Enjoy the chapter.

Cover art by: Notgustiarp

Chapter 17

It took a bit of bargaining and a whole lot of patience to get Sun's undies back, but they'd calmed down enough to at least negotiate.

"No, you're not getting my shoes for my underwear," Sun yelled, hiking up his shorts, "they're mine, and plus I think you all owe me. Like, I don't know—a lot!"

The kids weren't amused.

"Hey man, we never asked for your handouts, alright." Piped in one of the kids munching on a roll of bread in the back, "so are we getting those shoes or what?"

Sun was pretty strong but also apparently incredibly patient, holding back from bonking these sassy brats.

Struggling, but it was the fact he hadn't yet that counted, right?

"Alright, alright already!" He yelled, hauling Sun off his feet and dragging him away for a timeout. Pouty-lipped and very huffy, the presumably also twelve-year-old boy took a timeout to cool off by kicking rocks off the side of the empty lot.

"I don't get it. I just don't get it!"

"Get what?"

"Them!" he yelled, pointing at the rowdy kids now fighting over a ball one of them had no doubt pilfered, "I have no idea how kids like these survived out here so long. I mean, I've given 'em so much food, blankets, and stuff, yet not once have I gotten even a thank you from them. Ugh, how did they ever survive out here before I came along!?" He yelled, kicking a particularly evil-looking rock.

"W-Well, I think that's just how they had to be to survive out here, right?" Vale didn't seem that bad, but maybe that was just Vale proper that he was used to. Who knows how bad it is in these ghetto areas? He'd heard from Tai about how overcrowded the kingdom was, so that probably didn't help.

But Sun just looked at him like he said something crazy.

"No man, trust me it ain't that. Honestly, it's probably cause things aren't bad enough here that they're like this."

Doing a double take, it was his turn to look at the other boy crazily.

"How does that even…"

Sun looked like a sage the way he looked back at him—thoroughly disappointed in his pupil.

"No matter how strong someone is, we all need support from others. People just aren't strong enough to survive alone, let alone a bunch of rude crabby orphans like them," he looked wistfully to the distant bay and the ocean beyond, "in vacuo, things would be different."

That thought spoken aloud reminded him why he'd even followed the Faunus this far. Maybe his goal lay in that same place, which Sun seemingly had tons to share about. Yet he hesitated to ask.

There were so many mixed feelings locked within this orphan Faunus's memories as he gazed away. Sadness, regret, and a little anger, but most of all...

"Fear?" he questioned.

"Huh?"

"Nothing! Ugh, you were saying?"

He looked curious but brushed it off a second later, seemingly never worrying about anything, making him a little envious. How can he so obviously dismiss questions like that? It was like he didn't care about anything except what mattered in the present moment.

But the boy was curious, if only briefly. How can he just let it go so quickly? He wouldn't—couldn't really. Maybe it wasn't a fair comparison since all others ever saw was a dodged question or a brief change of expressions. They weren't privy to what he felt.

No one was, apparently.

"Anyways, trust me on this. I've looked into the orphanages around here—yikes. My guess? Saint Alexander's was the only one halfway decent, but that's because they're loaded down there for some reason. Either way, a lot of them run out on 'em, and the fact they choose to do that but still act like this is pretty telling."

Saint Alexander's…

Why did that sound so familiar?

"When things go bad, you don't just get a worse attitude and try to fight harder alone." He further clarified, mistaking Jaune's confusion. "You group up with people like you and survive. That way, combining your weaknesses can lead to real strength."

"At least that's what happened to us." Sun ended.

It took him a minute to make something off the boy's musings, but it eventually hit him.

"I think I get it. You're saying that the environment, both literally and figuratively, isn't harsh enough. So they aren't forced to band together as strongly to develop those social skills. That's why you get kids like these who're closed off and lash out at even people trying to help them. Because they don't feel they desperately need it?"

Sun, seemingly confused with the literal and figurative words, still happily nodded along, "Yep, and hey don't get me wrong. I wouldn't say they're better off for it, but they're safe, and that's honestly what matters most. Just makes dealing with them a lot more annoying..." He grumbled.

"Hmmm…" he looked back at the kids milling about aggressively, nearly territorial with each other, and wondered. Marching up to the gang of similarly aged kids, had his chest puffing out in response to their underlying aggression.

"Alright guys, enough is enough. You've had fun, so how about we hand over the undies and part ways. Well, even go get you guys some more grub if you want. What do you say?"

That'd work, right? Just cause they aren't that desperate out here didn't mean they weren't struggling, and who would say no to free food—

"Gimme your cloak."

…

"…Huh?"

"You heard me. Gimme the cloak for the tighty-whities."

"Oh, and the bunny sweater!" another chimed in.

On the surface, he was calm, almost too stunned to speak. Who wouldn't be?

Instead, his Semblance spoke for him. Agitated, it caused a slight swirl of Aura on his skin. He had trouble containing his anger from the sudden demand, so it responded in kind.

He thought back to the scary old drunk who started this whole journey and the words he said.

"This cloak…it's not mine to give away."

They finally took note that they struck a nerve. Maybe it was the slight shimmer effect or even the tone of his voice, but he doubted it was either. Especially with the way their eyes fixated on his own. He couldn't tell what they saw obviously but could guess his glowing eyes caused it.

He'd seen his reflection every morning since the glow returned only a few short months ago. They didn't just glow. Instead, they swirled with Aura ever so slightly. It was described as a calm ocean made up of what he now knew as Aura. That fact became more apparent when he was agitated. Swirling like how a storm churns the sea into a swirling torrent, rippling the surface.

He managed to get a handle on it shortly after that, but it had the unintended side effect of quieting the other children.

"S-sorry man, we didn't mean it, hehe…you want this, right?" he asked, suddenly looking his actual age when shakingly hefting up Sun's underpants. Tossing it over, Sun leaped into the air, catching the undie pass.

"Aw heck ya! These are my lucky—and only pair." Dropping his shorts to slide them on would have normally caused his head to whip around in embarrassment, but right now?

All he could feel was fear.

Not his own hauntingly enough, but the group of about ten or so boys and girls his age had gathered around, staring at him with terrified eyes. Eyes he was oh so familiar with when he remembered that day.

But now he was the cause, once again.

He took chilling breaths as he slowly stumbled a few steps back. Oh, so ready to take off at that moment, again just like back then.

"Sun!"

They heard being screeched out in the distance. It was such a shock to listen to such a terror-laden voice call out that even he froze mid-back pedal. Snapping him to the present felt like ice dropped down his back as he took shaky breaths to calm down.

Looking over, it seemed Sun finished fixing himself in time to reply with a usual carefree smile.

"Oh, X-ray! What's up, little man?"

He was grateful for the distraction, even blearily noting how cool a name it was—even as probably just a nickname.

X-ray skidded to a stop before running headfirst into Sun's obnoxiously chiseled abs, huffing and puffing. Exactly how a typical eleven-year-old should be from running full tilt with the stench of panic permeating his skinny body. Catching his breath, he pushed up his cracked glasses before they fell in their panic, baggy brown tank top drenched in sweat.

"Hey, you good? You seem a little—"

"T-They took him!"

That got their attention along with everyone else's in the lot, filling in the empty airwaves he'd caused. Finding just enough air between labored breaths, he interrupted Sun before he could ask him to calm down.

"They kidnapped him right in front of me! T-Two big, burly guys in masks drove by and snatched Vav into their van. It all happened so fast…" he trained off rambling on till almost hyperventilating at the end.

Panic shot through their collective spines, and he waited a moment for Sun to ask for more info, but getting a look at Sun showed an odd hesitation, one that he couldn't really place in his own hurry. Pure terror radiated off the kid so much it tugged at his heart to even sense it. Ignoring his own dread and pushing past Sun, he rested his hands on the boy, trying his best to reassure him.

"I-It's gonna be alright. How long ago was this?"

Holding back tears, the boy struggled to get a word out.

"Look at me. Breathe nice and slow—just like that."

He was holding it back pretty well and just needed another push.

"Your friend needs help, right? Well I'm here, so help me help him. Can you do that for us X-ray?"

That seemed to do the trick. X-ray determinedly sucked back his runny snot and, like a man, palmed at his sweating eyes.

"it was less than an h-hour ago…"

Giving a detailed description of the car used—a white van, go figure. The boy surprised him with a detailed description of the car, the men driving it, and the direction they went.

He was giving it his all, it seemed.

He knew a disturbing number of details, no doubt from having witnessed it so close up and recently. His fist tightened in righteous anger for the boy probably only a year or two younger than he.

Summer never let him curse but in his own head?

He was hecking pissed.

"Sun, you know this place better than me. Can you think of where they might be—Sun?"

With a startled cry from the peanut gallery, he wiped around to barely catch sight of a golden tail disappearing between the buildings.

/-/

Keeping up with the other boy bobbing and weaving between buildings was challenging. Rushing over rooftops also gave him mad déjà vu to their earlier chase as well. This time was different though, with a speed and intensity he'd never seen or have guessed from the guy.

"Sun, wait up!" He shouted, completely losing sight of the Faunus in their mad dash.

The speed he was showing here was way above what they'd used earlier. It was like he'd held back last time with how he'd blitzed away the second Jaune caught sight of him.

"No mistake then about what I'd sensed back then…"

Fear. More specifically, pure and utter terror like he hadn't sensed before from the ordinarily happy-go-lucky kid. It was that out-of-character fear that must have given him this insane speed boost, one that he could outpace but was nonetheless impressive. Speaking of outpacing…

"Dang it." He came to an abrupt halt, skidding to a stop on a random rooftop terrace. "Lost his trail."

He'd waited too long to power up his Semblance to keep pace, so unexpected was Sun's speed boost. If only his sensing was as strong as a year ago, he'd have kept his trail for miles like how he'd found Summer in the first place. Now, he'd have to guess where they were going, and wasn't that an impossible task? Seriously, he could have run anywhere by…now…

…

"Oh wait, I'm dumb."

It only took him a few minutes to return to the hideout, tucking into a roll as he touched down in the alleyway. Yet scanning revealed a severe lack of monkey Faunus in the area.

"Sun! You here, man!?"

No reply.

But he was probably nearby. Where else would he be? Closing his eyes, he let his senses reach out in waves, trying to latch onto the nearest person. And when he opened his eyes again, he was staring at the rooftop of the adjacent building, one with multiple arches and furnishings that would make for a good hiding place. Leaping up, he landed with a soft thump, yet all he heard were the light sniffles already up here. His eyes were struggling to understand as they landed on an odd site.

"…Sun?"

His new, typically upbeat friend was curled up with his knees pressed to his chest and tail clutched between shaking hands. The sniffles from the young boy also drove the earlier questions away, leaving an awkward tension. Instead, he approached slowly, making his footsteps quiet but unmissable so as not to spook them.

Fiddling with his hands was about all he could think of doing as the sniffles grew softer, smothered by the boy's tightening form. He'd seen something similar with Tai in the first few months or so—nearly inconsolable.

But he hesitated to move closer.

He'd wanted to use his experience when dealing with a moody Summer earlier, but those kids didn't even give him the time of day. Would trying again here end the same?

Casting aside those doubts, he closed the distance with quiet trepidation, pulling up right next to the downed boy. But instead of speaking, he just took a seat next to them, letting his presence be felt instead of heard.

Minutes went by, but it was only when Sun's shoulders slumped and the tension eased that he dared speak up. He felt the tension coming off Sun in waves and wisely held off bringing earlier up. Instead, he came outta left field with a different topic.

"…You know, you never did ask why I was out here." He glanced at the turtled boy. Letting the slight surprise wash over him and the hint of curiosity peak out. "Thanks for that."

…

It was silent till a whisper, faint as it was, came out.

"Sorry, but I didn't hear that. What'd you say?" he asked genuinely, but also hoping to draw them out a little more.

"… Everyone's got their reasons." He finally caught a glimpse of the boy's slightly red eyes. "Some people just need an ear to listen…others just need to be left alone…"

He caught the hint but couldn't let things continue like this, especially with someone as naturally happy-go-lucky as Sun was supposed to be.

He got comfier in his seat next to them, parked against the cool brick wall to show he wasn't going anywhere, "same here, man. But trust me, I was in a pretty rough spot, to say the least." He kept his peripherals on the boy but didn't get a reaction.

Instead, letting his eyes drift shut, he began reminiscing. If he didn't want to talk or explain, who was Jaune to push?

Some people needed to just be left alone, huh?

Sure, but you'll be alone with me.

"I don't like to dwell or bring up the past much. Just know I hit rock bottom and didn't know what to do anymore. Then I met this really nice family who took me in." A bit paraphrased, but not untrue. Thinking about them even lulled him with bittersweet memories.

"There was a mom who was so strong. She'd blink away the darkness and slice away anyone she didn't like!" he felt his arm lightly mimic how her sword swung and caught himself wanting to reenact their spares.

"She was so tough that she'd even scare away people she didn't mean to. Moving so quick she'd leave everyone else in the dust even…even when they wanted to stand by her side and fight together." His hand fell, grasping at the wind already rushing past his reach.

"But she didn't really mean any of it. She was just like that, I guess. She'd move so fast her own thoughts couldn't keep up, least of all the thoughts of others worrying about her."

But there was always at least one person constantly worrying about her, right?

"There was a dad too," feeling an uncontrollable smile bubble up. "Being thoughtful and kind was his everything—plus, a whole butt load of bad puns and warm hugs!" he added with a laugh, growing somber as he felt the stonework below cradling his tired body, providing a solid foundation to rest on. But even on this tough stone, cracks were forming from years of neglect and abandonment.

"He was also the one who tried to keep everyone together but ended up breaking himself. Maybe his trying to force things back together…made him think those pieces never fit at all."

He thought back to those days living at Beacon and all the heartache he'd sensed day in and day out. Made him wonder when he'd decided to stick his nose into their pain?

"But in reality, it wasn't that. No, those pieces just changed, is all...maybe for the better..." He looked at his own hands—at himself and agonized about his failings, "Or maybe for the worst."

After that, he went as silent as Sun, letting his mind think about his time out here and what he was even trying to do. Was he really chasing a purpose? Or was he actually just running away?

"Pick a lie and run."

"And It makes me wonder. Did you have someone like that…?"

Maybe I should go back...maybe I'm just as scared as Sun is...

He let that hang in the air. He wasn't pushing, only putting out that he'd listen if needed.

Turning to the afternoon sky showed it was filled with distant clouds aimlessly drifting, casting dark shadows over them. Aimless as they were, each held the slightest bias guiding them closer and closer to the sea near the port. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city to the open air, which the walls of Vale didn't dare block access to. Exactly where he needed to go.

Away from Vale.

Why did that thought make him feel so sad? It was like there was something tying him to the Emerald City…

Emerald City? Why do I always call it that?

His head ached, trying to remember. It felt important—deeply, even though he was utterly blanking. Like he was forgetting a promise or something. Yet, his head would pound as he tried to come upon those thoughts. So, he left well enough alone.

He'd leave behind Beacon as well.

He bit his lip at the thought. Of course, he liked it there, but the once-held excitement of being there faded like his distant memories. Another thing he'd lost over the year, along with everything else in his life.

Speaking of…

Summer.

She was so distant yet so terrifyingly close. Like at any moment, she'd come crashing in and whisk him back. What then, he wondered? Would she be mad?

Of course, she would. Would she scream and yell about how worried they both were? The thought of getting yelled at made him shiver, but the truly terrifying part was the fact he made them worry at all. But all he really knew was that if he got caught...

It'd be the grounding of a lifetime.

Yet, for the life of him, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe that's what he really wanted.

"His name was Neptune…" Sun finally lifted his head, showing off red-ringed eyes lost in just as deep a memory.

"And he was my best friend."

Author's Notes:

Been unintentionally sitting on this chapter for a month or so now since this sites been having server issues. I've completely lost the ability to look at stats, but hey at least my notifications work again, right?

Eh. Either way I'm posting this now instead of waiting any longer. (Didn't even mean to wait this long, honestly)

Again, I hope you guys are enjoying the lighter tone in this section. Hopefully, I can balance the tones here to be a little less dreadful than in the first part of the story. A little sadness builds a good foundation I feel, though.

Makes everyone feel more human when they go through terrible situations and come out the other end still a little silly and innocent. No character should be doom and gloom 24/7...Summer...Hazel...

Anyway, do note that I've been updating the first few chapters. (Up to Chapter 4 so far) Mainly just grammar and slight revisions to sentences, nothing major. Why? Well, I'm slowly uploading them to Space Battles. So, if ya want you can reread them there again.

Though technically I've retconned a minor character out of existence. Bonus points if you can tell who!

Stay tuned for the next chapter and this long-as-hell short story you're about to read. Might need to revise this one someday, to...

Short Story

"Does Summer hate me?"

Freezing mid-scrape of his spoon, Tai slowly peered up at him.

"Uh, come again?"

"W-well, you know," I stutter, a little self-conscious. "Ever since we got here, she's sort of done everything in her power to avoid me…"

"Ah, that's what you mean," he said, stabbing into the pile of eggs he'd yet to touch, "don't worry, she's like that to everyone these days. Trust me, you'd know if she hated you."

"Oh thanks, I guess?"

Wasn't a very comforting answer, what with her apparent antisocial tendencies, but that was always a little assumed by him anyway. He wanted to so desperately ask why she was like this but figured it had to do with their kids and decided it best not to stick his nose in it. Instead, they settled into a comfortable silence as he contemplated Tai's answer and wolfed down his share while the older man played around with his.

He had to finish quick though, on account of Tsune finally listening to his whines. He was one appointment away from getting prescribed stronger anti-itch cream for his arm, and he was not going to miss it. Finishing up, he took his plate to the sink, and while he'd have liked to help wash them, he struggled to actually reach the dang thing, let alone scrub it with one arm.

"Dumb itchy cast ughh…" he mumbled, stretching to his tippy toes, giving out little hops as his tongue stuck out in excretion. "C'mon almost there—ugh!"

Mirth danced merrily behind him, hints of orange and yellow invading the usual black hole of emotions. As he struggled, small chuckles accompanied these emotions, feeling much deeper through his extra sense, weak as it was.

"Need any help, bud?" Tai asked, holding back a chuckle.

"N-No, I got it!" He responded, stretching even further to barely reach the faucet handle. He balanced precariously on his toes, hoping that what gave out first wasn't his body.

"By the way, I just mopped—!"

The dead stare he gave mid-fall said it all.

/-/

Oh well, what's one more week with a head wrap anyway? It could've been worse.

Is what he tried to tell himself as he stomped his way down Beacon's scenic walkways, completely losing himself to his mauling. I mean, it's bad enough he had to wear this dumb head wrapping for another week now, but did he have to land on his cast, too?!

"Aw, he's so cute~."

"Who?"

"That little mummy boy!"

…He hated girls sometimes. No matter what, despite time or place, the students would always fawn over him whenever he walked down any public part of the school. Well, at least the girls did. Thankfully, the boys would just look on, worried about his wellbeing.

Or they were just jealous.

He had no idea why of course, still too young to understand gross big-kid stuff. But if they wanted all this attention, they could have it. He had half a mind to tell them to leave him the heck alone!

Well, he thought that, at least. In reality, he instantly clammed up and let them poke and prod him while pouting in contempt.

"Alright girls, let's leave the little stud alone. He's having a rough morning."

Freezing mid-cheek pinch, it wasn't just Tai's unkempt appearance with greasy long hair, shaggy untrimmed beard, and unstylish tracksuit—wow, he was being really mean right now, wasn't he?

None of those things seemed to bother them that much, is what he meant.

Which meant the smell must have been unbearable. What with the way their faces twisted the closer he trudged to them. On the plus side, it shooed them away, and it also helped that he was already used to it anyway. Tai didn't seem to notice as they hurried away, snapping one last pic of Jaune before running off.

"Thanks, Mr. Xiao Long."

"No problem kid, and didn't I say just call me Tai?" he asked halfheartedly, already starting the trek across campus home. "Trust me, I really don't deserve that respectful stuff."

He kept his mouth in the thin line it scrunched into at that last comment.

Don't pry. It's not your place, Jaune. Just because they're helping me doesn't mean I have a right to butt into personal issues. I'm just a stranger, after all…

So why did his heart feel so different?

As they kept walking, the scenery changed from the medical wing to gargantuan spires marking the CCT and the headmaster's office. Long stretches of marble columns and even larger auditoriums trickled in after those till they were about halfway to the dorm area, which included the ones for faculty and guests.

It was stunning, and every walk he took around the campus still fascinated him even a few weeks in. Even if the buildings' styles of architecture started to repeat themselves, they managed to be distinctive enough to be memorable. To be fair, he was always accompanied by Summer when outside, so it sufficed to say sightseeing wasn't on the menu.

They'd made it to the plaza where shuttles landed to ferry students to and from Vale when he heard a tired voice call out to him.

"Hey, Jaune. L-Let's take a quick break, bud." Called out the older man in a puff, lagging behind.

Maybe he'd gotten a little too lost in the scenery, wandering further ahead than he'd meant to. Waiting up, Tai pointed at a nearby bench before flopping onto it like a man much older than he should be.

"Sorry about this kid…" being his only words as he splayed his arm over his face to block out the beaming sun.

"N-No, don't worry. It's my fault for getting carried away. It's just that this isn't the path Summer and I normally take to get back. Guess I got a little curious…"

He just wanted to look around a bit more before heading back to the apartment-sized dorm. He usually never got a chance to explore the outside world, especially in Ansel.

But he'd been selfish and caused problems for Tai.

"Nah, don't worry about it. I don't get out much anymore," he trailed off again, "might not seem like it, but I was actually a pretty strong Huntsman in my day."

He said that with a wistful smile, but he could sense more—it wasn't his business, though.

"Hey, why don't you wander around for a bit. Kid like you shouldn't be cooped up in that place anyway...

"It's alright. I'm used to it!" Trying to reassure him, completely ready and willing to sit here with the man till he regained his strength. But he couldn't hide his wandering eyes from what he really wanted. With a wave of the man's hand and an assurance the man wasn't going anywhere, he slowly peeled away.

"I'll make sure to stay where you can see me!"

A tired thumbs up was his only response as he wandered a little ways away. What caught his eye earlier was nearby and he couldn't hold back anymore. Taking the marble path closer to the main strip, he joined a small band of people milling about till he was swept away in the crowd.

"Woah…"

It was even more spectacular up close.

He'd only gotten brief glimpses or odd glances at it whenever Summer escorted him to appointments. Yet each sighting stole his attention, like a stack of comic books or grandpa's old stories. It was daunting to get closer, what with the dense crowd and his short height. But with his good arm clutching his bad, he waded through the growing mass of people to get closer to the center of the square.

Ignoring the odd stares, he found what he was looking for, and it was just as captivating as his brief glimpses showed. In the plaza's center stood a massive sculpture of a cliff carved of stone and marble. Perched on top of the cliff face stood three statues gazing to the horizon. His eyes traced the figures, enraptured by the beautiful craftsmanship that his young mind couldn't fathom the process behind.

The first figure that caught his attention was seemingly the main piece of the monument dressed in full knight armor, wielding dual swords and cutting a textbook hero pose. One blade was stretched out and aimed at the heavens while the other stayed strapped to his hip, cutting a truly imposing yet regal air.

Though the second was a woman, it had the same vibe, clasping an ornate stave in one hand pointed out the same as the first one's sword. Yet her face was fully turned to the knight, seemingly transfixed as the figure was to the horizon.

Only after gazing at those two did he register the fourth statue at the very base of the cliff, cowering in apparent fear. A lone wolf-like monster—just like the ones he ran from. Everything gave off the feeling of the two figures triumphing over the beasts. Or should he say it gave the three statues on the cliff that air, as a mysterious third man was hidden behind the two heroic figures. Only this time with a much feebler aura to him.

The figure was still perched on top of the cliff like the other two, but this one was on its knees, hooded with one hand shielding its face from view completely. In its free hand was clasped a similar stave like the woman, only much less ornate—maybe even slightly sinister in design, with almost writhing tendrils spiraling off its main body.

The entire piece made him uneasy with how the figure seemingly cowered in the presence of the two, especially the knight. It was so ominous yet frail.

"Ah, it seems I'm not the only one doing a little sightseeing this morning."

Snapping out of his thoughts, he whipped around to be greeted by none other than the headmaster of Beacon Academy standing next to him. While he was defiantly shocked to see him here, the most shocking thing was that he hadn't sensed him despite being less than an arm's length away.

"Uh y-yea, guess I was…" They stood awkwardly, "Actually sir, I-I was about to head out. Mr. Xiao Long's waiting for me and all hehe…"

Had his sensing really dulled that much? He did notice how much weaker the ability got after that fight, but honestly, he'd probably chalk it up to himself being so transfixed on the statue than anything else. Not to mention all the people around them muddying the air with all these random emotions.

Wait…even now, I still can't really sense him at all—

"A shame then, but maybe some other time?" He asked somberly, taking a small sip of his mug, "just know that if you have any questions, I'm more than willing to chat. I'd certainly love the company."

That got his attention. Hook, line, and sinker as his eyes shot to the statue, the older man, and back again.

"…We'll, I mean if I'm not being a bother?" He mumbled.

At that, a slight chuckle came from the headmaster's lips, "but of course, young man. Tell me, is there anything in particular you'd like to know?" Ozpin was all smiles, just like when he'd first met him.

So disarming was it that he almost forgot about the whole unable to be sensed thing. Almost.

"Well, I was kinda curious about that guy in the back there," he said, pointing to the hunched man. "I don't know why, but he seems...unsettling."

Ozpin was quiet for a moment before beginning again. "Hmm, you have a good eye, young man. The man in the back does seem out of place compared to the more heroic two. And you're probably correct in the emotions the creator was no doubt trying to provoke."

He stepped closer, waving his cane to encompass the entire piece at the plaza's center, with everyone filtering by.

"To understand would require just a brief amount of context. This piece, created by an unknown sculptor, was inspired by ancient texts found in a long-buried ruin on this very continent. That text described a legend no doubt passed along their lines seemingly as historical facts—with similar versions found in multiple ruins all over Remnant."

The headmaster was a fantastic storyteller, beginning to pace around as he became more animated as he spoke. Even passersby took note and paid the famous Huntsman their full attention.

"They all tell the story of our creation and subsequently our downfall—the birth of the Grimm."

He spoke that with such weight he felt as if a spell had been cast on him, and no doubt everyone around them thought the same. The old man turned to face him solely, drawing nearer to signal to everyone around them that the free lesson was over and that a private one had resumed.

"But truly? All you need to know for that question is that those two star-crossed lovers rose to the occasion when destiny called. While he?" Pointing to the hunched figure—which the more he stared at became more and more decrepit. "Chose to fall deeper into his own delusions and betray their trust. In doing so, doomed all to be merely a remnant of our former selves."

Hearing the story, he was left with mixed emotions about the whole thing. So, he gazed at the statues a little longer…and tried to describe how he felt.

"I doubt they would blame him…" if he'd been more aware, he'd have noticed the man freeze up if but a moment.

"Maybe he was just scared? I know what that's like, mister Headmaster. Maybe the knight and lady did, too? At least I hope they forgave him…"

"How so…?" Ozpin wondered aloud.

"Well, if they trusted him enough in the first place to betray them, then they probably cared about him a lot in the first place, right? I don't think I can trust anyone I don't have a bit of love for."

Kids were more open with their trust than grownups were. More willing to form and admit their love for others.

"It'd be too sad if they never forgave him…"

With that said, he looked away, a little embarrassed to be so open about his feelings, but it just felt right in the moment.

"…Maybe your right, young man. And we're all free to interpret stories like these to our heart's content, and whatever we believe to be true is all our own in this world."

"What do you think about them, Headmaster?"

The snow-haired man chuckled and dropped himself to his knee, propped up with the ornate cane he carried around. Taking his hand and ruffling Jaune's hair familiarly, he said, "I believe you're a naturally good judge of character, young man. Most children are, but you especially seem to have a gift for empathy—a natural-born empath, if you will. So, I'll take your interpretation at face value."

He pouted at the misdirection and totally not from the hand ruffling his far-too-long hair. But his parents would get mad if he didn't at least thank the man for the lesson—and admittedly out of left-field compliment.

"Thank you sir, but where'd that come from?"

"Oh, no reason in particular." He smiled coyly, rising to his feet.

Taking that as his queue to leave, he glanced back at where he'd left his guardian at the benches, spying the fellow blonde giving a brief wave over.

"Sorry, mister Headmaster, but I think it's time I head back." He turned to face Ozpin, watching the man stare at Tai over the mug's rim.

"Hmm…of course young man, one shouldn't keep the ill waiting."

That caught his attention.

"Ill?" He tried to stop himself from sounding too interested, not wanting to seem like he was prying, but…

"Maybe not in the traditional sense, no." He said much too ominously for his liking.

Again, he desperately wanted to ask for more but stopped himself, yet the old man continued anyway.

"More of an emotional sickness than anything physical, I'd say. Yet I worry that a sickness of the heart may lead to a far worse fate than any normal illness would..." the old man worryingly trailed off, sipping at his drink.

It only took a few seconds of staring at the man who kept him company throughout his tumultuous stay, making all the moments of laughter and conversation flash to his mind. It got the better of him to think that same man was in pain.

"…Is there anything I can do to help?"

Date Published: 2023/11/29