Earlier, before they arrived to Vale, Atlas Specialist Winter Schnee was walking down the hallways of General Ironwood's personal ship. Rather than boarding on her own, she had been tasked to be the general's escort at least until they arrive to Vale. It wasn't the first time that she had done this nor would it be the last, she feels. However, it wasn't because of this that she is found walking towards the general's office within the airship. Instead, there was another.
As the other personnel stepped aside, Winter saluted the soldiers that were passing by, either making their own rounds or were simply going to some other place within the ship. At the sight of her though, be they civilian or military, they stiffed in their place. When there was some distance between them though, they resumed in whatever talk or gossip that they were engaging in.
It was one of those gossips that had brought her to the general's office. It was no secret that during his time in Atlas, Winter Schnee had been tasked to watch over the man known as Henry Jekyll. On most days, he was like a civilian that even the most veteran of huntsmen and huntresses, accustomed to the dangerous airs that potential enemies could have had, would not have noticed him until it was too late. During training sessions, Jekyll goes through some unidentifiable change that no huntsmen would even dare to compare to the worst of the Grimm.
She knew the story. Henry Jekyll was someone of importance to both the general and the headmaster of Beacon Academy, Ozpin. As such, despite the strange assignment, she treated it as she would have any other mission. Only after he had left did she really understand her mission.
However, it did have some frustrating side-effects. For one, due to her status as daughter of the Schnee family, it is of no surprise that there are some who care about her personal life and want a peak at it whenever they could. Treated like a celebrity, the times that both she and Jekyll had been in one another's company was one that had been documented and spread across the general populace, sparking gossips. That was a talk she did NOT need to have with her father, however her relationship with that man was like.
"No, father." She could still remember the conversation she had when Jacques Schnee did call her. "It is for a mission."
Her father, obviously didn't believe it. What kind of mission involved consuming intant foods contained in a cup? "Just remember Winter. You hold the reputation and name of the Schnee brand. It wouldn't do well for us to see someone like you fraternizing with some no-name huntsman from some unknown village."
She sighed. With or without Qrow Branwen's incessant need to goad her, such rumors would have spread anyway. Being trusted by the general is something that she will always wear with pride. No matter what was going to happen should they arrive, she will fulfill her mission whatever that may entail. Thankfully, it wasn't to observe Henry Jekyll as she did before. She still would but it is a secondary priority when compared to her main mission: assisting Beacon Academy in their search of this Cinder Fall person.
In that regard, Winter stopped just a couple of feet away from the doorway. Knocking on the door, she marched in military fashion until she stopped just in front of the general. He was sitting by the table looking over the map of Vale.
"Specialist Winter Schnee, sir!" She saluted.
"At ease, specialist," General Ironwood replied, gesturing her to relax. "In fact, why don't you take a seat. We may have some things to discuss before we arrive at Beacon but such things do not warrant a formal briefing; they can be conducted once we get to Beacon."
"Understood, sir." Winter Schnee took a seat across the general who sighed at her response.
A minute passed before Ironwood opened up again. "So, are you looking forward to seeing your sister again."
At first, Winter flinched at the mention of Weiss. Her shoulders then relaxed. "She's… doing well. According to her letters, she may not have been made team leader but she seems rather faithful of her team leader." The latter came much later though.
"That's good." General Ironwood looked up and took a sip of his warm drink from his flask. "Oz told me that Beacon's freshmen are quite exceptional this year."
Winter preened a little at the praise. Beacon's freshmen being exceptional included her own sister. Not that she had been worried about Weiss in that regard, of course. Weiss was a Schnee and far more stubborn and more steadfast than even Winter herself ever was.
"It really is good to hear, sir," Winter said. This time though, her tone was more relaxed. She can't help but ask, "but about Weiss' grades?"
"I'm afraid you will have to ask her yourself." Ironwood shook his head. When a minute or so passed, Ironwood began again. "One last thing, Winter. About Henry Jekyll…"
Winter failed to hide her sigh. She knew that it was coming. "If I may, sir, but I personally do not see the appeal behind the gossips that have been occurring among the populace."
"Such is to be expected for anyone of any significant interest. However, Henry Jekyll has built some modicum of a reputation for himself while in Vale."
Taking out his scroll, Ironwood showed Winter about the news coverage of Jekyll, along with his newly formed team, handling the White Fang situation in Mountain Glenn and the apparent return of Dr. Merlot. Winter already read this before since this was where she had received information relating to Cinder Fall.
"Notice how Henry Jekyll is being depicted here," he continued.
Winter took a closer look. "His presence is seen as insignificant compared to the rest." Nothing too new, she herself felt that during the man's time in Atlas. "An ordinary huntsman that could easily come across as a civilian."
"But that isn't what Ozpin tells me."
"This other presence?" Winter guessed. "Edward Hyde."
Ironwood nodded. "It would certainly explain the odd naming of his semblance."
"I see, sir. Should I neutralize him should he ever be compromised?"
"Absolutely. However, be cautious. Oz tells me that the two of them had made an agreement on that end so Jekyll should be expecting it."
"Understood, sir."
"Now that that is out of the way, I want to ask you Winter: do you prefer Henry Jekyll or whatever it is that other thing is?"
Winter thought for a moment. She then said, "Henry Jekyll."
"Oh?"
"He is safe. Kinder. Nicer. One could feel themselves be safe around him. If I could, I would have split them myself."
This Hyde was dangerous, there was no denying that. Such dangers should be dealt with as soon as possible or kept at a tight leash. In the strange of Jekyll and Hyde, it was clearly the latter.
There was no further conversation after that. As they were making their descent, Winter was left thinking about the general's question. She nodded to herself, she really would have preferred this Henry Jekyll over whatever it was that he is trying to hide.
When the airship had arrived and their things had been brought to their respective places of stay. Winter had been caught staring at the shrinking figures of Henry Jekyll and Thumbelina Peach as the two of them brought their respective luggage, sparking a few giggles and whispers from the few students that have heard of the gossips. She could only shake her head.
"I know of a good place," Weiss said when Winter asked for a location to have tea while they catch up with one another. "Follow me."
As Weiss was leading the way, Winter used the time to scan her surroundings. Beacon's halls had more color to it than Atlas ever could. The students here were certainly livelier and more casual. Even her own sister had more life and color to her here than she did in Atlas. Winter could not stop a small and proud smile from decorating her face.
Beacon has been good for you, Weiss, she thought. There might be a need of a refresher seeing as Weiss' mannerisms are a little less than what was expected of a Schnee but that simply means that she is relaxing here which was always going to be a plus.
Rather than within Beacon's halls, Winter was brought outside, to a fanciful restaurants of sorts. With statues of lion heads mounted on the walls that also happened to have water coming out of their mouths, the age on the decorations was clear. Pillars had cracks on them and the plant life was well cared for. The atmosphere was pleasant and the breeze was cooling and refreshing. The food being served was adequate and definitely would be fanciful for most.
As they ate, Weiss gleefully shared her experiences in details greater than what the letters that Winter received indicated. One thing did catch her attention however and it was when Weiss was recounting on the different faculty and staff members of Beacon academy.
"…and professor Jekyll usually keeps to himself or with the other professors," Weiss had said. "He is actually surprisingly helpful to the students who did go to him for consultation."
Winter raised her hand. "Wait, Weiss."
Weiss paused as commanded. She tilted her head. "Winter?" she asked.
Winter's eyes darted left and right. There was going to be no way for her to ask without raising Weiss' eyebrows. She sighed and pushed on. "I'd… I'd like to know more about professor Henry Jekyll. How has he been doing lately?"
"Oh, of course." Weiss realized. "You and professor Jekyll are acquainted with one another."
Thank goodness you didn't think the other one. It was either that or Weiss could keep a secret. It wasn't the case by the looks of it. Then again, Weiss was just as much a subject of talks like these so she probably already knew that there was nothing going on between Winter and Jekyll.
"He's surprisingly well-versed in a lot of things," Weiss continued. "Medicine and law especially."
"Is he now?"
Weiss nodded. "Though he doesn't usually approach people. Ruby says that he's just like her: socially awkward."
"I see." So far, nothing too far out of the ordinary. Definitely much more fit to be a civilian than a huntsman but Winter already knew that.
"He and professor Peach are certainly tight-knit partners."
That gave Winter pause. Thumbelina Peach was the woman who had been Jekyll's companion from earlier. Tight-knit, were they?
"Winter?" Weiss tilted her head. "I… I didn't want to assume but do the gossips have actual merit?"
"Why would you think that, Weiss?"
"Well, it just seemed that you furrowed your eyebrows at the mention of professor Peach. You looked really upset."
Winter's eyes widened. She never noticed that. Had she been obvious? Was that why the others actually thought that? Thankfully, no one was around to have heard that.
She shook her head. "No. That is not the case. I am not jealous of professor Peach. Jekyll is… a pleasant acquaintance and one whose presence is certainly welcome."
"I…" Weiss sounded unconvinced. "… see."
Their conversation continued after that and had a rather awkward transition to Weiss' own training with her summons. As they did so, Winter, on occasion, found herself thinking back to Henry Jekyll.
There really wasn't anything about him that struck at her. He may be more of a civilian on first impressions but Weiss' retellings certainly made the man an intellectual. There were no hints that Winter could find about Jekyll being dangerous.
Rather than take the Bullhead, both of them had opted to return to Beacon via walking. Winter still had her arms behind her back just as she would while on duty, it was a habit of hers at this point.
Henry Jekyll was someone with secrets. He was someone with his own shames that he wishes to correct, perhaps. Winter found herself understanding that as she was reminded of her family name and the actions that Jacques Schnee had done.
Winter caught herself staring at the few paladins that have been stationed here in Vale. The versions that existed because of Jekyll's input. The memories of that sensation when Jekyll would start to shift was faint but she could still make it out.
Yes, Winter thought as she still remembered the olive-green eyes of the man. I would rather have Henry Jekyll around than whatever Edward Hyde is supposed to be.
/-/
Cinder Fall was engaging in a mock battle with Mercury Black. She would never have called it a sparring match given that she had commanded Emerald to use her semblance on her. While Cinder may be having a battle with Mercury, in her eyes, the man before her was Edward Hyde.
A blade far too thick in its appearance clanged against her glass sword. It must have been Mercury's boot. Unsurprising given the boy's fighting style. However, what was important was that she could see the image of Hyde as the two clashed and it fueled her anger.
Both Mercury and Emerald had been successful in retrieving that elixir that changes Hyde into whatever that façade of a man who calls himself Henry Jekyll. Right now, Watts had no clue as to what it was that made up that changing elixir and simply concluded that it must have been "Jekyll's" Semblance. For all his intelligence, Watts still failed to see that it was Hyde that was the true person.
The illusion broke when they clashed for the last time. All three of them were panting heavily with Emerald having pushed her own semblance to its limits.
"Excellent work, Emerald," Cinder managed to say. "You did well."
Emerald was too exhausted to reply but nodded in gratitude.
The shower that came after may have relieved Cinder of whatever pains she had received during training but it did nothing to cool the burning fire inside of her. The crimson red eyes of Hyde still mocked her even as she slept. So close. She had been so close to getting the Fall Maiden's powers.
She could still remember that day as though it was only yesterday. That pillar of light, his wild face of unrestrained malice coming out, not even those who had held her in thralldom were like this. Hyde's derangement in that moment outclassed even Tyrian's devotion to the Mistress. He ignored pain, though he most certainly felt it, as though he were Hazel. Through the mask that he wears publicly, he had an intelligence that was matched by Watts. Hyde really was an amalgamation of those three combined into one.
Stepping out of the shower and drying herself, Cinder put on her usual red dress and worn her heeled shoes. Rather than the glass she normally wore, she wore something that wouldn't attract too much noise. They were still many ways away from Beacon and were much closer to the borders of Vale. Most of the populace were conglomerating there as the Vytal Tournament would begin soon. There was still a risk of them being caught but it was significantly less than if they were close. Still, that didn't mean that she could walk out in the open and thusly had to take a different route; ones that attract less than savory individuals.
Some no name drunk catcalled her. He had been dispatched with easily. A brawl fight as far as anyone who would find his unconscious form, if they ever find him. She would rather burn him then but she couldn't risk having Beacon's staff go down on them and find their base of operations. Normally, she would have used what she could to get her answers, maybe even enjoy herself a little but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. The only thing even remotely thrilling to her nowadays was the image of Hyde underneath her heel.
Within the abandoned warehouse, Cinder was greeted once again by Emerald and Mercury. With Emerald's semblance, she had the easiest time of blending in and with Mercury around, they wouldn't have to worry too much should their cover be compromised. While Cinder herself could join them, with Watts now taking the reins, Cinder's use was nothing more than a waiting game.
Her hands closed to a tight fist. How much longer must she wait for Amber to die already? How much longer must she endure this constant longing and desire? How much longer must she wait before she gets to put her hands around Hyde's neck and strangle that bastard and burn his flesh to ashes? Her aura flared as her nails would have left an imprint on her skin if it didn't.
Arthur Watts was busy working away on his computer. Hacking his way as he tried to find some path towards the systems installed on Amity Colosseum. While the grand stage of the Vytal Tournament was still being set, Watts had been looking into the various information and details of Beacon Academy as they searched for the means of getting to the Vault.
"I already found it," Watts declared.
"You did?" Cinder asked. After her workout and beating that passerby, she didn't have it in her to be too impatient nor be too angry that she was only informed of it now.
"Henry Jekyll—"
"His identity is Hyde," Cinder corrected. She will never see that man as anything but Hyde.
"Jekyll." Watts ignored her. "He has a habit of going down a particular elevator. It is likely that it leads to where our other dear Fall Maiden is likely to be contained. Before you even ask as to why we are sitting here, it is because it is the only path there and it is monitored by their security."
Cinder wasn't about to but nodded along regardless. "That doesn't change anything. We would still need a distraction."
"That indeed," Watts replied. "The White Fang has certainly moved in that regard and thanks to a particular guest, they have motivations to act now."
The Schnee, Cinder thought. She would have rolled her eyes at the rather simplistic motivations of vengeance but was she really any different? She would argue that Hyde is more deserving of that hatred. It was her destiny to gain that power and he took it from her.
"Word of her arrival should reach them soon," Watts continued. "They are certainly more compliant and willing knowing that there is a reward waiting for them rather than the threat of punishment." He just couldn't help himself, could he? He had to throw shade at her even a little.
Breathe in. Cinder's shoulders rose. Breathe out. They relaxed.
"And." Cinder tried to make her tone as polite as it could. "About that sample?"
"Do you really think that I could figure out the entire formula just by looking at it?" Watts raised an eyebrow, annoyance filled the tone of his voice. "Well I can tell you that it needed water at least. Honestly, on sight? That thing has multitudes of different solutes have already dissolved and that's not even considering the measurements of those substances and any temperature changes during the process. If your posse went for the notes instead, I may have at least made something out of it."
Cinder held in her frustration. Whatever that elixir was, it contained the secrets that she needed. Why else would those containers be stored in some secure safe? Part of her wanted to sample it herself but only held back due to how limited the supply was. As such, she didn't take it yet unless she feels that the time would be right; she had already chosen when that moment would be.
"Cinder," Hazel spoke up. His voice was calm, more curious than anything. "What is it about Je—"
"Hyde."
"Hyde." He rolled his eyes but corrected nonetheless. "What is it about Hyde that drives you?"
"What is about Hyde?" Cinder couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I could have gotten the Maiden powers if he didn't appear out of nowhere. Roman would have gotten the Dust if it wasn't for his interference. Mountain Glenn would have been a success if it wasn't for him. What is it about Hyde? Everything is because of Hyde!
"It is as if that bastard just exists to make things harder for me. He just exists only to spite me! He just exists only to get in my way! He just exists to take from me what should have been mine!"
A ring of fire surrounded Cinder. Her eye glowed the light of half of the Fall Maiden, a reminder of Hyde's actions and his interference. Her breathing was heavy while everyone else had been silent. Emerald looked at her with concern while Mercury was unsure of what to do. Watts was indifferent while Hazel closed his eyes, as if contemplating on what was just said.
Tyrian, on the other hand, was hiding his growing laughter and failing. Eventually, his cackling was the only noise that filled the room; it was even louder than the burning flame that surrounded Cinder. The fire that formed in her hand grew hotter and larger.
"You think this is a joke, Tyrian?" The seething in her voice could only complemented the fires that she was conjuring. She wasn't even phased by the maniac's cackle; Hyde's was much worse.
When Tyrian finally managed to tone down his cackle, he said with teary eyes, "oh how young and naïve you still are, my dear Cinder."
"Naïve?" The fire in her hand continued to burn.
Tyrian, either uncaring of the heat or simply confident in his abilities, ignored the obvious threat. "For despite everything you desire, you are still met with failure and you see it as such when it is clear that it is providence that brings this Hyde to you!"
"What?" Watts asked. Even he couldn't comprehend the scorpion faunus' ramblings of faith that he calls a sermon apparently. Hazel appeared to be of a similar opinion but kept it verbally to himself.
"Is it not obvious?" Tyrian strutted around the mostly open space within the warehouse. "You are being tested my dear Cinder. Tested on just how far you are willing to go for that which you pray for."
The fire in Cinder's hand grew smaller but it didn't snuff out yet. Was she insane for actually entertaining this fanatic's gospel wannabe? When the fire died down for good, she came to the conclusion that she just might be.
"Count it all in joy, my dear Cinder." Speaking of preaching his own gospel, did he get his hands on some sort of scripture or something? "When you meet your trials and hardships, rejoice for you must know that in being tested, you shall be made steadfast.
"Every time that such rewards had come close, this Hyde appears in front of you like a devil, taking it away from you. But do not see him as some villain. Thank him for making you stronger, for giving you reason to keep going and when the time shall come, you will be rewarded for such toiling."
Tyrian placed a hand on Cinder's shoulder. Strangely, there was no malice behind them and if anything, it was as though he was trying to comfort her. "When such a reward comes, you will be made whole and complete just as our goddess desires you to be."
Silence reigned the warehouse. Everyone's eyes were widened and even Watts had stopped typing away on his scroll. Hazel lost his usual stoic composure. Emerald and Mercury, who were apparently readying themselves for a fight when Tyrian approached Cinder, stopped in their place.
Cinder took a good look at Tyrian's face. There was no malice. There was no sadism nor twisted humor.
Watts managed to say what everyone else was thinking. "I'm surprised that you even have the capacity for a pep talk, Tyrian."
"We all have our purposes to fulfill, my dear doctor," Tyrian replied. "We can only play it and we must do so in joy." He let Cinder go and returned to his spot.
Cinder looked down on her hands again. Opening and closing, she actually took this time to consider what the man had said. Her focus went towards Hyde again. Hyde, she thought. You will not get in my way again and I will make sure that you will pay dear, my dear.
/-/
Trimming the trees' diseased branches will never be as easy for anyone as it is for Thumbelina Peach. For one, she was one of the few faunus whose trait were wings. As such, she has no need for ladders and could easily move to any part of the trees to do her trimming. Technically, she didn't to as Beacon had staff members for that but she is the professor of Plant Science; it shouldn't be surprising that she has some modicum of interests in plants in general.
Peach wasn't alone in this one. Jekyll was a given and since there was the stockroom was locked, he had nowhere else to be even if he wanted to. Really he just enjoyed the calming experience of watering the plants as she does trimming. She could hear him mutter to himself sometimes when he thinks that no one is close enough to hear him; he was testing himself with whatever knowledge he had picked up from her and even thought up various potential uses for them in medicine.
They weren't the only ones there either. With them were students who particularly struggled in this sort of thing during their missions. Most of their rashes were cleared away but that was still cause for them to take this as a sort of remedial class by identifying which of these plants are harmful and which are safe to use. They were certainly paying attention now that they have had a terrible experience with them. There were a few who also managed to repair whatever rifts they have had with their team. Such is always the case with early failures. It was better that they have them now while they could still learn than later when they have gotten too comfortable with their victories.
Speaking of rifts in their teams, memories of Hyde back in Mountain Glenn came back to her. It was, in some ways, the first rift that ever occurred in team MGHT as far as she was aware. Since then, namely after Merlot, her partner has been finding ways of adjusting that balance between himself. His selves? Peach wasn't so sure which one to go for. Jekyll was the one teaching the students who were too far from her.
Most of the students here were those who were needed here. So few of them were actual volunteers.
Speaking of the few volunteers. "Where do you want these branches, professor?" Blake Belladonna asked. Her bow that was most certainly her faunus ears twitched. With small twigs and leaves on her black hair, her attempts at keeping her identity a secret from the rest of the student body was difficult task. She was carrying a lot of the dead branches.
"Put them down there, Miss Belladonna." From what Peach had heard, team RWBY didn't really have much problems with their missions. If anything, it went rather smoothly. The member of said team never really struck Peach as someone who have interest in this sort of thing.
Blake had put them down. The student had worked up quite a sweat working under the clear sunny skies of the afternoon.
"I found a big stick!" Ruby declared in the distance. She then had the genius idea of using said big stick to carry around the many recyclable bags that they had brought with them for the trash as though it were a carrying pole.
"Your team leader is rather chipper than usual," Peach commented.
"Ruby is just really happy that the mission went well," Blake replied.
With Ruby was Yang who was indulging in her little sister's plays by stacking those bags and gathering other large enough to support that initial one.
"You be careful there, Ruby," Jekyll called out.
She saluted. "Will do, professor!"
Jekyll could only shrug and shake his head. That girl's optimism was contagious; it was even reaching the students on the other end of the garden.
Blake was shaking her head as well. "I still don't see why she calls him uncle sometimes."
Peach's eyes widened. Ruby calls Jekyll uncle? That was new. She never really saw her partner treat the young Miss Rose any different from the other students.
"Oh, something about him being welcome in the family," Blake explained. "More of a friend in the family that they just ended up calling him as one."
"Ah," Peach replied. "And what about you? What do you make of Jekyll?"
"I think he's okay, professor. You guys did stop the White Fang from whatever plans they had for Vale." There was a sense of shame in her tone. "I… I really am grateful for that."
Peach observed her student. Namely, she observed the deflation of her bow; it reminded her of a certain individual who had been in a terrible condition in somewhat recent times. Then, she said, "Miss Belladonna, after this, I would like a moment of your time. There is something I would like to discuss with you. You're not in trouble so do not worry."
"Of course, professor." Blake nodded.
After the students have accomplished their remedial lessons, Blake followed Peach and Jekyll as they arrived at the stockroom.
"Anything happened with Miss Belladonna?" asked Jekyll.
"Nothing of the sort," Peach replied. "Just something that she needs to hear going forward."
"I guess that means I get to leave early?"
"Cheeky little bastard." Peach hit him lightly. "But yes. I'll close up the room once we're done."
Jekyll made his exit, leaving the two faunus—though one of them kept it hidden—alone in the room.
"Now tell me, Miss Belladonna," Peach began. "If I recall, you were involved in the altercation at the docks that had White Fang activity."
Suddenly, Blake visibly tensed. However, she made no effort in resisting and instead looked down in shame. "I… did."
"Raise your head, Miss Belladonna," Peach assured her. "Or not if you're comfortable that way, it's fine to be shameful sometimes."
"Is it?" Blake raised her head. Though, that was more for confusion than anything else.
Peach remembered the story that her partner told her. She then remembered her own story as well. "You're ashamed because you didn't trust us enough to handle it? Especially now seeing that we did?"
Blake nodded.
"I'm going to guess here, but you would have kept going after them if we didn't, wouldn't you?"
"I… would."
"Good."
"Good?"
Peach nodded. "It is good that you feel shame. It means that there is something you want."
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
Peach laughed a little at that. Of course she would. Peach herself probably wouldn't have gotten it either if it wasn't for Jekyll. The few times she saw him practicing that balance and control of Hyde while in the stockroom was rather interesting. Feeling that sense of security shift to danger and back was something that she never imagined that she would get used to. Under her request, Jekyll had made more notes from memory of his little elixir as it was when he made them. What drew her attention was the statement he had made when he felt that it would have been the end of him.
"Yeah," Peach said. "Before, I wouldn't have gotten it either. But the thing is Miss Belladonna, the shame you feel is because of something you desire: equality between human and faunus, is it not?"
"It is," Blake replied. "I felt that the White Fang had gone too far. Somebody had to stop them."
Without Hyde, Jekyll would have no desire, Peach thought. Without Jekyll, Hyde would have no restraint. Oh, that is good, now how do I translate that? Wait a minute... Rose?
Blake didn't notice Peach's train of thought and continued. "But then, you and the other professors actually did do something. I… I should have just trusted you. I probably shouldn't have lost faith in you. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Peach replied. "We never would have found the White Fang if it wasn't for Merlot Industries being stationed in Mountain Glenn. For that, I can safely say that there is some shame in that on our end for not noticing them sooner."
"Oh," Blake said. A slight hint of betrayal painting her face. "Is that what this is, professor? You're just telling me that it was only coincidence?"
"Partly," Peach admitted. She then placed a finger on Blake's bow which stiffed at the touch. "What I was trying to get at though is that shame is rooted in desire, and a noble one at that. Without shame, our desires have no merit. Likewise, without morals, our actions would have no restraints.
"You could say that the White Fang was much the same."
"You remember the White Fang?"
"Miss Belladonna," Peach replied, feigning being offended, removing her finger from Blake's bow. "I may be older than you but that doesn't mean my memory is already failing. I like to think I still have some years before that."
"Sorry."
"I'll let it go for now. Point is, the White Fang is pretty much the same, you could say. They wanted equality and there must have some sort of shame if they had avoided the use of violence for as long as they did. Now that they have removed those morals—those restraints—we're seeing just how that was turning out to be."
Peach let the silence linger. Whatever her reasons, Blake had some level of passion in relation to the White Fang. While her own is most definitely less violent-prone, Peach could see that Blake is someone who would continue in this endeavor in some shape or form. Best that the faunus-in-disguise have a path to follow rather than holding it in.
"Is there any advice you could give me, professor?"
"Balance," Peach said simply, recalling her own partner's attempts at such a feat. "Acting without restraint puts danger to everyone and to yourself. However, hiding behind the shame also makes you miserable. Can't have the rose's petals without its thorns."
Another moment of silence had passed.
"Why are you telling me this?" Blake asked.
"Because I can see the shame that crowns your head," Peach said. "And before you deny it, I ask you: why wear it?"
Peach then gestured for both of them to leave. The conversation was more for her than it was for Blake at the end there, she felt. Eh. If it means that her student gets something out of it, Peach will consider it a win.
After watching her student go down in one direction, Peach went in the other only to meet with her partner leaning on the wall just as she turned around the corner.
"I didn't hear everything," Jekyll immediately defended.
"I'd be impressed if you did."
"Still, balance? And rose?"
"I thought you said you didn't hear anything."
"I said everything not anything." Jekyll smirked.
Peach shook her head. "Something I realized in recent days." Out of respect, she double checked to see if there was anyone else in the hallways. There wasn't but she still kept her voice low. "Can't have Jekyll without Hyde, like it or not."
Her partner's expression turned blank.
"If it helps, Hyde wouldn't be here without Jekyll either."
His eyebrows were raised.
"Didn't expect that did you?"
"No." Jekyll shook his head. "No, I didn't. First time I had heard that, I think."
The two then proceeded to walk together. In that silence, Peach observed that her partner's eyes were somewhere in the distance.
He then turned to her and spoke up again asking, "which one do you prefer?" Curiosity filled his expression and voice.
Before Peach could reply, she had paused as she caught sight of her partner's eyes. It lasted only a moment but she was certain of it.
"If I had to choose, I'd say… both."
"Both?"
"Both." She confirmed.
"Why? Hyde's dangerous."
"Beansprout, you've been trying to find that balance just so you could use your own aura better. Hyde is just half of you just as much as Jekyll is the other." It is a strange thing describing one's partner in third person towards said person. As a comforting measure though, she placed a hand of solidarity on his shoulder. "Not just me, but the rest of MGHT. You aren't alone anymore. You don't have to well... hide anymore."
She saw it again. It lasted only a moment but she saw it again. She went ahead as she hid the pride that decorated her face. It was pride for her partner. When she had spoken to her partner, she spoke to him as a whole.
For his eyes had the green and red of Jekyll and Hyde.
AN: Funny thing about this one is that it was initially just meant to be Winter and Cinder since Peach kinda had her own back in Chapter 11: The Little Match Girl. The reason being is in the reference found in the chapter title.