The silence that spread throughout the cafeteria was deafening, no one in close proximity to the man dared move or risk bringing the professors wrath down upon them. Some of the bolder students near the back of the cafeteria attempted to edge there way towards one of the side doors in hopes of escaping what punishment was to come, though a quick glare from Glynda ended that plan rather quickly freezing them in place alongside the others.
"So" Mikael's deceivingly calm tone sent a shiver up their spines "Would anyone care to explain?"
For the few moments following his question no one spoke, his eyes scanned over the children many of whom shuffled nervously under his gaze, quite a few of them were not so subtly pointing towards someone, following their direction Mikael turned his gaze to the white-haired girl currently making a rather remarkable impression of a fish.
"Miss Schnee" Jaune and Cardin glanced to one another before quickly backing out of the professor's line of sight, giving him a clear path to the Schnee Heiress. Weiss bristled at the mention of her name a rather large lump forming in her throat as the Nightingale grew closer, even more so when both Glynda's and Amber's gaze turned towards her, the two female professors staring at the heiress expectantly, although there was some small amount of sympathy in the Fall maidens gaze.
"Professor...I..I" The girl continued to stammer while sending a pleading look towards her partner.
"Nope!"The red-cloaked girl shook her head violently in response shuffling further behind Blake and Nora when Mikael turned his gaze towards her, refusing to meet his eye. Weiss struggled to find the correct words to form some kind of response as the reality of her situation began to set in, for all intents and purposes she'd just assaulted a member of staff, however accidental it might have been the ramifications of such an act was not lost on her, nor the consequences she would have to endure, a large number of detentions as well as a large black mark on her up until now pristine record at Beacon... If news of this ever made it back to her father.
Weiss opened her mouth to start sputtering apologies, Mikael raised his hand gesturing for her to stop, she wouldn't be of any use in sorting this mess out in her current state of fright, although the reaction he received from the gesture wasn't something he was expecting at all. The heiress flinched, her body seizing up as she braced for a blow that never came.
Although surprised by her reaction he remained unfazed, crossing his arms over his chest while tucking that little piece of information away for later. "I am not looking for an apology, Miss Schnee. "He began bringing Weiss back to reality " I am looking for an explanation as to who is responsible for this mess." Mikael gestured to the destroyed cafeteria, the sight alone made many of the upper year students wince, maybe they had gotten a little carried away.
The silence and overall calm atmosphere that had settled was broken once more by a startled scream from above, as yet another opening was punched through the ceiling followed by Yang crashing through one of few tables left standing, the blond sat up and immediately stiffened at the sight of the three professors, even more so after seeing the infuriated look on Glynda's face, her grip on the riding crop in her hands tightening audibly. "w-What did I miss?" She asked followed by a nervous chuckle.
Mikael glanced up at the second opening and sighed pinching the bridge of his nose "Marvelous" He muttered.
Weiss stared at her teammate for a full two seconds before turning back to Mikael "It was Yang and Nora, they're the ones who started this." Weiss said sending a small glare at her teammate for causing and dragging her into this mess "It was them, it was all them!"
"Weiss!?" Yang cried outraged that her teammate had sold her out. Following her outburst more and more students began voicing their support towards Weiss claim throwing some of their own accusations out there as if such a thing would save them from all from any punishment they were going to receive.
Doubtful, incredibly doubtful.
"What!?" Yang yelled her eyes flashing red. She glared at the students around her in betrayal, those closest to her backed away in fear of her lashing out.
"Traitors!" The red-haired bomber of Juniper cried out over the masses.
"Nora" Ren said sternly "Enough."
"Fine" Nora sulked.
Mikael sighed in annoyance brushing a small chunk of gelatin off his shoulder, he was neither in the mood nor had the patience for this. "You two" He stated glaring at the blond brawler and red-haired bomber "I want you both to get cleaned up, and then make your way to my classroom I will be along shortly, understood?"
Yang and Nora glanced to one another, it was pointless to argue when almost the entire first year just outed you for causing the food fight, even if they were the ones responsible, they weren't all too pleased about being ratted out by their friends, there would be a reckoning, you could bet on that. But until then they would have to suck it up and take whatever punishment they were given, who knows, it might give them time to think up a plan for some good old-fashioned revenge against the Ice queen.
Bowing their heads to the Nightingale they replied: "Yes sir."
Yang picked herself up off the ground, dusting herself off she followed behind Nora in the direction of the locker rooms all the while the red-haired girl grumbled about having to deal with treason in her court. "As for the rest of you." Glynda said drawing the occupants attention" I hope you all enjoyed this little game of yours because you'll be spending the rest of today cleaning up this mess. I want this entire place spotless, am I clear."
A chorus of "yes Ma'am!" echoed through the cafeteria. Glynda strolled forward thrusting her riding crop towards the remains of the roofing that had fallen into the cafeteria, a violate aura surrounded the debris lifting them into the air and sealing the smaller openings piece by piece until the damage was almost none existent.
Satisfied with the work Glynda turned her attention towards the toppled pillar near the back of the cafeteria and sighed she was dreading the amount of paperwork let alone arranging the space to hold the detentions she would have to deal with once all was said and done, however, there were a few small mercies to all this.
Glynda's gaze turned back towards Mikael, the Nightingale was leaning up against one of the pillars by the entrance glaring at any of the students who looked like they might try to leave before their punishment was over with, glancing around the room he stepped back behind the pillar moving out of the students line of sight, raising his right hand up towards his chest a frigid mist rising from his palm.
Hovering his hand over the pieces of trifle clinging to his chest piece, she noticed Mikael wince as a layer of ice spread over its surface until the mess was frozen solid, satisfied with the effect the mist dissipated followed by the Nightingale brushing his hand across his chest the remnants of the trifle broke away leaving the armor spotless. Stepping out from behind the pillar the Nightingale made his way over to Amber, they shared some brief words with one another, the Fall Maiden nodded back a few moments later moving to take his place by the door, prompting Mikael to start making his way towards the exit.
As the large double doors closed behind him Glynda let out a small sigh, at the very least the detentions with miss Xiao long and miss Vahlkary would occupy most of his time in the days to come, regulating his interactions with Amber. This was a temporary solution for the moment, although at the very least it would give both herself and Ozpin more time to learn in greater depth what transpired that night and whatever his intentions were involving Amber and miss Rose.
And so far, both of them seemed content with staying quiet about it whether that be due to an outsider influencing their decision or fear of what might happen if they did, whatever their reasons maybe it worried her to no end. Glynda pushed those thoughts she could dwell on this later, for now, there were other things that needed her immediate attention.
A sudden smack followed by a cry of pain echoed across the cafeteria, instantly drawing the blond woman's attention. Mr. Winchester was face down on the floor groaning in pain his team crowding around him, while a familiar beret wearing girl stood a few feet away, a large ham she had seen the young man wielding during the food fight resting on her shoulder, while her partner stood beside her eyes wide her hands gripping the girl's collar as she attempted to drag her away from the boy and his team.
The reason behind the assault was clear, Mr Winchesters past actions towards the sole Faunus member of CFVY were known to her, however, she was under the impression these incidents had come to an end following the Forever Fall incident.
It seems she'd been mistaken, especially given how the young brunet stared at the young man lying at her feet in utter disdain, tilting her head up the girls chocolate brown eyes met her own, there was a flash of fear in her eyes before the girl finally spoke. "Oop's" Coco Adel muttered half-heartedly before dropping the makeshift club to her feet.
Glynda scowled gripping her riding crop tightly 'Starting with this'
/
Mikael sighed, dusting off the remnants of the trifle that still clung to his cloak as he continued down the hall. The Nightingale considered himself a patient man, as had a few close friends in the past, though at the moment he was beginning to feel his patients wear thin. To say he had been on edge over the past week was quite the understatement, in the days following his revelations to team RWBY he'd felt... something.
A pulse of energy that seemed to spread across the globe. It felt so familiar to him and yet he could not for the life of him place it, was this Mora? Another attempt by the demon of knowledge to manifest in this world so he could take what he desired. No, Mora was many things, but he was no fool any direct interaction with this world and its occupants would undoubtedly draw the attention of the other Daedra as well as the ire of her ladyship.
With Mora ruled out for the time being, there was very little for him to go on concerning the possible identity or origins of this event, for the moment he was stuck waiting for the one responsible to make the first move as they often did in time, he hated it, but couldn't afford to distance himself from Ruby or Amber until such an event had come to pass.
"Ruff day." A voice spoke out from behind him, Mikael halted, instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword the act was quickly followed by a small sigh as he pried his fingers from around the hilt.
"You could say that." Mikael replied flatly turning to face the Headmaster. "You're a little late, Ozpin."
Ozpin chuckled in response "Yes. Apologies for my absence but there was another matter that required my attention."
"Glynda made us aware of the reasons behind your absence." Mikael replied. "I trust it wasn't anything serious."
"No, nothing like that." he replied.
"In that case, I best be on my way." Mikael said with a respectful nod to the headmaster. "There are two young women I need to have a word with before they get any brighter ideas."
"I imagine. Though under the circumstances I doubt neither miss Vahlkary or Xiao-long will risk lengthening their punishment any further while we speak" Mikael paused turning his gaze back towards Ozpin.
"And I imagine this little meeting of ours isn't by chance." Mikael inquired suspiciously
"There is little that goes on in the academy that I am not aware of to some extent. I asked Peter to handle the two of them while we spoke." Ozpin took a sip from his coffee leaning forward onto his cane, adopting his usual calm demeanor.
Mikael, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes at the headmaster seeing the farce for what it was, his movements were slow and deliberate accompanied by the subtle changes in his stance, telltale signs of a man ready to move at a moment's notice whether to dodge an oncoming attack or counter with his own and Mikael doubted that cane was just for show. "Tell me, does the name Volkihar mean anything to you?"
Mikael stiffened, his hands clenched tightly beneath his cloak forcing himself to remain calm, of all the things the headmaster could say he certainly wasn't expecting that. Something Ozpin picked up on immediately "Well that answers one question." he muttered.
"Where?" Mikael asked his voice rising slightly. "Where did you hear that name? I certainly didn't mention it, so where?"
The headmaster showed little reaction towards the Nightingales' anger however justifiable it might have been, siblings were often protective of one another after all. "Qrow arrived at the air docks roughly an hour ago, a young woman was accompanying him. She asked for you specifically" Ozpin explained, Mikael nodded glancing of to the side deep in thought before sighing.
"Where is she now?" The Nightingale asked.
"I asked Qrow to escort her to one of the unoccupied offices across the campus, the means by how they met weren't exactly the most, trustworthy. I didn't want to risk the possibility that her actions were less than noble" Ozpin replied earning a small hum of understanding from the Nightingale.
"I understand your caution Headmaster, but if this woman is who she claims to be then there will be no need for alarm" Mikael replied. He understood the headmaster's caution, it shouldn't have been possible for anyone on Nirn to set foot in this land not without aid at least and while Nocturnal had carried his message to Karliah and Brynjolf he doubted their mistress would have been so kind as to allowed them as well as other passage through.
Never the less, he needed to be sure. "Can you take me to her?" he asked
"Of course." The headmaster responded gesturing for Mikael to follow "I imagine she will be pleased to see you."
'We'll see, old man. We'll see.' Mikael mused his hand drifting towards the hilt of his sword. If this was some sort of trick to make him let his guard down, he'd be ready.
/
Never before had the subtle ticking of a clock sounded so, foreboding to him. Qrow glanced down at his hip flask before taking a long swig, the last few days had been... well he didn't think there was a word to describe half the crazy, he'd had to handle over that time. The biggest of which sat behind the oak desk only a few feet away, head tilted to one side resting on her fist, her legs crossed neatly over one another amber orbs staring up at the wooden door's leading into the classroom, Serena Volker or something, Mikael's sister or at least that was who she claimed to be.
Qrow didn't buy it, the guy was supposed to be from another world. So if she was his "sister" then how the hell did this chick get here? Hell, he didn't even know why he'd brought her to beacon in the first place. When he tried to think back on what made him even consider bringing her here, it was like a fog rolled in his mind. The last eight hours leading up to them arriving at the academy were little more than a blur, any time he tried to dig deeper into figuring out what had happened in that time gap, he was bombarded by one hell of a headache.
The clearest memory he could recall was their argument back at the Inn after she'd shown up and they'd nearly come to blows with one another, the fact she'd come waltzing out of one of his bitch of a sisters portals, didn't help their situation in the slightest nor his still growing lack of trust for her. Anything after that was basically the equivalent of having a pack of Goliath's stomping on his head.
Oz had been willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, saying something about seeing something he couldn't or whatever, although the fact he'd been asked to stay and "keep their guest company" while he went to find the guy, showed the old wizard had suspicions of his own and wasn't about to take any chances with their new arrival.
In her current position, she gave off an air of disinterest and nonchalance, though Qrow knew better he'd seen the same trick used once or twice in the past and with her looks it worked as a deadly combination, despite her laid-back appearance he knew she was ready to move at a moment's notice, she was good, but so was he.
"Is there a reason you keep staring at me." She asked her eyes moved from the door focusing on him instead, a predatory look in her eye. " A girl might get the wrong idea." Serana raised a slender eyebrow staring at her guide expectantly, he stared back at her for a few seconds before turning his attention back towards the glowing piece of glass in his hand, tapping his fingers across its surface for a few minutes before taking a long swig from his flask the contents of which she could smell from across the room.
Serana rolled her eyes in regards to his lack of response 'Now that was just rude.'
Despite her original doubts, Raven's portal- she still had no idea how that worked -had paid off, it might not have been the direct path to Beacon like she'd hoped for, although the man she'd found on the other side. Qrow, as she had come to know him, had been useful in making her way here, even if it did take a little "Persuasion".
He had a strong mind like Raven even if the overconfidence that she was at the mercy of her tribe and not the other way around made the process a little easier, her showing up out of the blue had him on alert, they'd argued at first almost coming to blows with one another a few times before things finally settled down and not long after he tried questioning her.
She understood why he was being cautious, there was no question she'd act the same in his situation and as such she'd given him an answer similar to what she'd given Raven baring any discussion about the elder scroll as far as Qrow needed to be concerned it was just that a scroll, she'd have to talk to Mikael about this once things had settled down if one of them had been pulled through with them, then the same could be said for the other two.
The look on Qrow's face after that had been... interesting, contemplation mixed with both surprise and recollection a strange combination though one she immediately took advantage of, in those few scant seconds, his defences fell and she'd managed to plant an order into the back of his mind, one he would be compelled to follow without question, until such a time as it had been fulfilled.
During that time she had bled the man dry on everything he knew about Mikael's condition or anything else relevant to his well-being, gods knew at time's that would often be that last thing on his mind, the world around her was a pretty good example of that, it also didn't hurt that he wouldn't be able to recall any of their conversations at least without more than a little effort not to mention an ungodly migraine that would follow if he tried.
In any case, during his short time here her brother had managed to foil the attempted assassination of one of four of the most powerful magic users on this world, followed by getting tangled up in yet another shadowy organization made up of some of the most influential figures across this world masquerading as school teachers, although this one seemed to be devoted to protecting the identities and wellbeing of said women, these Maidens as Qrow had called them. It all ended with Mikael taking up a position as a combat instructor alongside them most likely, so he could keep a close eye on said woman himself.
Yep, that sounded like something Mikael would get up to while she wasn't around. How he always seemed to get caught up in situations like this was beyond her though.
Serana's eyes flicked back towards the large oak doors, her advanced sense of hearing picked up a set of voices further down the hallway, one of which she recognized as the academies Headmaster, Ozpin, the one Raven had warned her about and the other, the one she had come all this way searching for. Serana lips twitched upwards, she rose from her seat immediately drawing Qrow's attention, his blood red eyes watched her intently his right hand slipping back toward the hilt of his weapon as she moved around to the front of the desk.
Serana rolled her leaning back against the piece of furniture, really if she was going to try something then she would have gone through with it a long time ago, still she approved of their caution. She doubted Mikael had told them about her that much, more importantly, what her true nature was, never the less they were wise to be wary of her even if she meant no harm.
The doors opened Professor Ozpin stepping through alongside his companion. Serana let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as amber eyes met sky blue. Serana's smile grew, for the first time in a long while Mikael looked like he didn't know what to do beyond standing there like an idiot and staring at her. Serana shook her head in mirth, a subtle laugh slipped past her lips.
Well, looks she'd have to be the one to make the first move. Serana strolled forward stopping in front of Mikael, she was surprised when the Nightingale took a cautious step back, she raised an eyebrow in response. "Mikael?" she asked
"How are you here?" He asked staring at his sister or what looked like his sister questioningly "You being here. It shouldn't be possible, so ho-." His eyes trailed towards the item wrapped in black cloth sheathed between her bow and quiver, the fabric had shifted slightly granting him a partial view of the jewel-encrusted gold beneath, suddenly her arrival as well as the energy he had felt almost a week prior, began to make sense.
"Oh...I see" he muttered eyes narrowing in slight anger, as did her own. "Do you have any idea of the dam-" Serana's fist connected with Mikael's cheek, the Nightingale stumbled back grunting in pain, Mikael rolled his jaw the familiar taste of copper greeting him.
"Oh no, you don't get to take the high ground on me." Serana said scowling at her brother all remnants of her previous good mood vanishing. "You don't get to be pissed, not after everything I've been through to get here!" The vampire grasped him by the collar and much to both Ozpin and Qrow surprise hoisted the taller man a good three feet off the floor "Getting dropped into a monster-infested forest, getting captured by bandits, having to then bargain with the obnoxious leader of those Bandits and then being sent to this..." She pointed towards Qrow "This...Asshat!"
"Hey!" Qrow rebutted, his mouth clicked shut when serana sent a glare his way.
"If anyone here deserves some answers, it's me." Serana's voice shook. Sucking in a shaky breath she lowered Mikael back to the ground though she refused to let go, her head fell as her shoulders shook. "Three months..." She whispered her voice inaudible to all but him." Three month's I've been looking for you, so have the others." She looked up at him sullenly her grip on his cloak tightening. "And all that time I thought you might be dead. I thought one of the few people I had left, one of the few people I actually care about might be lying dead in a ditch somewhere...so you Mikael Evander owe me a goddamn explanation." Serana looked back up at him her pupils narrowed into slits "And it better be a good one."
"Mr. Salman" Ozpin spoke up drawing both siblings attention towards the two men stood awkwardly off to the side. Ozpin didn't fail to notice the sudden weight set upon him when Serana's eyes flicked over to him. There was something very wrong about those eyes. A small voice in the back of his mind accompanied by baser survival instincts telling him to run as if his very life depended on it, to get as far away from this woman as soon as possible.
Pushing those feelings aside the headmaster continued "Perhaps it would be for the best if Qrow and I give the two of you a moment to settle, it's clear you both have much to discuss."
Mikael pulled back from Serana freeing his cloak from her grip. " That would be..." Mikael began, glancing back towards his sister. Serana took a step back glaring at Mikael, there wasn't any real hatred in her gaze, although what anger was there had been born out of both worry and hurt, worry for his wellbeing and hurt because he had vanished without so much of a word to any of them about what he was doing and why he was doing it. A feeling of guilt washed over Mikael and he looked away. "That would be...appreciated."
Ozpin hummed nodding in response to Mikael before turning to make his way towards the exit gesturing for Qrow to follow "Oz?" The red-eyed huntsmen asked staring at his longtime employer in confusion, before glancing back towards Mikael and Serana.
"Qrow?" Ozpin replied flatly giving his old friend an expectant look.
He'd known Oz a long time, and there was no way he'd overlooked something like this, the whole thing was just too damn convenient. But that look, he'd seen that look before, around the same time they'd learned about Sum-... Qrow sighed pushing that memory to the back of his mind, sending one final look towards the hooded duo. Pulling his hip flask from his belt Qrow took a long swig following behind the headmaster, whatever news Oz had for him he just hoped after all this, it was something good.
The wooden doors closed behind the two and Mikael sighed, he had no idea where to go from here. He had given his message to Nocturnal in hopes it would calm his friends and families concerns towards his absence, not spur them into taking one of the most powerful artefacts in existence and using it to cross the boundary between worlds to find him, how Serana even got her hands on the scroll was something he'd have to look into at a later date.
Mikael had a feeling he would be having a few words with a certain two Dovah about the conditions of their agreement with one another.
Serana snorted pulling Mikael out of his thoughts and back to reality. Serana's shoulders continue to shake until she looked up at Mikael there was still a lot of anger in those amber orbs as well as a small amount of amusement. "So" She mused raising an eyebrow towards the Nightingale "You're still using that name?"
"I don't see why not, is there some sort of problem with that?" Mikael replied pointedly earning a small chuckled from Serana.
'Still a very sensitive subject I see.' Taking a few steps forwards she wrapped her arms around Mikael pushing her head into his shoulder.
"It was your mothers so...No." She sighed tightening her grip on Mikael both out of anger and relief, she felt like punching him again she knew he'd take it that he'd accept it as her way of venting, but... she found their current position far better. "You're an asshole, you know that?" She whispered Mikael nodded his left arm settled around the small of her back returning the embrace. "I thought I lost you for a while there."
"I'm sorry." Mikael whispered. Serana lifted her head resting her chin on his shoulder "For making you worry, for making you go through what you have, for... Well, everything in general I suppose."
"I know" She replied followed by a heavy sigh, the injury might have been hidden from her, but she could still smell the blood. "I'm sorry I hit you."
"After everything you've been through to get here and how I reacted, I'm rather certain I deserved that actually." Mikael replied flatly earning a small chuckle from Serana. Pulling away from each other's embrace Mikael's hands came to rest on her shoulders, his eyes drifting back towards the elder scroll. "But..." He trailed off
"Then there's this." Serana replied pulling the scroll from her back, pulling back the black cloth revealing the bright gold beneath. Wordlessly Mikael reached out running his hand over the intricate set of patterns lining its casing, hard to believe something so beautiful could be so deadly in the wrong hands. "I'm sorry we took them." Mikael retracted his hand allowing Serana to return the scroll to its position on her back. "But we didn't really have much of a choice, the college thought they were the only way to find you, them and the Psijic's-"
"The Psijic's!?" Mikael all but demanded before his hand tightening into a fist, if they had deemed it "Important" enough to intervene and aid in Serana's arrival then there was something else afoot here
"I know you aren't exactly on good terms with them." Serana said noting Mikael's silence and disapproving gaze. "But they offered to help us, and we weren't exactly in a position where we could decline."
"Did any of them accompany you here?" Mikael inquired, he worried what effect their presence could have on the land and its inhabitants. So far, the maidens were the only ones capable of wielding magic, while the rest of the world remained blissfully unaware of its existence, a sudden influx of men and women capable of using such abilities could draw unwanted attention and create some... issues further down the line.
"No," Serana replied much to the Nightingales relief. "They aided in the ritual that sent us here but that's it."
"What do you mean by 'us'?" Mikael inquired with a raised eyebrow.
Serana sighed crossing her arms over her chest leaning back against the desk, a contemplative look passing over her. "It's probably best I start from the beginning."
To be continued.