Chapter Three

Emerald was finally free, waiting in the entrance of the school by the elevator. After she had arrived in Vacuo with Ren, Nora, and Oscar, having fought their way through a horde of grimm, Headmaster Theodore had wanted to keep her 'under observation.' I mean, she got where he was coming from, she had been helping an immortal witch usher about the end of the world (not that she had known Salem's end goal at the start), but she had also just risked her life protecting the people of Atlas while they fled through a sandstorm to Vacuo.

She also could have broken out, very easily. It was almost like Theodore was testing her. Maybe he had been. Either way, she had used the time to reflect on everything that had happened. What hurt the most was the way Cinder had treated her. Emerald had devoted her life to Cinder. When she thought Cinder had died at Haven, she had been crushed, but she had returned to Salem to help the work that Cinder was so invested in.

Then, when Cinder had returned, seemingly from the dead, Emerald was ecstatic. Except, Cinder wanted nothing to do with her. She was hellbent on revenge and was only using Emerald to get what she wanted. Then Tyrian had told her Salem's real plan, which was the total annihilation of Remnant, Humanity, and the Faunus. She wasn't quite sure she had believed Tyrian, but that coupled with Cinder's attitude made her question what she was doing.

When Hazel had brought her to the lamp with Oscar, and Oscar proved he had been telling the truth by summoning the spirit that lived within it, she knew she couldn't stay. So, she had tried to leave. But Salem didn't take kindly to her and Hazel leaving, and Hazel had died in the resulting confrontation.

She had been through a lot, with the manipulation and then emotional abandonment from Cinder, and it had been good to have time to reflect. She still didn't know what she was going to do when she saw Cinder again. That wound was still very raw. But she knew she couldn't stick with Salem. She had seen too many of the horrors Salem had unleashed for that. The fear, and hunger, and misery in the eyes of Atlesian children had been particularly painful for her. She had once been a hungry, scared, and miserable child. It had been a brutal display of what she had been party to.

She sighed. Emerald wondered who the J in her new team was. The rest of the team was obviously the three she had come to Vacuo with, and Ren, Nora, and Oscar had spent much of their free time keeping her company. Given the way the academies liked to name teams, 'J' was the new team leader. She was trying to come up with any hunters she had met with a J name when the elevator dinged.

"Emerald!" A red blur slammed into her as she looked towards the opening doors.

"But, you're dead." Emerald was dazed. Ruby of all people was crushing the air out her. Dressed in what looked like Atlesian military fatigues, but undeniably Ruby. And behind her...

"Common misconception," Yang said cooly. Emerald still wasn't sure where she stood with the fiery blonde, given that she had at one point used her semblance to make it look like Yang had cruelly attacked another person. In front of tens of thousands of people. She hoped Yang was as forgiving as the others were.

"But, how?" Emerald's brain felt sluggish. She had thought team RWBY sickeningly cheerful when she first met them, but after her treatment at the hands of Salem, and worse, Cinder, she had grown to appreciate the young women. After everything she and Mercury and Neo had done to them, they had still (mostly) forgiven her, and welcomed her in. It wasn't something she was used to. And then they had died, while trying to save an entire kingdom, and Emerald had felt the loss keenly.

"Oh, you know. They fell into another world, crossed dimensions, fought the bad guys there, came back. Just another day, really," Nora explained with an air of nonchalance.

Emerald blinked at this. "...What? Not that I'm not happy to see you, I am, that's just one of the most insane things I've ever heard."

Blake smiled at her. "Have you heard the story about the girl who fell through the world?"

"Yeah, it's a fairytale. A kids book."

"Well, about that."

They spent the next few minutes filling Emerald in. The green haired woman slowly shook her head as she processed the information.

"I know how it sounds, but we live in a world where it's been proven that fairytales are based in fact." Oscar gestured to himself. "Take me for example. I have the soul of an ancient warrior in me. The Maidens are real. And so is the world of Ever After."

Emerald hooked a thumb at Jaune. "So you're telling me boy wonder here is a renowned knight? I've seen him fight." Wait, is he the 'J'? He was team leader before...

"Not just now, you haven't," Weiss snapped frostily. "He took down Qrow without breaking a sweat."

Jaune looked at her, without anger or malice, and there was a weight to his gaze. He wasn't the same earnest, eager, dorky young man she had known. He looked out at the world with the heaviness of experience. And there were those white streaks in his hair.

"Ok, ok. Sorry. Sarcasm and cynicism come second nature to me, I didn't mean anything by it." Emerald was abashed, if only slightly.

"It's ok, Emerald. I hardly believe it myself, and I lived it. I'm glad to have you on the team. Your skills will come in handy." Jaune's smile was genuine as he held out his hand.

"Oh. Right. I'm just glad to get out of this pyramidal monstrosity." She shook Jaune's hand. "Soo, what's the plan?"

"Well, we were going to see the city. Some of us had specific destinations in mind, but none of us have been to Vacuo before. You're welcome to join us." Ruby was looking at her earnestly.

Emerald didn't know how Ruby always seemed so chipper. It was anathema to her nature, but she still found herself smiling in response. It was. . . nice, to be with people who appreciated her for her, and didn't just want to use her.

"Well, sure. Ok. Lead on."

The group split once outside of Shade. Winter, Weiss, and Jaune went to meet up with the rest of the Schnees. Weiss had asked Jaune, very stiffly and formally, if he wanted to accompany them. Ren and Blake had simultaneously placed their hands over Nora and Yangs mouths before either of them could say anything. Thankfully, Jaune missed this as he awkwardly agreed to Weiss's proposal.

The rest made for the old market. According to Theodore, the Belladonas and the newly reformed White Fang regularly gave out free meals there, and they could get some shopping done at the same time.

The streets of the city were a stark reminder of what they were up against. There were people everywhere, human and faunus alike, and wherever they looked they saw grief-stricken faces. Ruby had lost some of her earlier high and had started to trudge, eyes downcast. They had sacrificed so much, and still people were suffering. Was it worth it?

She squeaked as she bumped into someone. Yang had stopped abruptly, staring at something to the side of the road. "Ruby..." She pointed, at a loss as to what else to say.

Ruby followed the outstretched finger, and gasped. That was her. Someone had painted a stylized mural of Ruby herself, with the words "Remember Her Message" in bold red lettering.

On numb legs Ruby walked over to the mural, then, with shaky fingers, she touched her own painted face.

Blake and Yang joined her, marveling. "Ruby, this is incredible. People really must have taken what you said to heart." Blake gave her a squeeze.

"Oh! I almost forgot! People have painted stuff like this all over! You really made an impact with that broadcast we got out, Ruby." Nora was beaming.

Oscar said, "The people aren't beaten yet. There's still a ways to go in getting them truly united, and there's a lot that needs doing to take care of them, but you made the spark that set the fire."

Ruby bowed her head, tears once again glimmering in her eyes. Then she looked back at her friends with fresh resolve. She was a huntress. She would do everything in her power to protect the people. Reinvigorated, she nodded to her team, and they continued on.

Despite supply shortages and the sheer number of people in Vacuo, the market was booming. You could still buy nearly anything you wanted, provided you had the money. As the group navigated the narrow lanes, they were assaulted with sights, sounds, and smells. The air was full of fragrant spices, merchants were loudly hawking their wares, and brightly painted stalls lined the thoroughfare.

As much as she wanted to find some desert appropriate gear, Blake was keeping her eyes peeled for one thing in particular. And there, heralded by a cloud of steam, she found what she was looking for. A large wagon emblazoned with the familiar white wolf's head on a blue field was parked along a side street. There was a long line of despondent looking people waiting their turn for a handout from the stall outside the wagon. A familiar face was ladling something into bowls and handing them out with a smile.

She quickened her pace until she broke into a run. The woman working the stall looked up and dropped her ladle with a clatter as her eyes widened. "Blake!"

"Mom!" Blake, laughing, buried her mother in a hug.

"Ghira! Ghira, get out here!"

The door to the wagon swung open as Ghira Belladona appeared. "What, what happened?" He stopped abruptly as he saw his daughter. With a delighted roar, he picked both women up and swung them in a circle.

While the Belladonas embraced, Ren stepped in for Kali and started ladling stew for the waiting people, some of whom were watching this reunion with smiles on their faces. Oscar quietly took the place next to him, while Ruby and Emerald stood by awkwardly and Nora beamed.

Blake, still laughing as Ghira set her and Kali down, said, "It's so good to see you. I wasn't expecting you to be in Vacuo."

Ghira's smile was radiant as he looked at his daughter. "Well, we knew someone somewhere was going to need help, and we already had a large number of supplies set aside when we heard that Atlas had fallen and that the refugees were in Vacuo, of all places. We knew what we had to do. The White Fang was meant as a symbol for peace and equality. What better way to show that than to help the people who need it the most? And what about you? We heard that you were dead, Blake." His voice had softened.

"It's a long story. I can catch you up later, right now it looks like you have your hands full." Blake gestured towards the line of people.

"It's ok Blake, we've got this. Catch up with your parents." Ren had produced an apron from somewhere and was in his element serving food to the waiting people.

"Yeah! Team Journey's first official mission! Let's do this Emerald!" Nora grabbed the other woman by the arm and dragged her behind the stall. Emerald had a slightly panicked expression on her face.

Grinning while she watched as Nora tried to get an apron on Emerald, Blake turned to her parents and gestured at Ruby. "Mom, Dad, this is Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY."

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Belladona! Blake has told us a lot about you." Ruby smiled and gave her best skirt-less curtsy.

"And this is Yang Xiao Long, another member of the team, and my girlfriend." She looked to her parents, anxious as so many generations of people had been before her at the moment of introduction between their partner and their parents for the first time.

"Pleasure to meet you." Yang held out her hand to shake with the Belladonnas. Kali bypassed the hand and went straight for a hug.

"Oh, this is such wonderful news! Congratulations, you two! We must celebrate." Kali bustled into the wagon.

Ghira looked at Yang appraisingly while Blake watched, still a little nervous. He shook Yang's proffered hand. "You love my daughter?"

Yang looked him squarely in the eyes. "I do. She's one of the most sincere, smartest, heartfelt people I know. She knows what matters to her and doesn't compromise. I consider myself incredibly lucky that she loves me too." She smiled at Blake, who smiled back, blushing.

"Good. I think I like this one, Kali," he said as his wife returned bearing a teapot and some cups.

"Of course you do. Who wants tea?"

They wound up sitting in a circle on the dusty ground behind the wagon. Despite the heat, sand, noise, and hard ground, Blake felt lighthearted and happy as her parents and friends chatted. Ruby was politely sipping the tea, and surreptitiously looking for sugar. Yang had launched into the tale of their journey, omitting the fight before they had fallen. Ghira and Kali listened attentively, asked the occasional question, and gave their daughter warm smiles as they sank into the realization that she was ok.

For the third time in less than a day, they recounted their experiences after their fall into the Ever After, taking turns in the telling. When Blake finished with how they had returned through the portal to the sands of Vacuo, and their arrival at the city, she said, "I know it sounds far-fetched, but we've had a lot of experiences in the last year that suggest many of our myths and fairytales are rooted deeper in truth than anyone would expect."

"Yes, we've come to realize that. Theodore and Winter have been very forthcoming about the Maidens and Salem. They've been trying to get all of Remnant on the same page ever since Ruby's message got broadcast. It's slow work, but we're trying to do our part." Ghira had a contemplative look in his eyes.

"It's too bad it took a war for people to get on the same page." Blake watched the line of people who were waiting for food. There was a mix of human and faunus, and she spied more than one now-tattered outfit that would have been considered high fashion in Atlas before it fell. And they're all here for the same thing. Doesn't matter who they are or where they came from, at the end of the day they all have the same basic needs. There's something to that...

Ruby broke her out of her reverie by asking, "So what's with the new White Fang symbol? I like it better than the other one."

"Oh, that's not a new symbol. It's the old one, from before Sierra Khan took over," Blake responded. "How's that going, by the way?"

"The militia that you helped raise back in Menagerie have done wonderful things in trying to clean up the White Fangs reputation, but we're still running into issues. At least once a day some troublemaker with a grudge against the faunus, or Atlas, or authority in general tries to start something. And there's a small splinter faction that refuses to give in, even though Sierra is dead and Adam has disappeared. There are more good people than bad though," Ghira said.

"Um. About Adam, Dad. He came after me. Tried to take me by surprise when we were in Argus. Would have killed me if Yang hadn't stepped in. We, we had to kill him. It was the only thing we could have done," Blake said, twisting her hands and not meeting her parents' eyes.

"Oh, Blake, I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm glad you had Yang there with you, though," Kali said, gently taking Blake's hands into her own.

Ghira sighed heavily. "I had wondered if something hadn't happened to him. We got a report of a slaughter that had occurred in Sienna's court. Several dead White Fang, wounds consistent with that sword of his, and no sign of him. It's too bad he went down that terrible path. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"We did what we had to. We didn't want a fight, but he forced our hand," Yang said, putting an arm around Blake.

"I tried to talk him down myself, many times. He had too much hatred in his heart. I don't blame either of you for what happened," Ghira said.

The moment was broken when someone cried out. Ghira heaved himself to his feet as a broad-shouldered, ram-horned faunus carrying a stack of boxes squeezed through the throngs towards the wagon. He was the one who had just yelped. An unshaven Vacuan with a scimitar tucked into the burgundy sash around his waist had just tried to trip him.

The ram faunus managed to keep his feet, and Ghira steadied him. "You ok, Mata?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Busy over here!" He smiled around his load at the man who had stuck his foot out, and the man spat.

"Waste of food, that. Feeding people who don't contribute to society makes me sick." His voice had the raspy edge of a desert wanderer who had been out in too many sandstorms.

Ghira towered over him. To his credit, the man didn't flinch as the much larger, muscled faunus stared him down. When Ghira spoke, his voice was even and free of anger. "Everyone needs help sometimes. Doesn't matter who you are. Society only functions when everyone takes care of each other. That's all we're trying to do."

Yang had risen to her feet as well, scarlet slowly pouring into her irises as her temper rose. Blake took her hand. "It's ok, Yang, my father can handle this."

"I don't see how helping freeloaders, especially Atlesian freeloaders, does any good, but whatever." The man roughly shoved past Ghira through the line of people. A young faunus boy with mouse ears didn't get out of the way fast enough and got knocked over, his bowl of stew splattering onto the ground and the man's boots. The man aimed a kick at the boy but then froze, staring into space with a wild expression of horror on his face.

"N-no, not again, I"- He shrieked and fled, stumbling in his haste to get away.

Emerald, who had been staring intently at the man, watched him flee with grim satisfaction, then went to the child and helped him back to his feet. "Let me get you some more food," she said warmly, taking him by the hand.

Blake had never heard Emerald talk with such compassion in her voice before. It seemed that the hard-edged, cynical street thief had a soft spot after all. And given the man's odd reaction, Blake bet that she had given the man a vision of something using her semblance. Probably not a very pleasant one either, given his scream of terror.

She was broken out of her reverie when Mata noticed her and grinned. "Blake! It's good see you again. I heard"-

"That we were dead, yeah. Been getting that a lot today. It just took us a little longer to get to Vacuo, that's all." She smiled at Mata. He had been the first citizen of Menagerie to join the militia that had helped defend Haven.

"Well, whatever happened, I'm glad to see you and your friends." He heaved the crates into the wagon. "My brother will be here soon, Kali. We'll be ready to take over for you and Ghira. We're getting low on supplies; the airship is overdue. Fruit and bread on the menu tonight."

"Are they ok?" Blake was worried. The grimm had been out in higher-than-normal numbers, and it wasn't unheard of for swarms of flying grimm to go after even heavily defended transports.

Ghira sighed. "Atlas has been providing air support for us, and there are huntsmen teams assigned to every mission, but even then, things have been dicey. There are just so many grimm around the city that anything trying to get in or out has trouble. I'm sure they'll be ok though. Your old friend Sun and his team are on that assignment from my understanding. He's a, let's say 'eager' young man, but may I say I'm relieved you chose someone else?"

"Dad!" Blake had colored, Yang was chuckling, and Kali was looking at him reproachfully.

"What? He's started to grow on me, but I still think he's a got some maturing to do." Ghira grinned at Blake. "Besides, it's an age-old duty for fathers to embarrass their children whenever possible."

"Yeah, remember when Dad showed up to teach one day at Signal wearing short shorts to make a point about your outfit?" Ruby laughed and elbowed Yang.

"Yeah, that was certainly something." Yang was laughing too, remembering the sight. "He did get his point across though, at least for that semester. I hope he's doing well."

"Theodore said he was. We'll just have to trust in that for now," Ruby said.

They all helped Kali, Mata, and Ghira get the fresh food unpacked while Ren and the others finished serving the stew. Blake noticed that the young boy was seated on an empty crate next to Emerald, bombarding her with questions. It looked like she had an admirer.

Before long, another ram-horned faunus came down the street. Blake recognized him, too. His name was Brezo, and he had been fighting on the side of the White Fang with Adam Taurus at the battle of Haven. She was glad to see he had joined his younger brother with the reformed chapter her parents were leading.

As the group began to leave, with the pair of brothers now overseeing the food distribution, the mouse-eared boy followed them. "Are you a huntress?" He stuck close to Emerald's heels, staring up at her with wide eyes.

"I, um." Emerald hesitated.

"She certainly is! This was her first mission!" Nora put an arm around Emerald's shoulders.

"I thought huntresses fought monsters." He wrinkled his nose.

"Hunters and huntresses serve the people. We help wherever we can, however we can. Sometimes that means fighting monsters, sometimes that means giving food to people who are hungry," Ruby smiled at the boy.

Blake knew what Ruby was thinking. The boy reminded her of Little, the mouse that had accompanied them through their journey in the Ever After. He had the same naïve innocence that Little had had, and his ears were even the same color that Little's fur had been.

"And believe me, hunger is a monster, gnawing away at your insides. I know that feeling too well," Emerald said. Nora nodded seriously behind her.

He considered this; ears twitching as he mulled over this revelation. "Yeah, I guess it is. Thank you for the food. Nobody else wants to give any away. They all want money or something for it. I tried taking some, but got caught. The mean old lady hit me with a stick." He rubbed the top of his head.

"We're glad to help, little one. Do you have any family?" Kali asked kindly.

The boys face fell. "No. I was in the children's home in the crater, and then everything got scary. People were running into glowy doors and Miss Lilac got us all together, but after we went through a door there were so many people and I got separated and I don't know what happened to anyone and then I got here, and some people have helped me, but I don't really have anywhere to go. But all of you are really nice." He said all of this in a very matter of fact way that belied the tragedy it invoked, and Blake's heart broke a little at the sorrow this young boy had endured. An orphan who had lost everything he knew, his home destroyed, and in a new, strange city having to rely on the generosity of strangers.

"What's your name?" Emerald asked, still very much displaying a compassionate instinct that Blake found much more endearing than her usual sarcastic and snide persona.

"It's Fen. Just Fen."

"Well, 'Just Fen', my name is Emerald. Why don't you come with us? We'll see if we can help you find Miss Lilac or even a place to stay." Emerald looked at the others defensively.

Almost as if she was daring us to contradict her, Blake thought.

The boy's face lit up, and it was like watching the sun come out from behind a storm cloud. "Really? Really really? That would be great!"

"Of course, you can come with us. We'll make sure you have a roof over your head, plenty of food, and a place to sleep." Kali took Fen's hand and smiled at Emerald. "We'll make sure he's well taken care of, Emerald. What are the rest of you doing now?"

"Well, we wanted to upgrade our wardrobes to better suit the climate. And to get some spare clothes so we don't have to wear these. They itch." Yang scratched her fatigues to demonstrate.

"I'm sure you can find what you're looking for, provided you have the money." Ghira frowned. "Merchants are the same no matter where you go. Always out to make a quick Lien, whatever the circumstance, even when people are suffering."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Theodore gave us funds to make sure we were properly equipped. He called it a 'huntsman account.'" Ruby pulled out the card Weiss had handed her earlier.

"Where are you staying? I'll check in whenever we're between missions, I promise." Blake asked.

"There's a district to the south where we've set up. There are about thirty representatives from Menagerie here with us, all helping how we can. Stop by whenever you want." Ghira said.

Blake took the opportunity to give both her parents another hug, and the rest said their goodbyes as well. Emerald tousled Fen's hair as she knelt to say farewell. "You take care, ok? I'll make sure to visit you in between missions."

Fen looked up at her and then hugged her fiercely. She looked surprised but gratified as she hugged the young boy back. "Thanks Miss Emerald!" He let go and took Kali's hand again. They all watched as the trio walked away, the little boy waving over his shoulder until they disappeared in the crowds.

"That was very sweet Emerald, I didn't know you liked kids," Nora said as she looked at the other woman fondly.

"Yeah, well, I was once a kid all alone on the street. I know what it's like, how it feels to be alone and hungry, and how it feels when someone finally offers you help," Emerald said angrily, eyes fierce as she stared everyone else down.

Nora had an uncharacteristically melancholic look on her face as she replied. "We're not making fun of you, really. Believe it or not, some of us know that feeling too. That's why we help people, so there are fewer Fens in the world. I'm glad we have someone like you on our team."

Emerald's anger subsided and Blake thought she detected a flicker of embarrassment. "I keep forgetting how nice you all are. I'm not used to it. Sorry for snapping."

"No worries! C'mon, let's help team RWBY find some new duds." Nora patted Emerald's shoulder and then skipped away, humming to herself, melancholy left behind.

"She's right, we're glad to have you. We're really not judging you, and you're not the only orphan in this group. That quality you showed with Fen exemplifies what we stand for. You're going to be a great huntress." Ren smiled at Emerald and followed Nora into the market.

Blake watched as Emerald thought this over. Two years ago, after the fall of Beacon, I never would have thought she'd be on one of our teams. But Oscar made the right call. He's a good judge of character. She smiled to herself. Wonders never cease. And speaking of wonders, how were things going with Weiss and Jaune? Weiss seems genuinely interested in him. I hope he's not too caught up in his own head to realize what's happening.

Jaune sat on un uncomfortable divan, sipping cactus tea. Weiss and Winter sat across from him, each sipping at their own gently steaming cups. Willow, Whitley, and Klein hadn't been home when they got to the address Winter knew they were staying at. Mr. and Mrs. Sahra, the old couple who had opened their home to the Schnees, were there, however, and graciously invited everyone inside.

Jaune tried to break the awkward silence. "This tea is interesting. I didn't know you could make tea from cactus."

"They brew it from the cactus flowers, actually. It's supposed to have beneficial medicinal qualities. I've grown to enjoy it quite a bit in my time here," Winter said, setting her cup down on the table.

"It certainly has a unique flavor. I think I prefer my coffee though." Weiss sat her cup down as well. Her eyes briefly met Jaunes, then slid away again, cheeks faintly coloring.

Jaune thought, She's been acting weird since last night. Does she think the kiss was a mistake? But if she thought it was, why did she invite me to visit her family with her? And then Nora was making those comments earlier, before we joined up with them for breakfast. Should I say something? Winter is here though, which makes things awkward. And she keeps looking between me and Weiss like she expects something. What should I say?

He was saved from agonizing further by the arrival of the Sahras. Savir Sahra was an elderly woman with a deeply lined face the color of coffee. Her white hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, and she wore sapphire-colored robes. Her many bangles quietly chimed as she set a plate of baked goods onto the table. Her husband, Khadra, had smile lines etched into his weathered face. He wore a head wrap in the style Jaune had seen many older Vacuans wearing, with a faded green tunic and desert-bleached trousers. He had a fantastic, bushy silver mustache with ends that curled up towards his warm brown eyes. He was carrying what looked like a picture frame.

"Young man, I noticed the crest on your shield when you arrived. I must ask, what does it symbolize?" Khadra had deep, smooth voice. He slightly rolled his r's when spoke, pronounced 'the' as 'zhe', and spoke just as much with his hands and face as he did his voice. Jaune liked him.

"It's my family's crest. This shield, and all my armor, belonged to my great-grandfather. He had it in the great war. It was passed down to me. It's been through a lot." Jaune self-consciously looked at the rust that now stained his once gleaming armor.

"Your family name, does it happen to be Arc?" Khadra's eyes twinkled.

"Um. Yeah, actually. How did you know that?"

By way of response, the older man showed Jaune the picture he was carrying. It was a group of men, all dressed in military fatigues. And there, in the middle of the photo, was Jaune's great-grandfather, holding the shield that Jaune now carried.

Jaune took the picture and marveled at it. "Where did you get this?"

"That man, on the left there, was my father. This was his squad. He led a mixed group of men from Vacuo and Vale. One of them was Pierre Arc. I am very glad to know that there are still Arcs fighting for the people of this world." He smiled his warm, crinkle-faced smile at Jaune and clapped him on the shoulder.

"That's. . .incredible, Mr. Sahra. I only ever knew that my great-grandfather had fought in the war, I didn't know any of the details."

Khadra sat down next to Jaune. "Pierre actually saved my father's life. Your ancestor is the only reason I'm here today."

"I would love to hear that story, if you're up for telling it," Jaune said.

"I'm always up for telling it."

Savir had seated herself with the other women opposite them. "Get comfortable ladies, my husband does love his storytelling."

"It's a great tale, full of bravery and sorrow." Without further preamble Khadra launched into it, embellishing his words with grand gestures.

"There they were, deep in the heart of Mistral. They had been running a series of guerrilla missions behind enemy lines. Gathering information, sabotaging supply lines, that sort of thing. One day, they ran afoul of the garrison they were staking out. A fight started. My father, Zaratan, and his men made a tactical withdrawal. The commander of the garrison, however, was loathe to see them disappear into the mists again. They were pursued, and in the pursuit, my father lost two men.

"The chase dragged into a new day. Exhausted, grieving the loss of their companions, and still being pursued, things took a turn for the worse when the grimm showed up. A pack of beowolves, led by the largest alpha my father had ever seen, took them by surprise. Another of his men fell to snapping jaws, and my father himself was wounded. He told them 'Save yourselves, I'll hold them off.' His men argued with him, and pleaded, but he pulled rank. 'Someone must make it back and I'm losing too much blood to go any further. This is where it ends for me, lads. Now go.'

"His men reluctantly left him there in the rain, enemies on all sides, beowolves baying as they regrouped for another assault. He held his sword and shield steady and roared a challenge of his own. He could see the squad of soldiers that had been following them group up on a ledge overlooking his stand. They made themselves comfortable and settled in, sure they were about to see a bloodbath.

"And they did, but not in the way they were expecting. The beowolves charged, and Zaratan beheaded the first snapping jaws that tore at his throat. The second he skewered like a spit of roast meat, but there his blood loss caught up to him and his strength failed. He began to feel faint, and slipped in the mud as the alpha, howling, ran at him. His thoughts turned then to his homeland, so very different than these far away, mist shrouded lands, and he closed his eyes in anticipation of tearing teeth, and death.

"But the teeth never tore and death never came. He opened his eyes to see Pierre before him, sword thrust through the roof of the Alphas mouth. Before his exsanguination caused him to lose consciousness, he swore that Pierre was glowing with inner light, like an avenging angel.

"When he came to, many hours later, he was in a tent, swathed with bandages. Pierre was by his side, sleeping while sitting on a stool. A pretty young medic was tending to his wounds. This woman would later become his wife, my dear mother. When she saw he was awake, she shook Pierre gently. He woke immediately, and my father could see the exhaustion in the other man's eyes.

'You disobeyed orders,' my father croaked.

'Yes sir, I did.'

'Thank you. What happened?'

'I won the fight and got you out.'

'The enemy soldiers?'

'Not an issue anymore, sir.' My father said Pierre had had a far away look in his eye when he said this.

"My father eventually got the story out of him. Pierre slew the attacking grimm. When the soldiers of Mistral saw this, they themselves attacked. Pierre killed them all in the defense of his commanding officer. His semblance had activated, you see. It was rare for the common enlisted to have one. They all had basic aura training, but semblances, as you know, are something else entirely. Pierre's semblance allowed him to staunch the worst of Zaratan's wounds, and had given him the strength to stand alone against a pack of grimm and a squad of soldiers. The fight must have been legendary to behold, but the only person who knows the truth of it has taken it to his grave.

"They made it back to Vacuo, just in time to witness the end of the war. Zaratan, still recovering from his wounds, and in the care of the lovely medic, didn't take part in that final, terrible battle, but Pierre did. My father never found out what happened to him after that. He assumed he had fallen, like so many others. My guess is he retired his sword and started a family. That assumption has weight, given that I've met you, young Mr. Arc." Khadra winked at Jaune as he finished talking and drank his tea in one long draft.

"Jaune, it sounds like your great-grandfather's semblance was a lot like yours. Like, almost identical." Weiss was looking at Jaune with wide eyes.

Jaune met her gaze. "It really does, doesn't it. I wonder my father never told me any of this?"

"It's possible that Pierre never talked about it. Many soldiers do their best to leave the things they've done in battle behind, to try to live normal lives," Winter said.

"In any case, my family owes him a great deal. I wouldn't be here today, sharing tea with you, if Pierre hadn't done what he did," Khadra said.

"Why do you think he never got back into contact with your father?" Jaune asked.

"My guess is that it brought up too many painful memories. Pierre was a great man, but even great men feel grief, and pain. He lost friends that day, and only he knows what happened to those enemy soldiers. He likely just wanted it all behind him, for the slate to be wiped clean and to start anew." Khadra shrugged.

Juane thought this through, then winced internally as Penny's face surfaced in his thoughts. He had managed to subdue it for a long while, but recent events and Khadra's idea that maybe Pierre had done things he wasn't proud of brought the memory sharply back to the front of his mind. The screaming, the terror, Ruby, Blake, and Yang gone. Penny, bleeding out in front of him, ragged holes in her chest where Cinder had impaled her. Her assured confidence that he could do it, that it was the only way to make sure the power went to Winter and didn't fall into Cinder's hands. That damnably calm look in her eyes as his sword slid under her ribs, how the light faded from them as her heart was pierced. His agony at what he had done consuming him.

Tears were bright in his eyes as Savir said, "You're hurting too, aren't you? I know some of your story from Willow. How you and your friends have been on the frontline for the fall of all three academies. It's ok to hurt. We're still proud of you, for all that you've done."

Weiss came to him and wrapped him in a hug. "We're here for you Jaune."

"I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. My apologies," Khadra said, distressed, wringing his hands.

"No, it's ok. I'm glad you told that story. It helps, more than you know. What my great-grandfather did may have been hard for him, but he saved your father's life, and now we're all here in this room talking about it. I've done things that were hard too, but I know I've tried my best for the people of Remnant. It's just hitting me hard right now." Jaune hugged Weiss back.

"You're a stronger man than you know, Jaune. I wish Ironwood had had even half of your courage," Winter said.

Jaune looked at the eldest Schnee from over the top of Weiss's head. "I wish I felt that way, though."

"Hurting, being afraid, and moving forward anyway is I think the only definition of courage that matters, young man. I don't know what you've seen and done, but I know you're a huntsman, and that you have our best interests at heart. That's what matters," Savir said.

"Thank you, all of you," Jaune said, wiping away his tears as Weiss settled in next to him.

"Glad we could help. Moral support is about all that we're good for, old as we are," Khadra said.

There was a commotion at the door then as Willow and Whitley arrived. They came into the room, their normally pale complexions reddened by the Vacuan sun. Weiss smiled at them tentatively from her spot on the divan. Willow and Whitley had both frozen, and then Willow sighed, tears filling her eyes.

"You're alive," she said.

Whitley strode across the room and hugged his older sister. "We thought you were gone."

Weiss had tears of her own in her eyes. "Well, we were, but we made it back. It's a long story. It's good to see you, Whitley, and you, Mother."

"Oh Weiss, it's so good to see you too." Willow had joined her children in what was now a group hug.

Winter watched, and after a gentle nudge from Savir joined in as well. After a long moment, the surviving Schnees broke apart. Jaune had stood when Weiss did, and was now standing aside, unsure of what to do. Willow looked at him warmly.

"Do I have you to thank for returning my daughter to me?" She asked.

"Uh, well," he started.

"You do, Mother. Jaune had the hardest time of it, but without him, me and the rest of my team would still be stuck in another world," Weiss said.

Willow hugged Jaune as well. "Thank you."

Jaune awkwardly hugged her back. "You're welcome, Mrs. Schnee."

"Oh, please, just call me Willow. I'm not a Mrs. anymore anyway. And what did you mean by 'stuck in another world?'" She asked Weiss.

"Well..." Weiss told most of the story, omitting a few parts here and there. She was vague about how long Jaune had stayed in the Ever After, and didn't mention Ruby's breakdown at all.

Whitley had given Jaune the same sort of calculating look Winter had been giving him all day, almost like he expected something. Jaune really wished he knew what the various Schnees were thinking. Weiss had been alternatively warm and then aloof, and her siblings were both assessing him as though trying to determine his value. Willow was the only one he was getting a firm reading on. She was all smiles. It was the happiest and most genuine Jaune had seen her. Granted, he had only really met her once before, but he had gotten the impression she was a troubled soul who liked her drink.

The Sahras, Willow, and Whitley were considering everything Weiss had told them. Old man Khadra was slowly shaking his head. "How many more myths are we going to discover are real? First the Maidens, and now the Ever After. That tale was really something, young lady."

"It was true. All of it." Weiss sounded defensive.

"Hmm? Oh, I believe it, all right. Just wondering now which Gods are real, and if they are, why they've left us this mess." He stroked his mustache, deep in thought.

Weiss, Jaune, and Winter shared an uncomfortable look. They knew that the Brothers were real, but had left millennia ago. That, however, wasn't knowledge that had been passed onto the general public. Jaune caught Whitley watching them and knew the youngest Schnee was going to be hard to keep in the dark. That boy was sharp.

"So what have you been up to in Vacuo since you got here? And where is Klein?" Weiss asked, breaking the silence that had fallen.

"We've started philanthropic work. Atlas may be gone, and the economy is in shambles, but thankfully the other kingdoms infrastructures are still mostly intact. With Amity Coliseum working as a global transmitter, and thanks to some quick thinking on my part, a significant portion of the Shnee fortune is intact. We've been using it to help with the refugee crisis here in Vacuo. Klein is overseeing a construction project for more housing. He's very versatile, our Klein," Whitley said.

"Yes, it's been rather refreshing, working directly with people who need it. I had spent so long in my self-imposed isolation I'd rather forgotten what my father stood for. The Schnee Dust Company is the largest company in Remnant. We should be using our influence to help people, not to control them like Jacque did," Willow said.

"Mother, Whitley, that's great!" Weiss exclaimed.

"It hasn't been easy. A lot of Vacuans don't trust the Schnees, and there are even citizens from Atlas that are mad at us. And for good reason. Father was rather ruthless in his business dealings, and then there was the bit where he sold everyone out at the end." Whitley sighed.

"You're doing good work. It will take time, but the people of Vacuo and Atlas won't forget how you're helping now," Savir said.

"I hope so. We have a lot of work to do to restore the legacy our grandfather started," Whitley said.

"You're doing great Whitley," Willow said. "I'm so very proud of you. Of all of you."

"You seem like you're doing well yourself Mother. I haven't seen you this happy in years," Weiss said, eyeing Willow appraisingly.

Willow laughed. "Well, part of it is the joy of seeing you again. And I must admit part of it is being free of Jacque too. To think the world is in the state it is, but I finally feel like my own person again. I'm almost ashamed."

"What a mess we all are," Weiss said sadly, shaking her head. "Father had such an impact on all of us, for better or worse. How are you handling it, Whitley? I know you were the closest to him."

"I'm coping," the young man said stiffly.

Jaune knew that Whitley had been the heir to the Schnee dynasty, after Winter and Weiss had both been disowned for daring to walk their own path. Whitley was the youngest and had spent most of the last year learning business directly from Jacque himself. He probably missed his father the most out of the three, despite how things had ended. Bonds could be complicated in that way.

Weiss put a hand on Whitley's shoulder. "It's ok to grieve. None of us will think any less of you for it. I've been grieving in my own way too. He helped to shape all of us, even if we rebelled against the shaping. That sort of thing leaves its mark."

"I'll be fine, Sister," he said, but without the same bite as before.

"Will you all be staying for lunch?" Khadra asked.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be an imposition. We need to get back to our teams anyway," Weiss said. "It was very nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Sahra."

"You're leaving already?" Willow asked, disheartened.

Jaune looked at Weiss. "It's true that we don't want to impose, but I'm sure our friends will be just fine without us for another hour or two. We didn't have any solid plans."

Weiss shot him a look, then turned to the others. "May we have a moment, please?"

The others agreed, although Winter and Whitley gave the pair lingering looks as they left the room.

Once they were safely out of earshot, Weiss said, "I was giving you the option to bow out if you wanted, Jaune. I have a feeling you're going to get cross-examined by my family if we stay." She looked uncharacteristically flustered.

"But, don't you want to spend time with your family?" asked Jaune.

"Of course I do. I just, well, um," she stammered.

"You've been acting a little weird since last night. Are you doing ok?" Jaune was nonplussed. Weiss was usually eerily in control of her emotions. Sure, she had been through a lot, but it was almost as if. . . Oh. Oh. He took a deep breath.

"Are, are you worried your family is going to think we're together? Like, together together?"

"What?" Now Weiss looked nonplussed. "No, of course not. Jaune, you lovable idiot, I'm worried you don't want to be with me. I mean, I wasn't kind to you when we first met, and then there was you and- and"-

Pyrrha's name hung unsaid in the air between them, a weighted presence that briefly dimmed lights and dulled sounds. Jaune felt the old, familiar ache, but it passed softly. Time hadn't removed that pain, but it had removed its sharp edges. And he had had a lot of time to get used to it.

"Weiss, that was a long time ago for me. I miss her. I'll always miss her. But she would have wanted me to move forward. And I'm happy to move forward with you, if you'll have me."

Those piercing, glacier-blue eyes met his, and there were those spots of rose-petal red again, high on her cheeks. Gods but she was beautiful. She smiled.

"Of course, Jaune." She nervously smoothed her pants. "Are you ready to face a meal with my family, as my boyfriend?"

"Y'know, it didn't seem too bad until you just said it. But yeah, let's do it."