"Be on your best behavior, she says," Qrow mocked with a smirk. "I might as well leave before this somehow becomes a video call through the power of my semblance."
"Oh, it is," Willow confirmed as she placed her device down onto the countertop. "We've been pioneering portable video technology behind the scenes. Adam, you… may want t-"
"Oh, I definitely want to leave," Adam snarled as he headed for the door to the deck. "Come and get me when it's over."
"Sorry…" Willow offered, though Adam didn't bother to turn around and acknowledge her. "Everyone ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be," Summer offered as she took a seat next to Bartholomew.
With the push of a small button upon Willow's scroll, a midair holographic video manifested above the counter. Arcturus and Camilla Schnee were sat before a long table within a meeting room, staring into the camera. Camilla looked rather pleased, while Arcturus' smile was noticeably forced even in the grainy quality of the projection.
"Pumpkin," Arcturus began. "How are things at the house?"
"Wonderful," Willow said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. "Everything is just as I remembered it, and we've done a little…exploring. We were just about to head down to the beach."
"Glad to hear it," Arcturus replied. "And these are all of your friends? It's a pleasure to see you all, I also don't want to keep you for too long making introductions and small talk. You deserve rest and relaxation, and we have… meetings to attend."
"Really, it's no trouble at all," Willow said with a wave of her hand. "We could go around…"
"Nonsense," Camilla cut in. "We can do introductions upon your return. We called to quickly fill you in on what just occurred. First- Roman Torchwick?"
Roman stiffened and nearly choked on his orange juice as he straightened up in his seat.
"Uh… yeah? Whatever it is, I didn't do it, I swear. Or I did, if it's a good thing."
"Amusing," Camilla said flatly. "Your scroll should be working, once again."
Roman immediately reached into his pocket and withdrew his device. Upon tapping the screen, he found that he did indeed have signal for the first time in days. He unlocked the scroll and flicked through his contacts, checking that the appropriate people were marked as within range. Even Team BASS was reachable, and he couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh at the sight.
"What… how did you fix it? Or even know it was messed up? I mean, I'm grateful, but…"
"We just ended a meeting with your father and a few other parties of note," Arcturus explained. "Nero Torchwick took it upon himself to begin cutting you off from his resources, and potentially, the family name. Though I suspect that your participation in this vacation was the impetus for such a thing… consider this a warning of things to come. Matters like this rarely resolve so cleanly, even with our family holding a partnership over his head as a threat. I fully expect such behavior to resurface in time."
"…that cowardly, slimy little cunt."
"Ah, so you are there, Kali," Arcturus remarked. "We couldn't quite see you in frame."
Kali's face was red, though whether it was from embarrassment, anger, or some combination of the two was unclear.
"Sorry, I just…"
"No, you're correct, he does indeed seem like a cunt," Camilla agreed, earning a look of shock from both her husband and Willow.
"Mother!"
"I'm done mincing words, dear," Camilla said offhandedly. "So is your father. Let's get to the point. No one enjoys long calls."
"Right," Arcturus said uneasily as he tugged at his collar. "In any event, that little situation is a small note compared to the rest. I am… acutely aware that our meetings over the past several months in order to better the state of the faunus in Mantle and Atlas have been rather unproductive. Cue commentary, Kali."
"No, I get it," Kali said with a sigh as she moved to drape herself over Roman's shoulder, watching him check his scroll. "I'm not about to shit on you for at least making an effort."
"…I wasn't," Arcturus admitted. "Not fully, because it would cost the company quite a bit of lien to even begin making such changes in earnest."
"…well, at least he's honest," Qrow muttered with a shrug. "But I think we all kinda knew…"
"That being said," Arcturus continued, "that changes today. The Winchester sons, Nero, and Arthur Watts, another associate of ours, have been expressly warned that the Schnee Dust Company will not be participating in any plans that worsen the living conditions of the faunus in Mantle from this point forward, and we are unafraid to cut them loose if they propose such a thing. We will be calling the shots, and we will begin drafting a plan while you're away. Upon your return, we hope that you and Kali will assist us in our efforts."
"Of course we will!" Willow answered immediately. "We'll dedicate ourselves to it and push even harder for change."
"You'll dedicate yourselves to your second year of schooling, first," Camilla warned. "You can lend your perspective on the weekends, and that will have to suffice. Leave the majority of the heavy lifting to us."
"We will," Kali reassured. "And… thanks for at least admitting that things were in a deadlock earlier. I was hoping I was wrong, but… I kinda figured that's what's been happening. Why the sudden change?"
"Because our daughter's happiness means more to us than continuing to accrue even more wealth," Arcturus answered. He raised a brow as he watched Kali grimace, though his tone didn't change. "We're turning over a new leaf as a company, for her future."
"Good. That's… good," Kali said as she leaned back from Roman and moved toward the fridge.
"Hey, not for nothin', but if you've got my old man by the balls," Roman started, "could you… get him to back off on making me come home every weekend? It's miserable, and I don't care about our company. If he's planning to kick me out of the family at some point in the future, that just makes me care even less."
The corner of Arcturus' mouth tugged to one side, and he folded his hands atop the surface of the table.
"…perhaps. That's quite a large demand, after I've already ruffled his feathers. Give it time, and I'll see what I can do. Once his palms are greased with lien, perhaps he'll be more open to the suggestion. Is there anything else we can do for you?"
"One thing," Summer answered as she leaned into view of the device and offered a small wave. "Hi there, I'm Summer Rose. One of Willow's friends."
"Summer?" Willow asked in a whisper. "What are y-"
"…good morning, Summer," Camilla answered, looking unsure of the girl. "What is it?"
"I… does the S.D.C. have any dealings with Atlas Academy?" the girl asked. "Are you capable of contacting the headmaster freely?"
"We do, and I suppose we could," Arcturus answered. "Do you have a message for him?"
Summer closed her eyes, well aware that all others in the room were upon her. She took a deep, sobering breath and looked back at the hologram before biting her lip.
"…not yet. I was just… curious. I might have one in the future, though."
"…I see," Arcturus replied as he tilted his head. "Well, if there's nothing else, we'll let you all go, for now. Have a pleasant vacation."
"We will. Love you!" Willow said as she offered a wave. The hologram powered down, leaving the room in an awkward silence for several seconds. "Summer, have you…seen something?"
"I don't know," Summer admitted with a shake of her head. "Bits and pieces of unclear events, but I felt like I should ask."
"No harm in finding out, I suppose," Bartholomew considered with a shrug. "But I think it's fair to say that you rattled us a bit due to the lack of warning. Speaking of- Kali, are you quite alright?"
All eyes turned to the faunus, who was leaning up against the fridge and drinking a glass of milk. As she lowered the glass from her lips, she shook her head and her ears flattened.
"…listen, I'm glad your parents love you, Wil," the girl hissed, "but that was not the answer I was looking for when I asked why the hell your dad suddenly wants to start helping the faunus. I don't know what I expected, but we're not some fucking bargaining chip for board room meetings. We're people. We should be cared about and considered even when there's no project with an ulterior motive to handle."
Bartholomew pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, his face twisting into a scowl. Qrow merely cast his eyes to the floor, unsure what to say. Willow looked like she was going to be sick, but refused to move her gaze from Kali.
"…Kali, I'm so sorry…"
"Yeah. Everybody's sorry," Kali spat. "And it's not your fault. I'm just… so fucking done. Let's get down to the beach. I'll get over it once I've got sand between my toes."
Nobody moved as Kali made her way to the glass door and stepped out onto the deck, closing it harshly behind her.
"…you need to move your ass," Raven said rather seriously as she gave Roman a pointed look.
"…excuse me?"
"And you need to do more than grab her ass," Raven continued. "There's only so much we can say and do, especially when things like this keep happening. It's not a secret to anyone that you've got feelings for her, Roman. Make them known. Tonight. She needs it."
"…don't pressure me, alright?" Roman said as he stood up from the stool. "I know I've gotta get a move on. It's not easy."
"It's also not easy feeling like you're not even a person in the eyes of those who are supposed to be on your side," Raven tried. "Trust me. She needs someone to validate her as more than just a friend right now."
"What, getting some dick from Tai makes you the expert on relationships, now?" Roman snapped.
"Excuse me?" Raven asked, raising her voice as she glared daggers at Roman.
"Whoa, whoa!" Qrow interrupted as he stood up between the two and held out a hand toward Roman. "What the hell, man!?"
"And don't you get in my way," Roman threatened as he shoved Qrow's hand aside and began to make his way toward the front door. "I'm headed out for a bit. I've got some calls to make."
"Let me come with you," Summer offered. "You shouldn't be alone out th-"
"What, right outside the house?" Roman asked. "Back off. I didn't ask for a babysitter."
Summer deflated and let her shoulders slump as Roman left the beach house, taking up his cane from beside the door as he went.
"…what's happening to us?"
"Quite a number of things," Bartholomew answered. "But we'll get through them together. Roman has been in a foul mood all morning."
"And it's got something to do with me," Qrow added. "I'm not stupid. I saw the way he looked at me."
"What are you planning to do?" Raven asked, her face still flushed.
"Oh, you know," Qrow began as he stood up into a series of stretches before letting his hand fall to the collapsed weapon on the back of his belt. "I'll go a few rounds with him. Let him work out his anger."
"…is fighting really the best way to solve this?" Summer asked.
"Yes," Raven and Bartholomew answered simultaneously.
"You might be able to beat the pent-up hormones out of him," Raven said flippantly. "And for the record… Tai and I are not having sex."
Taiyang lingered in the open doorway near the refrigerator, looking just as embarrassed as Raven as he reentered.
"…I can confirm that, but uh… what the hell did I miss?"
Raven held her face in her hand, refusing to look at her friends as Qrow moved past her and toward the door.
"Drama," Qrow answered. "Needless, stupid drama. Might wanna stay in here for a bit so you don't get overloaded again."
"Don't be too rough on him, please," Bartholomew requested.
"I won't," Qrow reassured. "I'll be taking hits more than dishing 'em out. Just enough to get him to talk."
Author's Notes:
Teens gonna teen.
-RD