"My name is Willow Schnee, may I ask for yours?" The noblewoman stood perfectly straight with her hands clasped below her waist.
Her voice held the air off a noblewoman, but it lacked the usual snooty tone you'd expect from those of her class.
Hawkins frowned. Too many people already knew his name and he wanted to keep his social circle as small as possible. With a long breath, the magician fixed his posture and spoke.
"You don't need to know my name, and to be honest I don't care much for yours."
Willow's eyes widened. She'd heard those from Vale tended to be a friendly bunch, but this rude singer had set quite a low bar for its citizens. Even so, the noblewoman had a reputation to maintain, and she truly did pity the recent tragedy which had befallen upon its farms.
"Well, I for one, hope to appease the stressful minds of the hunters and huntresses who will be embarking on the countless Grimm exterminations to come. Vale hasn't seen much devastation for quite some time, and those malevolent monstrosities are bound to be drawn by all the negative energy now hovering around."
The man offered a slight shrug. "I don't exist for charity work, but if that's your view on the situation then I won't belittle you for it."
"Is that so?" Willow raised a single brow. "And what's so wrong about helping the common people? They've been dealt a poor hand, and as an allied kingdom it's Atlas' responsibility to assist those in need."
"Atlas?" Bastion's voice emerging, the spirit muttered something that Hawkins didn't catch.
"Shouldn't you be aware of the three other kingdoms? Why is Atlas such a big surprise for you?" The magician made sure to keep his thoughts in check and mouth shut this time.
"It's not the name that surprised me, but the noble bloodline of the Schnee's are familiar to me. Why, when I attended Mantle's military school, I met a young lad named Nicholas with great ambitions..."
"It's rude to not address the person you are speaking to." A huffy voice and tapping shoe derailed the magician's thoughts.
His focus back on the high-statured woman, Hawkins rolled his eyes and sighed.
"A government's duty is usually conveyed as a source of order and protection for its people, whether it be through monetary means or military forces, the fact that the Valesian council depends on donations to save its people already proves that it's unfit to lead."
Willow paused, her features stilled, she appeared to be lost in deep contemplation as she tapped her chin with a dainty finger.
"That's... debatable, but our focus shouldn't be on politics tonight. After all, our performance and stature as upstanding citizens must be recognized in order to ease the hearts of the suffering Valesian populace."
Hawkins deadpanned, good thing Willow couldn't see behind his mask otherwise she'd probably go on a tirade about poor manners.
"So you feel the need to impose your wealth and prospering position on the downtrodden?" The blonde shot back. He didn't mean to come off so strongly, but the damage was already done so he saw no reason to apologize.
"Excuse me?" Willow snapped. "I was hoping for a friendly duet with an honorable singer of Vale, but you've all but dashed my expectations."
The magician opened his mouth, but a cough from Bastion closed it shut.
"Easy, Hawkins, this woman isn't like the other ones you've brushed off before. I've known the Schnees for quite some time, and they are very influential in Remnant. If you incur her wrath, I fear you'll be biting off more than you can chew."
This tidbit, one of the few pieces of genuine advice he'd received from Bastion all night, it hung over Hawkins' head like a murky cloud.
"Will you please stop spacing out?" Willow huffed. "The time for our shared performance is due in five minutes, and unlike you, I wish to leave a good impression on all of our viewers."
"Have it your way... however, before you leave, what song are you singing?" The magician grunted.
Willow shot him a look of disbelief. "It's a Valesian classic, The Specter Of The Opera! To think my night would be spoiled by an incompetent buffoon!"
The conversation ending with the slam of a door, Hawkins groaned and slumped against the wall while rubbing his temples. His mask falling to the floor, he stared at the ceiling as if it held all the answers to his current predicament.
"Huh, so that's Nicholas' grandaughter eh? She takes more after her father than her mother if you ask me..." Bastion pondered.
"Why does that matter?" Hawkins groaned.
"It doesn't, I was just thinking aloud. On the other hand, shouldn't you be getting ready for your big show? This could be an opportunity to get on Vale's good side."
"Did you not hear me? I don't give a damn about how the citizens of this weak kingdom view me. Unless they're willing to pay me a considerable amount that is." Hawkins replied.
"I'm trying to plan for the future. If you go about life in a passive manner, you'll miss out on golden opportunities without even realizing it. So why not take this first step and learn about the Valesian culture? Not to mention you'll be singing with a very beautiful lady."
"Why does it feel like your sole concern is on me getting a significant other?" The blonde snarled.
Bastion muttered something under his breath that Hawkins didn't quite catch.
"Anyway, what's the song you're going to sing?"
"I'm not wasting my vocal cords on this idiotic task. If the hunters and huntresses seek entertainment they can spar among each other." Hawkins said in a tone that left no room for arguments.
"Won't Summer be watching the performance? Not to mention Glynda and Monet as well."
"..."
"Hoh? Does the magician actually care about his friends?" Bastion grinned as he telepathically nudged the magician's shoulder.
"I need to wear a mask if I'm going to sing, so Ms. Rose and Ms. Goodwitch wouldn't even recognize that it was me."
"But your voice is one of a kind! I don't think I've ever heard a more lazy and gloomy tone!" Bastion boasted, but his bravado faltered once his mind caught up with what he said.
"I mean... The tone you use is unique?"
"You're ability to lie is appalling." Hawkins facepalmed and moved toward the door.
"Wait, are you sure that you don't want to sing? Believe me, the power of song is a force you can't underestimate!"
A lightbulb dinged over Bastion's head.
"I know, why don't you use your tarot cards? If the chances of you succeeding in the role of a singer are above sixty percent, I'll drop the whole issue no questions asked."
Hawkins furrowed his brows and reached for his chest pocket. Shuffling paper filling the awkward silence, Hawkins placed his cards in even rows on the table and deducted his readings.
"Chances of giving a decent performance stands at 74%." He could literally feel the victorious aura Bastion was radiating.
"That doesn't mean I have to sing." The magician sighed.
"Aw, come on, Hawkins! If you decide to sing, the chances of you running into Thumbelina and Oobleck are smaller aren't they?"
"... That incident will remain between us, understand?"." The former pirate grit his teeth. "To think I managed to keep those intoxicated lips at bay astounds me..."
It took all his willpower not to kill that drunken pair, but he was hoping to erase that embarrassing confrontation from his mind once the night was over. With a reluctant hand, he slipped off his clothes and swapped them for the elegant suit folded on the table.
"Huh, what luck that the clothes actually fit you."
"The shoes don't," Hawkins grumbled.
"No need to worry about those, I'm sure the spectators won't mind your footwear too much!"
"...You're enjoying this aren't you?" The blonde sighed.
"Well, there's not much a dead person can do to pass the time know what I mean? So I'll take what I can get."
Hawkins shook his head and opened the door. "I can't believe I'm actually going through with this.
/-/
"Ozpin, it's been quite some time since we last met hasn't it?" Said a posh man who greeted the headmaster with an award-winning smile. A glass of red wine in hand, he used the other to offer a friendly handshake.
"Jacques, it has been a while, hasn't it? How are things back home? The Atlesian council has been rather silent since the separation of Mantle, and I'm worried about the rumors of scandal and illegal trade between our kingdoms." Ozpin replied with a controlled tongue and accepted the formal gesture.
Standing among the many visitors from Mantle and Atlas, a few glances were shot in Jacques' direction but softened as they landed on the silver-haired man standing next to him. Both beside the punchbowl, the scent of liquor lingered in the air as the late-night beverages were being distributed and swapped out with empty punch bowls.
Jacques sipped his drink. "Yes, those rumors are concerning aren't they? I've poured many resources to get to the bottom of things, but so far fortune has refused to bestow a generous hand. However, there are suspicions that Mistral's black markets are the forerunners of the operations."
Ozpin fixed his glasses and plucked a glass of liquor from a passing waiter. "While it's good to explore all venues, I can assure you that Theodore is doing the best he can to quell those rumors. Why, not too long ago, numerous criminals were apprehended by the authorities and sent for questioning. Though I'm sure you read that newspaper article the day it came out."
"Of course I did." The Schnee stated matter of factly. "But lest we forget the recent uproars from the southern parts of Anima. I hear the Mistralian council are all balding from the loss of their territory to both Grimm and bandit alike."
"A little eager to change the subject are we?" Ozpin hummed.
"Nothing of the sort," Jacques said firmly. "It's just that with our time together lasting only one night, I was hoping to get all the important details out of the way. I'm sorry if I came off as rudely abrupt."
"Excuse me, headmaster." Called the stage manager. Gripping his clipboard tightly, he whispered in his superior's ear about the incoming performance of Ms. Schnee and her partner.
With thanks from Ozpin, the man nodded and scurried off to set up the stage and prepare the delayed spectacle everyone had been dying to see and hear.
"Is something wrong?" Jacques asked as Ozpin turned back to the conversation.
The headmaster chuckled. "Not at all, in fact, you'll be delighted to know your wife's performance will go ahead as planned. Albeit a tad tardy."
The corners of the Schnee's mouth dipped south for but a moment but quickly corrected themselves in time for his polite excuse to leave.
"Hm, that's an interaction I could've gone without," Ozpin chuckled again. His eyes scanning the room, he curled a brow at his top student with the ever famous Captain Ironwood by the dinner tables in the western parts of the auditorium.
However, a brooding sense of doom nicked his conscience.
"That's right, I haven't seen Qrow, Oobleck, or Port the entire night..."
/-/
"So that Hawkins fellow..." James prodded on with a watchful eye.
"What about him?" Glynda did her best not to sigh.
"Are you and him in a relationship?"
The witch's cheeks puffed with wine that threatened to be spilled in a messy splatter. Curse her luck for being caught mid-sip. Dabbing her mouth with a napkin, she put down her glass and stared the captain straight in the eye.
"I believe that information is between Hawkins and myself. Thank you."
James felt dejected by the remark, but couldn't lose face in front of the woman he held an interest for. After all, the two blondes showed no signs of being close, and by their interactions, one could conclude their relationship was neutral at best. With renewed vigor, James took to the battlefield once more, only this time his new opponent was a mysterious man with golden locks and crimson eyes.
Opting to diverge the conversation to a new venue free of rivals, his hopes were dashed by the appearance of a young lady with silver eyes and red-tinted bangs. Dressed in a black dress with red highlights, she held hands with a tall muscular blonde who adorned a snazzy navy-colored suit and gray tie.
"Glynda!" Summer bounded over with limitless enthusiasm.
"Hey, guys." Tai greeted coolly.
Glynda returned the greeting, as did Ironwood, but judging by the atmosphere the red reaper's and blonde brawler's presence was not welcomed.
"Oh, Glynda, where'd Hawkins run off to? I thought he was your date for tonight." Summer tilted her head in question.
"He's... somewhere around here." The witch hummed.
"Oh..." Summer bit her lip. "He didn't... abandon you did he?"
"Nothing of the sort." Glynda quipped. "He wouldn't do such a thing after making it this far."
"Are you sure?" James cut in. "He didn't resist when Monet asked to be alone with him."
"Monet?" Both Tai and Summer tilted their heads.
"An attractive woman with green hair and amber eyes. She mentioned a few things about Hawkins' past and the two of them quickly excused themselves for a private conversation." The Atlesian captain stated.
"He didn't leave willingly, I could tell he was dragging his feet the entire time." Glynda defended, much to everyone's surprise.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I saw Hawkins not too long ago." A tired voice joined in.
All gazes turning to see a yawning Qrow, the ravennette plucked a barbecue flavored chicken wing off a tray and nibbled on it. Blinking when his peers remained silent, he hastily finished his snack and continued.
"Last I saw he was hanging around the back parts near the stage where Thumbelina and Oobleck were dawdling around. After that, I don't have a clue where he went."
"I see..." Glynda's eyes narrowed and her mouth twitched to a neutral line. "It's been a pleasure speaking with you James, but as you can see I have a magician to find."
"Magician?" The Atlesian soldier tried to follow, but a tap on the shoulder from a familiar face ceased his advance.
"James, is that you? I was hoping to run into you earlier, but I was delayed by my partner and his wild antics." Port chortled as his presence took the spotlight.
Despite his desire to pursue Ms. Goodwitch, James beamed a bright smile at his fellow Atlesian and the two happily excused themselves from everyone else to claim a nearby table for privacy.
"So..." Summer cupped her chin. "Does anyone have an idea where Hawkins could be?"
Qrow and Tai shrugged and agreed to aid their leader in her search. While the blonde did so as a friendly gesture, the black-haired member of STTQ had an ulterior motive. After all, the more time he spent distracting his friends, it gave Oobleck more time to prepare his 'special weapon.'
/-/
"Honestly, Hawkins, how hard is it to follow simple orders?" Glynda sighed as she maneuvered her way past drunken students huddled around the bathrooms.
"Oh, Glynda, is that you?" Chirped a grinning peachette. Her cheeks rosy, the thick smell of liquor loomed in her breath as she steadied herself on the wall.
"You drank too much didn't you?" The witch sighed.
"Nu-uh!" Thumbelina protested with a loud burp. "I've been sober this entire night and it's all thanks to this lovely punch!"
She raised a pitcher that was quarter filled with what appeared to be a transparent substance. Glynda didn't need to investigate as the scent of vodka gave it away.
"Oh yeah!" The peachette purred. "Did you know that Hawkins has never kissed before? I offered to give him a smooch, but all he did was push me away! So I grabbed my lovely Ooberry and we finally managed to give the magician the love he deserves!"
"W-What?" Glynda bit her lower lip.
Another burp followed by a mirthful giggle, Thumbelina's gaze shifted from jovial to mischievous.
"Come on, I thought you had good hearing!" She waved her pitcher, spilling its contents all over the floor. "I didn't want my favorite girl's first kiss to be inexperienced, so I took it upon myself to teach that stubborn blonde!"
Glynda's jaw fell open. Eyes wide, she rattled her brain for a coherent sentence but all she got was muddled sputtering.
"Aw, don't worry, I made sure to show him all the proper tongue motions! Though I couldn't tell if you'd prefer to be the aggressor or submissive, I can tell for certain that Hawkins is a fighter! Hooo boy does he know how to tongue wrestle!"
With a cackle devoid of innocence, Thumbelina jumped with puckered lips in an attempt to replay her kissing fiasco with her best friend's date. Meanwhile, her partner's mind drew a blank as her brain failed to register what she'd just heard.
Seconds passed, and what was once bewilderment, transformed to disappointed anger. Not only in her trusted cohort, but in her temporary date as well. Hawkins wasn't a womanizer by any means, and he wouldn't take advantage of Thumbelina's drunkness... would he?
Licking her lips, the peachette paused at the stern glare being sent her way. "Oh don't look at me like that!"
Swaying left and right, Thumbelina whistled for her significant other who's cry echoed from the other end of the auditorium. Bounding over peers and staff alike, a disheveled head of green locks planted itself a foot away from its teammates.
"Ah, Glynda, how nice of you to join us!" His breaths heavy and cheeks matching those of his girlfriend, it was clear as day that Oobleck was sloshed.
"O-Oobleck!" His leader hissed. "I thought you could hold your alcohol, how many drinks did you have?!"
"Not too many!" The history lover raised his hands and hid behind Thumbelina. His skin a deep shade of red, it was safe to conclude that he too was drunk.
"I was carefully minding my dear Peachplum's intoxication when Hawkins arrived! He asked us where you were, but then my beloved asked a most important question!" He coughed with a thousand-watt smile.
"Haaawkiiiins~ Do you know how to kiiisss?" Thumbelina slurred cheekily.
"Nooo, I dooon't~" Her boyfriend whistled.
Oobleck's glasses dangled off his left ear as his eyes gained a victorious sparkle. Grabbing Thumbelina by the waist, he hoisted her into the air and plunked her down beside him. Using each other to support their buckling knees, they shared a laugh as they began to exchange quick and chaste kisses on each other's faces.
The image of Hawkins acting in a similar manner swam through the witch's mind. This just couldn't be true! Why would that stubborn card reader do such a thing?! Eye twitching and veins bulging, Glynda stomped past her giddy cohorts to continue her pursuit of that unloyal blonde.
"When I find that damned magician, he'd better have a reasonable explanation prepared!"
Hehehe... Bet you all thought Glynda was gonna kiss Hawkins this chapter didn't you? Hehehehe~