and looked at Roman.
"Stay here a moment. I'll let you know once it's safe. Kali… please, just go with it. I'm so sorry," she offered.
"Yeah," Kali grumbled. "Everyone seems to be. Just do your thing."
Willow took one last, deep breath before grabbing Kali's arm in a harsh grip. The faunus raised a brow before Willow yanked her hard and flung her out into the hall, where she stumbled forward and nearly hit the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. Nero stopped yelling at the housing attendant mid-sentence and stared in curiosity as the other man turned to look on as well. Willow merely strode out into the hall at a brisk pace and began to bare down on Kali, who turned to face her with a manufactured look of shock. The faunus let out a real, disgusted cry as Willow spit directly into her face, leaving a glob of moisture trailing down her nose.
"You disgust me," Willow said with a sneer. There was a clear pain in her eyes unseen to Nero and the attendant despite her venom-laced words, though the sight did little to reel Kali back in from her state of disbelief. "Your kind doesn't belong here, tinder."
Nero snorted with laughter as the attendant looked on in clear unease. Willow whirled toward the redheaded man and pointed with an insistent finger.
"And you. Get back to the main hall! You have no business wandering my manor, especially in a situation like the one going on in the main hall… and with a disgusting faunus sneaking around, as well," Willow sneered. Suddenly, she converted her outstretched point into a harsh snap, and wagged a finger at the house attendant. "Come. We have to escort this intruder, and I don't want to do it alone. I don't feel safe."
"Of course, ma'am," the attendant replied as he moved to approach, looking uncharacteristically miserable.
"And what about Roman?" Nero asked.
"My father wants to speak to him, still. Something about a business deal," Willow explained with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Well, well- in that case, good luck. Make sure she doesn't bite," Nero offered with a backhanded wave as he turned, all smiles. "I hear they carry diseases- especially the ones with fangs. Hope she just has night vision."
Willow snorted in disgust as Nero turned and began to walk. The very moment the man disappeared around the corner leading to the staircase, she fixed her attention upon Kali and rushed forward to pull her friend into a vice grip.
"Kali, I am so, so sorry," Willow confessed, tears threatening to spill forth as she squeezed even tighter. "You know I would never…"
"I know," Kali replied, her voice lacking all of her usual warmth and playfulness. As Willow finally released her and offered an apologetic look, her lip curled into a twisted expression full of hatred. "At least he bought it. You did good. That's the kind of treatment I'm used to, ever since I moved to Vale. I just don't bother telling you guys about it, most of the time."
Willow closed the distance once again and used one of the princess sleeves of her incredibly expensive dress to wipe down Kali's face. The faunus didn't move to help or resist, and simply let Willow go about her efforts.
"But it shouldn't be. No one should ever be treated like that. I'll change it, Kali, I swear I will… somehow…" Willow offered weakly, before sniffing.
"…why are you crying?" Kali asked, her tone icy. "You're set for life. I'm sure you do feel awful, and I'm grateful to have a friend like you, but right now? Your father just told us all in business-speak that it's not happening. There will be no change, despite his offers. This is just how it is."
"No," Willow whispered in protest. "No, he'll… we will make the change, together. I know we c-"
"And I know he can't," Kali interrupted. "It's over, Willow, even if he spins pretty words to make it seem like it's not. Trust me. He's worried about looking out for the family and company name, and that's going to come first. Peoples' true natures come out when there's suddenly not enough food to go around. It'll be Adam and I that starve. Not him, and not you."
Willow's shoulders slumped as Kali walked past, and the house attendant looked between the two girls, clearly confused.
"I… Miss Willow, I'm afraid I don't understand. This faunus is your friend…?"
"One of my best friends," Willow clarified. "I'm sorry you had to see that little… deception, but yes. You're to treat her as an honored guest whenever she is here."
"Of course," the man replied as he watched Kali walk back up to the office door. She opened it with no small amount of force and scowled at Roman, who was seated upon the couch.
"You're good. Let's get our shit and go."
"What happened…?" Roman asked as he stood, unnerved by the look on Kali's face.
"Atlas happened," Kali replied as she stalked out of the office. Roman hesitated before following, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Willow removed her scroll from her dress and looked over a message from her father, before offering her friends a nod as they began to walk with the attendant in tow.
"A private transport is being arranged to meet us. We need to hurry."
"Before we get there, I have a question," Kali began as she instinctively rubbed at her face once again. Somehow, she felt that she could still feel the spit lingering upon her flesh. "What the fuck is this 'tinder' slur? I've been hearing it on and off all night."
Willow made an uncomfortable noise and looked over to Roman, who let out a weary sigh.
"Kal, it's… disgusting. It's best if you just leave it a-"
"Fuck you," Kali spat with a harsh glare. "I want to know."
"It's… an Atlesian term for faunus, used mostly by the rich. The implication is that… well… 'Mantle' is below us, and such a thing is found above a fireplace. 'Tinder' belongs below the Mantle, in the fire itself. They're saying that you're not even fit for the slums below Atlas- you belong beneath them, and the ones using that term would be willing to see you burn to keep us afloat," Willow explained as she kept her eyes off of Kali.
The faunus clenched her jaw as she continued to walk, her entire body trembling in barely contained rage as she muttered a string of curses to herself.
"Where's Barty?" Qrow asked as he looked down at his scroll once again, where a new message had popped up from Willow. "They're almost here."
"He went back to our dorm to get something," Adam answered from his position on the opposite couch. The faunus had his fist balled against the side of his face, his supporting elbow upon the armrest, and his legs crossed. "Not a clue what, though. He'd better get here soon."
"This is such a mess," Summer added from her place seated next to Adam. The girl had her head in her hands and refused to peel her eyes from the carpet. "Everything is just awful right now."
"…everything is not awful," Raven protested from next to Qrow. She sat with her arms folded across her chest and her piercing glare fixed upon Summer. "Things were fine until today, when we got news that something happened in Atlas."
"…there are other things going on," Summer replied. "Personal things, that I really don't want to talk about right now."
"But later?" Taiyang questioned from Raven's other side.
"…later," Summer agreed as she finally looked up at Taiyang with a weak smile. "Promise."
"They're here," Qrow cut in as he stood up from the couch. The others were quick to follow as he made his way to the door of Willow's penthouse and unlocked it. He pulled the portal open and left it that way, before turning to face his assembled friends. "Remember- Kali needs our support. Whatever else might be going on, we table it until tomorrow," he added with a meaningful look at Summer. She met his eyes for all of a second, before looking away once again.
"If I have to step out for a bit… I'm sorry, in advance," Taiyang offered sheepishly as he rubbed at the back of his head. "The negative vibes in here are already making me feel a little sick, to be honest."
"Do the best you can," Raven reassured as she took his hand. Qrow raised a brow at the move, only to turn and face the hallway once again as footfalls echoed not far to his right.
Willow, Roman, and Kali appeared in the hall, each dragging rolling luggage with them and looking exhausted. The faunus was trailing behind the other two and looked by far the worst of the trio. She kept her eyes off of her friends as Willow stepped aside to make way for Qrow to scoop Kali into a hug. She barely reacted, only reaching around to halfheartedly put a hand upon the boy's back.
"…hey," she said flatly as she backed away from the embrace. "It's nice to see you all, but honestly… I just want to go to sleep. I don't really feel like being around people right now."
Qrow let out a sigh as the assembled students behind him exchanged disappointed looks. Willow put her hand onto Kali's shoulder, before shaking her head.
"…then, take my room, for tonight. I'll sleep at your place."
"…yeah. Thanks," Kali agreed before beginning to walk into the penthouse. She trailed her luggage behind herself and paused only to accept the keycard that Raven offered. Just before reaching Willow's bedroom, Kali turned and heaved a sigh as she looked over her worried friends. "Guys… I'm sorry. I do appreciate you all showing up, it's just…"
"You don't need to say anything," Summer insisted as she clasped her hands in front of herself. "It's okay. We'll be here to support you tomorrow morning, and every day after that. I like to be alone sometimes, too."
Kali merely offered a weak smile and nod before disappearing into Willow's bedroom and shutting the door behind herself.
"…I don't like seeing her like this," Adam admitted in an uncharacteristically soft tone. He slowly turned to face Willow, his expression full of doubt. "What happened?"
"It's… a long, tiring, depressing story," the heiress replied as she strode into the central living room. Roman followed along and greeted his friends along the way, earning muted smiles and handshakes as he went.
"Good to have you with us early," Qrow affirmed as he dropped his grip from Roman's hand and turned his attention to Willow while closing the door. "And I'm sure that it is… but I get the feeling we can guess the gist of it."
"Not the specifics, though," Roman answered as he led the procession back to the couches. "Robin Winchester showed his entire asshole by outing her as a faunus in the middle of the party."
"He what?" Adam seethed, his anger flaring immediately as he clenched a fist.
"You heard me," Roman replied with a shrug. "It was bad. Real bad."
"And that led to a conversation with my father," Willow followed up. "The three of us went to his office to talk politics, and he… told us all some unfortunate truths using corporate lingo. It took me more or less saying that I'm embarrassed to be related to him to get him to even begin to speak in honest terms."
"And when he did… it was a whole lot of nothing," Roman said with a shrug. "Empty promises, invitations for further talks… whatever. Kali's disheartened and feels like the whole thing was a massive waste of time and exercise in disappointment. She's not wrong."
Adam rose from the couch and walked toward the display shelves before beginning to pace.
"Typical. Unbelievable, and yet so believable…"
"Speaking of doublespeak and dubious intentions," Raven began, "Where's John? Or Jacques? He didn't think it was important to stick with you guys?"
"He's staying in the manor another night," Willow answered with a sigh. "Something about meeting with James Ironwood, the returning soldier at the center of the party. He sent along his condolences, but… I can't help but feel disappointed, all the same."
"I'll have words with him," Qrow resolved.
A knock came at the door before it swung open once again, revealing Bartholomew carrying several shopping bags.
"…ah. Willow and Roman. So, I was too late, I presume?"
"Way too late," Raven griped. "What did you bring?"
"Alcohol," Bartholomew answered quickly as he closed the door with his foot. "In quite frankly embarrassing quantities. It took me a while to find where you had hidden it, so… bravo, I suppose," he added with a nod to Roman.
"And you were worried it would get us in trouble with the RA," Roman replied with a confident smirk, before his expression changed to one of disappointment once again. "But if there was ever a time, it's now. Have at it, guys."
Bartholomew set a box of cans down upon the coffee table and tore open the side. He stepped back and simply watched, forgoing any alcohol himself. Willow was the first to reach out and take a can, much to the rest of the group's surprise.
"…what? It's been a long, awful day," the girl complained as she popped the tab open. "I'm exhausted and stressed out. I'm allowed."
"I hear that," Qrow agreed before taking a can of his own. The others were soon to follow, with Adam coming in second to last. He turned the can over in his hands, looking at it curiously.
"…guess I might as well tell you guys now. I'm… actually only 16. I lied to Professor Ozpin about my age," the faunus said to no one in particular before looking up at his friends. The majority of the group wore shocked expressions, while Qrow simply raised a brow as he kept his can to his lips.
"…eh. The fuck's it matter, at this point?" Roman asked with a shrug after finishing a sip. "After the kind of shit faunus as a whole deal with? You should be taking the whole damned case."
Adam made a sort of amused noise and followed suit by popping his can open and taking a drink.
"…well, this is disgusting."
"You get used to it," Willow offered with a shrug. "I've been drinking wine on and off for years, now, at formal gatherings."
"…if we're doing confessions… I guess I might as well tell you all now," Summer said quietly as she reached out and grabbed a can for herself. "When we were out on that job for Jacques, I… I discovered that I apparently have a second semblance."
"…pardon?" Bartholomew asked immediately as he folded his arms atop the back of the couch. "That isn't something I've ever heard of happening. You're sure?"
"It's true," Raven insisted. "I saw it. She traded places with me instantly from across a clearing, to save my life. It's some sort of teleportation semblance that's capable of swapping her position with someone else's."
"…save your life?" Taiyang asked, his voice full of worry. "You didn't tell me you al-"
"Why would I?" Raven snapped. "Summer wanted to keep this under wraps, apparently until now. It wasn't my secret to share."
"You're leaving out something important," Qrow reminded. "It blows your entire aura to use it."
"It does," Summer affirmed with a nod. She took a sip and then wrinkled her nose, before turning to Adam. "This… sucks."
"Glad to see I'm not the only sane one here," the faunus offered as he raised his can to her. "And that sounds like a semblance you should never use, if it's all true."
Summer shook her head quickly.
"No, I… I have to learn to master it. It could save lives," she insisted.
"It could cost yours," Roman countered. "Not worth it."
"We've already had this discussion," Qrow grumbled. "It went nowhere. I'm honestly surprised she's telling you all of this. I'm guessing you'll fill Kali in later?"
"Yeah," Summer replied as she locked eyes with Qrow. After several seconds, she shook her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "And… there's more. My first semblance? The future sight, with occasional glimpses far into the future? It… it's acting up again. I saw something earlier today… something horrible."
"You needn't say anything, if you feel that you can't," Willow reassured as she gave her friend a sympathetic look.
"But I do need to," Summer denied as she looked over at Willow. "Especially now. I was planning to keep it to myself, but I… it's not a risk I'm willing to take. I saw you die."
Total silence swept over the room as everyone froze in place. Willow's eyes widened, and her hand trembled slightly as she held her can before herself.
"…how?" was all she could bring herself to say, before Qrow immediately put out his free hand, looking furious.
"No. We're not doing this. We're not playing games with shit like that, o-"
"Kali," Summer interrupted. "I saw Kali put a gun to your head, and pull the trigger. You were both much older, and in an office I've never seen before. A room with plush carpet, rows of bookshelves, and couches. A desk at the far end."
"…my father's office," Willow said simply.
"Sounds like it," Roman agreed, keeping both hands on his beer and looking tense. "But that shit's wrong sometimes, right? A lot of the time? Kali would never…"
"She wouldn't," Summer agreed. "But… I don't know. The basics, the general events… they almost always come true. I don't know what else to say."
Taiyang put a hand to his mouth and rose from the couch before making a beeline to the door. Raven set her beer upon the coffee table immediately afterward and got up to follow, while the others all remained in their places, looking nervous.
"…what the hell do we even do with that information?" Adam asked. "And… are you going to tell her? Kali, I mean?"
Summer shivered violently and gripped at her arms as she stared down at her can.
"…I don't know," she admitted. "I really don't know."
Author's Note:
A few quick things- first, we're coming up on the end of Volume 1 very quickly- faster than I anticipated. Expect a significant time jump in Chapter 41, a little bit of setup and a few check-ins, and then… some big, world-changing shit in the final arc.
Secondly, once this story does reach the end of Volume 1 and goes on hiatus for a bit- which, to be honest, will likely be a month, or maybe even two- Volume 2 will be changing formats quite a bit. I'm going to start cutting down on the size of chapters to be closer to What You Stole length, for several reasons. Right out the gate, I want to make it very clear that I am not losing interest in writing this story at all or making it less of a priority, and nothing in terms of the story's content itself will change- I'm just changing how I write it, to avoid burnout. Arboretum is and always will be my "main" focus, priority story, and the massively-sprawling, all-encompassing monster AU that it has always been.
I've actually been going back and forth on making this change for weeks now, because I honestly feel bad dialing it back a bit. Even though this story isn't a massive success in terms of the number of people following it- feeling like I'm letting anyone down sucks. That being said, the reality of the situation is that keeping up with 5,000+ word updates weekly with this story for eight months has been utterly exhausting on its own, but factoring in What You Stole, the Ace Ops sidestory in the works, and a soon-to-be-written My Hero Academia AU that will be a complete overhaul like this story, I'm starting to lose my mind writing so much, so often. To avoid burnout, I'm going to scale back the chapters of Arboretum… but that also means that sometimes, there may be multiple Arboretum chapters per week. There's just too much going on right now, both in and outside of writing, for me to keep going at this pace after Volume 1. Though, really- it'll be the same pace or faster, just with the work spread out over more stories.
-RD