A.N: Hey y'all. Back again with another chapter of Wild Hunt. Check out my dot com, AuthorNicholasDrew, follow me on Twitter AuthorNickDrew and on Instagram at nicholasdrewauthor. And, subscribe to Author Nicholas Drew on YouTube if you want to just hear me shoot the breeze on a variety of writing-related topics focused on different forms of media.
But, enough of the shameless plugging. Let's get to the new Wild Hunt Chapter.
Chapter 35: Gentle Snowfall
Hansel Kobalt was wandering aimlessly through the halls of Atlas Academy, with an expression of exhaustion and defeat visible on his face. It was an expression Hansel had become quite familiar with over the years, but rarely let it display so openly. Project Witchcraft: two words which were now among his greatest tormentors. The research that ruined his family was back, all because they think they can get it right this time.
That kind of attitude was why tragedies happened all over the world. Why people made the same mistakes over and over and over again. And why they were doomed to repeat those mistakes.
Hansel hated his family, that could never be denied. He hated what his family did to the people of Remnant. He hated what his family did to him, for whatever reason. He hated his family so much. However, he also knew that they were brilliant people. Brilliant people who accomplished so much, from weapons development to mighty warriors.
And if they could not figure out what had now become Project Witchcraft. If they could not get it to work, that bastard Mahogany was never going to get it to work. "-balt! Professor Kobalt! Hansel!" Hansel was then cut from his thoughts.
Hansel looked to see Winter Schnee reaching for him with a look of concern on her face. "Specialist?" Hansel was surprised at the look of concern.
"I've been following you, trying to get your attention since you left the girls at the infirmary." Winter told him. "But your mind has been wandering, clearly."
Hansel lowered his head. "I take it Ironwood will be punishing me for my outburst?" He asked, frustrated with himself.
Not with how he yelled at Ironwood and Mahogany. No, he ruined what Ozpin was trying to do in fixing Vale and Atlas's friendship and he hated himself for it. Winter shook her head, not caring that Hansel had dropped formalities. There were far more important things at the moment. "No, just the opposite; General Ironwood sympathizes with you. He really never wanted to allow the project to move forward, Hansel. He had no choice."
Hansel raised an eyebrow at how Winter was dropping the formalities with him as well. His expression soured, hearing Winter say that Ironwood had no choice. "We all have a choice, Specialist. And it seems Ironwood made the wrong choice this time."
Winter nodded. "Maybe, but the choice here was either play ball and cooperate, or lose support for future endeavors. This is just politics in a nutshell."
Hansel sighed. "I understand if you hate him, Hansel. Whatever opinions I may have of General Ironwood, I won't delude myself into thinking that everyone shares the same opinion of him. That said, please don't delude yourself into thinking he doesn't want the same things you want. We're all fighting for the same cause."
"...How long has Project Witchcraft been going on?" Hansel asked.
"...Five years." Winter admitted.
"...Have they tested on anyone yet?" Hansel inquired, now worried for whoever had been the unlucky bastard to become a test subject for that nightmare.
Winter sighed. "That, I honestly don't know." She admitted. "Unfortunately, knowing the inner workings and progress of projects like Witchcraft go beyond even my paygrade, so to speak. I'm sorry, I really wish I could tell you."
"No, it's fine." Hansel sighed. "I just...I can't believe something like this has been going on behind my back for five years."
"I know," Winter nodded, "I know how you feel I mean. The only difference between us is that I see it done in the open, while you have to discover it being done behind your back."
Hansel hummed. "You mean like with your family's company?"
Winter's face fell. "Yes," she said sadly.
"I'm surprised that it affects you." Hansel admitted, folding his arms. "I believe you joined the military to get away from your family, right?"
Winter's expression became uncomfortable at this. However, she was the one who brought it up to try and sympathize with Hansel, so she was going to commit to this. "Yes," she repeated, "it's...I'm proud to have served Atlas in the military, but I'm not proud of the fact that I left both of my siblings to deal with our father and mother."
"Is that why you're so invested in your sister's education? Is that your way of trying to make it up to her?"
"I joined because I was being groomed to take over for my father." Winter explained. "It was...it was just too much for me. Whatever you heard of Jacques Schnee...it's all true. Though an outside observer would argue I was treated the worst because I was the first born. I was basically Father's test run...to figure out just how far he could push a child while making them his vision of a successor to the company."
"After I left and joined the military...Father realized he couldn't push his children as far as he pushed me, otherwise he'd drive all his kids off. Weiss doesn't talk much about her home life, but considering she joined Beacon...I can only imagine that Father pushed her away from him as well. Gods, I don't even want to think about what he's doing to Whitley."
"Your brother?"
"The youngest," Winter sighed, "he's all alone in that house. Mother's become so distant because of everything that's happened to her, and Father is...well, he's who he is."
"If you care that much, why don't you go and help him?" Hansel asked, his fist tightening subconsciously, as though he were remembering something particularly unpleasant. "I'm sure he could use his big sister right now."
Winter looked away in shame at this, unable to answer. Hansel immediately realized why it was the case. Deep down, as proud a patriot as she was, Winter was deeply ashamed that she basically abandoned her siblings the way she did. It was why she tried to push Weiss as a Huntress now so that she could be strong without her (something she was unable to do when she left for the military, leaving a young Weiss alone with two awful parents). But she did not know how to do the same with Whitley.
At that moment, Hansel knew he should not push the matter any further. "So, anyway, I'm not going to be punished for what had happened?"
Winter shook her head. "No, the general empathizes with you."
"He just...well, he probably wishes that you'd try to better control your temper." Winter admitted with a sigh. "Though, I'm sure you're probably aware of that by now."
Hansel nodded. Winter then decided to ask another question that had her concerned. "Hansel," she said, "after today, you don't consider Dr. Mahogany your prime suspect, do you?"
Hansel's face stiffened at this. He thought it over. He hated Mahogany, and he certainly did think that the 'ends justify the means' patriot of Atlas certainly did seem like the type to help Gray Jackal with their plans. That said…
Hansel shook his head. "No, no he's not my prime suspect." He revealed. "As much as I hate the man, I don't have any evidence that points to him as the prime suspect. Truth be told, I don't have any evidence that points to anyone as the prime suspect. I've been here at Atlas for a few days now, and I haven't been able find anything that points to anyone as my prime suspect."
Winter took a deep breath. "If you want, I can help you." She said.
"Help me? Aren't you just supervising me?" Hansel asked.
"I am technically your handler on this mission, yes." Winter nodded. "But, there is something I can do for you, Hansel."
"You haven't interviewed the Schnee Company's technicians that had been working with Atlas' scientists, not just on the design of the vault, but on the projects themselves as well." Winter noted.
Hansel's eyes widened, remembering what Pietro Polendina had told him about last night. How Jacques Schnee had lent his technicians to Ironwood due to the tense (but beneficial) alliance the two of them had. "Polendina had mentioned something like that." He admitted.
Winter nodded. "Let me help you there." She said. "I may no longer be the heiress, and I may rarely speak with my own father, but I am still a Schnee. I still have enough pull to get you talking with the right people without difficulty."
"But...you've been avoiding your family name for so long." Hansel noted.
"Just like you." Winter nodded. "But, the world doesn't seem to intend to let you forget your name."
And yet you still work as hard as you can, doing your duty...honestly, Hansel Kobalt, I kinda respect that about you.
"The least I can do is match that resolve and inner strength by acknowledging my own family name and helping you bring whoever this traitor is to justice. And that means I need to use my name and help you."
Hansel's eyes widened briefly at Winter's behavior before he nodded curtly. "Thanks a lot, Specialist." He said sincerely. "Shall we go right now?"
"Absolutely." Winter nodded. "You don't have all the time in the world to figure this out. So let me help you speed this investigation along."
Winter held out her hand. "People like us should stick together and help each other out, after all." She noted. "People who didn't ask to be cursed with a bad name."
Hansel gazed at Winter's hand and nodded. "I do want to find the culprit." He acknowledged, taking Winter's hand and shaking it, beginning an alliance between Kobalts and Schnees. Two family names that were once respected and now hated.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Team RWBY was still reeling from the revelations Hansel had just dropped on them all. Blake was sitting in the corner, staring outside the window, dead silent from horror and shame.
Weiss was no better. She was just shaking her head in disbelief. Like Blake she had always known about the Tragedy of the Flames, but she never knew how badly it ruined Hansel and his own life.
Ruby was just standing in place, staring at the door, remembering Hansel walking out. His expression exhausted and defeated. I should've gone after him. I should've said something. Ruby tried to rationalize.
But what good would that have done? A voice in Ruby's head sadly noted to her. You could tell him it's not his fault and he doesn't deserve any of that a hundred times. However, it wouldn't change anything as long as he believes he deserves it all.
Yang was taking it the worse. She was shaking with rage, eyes red, as though she were about to explode at any moment. And she did.
"GODDAMMIT!" She screamed, punching the nearest wall as hard as she could, startling the rest of Team RWBY.
"Yang, calm down." Weiss weakly tried to placate her.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Weiss." Yang choked out, sounding like she was on the verge of crying in frustration. "Not after hearing all of that! You feel the same way, don't you?"
"I do, but that doesn't…"
"It's just not fair! This world is so screwed up!" Yang yelled. "Assholes like Cinder and Adam are running around freely, and the rest of the world only cares about making Teach's life a living hell!"
Weiss lowered her head at this. She could not argue with Yang about that. She honestly agreed. Thinking back, the 'old' her would have joined in on the 'hate Professor Kobalt' train and it made her sick to her stomach. It just was not fair. People are not inherently stupid. They should be able to see that someone like Hansel is fighting to protect them from evil, no matter what they say or do to him. So why keep doing it? Why keep treating him so terribly?
Because reality doesn't vanish just because it's in the past. Weiss sadly realized. As long as the Tragedy of the Flames exists as something that once happened...the world will always hate him...because they just need an outlet.
"It's just...it's such bullshit." Yang leaned her head against the wall.
Weiss sighed. "Yeah, I know."
Weiss then addressed Ruby, taking note of how out of it she seemed. "Ruby...are you alright? You don't look like you're taking this well."
"Is it really that obvious?" Ruby asked.
Weiss nodded. Ruby lowered her head. "Professor Goodwitch...she told me that Professor Kobalt's life was so bad, she doesn't even want him to have to relive it. I just...I can't believe she wasn't exaggerating when she told me that. It seems like all of Remnant's out to get him. It's too horrible to even think about."
Weiss nodded sadly. "Is there anything we can do to help him?" Ruby asked.
Weiss could not help but smile bitterly. As ever, the first thoughts on her leader's mind were how to help someone other than herself; typical Ruby. "Not unless you can turn back time and stop the Tragedy of the Flames from happening." Weiss sadly noted. "Otherwise...well, Ruby I just don't think you can change nearly all of Remnant's opinion. No, not just their opinion. Ruby, we're talking about their fear and hate."
"Do you really think it's possible to change all of that?"
"They should be made to see it!" Ruby looked over her shoulder, showing Weiss that much like her sister, she was also on the verge of tears of frustration. "Professor Kobalt is nothing like his family!"
"They should be made to see how wrong they are! We know him better than they do! We can make them all see the real Professor Kobalt!"
"Make them? Ruby, these are human beings and faunus." Weiss sighed. "You can't force thinking men and women to do anything and have it be morally correct, no matter how just the cause may be."
"I just…"
"You just want to do what you believe is right, I get that." Weiss nodded. "But Ruby, take it from someone who has had to watch the agendas of men and women go unchecked. No matter how just the cause may be, a cause without accountability is reckless and dangerous."
"She's right, Ruby." Blake finally found her voice. "That kind of talk...I'm sorry to say it, but that's exactly how Adam would feel if he cared about this kind of thing."
Ruby looked down at this. "What can we do then?" She asked softly. "How can I...how can we help him?"
The rest of the team looked at each other. "I don't know, Ruby." Weiss admitted. "I just don't know."
A half an hour later, Hansel Kobalt found himself outside the Schnee Dust Company's headquarters in Atlas. Hansel found himself frowning at the sight as he took in the building's appearance and the activity around it. The building had an almost grandiose appearance, as though it was a winter palace, with the Schnee Dust Company's snowflake-like insignia at the front of it. With how much of a palace it looked, Hansel could not help but wonder if it was Jacques Schnee's idea of a vanity piece, where instead of a painting he makes a palace. Like he's some sort of winter king of the castle. When in reality, after spending a few minutes with him that time in the hospital, he was nothing more than a damnable scrooge.
Hansel also took note of the SDC employees going in and out of the building. This was not a mine, so there were not any miners. Just a lot of men and women in suits. Strangely enough, they looked as depressed as the miners Hansel had seen during a few assignments he had spent near SDC mines. As though they were gladiators, dead inside and about to fight to the death for a mad emperor any day now.
"Holy shit, this place." Hansel muttered, appalled by the sight.
Winter nodded in agreement. "Is it exactly as you remember?" Hansel inquired.
"Worse," Winter replied, "honestly, I cannot believe the vanity of my father sometimes."
Winter looked at Hansel. "You do know that my father isn't actually a Schnee by blood. He married into our family. He wormed his way into our name and company and took over."
That actually surprised Hansel. He did not really pay attention to details like those. They just did not really matter to him in the grand scheme of things. "So your mother was technically the one who was supposed to inherit the company?" He asked curiously.
Winter thought that question over. "My mother...even before she turned to the bottle, never really did have a knack for business. Grandfather did try to make her into a fine heiress, but she just did not have the mental fortitude to handle the business world. She was brilliant in her own ways, but just was not meant to be a businesswoman."
Honestly, when I think back on the stories of my parents and my grandfather, my grandfather became desperate to find someone who would take care of his beloved little girl when he was gone. That desperation was what allowed my father to weasel his way into the Schnee Family name and fortune. My grandfather, the great Nicholas Schnee, was a mighty warrior, a splendid businessman, and a good man. But there are few men in the world who maintain such greatness as they begin to age and decline. Sadly, he was no exception, and my father took advantage of that."
"...I like to think I'm a pretty decent judge of character, and your old man is frankly one of the worst. I could tell that much just by looking at him." Hansel explained. "Didn't help that he was about to…"
Hansel trailed off. He was not sure if he should say that. "He was about to what?" Winter asked, wanting to confirm it.
Hansel's expression darkened. "He was about to hit your sister."
Winter stiffened at this. "What provoked him into almost striking her?" She asked in a low and dangerous tone of voice.
"She called him out on how he was talking about some of her friends." Hansel replied before studying Winter. "Are you okay? You're not going to go hunting for him to throttle him, are you?"
"No, I'm used to how Father acts. Hurting him accomplishes nothing in the grand scheme of things."
"Is that because you'll only be the one who gets in trouble, or does it hurt his and General Ironwood's little alliance?" Hansel inquired.
"Both," Winter replied before gesturing for Hansel to follow her.
"So, what happened when you saw my father about to hit her?" Winter asked her.
"I told him off. The deepest circles of hell are reserved for family members that treat their own like shit." Hansel said in a knowing tone of voice.
"I couldn't agree more." Winter nodded as the two neared the front desk.
"L-Lady Winter?!" The receptionist said in shock. "I...wow, I don't think we've seen you here in so long. To what do I owe the occasion?"
"I'm on official Huntsman and Atlesian Military business." Winter replied. "Can you tell me that all our technicians are in today?"
"Oh, yes, of course," the receptionist nodded, "the Schnee Dust Company employees are always at work, after all."
"Good, this man here would like to ask them a few questions as part of an investigation he is running." Winter gestured to Hansel. "I will of course be accompanying him as well. I take it you don't have a problem with that?"
"Oh, no, of course not Ma'am." The receptionist shook her head. "Though, I really should clear this with Mr. Schnee…"
"I am a Schnee as well," Winter reminded her, "and frankly, we don't have time to wait for Father's permission. And this matter concerns national security as well. So I think we can skip protocol. Just inform the technicians that we will be coming."
"Even so…"
"We are not interested in searching the place, we just wish to ask a few questions." Winter insisted. "A simple bout of questioning in an investigation does not require any sort of warrant."
"I...suppose that is true." The receptionist acknowledged, still clearly uncertain.
Winter rolled her eyes at this. "Okay, look, if it makes you feel any better, Father doesn't even have to know we were here. And if he does find out, I'll take full responsibility on the matter."
"...Very well," the receptionist finally relented.
Hansel could not help but whistle in appreciation for how shrewd and convincing Winter could be. As the two strolled through the building, Hansel commented: "You'd have made a hell of a leader for this company as well."
"I appreciate the thought, but I've long found the place I belong in Atlas' military." Winter replied. "Leaving home and leaving Father the way I did...it was the first time I felt a true sense of accomplishment. The first time I ever felt like I had actually earned anything that wasn't given to me because of my name."
"So, is it a long walk to wherever these technicians hang out?" Hansel inquired.
"Not at all, Father has them working on the first floor." Winter replied.
"Any advice on how to deal with them?" Hansel asked another question.
"Nothing in particular," Winter admitted, "I don't know any of them personally. Just...be polite, they're good working men and women, after all."
Hansel nodded in understanding. The two soon reached a large room filled with cubicles and workbenches. He looked around to see several men and women wearing SDC uniforms. Winter then cleared her throat. "Attention, valued technicians of the SDC." She loudly called out to them.
The technicians all immediately stopped working and turned to who was addressing them. They all gasped upon seeing who it was. Indeed, the presence of the eldest daughter of the Schnee Family was a rare treat for the people of the SDC.
"This man you see before you is Hansel Kobalt, a professional Huntsman." Winter gestured to Hansel. "He and I are here on official Huntsman business and on behalf of the Atlas Military. I would like to know which technicians had been working on the design of Atlas's vault of secret projects. I believe that project was eight years ago. We have a few questions for them."
Four technicians stepped forward, raising their hands, uncertain of how this was going to go. "No need to be nervous," Hansel spoke up, "I just want to clear a few things up. We'll explain everything that's currently going on. Is there some place we can talk in private?"
"Well, our break room would certainly be the best place." One technician replied.
"Good, we'll be doing this one at a time." Winter explained. "I won't sugarcoat this. This is an interrogation, but just as my associate here says, there's no need to be nervous. We just want to see if we can gather any information on a crime that took place awhile back."
"Now then, who would like to go first?"
And so, the interview process began. Hansel and Winter called each of the four technicians in, one by one. Hansel asked them the basic questions. Who they were. What their role was as part of the SDC's contract with the Atlas Military's vault of secret projects. Where they were on particular dates. Who they spent the most time with. And who seemed most interested in the inner workings of the vault.
The process itself ended up being quite long. Four hours in fact. One hour for each of the four technicians.
It was now 6:00, and Hansel and Winter were reviewing their notes from each interview inside of the break room. "Well," Winter spoke up, breaking a 30 minute silence that had been spent in silent review, "do you think we can rule out these contractors?"
"I think we can." Hansel nodded. "Honestly, it always was a bit of a stretch…"
"I apologize if I wasted your time-"
"No, it wasn't a waste, we managed to eliminate a few suspects. More suspects than you may think, actually." Hansel noted.
This made Winter raise an eyebrow. "How do you figure?"
"For starters, consider when the project itself was started." Hansel began. "The vault began construction eight years ago, like you said. And it was completed a year later. However, as per contract details, those technicians were constantly called back to provide updates, maintenance, and other miscellaneous services. A rather common practice for contractors when it comes to developing things like this."
Winter nodded. "So?"
"So, this would mean that unless Gray Jackal planned this eight years ago, I fail to see how any of the technicians could've been involved." Hansel explained. "After all, the theft took place a few weeks ago, shortly before I took my students into the Neverland Gorge. And from what the second technician told me, they were not scheduled to run any maintenance or updates on the date the wristband was stolen. Nothing places them at the scene of the crime."
"Perhaps they were compromised during their time running maintenance and updates?" Winter suggested.
"I considered that possibility as well," Hansel admitted, "but then I remembered what the first technician had said to me about how they had been supervised during construction, and even during the maintenance and update phases."
"Ironwood kept them closely supervised by Atlesian guards. If they had been compromised at any point, Ironwood would have known." Hansel smirked. "For once, Ironwood's paranoia actually does me some good. They could've never conspired with any mole if they were involved."
"You're right," Winter nodded, "though I still fail to understand how this narrows anything down."
"Well, a lot of this is only speculation and circumstantial." Hansel admitted. "However, I think we can also rule out Le Fay and Polendina."
"Dr. Polendina I understand, but I fail to see how you can rule out Dr. Le Fay." Winter admitted.
"Dr. Polendina spent way too much time in Mantle to ever have any chance to conspire with these guys. Furthermore, the man lacks a discernible motive, and is undoubtedly genuinely crippled. Too crippled to be an agent of Gray Jackal. Even their scientists are able-bodied...well, able-bodied enough."
"And Dr. Le Fay?"
"During the development of the project, Le Fay was in her early twenties, but was already recognized as an unbelievably brilliant mind. Brilliant enough that Ironwood wanted her on his team. However," Hansel took a deep breath, "geniuses can often be rather insufferable."
"Le Fay's conduct during the vault's construction ruled her out." Hansel revealed. "She worked at home, away from Atlas Academy back then. She showed no interest in the vault."
"But wouldn't that have given her time to plan it?"
"Why wait that long?" Hansel countered. "And while we're on the subject, why make herself stand out like that? When you're infiltrating an organization, you act the part of a model soldier, like a majority of your fake comrades."
"But if our infiltrator really is impersonating one of them…"
"Her conduct remained the same, even in the days leading up to the theft. Remember what the last technician told us about her?"
"...She never interacted with any of them during maintenance and update phases." Winter remembered, her eyes widening in realization.
"No matter how good an infiltrator is, they need to learn as much about their target as possible. Otherwise, they're never going to be able to break in." Hansel reminded Winter. "You learn security patterns, find alternate methods like hacking, that kind of stuff. Le Fay just never cared about any of that. She just did her own thing for the Atlas Military and went home."
"So what you're saying is that Le Fay standing out as some insufferable bitch actually makes her less suspicious?"
Hansel nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
"And that brings me to my next point." Hansel said with a sigh. "How suspicious the other three are now."
"Doctor's Moon, Mahogany and White? Are you telling me they are the prime suspects now?" Winter was surprised.
Hansel nodded. "Specialist," he said, "do you remember how irritated the third technician was about that project?"
"I do," Winter nodded, "I was a little worried he was going to up and walk out of the room just from remembering how stressful the project was for him."
"And do you remember why he was irritated? He was remembering just how frustrating the good folks of the Atlas Military were for him. I believe he said to us: 'I'm damn good at my job, I don't need a bunch of walking lab coats telling me how to do it.'"
"Yes, I remember." Winter nodded again.
"Trypan Moon, Agravain Mahogany and Glen White." Hansel reminded her. "Those three constantly micromanaged the project...kinda like they were trying to learn the ins and outs of it. Such a thing continued, even during maintenance and updates."
"That makes them the most suspicious?" Winter was surprised.
Hansel nodded. "Think about it," he said, "our infiltrator likely had to keep a close eye on any changes made to the vault's systems, note any new measures that could possibly throw a wrench in their own plans. Of the five scientists, those three most closely involved themselves with the technicians."
"It's not that the technicians were helping our infiltrator on purpose, Specialist. Our infiltrator was using them to gather information to ensure a smooth heist. Our infiltrator was using them to figure out what the best approach to breaking actually was. And the result was...well, two dead soldiers."
"And that brings me to my final point, what we can conclude about the infiltrator." Hansel revealed, surprising Winter.
"What is there to conclude? They are an infiltrator sent by Gray Jackal."
"Infiltrators can come in many forms. You have your hackers. You have your assassins. You have your masters of disguise." Hansel reminded Winter. "And to be honest, the form this one takes actually worries me."
"Specialist, this is someone who is capable of doing all three." Hansel grimly revealed. "And because of that...I think we can conclude that the culprit is someone with a military background. The kind of background where your background ends up getting erased when you join up."
Winter's eyes widened in realization. "A black-ops soldier."
"Exactly," Hansel nodded, "our infiltrator is a trained professional who has turned their talents on Remnant. I was already worried about the kind of man we were dealing with when I deduced that this was a person who could take someone's appearance by wearing their face through the use of some Semblance. However, now I can confidently say that this person pulled off this heist without any outside help or interference."
Hansel sighed. "I'm really concerned about who we're dealing with now. It takes a true professional to successfully infiltrate an organization like the Atlesian Military on their own."
"In fact, they made it look so easy," Hansel narrowed his eyes, "I almost find myself wondering if our black-ops culprit...is someone who was from the Atlas Military."
"So...what happens now?" Winter inquired.
"Well, Dr. Polendina is unscrambling the footage of the night the vault was broken into. If this guy can only wear other people's faces, I don't think he can necessarily mimic other physical traits like height. Where he might've screwed up was taking the height of Bud Brunswick, a young man who could've very well been taller or shorter than he really is."
"I'll try to get Bud Brunswick's measurements, if that's the case." Winter promised.
"Thanks," Hansel nodded, "that should hopefully narrow things down a bit more, since Moon, White and Mahogany all seem to be of different heights. Though, White and Moon are pretty close in height…"
"Professor, you do realize you're operating under the assumption that this Semblance doesn't allow the user to mimic things like height and weight as well, right?" Winter inquired.
"I do, however, I think it's a pretty strong, well-thought out assumption. Why steal the skin off someone's face if you can just mimic their height and weight as well? I think that's the limit to the Semblance. They can only mimic the face, and that's going to be one of the keys to solving this mystery."
Winter sighed and nodded, conceding that Hansel brought up some good points. "I suppose you've at least thought this out. I must admit, I was so sure Professor Ozpin only focused on training your physical prowess. Your deductive reasoning is quite impressive."
"You can thank Glynda for that." Hansel revealed. "Professor Ozpin did want to make sure I got a well-rounded education during my training, but he could only make so much time with his position. So, Glynda picked up the slack to make sure I ended up a well-rounded person."
"I can't even begin to tell you how big my library is on this scroll." Hansel admitted, holding up said scroll to Winter, making her chuckle. "So many true crime stories...so many detective stories...I just want to read some damn comics for crying out loud."
"Well, it seems to have worked out for you, and I'm glad this trip wasn't for nothing." Winter joked.
"GYAH!" Winter and Hansel turned to see another technician yelping in pain from hot coffee spilling on his shirt.
"Again, Bill?" Another technician tiredly asked.
"Yes again!" Bill shrieked. "Please, give me a hand here!"
Seeing that technician spill coffee on himself actually gave Winter an idea. "It's past 6:00," Winter noted to Hansel, "would you mind if I treated you to dinner?"
Of all the things Hansel could have been asked by the prim and proper Atlesian Specialist, this was probably the last thing he expected to hear from her. "You want to treat me?" He had to make sure he heard that correctly.
"We've both been working hard all day. I'm hungry. I'm sure you're hungry. So, it's only logical that we get some dinner. And as your supervisor and handler for this mission, it's only natural that I treat you. There are some wonderful restaurants here on Atlas."
"Restaurants that I'm sure would love to have me as a patron." Hansel rolled his eyes.
"If they have a problem, then they can take it up with me." Winter replied firmly.
Hansel frowned. "Specialist," he said, "I know what you're trying to do here. You don't have to pity me. In fact, I'd prefer you didn't pity me. That kind of stuff honestly pisses me off."
"Please do not think of it as pity, Professor Kobalt." Winter glared at Hansel for that comment, making him actually flinch from how icy it was. "In fact, I'd prefer you didn't think of it as pity."
Hansel let out an involuntary gulp at his own words being thrown back into his face. "I am simply treating a colleague to a nice meal because of how hard we worked today. And, as that colleague is also my sister's teacher, I feel it is my duty to discuss her education with her." A small smile curled over Winter's lips. "Especially when it's clear that your education thus far has benefited her greatly."
"Consider this more of a reward and a thank you, Professor." Winter told him.
Realizing arguing was pointless, Hansel relented. "Alright then," he said, "don't blame me if we get shot a ton of dirty looks though...and don't blame me if the paparazzi gets the wrong idea too."
And so, Winter led Hansel to one of many restaurants she was quite fond of in Atlas: The Snow Queen, a restaurant that prided itself on being a warm, welcoming place in the cold land that was Atlas.
Which is why Hansel found that reputation it cultivated to be utter bullshit as he gazed into the eyes of a nervous and disgusted maitre d. "Umm, Specialist Schnee," he said to her, "I understand that you are a regular here, but I really must insist that if you truly wish to enjoy your meal with company such as this, you do it elsewhere."
"After all, the Snow Queen's reputation could be ruined by his presence...think about all our lovely desserts you wouldn't be able to enjoy as a result."
Winter glared at the maitre d. "The company I choose to eat with is none of your concern. That said, this man is a valued colleague and the teacher of my younger sister. If you have a problem with his presence, you have a problem with me."
"Specialist Schnee, please, we have a right to refuse service to anyone we wish if it is for a legitimate reason."
"Then perhaps I should take the matter up with General Ironwood?" Winter suggested. "He's been looking for a reason to revisit certain laws lately during council meetings. Believes that certain practices, such as practices that make people feel like second-class citizens, discourage others from joining the military, which directly affects him as its general."
Hansel could not help but gaze at Winter with newfound appreciation, impressed by her political savvy. She was good, really good, and the maitre d was pale and sweating as a result. "Er...no, we don't have to bring up the matter with the general." The maitre d relented.
"We should have your usual table open, Ma'am, right this way."
When the two were seated, Hansel finally got a chance to speak up. "You are terrifying when you want to be, you know that?" He told Winter. "Especially using Ironwood's name the way you did. You sure he'd approve of that?"
Winter smirked. "Well, I was being truthful when I said the General wished to revisit certain laws and practices. A few of his advisors have actually pointed to data that says that some practices discourage military enrollment because they do not inspire patriotism."
Can't imagine why, with the way this kingdom is at times. Hansel rolled his eyes.
"And well, being me does have its benefits." Winter acknowledged.
Hansel then heaved a sigh, knowing he had to say this at least, or he would feel terrible. "Thank you," he said to her, "you didn't have to stand up for me like that...not many openly do that…"
"Professor, if you really don't wish to be pitied, then leave it at 'thank you.'" Winter advised before smiling. "Now please, order whatever you wish. Oh, and do consider ordering dessert! That maitre d was right about one thing. The desserts here are just lovely."
"Yeah, sure," Hansel opened up the menu.
"And we can talk about your teaching methods while we wait." Winter said in that tone of hers that left no room for argument. "I was being serious when I said I wanted to hear about Weiss' education from you."
And so, the Atlesian Specialist and Beacon Professor enjoyed a nice dinner between colleagues. Soon, Hansel was back at Beacon, intent on keeping his promise to prepare Blake and Ruby for the match tomorrow.
He was soon surprised when he saw only Ruby Rose approach him with an unreadable expression. "Where's Belladonna?" He asked.
"Blake's...going to do her own training tonight." Ruby replied.
"That's not...ugh, does she think she can't face me right now?" Hansel asked.
"It's not that, Professor," Ruby shook her head and smiled, "I think Blake just needs to build up a little resolve to do what you want her to do, and she can't really do that if you're around her. I think this is something she needs to do on her own."
"It kind of defeats the purpose of training out here...but do you honestly think she'll follow my instructions?"
"I do, sir." Ruby replied without hesitation.
"...Then I guess you'll take responsibility as her leader." Hansel relented. "Though keep in mind, that means I'll be focusing entirely on you."
"I look forward to it, sir."
Ruby's expression then turned uncomfortable, much to Hansel's irritation. He knew what was coming next. "Professor, about today…"
"Don't, Rose." Hansel shook his head. "I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it."
Ruby looked hurt by such a statement. Hansel sighed, knowing he had to clarify what he meant.
"You're a good kid, Rose, but let me give you a piece of advice. If you pity people too much or apologize to them for every crappy thing that's ever happened to them, it's eventually going to start coming across as insincere."
"People who've had a rough go at it...the ones who actually want to make something of themselves just want to be treated like everyone else." Hansel admitted, letting his deepest desire show, just for a moment. "If someone's looking for pity, that's when you worry."
Ruby still looked hurt by Hansel's words. "Enough of that," he said, "come on, we need to focus on preparing you for your match tomorrow."
"You want to be ready for that? You want to win, right? You want to be a great Huntress, right? Or do you just want to focus on pitying someone who doesn't want that?"
Ruby nodded. "Then focus up, because I want you to win as well." Hansel told her.
"I will," Ruby promised, deciding that for now, winning tomorrow would do, "I'm gonna make you smile with pride tomorrow, Professor. I guarantee it."
"Whatever gets you motivated, I guess." Hansel said with a sigh before drawing Wolf Fang. "Now then, prepare yourself, this isn't going to be like your training in the Neverland Gorge."
"I'll be coming at you harder this time." Hansel promised as Ruby drew Crescent Rose.
No more words needed to be exchanged. Hansel leapt at Ruby and their training began.
Night turned to day, and it was soon time for the next two matches between Team RWBY and Team GLDN. The first announcement came on. "Will Blake Belladonna and Dollie Grass please report to the arena for their match?"
Dollie quickly emerged from one end of the arena with a confident smirk on her face. From the stands, Yang Xiao Long and Weiss Schnee sat next to their professor. "Hey Teach," Yang said in a surprisingly soft tone.
Hansel chose to ignore how Yang was clearly speaking to him more carefully now. He was exhausted from last night's training, so he chose to ignore it. "Xiao Long, Schnee."
"Where's Ruby? She never came back to our room." Weiss told him.
"She's sleeping in the teacher's lounge. I've got your sister looking after her." Hansel replied. "I guess I kept her up pretty late training."
"...You made my sister a glorified babysitter?" Weiss deadpanned.
"Shh," Yang got their attention, "check it out, Blake's entering the arena!"
The people from the stands watched as Blake Belladonna emerged, revealing herself to everyone. A collective gasp rang out. Dollie's eyes widened at what she saw. Hansel seemed to perk up at the sight of Blake's new look.
Blake's cat ears were perked up, standing tall and revealed to the entire world. She looked for her teammates and saw Hanel, Weiss and Yang. This is my answer to you, Professor. Blake thought to herself.
Starting now, I'm showing my true resolve!
A.N: Honestly, I would call this more of a Winter chapter than a Hansel chapter. No seriously, this probably showed what I think should be Winter Schnee at her best. Weiss had to have gotten her best traits from someone in her family. Her father's an ass and her mother's a neglectful drunk. So all that's left is Winter.
And now, she's basically become a friend to Hansel, even though Hansel probably wouldn't admit it himself. Yeah, this is absolutely a Winter chapter. This is the kind of Winter Schnee I wish we got in canon.
And now, Blake is deciding enough is enough, and she is indeed a Faunus.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all next time.
