A/N: On February 3rd, 2022, my dear friend and day shift sergeant tragically lost his life in the line of duty while removing debris from the Interstate. I was ripped from my sleep to go collect his K9 partner because I'm one of the few people that Deja wouldn't bite while she was in distress. He was in my life since I was in elementary school, a close friend of my father and a mentor to me. His son and I both followed our Dads into law enforcement, and we both aim to succeed them as K9 handlers. I never thought it would be like this. Rest easy, Chris. We have the watch.
It's a terrible day for rain.
Chapter 29
Somehow, hauling a magical crown across three different continents wasn't quite as nerve wracking as asking a favor. Arthur was certain that his hands hadn't been sweating near this much the last time he'd walked into Beacon Academy, muttering as he wiped them on his pants for what felt like the hundredth time. Gone were his slacks and vest, instead he was wearing his old brown jacket and blue striped shirt with brown ranch pants and brown boots. Instead of his old gambler hat however, he had a black paragon hat with a brown leather belt around the crown. Compared to the nicer clothes he'd been wearing beforehand, it was no surprise that the front staff didn't recognize him. He was eventually directed to the same waiting room where he'd discovered Summer had returned to Remnant, but this time found himself sitting alone for nearly half an hour. He checked his scroll for a message from Sienna, but all that was there was her message of support for this morning.
He'd strongly considered bringing her in as a sign of faith, but his unfamiliarity with Ozpin and his past experiences with those in power put caution ahead of goodwill. If Ozpin wasn't exactly the person Summer sized him up to be, placing Sienna in his power would be something he would regret heavily. Leviticus Cornwall and the Pinkertons had instilled some skepticism in Arthur on top of a lifetime of thieving.
His purgatory of a waiting room was interrupted by a quiet chime of the elevator as Arthur turned his head, hoping that he could hurry up and get the meeting over with. To his surprise it was not the blonde hair and stern gaze of Glynda Goodwitch that greeted him, but rather the snowy hair composed countenance of Weiss Schnee. Unlike when he had met her in Argus, she now bore a pink scar across her left eye, slightly skewed from above and below. They eye itself was still blue and whole, and it widened when she focused on him.
"Mr. Morgan? What are you doing here?" Weiss asked, walking towards him as he stood up. She took his offered hand once and shook it politely while Arthur struggled not to stare at the new scar. From the way she averted her eyes for a moment, he didn't entirely succeed.
"Uh, just here to ask the Headmaster for a few favors. How have you been?" He scratched at his cheek idly. "You certainly look like you've seen a few more fights since the White Fang blew up yer house." Weiss' gaze narrowed to a deadpan stare for a moment before she shook her head.
"Tactful as ever, Mr. Morgan. I told my father that I wanted to become a Huntress, and he response was quite through. If I'm going to be putting the Schnee name on the line, he wanted me to be ready." She ran a finger slowly across the lower half of the scar, wincing at the memory. "This is what I have to show for it."
"Well, I doubt you needed much more training seeing as you nearly beat me wearing nothing but a nightgown and a snarl." Arthur chuckled, and Weiss had the decency to blush. "But I suppose there's always room for improvement. What brings you here?"
The two moved from the center of the room back over to the chairs and sat side by side, leaving one in between them out of courtesy. The dainty and practiced way that Weiss took a seat almost made Arthur smirk, but that would have probably earned him some of her temper. The young Schnee set her weapon, Myrtenaster, across the seat next to her as she relaxed.
"I'm here presumably to do the same thing you are: ask a favor of Headmaster Ozpin. Things with the White Fang have made things...tense...at home." Weiss looked uncomfortable. "I can't attend a Huntsman Academy like Atlas. My father holds too much sway there, and the only way that I can really prove that I am Huntress material is to apply at a different school. Unfortunately, registrations have come and gone, so I will need to appeal to Headmaster Ozpin for a late application."
"It's a good thing you're doing it in person. I know it can't be cheap to fly all the way here from Atlas." Arthur nodded his head. "I'm here to get a late application as well, though obviously it ain't for me. I'm a little old for schoolin'." The outlaw chuckled, and Weiss allowed a small smile as well.
"No matter what it is you are here for, I wish you luck Mr. Morgan." A small amount of mischief crept into her voice. "Even if you did blow up my home." They both chuckled quietly at that, and Arthur checked his scroll to see how long he had been waiting for. Forty minutes and change, he noted with a small frown. Had that receptionist thrown him for a loop?
The elevator chimed once again, and this time it really was Glynda Goodwitch. The Deputy Headmistress looked down at her scroll, expanded outward to more of a clipboard than the pocket sized version Arthur was familiar with.
"Miss Schnee, the Headmaster is-" She paused when she looked up to see Arthur sitting next to the young woman. "Oh, Mr. Morgan. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you were already here."
"Hello again, Miss Goodwitch. Good to see ya again." Arthur nodded respectfully. Glynda moved a few things around on her scroll, but her near permanent stern visage didn't budge.
"I'm sorry, but Miss Schnee's appointment was marked as a priority. I hope it's not an inconvenience for you to wait a little while longer." The Deputy apologized. Weiss looked at Arthur for a moment, then turned around and stood up at attention.
"Actually Miss Goodwitch, I was wondering if Mr. Morgan could come up with me. He has seen me in combat before, so I feel that he could provide a second opinion." Weiss looked to him expectantly, and Arthur just shrugged. The context of seeing her in combat was a little suspect, but Ozpin was already aware that Arthur had worked with the White Fang. He just couldn't remember if he had told the old man that they had broken ties with the organization.
"I don't mind, Miss Goodwitch. It's up to you." He said with a nod. The Deputy Headmistress pushed her glasses up onto her nose and blinked, but otherwise showed no outward sign of contemplation.
"Very well, right this way. Though understand that you may be asked to step out if any private matters are discussed." She allowed as she stepped to the side, granting permission for both of them to move toward the elevator. Weiss clearly tried to maintain a cool composure as she grabbed Myrtenaster, but Arthur could see that she had the eager gait of a teen on the verge of a great achievement. Judging by the demur smirk she wore, Goodwitch noticed as well. The two adults followed behind Weiss and entered the elevator together, Arthur stepping to one side to allow Goodwitch enough room to select a floor with her scroll. Once the doors closed, there was little to focus on besides the gentle hum of the elevator raising them to the Headmaster's Office. Well, that and Weiss' foot nervously tapping.
Glynda ignored it gracefully, but Arthur cut a glance at the young heiress between them. She stared straight ahead, and only noticed him after he looked away. She must have realized that he'd seen her anxiety, because she schooled her countenance and the nervous tapping stopped immediately. Probably something she learned because of her old man. Arthur thought grimly. Knowing what he did about Jacques Schnee, it was far more likely to purge any perceived weakness in the family than out of any actual care for the girl.
"Hey, you okay?" Arthur asked quietly. Weiss blinked at his words, clearly not expecting him to comment on it. The cold apathy of high society, everyone.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" She asked quietly. The two were almost whispering, though neither were under the illusion that Goodwitch couldn't hear them. She remained silent regardless, which he was sure Weiss appreciated.
"I just figured you might be a little nervous is all. This is a big step, getting into Beacon." Arthur nudged her slightly. "But coming here to ask is the hardest part. The Headmaster is a reasonable man, I'm sure he'll listen to ya." Weiss' eyes lowered at that, and even though she offered an appreciative smile he could tell that she wasn't certain. Then again, she was young. It wasn't strange for teenagers to doubt themselves. At least she ain't running off to join some turtle cult.
The elevator chimed as it came to a gentle stop, the doors opening into the clockwork office of Professor Ozpin once more. Glynda and Arthur both stepped out confidently, though Weiss hesitated a moment before joining them. Behind his desk, Ozpin was reading over something on his terminal. The words went by too quickly for Arthur to pick up without his Semblance, not to mention that they were backwards. When he acknowledged their arrival, the man nodded and closed the terminal with a wave of his hand.
"Miss Schnee, good to finally meet you. Mister Morgan." Arthur nodded back. "I was told that you were here, but I wasn't expecting you to come up so soon."
"Miss Schnee asked me to come up with her." Arthur explained with a shrug. "Considering what she's asking, it makes sense seeing as how I've gone up against her once. I can offer a second opinion." Ozpin let his gaze rest on Arthur for a few moments, then turned and faced Weiss.
"If you requested his presence, I don't see the harm. Just know that I reserve the right to ask either of you to step out if need be." He cautioned. That he allowed it at all showed that he didn't really intend to separate them unless there was an issue, or at least that's how Arthur interpreted it. It was hard to get a read on the Headmaster. Even so, he took a step or two back to allow Weiss to speak first. She nodded her thanks, then turned to face Ozpin.
"I was hoping to petition for admission to Beacon this year." She said respectfully. "I apologize for the last minute request, but matters within the SDC as well as some personal conflicts had to be handled before I could put forth my application." Weiss bowed in respect, and Ozpin waved his hand.
"No need to stand on ceremony, Miss Schnee. I understand that some things cannot be avoided, but I do wonder about the immediate request. Why not apply next year? Surely that would give you time to prepare." Weiss flinched and straightened slightly, but maintained her composure otherwise.
"Unfortunately, it took every amount of negotiation I had for my father to allow me to apply at all. Were I to allow an entire year to pass, he would no doubt rescind his permission and force me back into his original plan." Arthur snorted behind her, but was largely ignored. His opinions on Jacques Schnee was well known, after all.
"I understand now. Even so, there's nothing in your reasoning for me to accept you on the merit of your family alone. What qualifications do you present?" Ozpin asked, offering an open hand. Weiss stepped forward to his desk and offered her scroll, stepping back once more when he had it in hand. Ozpin opened it and scrolled through it. Arthur couldn't see what credentials she had, but Ozpin's expression indicated that it was at least satisfactory. As he read over her qualifications, Glynda approached the young Huntress to be with an open hand.
"Miss Schnee, may I see your weapon?" The Deputy Headmistress asked politely. Weiss raised Myrtenaster upward in a formal salute, then flipped it around to offer the handle. Glynda lifted gentle from Weiss' hand and examined the tip, her eyes running over the blade with an experienced edge. She swung and thrust the rapier forward without moving from her position, the examined the rotary Dust chamber.
"Excellent balance and weight. Enough variety in the Dust for versatility. Did you construct this weapon yourself?" It was a neutral question, but one that seemed to make Weiss nervous.
"I was present while it was built, but my father didn't want me near the forge. I did design the Dust compartment though." Her tone indicated that she thought her answer would disappoint Goodwitch. The Deputy Headmistress hummed as she finished her examination before returning it in the same way she had received it.
"Constructing your weapon yourself is not a requirement of Beacon Academy, but merely a tradition that we honor. So long as you know how to maintain and repair it, that is sufficient." Glynda gave her a short nod. "It is an elegant weapon. Did you choose to name it?"
"I did. I named it Myrtenaster." Weiss returned it to her hip, where a magnetic strip along the hip of her dress kept the blade in place. Glynda nodded again, finding nothing wrong with the name. Frankly Arthur didn't know what the hell it stood for, but it obviously had some significance to the girl. With the weapon inspection completed, Ozpin looked back up at her.
"Clearly you have the qualifications to attend, and I understand the priority for enrolling as soon as possible." The elderly man leaned forward and steepled his fingers. "Accepting your enrollment this late can be explained by a special tutor program, something for an individual perhaps?" Special treatment sounded like one hell of a deal, but Arthur could understand perfectly why Weiss shook her head.
"If it's all the same to you Headmaster, I'd like the same enrollment as the rest of the students. Late enrollment is special enough treatment. I looked to Beacon to avoid that kind of thing." Weiss looked uncomfortable correcting the Headmaster, but Ozpin just disregarded it with a small smile.
"I think that's a sufficient enough application, Miss Schnee. Myself and Miss Goodwitch will take everything here into account, and I will ask Mister Morgan about his experience with you. If you would please wait in the lobby for a moment. I will send Miss Goodwitch to you when we've come to a decision." Weiss blinked twice, obviously expecting to receive a decision right away. The young heiress recovered quickly however, and offered a small bow. When she turned and walked past Arthur, the outlaw gave her a reassuring smile.
"Ya did good, kid." He whispered as she passed. She glanced at him with what looked like an appreciative smile, and then she was in the elevator. They waited for the doors to close before the three adults could speak freely.
"Well, what do ya think? She make the cut?" Arthur asked with a hand in his pocket. Ozpin nodded with that same enigmatic smile Arthur was starting to recognize.
"I think it's clear that Beacon Academy would suffer more than it would benefit by denying Miss Schnee her enrollment. Her avoidance of special treatment is also admirable, given her situation."
"Yeah, I've gotten a glimpse into that whole mess. She's a good girl, but she's in a gilded cage." The outlaw scratched at his cheek. "I notice you didn't ask me about her fightin'?"
"I'm sure she is more than competent, though I would like to hear more later. In the meantime, what brings you back to us, Mister Morgan? It was my understanding that you wanted to be free of us." Ozpin did not say it unkindly, but only an idiot would see him back in the office and not suspect something. Arthur had been rolling this conversation around in his head days before this moment, and he still didn't have a solid way to go about it. But he hadn't made it for as long as he had by being skittish.
"Part of what I'm askin' is based on how I met Miss Schnee. It's all about the White Fang; why they're like they are now." The outlaw walked up and ran his hand along the chair, then sat in it after a moment of thought.
The tale took half an hour at most, and he kept the more intimate parts with Sienna to himself. But the Mansion Incident and everything that occurred while he was in the White Fang was fair game. If he was going to ask Ozpin to cover for Sienna, the man needed to know everything that had happened. He told of how open Adam had been in the beginning, but the young man gradually turned to the darker, more violent tendencies. Arthur told of how the Outlanders had been recruited, Faunus-exclusive bandits that had bolstered the White Fang's ranks. He also told them how the old guard had been slowly pushed out, leaving only Adam's radicals behind. And finally, he described the scorpion Faunus involved in Adam's coup, and how narrowly they escaped.
"We managed to get here despite the bounty hunters, and I brought her to my apartment in Vale. I can keep the hunters off her trail for a while, but Atlas is a whole other beast." Arthur took a breath now that the tale was done, scanning the two in front of him for any indication on their thoughts. Ozpin had leaned back in the chair during his telling, and Glynda stood next to the desk with a faint grimace on her face. Neither spoke, but he could tell from the subtle body language that the two were communicating without speaking, small motions and glances that told him nothing and the two of them everything. It came when you worked together for a long time, like he'd done with Lenny and Charles.
"That is quite the conundrum you present, Mister Morgan. While I believe I can understand Lady Khan's decisions, particularly those taken prior to the incident with Miss Schnee, I also cannot deny that by your own admission she committed multiple crimes against the SDC. I have no love for Jacques' working policies, but I also do not have enough power to impede their investigation." Arthur sighed; he wasn't really thinking that Ozpin could just wave everything away but he was hoping for some kind of help.
"Ain't there something you can do? I know you can't just fix it, but what can you do?" The outlaw wasn't above begging, but he knew Ozpin had some kind of swing in this situation. The Headmaster leaned forward once more and adjusted his glasses before he rested his elbows on the desk.
"You assisted us greatly in the past, perhaps even more than you know, but I still must ask. What can you offer in return, Mister Morgan? There is something I can do about this, but first I need to know what it is you are willing to do for me?" Ozpin held out a hand. "I'm not looking to indenture you to my service, Arthur. But I need to have some kind of give for all of this take."
Arthur looked down at his hands, trepidation welling up deep in his gut as his eyes traced over the scars and callouses he had acquired in his years. He knew this had been coming, and he knew exactly what it was that he had to offer. He had no marketable skills, no trades he could pursue. Arthur's one and only expertise lay in violence and its many applications, and Ozpin was one of the very few places where he could do some good with it. But the thought of accepting someone else's yoke after escaping Dutch rankled Arthur straight to the core. Were it not for the fact that Sienna needed it, and how much she meant to him, he would have simply built a homestead near Argus or Vacuo and told the Grimm to keep out. But Atlas painting a target on her back guaranteed that she would never have a peaceful life, and he couldn't let her go through all that alone.
"For most of my life, ever since I was a boy, I've committed almost every sin known to man. Stealin', robbin', killin'. There wasn't nothing I wouldn't do to stay alive, and to keep my people safe. I tried to be fair and kind when I could, but I'm not the kind of person you keep around kids." Arthur looked up and met Ozpin's look with steely eyes. "I'll do whatever you need done, Headmaster. But only so long as them I care about stay safe. If you cross me, every Huntsman in the Kingdom won't keep me from you."
Goodwitch looked between the two with her standard neutral expression, but Arthur didn't miss how her right arm fell to her side, likely where she kept that riding crop of hers. He'd heard about her Semblance, how she could move things just by waving it around. The outlaw grabbed his belt buckle and let his shoulders hang loose, his thumb resting on the hammer of his Peacekeeper. If things broke bad, he could make it into the elevator shaft long enough to come up with an exit strategy as long as he distracted Goodwitch. Ozpin was an unknown, but there weren't many things he could do that were effective while also avoiding friendly fire with his Deputy. The moments dragged on in the wake of Arthur's threat, and Ozpin slowly stood from his desk. He walked around the furniture slowly, grabbing his cane leisurely even though he clearly didn't need it.
The Headmaster stepped between Goodwitch and Arthur and planted his cane with a click, resting one hand atop its pommel. The other he extended with a small smile.
"You have my word, Arthur. What I ask of you may be difficult, but it doesn't involve any of those sins. And while I can't guarantee Lady Khan immunity, I can be quite disruptive for Atlas until a solution is reached." A twinkle in his eye made Arthur relax a bit as he shook the Headmaster's hand. "In fact, I often find myself doing it without realizing." Behind Ozpin, Goodwitch relaxed as well, and began typing something on her scroll.
"Thank you, Professor. I'm sorry if I sounded a little strong, but I haven't lived as long as I have by trusting easily." Arthur apologized sheepishly. Something about that comment made Ozpin frown, but it was there and gone so quickly that the outlaw wasn't even certain he'd seen it in the first place. Regardless, now he had something else to focus on.
"I understand Miss Belladonna doesn't have any formal training or certificates?" Ozpin asked rhetorically. Arthur winced at that, but the Headmaster waved it off easily. "It is not uncommon to find talent on the frontier, especially given the dangerous environments people thrive in. I put together an enrollment program a few years ago for students that had not attended accredited schools. Miss Goodwitch will arrange for a screening before the first day's selection to ensure that Miss Belladonna is up to the task. Just know that she must prove capable; regardless of our agreement here, she won't be accepted if she is not ready." That was the furthest worry from Arthur's mind. Blake was smart, fast, and her Semblance made her hard to pin down. Add in the guerrilla training that Adam and Sienna gave her, and he was confident she could survive in situations that even he would have trouble with.
"I appreciate your consideration for her regardless, Headmaster. Now what is it that you need me to do, exactly?" Arthur watched curiously as Ozpin and Goodwitch exchanged looks, but when they looked back the Headmaster simply shook his head.
"I need to check in with an old friend and see where he is. Currently, we're trying to convince a former student of mine to return to Vale for the time being. She's a bit of a free spirit and a very talented fighter, but I have reason to believe that some of my old foes may be targeting her specifically. Once I have more information I will contact you, no sooner than tomorrow." Ozpin patted Arthur on the shoulder. "If you would, let Lady Khan know that she had asylum here on Beacon grounds and limited movement around the city of Vale. As far as the bounty, the only thing I can guarantee is that it will not be paid out by Vale bounty offices. That should keep most of the local talent off of your backs."
It took that statement for Arthur to finally relax. It wasn't a permanent solution, but it gave him enough breathing room to sort things out with the Schnee Family and the White Fang. After he helped Ozpin out, that is.
"Thank you again, Professor. And just so we're clear, I'm supposed to help convince her to come back? No ropes or hogties, right?"
"Against Autumn, I ask that you only use your words. If things become violent or if she flees, simply return and let me know what happened. I am not in the business of kidnapping those I seek to protect. No matter what might be at stake." He trailed off as if that last part was meant to be to himself, but Arthur heard it regardless. He filed that little tidbit away for later. With business clearly concluded, he said his farewells and walked back to the elevator. Ozpin and Goodwitch watched as the doors closed, and both breathed a sigh of relief when he was gone.
"You've chosen a dangerous ally, Headmaster." Glynda cautioned, a clear note of disapproval in her voice. "Are you certain that he is trustworthy?"
"I can assure you, Mister Morgan is far from trustworthy. If he needs to lie or hide something to achieve his goals, he shall. The goals themselves, however, are quite honorable." Ozpin opened his terminal once more and began searching for Atlesian and Mistralian articles pertaining to the Schnee Mansion being destroyed. "The crucial part of this meeting is that our support guarantees his loyalty. Should he threaten this relationship in any way, Miss Khan and Miss Belladonna will surely suffer for it. The press alone would be their end."
"I see." The Deputy was clearly not satisfied with that answer, but she knew it would be the only one she would get. "Are you going to approach James about Atlas' bounty, then?" Ozpin chuckled humorlessly and spun in his chair, his mug lifted for a small sip.
"Speaking to James about it now will only tip him off that Lady Khan is in Vale, and cause further tension than we are already facing. No, I believe that discretion is the better part of valor in this case."
The front door of Arthur's apartment open and shut before Sienna opened her eyes, and she craned her head back over the arm of the couch to see who was coming in. When she saw that it was Arthur, she gave him a friendly wave and sat up, stretching her back after her short nap.
"You're still here?" She heard the outlaw joke as he hung up his hat and belt, shrugging his coat off as well. "I figured you'd be out the door as soon as my back was turned." She felt a calloused hand run across her shoulders and leaned back into it for a brief moment as he walked into the kitchen.
"Do you really think so little of me, Arthur?" She asked loftily, and he she heard him chuckle in the kitchen. The outlaw turned the corner and offered her a bottle of beer, cracking the top off of it before handing it to her. He did the same for another and sat down next to her, knocking the necks together softly and taking a long sip.
"Well, I couldn't quite get you full immunity, but I do feel like some progress was made." Arthur said as he leaned back, throwing an arm over Sienna's shoulders. She leaned in slightly, but remained upright as she drank from her beer as well.
"I knew he couldn't remove everything, I'm just worried what it might have cost you in return. What did you have the offer to get his cooperation?" She looked over at him with concern, but Arthur waved it off with the hand he had on her shoulder.
"Nothin' I ain't done before. The Headmaster has an old student he wants brought back to Vale. Not by force," He interjected when he saw her worried glance. "just an invitation to come back. We're to try to convince her, no ropes or guns involved. If she doesn't wanna come back, we end it there and come home." His words didn't completely sway her fears, but Sienna knew commenting on it now would be pointless. It was best to get further information before she objected, and did she really have a choice at this point? Arthur had secured the support of Beacon's Headmaster, but it was conditional to him completing a task. Until Arthur finished the mission, anytime she so much as stepped out of the apartment she was at risk of arrest.
"What did he grant you? What is all this going to get us?" Sienna asked, and Arthur sighed heavily.
"Complete immunity on Beacon Academy grounds. Limited immunity in the city of Vale. None of the bounty offices will honor your bounty, and Vale won't send you to Atlas. It won't stop Atlas from taking you away, but hopefully we can fight them off if that ever happens. The SDC won't back down for a while, or at least until we can prove that it was Adam doing the dirty stuff instead of you." Arthur shook his head. It wasn't what they were after, but it was better than nothing.
"He's offering refuge at Beacon? I know that's the center of his power, but that also turns that school into a cage. If I take my chances in the city, there's still the chance that Atlas' soldiers run across me. That puts us both under his thumb." Sienna frowned, letting her anxiety show. Arthur said nothing to contradict her, but just held his bottle up in salute before downing the rest.
Arthur had felt similarly to her when he was in Ozpin's office, but he also knew that the Headmaster's offer was far better than trying to outrun Atlas and the SDC. Weiss was clearly in a position to supplant her father at her current pace, but that could still be decades down the road. By the time she was in a position to solve their problems, both he and Sienna would be too old to care either way.
"Where's Blake at? I made some progress on her end too." Arthur changed the subject, and Sienna rolled her eyes.
"She thinks that she snuck out half an hour ago, though she still has a lot to learn. Like checking her window for alarms." Arthur chuckled at that.
"What, you got something on yer scroll that tells you whenever she opens the window?"
"Nothing as high tech as that. I just put a piece of packing stuffing in the hinge outside of her window. It makes a very distinctive sound when crushed, and by the time she figures out where it is, I've heard her. The foster homes in Mistral used similar tactics when my little warriors tried to sneak out." That reminded Arthur of what Ghira had said about Sienna's upbringing. After her parents were excommunicated, Sienna had gathered lost and homeless Faunus children in similar situations and took care of them. It didn't occur to Arthur that some of them might have actually been adopted. From what Blake's father had told him, orphanages for Faunus children had been rare.
"Of course you knew how to break kids out of foster homes." Arthur grinned at her, causing the Faunus to blush slightly. Even though she had been looked up to by a vast majority of the White Fang, honest praise from Arthur still gave her butterflies like she was some lovesick teenager. Sienna ruffled his hair with her free hand before she collected both of their beer bottles and stood up. She carried them into the kitchen to replace them, dropping the empties into their own bin. Because Arthur was all about recycling, apparently. It also explained the pair of gloves he'd given her that were made from squirrel and chipmunk pelts. Such a caring man he was.
"How long does Blake have to prepare?" She asked as she came back around. "I can prepare her in the meantime."
"She's got a week at least. I'll most likely be gone by tomorrow afternoon. Whatever business Ozpin has with this girl, it needs done soon. He's gonna contact me in the morning." The outlaw stood up and accepted the offered beer while standing. "Which means I need to be ready to go by tonight. No sense in waiting until he calls to start packing." He popped the top and tapped the necks of their beers together before turning toward their shared room, where all of his supplies were kept. Sienna followed after him, not exactly content at being rendered the helpless housewife.
"And what do you expect me to do in the meantime? Obviously whatever he has you doing is going to be dangerous. Let me come with you." Arthur had continued into the room as she spoke with her following him, but her last request made him stop and turn abruptly, causing Sienna to bump into his chest.
"I know you hate sittin' on the sidelines, sweetheart, but Ozpin is the only one that can keep the heat off of ya. If you're out traveling the wilderness with me, there's nothing stopping Atlas from snatching you up besides a harsh word. And we both know how the Schnee treat suggestions." He gave her a peck on her forehead, his beard scratching her brown as she frowned. "If they snatch you up, everything I'm doing right now ain't for nothing. Just sit tight until I can get this done, then we'll find you a way."
Arthur sat the beer down on the night stand and went to the closet, digging out his saddlebags for clothes and supplies. He grabbed a few changes of clothes, a spare pair of boots, and other necessities and set them to the side in a routine so natural that he wasn't even paying much attention to it.
Sienna bit her lip as she watched him pack, feeling the same amount of anxiety and trepidation that she had prior to the Schnee Mansion incident. Here he was, going out to risk his neck again, and it was for her sake. Well, hers and Blake's. She crossed over to the bed so she could at least watch him pack.
"Is there anything I can do to contribute? I'll go crazy just sitting here waiting for you to return." She wasn't some helpless waif, and that was something Arthur loved about her. But at times like this, that personality trait would do more harm than good.
"I don't expect ya to just sit around. If Beacon is the only place Ozpin can keep you safe, then go there an' see what else you can figure out. Here." Arthur paused in his packing and drew out the torn photo that Sean had given him, with the doctor that tormented him on the edge. "I didn't get a chance to bring this up to him, but see if Ozpin recognizes the man in this picture here, on the end. He's the man that put Sean back together, but he ended up torturing him too." Arthur's voice turned hard, and Sienna looked the picture over, not recognizing any of the scientists. The paper it was printed on was yellowed slightly, but it had to be somewhat recent since everyone in the picture looked middle aged. If the guy was ancient, he wouldn't have presented the trouble that he had.
"You think he's more likely to share with me than he is with you?" Sienna asked skeptically as she handed Arthur one of his hats, a brown plantation hat for sunny days. The outlaw took it with a nod and finished stuffing his bags, leaving him with two connected saddlebags that he slung over his shoulder like he had during several bank robberies.
"I think Ozpin shares exactly what he wants to share, and it doesn't matter much who he's talkin' to. The guy can be sincere as a priest and still not tell you a damn thing. It's all knowing smiles and words that could mean something or nothing at the same time. He'll talk, it's just a matter of what he says." Arthur shifted the weight and stepped up to the bed where Sienna sat, palming her shoulder and offering what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Hey, I know I told you enough stories from my time with the gang for you to know that this ain't nothing to worry about. I'm probably gonna be doing a few more jobs for this guy until I can settle things with the Schnees. We'll figure out who got after Sean and make sure they don't cross us again, and you and I are gonna be fine. Don't worry yerself none."
Sienna leaned in to give him a quick peck, but the worry still furrowed her brow as she followed him out. She was already considering her meeting with Ozpin and all its plain and veiled implications, but she also couldn't help but be anxious. If Ozpin needed something taken care of that his menagerie of Huntsmen and Huntresses couldn't handle, it was either shady or extremely difficult. Given Arthur's relative inexperience with Aura and Grimm, she had to assume it was the former. And while he was the furthest thing from expendable in her eyes, Sienna couldn't help but notice that she seemed alone in thinking so. She had attached herself to a man that was a pawn in a few too many games, and it was enough to knot her gut and white her knuckles with worry.
The two stepped out into the alley as she helped him prepare, but Sienna was already planning to train Blake's ass off in preparation for what came next. That, and she needed to punch something.
"Hello?" A gruff voice pierced the relative calm of the inn, a quaint little hole near the outskirts of Vale. The inn had booths all along the wall, though the only one occupied could watch the bar and the door with ease. Seated at that booth was a grizzled man in an unkempt gray shirt, his soft red eyes sliding around the empty inn warily as he answered his scroll.
"Qrow, it's me." Ozpin's voice played over the speaker. "Have you heard anything new?" The man took a long sip from the beer in front of him, draining until it was nearly empty except for a heavy froth.
"So far, just a few stories of a woman patching our girl's description saving travelers from Grimm and traveling on a horse. As is typical of her, she's already moved on by the time word gets around." Qrow's voice exuded the resigned disappointment he usually felt when tracking Amber down. She used to check in without needing to be babysat like some traveling teenager. Alright, so she may still be in her twenties, but she's not just some student anymore. No matter how much Oz babies her. Qrow thought with a roll of his eyes.
"She can't seem to sit still, can she?" The question was rhetorical, and he could heard the bemused sigh on the other end. "Have you heard anything else?" Qrow glanced around at the inn, but the only other occupant was the bartender that was watching a recording of some semi-finals from the Haven Tournament. She looked bored, but not to the point where she would start eavesdropping. Still, better safe than sorry.
"Apparently I'm not the only one asking about her. My sources are a little sketchy on the who, but the number is the same." Qrow responded quietly, turning his scroll and casually blocking it from view with his drink. "Three younger types, all bad news and bad attitudes. But the leader sounds like she has something to her. The Spiders are charging me higher than usual since they're burning through so Vale favors, so its taking some time to weed through the rumors. No matter you you slice it, they reek of her."
"Of course they do." Ozpin's sigh this time was much heavier. "It seems our period of peace is over. If they move to take Amber, you have to stop them. She cannot defend herself against Salem's forces forever." Despite the severity of the situation, Ozpin simply sounded tired. Every time Salem had sought out the Maidens in the past, it was simply a delaying tactic. Either dead or as prisoners, the Maiden powers eventual found their way to a new host, and Ozpin would start over. Amber had been just as rebellious as the previous Fall Maiden, but Ozpin wasn't terribly worried about losing her.
It made Qrow's skin crawl.
"I know you can handle yourself Qrow, but I'm sending you some support. Mister Morgan has found himself supporting our cause, and I understand he is something of an expert in finding people in the wilderness." An expert that couldn't transform into a bird, or at least Qrow wanted to say that. Instead, he sipped his beer loudly and let Ozpin continue. "I'm investigating the White Fang matter to see if Salem has her hand in there as well. We're also providing asylum for the White Fang's former leader."
"I've seen the footage. I'm sure Jimmy will be thrilled to see her at the Festival." Qrow replied sarcastically. A bemused huff came from the other end of the call.
"That is doubtful. However, given James' stubborn nature, I see no reason to broach that particular subject just yet." This time, Qrow let the snide laugh escape him. It was just like Oz to play these games, and anything at Ironwood's expense was worth a laugh. The bartender was still keeping one eye on the tournament, but she had turned to greet a new customer. Qrow glanced out the side of his eye, past the crook of his elbow. The laugh died as his eyes settled on the familiar red and black.
"Hey, something just came up. I'll have to call you back." Qrow said quickly, and closed the scroll before Ozpin could say anything more. He attempted to stash it in his sleeve with a little sleight of hand, but wound up fumbling and sending it skittering across the table. Damn Semblance. The device teetered on the edge of the table, then was pushed back as the visitor took a seat across from him.
"Having fun, brother? It was either a jilted lover or Ozpin himself to make you hang up so fast." Raven Branwen oozed smugness as she slid into the seat across from him. Qrow blew a puff of air from his mouth in resignation.
"Hey sis. Here to tie me up again, or are we past that now? Besides, last I heard you were off in some faraway place." He took another swig, emptying his drink as he set it down with a hollow thunk. The barkeep made to come over and refill it, but a sharp glance kept her away. Raven just smirked at the exchange.
"If you can't remember your knots, that's your own fault. I seem to remember thorough instruction in the tribe." Qrow sneered at that; when they were young, basic survival skills were taught early, and the punishment was absolutely draconian. Qrow himself had been starved for two days and then suspended over a bowl of food, his only way to eat being to escape. Raven had gotten out first, and she took immense pleasure in eating from his bowl that night. "As for where I've been, well...that would be telling, wouldn't it?"
"What can I say? I've been spoiled by civilization. Spend a few nights without sleeping next to rapists and murderers, you'd be amazed how your life changes." His sister scoffed at that, but otherwise seemed unbothered by his snark. She had long ago accepted the bandit life, and often tried to sway him back to their barbaric ways. That, coupled with her whole philosophy on strength, was just one of many reasons why he intentionally forgot to send her a birthday message each year.
"Word travels quickly on this continent. I pass through a single town before I hear about some drunk vagabond asking around for a little girl. Finally admitting that you like them young, or has Ozpin's pet Maiden flown the coop again?" Qrow's eyes hardened, and he glanced around for any potential eavesdroppers. When she saw this, Raven chuckled. "Poor little brother. If the ones seeking her were here, they would be just as lost as you are. And they are clearly not, which means you're lagging behind. Again."
Qrow felt his temper flare up, but beyond that the hardened Huntsman in him raised its hackles. Raven had access to the same or similar information that he did, which meant that she had an interest in the chase as well. The question was, what did Raven and her tribe had to gain from following a Maiden that was a continent away from their usual stomping grounds? And how was she in contact with the gang when Summer had said that she was in whatever place that Arthur had come from?
"You finally getting in on this fight? Or are you just trying to watch us slaughter each other with a bowl of popcorn?" He asked as he leaned back, running his thumb along the end of the table. It was a screen that he ran often, every ending pass placing his hand near Harbinger's grip. Raven watched it for a few passes before she grinned, that predatory look in her eyes almost glowing at the prospect of a fight. Because if anyone knew his tells, it was her.
"As fun as it would be to rehash this old dance, I came to give you a warning, dear brother." Raven let her own hand drop, and he heard the quiet rasp of steel as she drew Omen from its sheath. "But if you want to lose again, I can oblige." Qrow stopped his thumb right at the edge of the table, and a tense silence settled over the table. If either one of them drew, there was a good chance the whole village would be burned down before the fight was over. Raven was ruthless in her quest to prove her strength, and whether she admitted it or not, Qrow was her closest opponent outside of Ozpin himself. And he couldn't deny the growing urge to finally put her in her place.
"No." He brought his hand back up and leaned forward on the table, splaying his hand out to show that it was empty. "Let's hear what you have to say." Raven watched him for a few moments more, then slid Omen home with a grunt of frustration.
"Coward." She muttered, then signaled over to the barkeep. The young woman brought two more mugs over after a few moments, though she did cast a worried glance toward Raven before she went back to the bar. If only she knew.
"Your Maiden, she's being tailed by some of Salem's people. Apparently, one of them has quite a grudge against your cowboy friend too." She leaned back and grabbed her beer, guzzling it down like the savage raider that she was. Qrow sipped his own at a slower pace, and it also gave him an opening for questions.
"And how did you find that out? Did he try to find him in your camp or something?" Raven sat her mug down and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"A few of my men got picked up in some bounty offices. Before they escaped, several of them saw an angry young man come into the offices, demanding to know who it was that cashed in the bounty on Marcus Black. He definitely had something to him, from what I've been told." She smirked and leaned back comfortably. "One of them identified him in the trio that is going around asking for your Maiden."
Qrow cursed again. Black had been on his radar, and anyone connected to him was going to be just as vicious as the dead assassin had been. It was just like Salem to pick up the dregs of society; they had the most to gain and the least to lose by serving her.
"What is this tip going to cost me? Are we gonna have it out right here for old time's sake?" Qrow asked haughtily, and Raven just shook her head. She finished her drink with a few gulps and slammed the mug down, attracting the fearful attention of the barkeep. The bandit leader stood up and brushed her wild mane across the table as she did so. Qrow watched with dejected disappointment as at least three hairs cascaded down into his mug, swimming around gently in the froth of the beer. This time the rasp of Omen's sheath was much louder, and she held it aloft to open one of her portals.
"Let's just say you owe me one, brother. Keep track of your Maiden hunters, and I'll come collect as some point. It's not like I can't ever find you." She slashed downward, cutting a crimson tear in the space in front of her. Raven moved to walk through the portal without so much as a dismissal to her brother, but Qrow's words stopped her.
"Yang's starting school this year." Raven paused mid stride, her back stiff. "Just in case you decided to give a shit." The barb earned a snarl of rage, and she stepped through the portal without another word. The crimson circle collapsed in on itself, leaving Qrow and the bartender to once again be the only ones left in the establishment. The young barkeep crossed over to Qrow's booth hesitantly, but became a little more emboldened when he gave her an easy grin. The young woman collected the spent mugs and placed a piece of paper on the table face down.
"Oh, your number for the dashing rogue?" Qrow asked with as much suave charm as he could muster. To his chagrin, she didn't even smirk.
"No. It's your tab." With the mugs collected, she hurried over to the bar, dutifully ignoring his attempts to get any further attention. With his attempts thoroughly thwarted, Qrow was left to himself, letting his forehead slam into the table as he was reminded once again that his sister was a colossal bitch.
A/N: Apologies for the delay. Between election politics and our recent loss, I just couldn't find the inspiration to put anything down on paper. Arthur's adventures are still ongoing, but this next line up we will see some familiar faces from both the gang and Team RWBY. As for Raven, she's not out of the woods yet. We'll get more into that later.