" It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself " - John P. Webster

Qrow had seen many times what happens when chaos is handled. He has seen governments wipe everything away with operations and cover-ups before. The usual news outlets are strangled until they comply and change the subject matter of their publications, or the event is dumbed down to be admissable to the public. Stores and businesses would open too early to establish a place for normal life to continue, and police or the Army in Atlas' case would go back to patrolling normally in order to appear calm and regular.

Seeing the city of Mistral do none of these things was concerning. The streets were quiet and barren. The downtown area completely cordonned off. the Police were going door to do for check-ups and shaedowns. Most people were gathering up belongings and preparing to go on holiday to more peaceful areas of Remnant. Qrow watched the news on the Scrollvision sat upon their rooms' dresser with an uneasy feeling building deep in his gut. The walls and transportation outlets have all been shut down.

People were organised and calling for changes, parading the streets with signs and peaceful intent. The forces of Atlas have been mentioned several times but Leonardo Lionheart and several other members of Mistral's council have turned away any offer of help from their powerful ally. Suspicious didn't describe it well enough. The sickening dread started when the CCT was temporarily powered off. Communications to the outside world was more cold and dead than the inhabitants of a morgue.

With no ability to leave, or to call Ozpin, Qrow didn't have many options. So him and the kid just sit around all day and wait for changes. Their room was littered in easy-make meal wrappers and empty bottles. Jaune had tried to appear noble by hiding the packages of ciggaretes he had emptied, but Qrow knew better. Jaune was acting calmer than he felt too. Normal people probably would never be able to tell the difference, but he wasn't a normal person. Years of doing his job, plus years of living in a tribe of maniacs, had taught him to see tells.

Normally Jaune would scratch his head when he was nervous or embarrassed. So seeing him constantly dust himself off and smooth back his hair was abnormal. Or the fact he hasn't had a stupid shit-eating grin all day and instead wore a thin lipped neutral expression. Qrow doesn't worry about people often, and Jaune didn't need him mothering his every action. But almost two decades of being an Uncle dictated that he couldn't do nothing.

"What was growing up in a settlement like?" Qrow asked as he put his flask away and intertwined his fingers.

"W-what?"Jaune asked after he jumped out of his thoughts.

"I asked what growing up in a small settlement was like. I can be curious too ya know." Qrow chuckled.

"Well... We didn't have nearly as much noise as Vale or Patch. But small town people are kind of sweet. We would all go camping and take trips to the lake all the time on weekends. School was pretty cool, we only had like twenty people in a class too. So learning was easy and we were taught individually a lot of the time. My sisters would probably tell you that i am a lost cause anyway. I somehow managed to get bad grades no mater what." Jaune relayed with a small smile.

Qrow was thinking one thing. Bingo

"Seven sisters must have been really tough, I know having one is enough for me."

"Oh it's not near as bad as you think. I mean sure, they tease you a lot and can make your day living hell. But on the other hand you never have to worry about too many things. I always had a tudor, a music teacher, a sports coach, and even a cooking guide. Not to mention the million hobbies I picked up just because one of them needed someone to do stuff with. I can't tell you how many times i learned something completely new that I might never do again simply to make them happy. Ive weaved baskets, braided hair, and painted landscapes so many times it is second nature. I even knitted! Never again!" Jaune finished with a wide grin and a cackle.

"Sounds like a dream kid." Qrow said easily, making himself an accidental target for questions.

"Qrow... you never told me much about your life when you were my age. Other than the Beacon stuff... What was your life like growing up?" Jaune asked.

Qrow's blood ran cold and his hands drifted to snug fists. After a second or two he let himself go back to a relaxed state. It is only right

he let something out, seeing as he pried into the kid's past.

"Well... I guess you can say it was very different from yours. I had a very small family. Just me, my sister Raven, and my Father. We had a cousin too, but he was much older and we didn't see him often. We lived in a tiny tribe of sorts, kind of rough. We all had jobs and the community ran smoothly, or as smooth as one like ours could." Qrow started, choosing his words well.

"That sounds alright. What were your family like?" Jaune asked with interest in his eyes.

Horrible monsters. But Qrow didn't say that.

"Well my Father was a character. Always arguing with everyone and picking fights with assholes. He always told us to show strength no matter what, because as long as we were intimidating, we were respected. He would take me an Raven out into the woods everyday for training and to teach us lessons." Qrow said staring at his flask.

He would beat them. He would wound them and leave them for dead outside the tribe every time they couldn't do something right. He tried to sell them once. And would make them watch as he murdered innocent people in raids. Talon Branwen was a murderer, a monster in human skin. Not a day went by that he wasn't drunk and threatening to slit their throats while they slept.

"Sounds like a rough and tumble kind of dad. My dad said that even though he should be rough on us sometimes that he just couldn't bring himself to make us cry." Jaune replied.

"Yeah. In the end, he died fighting off Grimm during an expedition looking for supplies. Guess you can say he died for something good at least. Raven takes after him a lot, me not so much." Qrow said taking his flask and setting it down out of sight.

What he didn't say was how his father really died. How the man had tried to kill Raven on a raid because she protected a little girl. How he had looked so proud when Qrow shoved a blade in his back. Qrow didn't mean to kill his father, obviously, but just to get him away fom Raven. As soon as he stabbed Talon, he grabbed Raven and the little girl and they ran to the others. When they scared all the prisoners off into the woods, and the tribe had assembled, an older member brought a cot in. There the bastard was, cold and dead with a knife in his ribs and a smirk on his face.

"Listen kid... My father is someone you wouldn't have liked to be around. Nor Raven for that matter. Stick to your sisters. They are more important." Qrow said now trying to change the subject.

Thinking of that day wasn't something Qrow wanted to do for very long. Because in the end that son of a bitch got out of Qrow exactly what he wanted. He made him into a murderer. Someone willing to kill their own family. Memories of when the Chief had walked up and put Talon's bloody flask in his hands flashed through Qrow's mind. He still carried the damn thing for a reason. To remind himself of what he should never become. Something his sister should have also aspired for. He had hoped that Beacon would change her, but it only had for a time.

"So where did she go? Raven I mean. Is she still a Huntress?"

Qrow wishes she were.

"She went home. She left this life behind among other things and went home to the tribe. I see her around once in a blue moon, that's about it."

"Yeah older sisters are like that. I know my oldest sister Saphron isn't around that often. She pops in on holidays to see everyone. Her wife and son are a hoot to be around. Holidays are the best, so much good food and stories. You probably go to Patch for all of that huh?" Jaune asked.

"Yeah I do most times, when my work doesn't get in the way. Sometimes my old classmates call to get me to go to Vacuo for the winter festival with them, and I have a couple of times. Ruby and Yang drag me all over Patch to stores and to parties, the little idiots. But yeah kid, I have holidays too."

He tried going home once and only once. Raven had let him even. He just wanted to make sure she wasn't ruining some village's holiday. He was welcomed in with open arms, arms with weapons in them. They all wanted to fight him and prove he had gotten soft. Some wanted Raven to kill him for sport. But all he wanted was to turn them all in. He probably should some day, but until Mistral had forces strong enough to take them, he just can't.

Jaune's talk of Saphron was a numb spot for Qrow. He still after all this time had no idea what to do in that situation. He couldn't fathom what he should do. Should he confront June about it? Should he keep silent like he had? Should he ask questions about his daughter? Finding out from Jaune that he had a grandson was even more of a slap to the face. Saphron was only nineteen or twenty, which was about the same age he was when he fathered her. It was all so new and foreign to him that he was just lost. Could it even be salvaged at this point? Part of him was screaming that it was a lost cause. But a small part of him for whatever reason dared hope.

A tapping on the window drew his attention away from the conversation. A dark shape and two little red eyes loomed outside. This night had just gotten worse. With an excuse to get fresh air, Qrow stood and made for the door. A few turns and a trip up the roof access stairs had him standing out in the night air. And face to face with his fucked up sister.

Raven looked like shit. Her flowing red shirt and battle-skirt were dirty and torn in spots. Her mask was cracked and with a squint Qrow could swear her hair was singed here and there.

"Had a rough night sister?" Qrow said with venom lacing the last word.

"Qrow... Why are you still here? It has been a week since I told him to get you out!" Raven said storming up to him. Her hand gripped her mask and tore it away from her face.

"Ray!" Qrow said alarmed at seeing her.

Down her porcelein face from her right temple to just below her jaw on her neck was a deep gash that was still dripping blood. For as much as he hated her, a part of Qrow still had him worried for her. An instinctive thing siblings usually had.

"Never mind me! Tai was supposed to get you out of here! I told him what was coming!" Raven all but screeched as her hand rose to grip Qrow's forearm.

Reflexes told him to get away before she could hurt him, but a second of looking had him realise that she wasn't holding onto him to intimidate him. She was doing it to keep herself on her feet.

"Raven what happened to you? What is coming?" Qrow said grabbing her bicep and holding her still.

His sisters eyes were wild and her breathing was erratic. His eyes saw her as she was. She was panicked and injured. Her left leg was being favoured over her right, and her right arm was hanging to her side limp. She was in bad shape.

"I-I killed the Spring Maiden Qrow... but I wasn't the only one trying. I had to run before they killed us all." Raven struggled out before finally falling.

Qrow oddly found himself catching her in his arms and kneeling down to hold her in a sloppy sitting position. What in the hell was going on? First Mistral goes up in flames due to a gang war, then Raven kills Spring and some hidden force that knows of the magic attacks her? Ozpin needed to know. Hell, he needed to understand better.

"Tell me who attacked you... Raven why do I need to leave? What is coming for us?" Qrow pleaded as he attempted to keep her awake.

"They... they are the Order Of The Brothers. Psycopaths the tribe ran into a few months ago, they appeared from nowhere. They have been killing Huntsmen all over Mistral Qrow, they are headed for the city. To where all of you are trapped. You...need to...go." Raven said through coughs before passing out.

Qrow felt years younger. In this moment he felt fourteen again, cradling his older sister after she was struck unconcious by their father or another member of the tribe. He felt a grimm look adorn his face as he scooped Raven up and made for the stairs.

She may have a lot to answer for, and she may be a horrible person an even worse family member, but she was his sister. And he wasn't going to abandon her when she needed him more than anything.

Yang was not happy. For the past hour and a half she had been getting her ass royally kicked. A triumphant whoop came from across the counter from Ruby, who was winning this game of Remnant by a landslide.

"Why can't you have class?" Weiss scolded as she set her cards down with a scoff.

"I don't even know exactly what that means, but I bet I have plenty Weiss!" Ruby said a she threw down her last card and sealed her victory.

"But I was doing so good..." Blake said sarcastically from behind her book.

Yang shook her head and leaned back in her chair. She wasn't really feeling it today. Usually she would wipe the floor with them but she had more on her mind dammit. First thing she woke up to was her dad texting her to ask if she could contact Qrow at all. That he had been trying for a week. He didn't send a single emoji and that alone was worrying. Something was up and she wasn't in the know. She hated that.

Excusing herself from the almost sure bout of words her team was about to have with an excuse of going to the bathroom, she left the library. She had a gut feeling she could ask someone directly to assuage her worries. Shitty thing was, he was Headmaster. Her feet carried her across campus and through the courtyard. She found herself looking at the elevator to Ozpin's office before long. Her hand wavered in front of the buttons for far too long. Why is she even worried? Uncle Qrow was insanely strong, he could handle himself and most likely just forgot his scroll at a bar.

But this felt different. So her finger pressed the call button and she waited. Soon enough a ding signalled the elevator arriving. Stepping inside, Yang felt how cold it was and doubted it was the actual temperature rather than her nerves. The Headmaster made it clear students could talk to him if it was important, and she felt stupid asking him about her Uncle, but she had to do it anyway. Her dad would not act oddly if there wasn't something wrong.

When the door opened Yang came face to face with Professor Goodwitch. Who seemed was about to call for the elevator herself. A simple questioning look had Yang answering the unasked question.

"Oh, hey Professor. I just wanted to ask the Headmaster a question. I promise it's important." Yang said with a smile that felt paper thin.

"I don't think right now is the best ti..." Goodwitch started before the Headmaster's voice interrupted her.

"It's quite alright Ms. Xiao Long. I suppose a distraction from my paperwork is most welcome in recent events." The Headmaster said whilst slowly sipping from his mug without looking up from the plethora of papers and material on his normally barren desk.

Goodwitch simply sighed and exited to the side of Yang. In Yang's opinion, she could probably use a break. Or maybe a man.

"I do hope your question is good, for I will have to tell Professor Goodwitch what it was that earned my time that could be spent arranging for the Festival." Ozpin warned lightheartedly as he gripped his cane and stood, walking to gaze out the windows.

Yang shrugged and took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. She came to sit very proper, something that she had no idea was telling the Headmaster that she was anxious. Normally Yang sat relaxed and with an arm rested on the back of the chair.

"Well Headmaster Ozpin, I got a text or two from my dad this morning. He was asking about Uncle Qrow, he kind of sounded worried. I guess I just wanted to ask if you knew anything. You and my Uncle work together sometimes so I thought you would be a good option." Yang said, making sure to phrase her request reasonably.

"Well I am glad you were straightforward. Usually students have trouble getting their point across. To answer your question, I know some but not all about the situation. As you most likely know, Mistral has been having trouble with the underground society all but erupting into a unified war-time force against the local police." Ozpin started explaining as he turned and strode back to his desk.

"Yeah, I mean yes Headmaster I have." Yang caught herself.

"No need to worry over formalities Ms. Xiao Long, you are young and it matters not how you speak. Only that you give respect to those who deserve it. But back to the question at hand. Your Uncle was sent to Mistral to aid the locals in handling the matter. Due to security problems and numerous other concerns, the Mistral Council decided to close and isolate the city and temporarily disable the CCT. So while I'm not entirely sure that everything is at it should be, I am confident in your Uncle's ability to care for himself... and protoge." Ozpin finished as he picked up a large scroll and slid to a digital document.

"I forgot Jaune was with him. Damn, it doesn't sound safe for someone like him over there." Yang said.

"Well as far as I can tell, the young man is doing much more than I thought him able. Your father and Uncle have put an impressive amount of skill into him. Or rather beat it into him as I have heard. So you do not have to worry over him. Knowing Qrow Branwen for as long as I have, I can tell you he would not let any harm come to young Mr. Arc. Let alone put him in harms way more than required." The Headmaster then passed the scroll to her.

Yang saw the headline and the picture, that unknown to her, Tai had seen a week prior. Her eyes widened and she shook her head once to be sure that she saw and read correctly. Did Jaune really do this? That lanky wannabe she met at Patch only a month and a half ago? He looked feral in the grainy image.

"Security camera feed from the building they assaulted. Not the usual work that Huntsmen partake in I admit. I do train you students to kill Grimm afterall. But the world has use of our special ability in combat. As you can see, he did well under the pressure put on him. So I hope I have provided an explanation and proof that your worries are only that, worries." Headmaster Ozpin smiled warmly as he took back the scroll and then offered her a paper.

"What is this Headmaster?" Yang asked.

"Before scrolls were wireless there was such a thing as landline communications. It was about sixty years before your time though. Some lines are still active for remote settlements and some businesses to use. For exactly this reason, I have all my aids and allies set up a message bank on one of these systems in every kingdom. I have already left a message for your Uncle to eventually receive. That I just gave you is the system account number he set up. When you get time go to the CCT building and ask to use the landline. Leave him message of your own perhaps." Ozpin finished.

"Yes. I will Headmaster, thank you." Yang said smiling at the paper in her hands.

Five minutes later Yang left Ozpin's tower,

Raven opened her eyes to a darkened room with a quiet murmering in the backround. Her whole body screamed at her when she tried to move. The strange sensations flowing through her from her newfound power had her more queasy than expected. Memories of th fight and where she had fled afterwards flooded her mind. Qrow, that idiot. After all she had done, whether for good reason or not, and he still took her in. Gazing down at her body had her grimace. He evidently provided aid while she slept. Her armor, weapon, and clothing were neatly stacked in the corner to her right. Large layers of gauze and wrapping covered her chesst, arm, and one leg.

Trying to call for Qrow was a failure as well, her throat was dry and hoarse. Eventually she worked her good hand around the lamp on the bedside table, before hurling it at the door. One loud smash later, the door opened. Her brother walked in with a tinge of worry on his face, but only just.

"Ray, you are awake. You were really fucked up." Qrow said handing her a glass of water.

One sip or two later she scowled and snapped at her brother.

"Don't you think I know? I had to run to my little brother for help! I have never felt so weak in my life. So in other words I feel like shit." Raven said drinking more liquid.

"Aaand shes back to normal... of course." Qrow sighed defeatedly before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"You wanna talk about it?" Qrow asked glancing her way.

"Fuck off." Raven shot out.

"Fair enough... Raven... do you remember the day at Yokiri?" Qrow asked again while looking down at his flask.

Of course she remembered. She couldn't possibly forget the day her father died. Or rather, was killed by the man in front of her.

"You don't need to remind me of how weak I was and how you had to come to my rescue then too Qrow." Raven said with a shake of her head.

"No no... I just wanted to ask you something. I wanted to ask you if you remembered why I had to do what I did in the first place." Qrow said handing his flask to her.

The old heirloom felt warm in her hands. No doubt due to her brother constantly drowning himself in it. The symbol of her family stared her in the face. Memories of all the suffering she went through to earn it flashed through her head.

"Yes I do. I tried saving the butchers daughter from the fires." Raven said while taking a swig.

"You could have left her there. You could have done what everyone else was doing and left her to burn alive." Qrow said taking his drink back.

"And?" Raven asked.

"So why didn't you? Answer me that Raven... why did you save her knowing you would get clipped for it?"

The question hanged in heair for a moment. She knows why. Because she had to. Simple as that she had to save the girl. Strength is won by doing what others won't. They wouldn't show courage enough to brave the flames, or courage enough to respect their enemy. So she did.

"Because I knew that if I didn't, then my stupid brother would. And that he wouldn't fight back when father put a gun in his mouth threatening to pull the trigger." Raven lied.

"Then what about the other hundreds of times he attempted to kill us? Why not protect me then? I did my best to take shots for you Ray, because you are my sister. We raised each other, and I wouldn't have done what I did if I didn't love you. So be honest this time Ray, cause I know you didn't save a life just to save mine. You didn't give that much of a shit about me." Qrow said, cutting down her options of retort.

"Fine. She looked scared Qrow. She was scared and alone and I showed mercy because I knew how she felt. Can you fuck off with the questions now?" Raven all but yelled.

"Yeah... you got it."

"So what the fuck has you all emotional and taking trips down memory lane Qrow? Afraid you don't have your ducks in a row you old bastard?" Raven said trying to change the subject.

"Simple answer, or explanation?" Qrow asked.

"Simple, short, as usual." She replied.

Her brother smoothed back his hair and turned to look her dead in the eyes. A reluctant but determined look in his eyes.

"June's oldest daughter, Saphron Arc, is my daughter." He stated.

A few stagnant seconds of silence passed before she let it out.

"What... the ever-living...FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?"