It wasn't long before Porella and Basil returned from the kitchen area to greet the waiting teens. The woman wore a welcoming smile as she looked over the newcomers, while her husband's expression had turned somewhat stoic. Bartholomew was the first to speak up, giving the couple a gracious bow as he did so.

"Thank you both so much for looking out for our friend," he began with a quick adjustment of his glasses. "It's been a bit of a trying time since our arrival in Vacuo, and your understanding of the situation is most appreciated. Adam filled us in on what transpired since we lost him, and we would be happy to assist you with your work."

"Honestly, I'm glad that you all ended up here, unpleasantness regarding the Land of Darkness exhibit notwithstanding," Porella admitted. "A fresh perspective on our displays might be just what we need at the moment… though we would like to meet the rest of your crew before moving any further."

"She means Kali," Adam explained. "Another faunus perspective… one more informed than mine."

"Well, yes," Porella agreed. "But I've heard that you're a student of history as well, Bartholomew. Your analysis would also be beneficial."

"I am," Bartholomew confirmed. "In fact, I'm considering bec-"

A shrill, rather generic ringtone echoed throughout the room and interrupted the young man's sentence. All eyes turned to Qrow as he took out his scroll and retreated toward the elevator, a sheepish look on his face.

"Sorry…"

"You were saying?" Basil asked as he kept his eyes on Qrow.

"…oh. Well…" Bartholomew began, suddenly sounding unsure of himself. "I've been considering becoming some sort of historian, or professor of history, or… something a bit like what the two of you… Qrow? Is everything alright?"

Once again, Qrow found everyone else looking at him with wary expressions as he tried to remain focused on the voice coming through his scroll.

"…shit. We'll be there soon. Promise," Qrow replied to Taiyang's insistent warning. "We just can't catch a break…"

"What's going on?" Adam asked. "You look pale."

"We need to go," Qrow answered as he put his scroll away. "I can't share details right now, but I need you guys to trust me."

"If there's some way we can help…" Porella offered, looking rather disappointed.

"No, it's… nothing against you," Qrow reassured as he jabbed the button next to the elevator. "Personal matter with terrible timing. We'll be back with Kali another day. Come on, people. We've got trouble back at home."

Adam and Bartholomew exchanged a look and were quick to join their friend, though Adam stopped just before the door to offer his hosts a quick apology.

"Sorry about… everything. And the wasted tea."

"Think nothing of it," Porella reassured as she folded her arms across her chest. "You have my number. Let us know that you're alright, later? We'll continue this conversation soon."

Basil offered a halfhearted wave as he watched the elevator doors close before him. He waited a few seconds before turning toward his wife and shaking his head.

"…you're sure you want to bring them in so close to what we're doing? Sure, they saw the public side of the exhibit, but they're kids. They might not be ready for the rest of what we found."

"I do," Porella answered before letting out a sigh and leaning back against the desk. With a disappointed frown, she picked up the tiara and began to spin the artifact around a finger absentmindedly. "The horned boy speaks with such passion… it's exactly what we're missing. What we're doing is too cold, too clinical…"

"Maybe," Basil said hesitantly. "I really liked the two boys until you told me your plan. I think it's too soon to invest so deeply in them. I want to feel them out, first."

"Then I won't stop you," Porella acknowledged. "Just don't scare them off. They have potential. All of them…"


Roman Torchwick waited. How long in a specific sense didn't matter, but the fact that it was an unacceptable amount of time very much did. He had ordered a drink, shifted his position, and scowled at each and every door in sight as he was waiting for Fox. Eventually, his scroll did buzz yet again, and he found Fox's name blinking upon the screen. With a growl loud and sudden enough to draw startled looks from the other patrons in the establishment, he connected the call.

"Seriously? I heard you talking to Cerise! Where the fuck are you!?"

"…headed to the beach house. Aren't you?" Fox asked incredulously.

"Why the fuck would I…" Roman began before realizing just how many eyes were upon him. He leaned in closer to the table, lowering his voice as he kept his head down. "Why the fuck would I head back? I'm waiting at the tavern for your ass so I can apologize!"

"Yeah, well, sounds like something came up," Fox offered. "Ghira got a call from Taiyang, and now we're all headed over. It sounded like something important was going down. Meet you there?"

"No, I will not meet you there!" Roman hissed. "I'm not heading back out into the streets alone with all these fucking thieves around after this morning, and you can't be that far away. Get the hell back here!"

"Why, because you're just so sorry that you just can't hold it in? It sure sounds that way," Fox teased. "Listen, it's not that big of a deal- I just needed some time. We're cool. For the sake of helping you guys out, it's water under the bridge. Just don't go there again, alright?"

Roman inhaled deeply, a silent rage bubbling up inside of him. With a cold, calculated motion, he held the scroll out in front of himself and hit the End button to disconnect the call.

"Asshole. Can't even follow up…"

"…that sounded like it went well," Cerise deadpanned from over Roman's shoulder. "Today is not your day."

With the worst timing imaginable, his scroll lit up once again, and it took all of Roman's mental strength not to hurl the device across the room. As Cerise spoke again, he was suddenly glad that he had managed to resist.

"Ooh, who's Kal? She's hot..."

Roman stared at the name and accompanying portrait on the screen, feeling all sorts of mixed emotions. Without bothering to answer Cerise, he hovered his thumb over the End button once again before thinking better of it. With one smooth motion, Roman pushed his chair off to the side and rose, connecting the call as he headed for the door of the tavern.

"…I am having the shittiest day…"

"I bet I can one-up you, babe," Kali said. The faunus sounded exhausted, enough so that Roman couldn't help but frown in response. "Has anyone told you what's going on yet? I know everyone's been making a lot of calls, but I wanted to check in with you…"

"No one's told me shit," Roman spat as he made his way outside and into the blazing afternoon sun. "Just a lot of the runaround and pulling me along by the dick all damned day. What the hell is going on?"

"Well… someone broke in," Kali began. "They took some of Raven's shit, and now we're scouring the house for any sign of who it was or where they went."

A chill ran through Roman's skin despite the heat of the desert. Suddenly, all of his anger and annoyance subsided and was replaced by genuine concern for his friend.

For a moment, anyway.

"Shit, you alright?" Roman asked. "I mean… is anyone there?"

"We haven't found anything yet," Kali replied with a weary sigh. "We're probably fine. Still, it's a little unsettling, and we've called in the cavalry. I don't think we're in any immediate danger. What's going on with you?"

"Where do I even start?" Roman asked rhetorically. "Got my wallet stolen. Got my wallet back. Found out a friend of BASS was behind it, been back and forth with said friend. Now I'm waiting here to apologize to Fox for being an asshole, only to find out Fox is headed your way. Guess I should probably head back, but I'm tired, annoyed, and I honestly don't feel like wasting the entire damned day on bullshit. I think I'm just gonna get a room here and see you people in the morning."

There was a pause in which Roman had enough time to second-guess if he had said something wrong. Kali's hesitant tone didn't do much to help him feel confident in his choice of words.

"Well… like I said, we're probably fine," Kali said sadly. "I mean, I miss you, but if you've got stuff to do in town…"

Despite the creeping guilt threatening to overtake his annoyance, Roman pulled a face and wrinkled his nose to buy time. He ran a hand through his fringe, feeling a bit of sweat on his scalp from a combination of stress and the heat.

"Honestly… if you're sure you'll be alright, I think I need a day. I've got a lot going on, and I don't feel great. Caused enough problems since we got here, between my scroll going dead, getting stolen, Fox, and some other shit I don't want to talk about. How about I make it up to you tomorrow?"

"You'd better," Kali warned. "I might be busy tonight, too. Willow wanted to talk about some stuff in private, and I have no idea how long that might take. Let's just… call today a loss, and we'll catch up soon. Stay safe out there, Roman."

"Yeah. You too. Call if anything comes up? I'm done picking up for anyone but you today."

"I will," Kali agreed. "Maybe I'll send you a pic or two. Lift your mood."

"You know I love it when you do," Roman said with a smirk. "See you."

Roman pulled his scroll away from his face only to see CALL WAITING- TAIYANG on the screen. With a roll of his eyes, he denied the request and pocketed the device before heading back inside.


"Everything alright?" Willow asked. The heiress was wrapped in a towel and sitting atop Kali's bed as she brushed out her damp hair next to her friend. "Doesn't sound like he's coming back tonight…"

"…I don't know," Kali admitted as she flopped backward atop the bedspread. "I feel like something else is going on that Roman won't tell me. I mean, everything's 'alright', and the house has been swept, but… I'm not exactly feeling relaxed right now."

"I don't think any of us are," Willow agreed as she worked through a particularly tough tangle. "That being said, I think I'll sleep easier with Professor Calavera here. Well… as easy as I can, with Summer's snoring…"

"Summer would snore," Kali said with a smirk. "Though I doubt she's getting any sleep what with all this Maiden shit going on."

"Well… if none of us are sleeping, I suppose there's only one thing we can really do," Willow considered.

"…drink enough that we just pass out while trying to convince Calavera that it's just water and we're all about hydration in this house?" Kali guessed.

"Well… that might be the end result," Willow mused. "I was going to suggest we throw a beach party. That is why we're here, after all. There are some supplies in the basement, and I'm sure we could get more decorations and food out in the city. Maybe tomorrow night, once Roman's back?"

"If it can wait for him, that'd be best," Kali said thankfully. "I probably sound pathetic being all pouty and bleh over him being away for a single night. It's not even like we're formally a thing."

"Why aren't you a thing?" Willow asked as she set the brush down on the bedside table and leaned back to lie next to Kali. "It's not a secret that the two of you are involved. Everyone's been wondering what's been going on with you two all year…"

"That is… such a complicated question," Kali said lamely. "Complicated enough that I don't really know. I guess I'm just waiting on him at this point, and I don't make the move because if he's not making the move because he's not ready for some reason and I scare him off, it would suck ass? It would ruin everything we've got going."

"That sounds… very counterproductive," Willow considered. "And didn't you tell him once that you weren't interested in a steady relationship with anyone? He's probably holding off because of that."

"Yeah, probably," Kali replied. "So I guess we're just stuck in limbo forever."

"…Kali," Willow scolded. "Come now. Don't be so childish. You're the headstrong one of the group, and there are enough mixed signals coming from both of you that all of us are confused."

"I usually am, yeah… but not when it comes to something like this," Kali admitted. "You're probably right, though. Something needs to change before it changes on its own in a bad way. Guess you're my wingman, now."

"Wingman?" Willow questioned.

"Relationship helper," Kali clarified. "Not that there's much to be done from a third party. Roman and I aren't exclusive, and I don't think we would be even if we made it official. We both like our freedom too much. Help me out by listening to me bitch, and I'll return the favor by helping you along."

Willow tensed, already not liking where the conversation was going.

"…how, exactly…?"

"Uh… you and Qrow?" Kali said. "I thought that was obvious."

Willow rolled her eyes and subsequently closed them before bringing up a hand and pinching her nose.

"…you know what… at this point, I think I'd like that…"


Author's Note:

Steamy.

-RD