Willow couldn't help but keep her shoulders tense as the long, whirring elevator descended deeper and deeper beneath Shade Academy's steppe pyramid. While she had been quite enamored with the interior structure of the Academy and would have loved to take time to wander its halls and study it, she knew that time was of the essence. Getting Summer to Professor Gumo was top priority… as was determining whether or not Team BASS could be granted clearance to know anything about the Relics, Salem, and Those Above All. Without that knowledge, they were in too deep for their own good and in danger. With that knowledge, the danger to them would multiply exponentially… though Willow couldn't help but feel that the statement was true for her, as well.

"So… any advice with this… Professor Gumo?" Willow asked, looking to one of the other two residents of the elevator. "I truly wish I could've gone with Team BASS and Qrow, but… I suppose this is necessary."

"Incredibly necessary," Professor Calavera insisted. "He's a loyal but naturally suspicious man, and the longer you're running around in Vacuo and his Academy without a formal introduction, the more he's going to pry. Not to mention… you're a Schnee."

"Why does that matter?" Summer asked innocently as she leaned into the wall of the elevator carriage. "I mean, I understand the tension between her family and the faunus in general, but Willow hasn't done anything to warrant hate."

"Neither have the multitudes of faunus that my family has harmed, intentionally or otherwise," Willow said with a sigh. "My father isn't here to handle the brunt of it, so that burden falls to me. I'm not about to complain or insist that I'm innocent. Sins of the father is an expression for a reason, after all…"

"I'm glad that you're mature enough to see that perspective," Professor Calavera praised. "A year ago, I wouldn't have expected such a statement from you. It's not always about individual people… especially with a problem on this scale. People want someone to blame. Some people want someone to target."

"A year ago, I didn't know Adam and Kali," Willow pointed out. "I've changed… and I'm still changing. I just hope this meeting with the headmaster goes well, and that my presence doesn't hinder your chances of convincing him to let us utilize Vacuan Glass."

Professor Calavera made a noise of amusement and folded her arms over her chest.

"I'm still mulling over the best approach for that. Bringing it up today may not be the best move, depending on how this all goes. That's why Qrow and Team BASS are simply wandering for now, instead of going right to the weapons lab. Caution and preparedness are virtues on foreign soil… and doubly so in Vacuo, where so much is determined by spur of the moment decisions and risk."

"We're not at risk doing all this, are we?" Summer asked. "I mean, I know that anything to do with Maidens and Salem and Relics and whatever else isn't exactly low stakes, but… we're safe with him even if he's annoyed, right? Professor Gumo doesn't seem the type to make our lives harder intentionally."

"He isn't," Professor Calavera confirmed. "Remember that, above all else, he's loyal to Ozpin. We at least have that on our side, and if things get heated in regards to any of our suggestions, I can step in and defend the two of you. If anything, he may simply… distance you a bit. As a fair warning, I'm not expecting much in terms of bringing Team BASS into this. The Headmaster will be immediately suspicious unless Ozpin gives the all clear, and Ozpin… well. Even I can't tell what's going on in his head."

"…I thought you two were more or less in sync?" Willow asked. "You always seem to be doing exactly what he wants and pushing things along, even when he isn't there…"

"It isn't that simple," Professor Calavera warned. "While that may all be true from your perspective, at the end of the day… I don't question him when it comes to anything involving Salem. I trust him and carry out his will before my own."

"Does that mean you would have done things differently?" Summer asked.

"It means exactly what I just said," Professor Calavera said coldly. "Nothing more."

The ding of the elevator was timed almost comically as the end of the conversation, and the shiff of the sliding doors triggered the professor to walk out of the carriage and begin leading the way down the hall. Summer gave Willow a weak smirk of encouragement before she followed, though it did little to help her feel more confident.

"…have I ever mentioned that I'm not particularly fond of tight spaces?" Willow asked, the echoing footfalls in the hallway shredding her nerves as they all made their way forward. "Especially while so far underground…."

"We'll be fine," Summer tried. "I honestly don't like it either, but at least we're safe and secure, right? If there was ever an invasion or something, this is exactly where I'd want to be."

"You'd have to be a fool to invade Vacuo," Professor Calavera let on. "And an even bigger one to go after Shade. Even this hallway isn't quite what it seems."

"And we're not allowed to know what that means either, are we?" Willow asked, unable to hold back the bit of sass in her tone.

"Not without the headmaster's consent."

"Wonderful," Willow said with a roll of her eyes.

"Well… we don't know all the secrets of Beacon, either," Summer pointed out. "Nor should we. At least… not yet."

"I don't know all the secrets of Beacon," Professor Calavera said, a bit of bite in her tone. "And I've been at this far, far longer than any of you."

Willow and Summer exchanged a look with each other as the door to Professor Gumo's office opened. Both of them made a mental note to discuss the implications later while Professor Calavera moved to lean against the wall next to the door, arms folded.

Despite her desire to make a good, reserved first impression, Willow couldn't help but gasp at the site of the headmaster's office as she entered. It was more akin to a lab than a proper 'office', with monitors, projections, equipment she didn't recognize, and cameras all over the space. Several doors were in various odd places around the circular room, and Professor Gumo sat in a high chair at the center of it all, facing the door. The man was obscured from view by a multitude of monitors, though Willow had a feeling that he could see her very clearly from multiple angles regardless.

"…Miss Rose," Professor Gumo said, his tone entirely neutral. "I was not expecting you to return so soon. Seeing you re-enter the Academy was a bit of a surprise, though I'm pleased to see you… and you've brought Willow Schnee, as well…"

At a loss for what else to do, Willow dipped into an awkward, self-conscious curtsey while offering a nervous smile.

"…a pleasure, Professor. I… hope that in time, I can convince you of both my usefulness and loyalty to my friends… and Professor Ozpin."

"And what of your loyalty to your family?" the man asked as he stood up from his seat, his features still hidden behind the field of monitors.

Willow expected the question, though the expectation made it no less uncomfortable. She had been rehearsing her answer throughout the entire trek to Vacuo City, and finally arrived at one that was not only true, but that she liked. It was a mental turning point that she had never considered possible, but something about it felt right.

"…I'll always be loyal to them as family," Willow answered. "If they need me as a daughter, I will be there, and do what I can for them. But loyalty to their ideals and commands? That depends entirely on context, and I reserve the right to revoke it when I disagree. I've already done so several times, and that is what led me here. The good of Remnant as a whole takes priority… and therefore, so do my friends who choose to fight for it."

"I can vouch for that," Summer added as Professor Gumo made his way around the desk, his hands clasped behind his waist. "Willow has been a great friend to all of us all year long, and incredibly generous. I know things are… um… a little tense between…"

Professor Gumo raised a hand to call for silence, and Summer immediately obliged. The man had his opaque visor in place, though Willow could feel him studying her with his multitude of eyes behind the protective glass.

"I would be a fool to judge anyone so swiftly on hearsay alone," Professor Gumo reassured. "I trust Miss Schnee exactly as much as I trust you, at present."

"…how much is that?" Summer dared to ask.

"…not at all."

Professor Calavera couldn't hide her grin, nor did she even try.

"That being said, I do not distrust either of you," Professor Gumo explained. "You have done things both reassuring and not in your time here, and it is clear that you in particular, Miss Rose, require my assistance. For now, we are neutral, and I am a believer of the idea that cordial respect and a willingness to help those in need should be the default state. So long as you behave in a way that encourages such a thing, there will be no friction between us."

"And if I go out of my way to try help?" Willow asked. "I would like to prove to you that I'm a better person than my family's reputation would suggest."

"I am open to it," Professor Gumo offered. "My advice would be to remain willing, without becoming overly insistent. Desperation is an ugly accessory."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not at all desperate to learn about these potential Maiden powers," Summer said cheekily with a forced grin. "Not at all!"

Professor Gumo let out a small noise of amusement.

"…perhaps I should rephrase… but I have a feeling you know what I meant. You're here to begin the process of analyzing your twin Semblances and getting to the bottom of whether or not you're a Maiden, then? I expected quite a bit more delay, given the gravity of all of this. It must be weighing on your mind."

"Well… I figured it's better to just jump in the deep end," Summer offered. "If we don't know what Salem's doing right now, we should probably have an idea what we're doing in order to have a fighting chance."

"A wise assertion," the man praised. "That being said, I've been thinking about how best to approach this. Keeping Professor Ozpin in the dark while we work seems… counterproductive, to say the least. A part of me suspects he may already know. Are you ready and willing to speak to him about all of this?"

"As much as I'll ever be," Summer replied, deflating slightly. "I don't like the idea, but I get it…"

"So it goes," Professor Gumo replied. "Dialing."

The man fiddled with a small device strapped to his arm, and a new holo-screen manifested in the space between the gathered individuals. Though they all waited patiently, all that came up was the word "CONNECTING…" in the middle of a field of green.

"Does… that mean something's wrong with global communications…?" Willow guessed.

"That means he isn't picking up…" Professor Gumo answered, sounding unsettled. "And I'm calling his personal scroll, not the office system. Hold a moment."

The screen shrank down and remanifested as the faunus switched lines, and Professor Calavera finally seemed to come to life. She pushed herself off the wall, brows furrowed as she watched the second call fail.

"…how odd," Professor Gumo said quietly. "This is rather unlike him… though not yet a cause for concern. This call wasn't planned, after all. Miss Schnee, if you would- take Miss Rose with you and head into that room over there. I have instructions for preparation of initial testing, and it would be best if you handled them."

"…very well," Willow said uncertainly. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Of course," the headmaster acknowledged as the two girls walked on past and into the designated room. With a small tilt of his head, Professor Gumo turned his attention toward Professor Calavera. "You've been quiet."

"…something doesn't feel right," the woman let on. "Not even necessarily here and now, just… in general. All of this is too convenient. Too…"

"Manufactured?" Professor Gumo offered. "As though there is a grand plan we're not privy to, and expected to follow without knowing the steps?"

Professor Calavera took a long, deep breath and nodded.

"I don't like it."

"Nor do I," Professor Gumo agreed. "Though I guarantee you that is exactly what's going on… and no plan ever goes off without a hitch. Fortunately, that statement applies to Salem's plans, as well…"


Author's Note:

Let the Maidening begin.

Also, just as a heads up since multiple people have brought it up- Cerise isn't Neo. She's connected to Neo, but it isn't her. Neo will be showing up way, way later in the story and remain mute.

-RD