Making progress, and just found out the gender of my second kid. Been a busy week.

Calm before the Storm

"It looks like your body hasn't reject the prosthetic, in fact, your neurons seem like they accepted the limb as your own flesh and blood." Dr. Auric went over his notes as Jaune sat on the examination bed. Antiseptic stung his nostrils as he waited for the results of his checkup. "WBC is elevated but within normal parameters, blood pressure one-o-six over seventy-two, and resting heartrate is sixty-eight. You're the picture of health Mr. Arc." He smiled grandfatherly behind his spectacles.

The man had greying hair, but a solid build, probably from an old occupation. Setting the clipboard down, he sat across from him in the office chair. "Anything strange happen since you left the hospital? Mental health wise, I'm aware of the stress hunting Grimm can have on people." Jaune thought back before replying.

Should I tell them?

Gods, no. Bad idea.

"I think I've been having mood swings?" He began. "I've been angrier lately, I think. Definitely more aggressive. And I've been eating a lot more than usual." Dr. Auric picked up his clipboard and began scribbling down some notes.

"Give me an example." He asked, giving Jaune his full attention.

"Well, there was this one time I started a fight with another student, but he had it coming."

"Are you sure, you're not giving excuses?" He questioned. Jaune put his hands up in defense.

"My teammates thought it was a good idea. And if it wasn't me, one of them would have surely done it." The doctor wrote down another note.

"Anything else?"

"I may have walked into the forest by myself to kill some Grimm." Dr. Auric just raised his eyebrow at him. "It was to let off some steam! I swear!" He jotted down another note.

"I hope that's the extent with you and reckless Grimm activities." The man added while looking over his transcripts. Jaune's silence was telling. A heavy sigh came from him as he leaned back in the chair. "What else happened?" Why it felt like he was talking to a parent, Jaune would never know. All he knew is that he couldn't lie to him.

"I…" Jaune began looking anywhere but at the doctor scratching his face. "May have rode a Nevermore into a cliff at initiation." Mumbled the boy. Dr. Auric was silent for a moment before taking off his glasses and rubbing his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think I heard you right." Putting his glasses back on and looking intently at him. "Did you just say you rode a Nevermore into a cliff?"

"It wasn't my idea! My partner pressured me into it!" Jaune hastily shifted blame to Ruby.

"And how long did it take to convince you?" The question made Jaune think back to the moment.

"It'll be fine! Just let go when I do."

"I don't know Ruby, that thing looks huge."

"Don't be a baby. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I don't like this…"

"A lot quicker than I'm proud to admit." A heavy sigh came from the doctor as he continued writing. After a full minute of scribbling and tense silence, he handed Jaune a slip of paper.

"It looks like it was a good idea to come in. From what I've gathered, you seem to have self-destructive tendencies manifest after your incident. This-" Dr. Auric pointed to the paper Jaune held. "Is a recommendation for you to see therapy about your behavior. I'm glad we were able to catch it this early before it started influencing your habits." Self-destructive? That was a first for Jaune, and after a bit of self-reflection, the man might be right.

"Thanks, I guess. Who do I give this to?"

"Give it to your headmaster, he will be able to accommodate you." He said wheeling his way back to the desktop computer. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have another appointment that's been waiting for fifteen minutes already. Leave me a message if anything out of the ordinary happens."

"Will do, thanks Doc." Dr. Auric waived his hand as Jaune left the office, note in hand. He quickly stuffed it in his jean pocket before making his way back to the lobby of the hospital. The winding corridors were familiar to him as he backtracked, even saying hi to a few nurses that took care of him when he lost his arm. It took him only a few minutes to find his way back, where the rest of his team waited. Blake and Weiss were reading different magazines while Ruby was playing a game on her scroll. Weiss was the first to notice him back and set down her reading material.

"That was awfully long, are doctor visits usually like this?" She questioned, standing up and smoothing out her outfit.

"Yeah. The hospital sees everyone in Vale." Jaune answered as both Ruby and Blake put away their respective items.

"No one just has a doctor on hand?" Weiss seemed perplexed by the idea. It was always a shock to Jaune about how out of touch Weiss could be, even at the simplest things.

"Not everyone has money to throw around for personal care. Some are even lucky to get any at all." Blake chimed in, earning a shocked expression from the heiress.

"Some people don't even get healthcare at all? How?"

"Can't afford it. Or they can't find it. Sometimes, people just get turned away." Blake continued. "Where I grew up, we had to teach ourselves basic medicine and shelter migrant doctors or nurses."

"Must've been rough. Patch was a bit like that, but we had a local clinic." Ruby piped up from beside her. Weiss was equal parts surprised and confused before turning to him.

"What about you? Please tell me you had a proper facility."

"We had a doctor if that's what you're asking." He remembered an older Huntsman coming around every year to check up on his family. His father said he was an old friend of his before he met mom.

"Ugh. How do you people even live?" The heiress mumbled, shaking her head. "Let's go, we have more important things to do than discuss your primitive healthcare." She walked out, leaving the rest of the team to follow. It was a beautiful day, with the townspeople of Vale bustling in the streets. Cars passed them as Weiss paced down the sidewalk.

"Like what? I thought we were just going around exploring Vale for a bit." Jaune questioned, catching up to Weiss's fast pace. The only time was in Vale was in the hospital, and he didn't do much sightseeing.

"The Vytal Festival is approaching and that means students from other schools will be transferring for the upcoming competition." She explained, leading them to the docks. "And as representatives of Beacon, it is our responsibility to guide, befriend, and stud- assist them in settling in."

"What was that last part?" Jaune asked. Weiss stuttered for a second and seemed to fumble with her words.

"She wants to research the other competitors for the tournament." Blake hinted, walking beside him. "Stack the deck in her favor as much as possible."

"Am not! I am merely looking out for our fellow pupils from the other academies." The heiress crossed her arms in annoyance.

"But we aren't competing in the tournament." Jaune interrupted the spat.

"We're not!?" Weiss rounded on him in an instant, put him under her glare. He used whatever self-control he had to not back down. Right now, they were in the middle of a crossing holding up traffic.

"We're first years who just got into Beacon. Can we just enjoy the festival?" It wasn't a crazy notion. Plenty of underclassmen were planning a mini vacation around the same time. He ushered her off to the other side of the intersection, ignoring the horn from a nearby car and Blake promptly flicking them off.

"But Team Upsilon will be competing! Are you okay with being outdone by our sister team?"

"Well, yeah. They have Yang and Pyrrha, Weiss. They are literally the top two in Beacon. How do we go up against that?" She opened and closed her mouth, trying to articulate a reason they could win. Saying the odds were slim would be generous.

"We could… No, maybe if we… Damnit, that would work. What if we bribed Nora?" Blake had a satisfied look on her face as she watched her partner grasp at straws.

"Tell you what, if you can come up with a plan that gives us a chance against Team Upsilon, we'll join the tournament." Jaune gave her a thread of hope, just so she wouldn't be mad at him. And if it distracts her enough to where she wouldn't nag him during the festival, then that was just a bonus.

"You've got yourself a deal." Weiss took his hand and gave it a firm shake before turning to Ruby. "Ruby, what are Yang's weaknesses? Habits? Pet peeves? Favorite food?" The red reaper was silent as she stared down the road. "Ruby?" The team collectively looked to where Ruby was watching. Beyond the stores and apartments on either side of the street, at the end was a broken in dust shop covered with police tape and law enforcement searching the scene.

"Looks like another smash and grab by the looks of it." One of the officers were examining the broken glass on the concreate in front of the establishment. He kicked a few shards away and investigated the destroyed store.

"Yeah. Except more smashing and less grabbing. Remember when criminals had standards?" The other one asked, smoking a cigarette and scribbling on a notepad.

"Well, Torchwick is still around, so there you go."

"Nah, he's old-school." The smoker waived his notepad dismissively. "I mean the other wannabe felons. So much violence these days and no style."

"Sounds like that White Fang group from Atlas."

"You know what, ten lien says they busted up this shop."

"You're on." Team JBRW was able to hear the whole exchange from where they were. From Jaune's point of view, Ruby looked troubled at scene. He could only guess it was because she wasn't there to protect them, or maybe it was that crime was on the rise. There was no safe way to know. It was out of habit that he ruffled her hair, bringing her senses back to the group. She would usually duck away or pout when Jaune did it, but this time, she just leaned into it.

"They're probably right. The White Fang have been more active everywhere if the media is to be trusted. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the ones behind the Dust shortage. Utter barbarians." Weiss ruined the mood with her judgement, not hat it surprised Jaune.

Here it comes…

"Maybe they need it to live. After all, the SDC has raised the price of Dust to ridiculous levels that everyone has started rationing it." Blake defended the group. Honestly, Jaune didn't know too much about them, other than being primarily Faunus and wanting equal rights.

"It may seem like it to you, but those Faunus are violent savages who only cause dissent and chaos wherever they go." Weiss shot back, earning a hateful glare from Blake. Out of the corner of his eye, Jaune saw Ruby shrink in on herself with a frightened look.

"Those Faunus are desperate because people li-"

"Okay, enough." Jaune's older brother instincts kicked in as he stepped between the monochrome partners, stopping the argument before it boiled over. Whenever the topic of White Fang or the SDC came up those two would go at it like cats and dogs. It reminded him of his sisters quarrels back at home, but this seemed more intense. "I am too exhausted, sore, and hungry for this to be starting now." He was more irritated than normal, and he had a good idea why. Pyrrha's training was downright brutal, and he had to direct Aura into his body just keep himself from collapsing in pain. Judging both on each side to make sure he got the point across, Jaune waited for them to comply.

After a solid minute, Weiss finally caved. "…Fine." Jaune looked back to Blake and she held his stare with her arms crossed. It was a battle of wills for the ages, but his little sisters could pull of better glares. For most of his life, he was the only man in the house dominated by women, and the responsibility to solve issues was always shoved onto him. Just like now.

"Blake..." He began, holding her venomous look.

Those amber eyes could kill people and break hearts.

Not helping.

A few more tense moments passed before Blake looked away in frustration. She was about to walk away before Jaune grabbed her shoulder. "Nope, we're getting food. Ruby, grab Weiss." He issued the order to his partner as he moved away from the scene.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Ruby gave a mock salute then entangled her arm with the heiress's, pulling her towards him. Weiss yelped at the sudden contact and began to writhe in Ruby's grip.

"Let go!" Blake struggled beneath his iron grip.

"Nope." He pulled her closer and swung his metal arm around her shoulder, preventing her from escaping. Jaune had seen his dad pull this maneuver whenever mom got angry at him, and basically brute forced his way to figure out the issue. All he needed was confidence, right? The scuffles of Ruby dragging Weiss could be heard from behind him.

"Don't you know when a girl wants to be left alone?" Blake spat at him. A wince came from him as he thought about it.

"Not really. But hey, I was never the brightest bulb. All I know is that all of us are hungry, and that never helps anything. Between you and me, I don't want my team dissolving over an argument and an empty stomach." Truthfully, his just wanted some food and for them to stop arguing. But he knew the reality that this was just a suspension, and it would just comeback later with a vengeance. Blake stopped squirming in his hold and started walking with him.

"As long as you're buying…" She mumbled. Good enough for him.

"I can do that."

The group settled on a diner nearby, whose specialty was fried fish. Servers moved back and forth among the booths and countertop dining, collecting orders and serving food. Right now, they were in a compartment with plush red seats and metallic countertop. It was in line with the theme of the restaurant, primarily red with accents of silver and gold. The aroma of fresh seafood and the ocean helped Blake calm down in her seat next to Jaune, who pointedly blocked her towards the inside.

She was still angry at Weiss, but it was hard enough just to stop herself from being amused at her right now. "What is this 'milkshake'?" Weiss asked, pointing towards the menu. It was, apparently, her first time at a diner.

"It's like ice cream, except it's melted, and you can choose whatever flavor you want!" Ruby helpfully explained to the confused heiress.

"But isn't ice cream supposed to be eaten cold?"

"Well, yeah. That's why they call it a milkshake. I get mine with cookie dough, you look like someone who would like mint."

"But I've only had vanilla, can I just have that?"

"Where's your sense of adventure? Try something new!" Ruby and Weiss went back and forth about what they would order, while Jaune was silently reading the menu. She already had her order prepared and was waiting for the other two to figure out theirs. It was only after the waitress came back did Ruby order something for Weiss, since she didn't know what half of the items available were. An awkward silence filled the table after the waitress left, causing Ruby to fidget.

"So… You've never been to a restaurant before?" Jaune asked sitting back in his seat. Awkward as ever.

"Of course, I have." Weiss scoffed at the notion. "I've just never been to a place so… informal." She seemed to have trouble finding the right word for it.

"Why not? They're pretty cheap. My family would usually go to one once a month whenever dad was home."

"Well, my family never ate anywhere 'cheap'." Weiss used air quotations for emphasis. "We had an image to uphold for the SDC and whenever we did go out, it was for balls, conventions, charities, events and the like."

"Sounds like fun. I've never been to one of those. Do they have a chocolate fountain or something like that?"

"Oooh. That would be so cool!" Ruby chimed in looking ecstatically at Weiss.

"One of them did, but it was so long I could barely remember it." The heiress affirmed with a roll of her eyes. "My father said it was just a fad back in the day and I never saw one again."

"That's stupid…" It amazed Blake that Ruby could act mature for her age and then immediately revert to being a kid on the strangest things.

"It was for children, and I'm not a child. Any kid that attend would be seen but ignored and corralled somewhere else. Out of sight, out of mind. After my thirteenth birthday, he started introducing me to all these businessmen and their sons. God, it was awkward." Weiss rested her head on her hands as she stared off in thought. "And it just kept getting worse and worse. 'Weiss, you need to think of the future. Weiss, it's for the good of the company and anyone would be lucky to be in your position. Weiss, you have a responsibility to the shareholders and to everyone that uses dust.'" She mocked voice what Blake could only assume to be her father.

"That's a lot to take in. Couldn't have been all bad, right?" Jaune asked, trying to shift Weiss's ranting.

"Oh no, it wasn't. I learned where people stood in society and taught me the social skills that short, red, and hyperactive over here couldn't hope to manage." The heiress jerked a thumb towards Ruby next to her. Blake and Jaune snickered at the comment.

"Hey!" Ruby's face was red in embarrassment. "At least I know what a milkshake is you… you… pasty lady!" Weiss merely raised an eyebrow at her.

"Is that it?"

"Well… yeah." Ruby mumbled looking away.

"If you're going to insult me, then do it properly. Blake's good at that." She turned to her. "Watch and learn, Ruby. Blake, hit me with your best shot."

"You're an elitist bitch who's so entitled, you wouldn't know what a rock is." Blake didn't hesitate at all kept her partner's stare or could stop the smile on her face. Ruby was gaping at the offence and Jaune just leaned back with wide eyes.

"See? Now that's how it's done." Weiss smiled back at her. "Blake, you're so unsociable, it's a mystery to how you ever attend Beacon at all." Is this how she wants to play? I can do that.

"At least I don't have boys trying to date me for daddy's money. By the way, who did you have to buy off to attend Beacon again?" A bark of laughter escaped Weiss as she whipped her head back.

"Oh, that's rich coming from you. I looked up that book you were readying last night, and I'm more worried about you going after my daddy." Heat creeped up the back of her neck and then her cheeks and ears. Ruby giggled at the suggestion. Own it Blake, use whatever you can.

"At least I know what to look for in a man, I bet you've never even kissed a boy yet." Blake responded in kind. A small blush appeared on the Heiress's face, easily visible from her fair skin.

"O-of course not. You have to properly court someone before you advance the relationship. I don't flaunt myself like some wanton harlot. Nor would I need to."

"Are you sure. Weiss? Have you had the talk yet? I know Ruby has because she wouldn't shut up about it last night." Ruby gave a squawk while Jaune started laughing.

"Maybe you're okay with such voyeurism, but I am a dignified woman and am waiting for the right man." Weiss then turned to Jaune. "Be careful Jaune, this woman is a menace to society and to all we hold dear."

"How do you know I go after men? I could as easily go after the fairer sex…" Blake leaned forward and gave Weiss a leer causing the heiress to lean back. Blake never did have a relationship with woman, but she didn't let Weiss know that. This was about doing as much damage to the other.

"Degenerate."

"Prig."

"Food's here." Before the conversation could devolve further, the waitress came back with a platter of the groups order.

With full stomachs and in better moods, Team JBRW made their way back to the docks for Weiss's venture. "Why I have I not heard of these 'diners' before? The food is so satisfying and delicious." Weiss asked as they made their way through the busy streets. She never had anything nearly as substantial or pedestrian before in her life. It was hearty and flavorful; unlike the light and admittedly mediocre food she ate at five-star restaurants. They were all about presentation and style with strange flavors that clashed with each other.

"Maybe it's because you would consider it low class and wouldn't be caught dead there." Blake replied beside her. Her partner was always willing to take a jab at her and she always responded in kind.

"You know, I just thought of that. With your kind frequenting them and mucking up the place." Weiss shot back as they walked. Jaune and Ruby were behind them chatting about something or other.

"What do you mean by 'your kind'?" The question had a little more heat to it than the usual banter, but Weiss didn't pay attention to it.

"Degenerates, of course. What else would I be referring too?" Weiss looked at her partner, only to see amber eyes glaring back. "What?"

"Just thinking about what else you've missed out on."

"Meh. I'll find out when we get to it." The food was a pleasant experience. Even the new environment of Beacon was new and exciting for her. Yes, she's been to Vale and to other countries before, but it was under the guise of her father and the SDC. This felt much more liberating. Being away from her family and her company gave her a sense of freedom she never felt before. Winter's decision in leaving the family for the Atlas military is starting to make much more sense.

The walk to the docks was uneventful as they passed through the city. Ocean breeze and the sounds of distant machinery warned her senses that they were near the destination. If Weiss did her research correctly, and she always did, students from Haven Academy would be arriving. Knowing the adversary was the first step of defeating the enemy, and she could use as much knowledge as possible. The only major roadblock was figuring out a way to deal with Pyrrha and Yang, who would no doubt be entering the tournament.

Both were powerful in their own right and their victory was all but assured. It pained Weiss to admit it, but Jaune was right; they couldn't win unless those two were taken out. The only time Yang lost at Beacon was when she fought Pyrrha, and even then, Weiss couldn't hope to match her. They would have to use their numbers to overwhelm them, but there was still Nora and Ren to contend with. Nora was a wildcard with extreme strength at her disposal and Ren was difficult to read at the best of times.

"You're mumbling to yourself again." Blake said from beside as they reached the railing that separated the city from the sea. Freight ships were docked at the nearby ports ahead of them while works buzzed with trade goods and other cargo.

"Just thinking out loud. How lucky do you think our team is?" The pair looked back at Jaune and Ruby who were comparing each other's boots for some reason. Blake just turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's fair." Ruby and Jaune were a magnet for trouble and bad luck rained down around them. It might as well be a semblance at this point. "Better assume we'll face them in the first round."

A commotion from the docks drew their attention away from planning. What looked like a man with blonde hair came sprinting off the boat with dockworkers hot on his tail. And that was literally. As he got closer, Weiss could make his features. Shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes like Jaune had, but he seemed to put effort into the bedhead look. He had a open white button up t-shirt to show off his admittedly impressive abs and was wearing a pair of ripped jeans. What was surprising was the golden tail that trailed behind him as he parkoured across the harbor.

"Stop that stowaway!" Someone yelled as the escapee sprinted down the pier. As the fugitive passed them, Weiss could see the wink he directed at Blake that lasted all but a split second. The man parkoured away, jumping onto a nearby streetlight and running off down the street.

"After him!" Weiss ordered, sprinted after the criminal.

"Did he just wink at Blake?" Ruby commented. Footsteps were heard behind her as the rest of the team followed. This was a rare opportunity to meet a fellow student who might be competing, and she didn't want to waste the chance. Tracking him was proving difficult as she had to zigzag between civilians and try to keep eyes on him. Weiss's eyes track the fugitive disappearing into a nearby alley, and that moment of distraction was it took for her plans to come to a crashing halt.

The impacted as she crashed into someone was painful, but not as bad as the subsequent bodies slamming in behind her. One, two, and then three different weights crashed into one another, toppling the mass of bodies onto the concrete. A groan came from the group and pinpointing where exactly it came from would be a hopeless endeavor, but Weiss's money was on Jaune. "Sensational! Is this what people call a 'dog pile'? Are we playing a game of football?" A female voice came from below her.

Pale eyes met sparkling green orbs placed on a fair skin faced and short orange hair. The girl was smiling like nothing is wrong, which only puzzled Weiss even more.

What in the fuck?

Jaune had to disentangle himself from Blake and Ruby to get back on his feet. Reaching out, he grabbed the hood of Ruby's cloak and brought her back on two legs while simultaneously pulling up Blake by the wrist. Weiss was able to get up on her own and dust herself off before helping up whoever she ran into. "I apologize. I was in a hurry. Are you… Okay?" She asked politely, saving as much face as possible.

What he expected was for the victim to get up typically like a normal person and have a small discussion before walking away. These things did happen and was usually no big deal. What he didn't expect was for her body to rotate ninety degrees upwards with a metallic groan and into a standing position without moving a muscle. "I am more than okay, I am ready!" The girl smiled and pumped a fist. The rest of his team stood in shocked silence at the display.

Do something!

That thought provoked Jaune out his shock. "Hi there, my name is Jaune Arc." He extended his right hand. "Ladies love it. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue."

"Oh god, he's still saying it." Weiss murmured from beside him. He could hear Ruby snort behind him, but that was alright. Jaune was their team leader, and he could suggest training with Pyrrha and Nora for all of them. Get a fresh taste of his hell, that's what. Her hand gripped his flesh like an iron vice, flaring Aura and causing his bones to creak in protest.

"A pleasure to meet you, Jaune Arc. You're much more welcoming than a lot of the other Vale inhabitants. Are there really sweet rolls on your tongue?" She asked as she enthusiastically shook his whole arm.

"Uhhh…. No? It's a saying." Confusion was an understatement for what he was going on through his head right now. He pulled his arm away and massaged the sore limb,

"Like 'Eureka' for reaching an epiphany for a mathematical equation?" She regarded him with hopeful eyes as, leaning ever closer, invading his personal space. Jaune let out a nervous laugh.

"Sure… What's your name? My mom always said that strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." He prattled on, trying to move the conversation forward.

"My name is Penny Polendina!" Why did that sound familiar? "And did your mom really say that? Are all strangers' friends that haven't met yet?" Penny's face was now an inch from his and that made him extremely uncomfortable.

This was a bad idea.

You suggested it!

That's what makes it a bad idea. Why are you listening to a voice in your head again?

Before Jaune's thoughts could go down that rabbit hole, Weiss came to his rescue. "I think what he means is that all friends start out as strangers first." She elbowed his side rudely. "Snap out of it." Weiss said from the side of her mouth in a low hiss. Jaune clutch his injury and nodded.

"Right… Got it."

"My name's Ruby Rose!" The girl in question perked up from behind them.

"And I am Weiss Schnee. I apologize again for running into you." The heiress introduced herself.

"And this is Blake!" Ruby dragged the last team member from behind Jaune. She gave a small wave.

"Hi."

"Sensational! I have now made four friends in two minutes and thirty-seven seconds! A new record! Father will be so proud to hear this!" Penny gushed before them with newfound excitement.

"Yes…" Weiss began, being the only one out of the group who knew how to hold a conversation. "It's been a pleasure, but we have business to attend to."

"Oh no problem, until we meet again friends!" The strange girl waived goodbye as they moved away.

"That was… Something." Blake voiced their thoughts.

"I liked her." All except Ruby, of course. They followed Weiss as she marched into an alley across the street. Jaune was silent as she investigated the deserted pathway.

"Damnit, where did that offender go?" Giving up on the endeavor, she crossed her arms and started fuming.

"Offender? What did he do wrong?" Blake asked from beside him. Jaune let out a sigh, because he knew where this was going.

"Well, for starters, he was a stowaway on a ship, and B, he ignored the law when they told him to stop. Honestly, for all we know, he could be a member of the White Fang sneaking into Vale. Posing as a student. They're clever when it comes to hiding in plain sight." Weiss explained pacing back and forth.

"Just because he's a Faunus he's in the White Fang? Does that mean every Faunus walking down the street is a member now?" Blake mocked the heiress with her logic, and in Jaune's opinion, they were both wrong. Ruby was about to speak from beside him, but he gently pulled her back and shook his head. This was a long time coming, and if there was one thing he learned from his family, it was that arguments eventually erupted. There was no stopping, only delaying the inevitable.

"How could we know?" Weiss's cold glare leveled at Blake. "The White Fang best advantage is their anonymity. They could be literally anyone, and we would never know."

"And so, every criminal who is a Faunus is automatically guilty?" Blake crossed her arms and returned the scowl.

"If it's to keep everyone else safe, then yes. The White Fand steal, cheat, and destroy anything that doesn't agree with them."

"Just like the SDC and their exploitation of Faunus? It sounds like they're just fighting fire with fire." Weiss visibly bristled at the comment.

"Listen here, you ignorant bitch. The SDC has the largest employed Faunus population in all of Remnant. Even after the White Fang terrorism, we still employ Faunus."

"You enslave them." Blake countered, voice seething with venom. "The only option they had left was violence after the peaceful protests were ignored by Atlas. You even brand them like cattle just so they can't work anywhere else!"

"Guys…" Ruby piped up but went completely ignored.

"That is not true! I don't know what Faunus propaganda you have been reading, but no one would get away with that!" Weiss shot down the accusation. Blake just gawked at her, incredulous the whole thing.

"Do you have any idea how fucked up the SDC is? Have you been sheltered your whole life, surrounded by people who would wait on you hand and foot? I don't even think you know the definition of tragedy." Weiss's hand shot out and slapped Blake across the face, leaving an angry handprint. The heiress had misted tears in her eyes.

"Don't you dare assume what I've been through. Do you know what happened to my best friend when I was eleven?" Weiss asked as she stared down Blake with wrath in her eyes. "She was a daughter of one the board executives who knew my father well. One day, he disappeared along with his family. I thought he was moved to a different district to manage. I was wrong. Three days later we received pictures of him, and his family strung up beneath a destroyed SDC mine, mutilated beyond recognition. But I recognized the fox pendent she always wore around her neck; it was the only thing they could identify them by. To this day, those images are seared into my mind."

"And the best part? It turns out their maid who raised her was a White Fang operative! Vanished off the face of Remnant afterwards, never to be seen again!" Weiss was shouting again, voice filled with emotion. "So, I'm sorry it's hard for me to sympathize with utter scum that is the White Fang. To me, they are all monsters!" Weiss's story was heavy for Jaune, and it seemed to same to Ruby, who was stunned and had horror etched onto her face. He thought that would be the end of the argument, finally putting it to rest.

"Maybe we're monsters because you made us like this!" Blake screamed at her partner. A very tense silence filled the alley way as everyone digested that piece of information. Blake was wide eyed at the confession and covered her mouth. Weiss backed up, shocked and reaching for her weapon.

"Us?" She asked. Before anyone could react, Blake bolted down the alley, disappearing around the corner.

"Wait!" Ruby printed, trailing after her. Weiss could only stare at the empty space in disbelief. Jaune rubbed his temples in agitation, mostly at himself for letting the situation get this bad. The fact Blake was a White Fang terrorist just muddied the whole predicament to a new level.

This is going to be complicated…

"God damnit, Blake."

Still writing, still working, and this world is a bit more bloody than usual. Until next time.