Maria Calavera stared out over the odd grouping of students before her, some more familiar to her than others. The social dynamics at play between the members of STRQ and OKRA present were far from a mystery to her after observing them for a year, though there was a bit of new information and odd twists that had seemed to develop since the start of vacation. Qrow was pining after Willow, though the heiress herself seemed to be far more relaxed and easygoing than ever before. Taiyang and Raven were openly leaning against each other, and the girl hadn't bothered to cover her facial scarring after the loss of her mask. Bartholomew was taking a more active role in giving advice, Adam was more willing to speak up, and collaborative brainstorming was at an all-time high. To Maria, it seemed less like Summer and Bartholomew were the go-to people for decision making, and more like everyone was gaining their own voice, and potentially, agenda.
In some ways, it was an inspiring display of growth among all of the teens that filled her with pride at her students' speedy progress toward becoming professional hunters. In others, it was a terrifying warning sign of something she had seen several times before throughout her years in education. Seemingly inconsequential rifts and little groups were beginning to develop with more frequency and ease, and though they were low stakes within the beach house, the same couldn't be guaranteed over time. Her students were at a tipping point, for better or worse. Given the fact that their current discussion was about using her as a vehicle to smuggle precious materials out of Vacuo, Maria had her doubts… but she couldn't deny that she was both intrigued and entertained by the prospect.
"So, you all just assumed that I would be willing to participate in illegal smuggling with hopes that I would be interested in an opportunity to reverse engineer a closely-guarded Vacuan secret back in my personal lab at Beacon?" Maria asked.
"Well… yeah?" Summer said with a guilty grin.
"You're right. Leave the next steps to me," Maria advised as she took a sip of the tea she had been offered by Willow. "I'll need to consult with Headmaster Gumo, and it will likely take some doing… but given the circumstances, I may just be able to make it work."
"Speaking of 'the circumstances,'" Ghira cut in, "might I ask about this… clan that you were involved in dismantling? Those Above All, was it? Are they truly as big of a threat as they seem? And what threat are they, outside of pursuing Raven and Qrow? I'm not sure that I quite understand who they are, or why they are so unknown."
"Nor will you," Maria replied before Qrow could begin to speak. "My apologies, Mr. Belladonna, but there are certain pieces of information to which you cannot be privy. This is one of them."
"So there is more to the story," Velvet said as she flicked one of her leporine ears in annoyance. "Figures."
"Of course there's more," Maria acknowledged as she swirled her cup. "That being said, there are some things that are off limits to each and every one of us. It's nothing personal, nor do I say it with malice. You all seem quite capable and eager to assist my students, which is deeply appreciated, but…"
"But that isn't enough," Sage finished for her, his arms folded across his chest as he sat in the sole recliner within the living room. "Understood. Drop it, Vel. We're not getting around this one."
Velvet rolled her eyes and huffed as she leaned her head sideways onto Fox's shoulder.
"Fine. I guess we're still getting to do something juicy, what with the Vacuan Glass shenanigans."
"…what if they asked Gumo, and we called Ozpin as a group?" Qrow asked. "To be fair, OKRA wasn't supposed to be involved in any of… uh… the stuff they're involved in now, either. Having a contact team capable of watching things down in Vacuo might not be the worst idea. What if we could… 'pull them in' to the inner circle, so to speak? We don't know the clan's next move, or… other enemies' next moves. You know? They could strike here."
"It seems a bit early for that, does it not?" Bartholomew asked.
"…they told us about the… things the day of," Adam pointed out. "Rushing into very serious situations and following instinct is kind of our thing, is it not?"
"The day of," Maria echoed. "Really?"
"Sorry…" Summer said sheepishly. "It just didn't feel right to hide things from OKRA, you know? STRQ, OKRA, and Willow… we're kind of a package deal."
Maria made a noise of amusement and allowed herself a rare smirk.
"I hope that remains true…"
"Why wouldn't it?" Qrow dared to ask.
"None of us can predict the future," Maria said before casting a thoughtful look in Summer's direction. "…well. Relatively speaking."
Summer shifted uncomfortably in her seat, refusing to meet her professor's gaze. The girl began playing with her hands, only for Taiyang to put his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture. Maria nodded at the sight and started up again, her tone a bit softer.
"It's important that we make a plan going forward. Prioritize safety above all else, both in this house, and while out and about. What all is on the agenda for the near future?"
"Explaining the upcoming festival," Fox chimed in.
"We need to wait for Roman and Kali to return," Ghira advised. "No sense doing it twice."
"I want to die."
"Well, I certainly need to see Professor Gumo, about… things," Summer said while giving Fox a curious look. "It would make sense for Team BASS to come along with me and kill two birds with one stone. I'd like someone else I'm close with to tag along, so… maybe Willow? She's the only one who hasn't met him yet."
"I'm in," Willow said pleasantly. "I'd be happy to help."
"I was offered an interesting opportunity by the leaders of the local museum," Adam chimed in. "Kali, Barty, and perhaps Velvet should join me."
"…the local museum?" Velvet asked. "The one run by the Oak family? What did they offer you?"
"I can explain along the way to the city," Adam replied. "If you're headed there anyway, you can decide on the journey whether to go to Gumo or the Oaks."
"Fair enough."
"The rest of us… well, we could try to hold down the fort here in case Sienna shows up," Qrow considered. "Or… maybe see what the weapons lab and whatnot look like at the Academy. Fighting her without Glass seems like a terrible idea, no matter how many of us there are."
"I can show you around," Fox offered. "Ghira and Sage are all that's really needed for the Headmaster, especially when talking about important and potentially political stuff. They can represent our team."
Willow tapped her nails on her teacup, looking somewhat uneasy.
"Be that as it may… I don't want to leave the house completely unattended…"
"…Tai and I can stay," Raven offered. "My Semblance can get me to Qrow and away from here if Sienna shows her face. I have the best chance of monitoring the house without being in direct danger… but I don't want to be alone."
"I'm down to stay," Taiyang reassured. "Even if you're her primary target."
"And what if she sneaks up on you?" Adam asked. "No portal can save you then."
"…I've got an idea," Fox offered. "It may not be a popular one, but it would make you all safer."
"You're not about to say what I think you are," Sage said as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…Cerise isn't working until the evening shift today…"
Sasha hadn't stopped running for almost twenty minutes. She was pouring sweat through her thin white top, causing the itchy fabric to stick to her skin and partially expose her black bra. The restrictive skirt that served as the other half of her outfit had torn up one side as she sprinted through the city, and somewhere in the process of running, Sasha had lost an earring and both of her shoes. In short- she looked like an absolute mess, her heavy chain belt bouncing along and causing a clattering sound as she passed a few students on campus. Each and every one gave her quizzical looks, but she didn't care. Time was of the essence, and Sasha only had a vague idea where to go within the maze that was Beacon's campus. In her mind, reaching the tower had to be step one. After all, where else would the Headmaster be?
Slow down, Sasha's belt commanded, its tone more insistent and harsh than usual. You're overworking yourself.
"What, and let Hazel get away?" Sasha asked to seemingly nothing, causing a nearby hunter in training to back away from her as she slowed to a jog and passed them by. "Just… stop talking, if you're not going to be helpful!"
You're the one with the glowing hair, Sasha. You know you can shut me out at any time.
"…yeah, and I'm not, on the off chance that you know something useful," Sasha spat. "You really never met Ozpin?"
We wouldn't have been on good terms.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sasha asked as she finally reached the entry door closest to the tower. An I.D. card reader beside the glass stood in her way, and the sight filled the faunus with an irrational feeling of rage. "Shit!"
Calm yourself.
"Shut the fuck up," Sasha snapped under her breath. "I knew I should've brought the gun instead."
We have names.
"You don't deserve them," Sasha hissed before pounding a flat hand on the glass. "Come on!"
Don't be like that. Oh, now you've done it.
"What?" Sasha asked before she noticed the figure approaching from the other side of the door. "Am I supposed to know who that is?"
That would be one Glynda Goodwitch. The most uptight professor to ever grace the halls of Beacon Academy, or so the story goes.
Sasha opened her mouth to curse again, but the door opened faster. Glynda Goodwitch's heels clacked upon the tile floor right up to the threshold of the entrance, which she stood blocking with her riding crop drawn. From the woman's glare alone, Sasha could tell that the woman was no one to mess with… and that her chances of reaching Professor Ozpin were rapidly plummeting.
"Excuse me?" Glynda asked, her voice full of condescension as she looked down her nose at the faunus. "This is a private institution, and unless you have clearance to be here, you cannot simply tr-"
Play it cool, Sa-
"I need to speak to Professor Ozpin immediately," Sasha interrupted, one of her feline ears flicking with nervous energy. "I'm going to be a student here, and he's helping me enroll."
"Again?" Glynda asked before she could stop herself. With a huff, the woman adjusted her glasses and momentarily closed her eyes. "I'm going to need some pr-"
"I'm Hazel Rainart's sister," Sasha blurted out. "And I know where he is… ish. But I have to get to Professor Ozpin and inform him of what's going on before Hazel gets away!"
"So go to the police. Why would you need…" Glynda began, only to trail off. "This is something you've discussed before?"
"Ozpin… Professor Ozpin was interested in Hazel when I first showed up," Sasha said as she paused to try to catch her breath. "He told me that Hazel was involved in fighting some students, and things were… h-he didn't go into detail, but he said that anything I could tell him would be incredibly helpful, and Hazel just came to my place of work, and he said he wanted me to join him and start serving some new employer of his, and it all sounds shady a-"
"New employer?" Glynda cut in. "Did he tell you anything at all about who he's working for?"
"Nothing concrete- just that she hates Ozpin, and has told him that he's a snake," Sasha let on. "I think… I think whoever it is had some dealings with Ozpin in the past, and she's apparently extremely powerful. It sounds like Ozpin would know who it is."
Glynda's face paled, and she stepped aside to allow Sasha entry.
"…I think I know who it is, too…"
Author's Note:
The race against time begins.
-RD