We're back with the shitshow

Hangover

Reality crinkled and cracked before a duo appeared in an explosion of broken glass, raining dissipating shards in the modest apartment.

"Well, that could've gone better." Grumbled Roman, shucking off his coat and scowling at the ugly black mark. "Kids these days are so uncivilized." Tossing the outer wear over the couch, he laid his cane by the wall and disappeared into the bedroom. "Would it kill them to use some class!? A bit of style maybe? No! They're too focused on shooting first, asking questions later!" Neo rummaged around in her kitchen for that delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream she had stashed in the freezer.

Roman's bitch-fests tended to be long winded.

"And don't get even get me started on those fucking animals. 'Have a rally, get a band, make them see us one of your friendly neighborhood terrorists. Fight the power!' The fucking gall." Plopping down on the couch with frozen sugar treat in hand, she turned on the Tv to find some good background noise. "Who in the flying hell came up with that idea? I know it wasn't Adam because he's so damn one dimensional, it'd be a miracle if he could about something other than 'The Cause' or 'The Love of my Life who left me'."

Sappy Hallmark movies sounded nice.

"Seriously, that tool needs a fuckin' hobby." The raving man emerged with his orange hair tied back, wearing a 'Nice Vibes' t-shirt, blue sweatpants, and face free from make-up. No one could keep on a stylish mask 24/7 and be sane. "And I know the she-devil has at least two braincells rubbing together enough to know that's a bad fucking idea." He collapsed next to her and grabbed the offered silver spoon from her hand.

"And yet she still wants me to steal more Dust. I get it, you're overcompensating because you're pressed for time or some bullshit. But come on!" Roman jammed a spoonful of delicious mint into his mouth. "I'm one man and all you're giving me is monkeys. Literally!" Neo nodded sagely, trying to understand the fucked-up plot on the screen, then a thought occurred to her. Why did Roman think Cinder was pressed for time?

"There's someone probably in charge of her." Roman answered, reading her confused expression and sent him another one. Someone more dangerous than Devil-hooker? "Yeah. Cinder throws her weight around like a manager for some shitty fast-food chain. Threaten this, imply that, torture him. What I wanna' do is steer clear from the CEO who has said bitch on a leash, and on a short one at that."

Neo made a motion of understanding, and mimed about the robot thing he was in. "That was a loaner." Roman waved her off. "The White Fang would've wasted it on some stupid crusade anyway, and that's bad for business." She raised an eyebrow. "Anything bad for Vale is bad for business. Can't rob people if there are no people." The eyebrow was still raised, prompting her partner in crime to say more.

She may be crafty and good with an umbrella, (Best there ever was) but Roman was the mastermind for a reason.

"You like Vale, right?" He asked. Neo nodded. Of course she did. Tourists were easy pickings and there were plenty of people who were gullible. "And you know Cinder wants to destroy Vale." Neo nodded again. It wasn't hard to put the pieces together with the cryptic sentences that left her mouth or how she chuckled at the idea of the anything happening after the Vytal festival. Even Emerald and Mercury were talking about after Vale.

Or maybe it was having Roman steal literal tons of Dust and haul them on a train that led straight to Vale.

Really, it didn't take a genius.

"Which is why I've decided to tarnish my reputation and become the worst thief in Vale. Incompetent enough to ruin any and all plans that get shoved in my face, but just good enough not to get fired." Roman paused as he thought about that. "Literally, probably." That sounded about right. Cinder took the 'no loose ends' rule a bit too seriously. Not that she didn't understand, if you had to make a point, you had to make it stick.

Roman took another spoonful of the ice cream in her lap and started paying attention to the white noise in front of him. "How's daycare?" He asked, his term for Beacon academy. The so-so gesture Neo made with her hand told him all she needed to. It really was a daycare, with how much the staff attempted to wrangle the students. At least it made for great drama, nothing she liked better than watching kids hurt, embarrass, and humiliate themselves.

She could watch it all day.

Especially her newest toy, the one named Jaune. Chaos followed that boy wherever he went, and so did the entertainment. He could also take the punishment, which was something she always wanted in a toy. Something that wouldn't break. Sure, he seemed to have some bits stitched back on, but he was still moving. Still perfectly good to play with to her heart's content.

Not to mention he just tasted delicious.

"You're doing that breathing thing again." Roman's words brought her back to her apartment instead of vulnerable blondes. She'd have more time for that tomorrow. He'd have to ask her where she stashed that anklet. Neo kept it on Beacon's grounds like she said she would, being the good acquaintance she was. He just failed to specify where to put it.

Like not in the men's third floor bathroom.

Well, whatever. It wasn't her problem.

Consciousness filtered back into Jaune's mind, slowly trickling information. The first thing he noticed was someone snoring in the room with him, damn near in his ear. That reminded him of his throbbing headache and dry mouth, cold water instantly sounding amazing at the moment. His body felt comfortable and sore at the same time. A warm soft weight was on top of him, and he really just didn't want to move.

Memories from last night started coming back through the haze. They went out to Vale for a White Fang rally against common sense. Weiss and Blake planned all that out, which ended as poorly as he expected. Being paired off with Yang wasn't all bad, except for, you know, her abysmal driving. Something happened and he had to bail her out to get back to Beacon, leaving him to fight an Atal mech alone.

Now that he really thought about it, that was pretty stupid of him. Actually, the whole thing was idiotic. Antagonizing the White Fang? Brilliant idea! Getting roped into his teammate's dumb ass plan? Sure, why not? Some fucking leader he was. At least it turned out alright. After barely surviving, Roman basically called them idiots and left. He was beaten, sore, and was dragged off to a bar right after by Yang.

The alcohol took the edge off and they talked. He couldn't quite remember the conversation, but at some point, she apologized, he accepted, and then…

Yang kissed him.

His eyes shot open, the rest of the memories flooded in.

Them making out, and how it all spiraled out of control. How they had sex, the idea of it still unreal in his mind. But as he felt the comforting snoring weight on top of him, it was hard to argue. Looking down, Jaune saw Yang nestled against his body. Her head was lying on his chest, drooling all over it, while her limbs were draped over his body. Blue eyes wandered across her bare figure, most of it obstructed by the blanket over them.

That's right, they were still at the club, in one of the spare rooms. What time was it? It was still dark out and there was little light filtering through the window. Careful to not disturb Yang, he reached out to the floor to grab his discarded jacket. It was just out of reach as the metal hand padded the floor, slowly moving out of the bed. Yang grumbled in her sleep from the movement, his outstretched fingertips brushing against the hem of his coat.

He was almost there, just a little farther… "Ha!" He whispered as metal grasped fabric.

Then gravity grasped him.

"Fuck!" Jaune tumbled to the floor, his body hitting the floor with a satisfying thud. The painful pounding inside his skull increased and he cradled his head to make it stop. "Ow…" Wasn't Aura supposed to handle hangovers?

"M'what?" Yang mumbled from the bed. She looked over the bed, her frazzled blonde locks complementing with her bleary-eyed state. Cracked amethyst orbs peered down at him over the ledge. Even despite his ongoing discomfort, he could admit she looked endearing even now. "Hey."

"Hey." He groaned rummaging through the pockets to find his scroll.

"Whatchya' doin'?" She murmured, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

"Trying to figure out the time."

"Why?"

"Because it's…" The clock on the device read 03:56 a.m. "Early…"

"It is, stupid." She sighed and hung over the bed.

"We should probably get back to Beacon as soon as possible." He stated. No doubt the sooner they went back, the less suspicion they'd have. Hell, his brain was in a frenzy with what to do next, get in contact with their teams, sort out information, figure out just how fucked they are… There was definitely a good chance that they'd be chewed out by Goodwitch.

"Nah." Yang yawned, sitting up and stretching her arms over her head. The action drew his eyes to her wonderful naked breasts and toned body. He couldn't help but stare from the floor. "Dude, you're starring."

"Give me a minute." Jaune said shamelessly, his eyes taking in Yang's figure. A pillow impacted his face in response.

"I'm flattered." Yang deadpanned. "Now come back to bed, it's getting cold."

"Goodwitch is going to kill us."

"Probably." Yang agreed, glaring at him. "But not now at 'gods know what' thirty. I'm sleeping in, damnit." Jaune weighed the options in his head. Get up now, early in the morning to wait for a bullhead to go get yelled at or get back in bed with Yang for more sleep.

That fact that you're even thinking about it means you're an idiot.

Shut up.

Grumbling, Jaune climbed back up to the bed, Yang making room for him. "Good choice." She pushed him down on the bed and used him as a body pillow, snuggling against his side and pushing her hair against his face. Another question popped into his mind as her warmth slowly spread over him.

"Are we a thing now?" He asked.

"Shhh. Too many questions. Go to sleep." Yang mumbled into his chest.

"Bu-"

"Shhhhhh…." Her hand palmed his face until it clamped over his mouth. "Too tired. Sleeping now." Jaune glanced from her to the ceiling, staring at the cracked concrete above. Her grip eased up a second later when he stayed silent, noises left being their gentle breathing.

There were worse ways to handle a hangover.

Ruby yawned into her hand, the cold morning air blowing past her. The hotel they stayed at wasn't bad, Pyrrha buying just a single room with two beds. She bunked with her while Ren and Nora shared. Sure, she woke up every now and again because of her annoying nightmares, but it wasn't that bad. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she idly wondered how well Jaune was handling her sister.

Being the DSS (Designated Sober Sister) and only person in her family that didn't drink, she had more than her fair share of taking care of drunk family members. Yang wasn't nearly as bad as dad or Uncle Qrow, but she could be… rowdy at times. Because of her strength, Yang had to normally be gentle with people. That didn't really translate well when she did drink, but Ruby had Aura and was a big girl who could handle her sister when needed.

"You think they have Bullhead clubs or do they just all get together at someone's house?" Nora asked Ren, who seemed more tired than usual.

"Those are called unions, Nora. And yes, probably."

"You think they play games there or do they just talk about Bullhead things? Maybe they all just play cards? They look like they play cards."

"Probably cribbage." Ren observed.

"I saw a few playing a dice game once." Pyrrha interjected. "It was during a tournament in Vacuo if I remember."

"Like G&G?" Nora questioned.

"I don't think it was Graveyards and Grimm, Nora."

Ruby listened to the conversation with mild interest. Nora always had something to talk about, something she wished she could do. Small talk wasn't her forte no matter how much she tried. It just seemed kind of pointless, you know? But that's probably why they called it 'small talk' in the first place. Would her conversation with Pyrrha last night be called small talk? She wasn't really helpful when it came to what boys liked, saying the only time she really interacted with someone her age is when she was fighting them.

A warm blushed creeped up her neck when she thought about it.

Did… Did she have a crush on him? No, no, no, no. You don't have crushes on your partners, that would be weird. Going to a dance together wouldn't be strange though. Ren and Nora were going, and she said they were together but not 'together'… Whatever the hell that meant. So definitely not weird for her and Jaune to show up at the same time. Talking, dancing, doing normal partner things with her completely normal friend.

Now all she had to do was figure out what he liked.

Thankfully, she knew a subject matter expert, humiliation and mortification be damned.

"Good morning!" Yang called out, as if the very thought of embarrassing her little sister was enough to summon her. Her voice sounded far too cheerful than it should have from a night of drinking and fighting Roman. Turning around, Ruby saw Jaune and Yang, side by side. Her partner had his hands in his pockets and was visibly exhausted, while Yang seemed noticeably… brighter. Her hair stuck out at odd places and her clothes obviously saw some wear and tear, completely at odds with her demeanor.

There was also the oddly familiar red shades Yang wore.

"Morning." Ruby yawned, unable to stifle the urge.

"Morning Yang."

"Good morning, fearless leaders!" Nora beamed at the sight of them. "Did you beat Torchwick to a pulp?" The short redhead dashed in front of Yang. "Or did you break his legs? Did you break his robot legs first? Oooooh. What about his…" Nora trailed off, going silent and a strange expression crossing her features. She leaned in close to her sister and started sniffing the air around her, like a hound catching the scent of something new. Yang leaned back in confusion.

Her eyes widened, in what could only be called realization before darting to Jaune. "Uhh… Nora?" He started, even as the girl in question started sniffing his clothes and violating his personal space. The group was used to her eccentric behavior, so Jaune barely put up a fight as she examined him. "What are you doing?" With a finally deep inhalation oh his jacket, her teal eyes widened in understanding.

"No…." Nora stared at Yang, a creepy smile slowly forming.

"Don't you dare." Yang growled, shooting her a glare.

"But why!?" The hammer maiden hugged Jaune from behind, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You know damn well."

"Uh, guys?" Jaune's blush from having no idea what was going on was adorable in Ruby's mind. Hence why she tried to squash and kill the word with all the mental might she could muster.

"What are they talking about?" Pyrrha asked, perplexed as the bickering continued while Nora hanged off of Jaune's back.

"No idea." Ruby shrugged, secretly enjoying the free entertainment. She turned to Ren. "Any ideas?"

"I…" His head was cocked to the side, obviously concerned. "I don't know if I should say."

Ruby glanced back at Pyrrha; just as lost as she was. Yang seemed abnormally defensive and trying to shoo Nora off Jaune, who could only stand there and weather the storm going on around him. Sapphire eyes found silver and pleaded for help between the whirl of bodies. As much fun as it was watching him be used like a playground for kids, (Stop that train of thought Ruby, bad things lie that way) she should probably intervene.

"You'll get the details later!" Yang said, bodily grabbing Nora and dragging her away from Jaune, the flush on her face probably from the exertion.

Details about the fight? Must be a Nora thing.

"Promise?" She pouted.

"Promise. Gods, what are you, four?"

"Some of us didn't get any action last night! Me and Renny-"

"Ren and I." Pyrrha corrected.

"Had to stay behind and help wannabe terrorists-"

"Activists."

"to make sure no one was hurt!"

"It just happened, okay!? You think I planned this?" Yang argued.

Nora's eyes narrowed. "I don't what you were planning, cunning-blonde-good-time-stealing leader!" Her accusing finger was millimeters form Yang's face. "I want my chance back!"

"What do you even mean!?"

"Hey, Ruby." Jaune escaped the bickering women and sidled up next to her.

Quick Ruby, think of something witty! Wait, he's your partner, you always say hi to each other. Mind, why do you do this!? Screw it, act natural.

"Yo." She hip-checked him in response, inwardly thanking her inner self for not looking like an idiot.

"Do you know what they're talking about?" Pyrrha asked point blank. "Ren says he knows but won't tell us."

"Uhhhh…" He looked back to Ren, who's pink eyes bored into his partner's soul. His usual stoic looked was defaced by his widened eyes. A moment of silence passed between the two before Jaune turned back and scratched his head. "I think it's about the fight with Roman." Ruby knew he was lying instantly. He scratched the back of his head whenever he fibbed or was embarrassed. But why though?

"Hmmm." Pyrrha hummed in understanding. "That makes sense. I would've liked the chance to fight him, maybe I'd actually lose for the first time."

"Mind swapping lives with me for a bit?" Jaune asked. "Would love to know what it feels like to win a fight." A bark of laughter escaped the champion.

"That would be something, wouldn't it?" Further conversation died when the sound of engines reached their ears, the incoming Bullhead heralding their ascent back to Beacon. Anxiety fluttered in Ruby's stomach, hoping that no one else at the academy knew what happened. And maybe, just maybe, if someone did find out, they'd know how to keep a secret.

A heeled foot incessantly tapped against the ground; agitation evident in every fiber of the owners being. "They're late." Weiss muttered.

"Relax, snowflake." Kali reminded her, busy brushing Blake's hair. "They're adults and can handle themselves." The heiress sighed angrily but made no further comment. Cold air breezed past their seats in the courtyard, the scenery overlooking the city and the Bullhead docks. Inhaling deeply, the faunas mother savored the crisp air. It was quite different from the Menagerie air she was used to, subtly bringing back memories of Atlas's winter chill.

When she was head of the White Fang.

A tinge of regret poked at her heart from seeing how far they've fallen. From civil rights activists to radical extremists, but there was nothing to be done about that now. She was young, idealistic, and thought the world could be fair. Thought that maybe such a broken system could be fixed, not at once, but in time.

Motherly hands moved through her daughter's hair.

Then her priorities changed. She started thinking about her family, how to protect them, how to keep Ghira and Blake alive. Meetings with pointless political figures and narrow-minded capitalists started becoming less and less important. She didn't have the attention for leading a revolution anymore, nor the time. It just seemed so… dare she say hopeless.

Taking her wavering will for the sign it was, she handed the White Fang off to someone younger, more driven than her. Feeling the weight of such a burden lift off her shoulders was more liberating than she thought imaginable, if a bit regrettable. Sienna might not have been the right person, nor the woman she initially thought she was, but at least the cause continued. Albeit in a disfigured form from what it once was.

It'd be a lie to say she didn't miss it.

But running her fingers through Blake's hair once more, fussing over her health, and knowing that she was okay made it all the worthwhile.

"Don't they know that the first Bullhead departs at six?" Weiss muttered under her breath.

"I'm pretty sure they know how to read a map." Her daughter said, eyes never leaving her book.

"I'm not asking if they can, I'm asking if they did."

"Patience." Kali stated, braiding Blake's hair. She would look adorable with her hair done up. "It's still early in the morning."

"Late enough for the professors to start paying attention." The heiress grumbled.

Another pang of guilt and relief wormed its way into her heart. If there was any proof that her decision to leave the White Fang was the better one, then it was Weiss. A parent neglecting their child was unforgivable to her but could see how easily it could happen. Jacques devoted everything to the SDC, to the point where his children were secondary, assets to be used. Kali would've liked to say she'd never do that, never put the cause before her family.

She'd never know, she had already made her choice. People would say you could find stability, even a balance between work and life. They didn't know for them it was all or nothing. Either you devoted yourself to the movement or your family. You could try, and you would fail. Something always slipped through the cracks, and she saw it time and time again.

So, seeing Weiss for the first time, Kali thought there would be more hatred deep down inside her. All she felt was pity. Pity at how even the world could be even cruel to her. And from what it looked like; she didn't have anyone to lean on. There were rumors about how Willow disappeared from the public eye, the stage being dominated by Jacques. The woman was either dead, or so withdrawn she didn't even bother her children.

Now that spurned her hatred.

"Come over her for a second, snowflake." Enough so that she'd take her revenge against the SDC in a different form. A more… maternal one.

"What?"

"You heard me." Kali patted the seat next to her while Blake continued reading her poorly disguised smut book.

Honestly, she thought she'd taught her better.

"Why?" The heiress asked, even as she sat next to her.

"I've never seen you with your hair down." Kali gently turned Weiss away from her to examine her hair. "It is awfully smooth."

"Blake, what is your mom doing?"

"Don't try to fight it." Her daughter said from behind her, her raven black hair now done up in a neat bun, loose strands framing the side of her face. "It'll only make it worse."

"You didn't answer the question!" The poor girl was obviously nervous. Was it because of her heritage or something else? She couldn't tell yet.

"I'm just trying something, that's all." Kali gently stated. "Have you always had your hair up like this?"

"… Not always." Weiss hedged as Kali moved her hands through the white silk of her hair. "My sister said it helped keep me focused."

"Hmmm. You mean Winter?"

"Yes. She used to take care of it for me before she left." Kali hummed in understanding. Winter Schnee being formally disowned by Jacques made big waves in the Faunus community, believe it or not. The scandal of Winter joining the Atlas military over staying with the SDC meant that even those at the top were starting to feel the unrest. All in all, it was a subtle victory. James even took her under his wing to make sure she was educated properly on civil matters.

It was good catching up with everyone last night.

"Well, I'm sure she'd love what you've done with it." Kali could feel Weiss slowly relax while she weaved her hair into a braid. It was a small gesture, but she knew breaking down the walls of such an emotionally guarded person took time. Time she now had thanks to Ozpin reaching out to her. Time to help mend this broken child and to make up for all the lost time with Blake.

Time to maybe fix a little bit of the broken world.

Nora was giving her the stink eye all the way to Beacon. Oh, she knew Jaune and her did the dirty, but wouldn't stop being so damn unsubtle about it. Sitting next to her on the Bullhead while everyone else chitchatted, staring right into her face until her nose was pressed against her cheek. Yang was this close to clocking her.

This close.

She decided to be better, instead. Reel in her anger. Yada yada, therapist like bullshit. So, gritting her teeth and resolutely staring forward where Jaune and Ruby talked about something she couldn't hear over the drone of the engines, she started thinking.

Were they a thing now?

Jaune wasn't bad. She knew he was a virgin going into it, and even though it can definitely be labeled a 'mistake' because of how much alcohol she decided was appropriate, (Thanks Qrow) Yang didn't feel like it was. It was just two friends making up after a fight and relieving some stress, that's all. People do that all the time. So what if they both enjoyed it? Just means that maybe he'd be up for it again if he was so inclined.

Having a warm body to sleep next to was some of the most restful sleep Yang had had in years. Just the way she was able to trust him on certain level to have her back just made her feel at ease. That and the fact he was so comfortable it was unfair.

That training they were putting him through was really starting to pay off.

"Tell. Me." Nora pleaded next to her, stepping off the Bullhead with the rest of the group in tow.

"Later." Yang whispered. Being the gossip she was, even she knew Beacon's walls had ears.

"But I want to know now!"

"There you are!" Weiss's commanding voice echoed over the courtyard. Even Ice Queen's shrill couldn't dampen her spirits. Well, comparing the heiress to the beginning of the year, everyone could tell she mellowed out. Somewhat at least. "Do you know what time it is!?" Weiss marched up to them, or up to Jaune specifically. Not that Yang minded not being the focus of her made up ire, there was plenty of that coming in the next week thanks to the dance.

Oh shit, I almost forgot.

Wrestling with Weiss for planning the dancing was going to suck, no way around it. And as Yang watched Weiss's hair raid bob up and down while arguing with Jaune about whatever inane details about their plan went awry, she couldn't help feeling a bit protective over the blonde. It wasn't his fault her plan fucked itself over.

"What do you mean you just 'had someone else handle it'!? If the staff knew where Blake really was, we could all be expelled!"

"You gave me literally a day to figure it out." Jaune clapped his hands together for emphasis. "I thought it would look more convincing if someone else was holding on to it."

"Then who, pray tell, has it?" Weiss crossed her arms and glared at him. It was hard for someone a foot shorter than you to look menacing, but damn, did Weiss pull it off.

"… I gave it to Mint."

"Mint." She tested the word.

"Yes."

"The woman you got in a fight with?"

"That is a very big list, but yes."

"The woman" Weiss began to seethe. "That's a transfer student?"

"…Yes." Jaune hesitated.

Oof. Wrong answer.

"A transfer student that you just met?"

"I was short on options."

"You couldn't think of anyone else?" Weiss was using that low angry tone she was all too familiar with, like a parent scolding a shild.

"Who the hell was I supposed to give it to? Cardin!?" Jaune shot back.

"No! Literally anyone else! Like!... Like…" Weiss trailed off, trying to think of someone else they could've given the anklet to.

"We don't know a lot of people." Jaune stated it as a fact. Yang had trouble holding a straight face as Weiss's scrunched up in barely contained fury at being proven wrong. How her little cute face tried to preserve a semblance of elegance, and how easy it was for her to become flushed with her fair skin.

"You…" She grated out with barely contained venom. "May be correct."

To his credit, Jaune knew when to shut up and not poke the beast.

"I told you so." His eyes widened in horror as the words slipped from his mouth.

Whelp, it was nice knowing you, Lover Boy.

Yang turned on her heels and heeded for her dorm room, the tirade of curses from and angry Schnee fading behind her. Not even she would dare get in-between that, secret lover or no.

Secret lover? What the hell was she, a character in Blake's book? Whatever, Yang needed a shower. Her pussy ached wonderfully, and she could still feel some of Jaune inside her. At least the morning after wasn't nearly as awkward as she feared. He still had a hangover which definitely overrode his embarrassment, thank you Junior.

"Well." Yang yawned to herself as she strolled through the halls. "At least we're not in trouble."

"Would Yang Xiao-Long and Jaune Arc please report to the Headmaster's office. Jaune Arc and Yang Xiao-Long to the Headmaster's office." The intercom for the school blared over her.

"Me and my big fucking mouth."

Nursing a migraine with a cup of Ozpin's coffee, Goodwitch patiently waited in his office. Last night had been… a bit of a blur. Port invited the staff to try some of his famous moonshine, and having resolved to ending the day on a high note, joined in. Mrs. Belladonna attended as well, interrogating James and herself about her daughter and everything else going on in the kingdoms. She was surprised to see how sociable she was around him.

That and how much she could drink.

Either she was a closet alcoholic, or just good genetics. Sipping on Ozpin's Dust infused brew, Glynda made a mental note to corner her later to get an answer. Maybe then she could keep up with Qrow.

"I'm glad to see you've finally come around." Ozpin commented from his desk, piled high with paperwork.

"Hm." Was the only response she could muster.

"And to think, all it took was a night of some light drinking to get you to try it."

"There wasn't any 'light drinking' going on last night, and you know it." Gods, he could be annoying sometimes. She Hated coffee. The bitterness, how much it drained you afterwards, the false sense of energy, how bad it was for you.

"Are you positive? Mrs. Belladonna seemed quite sober throughout the event. Perhaps it was-"

"I will break this mug over your head."

"Noted." Blissed silence followed. There was a certain satisfaction at threating an aged old being such as Ozpin. She wondered if it was because he actually feared her or just found it amusing. Either way, it worked for her.

The doors to elevator dinged open, revealing the two other sources of her foul mood. Xiao-Long seemed cleaned and relaxed from the looks of her fresh loungewear while Arc had that resigned haggard expression. Even his clothes were dirty, evident of only just getting back from Vale proper.

"Arc. Xiao-Long." Her voice was clipped as she spoke. "I believe you know the reason you were called here."

"Wha-"

"Do not play dumb with me." She interrupted Xiao-long's oncoming excuse. "Tell me what happened, or I will expel both of you." The threat wasn't idle either. Hunters were a magnet for trouble, it was part of the job. These two on the other hand, seemed to actively look for it and make problems for the academy. Silence hung in the air before them.

"Can… Can you be more specific, Ma'am?" Arc tentatively asked. At least he respected her, if the concern in his eyes told her anything. Instead of answering his question, she merely opened her scroll to the saved video she found on the net.

"This." The video played in front of them, the grainy camera of a scroll showing a hole in an otherwise homey apartment. A girl's voice was inaudible over the background noise, loud crashes and yelling overwriting her words. Closing in and peering out of the hole in the wall, the source became clear. The image may have been blurry, but an Atlas robot could clearly be seen fighting two individuals in the street.

Two individuals who were standing right in front of her with horrified eyes.

It played on, showing the destruction and Roman's escape, and even the execution of Yang's bike. The video ended shortly afterwards.

Glynda merely raised an eyebrow at them for an explanation.

"Uh…" Arc was at a loss. Unfortunately for her sanity, Xiao-Long was not.

"We ran into him." She said with a shrug of shoulders. Glynda could see the sweat drop on her face from the bluff.

"You… Ran into him?" The girl scratched the back of her at the question.

"Well-"

"We heard him." Jaune interjected.

"Wha-" The boy elbowed her, glaring at her as he did so.

"We heard something big running through the streets, so we thought to take a look."

"And what were you two doing in Vale?" Ozpin asked from his desk.

"Drinking." Arc said without hesitation.

"What the hell man?"

"We were out drinking." He pushed past Xiao-Long's outburst. "We were stressed out and she thought that was the best idea." Arc jerked a thumb in her direction. Xiao-Long growled in response but said nothing. "Then we heard loud noises down the street. We went to investigate, and we found Roman in an Atlas war machine."

"So, you thought engaging him was the best course of action?" Glynda asked, watching the two students. Xiao-long was visible angry with him at being outed, while Arc kept his eyes squarely on the professor.

"No." Good, he had some common sense. "But we weren't going to leave him running rampant through the streets."

Glynda hummed in understanding. Her fingers tapped the wooden desk, deep in thought. He did have a point, and while it was irresponsible for students to go out drinking in Vale, it wasn't uncommon. What was more disconcerting was how Roman had such weaponry. If anything, this showed that something was in the works and Belladonna's conjecture of White Fang activity held more weight than previously thought.

It was a political mess.

"For violating curfew standards, both of you will be assigned remedial courses on proper rules of engagement." Glynda decided. The punishments could be a lot more severe, but she had her hands full right now. Both of them groaned but she couldn't exactly expel them on the evidence given. "And you, Mr. Arc, will be at my office this week for therapy. Do not think I have forgotten."

"Yes Ms. Goodwitch."

"Good. Dismissed." She wasn't in the mood to deal with more of their teenage drama. The doors to the elevator closed, taking the troublesome duo with them. "This isn't good."

"No." Ozpin sighed. "It's not." He leaned back against his chair, looking every bit his timeless age. "Jaune Arc is getting more action than me. Why are the fates so cruel, Glynda?" A book impacted the back of his head, slamming is face into the desk and sending paperwork fluttering away.

"Fate is a cruel mistress." She agreed. "Perhaps you agitated her."

"Perhaps I did, and I apologize." Ozpin straightened his suit and reorganized his papers.

"Should we cancel the festival?" She broached the subject.

"No."

"Why? There is clear evidence that the White Fang or active and armed. There was barely a presence four months ago, but now there seems to be a whole cell? I get the Vytal festival is important to you Ozpin, but this is too dangerous to continue." She was worried for what they could do. I.E.D.'s, mass kidnapping, rampant civil unrest attracting Grimm to Vale. They already had their hands full, and it was approaching the tipping point.

"Because if we do, then something else will happen." He stated. "Shade, Atlas, Haven could be the next target for Salem's machinations, and I know it's her. What this shows us is what we're dealing with, who we're fighting against, where they will be and when they will strike." He signed the document in front of him, permitting the use of vendor contracts. "All that's left to know is how."

"You want us to walk into a trap?"

"Is it really a trap if we know it's happening?" He asked, looking at her with that smug expression. "After all, knowledge is power."

"Easy for you to say." Glynda scoffed, hiding behind her mug.

"I am the one that said it." Ozpin took a drink of his own. "But you're right. We should look into how they came across such armaments. I was under the impression James had tighter security over their more advanced weapons."

"Sympathizers perhaps?" It wasn't a stretch. Misguided goodwill ended more lives than it helped.

"Hopefully." He leaned back in his chair, watching the clockwork dance above him in its sequenced rhythm. "I pray that's all it is. Otherwise, her reach is far farther than I suspected."

Now wasn't that a grim thought.

"What the hell was that?"

"I saved our asses." Jaune shot back within the confines of the elevator.

"By using me as a gods damned scapegoat?" Her amethyst eyes were like daggers into his sapphire, willing them to pierce his soul.

"By giving them the truth." He said, not backing down. "What was your plan? Tell them the most blatant lie you could think of?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't 'Hey prof, we were being really irresponsible in Vale and totally just stumbled upon a murder machine in the street. WHOOPS.'"

"It's what happened!" By now they were standing toe to toe, their bodies almost touching. She could feel his irritated warmth radiating off him.

"And now I look like some delinquent who likes getting their friends drunk. To the Headmaster and Goodwitch, no less." She growled, clenching her fists by her sides. "That'll cost you, lover boy."

"I just bailed our asses out of being expelled. From where I'm standing, you owe me." The floors ticked by as the elevator descended. Her pride flared in anger, and she could feel it in her eyes, but the bastard was right. By telling a half-truth they'd gotten off lightly. Light enough where they didn't have to involve the rest of their group.

"I owe you?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"Yeah. You do."

A clever idea crossed her mind. Putting a sultry smile, she stood on her toes, and brought her face close to his. "So did you already forget about last night?" Yang breathed on his lips. Jaune flushed immediately, backing up, realizing how close she was. The lioness found the scent of a delicious prey, with every step backwards he took, she advanced.

"N-no. I didn't forget." He stammered, his back hitting the wall.

"Good, because I didn't." Yang pressed herself against him, linking her arms behind his neck. He smelled of stale booze, sweat, sex, and his own natural scent. Looking into his eyes, she could see those crystalline orbs stare back with confusion and barely concealed excitement. "Would've been a real shame to not remember." She started, brushing her lips against his. "How we Fucked."

"Um, Y-Yang..." He swallowed.

"How I could feel you twitch beneath me." She leaned in and caught his lips, grazing her tongue against them. He resisted only for a second before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in. His mouth opened against hers, their tongues wrestling for dominance. It lasted for a moment before the elevator dinged to the ground floor, Yang breaking the heated kiss. There was just something that soothing about having someone to do this with.

"D-Don't do that." Jaune gasped. "At least not here."

"Hm. I'll think about it." Yang hummed. "Do I still owe you now?" Jaune was silent. Looking down at her, breathing heavily and blushing adorably. Giving her best Ruby impression, Yang pleaded with her eyes.

"…No." He looked away. Smiling to herself, she gave him a peck on the check before releasing him. "That's manipulative, you know."

"I call it being persuasive." She countered.

"Does that mean you do that to everyone?" He earned a flick to the nose with that one. "Ow!"

"Just to the people I like." Yang walked out of the elevator into the reception room.

Jaune glared at her from behind the metal hand rubbing his nose. "I hate you." He said following her out.

"Hate you too."

I don't why I have the insane compulsion to flesh out characters when there's plot to be had. Fuck, sometimes I just want to write a slice-of-life story, you know?

Either way, I would've posted earlier but holidays are a bitch for everyone involved.

Until next time.