Chapter 38: Evernight Castle - Consequences of Failure

Hazel knelt before the Seer. He could feel Queen Salem's displeasure even through the shadowy image.

"You have… her contact information."

"Yes, My Queen."

"Then perhaps you still serve some immediate purpose. Use it. Tell Selene… tell her that Her Queen requires her presence." Inhuman eyes made his bones ache, even across the vast distance that separated them. "And yours as well. I will send Watts to retrieve you both. Do not delay."

"My Queen," Hazel bowed his head. He'd long since resigned himself to the threat of pain in Salem's service, confident in his usefulness and her promise of his eventual revenge.

That didn't mean he had to like it.

Garek sat in the reserved room at the Boiling Cauldron, slowly realizing that his old Headmaster could apparently drink him under five tables, considering the rate at which the faunus was putting away alcohol. Reggie was sitting just outside the room, nominally enjoying himself, but in reality was keeping watch, just in case. Sophia and Crys had gone back to Haven to do a sweep of Lionheart's offices and apartment.

Lionheart, on the other hand, was having a blast, was already sloppily drunk, and getting sloppier by the hour. Garek figured he had two jobs this evening, let Lionheart be drunk, and keep the alcohol flowing so he could get drunker. His old Headmaster was, probably for the first time in years, 'letting his hair down' with the sure and complete knowledge that he could. His staff would have been horrified or relieved to see him like this. Ozpin would have looked at him with pity. Ironwood would likely have sneered quietly.

One of Salem's agents would have seen it as a weakness to be exploited.

But Garek… Garek was treating it as therapy. Leo was a man who really needed to get it out of his system.

When Garek's scroll rang, he resisted the urge to ignore it. Lionheart glanced at him blearily, grinned, and took another drink. "Zat the wife?" He slapped Garek on the back, and the force of his huge hand actually made Garek wince.

"Fiancée, Leo," Garek grinned, "Not married yet!"

"Congrash… ulations, young Gar'k," Lionheart slurred, spilling his drink and frowning at the puddle. "Bah… need a refill."

"Just a minute, I gotta take this, Leo."

"Oh oh yes of coursh," Leo grinned even wider. "M'good here. Good good good…." And the lion faunus leaned back and closed his eyes, humming to himself quietly. Garek moved out of the room, nodding to Reggie and waving the scroll at him, and his trusted teammate sauntered into the room where Leo was. Garek heard him say "Headmaster, Garek had to use the head, anything you need?" as he moved out of earshot.

Garek headed outside where he could have a bit of privacy.

"Selene, everything okay?"

His lover smiled at him, but there was a slight tension in her eyes. "Garek, my love, you have apparently made… an impression."

"What's happened?"

"I have been summoned." Selene said, neutrally. "By my Queen." Garek felt his blood run cold. "It is likely due to our arrangement with Lionheart."

"That was fast. She won't hurt you, will she?"

Selene shook her head without hesitation. "No. No, she will not do that, I am sure."

He considered other worst case scenarios. "You think she'll lock you away?"

Another head shake. "Mother would not allow that. We have an understanding, one that my mother will support. And we have not violated our agreement, Garek. I suspect… the Queen wishes to understand my intentions, and she wishes to hear them directly from me, rather than relayed through a servant."

He felt himself relax slightly. "That's not… so bad then?"

Selene hummed. "No, it is not. The issue is that I am to leave immediately." He saw Selene shudder. "Watts will be my transport. He is enroute."

"Ugh."

"Yes. That was my response as well. I believe he is also retrieving Hazel."

Garek nodded. "I'll come home immediately."

"No!" Her expression softened, as did her tone. "No, love. You must finish with Lionheart. You know this. This is what we worked toward and is now bearing fruit. You must finish this work. I will ask if Cinder can stay with Sarah's family until you return. And I will call Rhodes."

He sighed. "We knew it was going to be like this, didn't we?"

"Yes. At some point. It appears our 'honeymoon' has come to an end. It is time for us to earn our incomes."

"Come back safe. Promise me…. I love you."

"And I you, and I will return to you. Safely. I will try to send word, after I have spoken to the Queen."

After ending the call, Garek sighed, and returned to his duty. It was going to be a long night, if the sounds of Lionheart and Reggie's singing that filtered out of the private room were anything to go by.

Arthur Watts was having an excellent night.

"Well well well… apparently you are not a complete failure, Hazel. You can arrive on time at a landing pad," Watts mocked as Hazel boarded the bullhead in Mistral City. Hazel glared at him, and merely grunted. "What's the matter, Grimmling got your tongue?" Watts leered, "or perhaps your spine?"

Hazel flexed his fists. "One of these days, Watts, you're going to push your luck too far. And I'm going to be there to see it."

The tall man scoffed. "Unlike you, Hazel, I get results. And that makes my position, unlike yours, secure. Our Queen respects that, and that only." Watts sneered at the larger man. "Not every problem can be solved with a smooth tongue and muscle. Sometimes it takes intelligence and cunning." His mustache twitched. "And it's Doctor Watts."

"Your primary trait isn't those, Watts, it's arrogance, and it'll be your undoing," Hazel growled.

"Doctor W-" He clicked his mouth shut. "Bah. Enough. Cheap words from a failure." Strap in, if you can figure out how to work the mechanism. We're heading to Argus."

Ah Argus, crown jewel of two Kingdoms. Watts thought gleefully, as he brought the bullhead in to the helipad at Argus. I'm going to enjoy the day that I bring you to heel. And I will. By the Gods I will.

It was only minutes later that Selene approached the open passenger door with a small overnight bag.

"And the prodigal daughter returns at the crook't finger of her parent. Is your little jaunt so soon at an end? Has She finally yanked the leash?" The look on his face was supercilious and gleeful.

Selene looked at Watts with distaste. "My Queen has summoned me, and I have obeyed, just as you must, Watts."

"Doctor Watts," the tall man glared at her, rich green eyes glittering. "I earned my place in the world. I wasn't born to it."

Selene bit down the urge to give further vent to her dislike, remembering Garek's words. Do not engage him. Do not draw his ire. You don't want him to decide you are an enemy worth his attention. She held her tongue and moved over to a seat in the passenger compartment opposite Hazel, fastening herself in, even as Watts powered the bullhead up and pulled a hard acceleration upward.

"As you say, Doctor. My… apologies. I have had to put many personal matters on hold at the sudden summons, and it has caused me to be… irrationally prickly," she said, as the bullhead quickly moved over the ocean and headed west.

Watts blinked, and she saw Hazel's face take on a surprised expression as well. "Well… I'm sure your personal matters are of no consequence to Salem's plans, unlike mine." Watts shook his head, "Frankly, I don't understand why she humors you. You should be serving her purposes like the rest of us. Instead, here you are, meddling."

"I am not meddling, Doctor. I am serving her purpose. I was given leave to pursue our Queen's goals by other means than yours…" she looked at the other man present, "and likewise Hazel's. Unfortunately, we were unaware of each other's efforts. She turned fully to Hazel, and met his eyes. "My apologies to you as well, Hazel, for the inconvenience it has caused you."

That startled the large man further, but Watt's only laughed. "My apologies, Hazel," he mimicked, placing the bullhead on autopilot and spinning the pilot's chair around to face them. "And no apology for me? For having to defer my critical research and spend two days flying all the way to Anima and back because you two worked at cross purposes?" His mustache twitched again.

"Watts," Hazel growled.

"Doctor Watts," the lean man growled back, eyes narrowing.

Hazel was not intimidated and crossed his arms. "Unlike Selene, I don't care for your egotistical insistence on acknowledging your title."

Watts green eyes glinted, and Selene felt a sudden thrill of unknown danger. "Perhaps you'd like to find alternate transport to Evernight Castle, then," Watts said quietly, and the finger of one hand reached over beside him to a control panel, hovering over an icon that she couldn't see.

Does he... actually have an ejection mechanism for passengers? Selene wondered, and then frowned. Well… I certainly would not put it past him. She glanced at Hazel, but he was still glaring at Watts.

"I am sure that Hazel is actually more frustrated with my interference, Doctor, and is taking it out on you out of concern that I might give our Queen a less than flattering report of his behavior." Hazel started, and turned his attention to her. She gave him a long look, and then nodded.

Selene found herself wondering at her own behavior. Is it just my dislike for Watts that has me defending Hazel… or am I suddenly seeing an opening here, as well?

It served one purpose at least. Watts was focused on her again, and his hand had returned to his lap. "Coddling Hazel won't get your feet out of the fire, young lady."

"I am well aware of that, Doctor."

"Hmph. Maybe you have matured, then," Watts smirked.

Unlike some people, she muttered to herself, but Hazel heard her, and there was the tiniest beginning of a smile there.

Perhaps… there is an opportunity here. For the future.

Selene had never really understood Hazel. He was the least objectionable of Salem's agents from her perspective, but he wasn't what one would call chatty. He clearly hated Ozpin, and that seemed his primary motivation. Perhaps, in time, that might be something she could make use of.

"Come forward."

Despite her reassuring words to Garek and Hazel, Selene could feel her body resisting her efforts to obey. She'd lived with this woman for over two decades, but she'd never been able to withstand her anger.

One step at a time, Hazel and Selene moved forward, and then knelt before their Queen, seated implacably on her throne. Bare bone-white arms rested on the sides of her seat, but Selene could see how her hands gripped the ornate armrests.

"It appears my plans, intended to be carried out by my faithful servant," her voice dripped with contempt as she turned her focus from Hazel to Selene, "have been catastrophically thwarted by my loyal subject." Selene felt her knees begin to shake under her Queen's stare. "Explain yourselves."

Hazel cleared his throat, offering to begin, and at a gesture from Salem began explaining how he had, on her orders, begun cultivating Lionheart's betrayal of Ozpin months prior, promising Salem's forbearance should he prove useful, and implying that should he dally further, the next offer would be on far less beneficial terms, and would be delivered by Tyrian. He described in detail the means by which he had applied pressure and enticement in order to prevent the man running to Ozpin. How he had believed Lionheart on the cusp of agreeing when the faunus had finally contacted him, indicating that he had made a decision, and might have something to offer as a token of his good faith.

And that, instead, days later, Hazel had received a call from Selene, informing him that Lionheart had aligned himself in her service instead. Salem's eyes flicked to Selene as he spoke, frowning and eyes narrowing dangerously. Selene felt the air of the room shift oppressively. The very light seemed to dim.

Salem regarded them both for almost a full minute after Hazel fell silent. "And in response," she said, watching Selene's face, "you informed me immediately, Hazel. And I, acting upon my previous assurances to Selene, instructed you to honor this new… alignment."

Another few heartbeats. "At least for the moment."

Selene felt her stomach clench. She hadn't considered that the Queen might… reconsider her prior assurances! That could be catastrophic for both Lionheart and her own side's faith in her abilities and decisions. He tried, and likely failed, to hide her fear from her Queen.

Her Queen, who gave a thin smile that held zero kindness in it. "So, and now we come to you, young Selene." Salem's tone became sharper, "Whose purposes do you serve here?" she snapped.

Selene felt her shoulders hunch against the accusation. "Yours, My Queen," she answered, reflexively and with complete honesty, barely managing to meet her eyes.

Queen Salem's eyes narrowed until only the red irises shown. "Mine, you say." She replied, doubt clear in her tone.

"Yes, My Queen," Selene breathed, and inhaled. "I can but act within the limitations you have set upon me, and with the expectations that I have promised." She licked her lips. "I was unaware, until Lionheart revealed his intentions to my own agent, that Hazel had been recruiting him." That was technically not a lie. She had known Lionheart was being recruited, but she had not known it was Hazel who was working on him. She was… learning how to tell half-truths with complete honesty. "I had already given instructions that we should offer him our protection in service to our cause, and he apparently chose the less… fraught… of the two offers, My Queen."

"Your… agent. And who is this… agent that you have acquired?"

Again, honesty was the best policy. "I had my fiancé act on my behalf, so that Lionheart would and has remained unaware of my own role, influence, and nature, My Queen."

Queen Salem stilled, and a slight smile of approval crept across her alien features. "I see… Well that at least is well done, and well-reasoned. It appears that your time spent in the broader world has done well for your confidence and skills, if not your appearance." The last was added with clear disapproval.

Selene stilled, realizing her error and the potential insult it might have held. She lowered her gaze to the floor. "My humble apologies, My Queen!" She gasped. "I have… been forced to hold this guise when among others, and I forgot myself." She let go the concentration that she had learned to maintain subconsciously, and her appearance shifted to her natural form. It felt… like a gentle release. She sighed with the pleasure of it.

"It is a relief, is it not, to be able to show your true self," Salem's tone held a gentle mockery, and Selene looked up. "I am not insulted. You may rise."

"Yes, My Queen."

"But does it not rankle, to be forced to hide your power, your majesty, among those you dwell?" It almost felt as if… the Queen were teasing her.

Selene had not yet lied, and decided she would not start now. "Rankle? I would not say it so. It is… unfortunate that they are closed-minded and that I cannot show myself for who I am. But I manage."

"Indeed," the Queen appraised her. "And you aver that your moves in this recent… conflict… are within the bounds of our agreement?"

"I do, My Queen. They serve your purpose."

Queen Salem turned her attention back to Hazel, who had been watching the exchange with some surprise, and Selene saw his face still even as his posture stiffened. "And do you believe that Hazel has been… remiss, or that he has otherwise failed me in this matter?"

"No, My Queen," Selene said quickly and with confidence. "We had agreed that you would not inform me of your specific plans, and I had no knowledge of Hazel's activities in your service. It was a confluence of events, and no fault of his."

Salem's mouth thinned to a line. Selene concentrated on her breathing and watched Hazel stare ahead without betraying any emotion for several seconds.

Finally, Salem spoke. "Very well. Hazel, you are unpunished. Leave us."

Hazel bowed, turned, and strode from the room, relief coming off him in waves.

Once gone, and the doors closed behind him, Salem considered Selene further. "Now… we are alone, young Selene. Tell me, in what manner do your actions serve my purposes?" Her tone was both more relaxed, and held more threat, than when Hazel had been there.

Selene swallowed. "Your Majesty, we have, in one move, removed one of Ozma's closest and most powerful allies from his service."

"This is clear. But that is also what Hazel would have done for me."

"Yes, My Queen, but we have done so in a manner that allows us to place him in a position of power, directly in opposition to Ozma's own interests."

Salem leaned back, fingers tapping a pattern on the chair of her throne. "What do you mean? What is it that you intend?"

"Do you… Do you truly wish to know, My Queen? If I give you information about our plans…"

"I might feel obliged to assist, or to interfere, in ways that might compromise them?" Selene decided silence was the best answer, and bowed. "Hmm… I am willing to risk that." A mirthless smile. "For what reason to you need Lionheart?"

Well… it appeared she would not get away with zero answer. "He was the first Headmaster that we felt could be turned from Ozma, and he can assist our plans for Menagerie."

"Menagerie?" A black eyebrow lifted, and Salem gazed into the distance before realization struck. "The faunus." Salem's eyes narrowed. "Because of your… fiancé," she said flatly..

"Not because of him, though he makes it more effective, My Queen." Fine, if she must, she must. "We seek to build an Academy there, one wholly independent of Ozma's influence…"

Salem's brows shot up, and an unpleasant smile drew across her features. "You would draw talent away from him, both in staff and students, and make them loyal to one not in Ozma's service."

"That was one goal, yes, My Queen," Selene told her, happy to allow her to fill in the blanks.

Salem's smile grew, mirroring the satisfaction she felt at the idea. "That will… cause him significant pain. And it will cost him allies." Salem's original plan had been to recruit Lionheart, and through him accomplish multiple goals. She would have weakened Ozma's influence in Mistral and gained a mole within his confidences. And she would have eventually gained access to the Relic of Knowledge, and weakened Mistral more directly by slowly coring out the ranks of its Huntsmen.

But this… it appeared that several of those aims were being accomplished for her by Selene, and with significantly less risk to all involved.

"I approve of this," Salem nodded. "And what are your plans for the Relic?"

Careful honesty. "For the moment none, My Queen. It is secure, and out of Ozma's reach. We do not yet know the location of the Spring Maiden, but we hope to learn that knowledge from Lionheart.

"And once you do have access to it?"

"We do not yet know. We are being… flexible, and cautious. But our goal remains the same. To end the curse."

Queen Salem felt an unusual sensation tingle across her unnatural flesh at those words. Is this what it is like to place your trust in someone who served not out of slavish devotion, nor out of fear, nor selfish self-interest, but someone who was… truly an ally?

She found the feeling… comforting.

And unsettling… it made her uneasy.

"Very well. I will continue my forbearance of your activities. Do not forget your goals, nor allow your newfound allies to deviate from our agreement." She gave Selene a long, considering look. "You will wish to visit your Mother. I am sure she would appreciate your unexpected presence." She motioned that Selene was dismissed.

"Yes, My Queen. And I thank you." Selene rose, bowed, and left on slightly wobbly legs.

Queen Salem sat for several minutes after Selene had left, considering this turn of events.

It appeared Salem's daughter was much more resourceful than she would have given her credit for. In truth, she had believed this entire venture to be little more than an emotional rebellion, a sideshow for Her actual plans. A sideshow that would allow Salem and her daughter to salvage their relationship, rather than something that might actually bear fruit.

And yet.

And yet, Selene's professed goal.

Yes. That was the goal of Selene. To end Salem's curse of immortality. It was, truly, all that Salem, mother of Selene, cared about. That and Selene's safety.

And that was Her goal as well. It was The Queen's goal. The two were in direct accord on this matter.

But Queen Salem had another goal, one that might not align with Selene's mother's.

And that goal, young Selene, I do not believe you can achieve. I will have to rely on my own plans to accomplish that one.

It was over an hour later before Selene was summoned to her mother's chambers. Upon entering, she found her mother, soft off-white hair falling gently across her left shoulder as she rose from her seat and met Selene halfway into the room in a soft embrace.

"Daughter," she sighed as she held her child.

"Mother," Selene smiled against her.

They held still for some time, savoring the feeling of that parent-child bond. A bond that could, thank the gods, endure the pain they had caused each other, and flourish despite it and even despite, or because of, the freedom Selene had found, and the physical distance that had placed between them.

It was only minutes later they found themselves snuggled against each other on Salem's comfortable sofa before the warmth of the fire.

"Mother, I have much I wish to share with you, but may I use your Scroll to send a message to Garek and Cinder? I left mine in Argus, as a precaution. I am sure that they will be anxious to hear that I am well, and I… I would wish to stay for a time with you. Garek would need to know that I am staying additional days."

Salem regarded her daughter with a soft and understanding expression. "Of course," she stood, and went to her bedroom, returning with the precious device and handing it to Selene. "I can… well understand how he must feel. It is as I have felt numerous times these past months." Salem gave her daughter a long look. "I cannot tell you how… beneficial this device has been for me. For relieving my anxiety. The thought that I can, at a moment's notice, send you a message, and receive a reply, even if I cannot see you immediately. It is… very helpful." She frowned. "I only wish we need not worry that Watts would discover its existence."

Selene resisted the temptation to suggest her mother have Watts ground to a fleshy, bloody mulch by a wyvern. She knew it was not possible, and why the Queen felt she needed that man's services, but… gods the image of him as a pulpy mess was simply heartwarming.

"Yes… I understand that the Queen has use for him. But… I find him vexing."

Salem barked a laugh. "You are diplomatic, daughter. It will serve you well."

Selene smiled shyly at the praise from her mother, and turned her attention to the scroll, typing out a message:

S: This is Selene, Garek. All is well. Staying with Mother for a few days. I shall be free to return to Cinder soon. Please let her know.

Garek's answer came almost before her finger left the send button.

G: Thank the… thank goodness. Things are well here. My new friend is finally asleep but is going to have a nasty hangover. That man can drink… never seen anything like it.

Selene felt her lips turn up as the last of her tension left her. It appeared things in Haven were well in hand. Garek continued to reply.

G: Cinder appears to be enjoying her short-notice sleepover holiday. She's been filling my inbox with photos and stories of Sarah's family.

There was a longer pause.

G: Give your mom a hug for me.

Selene sat, staring at the screen, until she felt Salem's eyes on her. Mutely, she turned the scroll to Salem's gaze.

The look her mother's face took on was… probably nothing anyone had seen in centuries. Shock, disbelief, and suspicion warred with a series of unfamiliar expressions. One of which might have been a kind of hunger that had none of Salem's usual sharpness to it. Finally she laughed softly, and demanded the promised hug from Selene.

It cannot be true affection, Salem reasoned. And yet, for my daughter's sake, he makes the attempt. He goes through the motions at least. It was not wholly contemptible.

For the rest of the evening, mother and daughter caught up on family things. They spoke of small joys and told stories. They delved into stories from Selene's childhood, focusing only on those that would make the time they spent together more precious, and avoiding those that might dredge up harsher memories.

Salem knew that she had not been a good parent. Selene now knew this as well.

But Selene also knew it wasn't because Salem didn't want to be a good parent, it was because Salem hadn't known how, and was trapped between her own rage at… practically everything living, and her soul-eating fear that history would repeat itself yet again, that fate would come and tear her living child from her arms, as had been done all those centuries ago.

And so, it was important to show Salem. To show her, that Selene would leave, but she would also return. And returning, she would choose to stay for a time, and be a daughter, and let Salem be a mother. A true mother.

It would have been cruel, had Selene been lying. Had any of what she felt been false. But it was not. Selene loved her mother with all her heart, even knowing that she could not love all that her mother had done, or would do.

It was only when both were showing clear signs of exhaustion that Salem began to fidget, and finally took her daughter's hand and spoke to her quietly, leaning forward. "Selene, you asked the Queen once, what happened to your servant, Visha." Scarlet eyes flicking between scarlet eyes.

Selene felt a pain in her chest at the name. "Oh," she gasped softly. "I had believed-"

"That she was killed?" Salem's eyes betrayed her sadness at the pain it caused her daughter. "I believe the Queen considered it." She looked away, and chewed her lip in a very human, very vulnerable act that Queen Salem would have been incapable of. "She was not killed. She serves still."

Selene held herself very still, daring to hope and afraid that anything she said would break the spell her mother seemed to be weaving. A magic spell that would show her where her former maid dwelt.

"There is a… place away from Evernight, where The Queen and Watts dabble in their research. Where they experiment with things she considers too dangerous to be done at Evernight. Things too dangerous to be near you." Salem's eyes drilled into her, ensuring she understood. "Visha was sent there, to tend to that facility, where she could not… inadvertently… risk your safety further."

"Oh…" Selene breathed, heart aching. Her fault. Her fault.

"Perhaps you would like to visit her?"

Selene's eyes widened, and she felt tears gathering in them. "Is this… is this possible? Would it not be dangerous?"

Salem shook her head. "The Queen has had other matters capture her fancy. You know how her attention can wax and wane for decades at a time. She has not forgotten," Salem pursed her lips. "She never forgets, but it is unlikely that she will turn back to this before Visha has passed away due to age."

"I see. I would like… I would like to visit her."

"I would counsel it," Salem encouraged her, then considered. "It is unfortunate that you were unable to bring Blackfeather, this time. You might find its location by sending him to follow her servants who deliver food." She leaned forward, speaking almost conspiratorially. "They do so once per month, and if I am not mistaken, their next trip is later this week. There are no guards, I am told, save the Grimm, and other than Visha, the Queen's servants do not linger."

Selene considered this sudden wealth of information, and the implications of Visha's situation. "Is… is Visha a prisoner there?"

Salem seemed troubled by the thought. "I… In a sense, yes. I believe she has freedom within that place, but to leave would risk punishment."

Selene mulled over her options. "Would it be safe to… perhaps instruct a juvenile Nevermore to follow and report back to me?"

Salem nodded. "I believe that would be an acceptable risk. You should instruct it to forget what it has done, afterward, and wait to use this knowledge, until you can return more prepared."

They talked for a few more minutes, before they hugged and parted, Selene retiring to a guest room.

For time, Salem lay on her own bed, fidgeting with the hem of her bedclothes.

The Queen would be very angry with her if she discovered that it was she who suggested Selene visit that location, even if Visha were a convenient and believable excuse for having done so.

She hoped the potential benefits were worth the risk.

Three days later, a bullhead piloted by Callows took off, heading west.

And one juvenile Nevermore followed. No one marked it's trailing the machine. Why would they? Grimm were about. One more flyer was nothing of note.

No one except Selene, who watched it dwindle into the distance. Her instructions to the Nevermore had been specific, within its capacity to understand. Follow the machine to where it lands, then return immediately and directly to this balcony.

This would give Selene both distance and direction in the event the bullhead deviated on the way there or back. She knew how fast a Nevermore Chick could fly.

It would be enough information.

The bullhead and its passengers stayed overnight.

The Nevermore, however, returned 8 hours after it had departed.

Yes. Good. 4 hours flight, 5 degrees north of due West. She pulled out the map she'd obtained of her mother's lands, and drew a short arc.

There.

[A/N] And so we revisit Evernight Castle, and begin to see some of the dynamics between Watts and Hazel. Shockingly, no one likes Watts. Sorry… forgot your title, Doctor McFuckFace. Even Selene had difficulty holding her tongue around him, and she has a lot to lose by turning him into an enemy too early.

And what's this? A callback to Selene's servant Visha who appeared back in Chapter 2? Oh my… what can this possibly be about?

And looks like Leo's having a good time, for once.

I think I said a few chapters ago that the major OCs were pretty much in place, and the first arc of the story had wrapped up. Well, I'm comfortable saying that things are starting to cook now, and you'll be seeing a lot more canon character involvement kicking in. Right now, we're at Fall of Beacon -9 years. So the RWBY/JNPR crew are still just kids. But their parents aren't, and a lot of them are kicking around and doing stuff. Stuff that might drag their sorry asses into this story.