Raven really had taken the fall. Qrow did not hide his anger, frustration, and desperation as he looked to Ozpin for answers. Ozpin, for his part, had played along as was the request of Raven and added the fact that he and Salem had a family once. Everyone there had despaired with only the Servants willing to keep pushing on. Something about them overcoming impossible odds as otherwise they would not be Servants and left their mark in their histories. Needless to say, it would appear that the Servants would have to take over in the planning stages as it is they who still have confidence in dealing with an immortal.
Whatever plans they had, Ozpin could already feel the doubt creeping in. He still tried to hold on. Jekyll had proved it to him with Amber, even if it wasn't quite how either of them envisioned it. By Jekyll's own admission, these other Servants are more capable than he was in his current state and they still kept going. Only Raven's Servant had any objections and had been absent for every meeting that the Servants had. Jack was also absent but she was a child; it didn't look good to be discussing what appeared to be a serious topic and have a child involved so much; Jekyll always relayed that information back.
That should have been the case. Ozpin should have kept his hands off of this for they would know more about it that even he himself ever could. Only James should be included since it involved Atlas from what Ozpin could hear. Beacon's resources are not something he has immediate access to while he was here.
But there he was. Not in a mere corner listening in as though he were the child but treated as an equal on his seat in the round table. Ironwood took the seat farthest from the door, sitting as the general. Fran and Jekyll sat on either side of him. It was Nitocris, through some kind of magecraft as she called it, Ozpin saw it as a magic greater than Remnant's own, that provided them the visual.
"My scarabs have only just begun investigating the depths of the opera house," Nitocris began. "Phantom has already made extensive excavations to the place and has made it his base. Needless to say, to face him at his domain is foolish."
"It is a miracle that he hasn't made it to the bottom of Atlas," Jekyll commented. "There is only so much he could dig before he would fall down to Mantle."
The images drawn were crude and left too much space for further development. A copy was given to Ironwood and Ozpin.
Fran made it her life's mission to scan and investigate the incomplete layout of the Phantom's lair. Ozpin wondered where she even retrieved that magnifying glass and how she was able to see with her eyes still behind her bangs. She was making measurements of her own kind with her fingers. Ozpin fails to see what it was that she was planning to do. He's failing to understand this child.
That is what Fran is: a child. She was a child in the body of an adult. Jekyll had given him the rundown of Fran's circumstances and Ozpin found himself despising the man called Victor Frankenstein. What had the man expected when he sought to create life that didn't involve bedding a woman and waiting a few months? Why does Fran even call herself by that name anyway? Frankenstein may be a family name but that didn't mean that she should take it as her own!
Ozpin shook away his thoughts. Fran was a curious child. She had the intelligence similar to her creator but only lacked the comprehensive speech, something that Ozpin learned and has been working on ever since.
"Atlas…" Fran said. She's getting better with each passing day. Ozpin only wished he was more talkative to stimulate that conversation skills better. "Fall… if… smash?"
"That would depend on how deep Phantom has excavated," James answered. "There would be waterways, correct? I can have the Ace-Ops investigate Atlas' edges. We have to dispose the water somewhere."
"Please tell me that it is clean water, general," Jekyll said. He looked absolutely grim. "Jack has been wanting to go there to bathe in the waterfall as she says."
"It falls on a water treatment facility, doctor," Ironwood replied. "And it is off-limits."
Jekyll sighed relief. "How does one say no to their child when the child begs so much?" He massaged his temples.
Ozpin had a moment where he'd smile a little. "It is difficult, doctor Jekyll. But one must learn to be firm eventually lest the child grow up to be spoiled."
"And if they start crying and whining?"
"In the early years, it is an attempt to test your limits to see if they could get what they want. If it works, it will happen again and again. I do not know how it would be for Servants like yourselves, but I can at least suggest that you do not have to deny Jack everything she wants. Perhaps try to explain to her in a way that she could understand; Jack seems intelligent enough."
Ozpin felt breaths down his neck. Fran puffed her cheek and her fists where on her hips.
He sighed. "After this meeting, you can have the kid's meal along with the toy." He then spoke to Jekyll again. "Also, any promises made need to be kept. Otherwise, the child wouldn't trust your word."
Fran puffed her cheek further. She raised to fingers and pointed at where her eyes would be and then pointed it at Ozpin. Threat was made clear even if Ozpin has no idea what that threat would be.
Just as promised, Ozpin brought Fran to a fast-food restaurant and ordered two kid's meal; she wanted two toys. Ozpin himself failed to see the appeal of pastel-colored toys but Fran had insisted on it. She ignored all the surrounding chuckles and calls of "baby" and "child" that were thrown at her. Fran's focus was entirely on the toys.
It was only a few seconds and hearing Fran speak more did they stop. Whatever assumptions they were making was something that they kept to themselves.
"Toy…" she had said. "Meal… drink… big…never…had…"
Ozpin could absolutely believe that to be the case.
Fran was too busy playing with her new toys that Ozpin had finished his meal while Fran has gotten cold. Not like that bothered Fran in the slightest. She was being a child, living a childhood she never had a chance to live out.
In the distance, Ozpin caught the Schnee-Jekyll family having their own. Part of Ozpin wondered if Fran was simply copying Jack considering how insisted she was. On Jack's end, her parents, Winter mostly since Jekyll held Jack, fed her fries. Ozpin looked down on Fran's meal; she had fries too.
There was a moment of hesitation but Ozpin committed to it. He took one fry, confusing Fran, and raised it to her mouth. Fran beamed as she bit; it was a bit much since Ozpin felt his aura being with those teeth on his fingers. It had been the case until Fran finally finished her kid's meal. Jekyll's own family had already left by the time they had finished and there was less gossip there and more of endearing parents.
One of them even passed by their table. "Is she…?"
"It has been too long since we were together," Ozpin immediately said. "Circumstances outside of our control didn't allow it. We're making up for lost time."
Fran nodded furiously. "Uh… uh…" She slips into old habits when she gets too excited. Ozpin was just glad that she was happy enough.
The inquirers left them on their own.
Ozpin felt a panging pain in his chest. As Fran was the one leading the way, Ozpin couldn't help but notice everything around him centered around children leading their parents away towards something. Cries and sobs when parents said no, happiness and out of tune singing when parents said yes, the absolute despair that painted every parent's face at the price tag, Ozpin noticed them all at the cost of everything else.
He failed to notice that huntsmen and huntresses were bartering for masks. Students seeing him went underneath the radar. Ozpin wasn't even sure if the other Servants had been present as well.
But what took his attention most was the sight of parents that had more than one child. Children of two, three, especially four, had his complete attention. Ozpin looked to Fran's back again as she pulled him towards the next thing that she wanted to see. Though Fran only held one of Ozpin's hand, he felt the other being pulled as well, as though someone else was pulling him.
Then, he could see them. He could see those four again. Ozpin had said that he married Salem a long time ago; that marriage also included a family of his own. He had said that he had a family once in one his previous lifetimes; he always meant that one.
The image of four became an image of five. Fran had let go as her attention was taken by some kind of display. Ozpin's vision of reality was blurred. He was seeing something else entirely. He was seeing Fran with four companions; all of them were smaller than her. He could see Fran carrying all four of them as though she were the eldest. One of those four looked back and beckoned Ozpin to come closer.
He was lost in this other place. Ozpin didn't notice the people bumping into him nor did he notice anyone accidentally stepping on his shoes. He couldn't notice the looks he was getting as he trembled in that place. He buried his eyes in his sleeves; it was soon wet.
A tug on his coat brought him back to reality. Concerned Fran tilted her head as her eyes, still hidden underneath those bangs, looked into his own.
He noticed the sky above them. "Let's go back. Tomorrow again."
Fran smiled and nodded.
Just as they did in Beacon, Ozpin stayed up later than Fran. Fran was tucked into her dorm bed. She kept the toys close to her as she snuggled herself wither her blanket and second pillow. She wrapped herself like a cocoon with that blanket, ready for her next stage as a butterfly.
Ozpin had the book ready. He had been surprised that the first book he read to her was part of a series. The first one did its own thing and there wasn't some unresolved problem that he could tell, not one that would justify a follow-up. But it must be that people enjoyed it enough to wish for more and the author simply complied. Ozpin wasn't sure but Fran brought the whole set and he was still sure they'd finish it before the end of the Vytal Festival.
He read to Fran the third book, Molly of Mol. It was about a lost princess who had been bewitched to become a boy. Through adventures and meeting with the characters from the previous books, her lineage was then discovered and she took her place as the princess of the land of Mol. By the end of it, Fran had already fallen asleep and Ozpin didn't know which part it was. He closed the light and proceeded to his own dorm.
But he didn't quite fall asleep yet.
"We never did get the chance to do anything of the sort did we?" Ozpin thought aloud. He didn't know who he was addressing nor did he expect anyone to answer him.
He looked to the side of his bed where his cane rests. The power of the cane had been emptied just to bring Fran into Remnant. It was a second chance of doing something about Salem that brought him to gamble at the time.
"Do I even deserve a second chance at this?" Ozpin asked. He turned to the other side, facing away from the cane and closed his eyes. Then, he remembered the tale of Frankenstein's Monster. "It's not me that was given the second chance." He doesn't think he deserves it.
The next morning, Ozpin was awoken by the light pestering his eyelids. There was no bouncing child on the bed which he was thankful for. But part of him did hope for it a little. Still, there first sign of animation from his tired body came in him not wanting to get up. He could feel his eyes weakening.
However, as his legs stretched, Ozpin felt his calves tightened that he nearly screamed in pain. Ozpin bit his lip as he was forced up. He did not stand for he could not stand. Aura cannot heal all wounds though Ozpin certainly tried to anyway.
It was a horrible way to start the morning but Ozpin bore it for minutes before the pain went away. Ozpin got up, took his cane, and left the dorm. He was too disheveled for anything and he didn't care at the moment given the mild sensation he feels on those calves.
Fran was there outside and ready for whatever the day comes. That alone was enough to get Ozpin back to his higher spirits as he was led by Fran to the cafeteria for breakfast. He was at the section specifically meant for faculty and staff member only which also allowed for some meetings should they wish it. But for most, it was simply a place where they could eat in peace, without the disturbance of the students.
Fran finished hers in record time that she quickly dashed out, leaving Ozpin behind. Ironwood and Nitocris were there in that moment and looked to Ozpin for answers. He could only shrug and finish his breakfast and ready himself for the day. He double-checked his wallet, better that he brings cash instead of card. Losing a thousand lien in cash-on-hand is more felt than losing a thousand lien in card.
More rides and more stalls were still being made when Ozpin and Fran entered the carnival portion of the Vytal Festival. With Atlas, this was the cleanest, most orderly carnival to ever exist. Ozpin had yet to see even a lone paper cup resting among the grass or the dirt road.
Atlas were fast when it came to building though. Ozpin was sure that the rollercoaster wasn't there yesterday. But it was there now and there was already a long line of people getting in. Scents of different kinds, grilled, smoked, fried, filled his nose. Cries of joy, sadness, anger, frustration, and excitement all fought for space in his ears. The Vytal Festival was when Atlas was at its most colorful.
There were other places there as well, further away from the common populace and more for niche things. Rare books and self-published authors were doing what they can to make it here, little performance with their new tricks that Ozpin had never seen before, scammers being caught by the trained eye, it was hard to tell which one he should go first.
Fran made the decision for him. She dragged him first to one of those darts with the moving balloons. From what Ozpin could see of the prizes, it wasn't much and was more of something chill. There was certainly a lot of it and there were more balloons than there were prizes. Fran had her eyes on one of the teddy bears; it wasn't on the top shelf, much closer to the middle.
Ozpin shrugged his shoulders and paid for it. Never mind that Fran had her own salary that she could have used as her allowance, did Fran even bring her wallet?
She took her time as she aimed at the moving balloon. Her goal was a prize in the middle. There weren't that many balloons that she needed to pop. Slow and steady was her strategy that even when she had more darts to spare she willfully stopped and aimed for that prize. It was small and in need of a good cleaning with all the smoke from the stalls.
Much like the toys, Fran was absolutely happy and Ozpin couldn't help but feel warm himself. He was still seeing families around. He even caught Jekyll trying his hand at a high striker game with a cheering Jack on the side. Hyde had taken over because Ozpin saw the surrounding people back away so suddenly when he raised the hammer. Needless to say, they won the biggest prize of them all; Ozpin didn't know what it was since he was dragged to some other location.
A shop of novelty items was the next stop. Fran didn't take long and picked the hat with the drink holders. Next thing Ozpin knew was that Fran bought a drink and hat it poured on the drink holder.
Above him had to be Qrow. A bird following him around couldn't be anyone else. That huntsman was looking for anything to get for free. He would drop down in front of any ignorant individual and got free food. Qrow made sure to catch it since he still avoided that which landed on the ground. Only anyone who knew Qrow and could tell it was Qrow didn't do so.
Raven appeared in bird form too, usually to fight with Qrow in their respective bird forms. Ozpin could easily tell if it was Raven because Vlad was always near and a that bird on his shoulders had to be Raven. It was Vlad that took it all with dignity while Raven appears to them in human form unless she had something to say or otherwise was forced to.
Then, there was the swinging ship ride. It had a theme of piracy on it with the skull and crossbones. Pirate hats and eyepatches and cartoony parrots decorated the ship. Ozpin noted the sign that said "a good pirate never steals another person's property" and wondered if the people making it even understood what piracy is. Fran dragged Ozpin along and the two screamed along with everyone else. One who sat near Ozpin tried not to and subsequently regretted it the moment the ride stopped. Thankfully, the vomit missed Ozpin's shoes. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the other person who were with them.
Ozpin didn't have the hunger to eat after that sight and neither did Fran. There was a small section of older arcade machines. There, Jack could be seen doing everything she could to win while Jekyll and Winter were off to the side, enjoying the moment of rest along with every other parent that was there. Jack even seemed to get along with the other children.
Fran approached and challenged Jack to a game. It was some kind of shooting game and Ozpin had to pay for the coins.
While those two were competing for the highest score, Ozpin sat by the not-so-lovely couple. "I take it that you've had a busy day today?"
"More accurate to say that I forget that I am not a proper Servant," Jekyll replied. Winter said nothing, more focused on gathering her breath. She was using her semblance to gather cool air as ice and wind were used in combination.
Before Ozpin could even halfway recover his stamina, Fran had pulled him towards a different arcade machine with Jack doing the same for Jekyll. By the looks of it, it appeared to be some kind of fighting game.
"Fran, I'm old. I'm not quite sure that I could do this."
"See?" Jack boasted. "I told you that my father could beat up your father!"
"Jack." Jekyll didn't have it in him to scold. "Such matters should not even be raised nor is this a good argument to make."
Ozpin could see the pleading bangs of Fran. He sighed and took the shot. "Doctor Jekyll is correct, Fran. Besides, Jekyll and I have already engaged one another in combat and I won that one decisively."
He felt the sudden tension rise and a hand gripping on his shoulder.
"Now you listen here, old man," said Hyde. "That wasn't a good time for either of us and we I'd rather we get past that."
Ozpin smirked a little. "We are in agreement, mister Hyde. Neither of us were in our best. If it were, I'd have won it sooner."
Hyde's face was neutral. "Jackie girl, put them coins in." He removed the jacket and pulled up his sleeves. "I'll show ya what yer da can do."
In the distance, Ozpin heard Winter's groan. "I'll never understand men nor will I understand children."
On another side of the area, one crow was squawking as though he were chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Five matches with each one comprised of two rounds. Ozpin and Hyde didn't count the first one as they took that time to learn the controls. Once they did, they learned of their preferred characters and focused on the match. On their sides were Fran and Jack respectively. There was a small crowd gathering and only grew, some recognizing Ozpin himself.
Far away from them was Vlad sipping a drink and shaking his head. With him was a raven picking up some food on a plate. Raven didn't give comment nor sound much unlike Qrow the crow who was absolutely having the time of his life watching this.
There were a few scarabs that got on the controls. They stayed there and did nothing to intervene. However, Ozpin and Hyde nodded on something and the scarabs seemed to understand.
When the matches begun, more scarabs appeared by the controls, counting the points to whoever one the match. Ozpin's habits of control shone through some while Hyde's ferocity and power dominated others. Each round had a timer and much of it was spent trying to provoke each other into making the first mistake.
Feints were thrown. Ozpin and Hyde moved their characters back and forth in some attempt to get the other to attack. When one did, it was a matter of who could maintain the momentum. Ozpin won the first match. Hyde won the next two matches with Ozpin winning the fourth match. They would switch characters for every match, never taking the same one twice.
Fifth and final match was underway. Ozpin and Hyde cracked their fingers, sounded their necks and loosed any stiff muscles that remained. Fran and Jack massaged the backs of their fathers in preparation for the final match.
But Hyde had more support. For the first time since Ozpin had seen them, Winter took to Hyde's side, held Jack when the countdown began and looked on.
The timed match ticked on and neither side really struck the other. Back and forth and back and forth went their characters. A few light hits there and attempted counters here. The time reached the halfway mark and neither side took their chances.
Both took their breath and struck at the same time. But Hyde had been the first to recover and seized the advantage. Hyde's momentum was lost and Ozpin took his chance to deal some damage. He pushed Hyde to a corner and Hyde's health bar was decreasing with each passing second. There were a few seconds left. Hyde broke free and put some distance between their characters; Ozpin still had more health than Hyde.
Ozpin took a gamble and unleashed some special move. Hyde took his chance as well. Ozpin's character unleashed a series of kicks. Hyde pressed his fingers, timed it, and parried each one.
Even as the final kick went high, Hyde—Jekyll had input the appropriate buttons and parried it. Jekyll then unleashed his character's own special move and defeated Ozpin.
Jack raised both arms and cheered, nearly kicking Winter away as she jumped on Jekyll, who had returned to them. Ozpin could only hang his head at the lost and avoided looking at Fran's disappointed bangs.
Needless to say, Ozpin had a lot of making up to do for this loss. Fran wouldn't look at him for hours, even giving him a mug that said No. 2 Dad as though Ozpin should be devastated at the print. He found it more amusing.
It carried on even as Ozpin read to Fran later that night. Her back was to him and would only turn around to puff her cheeks.
Ozpin flicked a finger on the back of her head. "You are a spoiled child, Fran."
He had a great day today. He got to be something that he once was.
/-/
Jack was soundly asleep, pleased and satisfied of the most enjoyable day that any child could ever have. She was hugging the prize tightly and there was no doubt she was dreaming of the sweets that she had just eaten that day; they would be her favorites in the foreseeable future.
While the same could be said for the parents when it came to sleep, it was not quite the same for their exhausted features say otherwise.
"Your daughter certainly has a lot of energy," groaned a weary Jekyll who couldn't even open his eyes.
"She's a Servant like you," replied an equally drained Winter. "She's your daughter."
Klein saw them for the door had been left open. He chose to close it and not inform Jacques of Jekyll's so-called trespassing. Those two are parents after all. It is only right that they should be with their daughter.
He still beamed with pride at the sight of Winter actually taking that next step though.
AN: Not exactly how I envisioned Jekyll vs Ozpin Round 2 but we have Jekyll vs Ozpin Round 2 in favor of Jekyll.
Anyways, I've aired out my grievances about Dracula the Musical. Frankenstein: A New Musical, on the other hand, is on the opposite end. The change that made to the book made it my personal favorite in terms of storyline. It's honestly an upgrade.