Caelum awoke the next day and went about his daily activities per usual. It was as he was called upon in his free time by Coco for a quick meeting that he knew he couldn't escape yesterday's troubles so easily.

Entering the empty classroom he saw his senior leaning against the front desk with crossed legs and a small figure in a red cloak sitting in front. The two chatted normally as he walked near before stopping as Coco turned to him and Ruby noticed his presence. Taking his seat he awaited for an explanation.

Coco looked between the two, Caelum's usual flat expression and Ruby averting her eyes from him. Exhaling through her nose, she clapped her hands together, demanding their attention. "Alright then. Yesterday is yesterday and today is today. Despite how things turned out it's your job as leaders to look after your team's morale and welfare. Enemies in spars but allies in class, school, and as huntsman, you're comrades in arms as our teachers say."

With a raised finger she pointed at the two juniors. "Therefore I want you to gather your teams after classes and have a debriefing of yesterday."

Caelum raised a hand to speak, one which was promptly ignored by Coco as she continued. "I have been told to do this by the school faculty and will be awaiting your reports first thing tomorrow morning. There is no way out of this. Understood?"

Though his expression remained unchanged, Coco couldn't help but smirk at the small bit of annoyance that flittered in Caelum's eyes. Ruby slowly turned to look at him, trying to find a way to broach the subject. Coco wished to help her junior but had to let her learn, surprisingly Caelum turned to her with the gruff response of "Let's get this over with then." It may have been him just taking the path of least resistance but it was still nice to see him help her regardless of motivation.

Ruby didn't seem to realize this and shyly nodded in agreement as Caelum asked if they were done. Waving her hand in a shooing motion, Coco dismissed them and watched her underclassmen leave. She could only hope it would go smoothly.

A few hours later after classes, both leaders gathered their teammates and brought them to a shaded table in the school's courtyard. In a rare case of similarity, neither leader told their teams what the purpose was. Caelum expected his team to bear with it as an order and Ruby hoped her friends would understand and play along.

The eight students made eye contact once more not even twenty-four hours after their fierce spar and it was clear that it was not nearly long enough for all tempers nor grudges to cool. Ruby greeted them politely as her three teammates sent excruciating glares their way. Caelum withstood the onslaught of intense eyes as his teammates gave shaky greetings.

Lukas and Niel turned to face Raiden with twitching expressions as they recalled his words yesterday. "Not like we have to see them anytime soon, eh?" muttered Lukas. Raiden looked at the ground incapable of withstanding the tense atmosphere. He could only divert blame to Caelum which was in all aspects fair. Taking stares from both the front and behind, Caelum gestured for everyone to take a seat. Yang seemed prepared to give a verbose response of profanities before her sister cut her off and insisted they take the kind offer.

Awkwardly, all took their seats except for Ruby and Caelum. The former trying to act normal and the latter uncaring. Glares, stares, and altogether indifference were thrown about, namely at Caelum who turned to the largest source of ire.

The eight students sat in their typical Beacon uniforms except for Yang who seemed to have added a bit of personal flare. Her orange scarf was wrapped tight and high around her throat, the slightest edge of purple bruised skin underneath it creeping out whenever she shifted her head.

"So… how was everyone's day?" asked Ruby drawing eyes to herself. "Professor Port's class was pretty boring today too, huh?" Despite trying to break the ice, no responses came, leaving the girl to turn in on herself.

Seeing none other try to speak and Ruby unable to rouse any social courage, Caelum brought out a small notebook. Opening it to a page filled with small notes and cursive writing, he explained why the two teams were meeting.

"Your leader and I were instructed by our senior Coco of Team CFVY, who in turn has delegated authority from the school's staff, that we are to hold an after-action debrief of yesterday's skirmish. Discuss faults, methods, and improvements. I intend to do so in that order with no delay, starting from the worst performances to the least problematic."

Waiting for any questions, the only response he got was a sneer from Weiss who rolled her eyes. "Well, at least he's efficient," she said to no one in particular.

With no further talk and only glares to follow, Caelum continued. Yang's hands tightened as if expecting him to turn to her as he shifted, unexpectedly facing Raiden. "First is Raiden Gorm. Incapable of holding his own against an opponent regardless of skill. He was incapacitated within a few minutes dealing only moderate damage to his opponent."

"But wait-"

Caelum didn't hesitate at Raiden's attempted intercession. "Combat ability has improved but that is all. Your method of dealing damage in return for taking damage would only prove useful in a futile operation. Not only did you fail to recognize that your team was reliant on you holding off your opponent you prioritized dealing damage rather than buying time for your teammates to assist as Ms. Belladonna had. Therefore jeopardizing their defensive integrity."

"Caelum I was just trying to pull my own weight," responded Raiden meekly.

Caelum brushed off the response. "In doing so you implemented the training and technique you have learned but disregarded any form of tactic or strategy."

"It was a bad match-up!" Raiden grit with frustration.

"And blatant ignorance of my advice and direction. I've told you before. Lack of thought will get you killed."

Raiden remained silent after the declaration as Caelum looked through his small notebook once more. Team RWBY seemed shocked at how harsh he was on his teammate, let alone the fact it was his partner nonetheless.

"Next is Ruby Rose." The small girl flinched at her name and tensely awaited his observation, realizing it meant that she was considered the second worst performing in his eyes. "Combat performance was acceptable and practical. Utilization of speed, agility, and angles showed adept understanding of weapon and body."

Her small chest seemed to swell at the positives before Caelum began the inevitable critique. Lack of direct command towards team, improper assessment of the situation, and reading of opponents intent and movements are all substandard. This may be drawn to the conclusion of immaturity due to age but is not an acceptable excuse."

Ruby deflated as he went on, Yang trying to console her sister as her temper simultaneously flared, eyes flickering for a moment while listening to her sister's beratement.

"The most problematic factor is said individuals incapability to properly perform hand-to-hand combat. Once disarmed, she was as useless as Raiden Gorm and defeated as quickly.

'Useless' not helpless. That specific word had garnered another wince from Raiden and Ruby.

Now that one of their own had been verbally assaulted, Team RWBY was back to glaring daggers, something Caelum made a point of not acknowledging. Flipping a page, he then turned to Yang who glowered at him. As if daring him too, a fist atop the table and a tight grip on its edge with small cracks webbing into the stone.

With his same expression, Caelum pressed on. "Yang Xiao Long. Exceptional combat skills, battle prowess, and instinct. However, your overreliance on your semblance and raw strength was evident. Range was standard acceptability while close combat excelled yet was unrefined. Little technique was applied as wild swings became the norm when the battle dragged out."

Ruby, seeing her sister's rising temper, attempted to assuage her with whispers of assurance to no avail as Caelum pressed on regardless. "In conclusion, individual was hotheaded to the point of foolishness. Conceit played a factor as well as disregard for her sole remaining teammate as she was incapacitated by opponent Caelum Hyalus."

Here he took a breath before continuing as a sudden crack and snap erupted at their side. His eyes drifted to the source, the table's edge snapped clean off and crumbled into pieces by Yang's grip. He slowly looked at the girl, whose eyes were glowing vermillion, pulsating with her blood as she bore holes into him with her eyes.

"And the clear inability for self-introspection."

Yang stood in a huff, slamming both hands atop the table and cracking it. In a barely audible, raspy voice, her lips parted. "Fuck. You." With a lingering glare of her red eyes, Yang turned with a huff at seeing his indifference to her anger. Blake slowly stood drawing eyes to herself.

"I'll take my leave as well." She followed after her partner but seemingly not out of concern as the two didn't even speak before splitting up in the distance.

Off to Caelum's side, Niel stood with a forlorn look of sadness on his face. "I think it's best if I depart here as well. I'm sorry. I'll be in the room."

Lukas stood in turn with a groan and a sigh. "I'll look after the big bloke. Violence and altercations outside sparring ain't his forte. Lemme talk to him for a bit." With a nonchalant wave behind, Lukas followed after, leaving Caelum, Raiden, Ruby, and Weiss with a heavy atmosphere of awkwardness.

Caelum drummed his fingers against the stone table as the few that remained seemed deflated and adamant about not drawing attention to themselves. "Shall I continue?"

Ruby groaned into her hands as Weiss scoffed. "I think that's enough for now."

The four sat in silence for one, two, then five minutes in unbearable social anxiety. Ruby felt obligated to stay and credit to Weiss, she wouldn't leave her partner. Much the same, Caelum would see his task to the end and Raiden felt he couldn't leave.

Seeing the obvious, Caelum tore a few sheets out of his notebook and slid them before Ruby. He slowly stood, ushering Raiden to follow so they may take their leave when Ruby spoke up. "Wait!"

All eyes shifted to the girl, hands gripping the hem of her skirt. Her head lay low, eyes on the pages and their contents. The title atop it labeled 'Recommendations for improvement.'

"Please help." The meek request surprised her partner and Raiden. Even Caelum was caught off guard by the sudden sincerity.

"I kept thinking over our fight after Yang got hurt. How I couldn't do anything to stop it. How it could have been any of us. What if it hadn't been you but a bad guy or worse a Grimm? It hurts and sucks but you were right earlier. There is no excuse. A chance where my team, my family get hurt because of my mistakes. My shortcomings. I want to avoid that at all costs."

Caelum sat back down slowly. Taking his notebook he tapped ruby on her head gently. In surprise she glanced upwards, the edges of her eyes reddening. His lips parted and where once a stern, uncaring voice came, instead a warm and assuaging tone rose despite his usual expression remaining.

"You've finally got the right mindset. If you're willing to listen then we can begin reviewing."

Rubbing the edge of her eyes Ruby nodded and leaned in as Caelum pointed to the papers before her. On either side of the two, Weiss and Raiden were shocked by the sudden change in their leaders. Both seeing such sides of them for the first time. Staring at each other as if asking what just happened, the shock began to gradually fade and the two were drawn into the conversation.

Weiss was hesitant at first but seeing Caelum give sincere advice to Ruby on how to lead and command better along with detailed instructions to his partner on his form, tactical thinking, and the steps that he would take to personally ensure he would improve. So caught up in the change of atmosphere she jumped slightly as he turned to her.

"I really have nothing to say regarding your form or skill. You were admirable in all regards." Weiss was flattered by the sudden praise until he added a single "but."

"But you were caught in Lukas' pace and like an idiot he fell for his own bait. Pride should be sidelined on a battlefield with certain exceptions. Had you not engaged in a fight of pride and attrition you would've defeated him handily and posed a threat to me and Niel alongside Yang. Although, I would have utilized the same amount of force against you as well if need be."

From flattery to embarrassment and then a grimace as she instinctually placed a hand on her throat at his unneeded reminder of that brutal strike. Weiss was unsure just how to respond to the indifferent boy across from her.

With a huff, she turned her nose up at him with crossed arms. "You should've started with the advice when everyone else was here."

"If I had there would have been no baseline to apply the corrections."

Weiss immediately changed subjects unable to refute the logic. "What about you then? You haven't said anything about yourself. Are we to assume you were flawless?"

Caelum shook his head once. With a dissatisfied tone, he explained. "I have reflected on my performance and watched the recording several times. I've counted thirteen mistakes and a few instances where my temper took precedence over my calm. However one cannot accurately assess oneself and therefore an outward perspective is needed. I was expecting Ruby as the opposing leader and my combatant in the match to provide me with documentation as I have."

Weiss turned to her partner with a small frown. Ruby meanwhile kept her nose glued to the pages of advice on the table, clearly having heard of the expectation but not wanting to see Weiss' contemptuous glare again. "Ruby…" growled Weiss, believing her partner shirked her work.

Caelum raised a hand. "It wasn't required, I am just used to doing things this way and seemingly set an unnecessary standard for her."

Weiss sighed and shook her head. "No, it's admirable you went this far for both your team and ours. If only someone would try to be more responsible with their administrative duties…"

"Agh! Caelum!" shouted Ruby shifting topics. "I've been wondering! You didn't give any orders during our fight? What was different between how you and I performed?"

"My team acted accordingly and within expectations. The difference occurred when our respective plans deviated. My teammates followed as we had rehearsed before and played their parts. Your team was caught in the moment. No fault can be blamed on Blake or Raiden as they were first indisposed but Lukas, Weiss, Niel, and Yang all had subsequent actions that played into the outcome. Individual action is admirable and necessary but must coincide with the overall objective."

Ruby listened with rapt attention to his words as a head of ginger hair noticed them from afar. Without hesitation the girl left her partner and sprinted towards the table, stopping on a dime and dragging a hefty gust of wind with her arrival.

The four looked up at the sudden figure to see ginger hair and freckles with shining green eyes as her tan-skinned partner rushed after her.

"Salu~tations!" greeted Penny with a salute. "How are you doing friends Ruby, Raiden, and acquaintances?"

"Penny? How are you? I've never seen you on campus!" shouted Ruby jumping to her feet.

"I got permission from my team and Ciel to take a look around the academy." Penny raised a hand gesturing to her tan friend who seemed displeased with their unexpected chatter.

"Oh, Hello" greeted Ruby stepping back and waving timidly.

With an unphased frown, Ciel tapped a watch on her wrist and whispered to Penny.

"Oh Ciel, please~ just a short conversation. These are my friends. I'm sure our associates would understand."

Ciel grumbled before conceding. "Five minutes. That's it, madam."

"Oh thank you, Ciel! Come take a seat!" With permission, Penny dragged Ciel to sit next to Caelum as she sat across from Raiden and next to Ruby.

While Ruby and Penny happily spoke, dragging in Raiden and Weiss on occasion, Caelum seemed as displeased as Ciel by the unwelcome addition. The girl had seen them in Vale just before an 'op.' It ran a high risk to associate with her too much, especially with her background. Unfortunately with his partner and acquaintances enjoying the talk, it would only draw suspicion to leave.

A glance at Ciel showed she was as willing to speak as he and so both silently watched the three speak.

"So Penny, you know these two and their team?" Weiss asked, surprised that the four 'oddities' as she would describe Team CRLN knew her.

"Oh yes! I met them out in Vale one night. I was informing them of the time and worries about breaking curfew when their friend Mr. Lukas Coil approached me. Ciel has informed me that what ensued was his attempt to proposition me upon first contact."

Weiss shot a surprised look at Caelum and Raiden for confirmation as Ruby seemed perplexed. Caelum glanced over to Ciel who closed her eyes and turned her head away. Though it was a misunderstanding, Caelum was happy to let it go so they wouldn't be suspicious of their actual activities. Better they thought of them picking up girls at the behest of Lukas than their other illicit undertakings.

Weiss crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Ugh, boys."

Ruby meekly leaned in towards Penny and muttered "What does that mean?"

Penny giggled into a hand before raising a finger. "In this context, it means that he was attempting to seduce me into coitus."

Ruby gasped, reeling back in surprise, both hands over her agape mouth. She then leaned behind Penny and whispered to Weiss "What's coitus?"

As Weiss fumbled at the question from her innocent partner, Raiden looked at Caelum in awe, unsure of just what happened to their conversation. With a snigger, Caelum placed his chin atop a hand. "Lukas has always had a thing for girls with radiant eyes."

"Oh thank you!" smiled Penny. "Be sure to extend my thanks to him even though my response to his advances remains the same."

Caelum looked down barely retaining a chuckle. "I'll do that. However, it seems we ought to leave now, right Raiden?"

Without waiting for a response, Caelum made to stand as Ruby interrupted. "Wait! Since you're here can I ask another question?" The boys looked at the girl now strewn across the table before leaning back to sit properly. "Penny is a fan of weapons just as I am!" Caelum immediately dreaded where the girl was going with this initial statement. "And I have to say I'm a huge fan of your own design Caelum! The rate of fire, the cool look! It's simple yet really strong! It also gets bonus points from me because your bayonet does that scythe-like thing!"

Weiss rolled her eyes at her partner's clearly biased grading system as she continued. "But Raiden's takes the cake!"

"What cake, Ruby?" asked Penny.

"The cake Penny! It may be a halberd-" Raiden deflated slightly at the unintentional jab, "But when it mecha-shifts, it turns into this really cool futuristic-looking rifle! It glows with a pulsating blue light and has these magnets and when it fires it makes a bright light and tears through anything! It's super powerful but I don't even know what to call it!"

With a thin, thoughtful finger to her lip, Penny thought over the description. "A railgun?"

"How did you-" muttered Raiden as Caelum promptly kicked his partner's shin to silence..

"A railgun!?" asked Ruby in excitement. That sounds even cooler! Come on Raiden you can show us, right? I know Caelum's trying to help keep your secret but we've already seen it shoot and we're all friendly so just a little! Right, Penny?!"

"Oh yes! Please, Mr. Raiden!" The two girls kicked their legs into the air as they leaned onto the stone table giving Raiden a double dose of puppy dog eyes in brilliant silver and radiant green. As he was about to fold, Caelum placed a hand on Raiden's collar while putting his left-hand index and pinky finger on the girl's foreheads. Pushing them back to their side of the table Caelum apologized.

"Sorry girls, we really do need to go. Prior obligations and such. Perhaps another time when circumstances allow. Right, Raiden?"

"Ah- Yes!" Raiden was the first to jump up and walk off with a tinge of red around his ears as Caelum politely excused themselves and followed.

Ruby slouched onto the table with a moan. Penny politely waved with a smile as Weiss humphed aloud. "Serves you right. That was clearly rude in regard to their privacy.

"Weiss~ I didn't mean anything, I was just curious! You have to admit you are too!" Turning her cheek to the warm stone top, she puffed a cheek at her partner as Ciel stood and informed Penny it was time to leave. Just as quickly as they had come, the two were gone with polite bows.

"Come on Ruby, Let's check on Blake and Yang."

-Chapter End-