Been a slow week, and I've been severely under the weather.
Not been able to do much until the last few days.
Things will get back on track with my writing and pace hopefully this week.
So I thank everyone for their support and love for the story.
Response to Zero: I, uh, um... Wow, that was a really good one I was not prepared for. Um, no. Faunus are not Tailed Beast descendants. I am going to make a connection here very quickly on where Faunus come from to make it plausible. But now that you say that...
Response to Y 2 g: I want to come off as appreciative of giving me the exact chapter of when summoning happened, as it has been a while since I have read the manga, and some minor details simply were not recalled. I, however, remember a vast majority of the material and recall most of it, although, as I said, not beat by beat, so I do find it quite insulting how you phrased your review. If you find it annoying, this is the direction I am taking my story, I am sorry. Many others are enjoying the direction, and I am thankful for every single one of them.
"Yes, that was just brilliant!"
"Let's tell a kid who doesn't speak our language and is overwhelmed by the influx of everything around him that he quite possibly is a time traveler! You are a fucking idiot, Oobleck!" Qrow raved and glared at the Beacon Professor with slitted eyes.
"Again, I apologize," Bartholomew replied with mild annoyance toward the corvid. "However, you came to me with a problem and a mystery. I may have exacerbated the problem to an extent, but I also have called in an expert to help alleviate that situation so communication will no longer be an issue. She will be here roughly in a week's time to assist him, despite her reservations about helping."
"Because you probably came off like a scholarly prick as you are doing now!"
"Why is this happening in my house and in my kitchen?" Tai twitched as he commented, looking at the two men in his kitchen before glancing over to the living room. "Why is the kid back on my couch?"
Qrow flinched at his brother-in-law's voice before muttering. "That's my screw-up. We'll talk later…"
"What? No! I think we need to talk about that right now! What did you do, Qrow?" Tai looked alarmed, and his eyes rounded.
Qrow took a step back defensively and sneered at him. "Look! I only have a one-room apartment! I might have agreed to something that requires the kid to be around me for a while until I figure something out for him and the girl he ran into this afternoon. You have extra rooms here, so he can crash here until this jackass can get arrangements settled for him. Seems so keen on studying him like a lab rat…"
"I resent that. We plan to treat him with dignity and respect and let him live a normal life while learning as much as we possibly can about the ancient times. Any knowledge he possesses could shake the foundations of historical academics as we know it."
"So many problems with everything I just heard!" Tai mutedly bellowed, trying to keep his anger in check so he didn't wake the girls or the passed-out blonde in the other room.
"You!" His gaze fell on Bartholomew. "He's a teenage boy! Yeah, I was informed by Qrow over the scroll about this, but seriously? What's normal about being questioned and prodded about what you know? It will make things even more uncomfortable if your theory is correct! It only makes things deteriorate in the long run! Our job is to prepare the youth for the future, not scare them off!"
Oobleck flinched. He said nothing as he turned away from his fellow scholar, knowing Tai had recently joined the ranks as a Professor at Signal and was a fiery spirit driven for his students. And despite having taken time off due to the recent loss of his wife…
A glimmer of the man he was before has resurfaced in front of him.
His blistering gaze turned to Qrow, who did not like the look his friend was spotlighting him with. "What?"
"Are you becoming your sister all of a sudden?" Qrow's eyes narrowed at Tai's accusation, and he hissed. "Because it sounds like you are pulling a Raven! How do you unexpectedly become the kid's guardian only to dump him off on my doorstep and act like there is nothing wrong with this?"
"Don't you dare compare me to my sister!" Qrow roared as he stepped toward Tai, as Bartholomew wisely stepped out of the way.
Qrow stepped forward, gritting his teeth. "Who has always been there even before Raven left?"
Another step.
"Who, along with Summer, stepped in to care for Yang? Stayed with her to let you two go out on dates!"
Once more step.
"Who stood by your side on your second wedding day? When Ruby was born?"
Then his face, filled with rage, dimmed, and his eyes shimmered.
"Who was there when Summer disappeared? Who kept coming to check on you and the kids? Who didn't push you as you retreated into yourself even when I damn well knew you should be doing more…"
Tai's shoulders sank. It was difficult to even look into Qrow's eyes. He didn't even know what to say. He had pointed out how it felt like he was dumping the kid on his doorstep.
He didn't expect to have this emotional weight dropped on him! How could he even respond to such an outburst?
"Qrow, I…"
A sudden ear-piercing shriek leveled both men as a four-year-old entered the room, bawling her eyes out and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Ruby! I'm so sorry!" Qrow and Tai immediately huddled together in unison to comfort the crying child.
"We were only trying to discuss things, and things got quite loud. Someone might have been drinking some today." Tai reached out and brought his young daughter in for a deep embrace. "Didn't mean to wake you."
Qrow threw heated shade at Tai as he scowled at him. He threw him under the bus! Ruby was unsure of what that meant, but the blonde walking into the room wiping her eyes, looking equally upset, did!
Even if it was the truth and he did imbibe some today…
"I didn't mean to be so loud, honey. I promise." Qrow brushed his hand through Ruby's hair before sighing as he looked toward a sniffling Yang. "Trying to figure things out after some dumb decisions were made…"
"By this idiot and even me…"
"I resent that more." Oobleck frowned but refrained from saying anything else further.
Sighing as he looked over at Qrow and into the living room, Tai sank his head as Ruby's wails slowly faded and turned to sniffles. He noted Yang's look as it was drawn back to the living room, and her quizzical stare, especially with tears strewn in her lilac gaze, broke him. "Your uncle agreed to a few things. Problem is he only has a one-room apartment and is unable to accommodate a kid in his place. We have the guest room, so for a little while, he's going to stay with us as he has no home until arrangements can be made for him. It's the least we can do after all…"
Hearing a groan in the living room, all three adults tensed. They weren't sure what to expect, given how things were left for the young teen. So Qrow stood up and turned to Bartholomew before hissing at him. "Well, get in there, translator! I called you in for this favor that you royally screwed up! You know some of his language, and he knows some sign language! A combination of those two has got to do the trick!"
"Yeah, I think I'm the last person he wants to see after the revelation I dropped on him! I wouldn't want to see the same person after waking up!" Oobleck countered as he glared back at Qrow and shook his head, stating the obvious.
"Someone needs to do something!" Tai released Ruby as he stood up and narrowed his eyes at the two of them. "We saw what he could do at the hospital and…"
Tai caught his oldest daughter running over, grabbing his scroll, and frowning at her actions. "Yang, that's my scroll. Now is not screen time…"
"What's that app you pulled up?" Tai inquired curiously as he saw she pulled something up on it before running out of the room, into the living room, and to the couch, noticing the blonde teen had stirred.
He was sitting up, warily observing the room on his couch. Examining every last detail as he tried to decipher the unfamiliar territory he currently occupied.
And possibly plan his escape if he needed to.
So he was probably shocked seeing a blonde six-year-old stomp toward him, a look of recognition crossing his features. She stopped before him, looked straight at her father's scroll, and then loudly spoke. "Are you hungry?"
Yang then held up the scroll straight to his face, unsettling the boy momentarily at the sudden action. He then frowned before squinting his eyes at the screen.
He nodded, and Yang smiled brightly. She then beckoned him toward the kitchen, and he tepidly followed behind the young girl.
"Wait, there's a sign language app?" Tai and Qrow mimicked, stunned at the revelation, and turned to each other.
"How did she know that?"
"Don't ask me! I only give her thirty minutes of screen time a day!"
"Fascinating! I must send the makers of the app my deepest regards! Such forward-thinking innovation!"
Ignoring her family and the strange man, Ruby hopped in behind, wanting a snack. She latched a small hand onto his pant leg, making him look down, somewhat confused.
Cerulean eyes met silver as a simple question was asked.
"Qwokie?"
"Yeah, I'll grab one," Yang muttered as she looked over at a jar that was out of her reach, just beyond her brushing fingertips. "Just give me a minute…"
"Oh, thank you," Yang spoke into the scroll and then showed the signs, grinning ear to ear.
Nodding, he pulled out what seemed to be processed cookies, and the blonde handed the girls one each before taking one for himself. He then put the jar back in its proper spot.
"Yay! Qwokie!" Ruby hugged his leg while she somehow managed to munch the cookie simultaneously. "Lumb yu."
Tilting his head strangely at the preschool girl, the spiky blonde scratched the top of his head with a chuckle. Then his head snapped to Yang opening the pantry cabinet and seeing something within that he immediately recognized.
And without hesitation, he took the cup of ramen out and moved to the stove, seeing a kettle. Filling it with water, he could decipher the digraphs, and the dials were simple enough. He had the kettle set and was waiting for the water to boil.
"Wait, how the hell does he know how to operate an oven if he's from ancient times?" Tai questioned as both he and Qrow looked straight over at Oobleck.
Who looked utterly enthused, having pulled out a chair and notepad, seated himself, and scribbled a mile a minute. Watching every movement with extreme intent as he diagnosed and theorized.
"Marvelous! Does this mean that technology was lost at one point only to be rediscovered, remade or did we have an inherent knowledge of its existence that when we as species were technologically advanced enough recreated it?"
"I think we lost him…" Qrow muttered and looked away in disgust.
"No, he has solid points if he's correct about him being a time traveler," Tai stated before flinching back. "Don't give me that look."
Qrow kept staring straight into Tai's soul, deadpanned.
Meanwhile, he sighed as he looked over at a chuckling young teen in his kitchen while watching the events unfold. His eldest daughter excitedly put a cup of ramen on the counter next to his instant cup of noodles. Only to be followed by Ruby carrying one overhead and attempting to place it with them, almost losing it in the process. He grinned, helped her, and propped it up by the others for her.
Two sets of eyes gleamed brilliantly at him, and it only made the boy chuckle while waiting for the kettle to whistle.
They had their own hero in the house to help them with their snacks.
And he wasn't sure if that was a positive thing.
Breakfast this morning was…
Unique?
Poking at the eggs on her plate, Trivia wasn't sure what she was expecting.
Her father to berate and bemoan her for leaving the house unattended. To punish and add some new repercussions.
Making them all the more fun to bend and break.
So it came to her astonishment that this morning came so quietly. And that her father was sitting passively at the table with her mother, only mildly irritated as he took a bite of his prepared omelet. "This is my fault. I must not have firmly locked the door after I returned to her room."
He shook his head and bitterly muttered as Carmel smiled and placed her hand on her father's hand to console him. He then sighed and gave Trivia a stern glare. "You still should have known better than to leave the house, young lady. The world is filled with too many dangers outside. You were lucky that you came across a Huntsman and his son. Oum knows what could have happened if you came across someone else with far more nefarious intentions?"
"Your simple tricks are hardly enough to sway those of ill repute if they wish to harm you." Jim harshly finished, looking down upon his daughter.
Trivia bit her lip. Her eyes defiantly glistened, but she refused to lock eyes with her father, and she turned away and sank her head. She had seen it! She knew what she could do now! What she was capable of!
No sniveling idiot, cretin, thug, or punk could deal with her if she could learn how to…
"Which is why I agreed with your mother. Meeting with this Huntsman's son is an excellent course of action."
Trivia's head snapped at her father. Her eyes slit, and her tongue clicked on the roof of her mouth.
Yes, she wanted to see the blonde boy again. To talk to him again! Enjoy spending meaningful time!
He was fun! Didn't judge her on appearance! He stepped in to help her! She wanted to try and communicate with him again…
But on her terms! Not under pretenses such as these!
She wanted the choice! Not for it to be made for her!
"After all, if he is learning to overcome his disability and learning to speak through it, I believe it will be therapeutic with him present. An exemplary model of success if I do say so myself." Her father added with a smirk, gazing lovingly into her mother's eyes.
Trivia's eyes burned with hatred. Her fingers tightened around her fork. She drew her arm back.
She silently snarled as she nearly released her fork, prepared to aim it directly at her father. But she stopped as he spoke again, her arm cocked back halfway, unaware she was ready to toss the object in his direction.
"Which brings me to my next decision." His eyes trailed to her, and she lowered her arm so he wouldn't notice what she had planned.
His voice had taken on a different tone. One that was not usual for him.
While it was softer, it retained his stick demeanor.
What was her father planning? Why did she get a sinking feeling in her stomach?
"Your mother and I have been well aware of your silly illusionary tricks for quite some time, dear. We learned about them after the servants told us they had been seeing odd things. So I took it upon myself to investigate, and I recently saw glimmers of some of the ghosts they have witnessed in the halls." Jimmy let Trivia know he was more than aware of the games she had been playing on their staff with Neo.
Trivia glowered and hunched in her chair. What was her father's point in this? Were they planning to take away one of her few joys in life too? Fooling around with the servants was one of her most jubilant games, as she had little else.
It wasn't like she was allowed to leave, as there was almost always a watchful eye on her.
Usually.
Unless, say, a party was being thrown.
She hid a grin.
When was the next party?
"So while you were running through your routine exams, I had them scan your Aura."
"Jim!" Carmel slid her hand away from her husband, and she shot a distasteful look. "You know how I feel about that!"
Trivia frowned at her mother as her father glanced briefly at her. Then his gaze returned fully to her. "She has a high reservoir of Aura, and given what our servants and I have seen…"
"There is no doubt our daughter is gifted in some capacity. She has a Semblance and should put it to practical use. So starting tomorrow, I've hired a tutor to help discipline and instruct her on how to wield her aura and use her Semblance properly." Jim looked straight into his daughter's eyes. "Her regimen is said to help focus one's mind and blister one's body."
"Jim, we need to discuss this! This is not what I want!" Carmel looked displeased and was gnashing her teeth.
"No, but our daughter will be better for it. And just like you said, it will help curb her aggression and rebellious tendencies." Jimmy finished as he held his wife's eyes before bringing his attention to Trivia once again. "But let's ask our dear daughter, shall we?"
"Honey, do you want to be taught how to use your Aura and Semblance properly? To have some training like the boy you met yesterday?"
"Jim, enough!"
Looking between her parents, Trivia was conflicted. The dynamic had shifted. But in this rare, extraordinary circumstance…
It was her father who she wanted to agree with?
What backward dream was this? She didn't trust her mother, but her father was harsh and strict…
Friend? Neo, why are you standing behind them?
Yes? You want me to agree as well? Of course, but that means allowing father to rule and hold dominion over…
Wait, you're right! It gives us more power to control our destiny! If we play this right…
Tilting her head half-cocked with a wide grin, Trivia nodded ecstatically. She would give her father what she wanted. For now. Even if she hated seeing that smile of his.
"Thank you, dear. She'll be a wonderful instructor for you. I even took care to ensure she was fluent in sign language in cases when you don't have your scroll." Her father beamed as her mother intently seethed.
Trivia manically returned his smile before typing on her scroll to be excused from the table.
"Ah, yes, you may. Go get cleaned up. We have plenty of work to accomplish today."
Trivia slid out of her chair and hopped toward her room to do just that, a glimmer of hope shining in her eye. A plan formulating as while her father was jovial now…
She would get the last laugh in the end.
"Are you just intending to open Beacon's bank account so frivolously for our newest Professor?" A tall blonde woman towered over a silver-haired gentleman sitting at a desk, sipping on a cup of coffee and gazing upon a few articles he pulled up. "I am aware of Bartholomew's credentials, and he is an upstanding Huntsman, but I find this to be an absurd claim. A child from ancient times? Ozpin, it's lunacy!"
The silence was her response. Her annoyance was palpable as she tapped her foot, waiting for an answer as the man took his time as he examined the images thoroughly. He then softly huffed and smiled. "Yes. Yes, I am, Glynda. This world is full of improbabilities and statistical anomalies. Yet they always have an answer to explain them."
"And sometimes that answer may be more than we anticipate or even dare to believe." Ozpin carefully examined a picture of a scroll in front of him. "Glynda, how old do you estimate the ancient scroll in this picture is?"
"From carbon dating, it predates even the earliest record of Grimm existing." Glynda respectfully frowned, knowing her history and questioning the line of inquiry and where the Headmaster was leading.
"Correct," Ozpin stated before he shifted the image feed on his desk to one taken and sent by Oobleck. "Now, how old does the boy in question look?"
"What kind of question is…"
"Answer it."
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, she would amuse her Headmaster as she carefully examined the boy. He seemed relatively young. He was short in stature, a bit more than she would like if she was correct about his age, but it was still within the range of normality. He was built appropriately, as well. Almost overtly, as she felt he was almost too built for his age. It was almost as if he had been training for quite some time.
"I'd have to say he's twelve to thirteen. Maybe take a year off due to his size, but he is no older."
"That's what they assume his age is, although there has been no real confirmation now." Ozpin nodded in agreement before taking another sip of his coffee and sighed contently.
Then his face hardened, and he looked directly into her emerald eyes as he placed his cup on his desk and laced his fingers together. "So what would you make of it if I were to tell you…"
"When Oobleck attempted to decipher his language by showing him old images that contained ancient texts so he could read, he identified the scroll as coming from his home. Which would mean he predates the existence of Grimm," Oz stated as Glynda held her mouth agape in stunned silence.
He unlaced his fingers, lifted his coffee cup, and took another sip. "Anything we can learn from him is incalculably invaluable. It's immeasurable. So yes, I'm opening the Treasury to ensure she and the White Fang get whatever they want. I believe he may very well be what we need as something like him hasn't been seen in this world in so long it doesn't even know how to recognize him any longer."
"And when the time comes, that's to our benefit."
Chapter 8 Preview: (It's Short and Sweet)
"I WILL BE THE BESTEST THERE EBER WAS! BELIEBE IT!"
"I BURN, BABY! I'M SUPER SAYING NOW!"