"Sooo…" Summer began to break the silence as she looked up at Professor Calavera who was walking through the sand beside her. "How did you meet Professor Gumo?"

"Initially? Sports betting at a bar in Vacuo City," the woman answered casually. "He cleaned me out, and then I found out he was one of Oz's personal friends."

"…gambling?" Willow asked. "You don't really strike me as the type…"

"And how well do you know me outside the classroom?" Professor Calavera asked rhetorically. "Prepare to be shocked and amazed by the things you learn while I'm staying with all of you."

"I'm kinda already there," Qrow admitted. "I take it that once we get back to Beacon, though, it's business as usual and all of this will mean next to nothing?"

"Oh, whatever bonding you all accomplish will retain its meaning," the professor replied. "It just won't be worth anything down in the workshop. Don't expect special treatment."

"…you sound so much like our weapons lab professor," Ghira mused from the head of the pack. "Do you know him?"

"Not personally, no," Professor Calavera denied. "We've spoken remotely once or twice, but never in person. I suppose that's going to change today as I ask him to help me commit a felony."

"What better way to make friends?" Fox asked. "Other than potentially attending a festival with people you barely know…"

"…Fox…" Ghira began, only to resign himself to a sigh. "Well… given that we did leave before Kali and Roman's return, I suppose there's no harm in explaining it."

"I can fill the others in later," Summer offered. "Tell us what's going on!"

"So, every three mon-"

"Grimm inbound!" Sage interrupted as he drew his sword, making a show of scraping the metal along the riveted bindings on his back as the others stopped walking and began scanning the area. After a tense few seconds, Sage slid his weapon back into place upon his back and let out a chuckle. "Just messing with ya, Fox."

"…you absolute bastard," Fox accused as he lowered his arms from a fighting stance.

"So, you do have a sense of humor," Willow said with a smirk as she let Myrtenaster slide back into its sheath as well. "And here I thought you were drier than me."

"I bide my time and make it count," Sage replied with a shrug. "Anyway. Finally your time to shine, Fox."

"Yeah, thanks," Fox said, his tone healthy with scorn as he rolled his eyes and the group began to walk once again. He turned to face the newcomers, walking backwards behind Ghira and Sage so the crowd from Sanus could hear him better. "So. Here in Vacuo, it's a long-standing tradition to have a massive blow-out festival to celebrate the peak of each season. We're nearing the middle of summer, so once we hit the halfway point, it's on."

"…right," Professor Calavera said with a wary glance at Summer. "I had forgotten what these celebrations entail…"

Summer had taken notice of her professor's trepidation immediately… and she had a working theory as to what had caused the reaction.

"What do they entail, exactly?" Summer asked as she turned her attention back to Fox. "I mean, it sounds like a fun idea already…"

"You know the Tale of the Four Maidens?" Fox asked, missing the sudden tension in Summer's shoulders as her theory was confirmed. "Each festival is themed around not just the season, but the accompanying Maiden, as well. Summer is a particularly big one for Vacuo, since we've kinda claimed the season as our own given the heat, foreign traffic for the beaches, and just the overall theme. The Summer Maiden is our unofficial 'chosen' mascot, and this festival is by far the biggest."

"…let me guess," Qrow offered. "Winter is associated with Atlas here, Fall goes to Beacon, and Spring is for Haven. Each festival adopts a bit of each of those cultures and is a tribute to each of those maidens. How close am I?"

"…dead on," Fox answered, sounding impressed. "That's… almost too good for a guess, honestly. Winter's pretty obvious, but how did you figure out which was Spring and which was Fall? I don't even have the answer for that one…"

Qrow opened his mouth, only to realize that he didn't have an answer beyond what Team BASS wasn't yet allowed to know. Fortunately for him, Professor Calavera was ready to pick up the slack.

"Never heard of Forever Fall, have you?" the woman questioned.

"…that makes sense…" Ghira realized as he looked over his shoulder at the crowd. "Hm. I suppose I never made the connection…"

"Enlighten me?" Fox asked.

"Forever Fall is a forest on the side of Vale opposite Beacon Academy," Professor Calavera let on. "No matter the season, the entire forest is perpetually made up of red, yellow, and orange leaves. The place is breathtaking, and not really understood. It's the number one sightseeing spot in Sanus, which is… otherwise sprawling cities and rolling fields."

"It really is beautiful," Summer insisted as she tried to swerve the topic of conversation as far away from Maidens as possible. "We didn't spend much time there in our first year at Beacon, but you should all come visit us and see it sometime… if you guys get a break. Speaking of, you're still in classes right now? I think one of you mentioned having to get to a lecture this week?"

"There is no 'summer break' for us," Sage grumbled. "We go year-round, though we only have classes every few days and a two-week break at the end of every quarter. Right now, we're nearing the tail end of one. Another two weeks, and we'll be off."

"…so your break will probably partially line up with us going back to Beacon," Qrow mused. "You guys could tag along, if the timing's right."

"Perhaps," Ghira considered. "Some people take daily classes in the gaps to try to get ahead with electives. So far as I know, our team is unsure of any plans as of yet... other than the festival at the start."

"I'll be staying," Fox said sullenly. "Forever Fall does sound interesting… but I feel like a lot of it would be lost on me."

"…yeah," Summer agreed, her tone apologetic and awkward as she noted Fox's disappointed expression. "I mean… there's still some stuff that might be cool to experience. Forever Fall stretches on for miles and reaches the coast, and the trees there have a bright red sap that's absolutely delicious…"

"…I'm beginning to feel incredibly stupid," Ghira said more to himself than the others. "Corona Syrup. It's a part of the Fall Festival…"

"Huh," Sage considered. "I guess that makes sense."

"You guys never thought to question where all of the things in these festivals came from?" Qrow inquired.

"Why would we?" Fox countered. "It's just something we all grew up with. Some holidays just kinda… happen, you know? It's cool to know that there's an actual reason, though. Maybe I'll consider tagging along to experience this forest of yours, but… there's more to the festivals than just the food and cultural décor. The Maidens are a way bigger part of it."

Summer cursed silently to herself, forcing a smile even though Fox couldn't see it.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, there's the usual stuff you'd expect- music, dancing, food stalls, vendors- but there's also the main event. Choosing the Maiden for the year."

Summer's stomach dropped, only for her to jump slightly as Qrow took her hand and offered a look of solidarity. She returned it with a nod, thankful that Fox couldn't see them and that the other two members of Team BASS were facing away.

"…do tell," Willow encouraged as she took Summer's hand from the other side. "It sounds interesting…"

"Oh, it is," Fox said enthusiastically. "Each festival has a multi-part competition to elect an honorary seasonal Maiden of Vacuo who reigns for the rest of the year. They're invited back to defend their title the following year, but that part's optional. Last year's Maiden isn't competing since you can only reign for two in a row, so it'll be two new women in the final. You should definitely compete, Summer. 'Summer the Summer Maiden' was practically meant to be."

"Yeah, I don't know," Summer said with a nervous laugh. "If it's by popular vote, I seriously doubt an outsider has a chance, and if there's a swimsuit competition I'll definitely lose."

"…it's summer. Of course there's a swimsuit competition," Fox said matter-of-factly. "I'm joking. Or am I?"

"Either way…" Summer said hesitantly. "I'm not really… the competitive type…"

"I'll compete."

Ghira and Sage stopped walking abruptly enough that Fox backed into them. As the large faunus turned around, he steadied his friend before giving Willow a curious look.

"Is that really such a good idea? A Schnee coming to Vacuo to try for the Maiden title…"

"…if it's framed correctly, it might be," Willow said with a guilty grin. "I would love to celebrate your culture. Go all-in, represent our teams, and make it clear that I'm doing it from a place of interest and as a gesture of peace. Is there an interview involved?"

"There is," Sage confirmed. "A very public interview that said public will react to. Strongly."

Willow took a steadying breath and gave the two men a firm nod.

"I'm in. Summer- you can support me from the sidelines."

"Thank you," Summer said, clearly relieved as she gave Willow's hand a firm squeeze. "So much. I just… I don't think I'm in the right mindset for this sort of thing right now…"

Sage made an amused noise as he turned around and began walking alongside Ghira once again.

"Well… it will certainly be interesting to see you in battle against other huntresses."

"Wait- battle?" Willow asked, her eyes widening. "I thought…"

"I did say I was joking," Fox reminded. "Each seasonal festival is different- Summer is primarily a combat tournament. One-on-one duels, single elimination. After all- the Summer Maiden's symbol is a sword out here."

"Imagine that…" Qrow muttered to himself.

"I… how many people will I be fighting…?" Willow asked, suddenly second-guessing herself.

"Depends on how many enter," Fox replied. "The bracket isn't made until we have all the volunteers and the rounds of competition before the tournament have concluded. Usually, they go for a top 16, or top eight. One year, it was a single round. No one wanted to step up and fight the former Maiden, until one woman finally volunteered."

"Did she win?" Summer asked.

"Gods, no," Fox answered immediately. "The defending Maiden wiped the floor with her and was crowned again immediately."

"And when was this?" Willow dared to ask.

"Last year."

"You're joking again," Willow said with a roll of her eyes. "You…are joking, right?"

"He isn't," Ghira chimed in. "She was a local legend even before that, and now, she's absolutely infamous for her ability in combat against other huntresses."

"But not all hope is lost- she can't compete, having won twice in a row," Fox said with a smirk. "There are other contests that lead up to the fighting, too, and lots of people get eliminated there. She barely made it past the swimsuit round, last year."

"…is there or is there not a swimsuit competition?" Willow asked, beginning to get annoyed. "That, I think I have a chance in. Sage- I want to hear it from you."

"Depends," the burly man answered. "The lead-up to the fighting changes year by year and events get shuffled around and traded out based on popularity. There has been a swimsuit contest before, but it's not a mainstay. The only one other than the battle bracket that stays consistent is competitive eating."

Summer suddenly perked up.

"…you should've led with that. I'm still probably out, though."

"I'm so dead," Willow whined. "There's no way I'll make it through that, let alone the tourney."

"Hey," Professor Calavera said harshly enough to get the heiress' attention. "Don't doubt yourself so much. I've watched you grow substantially over the past year, and your combat abilities are nothing to scoff at. I think you'll do fine."

"Truly?" Willow asked, allowing herself a small smile.

"Yeah," the woman confirmed. "At least, until we meet each other in the brackets."

Willow swallowed hard, her eyes widening.

"You're… competing?"

Professor Calavera let out a low, mischievous chuckle before flashing her teeth at Willow.

"I did say you're all going to get to know me in a whole new way before we head back. This festival sounds like my idea of fun…"

Author's Note:

And so, the endgame for Volume II is set…

-RD