That fateful morning, four young women woke at exactly the same time. The youngest of them sat in bed with a gasp, her vision blurry and eyes wetted by tears.

Ruby leapt up without regard for her blanket, turning to rose petals to escape when it began to entangle her. She rushed down to the living room where she found a scene odd enough to give her pause: a particular raven was perched on the windowsill, exchanging glares with Qrow who sat on the couch.

Ruby took a moment to watch their silent staring contest, absently rubbing her face. Then she darted forward and grabbed the squawking bird.

"Get over here, we need to talk! Good thing you're here!"

"The hell's going on with you?" Qrow hissed, mostly out of surprise. He threw a quick glance at his Scroll. "It's six in the morning."

"Yep, and we still need to talk."

By this point a disgruntled Raven came to stand next to her brother after fleeing Ruby's grasp. She crossed her arms, but for the first time her glower did not affect her niece. Ruby truly hoped her mother's revelation was correct, so far Raven gave no indication whatsoever. She simply challenged her as usual.

"What is this then?"

Ruby hesitated as she glanced between her uncle and aunt. Then the certainty in what she saw and heard that night made her speak a single, oh so telling word: "Salem."

By the way Qrow flinched and Raven grew tense, she already knew. Yet Ruby wanted to hear it from them.

"It's true then? She exists?"

"I have no idea what-" "Yes."

Qrow's attempt to lie fell flat; any other day Ruby may be a little hurt. Today she understood just fine why he would, as well as why he glared at Raven. The older twin's attention was focussed solely on Ruby, expression dead serious. "Salem is very real. How did you learn about her?"

"Mom told me last night."

The atmosphere shifted immediately. Ruby did not mean to, but both of them stared at her in utter confusion. Raven was outright slack-jawed, which actually chased away Ruby's dour mood. She could not help but smirk.

"Surprising, huh?"

Neither one commented on her quip. Qrow remained befuddled, voice quiet: "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Summer is, she's dead."

"Yup." Ruby nodded for emphasis. "So is Lumina. From what Mom said, they met up wherever dead people go and made some kind of deal."

"Wait, what? Hold on, stop. What's this with Lumina now?"

Although Qrow was insistent, they had to go on a tangent to explain who the moth girl was to Raven; her brow furrowed during her brother's short recounting and remained so after Ruby took over. The younger woman finished off leading back to Qrow's question: "Anyway, uh, I haven't seen her yet, but she was killed by Salem, too. Same as Mom."

While Qrow's expression hardened, it was Raven's reaction that surprised Ruby; her aunt's face lost all colour and she began to shake minutely. However, all traces of fear or nervousness vanished in an instant when she realised Ruby was looking at her.

She immediately spoke up, calm as always: "And how do you know this was actually Summer? I give you that something happened, considering you learned of Salem in your dreams. But it could well have been an imposter."

"Yeah, what she said."

Be it the situation or the fact he just agreed with his sister, Qrow drew a familiar flask and took a swig. Then he offered it to Raven, who had some of the alcohol as well before handing it back. Qrow pocketed it with a sigh. "I'm not saying it wasn't Summer, but was there anything to make certain? And, uh, you're taking this pretty well."

He had a point. Now that Ruby was over the initial shock and had a good cry overnight, she was nowhere near as depressed as she thought she might be. Still, she could only shrug.

"I'm a big girl."

This immediately earned her a snort from her uncle, which she answered with a glower that did not phase him at all. "Besides, Lumina is a magic alien like Grimm. She's not really dead if she can just come back in my dreams, now is she?"

"...that's fair."

"Good. As for proof, I know it was Mom. But she also said to tell you, uh, 'fuck you and get laid, Qrow'."

Ruby felt weird even just quoting someone else like this. At the same time Qrow gaped at the words that just came out of his soft-spoken niece's mouth. It was still embarassing but at least slightly funny, too. Raven seemed to agree if her faint chuckle was any indication. She answered her, too: "While that does sound like Summer, it is not conclusive proof."

Ruby debated with herself for a long moment, then averted her gaze. Summer's warning still rang clear in her mind; she would not let Raven know just yet, if ever. "Nothing else," she lied. "Please trust me on this."

Silence followed as brother and sister mulled over what she told them, with especially Raven watching Ruby carefully. Her niece did not dare meet her gaze, but she thankfully relented after some time.

"Very well," she allowed. "Let's hear what Summer needs you for from beyond the grave."

Ruby sighed in relief and looked at them again with gleaming eyes; literally gleaming silver, in this case. Both were taken aback and listened with rapt attention: "Mom and Lumina are taking Salem down, once and for all. But they're trapped on the other side, so they need help here. Lumina talked to a few other people I'm supposed to meet the day after tomorrow. I don't know who they are yet." She could guess Selina would be one of them, but not who the rest may be.

"And how are you going about it?" Qrow asked back with interest and worry in equal measure. "Ozpin's been fighting with her for who knows how long and she's still around."

To that, Ruby could only offer a mischievous grin. "I dunno, Mom didn't say. But it's Mom and Lumina."

Her simple rebuttal earned a huff from Qrow and an arched brow from Raven. Ruby elaborated without further prompting: "I trust them to have something. Mom told me about the four Maidens and Relics, too. She said those will be important, but we'll only learn what they actually need when we're meeting up. Safety reasons and all that, in case someone bows out."

She was completely unrepetentant even in the face of their incredulity. Ruby simply shrugged again, still grinning. "I guess I'm not making a good case, but I don't care. I just want you to know 'cause I'm going."

Her uncle groaned in response, hand halfway toward pulling out the flask again without even realising. "This is so flimsy. You know you could be walking into a trap, right?"

"But why make a trap like this if she can just bomb our house while I sleep?"

"...fair."

"No," Raven denied. She stared at Ruby with narrowed eyes now. "It fits Salem perfectly to push others forward to do her dirty work. You will be asked to do something dangerous, potentially illegal. Once it destabilises the area, your involvement will be revealed. You will be put in disgrace and face the blame while her plans come to fruition. That is how Salem works."

Qrow nodded along with his sister while Ruby frowned. She thought over the argument, but could not really find fault with it. Moreover, her aunt looked like she would actually physically stop her from going. The difficulty of that aside, she really did not want it to become a big fight. Meaning, Ruby had to convince Raven. The realisation drew a sigh out of her.

"Mom also told me one other thing."

"Oh? And you bring this up now, why?"

"Because if it's true, it must have been her. She said she took that secret to the grave."

Ruby almost averted her gaze, but forced herself not to. She saw how Raven made to speak, only to stop and blanch. She grew chalk white, wide eyes seeking Ruby's.

Qrow remained unaware, too focussed on his niece to notice. "And how'd we know to confirm this if only Summer knew?"

She did not say anything. All Ruby did was meet Raven's gaze, trying to convey without words that yes, she knew. She attempted her most gentle smile, yet her aunt still flinched back. Even still, Raven forced herself calm just as Qrow turned to look her way. In fact, she scowled up a storm.

"It's Summer alright. If she visits again, tell her I'm waiting to give her a piece of my mind."

The younger twin was starting to get confused and clearly not happy about it. "Okay," he drawled, "what's all this about?"

When neither of the two women gave him any sort of response, he threw up his hands with an explosive "Whatever" and walked away in search of coffee.

They watched him leave. Only when his deceptively soft steps were firmly away did Ruby approach Raven. The older woman watched steadfastly, but began to retreat when the younger one entered her personal space. Ruby shed her remaining fear and lunged, wrapping her arms around Raven's waist. She could not help but compare the experience to hugging Yang even as her aunt stiffened in her arms.

"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. I think you're more brave than you know."

She could not see from up close how Raven's jaw worked soundlessly. Her aunt made to speak several times but remained unsuccessful. Her erratic heartbeat was ever so faintly audible from where Ruby was.

In the end she pushed Ruby away, revealing her pained, vulnerable expression. Raven stepped back into a portal and vanished without a word.

Ruby sighed. "I guess I should have seen that coming," she muttered to herself, then followed Qrow for breakfast.

Also at breakfast but with less arguments, Headmaster Ozpin started his day with a nice cup of coffee. Though he rarely had time to eat in the cafeteria, today was such a day; there was just something different about a communal meal with the faculty as well as their students nearby. The air was filled with chatter and excitement, but also glum despair. A typical Friday morning at Beacon.

Not completely atypical but still noticeable was the one particular student approaching the teacher's table. Her red mane swayed with every measured step, sometimes hiding the canine ears she so proudly wore. Selina Uaine came straight at him with a grin and a little wave.

"Heya, Headmaster. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course, Ms. Uaine. Please have a seat."

As she took the empty chair opposite to him, the old wizard could not help but appreciate her dauntless spirit. Though surrounded by the people who could and would determine the direction of her life, Selina was not cowed in the slightest. She fit right in with contemptuous ease as if she were one of them. Nonetheless, the younger woman also had bags under her eyes; she sat hunched forward, effectively unnoticeable to any without his keen eye for body language.

"Rough night?" he could not help but tease. "Or perhaps you were following more... amorous pursuits?"

It was always curious to see various youths react to a little needling. Some would flush and avert their gaze, be it in embarassment or guilt. Others sputtered, some simply said nothing. Personally, Ozpin preferred the straight-laced sort like Selina; she simply snorted and shook her head.

"Nah, not when I've got classes the next day. Why, you interested, sir?"

He chuckled while she batted her eyelashes at him, in front of the entire faculty no less. Glynda's brow twitched in annoyance, though the rest seemed more amused than scandalised. The headmaster genially shook his head. "Not quite. You are a lovely young woman, but this is not just highly inappropriate. You are also not my type."

"Oh? Our headmaster has a type?"

Ozpin sipped his coffee, well aware of the grin given to him. None of the sudden heartache made its way onto his expression or his tells; it had been so long, yet the mere reminder still hurt. A flash of golden locks and a gentle smile were all the memories he allowed himself.

"As most people do. Perhaps I will tell you in a decade or two."

"I'll hold you to that, sir."

Several other teachers chuckled over their banter; Glynda simply shook her head and returned to her own breakfast. Ozpin allowed himself another sip of coffee before cutting it off.

"Now what business did you have this early in the morning?"

That was when something curious happened: Selina grew hesitant.

"Err, that's the thing," she began slowly. "I kinda need to talk to you later, just wanted to let ya know so I don't just barge in." She glanced to the faculty and students around them. Ozpin's brow rose as he caught her drift even before she voiced it out loud: "Shouldn't talk about it here."

"My," Peter interjected with a jovial grin, mostly hidden by his mustache. "Considering how this conversation went, perhaps someone should chaperone the young lady."

The portly professor's quip drew several snorts and grins from around the table, including Selina herself. At the same time, Glynda remained untouched by the attempt at levity.

"Oh, not to worry," she promised no one particular. "I will."

And again Selina proved her courage, or perhaps a stunted sense of danger, by fluttering her lashes at the stern deputy. "Oh my, Professor. You do know how like two thirds of the students want to be, heh, disciplined by you, right? Someone might just attack me to take my place."

The older woman smiled mirthlessly in response. "Of course I do. The walls have ears here at Beacon. Unfortunately for your fellow students, the only discipline they receive from me are detention and extra work."

A muttered "Unfortunate indeed" from the other direction had her glare that way, but beside puerile giggling there was no one claiming responsibility. Glynda shook her head and told Selina to see her after class. While the student agreed without hesitation and left them to their breakfast, Ozpin made a mental note to clear his schedule.

Much to his surprise, Velvet Scarlatina accosted him on the way back to his office. Much like her junior, the hare faunus also requested a conversation. And then an hour after classes started, he received a message from Penny Polendina asking the same. Suffice it to say, the headmaster was confused by this point. Students rarely approached him directly, be it either out of respect or them being intimidated. They mostly went to the teachers if they had troubles.

For one moment he wondered if he actually had to turn down the sort of approaches he and Selina joked about earlier. It would not be the first time, but it never ceased to be unpleasant.

Regardless, he answered Penny to see Glynda after classes, much the same as Velvet was told before. The time until Selina's appointment was spent staying ahead of paperwork.

When the young woman did enter with the deputy in tow, she was the slightest bit nervous. Greetings were exchanged and he bid her to sit, where she kept playing with her fingers. It took a few seconds for her to speak up.

"Well, there's no easy way to say this. So, err, Salem?"

Ozpin froze. He barely managed to smooth over his expression before Selina's gaze rose to meet his. Glynda covered for him, fully composed: "What is that name supposed to tell us?"

"Yeah, no need to try hiding it, ma'am. I heard that Salem exists and I know at least he knows."

A nod went Ozpin's direction, who sat there with steepled fingers. This was not what he expected to deal with today. "Now where would you have learned something like that?" he inquired, genuinely curious. He could not think of any nearby sources willing to divulge information to random students.

Selina squirmed a little, but answered honestly: "Well, this is gonna sound weird, but Lumina told me last night. In my dreams."

As she likely expected, Glynda scoffed. Ozpin himself simply nodded, though. "Understandable," he commented. "Please continue."

Saying so, he had to hide a minute smirk behind his folded hands because both women stared at him flabbergasted. Selina blinked a few times before getting a hold of herself.

"Ooookay. So here's the thing: Lumina is dead, she said so herself. Salem killed her."

His amusement died a swift and horrible death. Glynda was dumbstruck just like him, he did not need to look at her to know. Selina saw their reactions and raised her shoulders into a helpless shrug. "So yeah. We have a bit of a problem. And she's pissed."

The implications would be nonsensical at any other time, but it made perfect sense that a nascent goddess could still reach for Remnant even from beyond. At the same time, he could not help but worry a great deal about the near future now. Leaning forward, the headmaster pinned Selina with a look.

"From the beginning, please. Do not leave anything out."

So Selina explained her dream of Lumina; of how they spoke mainly about Salem and her designs for Remnant. Her usual course of action and the fact Lumina apparently sought her for an audience. Knowing the young ancient's pride, Ozpin could see how easy a mistake it was to make. Selina did not say as much, more focussed on what had to be done than what went wrong.

"I didn't ask too much beside that. She's getting a group together and we'll get the actual task together. Which is kinda what I'm here about. I want to help her, but our break is still some time off and stuff. Anything you can do?"

Ozpin rubbed his temples in thought. He certainly did not expect this, but it was cause for great concern. Anyone not in the know or unaware of Lumina's secret may treat this as a particularly creative attempt to skip on classwork. He knew better.

"I will need to consider what actions can be taken," he finally settled on, offering a faint smile. "Thank you for your honesty, Ms. Uaine. Unfortunately, other students also made appointments with me for today. I hope you understand if we cut it short here."

"Sure. I need to think anyway."

"If there is anything else?" he asked just in case, but she shook her head. "Very well. A good day to you then."

The dismissal clear, he watched her rise and approach the elevator. Just then however, he remembered something else in regard to Selina.

"Oh, and Ms. Uaine?" His voice stopped the young woman right at the door. When she turned back, Ozpin favoured her with a smile. "Your request was approved. Starting second year, you will take additional tutoring with Glynda to obtain your teaching license."

Selina's bright grin almost split her face. "Sweet!" she cheered. "Thanks! Bye!"

And with that she jumped into the elevator. Ozpin allowed himself a smile and even caught his deputy doing the same. The enthusiasm of youth lifted his spirits some, reminded him why he had always stood back up no matter the severity of the setbacks.

After a few minutes of recapitulating what they heard, Glynda went to fetch Velvet. Unfortunately, their joined mirth faded fast as the previous conversation repeated, albeit more skittish. Though only Velvet was stumped this time when he accepted the dream explanation without missing a beat. Ozpin also learned that Lumina knew of the Maidens and Relics.

By the time Velvet left, pattern recognition gave him a decent idea what the third meeting of the day would be about. And he was right as Penny arrived with the same story as the others. Though she denied knowing who else was involved; with the absence of her usual tells and the fact she was an awful liar, Ozpin took her word for it.

As the conversation went much the same way, he decided to cut it short halfway through.

"Ms. Polendina."

Penny stiffened at his tone, polite if with a certain edge. Ozpin was not angry, but he felt being firm was the best option here. "If I may ask: why is it that you would assist a person you barely know, who approaches you in such a manner? Not to mention that Lumina was always at odds with your silent companion."

The gynoid wilted away, hesitation written all over her features. She squirmed under his scrutiny until finally giving in.

"Professor, you, you know what I am, right?"

Ozpin nodded. "I reckon your secret has since made the rounds. Rumours are bountiful as to your nature, ever since the day of the dragon. Though the dragon itself took most attention off of you."

His analysis made Penny's face fall; the headmaster's heart went out for her, so he added a little more to ease her mind: "But yes, James informed me prior to your enrollment. You are Remnant's first synthetic soul."

Even as he said it, he understood it was not quite the right thing to say to improve her mood. The last words made Penny's expression darken.

"I'm not," she denied.

"Pardon?" He was truly befuddled by this response. "As far as I was aware, you can project an aura. Which means you do have a soul."

Penny shook her head almost vehemently. "I have a soul, sir. But it's not mine. My father gave me a piece of his. He gave me the ability to think when General Ironwood only wanted a weapon to point at the Grimm. I'm not a person, I am just good at pretending to be one."

She was so certain that neither professor even thought to doubt her. Glynda took a sharp breath and even Ozpin was surprised. He unconciously made to sip from his coffee again, only to realise the mug was empty. Placing it down with a suppressed sigh, Ozpin began to encourage the girl. He at least knew how to start.

"I disagree."

The surprised look this earned him made the headmaster smile. "The anguish you feel over this distinction clearly means you can feel on your own. It does not matter where your soul originally came from, it is yours now."

Yet Penny remained sceptical even with his reassurances. Ozpin decided to let the matter rest. "So how does any of this relate to your willingness to help her?"

A pause followed as Penny morosely stared at the tabletop. Then she told them ever so softly: "She gave me dreams."

Both teachers waited patiently for Penny to elaborate while she gnawed on her lip.

"Just like that, because she could. I never had a dream before but she gave it to me. She helps me actually become a person. That is reason enough to help her."

"I see."

He heard enough to know that if this was a nefarious plot, it was well disguised. Thus he dropped the matter there and asked a few more factual questions of Penny's conversation with Lumina. In the end he saw the young woman off with a faint smile. "I will take your desires into consideration. You are free to attend that initial meeting in Forever Fall, but please be careful."

"Of course, Professor."

The first time with Selina had been a coincidence. This time he purposefully waited until she stood in front of the elevator.

"And Ms. Polendina?"

It took only that much for her to turn back.

"I wish you the best. In time you will understand what it means to be human."

Her expression brightened and she nodded enthusiastically. Once the door closed behind her however, Glynda spoke up for the first time in a while: "That was a cruel hope to give her."

Ozpin could not help but chuckle at that. "What hope? She is already human, if only in mind. All she needs is to understand that, I just gave her a little push."

He met her gaze to convey his certainty, earning a muttered comment about growing soft. Ozpin's smile grew more impish at that as he let it slide. "Now I want you to make preparations for an additional phase of assignments. First and second years specifically. The dragon's attack has shown they do need some more practice, no?"

Glynda rolled her eyes in response, but did not refute the point.

The headmaster himself wandered away in search of coffee before he went to work on the matter, though he still worried deep down; it was too early for these bright lights to face Salem. But if there was a chance? Lumina may just be able to do what he could not, so he would tentatively extend his trust.