Fandom Distorted Mirror [IC]

[MidwayLives]

"Very astute of you, Mercury. No, I was not trying to hide details like that from you. I was simply attempting to not overwhelm any of you with too much information at once. You are quite right, this goes beyond the machinations of the likes of Nora Valkyrie or the Shadow Fang. No, the true enemy, the one actually pulling the strings...he is known to a select chosen few as Ozpin. He...well. Let's just say the creatures of grimm are not simply just mindless beasts, ruled only by wild instinct. In some ways, they can be considered an army, and as with any army? They have a leader." Salem stared pointedly at Mercury before letting her attentive gaze shift down to the rest of them in turn.

"What we know about him beyond that is..." She fell silent, thinking back to the moment almost a week ago now, in the midst of the attack.

"For creatures like Grimm to have had someone pulling their strings all this time..."

It befuddled Tyrian but also enticed him. He'd cut through the Grimm like they were nothing! Absolutely nothing!

So go on, bring an army of them! He'd meet them at the gates and grin all the while!

"..."

It was the human element working with this 'Ozpin' that bothered Tyrian more.

When he fought Nikos, he was tired there was no denial of that fact. But it still felt like an excuse and he hated it! He'd been knocked around as though he were a child who'd dabbled too much in his parent's wares. Then came the greatest slap to the face of them all:Being stung by his own tail.

Pulling off his jacket just a bit to look at the scar, he exhaled. The Grimm couldn't hold a grudge. They could apparently follow orders but taking your anger out on them was as satisfying as killing a wild boar or bear. No he wanted to bring Nikos and the rest of them to their knees in pure unadulterated combat! Show them that Tyrian Callows would NOT be defeated again!

~~~

Roman had the opposite reaction.

The humans like Nikos, Nora, and that silent guy. They were scumbags, every one of them. While he was sure they'd ruined plenty of lives, to him, they were just the dicks who invaded his school and killed dozens of people. But to have learned that there was someone BEHIND the Grimm?

The ones who'd hurt so many?

The ones who...

Roman looked down at Neo and did his best to hide his recollection of Neo's parents after a Grimm had finished with them.

Placing a hand atop her shoulder, he nodded.

"We''ll do whatever needs to be done."
​

He came from a time where he knew what would follow. His version of that attack had gone so much worse, from what she gathered. And still, he said the loss of that night was nothing compared to what could...no, what would come to pass. She could only imagine what that meant. Salem let out a quiet sigh, thinking it over for a few more seconds before she continued.

"...he can't be killed. Not for long, that is. If anyone actually managed to accomplish that deed? His spirit would latch onto another's. Forcibly dominate their will. Bury that person's very identity so deep down that any trace of the person they were would be near impossible to see, leaving him with a hollowed out body that he would use for his own dark purposes. He would inevitably return with a new name, a new face." By this point Salem had turned away from them all. She was standing by the window, staring out onto the horizon with a pensive look.

"Can't be killed?!"

Tyrian and Roman both exclaimed in unison.

Tyrian wasn't as put off by the concept but rather more how Ozpin cheated the Grimm Reaper.

"Taking over somebody else's body...Unbelievable.."

Coiling his tail up, Tyrian shook his head from side to side.

"I don't care if I'm old and grey, I'll keep pursuing this...this...bastard everywhere I can! No matter how many faces he puts on!"

For once...?

Roman was in full agreement with the normally overzealous faunus.

"Until we can figure out SOMETHING, I don't mind being the wick for the fire that we're about to light under his ass. After what he's done? He deserves nothing less."

Although he talked the talk, in truth Roman was scared. Someone who'd never truly stay dead? It both frightened him., Why could he cheat death while others like his parents had to be torn limb from limb and rot in the goddamn ground?!

"..." Roman growled under his breath and pulled down the brim of his hat.
​

"All the times you summoned me up here, or down in the vault...all the things you told me. But this, this is what you keep from me? You wanted me to keep everything you told me a secret from my team. You said you trusted me to be strong enough to bear that burden, but you didn't trust me with the whole truth."

"Cinder, please. I did plan to tell you. When the time was right, when you were ready."

"Well that makes me feel a whole lot better. Apparently I only had to lose an eye before I was ready." Cinder bitterly growled, a narrowed eye scrutinizing Salem for a short time before she turned around in a huff and stomped out of the office.

"...Cinder..."

Tyrian for the longest time had made lighthearted jokes at Cinder's expense. Mostly revolving around how the others had to 'babysit' her and maybe when she got older SHE could be team leader. But in tough times like these, he really did remember that his teammate was just that: a kid.

As she ran out and he saw Watts follow...His coiled up tail wrapped around his waist like a belt and he quietly excused himself before following.

~~~

Roman said nothing. Wasn't really his place.

HE wasn't the one with god powers.

​

 

[Gus Gungus]

"I...….don't know if we ever can." Salem admitted. "Many people in this kingdom and beyond look at me as the benevolent headmistress of Beacon Academy, as someone with unparalleled wisdom. Someone they could turn to with nearly any question imaginable and get an answer of brilliant insight. But for all of that...I've been in conflict with him for a long time. For all that time and supposed wisdom, I have only managed to keep myself and him locked in a stalemate. Doing what I can to keep the maidens and the relics out of his reach. That is part of the reason the huntsman academies were founded, to ensure the relics would always be guarded by skilled warriors." She glanced over at Glynda. This was new information to her as well, but thanks to discipline or composure, Glynda was taking it remarkably well.

"Yeah. I bet it was a long time."

MTEN's leader mused, a twinkle of insight in his tone as he studied the headmistress curiously.

The first thing it had occurred to Mercury Black to do upon breezing through Beacon's initiation trials was call up as much archival footage of licensed huntsmen and huntresses in action as he could. It was publicly available to all students as study material, naturally, and while it wasn't a clause many students availed of Mercury's free time in those first few days was mostly spoken for, spent with the curtains drawn and a bowl of popcorn in hand as he pored through those archives for hours. He could hardly believe it. He was getting the chance to study all sorts of legends of the game, of his time and before it, from Vale and beyond. Raven Branwen. Clover Ebi. Maria Calavera. Summer Rose.

But no Salem.

He remembered thinking it was kind of a letdown. All that footage, and none featuring the academy's own headmistress? In fact, public knowledge of the principal's battle prowess seemed practically nonexistent. The other three academy leaders all had major feats of prowess attached to their appointments. Salem just... was.

He wondered about that sometimes.

"Well... you look great."

The line was droll, but Mercury did nod with a thumb over at Neo when she expressed her assent.

"Spokeswoman's call. She says we'll do it. Seeing as we're all walking out, if there's no other bombs to drop think I might go take one last stroll around campus... Look at all that you have and be grateful, right, teach?"

He winked, buried both hands in the pocket of his tracksuit and turned to leave.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"....what."

Arthur's confidence finally cracked in an incredulous snap, the weight of that last truth finally enough to force him to his knees in his mind. His shoulders stayed straight, but his dull amusement at the proceedings had given away to a cold, anxious anger as he glared at Salem. "So what, then? We're just the latest generation of hunters to put through the meat grinder? Less noble warriors, more stepping stones to keep humanity's head afloat another few years as the water keep rising? What is..." His eyes narrowed slightly as his thoughts caught up to his anger.

"That's not true. You are noble warriors! Every single one of you fights to protect the innocent and those too weak to stand up for themselves. You protect life itself. An inability to kill death itself doesn't mean your lives are without meaning. It doesn't mean that your lives are wasted. You are doing something good, something positive in a world filled with far too much malice and evil."
​

And Salem was giving Neo a chance to hit back. To get a pound of flesh back, an eye for an eye, from the monsters that tried so hard to ruin her life. To give the anger inside her direction. Neo's shoulders had started to shiver in anger as the full ramifications of all of this hit her, but despite the fury in her eyes she wore a vicious grin when she finally looked up.

granted some of her enthusiasm was dented with a wince as Cinder and Watts stalked out, but she still shot Salem a thumbs up to show that she was entirely on board with whatever she needed Neo to do!

"I don't care if I'm old and grey, I'll keep pursuing this...this...bastard everywhere I can! No matter how many faces he puts on!"

For once...?

Roman was in full agreement with the normally overzealous faunus.

"Until we can figure out SOMETHING, I don't mind being the wick for the fire that we're about to light under his ass. After what he's done? He deserves nothing less."

The line was droll, but Mercury did nod with a thumb over at Neo when she expressed her assent.

"Spokeswoman's call. She says we'll do it. Seeing as we're all walking out, if there's no other bombs to drop think I might go take one last stroll around campus... Look at all that you have and be grateful, right, teach?"

He winked, buried both hands in the pocket of his tracksuit and turned to leave.

"...Thank you all." She nodded in appreciation. Their enthusiasm, their...possibly overzealous declarations, in spite of knowing the true nature of the threat, they still had commitment to doing what was right. Not everyone had it within themselves to refuse to give up on fighting the good fight, to not abandon their comrades. She was quick to clear her throat at Mercury's statement. "No, none. No bombs to drop. Simply this...return here before sundown. That's when this mission will get underway."

​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"...…..Watts." She stated when she heard someone following her, able to tell it was him just from the sound of how he walked. Her back was to him as she sat on the topmost step of the stairway leading all the way down the tower. "Looks like it isn't as you imagined, they don't want to stick me in some hole and throw away the key." Cinder remarked, the bitter tone of voice making it clear that she wasn't sure what they actually wanted was much of an improvement. Not with the revelation of what they were actually up against. A soul that transcends death like that...she was angry at Salem for not sharing that...but she also pitied the headmistress.

For months Cinder had been holding onto the knowledge of the maidens and the relics. Keeping it secret as they asked her to, and that was hard enough for her to do. Salem...she had this whole truth. She had to keep it a secret from like...99% of humanity and faunus alike. Cinder didn't know if the select few that had stood with Salem for years to safeguard the world from this Ozpin...did they know about his immortality? Even if they did...everyone else didn't. They had to be able to stand there and watch as innumerable amounts of huntsman and huntresses fought against an enemy they couldn't truly beat. Not while this leader of Grimm lived. A threat they were ignorant of.

Cinder couldn't understand how Salem endured that burden, or how she hadn't snapped from the pressure.

"Arthur, I..." She trailed off. She was at a loss for words.​

"...Cinder..."

Tyrian for the longest time had made lighthearted jokes at Cinder's expense. Mostly revolving around how the others had to 'babysit' her and maybe when she got older SHE could be team leader. But in tough times like these, he really did remember that his teammate was just that: a kid.

As she ran out and he saw Watts follow...His coiled up tail wrapped around his waist like a belt and he quietly excused himself before following.

Arthur didn't say anything initially, simply strode to stand at Cinder's side at the top of the steps, his gaze straight ahead as she spoke. "Well. Not even a genius can be right all the time. In my defense, I didn't quite have a full hand of cards going into this." He answered breezily. He glanced over as Tyrian followed them out, giving him a short nod before he glanced down at a hand as he idly fiddled with his rings.

"Now, I know that was certainly a lot. But even if things aren't quite what we thought, we're still hunters. In training *cough*. I don't know about you two, but I'd prefer for my work here to not be pointless. Grimm killing is still grimm killing, yes?"

As he spoke, his teammate's scrolls both vibrated. He couldn't be sure who else could be listening, and he heard the door open again behind them as Mercury made his exit. Trust was clearly a valuable commodity now; even among those he'd begrudgingly consider friends, he didn't feel as keen about giving out freely what'd been denied to himself all this time.

*What we've just learned has left us all with questions. Important questions that I don't know if we can trust Salem to answer.*

*Yet it sounds like this relic could answer any questions we have*

These dopplegangers were an anomaly, one they owed a great debt to if Beacon was truly supposed to fall that day. But... they weren't from this world. If this relic could answer any number of questions, he didn't see why his team couldn't sneak a few more in. And if, as he suspected due to how it'd been hidden away instead of liberally used, its questions were limited... using it to save a few lives instead of stopping this threat that had just been dumped on their lives?

Wasn't a decision he thought he agreed with.

 

[MyrtenRose]

Arthur didn't say anything initially, simply strode to stand at Cinder's side at the top of the steps, his gaze straight ahead as she spoke. "Well. Not even a genius can be right all the time. In my defense, I didn't quite have a full hand of cards going into this." He answered breezily. He glanced over as Tyrian followed them out, giving him a short nod before he glanced down at a hand as he idly fiddled with his rings.

"Now, I know that was certainly a lot. But even if things aren't quite what we thought, we're still hunters. In training *cough*. I don't know about you two, but I'd prefer for my work here to not be pointless. Grimm killing is still grimm killing, yes?"

As he spoke, his teammate's scrolls both vibrated. He couldn't be sure who else could be listening, and he heard the door open again behind them as Mercury made his exit. Trust was clearly a valuable commodity now; even among those he'd begrudgingly consider friends, he didn't feel as keen about giving out freely what'd been denied to himself all this time.

*What we've just learned has left us all with questions. Important questions that I don't know if we can trust Salem to answer.*

*Yet it sounds like this relic could answer any questions we have*

These dopplegangers were an anomaly, one they owed a great debt to if Beacon was truly supposed to fall that day. But... they weren't from this world. If this relic could answer any number of questions, he didn't see why his team couldn't sneak a few more in. And if, as he suspected due to how it'd been hidden away instead of liberally used, its questions were limited... using it to save a few lives instead of stopping this threat that had just been dumped on their lives?

Wasn't a decision he thought he agreed with.

"...Yeah, gods forbid that this genius turns out to be right all the time. You'd be even more bigheaded then. Or maybe your skull would explode, not sure it could handle that much brainpower and arrogance." Even at a time like this, Cinder could be counted on to jokingly pester Watts. But the moment passed swiftly enough and she nodded in serious agreement. "Of course I'm still in. Salem not telling me everything for whatever reason she has, that doesn't change what I think the right thing to do is." When her scroll vibrated, one hand reached into a pocket and slid it out, looking quickly over Watts' message.

She lifted her head to briefly look over at Watts directly before her attention returned to her scroll, fingers tapping away at the keyboard for her own message.

Are you suggesting we ask it if it knows how to defeat Ozpin? To...not let these copies use the relic?​

 

[Gus Gungus]

Mercury lightly touched two fingers to his temple in silent recognition of WTCH's members as he came out, otherwise taking one look at them and opting to take the elevator. Frankly he had intended his walk to be of a solitary nature, but when he glanced over and saw Emerald quietly following he said nothing to object, mainly because of how shaken she looked. She kept throwing glances back over her shoulder into the room, like she was still expecting Salem to come out and say it was all a test or something. She finally found her voice as they reached the doors, small as it was.

"How can any of that be true? An unkillable—"

Mercury rapidly shook his head, holding up a hand to cut her off. He clocked it late, only realising when his hand went out to touch the button.

The elevator was already coming up.

---



When the doors slid open, both delinquent sets of eyes flared wide in an abject mix of shock and recognition. They were worlds apart from the eyes staring back at them. A cool, crystalline blue, downright glacial in their dispassion, flickering between the two assessingly as their minds reeled. The pale ghost of a scar ran neatly down over her left eye, not entirely faded but faint, clearly the result of cosmetic efforts to repair it over the years, but it was an unmistakable identifier all the same. They knew that face. Everyone knew that face.

Weiss Schnee cleared her throat expectantly, and the pair wordlessly stepped aside to let her through, attire as stunning as it was militaristic and hands clasped primly behind her back. Her step was light, authoritative and came to a halt almost as soon as it started, the councilwoman glancing back at them in faint recognition of her own as she recalled the footage released from the battle. Similar glimmers of recognition flashed in her eyes when she looked between all the students still visible from the hallway, eventually settling on Cinder where she and her team stood on the precipice of the stairs.

"The kingdoms will never forget what you gave for them."

Her voice was soft, pleasing, yet also firm, a kind of steel entirely different from that of an experienced huntress or military operative⁠—the kind that could only be forged in boardroom meetings surrounded by hungry executives, rather than the deep wilds surrounded by Grimm. Somehow, it was actually more intimidating.

She bowed her head to them, a show of solemn appreciation for their acts of heroism before continuing towards Salem's office.

"Professor Salem. I apologise for my late arrival, but Atlas has been in uproar since the attack. The council send their deepest sympathies, and mourn with the Kingdom of Vale during these difficult times," she greeted courteously, lace gloves folded in front of her. She again glanced at the students leaving. "I hope I haven't interrupted anything."

Despite the apology, she was already alighting on a chair.​

 

[MidwayLives]

"Now, I know that was certainly a lot. But even if things aren't quite what we thought, we're still hunters. In training *cough*. I don't know about you two, but I'd prefer for my work here to not be pointless. Grimm killing is still grimm killing, yes?"

"Indeed it is!~ "

Grim(heh)as the situation was, Tyrian couldn't deny the satisfaction that still came with taking down a Grimm. Even if he much preferred an opponent who could realize they were outmatched.
​

*What we've just learned has left us all with questions. Important questions that I don't know if we can trust Salem to answer.*

*Yet it sounds like this relic could answer any questions we have*

These dopplegangers were an anomaly, one they owed a great debt to if Beacon was truly supposed to fall that day. But... they weren't from this world. If this relic could answer any number of questions, he didn't see why his team couldn't sneak a few more in. And if, as he suspected due to how it'd been hidden away instead of liberally used, its questions were limited... using it to save a few lives instead of stopping this threat that had just been dumped on their lives?

Wasn't a decision he thought he agreed with.

Tyrian pulled out his scroll and frowned.

He was following Watt's train of thought properly that much was sure. But...it just didn't sit right with him. Getting the answer rather than figuring it out for themselves or finding one felt so much more...rewarding! Perhaps it was the environment that he grew up in but he didn't like getting a leg up in fights that didn't stem from his own skill. Made him feel dirty.

But then....This was much bigger than just what he wanted.

"I...I can't say with a hundred percent certainty that I even trust these 'clones'.."

Before Tyrian could write up a following message, his tail immediately coiled up. There wasn't a faunus worth their salt who didn't recognize that face.

He said nothing but with the way his tail stayed cocked until she was gone spoke for him.
​

 

[MyrtenRose]

She bowed her head to them, a show of solemn appreciation for their acts of heroism before continuing towards Salem's office.

"Professor Salem. I apologise for my late arrival, but Atlas has been in uproar since the attack. The council sends their deepest sympathies, and mourns with the Kingdom of Vale during these difficult times," she greeted courteously, lace gloves folded in front of her. She again glanced at the students leaving. "I hope I haven't interrupted anything."

Despite the apology, she was already alighting on a chair.

"...Councilwoman Schnee." Salem offered in surprised greeting. Had she so lost track of time? Conversing with the doppelgangers, then with the announcement and finally talking with the students, on top of all the other matters in Vale and Beacon. Seems so. "No need for concern, it is understandable. On behalf of Vale, I thank you and the Atlesian council for your kind words." She replied with equal courtesy, patiently waiting for the last of the students to depart before adding: "No no, we were done here." Salem headed for her own chair.

"What might I do for you, esteemed councilwoman?" ​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

Hei Xiong, a.k.a. Junior, was not having a great week.

It'd started out decent enough. Valk had swung by to yet again hire a whole swath of men, giving his income a much needed boost after team WTCH's monster of a man wrecked his club. Again. He almost didn't take the cash, seeing as how the whole reason he'd been accosted by the kid who somehow made his 6'11" ass feel small was because they'd been looking for Valkyrie in the first place, but money was money, and he'd never been in the business of asking too many questions.

He was gonna have to amend that policy.

The club was in ruins. Not physically, thankfully spared the devastation that had tore through much of Vale as the grimm rampaged through it, but financially? It was toast. Burnt to a crisp. Not a single man had come back from Nora's employ. Some were dead at the claws of grimm, the wrong end of the weapons of hunters or APPARENTLY the eclectic mix of both that was the White Fang, of all things. Others had been captured, arrested by Vale's finest (*snort*) or the far more intimidating Atlesian military. And the rest?

It wasn't really possible for a job to go more wrong than that one had. The rest had cut their losses and booked it. Staying in Vale, when the city was gonna be on high alert for any sort of illicit activity for what was probably gonna be years? It was a loser's game.

Unfortunately for Junior, all his stuff was here. His club, his contacts, his finances, everything was stuck in a city that was gonna make post 9/11 america look as secure as a convenience store's magazine rack. Even the club portion wasn't raking in any dough; strangely enough, the citizens of Vale weren't in a partying mood after hundreds of people had died. So he slouched at the bar with his elbows resting on it and a dead look on his face, serving nobody and watching no one on the dance floor as his bodyguards lounged across a pair of couches vapidly fingering through their scrolls' news feeds.

And that's how bad his week was before the blonde walked in...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wow. Of all the places to not burn down in the attack, this trash fire of a building's on the list?"

Yang had strode through the doors with a purpose, ready to throw down, yet there was a conspicuous non-reaction as she entered. No guns shoved in her face. No girlish screams of terror. Not even a furious, revenge filled cry of her name as a bartender flew through the air like it was a karate movie.

Oh, right. She'd probably never been here in this world. Not her herself, because duh, but the other her, which explained why Junior's only reaction to her dramatic entrance was an annoyed eyebrow and a deep, deep sigh. "Can I help you, blondie?"

She slid onto a barstool with a hop and beamed as she planted her chin in her palms. "Sure! Strawberry sunrise, no ice, umbrella, you know, the usual!"

"..." 'the usual'? He'd never met this girl before, he was positive. He'd of remembered her... figure. He already hated everything about this, and he made himself stand up to almost his full height as he rested his hands on the bartop. "Aren't you a little young to be drinking?"

Yang quirked an eyebrow as she let her hands drop so she could take a long, slow look around the club before she returned his glare with a smirk. "Aren't you a little broke to be turning down paying customers?"

His eye twitched slightly, but he nonetheless knelt under the bar to grab a glass, and shortly thereafter the drink was deposited in front of Yang. "Can I get you anything e-?"

*Sluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurp*

"... Can I ge-"

*sluurp*

"..."

"So!" Yang started as she let go of her glass and drummed her fingers on the bar. "I heard you're the guy to go to for information in this town. Any truth to that?"

He narrowed his eyes at the question, and really studied the blonde for the first time. That prosthetic was military grade, and those gauntlets... those we a hunter's weapon. "...who's asking?"

"Juuuust a girl who's in the market for some!" Yang shot back with a vapid wave of her hand as she leaned down to take another sip of her drink. "Y'see, I dunno if you noticed, but something real crazy happened a few days ago."

"...uhuh."

"And I heard that some of the people involved in all of that were seen here shortly beforehand. Crazy, right?" she continued with a knowing smirk

".........uh huh..." Junior slowly started to reach for his weapon under the bar.

"And well, if that were the case, and if this business was involved at all, I'd have to do something about it, since, and this is a secret-" she said as she leaned in conspiratorially "-I'm a huntress. We fight crime."

"I think its time for your to leamrgh-" Junior started to growl out before the blonde shoved a finger against his lips with a much less friendly grin.

"Buuuuut... if I just happened to get an anonymous tip about where some of those people might be, well that'd be more important than busting up some tiny, unimportant wannabe crimelord's dingy club! I'd probably be outta here in a minute. So, whaddaya say?"

It was there Junior had a decision to make. He could acquiesce to the huntress' demands, give her whatever info he had on whoever she was about to ask about, and then hopefully never see her again. If this girl was as dangerous as she clearly seemed to think she was, then this was probably her way of offering Junior a bit of mercy, if in just, the most annoying way possible. But his business was already in shambles. If his reputation took another hit, if it got out that Junior didn't just snitch once, but twice? He was done. His life in Vale was over. Plus, his eyes couldn't help but wander over to where the twins had slowly let the conversation draw their attention. If he just capitulated now, then his chances...

No. He. Would not. Be. BULLIED.

AGAIN.

------------------------------------------------------------


"Everything... hurtsOOOOOOHOOOOGH"

Junior laid on his back with a daze and covered in bruises, winded as the unconscious forms of the wonder twins were unceremoniously dumped on top of him. He was pretty sure Militia's boots were digging into his side.

The blonde terror dusted off her hands and squatted down next to Junior to lightly nudged his forehead with her fist. "Wow. Guess some things never change, eh bud?"

"What... who... the fuck are youOW"

"Language!" Yang reprimanded with a sharp frown after rapping him on the forehead. "Now. we can go another round-"

"-Please gods no please-"

"-OOOOOOR you can tell me two things; everything you know about the group who bought your goons, and anything you know about Vale's White Fang cell."

----------------

Yang hummed a tune as she pushed open the club doors, pausing only to sip at the second drink she'd made for herself as she looked down at her scroll. Hrm. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to follow up on any of this and still be on time for the family field... trip...

...

She sighed and pocketed her scroll as she looked up with a sullen glare while she finished off her drink.

"...I know you're there." She eventually said.

 

[MyrtenRose]

Yang hummed to herself as she pushed open the club doors, pausing only to sip at the second drink she'd made for herself as she looked down at her scroll. Hrm. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to follow up on any of this and still be on time for the family field... trip...

...

She sighed and pocketed her scroll as she looked up with a sullen glare while she finished off her drink.

"...I know you're there." She eventually said.

"...…" And here she was, thinking she had been remarkably discreet. The bird perched up on one of the street lights turned its head both ways, confirming that the side street was devoid of any other passerby. In the blink of an eye, the bird vanished, its place taken up by a far more dangerous and intimidating looking warrior. She quickly dropped down from the perch, landing on the street below with a relatively quiet thud. "So you know about that ability too." She stated more than asked, not sounding all that surprised.

Raven approached the club entrance to close the distance between them. "You put on quite a show, by the way. Impressive work for a student." The compliment was sincere, but she wasn't sure it would be taken that way. "Can we talk?"​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

Weiss Schnee cleared her throat expectantly, and the pair wordlessly stepped aside to let her through, attire as stunning as it was militaristic and hands clasped primly behind her back. Her step was light, authoritative and came to a halt almost as soon as it started, the councilwoman glancing back at them in faint recognition of her own as she recalled the footage released from the battle. Similar glimmers of recognition flashed in her eyes when she looked between all the students still visible from the hallway, eventually settling on Cinder where she and her team stood on the precipice of the stairs.

"The kingdoms will never forget what you gave for them."

Her voice was soft, pleasing, yet also firm, a kind of steel entirely different from that of an experienced huntress or military operative⁠—the kind that could only forged in boardroom meetings surrounded by hungry executives, rather than the deep wilds surrounded by Grimm. Somehow, it was actually more intimidating.

She bowed her head to them, a show of solemn appreciation for their acts of heroism before continuing towards Salem's office.

"Indeed it is!~ "

Grim(heh)as the situation was, Tyrian couldn't deny the satisfaction that still came with taking down a Grimm. Even if he much preferred an opponent who could realize they were outmatched.


Tyrian pulled out his scroll and frowned.

He was following Watt's train of thought properly that much was sure. But...it just didn't sit right with him. Getting the answer rather than figuring it out for themselves or finding one felt so much more...rewarding! Perhaps it was the environment that he grew up in but he didn't like getting a leg up in fights that didn't stem from his own skill. Made him feel dirty.

But then....This was much bigger than just what he wanted.

"I...I can't say with a hundred percent certainty that I even trust these 'clones'.."

Before Tyrian could write up a following message, his tail immediately coiled up. There wasn't a faunus worth their salt who didn't recognize that face.

He said nothing but with the way his tail stayed cocked until she was gone spoke for him.
​

The Schnee family head's arrival put whatever Arthur's initial response was going to be in a jumble. He supposed it wasn't a surprise that she was here; powerful figures in every kingdom likely had a stake in what happened. Yet the timing was... uncomfortable. He found himself sliding slightly to one side, putting himself between Tyrian and Weiss as he gave her a curt nod in return. "It is appreciated." was all he said in response

He had... conflicting feelings on the Schnees. His parents worked in their research department, and he doubted he'd be the person he was today if not for that, in both good and bad ways. She'd only been in power a short time, yet she'd made efforts to right the wrongs of her family in that time. Overtures to the faunus, donations to mantle...

...but a few years didn't make up for a history of blood, and Watts was painfully aware that the face you wore in public rarely matched what was inside. Especially in Atlas. Especially among its elite.

He didn't break his eyes off her till the office doors closed behind her- uh

-------------------------------------------

If Weiss happened to glance behind herself, and painfully in full view of Salem as she accepted this very important guest, Neopolitan was exiting with an exact copy of Weiss' hat, just three times as tall

--------------------------------------

"...We should reconvene elswhere. Inform Hazel of what we've learned. Where is he anyways?" he asked as he started down the stairs, the irritation in the question only slightly a facade.

 

[MidwayLives]

If Weiss happened to glance behind herself, and painfully in full view of Salem as she accepted this very important guest, Neopolitan was exiting with an exact copy of Weiss' hat, just three times as tall

Roman followed beside his partner/best friend and tried very hard not to lose his shit over that.

He didn't succeed.

"pfffft-"​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"...…" And here she was, thinking she had been remarkably discreet. The bird perched up on one of the street lights turned its head both ways, confirming that the side street was devoid of any other passerby. In the blink of an eye, the bird vanished, its place taken up by a far more dangerous and intimidating looking warrior. She quickly dropped down from the perch, landing on the street below with a relatively quiet thud. "So you know about that ability too." She stated more than asked, not sounding all that surprised.

Raven approached the club entrance to close the distance between them. "You put on quite a show, by the way. Impressive work for a student." The compliment was sincere, but she wasn't sure it would be taken that way. "Can we talk?"​

"Licensed huntress, actually." Yang corrected as she tossed her cup into a nearby trash can. "I'm not a kid anymore. Not th-"

She bit her tongue and sucked in a frustrated breath as she cut off her own response, along with the denial her gut wanted to instantly give. Despite appearances, Yang did listen, and...

"Try to remember whose table we're sitting at right now. No one in this room is who our instincts say they are"

...her uncle had a point. even if as far as Yang knew he'd made that point sloshed. She crossed her arms and glanced to the side, unable to make eye contact as she made herself answer.

"...Fine."

 

[MyrtenRose]

Similar glimmers of recognition flashed in her eyes when she looked between all the students still visible from the hallway, eventually settling on Cinder where she and her team stood on the precipice of the stairs.

"The kingdoms will never forget what you gave for them."

Her voice was soft, pleasing, yet also firm, a kind of steel entirely different from that of an experienced huntress or military operative⁠—the kind that could only be forged in boardroom meetings surrounded by hungry executives, rather than the deep wilds surrounded by Grimm. Somehow, it was actually more intimidating.

She bowed her head to them, a show of solemn appreciation for their acts of heroism before continuing towards Salem's office.

"...Thanks?" She stammered, so taken aback by Weiss Schnee's arrival that she felt lucky she had even gotten that much out of her mouth. It was not every day an important representative from Atlas showed up. A Schnee, no less. Even when delivering what seemed to be an appreciative statement, she seemed...cold.​

Before Tyrian could write up a following message, his tail immediately coiled up. There wasn't a faunus worth their salt who didn't recognize that face.

He said nothing but with the way his tail stayed cocked until she was gone spoke for him.

A hand reached out to comfortingly pat Tyrian's not-wounded shoulder, doing her best to try and make him feel more at ease.​

"...We should reconvene elswhere. Inform Hazel of what we've learned. Where is he anyways?" he asked as he started down the stairs, the irritation in the question only slightly a facade.

"Sounds good to me." Cinder replied, standing up herself and starting to follow. "I don't know, actually. Maybe the big guy's napping? Tyrian?" She looked back over towards the scorpion. "Where's your partner?"​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"Licensed huntress, actually." Yang corrected as she tossed her cup into a nearby trash can. "I'm not a kid anymore. Not th-"

She bit her tongue and sucked in a frustrated breath as she cut off her own response, along with the denial her gut wanted to instantly give. Despite appearances, Yang did listen, and...

...her uncle had a point. even if as far as Yang knew he'd made that point sloshed. She crossed her arms and glanced to the side, unable to make eye contact as she made herself answer.

"...Fine."

"Oh. Congratulations. Good on them. Whoever gave you your license clearly made the right call."

Though Yang stopped herself at the last minute, Raven would have to be blind and deaf to have missed that. She couldn't specifically know what Yang had been about to say, but just going off how not-quite-her daughter had been acting from the very first time they laid eyes on each other to right this second, she could guess the gist. "Yang..." Raven started after Yang had agreed to talk. "I want to know about you and me. The me that you know, I mean. Back where you're from. The history between you and her, or more likely the lack thereof."​

 

[MidwayLives]

A hand reached out to comfortingly pat Tyrian's not-wounded shoulder, doing her best to try and make him feel more at ease.

Tyrian nodded to show his appreciation. Once Weiss was away, the tail relaxed.

"Schnees."

The sheer disgust riding off that one word was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Watts is right, let's get out of here."
​

"Sounds good to me." Cinder replied, standing up herself and starting to follow. "I don't know, actually. Maybe the big guy's napping? Tyrian?" She looked back over towards the scorpion. "Where's your partner?"

"Oh! Hazel? Uh...Well.."

~~Cut back to Tyrian going to get Hazel from his room~~

"Hazel!"

"Ah, hello Tyrian-"

"No time for talking!"

Grabbing his partner's hand, Tyrian pulled him up and the two rushed from the room. Yanking out the IV from Hazel's arm in the process. "OW!"

"Hey! No running!"

Tyrian was bustling with energy! His shoulder still stung a wee bit but it felt so good to be up and moving! Since they'd gotten that message, Tyrian had said he'd grab Hazel and then catch up with the others to go see Salem. Hazel for his part had just woken up from a nap feeling refreshed and ready for the day's challenges. His calls for Tyrian's name went unnoticed.

"TYRIAN!"

Tyrian came to a sudden stop, nearly tripping over in the process. "What??"

"Why are you in such a rush??"

"OH!" Showing Hazel the message, Hazel sighed. "...And you couldn't have told me this at the start why?"

"I dunno."

"Okay, well, instead of running. Let's take our time-"

As Hazel reached out to prop his hand on the wall, a couple of nurses were rolling a tray full of lunch for some of the other patents. Having stuck his arm out at the wrong time, Hazel sent the cart rolling down the hallway. Tyrian, Hazel, and the nurses watched with growing horror as the cart crashed into and splattered the food all over a doctor who'd been passing along. "YOU!" He shouted upon seeing the one responsible for this.

"You...? Don't you mean you two-"

Tyrian was no longer there. His descent down the stairs growing more and more distant.

"Young man....You are going to stay and clean up this hallway...Now!"

"But-but-my headmistress-"

"Would a huntsman leave a mess that HE created?"

"...no sir..."

~~~

"eh, i'm sure he'll swing by. probably just napping like cinder said."​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"Oh. Congratulations. Good on them. Whoever gave you your license clearly made the right call."

Though Yang stopped herself at the last minute, Raven would have to be blind and deaf to have missed that. She couldn't specifically know what Yang had been about to say, but just going off how not-quite-her daughter had been acting from the very first time they laid eyes on each other to right this second, she could guess the gist. "Yang..." Raven started after Yang had agreed to talk. "I want to know about you and me. The me that you know, I mean. Back where you're from. The history between you and her, or more likely the lack thereof."​

There was a mirthless snort as Yang shook her head, whatever effort she was making to let this conversation happen shriveling at the bluntness of the request. "Really? How do you think it is, mom? I mean it obviously can't be that different. In fact, why don't you go first?" She shot back as she settled into glare and made herself meet Raven's eyes.

"How's the family history here? If you're some brave huntress in this world then why-" she could feel her frustration slipping through her control like water through a strainer as she jabbed a finger towards the CCT tower "-did I see my sister fighting with the grimm?! Do you understand how insane that is?! Ruby Rose, my sweet baby sister, killing people?! I don't care how messed up this place is, that shouldn't happen, not in any world. You're taking Qrow's spot in this world? then why weren't YOU THERE FOR HER?! AND-" her voice cracked as tried to continue, and though she didn't break her glare, she had to take a few breaths to get her vocal chords to work again. They didn't fully recover, and it was a hoarse followup question.

"...and why wasn't I there for her?"

 

[Gus Gungus]

"...Councilwoman Schnee." Salem offered in surprised greeting. Had she so lost track of time? Conversing with the doppelgangers, then with the announcement and finally talking with the students, on top of all the other matters in Vale and Beacon. Seems so. "No need for concern, it is understandable. On behalf of Vale, I thank you and the Atlesian council for your kind words." She replied with equal courtesy, patiently waiting for the last of the students to depart before adding: "No no, we were done here." Salem headed for her own chair.

"What might I do for you, esteemed councilwoman?"

"Do you mind if I smoke in here?" She asked bluntly, though she considered it a courtesy simply to ask. Though some found it crude, none denied her her small, unrefined vice in the offices and conference rooms of Atlas, with the amount she had on her plate.

She produced one if yes, nodded enduringly if no, and carried on.

"Please, just Weiss is acceptable. Before we address any council matters I'd like to speak as the CEO of Schnee Dust Company, in any case." She let her eyes wander out towards the skyline, what devastation the school had suffered apparent even from here. "What has-"

If Weiss happened to glance behind herself, and painfully in full view of Salem as she accepted this very important guest, Neopolitan was exiting with an exact copy of Weiss' hat, just three times as tall

Roman followed beside his partner/best friend and tried very hard not to lose his shit over that.

He didn't succeed.

"pfffft-"

"-hey! You two. Come here a second."

It was very unfortunate for Neo that the window she chose to glance at left that gargantuan hat very much in her field of view, and the illusion weaver found herself directly in the crosslights of an affronted, almost sullen glare that was anything but illusory. The councilwoman was turned all the way around in her chair, dainty hand gripping the armrest tight and bottom lip curled with displeasure.

If they obeyed, which of course they did, the most powerful woman in Atlas let them squirm under the full weight of her stare a few more moments before reaching into her uniform pocket and whipping out-

-a miniature photo binder of ornate leather, which unfolded from the one picture it looked capable of holding into nine. All were of white-haired men and women with similarly regal bearings to the one accosting them, and all were wearing hats of the same design. She jabbed a finger at the first man's photo, starting at the top.

"This is Lieutenant Artorius Archibald Schnee. During the Great War, he led the evacuation efforts of Mantle when Vacuo infiltrators set fire to-"

Five minutes later.

"-and this is Dolores Schnee XI, one of the first huntresses to operate a weaponised vehicle in personal combat-"

Three minutes after that.

"-so I hope you've learned something about honoring those who came before us!" She declared imperiously, folding up the pictures and slipping them back into her pocket with a sniff. "It's ceremonial regalia. I wear it in tribute to my lineage's best. No one ever achieved anything by mocking our forerunners, children."

She flapped a hand, done with them.

"Go."

Part of her always regretted these lectures after she administered them, but she was a proud woman, not one who left herself prone to being mocked by... lessers. Turning back to Salem, she daintily cleared her throat.

"Apologies. Now, as I was saying. I consider what's been inflicted on your academy a travesty. This is a place of learning, and to pursue the discipline of becoming huntress, huntsman... it's one of the most admirable things in the world." No pompous exterior could disguise the authenticity of those words, her hands tightening slightly where she had them resting on her lap. "If you'll allow it, I'd like to offer the school as much Dust as you need to replenish what was lost in defence of the kingdom, along with what was hoarded by the Shadow Fang in the months leading up to the attack. I'd also be happy to extend my company's personal units to replace the Atlesian forces when they're recalled. General Ironwood... has some difficult months ahead of him."

That last part was delivered diplomatically, with just the right amount of regret to be sincere. The attack had been repelled, but the Atlesian military had proven virtually useless, even a hindrance. While the CCT remaining intact had been a setback in some ways, it came with the unintended benefit of the entire world seeing the great army of Atlas rendered impotent and its leader made a fool of, something of which she suspected the general would never rid himself of the consequences.

An unfortunate burden for the man. She had to admit, finding a specialist capable of breaching the Atlesian security network and retrieving the access codes they needed had been no easy task, even with the resources at her disposal. Now that he was on her payroll, she had every intent of monitoring Doctor Merlot's future research very closely.​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"-hey! You two. Come here a second."

It was very unfortunate for Neo that the window she chose to glance at left that gargantuan hat very much in her field of view, and the illusion weaver found herself directly in the crosslights of an affronted, almost sullen glare that was anything but illusory. The councilwoman was turned all the way around in her chair, dainty hand gripping the armrest tight and bottom lip curled with displeasure.

If they obeyed, which of course they did, the most powerful woman in Atlas let them squirm under the full weight of her stare a few more moments before reaching into her uniform pocket and whipping out-

-a miniature photo binder of ornate leather, which unfolded from the one picture it looked capable of holding into nine. All were of white-haired men and women with similarly regal bearings to the one accosting them, and all were wearing hats of the same design. She jabbed a finger at the first man's photo, starting at the top.

"This is Lieutenant Artorius Archibald Schnee. During the Great War, he led the evacuation efforts of Mantle when Vacuo infiltrators set fire to-"

Neo froze when she was called out, and meekly strode back as she tried her best to keep the giggles from overtaking her entirely. She wore a wavy smile as the binder was pulled out, the weight of pissing off Atlas' most powerful CEO not quite hitting the irreverent huntress in training as hard as it should of. If all that happened was a short lecture, then it was absolutely worth it.

ive minutes later.

"-and this is Dolores Schnee XI, one of the first huntresses to operate a weaponised vehicle in personal combat-"

She wanted to die.

Three minutes after that.

"-so I hope you've learned something about honoring those who came before us!" She declared imperiously, folding up the pictures and slipping them back into her pocket with a sniff. "It's ceremonial regalia. I wear it in tribute to my lineage's best. No one ever achieved anything by mocking our forerunners, children."

She flapped a hand, done with them.

"Go."

Part of her always regretted these lectures after she administered them, but she was a proud woman, not one who left herself prone to being mocked by... lessers. Turning back to Salem, she daintily cleared her throat.

Neo and Roman did not, in fact, go. In fact, they didn't move at all. Their stoic, somber silence lasted either five minutes or until one was physically touched, at which point the pair shattered like porcelin figures across the floor, their shards fading shortly from existence entirely.

---------------------

Neo was cackling, a strange and breathy sound, as she slid down the banisters of the stairs, both at her escape and the simple joy in the mode of travel, giving Arthur a heart attack as she zoomed by team WTC with Roman presumably right behind her.

Absolutely worth it.

She was definitely not going to regret that decision at all in the coming weeks.

Nope.

 

[Gus Gungus]

Neo and Roman did not, in fact, go. In fact, they didn't move at all. Their stoic, somber silence lasted either five minutes or until one was physically touched, at which point the pair shattered like porcelin figures across the floor, their shards fading shortly from existence entirely.

"...Are... Are they quite alright...?"​

 

[MidwayLives]

"-hey! You two. Come here a second."

It was very unfortunate for Neo that the window she chose to glance at left that gargantuan hat very much in her field of view, and the illusion weaver found herself directly in the crosslights of an affronted, almost sullen glare that was anything but illusory. The councilwoman was turned all the way around in her chair, dainty hand gripping the armrest tight and bottom lip curled with displeasure.

If they obeyed, which of course they did, the most powerful woman in Atlas let them squirm under the full weight of her stare a few more moments before reaching into her uniform pocket and whipping out-

-a miniature photo binder of ornate leather, which unfolded from the one picture it looked capable of holding into nine. All were of white-haired men and women with similarly regal bearings to the one accosting them, and all were wearing hats of the same design. She jabbed a finger at the first man's photo, starting at the top.

"This is Lieutenant Artorius Archibald Schnee. During the Great War, he led the evacuation efforts of Mantle when Vacuo infiltrators set fire to-"

Five minutes later.

"-and this is Dolores Schnee XI, one of the first huntresses to operate a weaponised vehicle in personal combat-"

Three minutes after that.

"-so I hope you've learned something about honoring those who came before us!" She declared imperiously, folding up the pictures and slipping them back into her pocket with a sniff. "It's ceremonial regalia. I wear it in tribute to my lineage's best. No one ever achieved anything by mocking our forerunners, children."

She flapped a hand, done with them.

"Go."

Part of her always regretted these lectures after she administered them, but she was a proud woman, not one who left herself prone to being mocked by... lessers. Turning back to Salem, she daintily cleared her throat.

Roman froze in his tracks.

"Looks like the fun police busted us, pal..."

~~~Generations of Schnees later~~~

Roman snickered aloud as he ran past WTCH"s members, in hot pursuit of his buddy.

"Hahahaha! Oh man, a history lesson and a lecture! I can't think of a worse fate you saved us from, Neo!"​

 

[MyrtenRose]

There was a mirthless snort as Yang shook her head, whatever effort she was making to let this conversation happen shriveling at the bluntness of the request. "Really? How do you think it is, mom? I mean it obviously can't be that different. In fact, why don't you go first?" She shot back as she settled into glare and made herself meet Raven's eyes.

"How's the family history here? If you're some brave huntress in this world then why-" she could feel her frustration slipping through her control like water through a strainer as she jabbed a finger towards the CCT tower "-did I see my sister fighting with the grimm?! Do you understand how insane that is?! Ruby Rose, my sweet baby sister, killing people?! I don't care how messed up this place is, that shouldn't happen, not in any world. You're taking Qrow's spot in this world? then why weren't YOU THERE FOR HER?! AND-" her voice cracked as tried to continue, and though she didn't break her glare, she had to take a few breaths to get her vocal chords to work again. They didn't fully recover, and it was a hoarse followup question.

"...and why wasn't I there for her?"

"...I suppose I'll only find out how different it is if I do go first, huh?" She admitted, not flinching a single iota at that glare as she stared right back. If less harshly. "Huntress, yes, but I wouldn't call myself brave. After Tai died, nobody knew better than me that I wasn't fit to be a single mother. I was cowardly. I...left you, this world's version of you, with my brother and Summer. I thought she would be better off with them. I didn't know how to be a mother without him. At least not the one I thought she deserved to have, so I gave her up. Combat, that's...it's what I do best. It's what I know. I threw myself into working, that was the only thing I had left. The farther away the work, the better, and Salem had a lot for me to do." Raven let out a deep breath.

"I can't say what happened with Ruby Rose, what made her so different from the one you know, because I don't know either. I wish I could say otherwise, but I can't."

Her stare softened as she looked at Yang. "As for why you weren't there...I don't..." She sighed and took another deep breath. "From what I've been able to gather, I don't think that this world's you and her have anything close to a sisterly bond. The bond that you obviously have with yours, in spades. This one...it's...broken." ​

 

[MyrtenRose]

If Weiss happened to glance behind herself, and painfully in full view of Salem as she accepted this very important guest, Neopolitan was exiting with an exact copy of Weiss' hat, just three times as tall

Even she couldn't help from letting out a snort at that sight. Something that Glynda did not appreciate, if the glare Salem felt more than saw was anything to go by.​

"Do you mind if I smoke in here?" She asked bluntly, though she considered it a courtesy simply to ask. Though some found it crude, none denied her her small, unrefined vice in the offices and conference rooms of Atlas, with the amount she had on her plate.

She produced one if yes, nodded enduringly if no, and carried on.

"Please, just Weiss is acceptable. Before we address any council matters I'd like to speak as the CEO of Schnee Dust Company, in any case." She let her eyes wander out towards the skyline, what devastation the school had suffered apparent even from here. "What has-"

Once she had moved on from that, however, she nodded affirmatively to Weiss's blunt question. She didn't mind at all, allowing the CEO to get more comfortable before they moved on to the matters that had brought her so far from home.​

"-hey! You two. Come here a second."

It was very unfortunate for Neo that the window she chose to glance at left that gargantuan hat very much in her field of view, and the illusion weaver found herself directly in the crosslights of an affronted, almost sullen glare that was anything but illusory. The councilwoman was turned all the way around in her chair, dainty hand gripping the armrest tight and bottom lip curled with displeasure.

If they obeyed, which of course they did, the most powerful woman in Atlas let them squirm under the full weight of her stare a few more moments before reaching into her uniform pocket and whipping out-

-a miniature photo binder of ornate leather, which unfolded from the one picture it looked capable of holding into nine. All were of white-haired men and women with similarly regal bearings to the one accosting them, and all were wearing hats of the same design. She jabbed a finger at the first man's photo, starting at the top.

"This is Lieutenant Artorius Archibald Schnee. During the Great War, he led the evacuation efforts of Mantle when Vacuo infiltrators set fire to-"

Five minutes later.

"-and this is Dolores Schnee XI, one of the first huntresses to operate a weaponised vehicle in personal combat-"

Three minutes after that.

"-so I hope you've learned something about honoring those who came before us!" She declared imperiously, folding up the pictures and slipping them back into her pocket with a sniff. "It's ceremonial regalia. I wear it in tribute to my lineage's best. No one ever achieved anything by mocking our forerunners, children."

She flapped a hand, done with them.

"Go."

When Weiss finally turned her attention back to Salem after that unnecessarily lengthy lecture, she found the headmistress mockingly pretending to be asleep. An act that was only broken when Weiss began to address her, Salem making something of a show of rousing herself back to a fully awakened state after that impromptu nap.​

"Apologies. Now, as I was saying. I consider what's been inflicted on your academy a travesty. This is a place of learning, and to pursue the discipline of becoming huntress, huntsman... it's one of the most admirable things in the world." No pompous exterior could disguise the authenticity of those words, her hands tightening slightly where she had them resting on her lap. "If you'll allow it, I'd like to offer the school as much Dust as you need to replenish what was lost in defence of the kingdom, along with what was hoarded by the Shadow Fang in the months leading up to the attack. I'd also be happy to extend my company's personal units to replace the Atlesian forces when they're recalled. General Ironwood... has some difficult months ahead of him."

"No need to apologize, I needed a nap." : ) Salem let that slide jovially enough, listening in intently as Weiss went on. "Gracious of you. I, of course, would be honored to accept your aid in these troubled times. With that said, however, I hope you forgive me when I say this but your company has not had the best reputation when it comes to charity. I presume that all this aid would not come without you wanting something back. What would that be?"​

Neo and Roman did not, in fact, go. In fact, they didn't move at all. Their stoic, somber silence lasted either five minutes or until one was physically touched, at which point the pair shattered like porcelin figures across the floor, their shards fading shortly from existence entirely.

"...Are... Are they quite alright...?"

"I assure you, they are. But-" Salem's eyes shifted over as Glynda began to move from her side, the professor sternly striding for the exit and forcefully opening it with a swing of her weapon, before repeating the gesture to have it firmly shut behind her. "-for how long remains to be seen." ​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

Apparently it could be that different. Yang was frozen in place, still pointing towards the CCT but her face locked into a blank stare.

"...Dad...died?"

Some part of Yang knew that she wasn't giving herself the right distance from these people. None of them were actually who her brain was telling her they were. That wasn't Blake in that Atlesian holding cell, it was just a Blake. It wasn't her dad that died, it was another Tai altogether. This wasn't her mom in front of her, and from what she was hearing, she really was completely different from the Raven she knew and all the extremely complicated feelings that came with her. If she fought her instincts and looked at this objectively, she'd know they had nothing to do with her.

She really wished she could believe that. That this Blake didn't speak with that fiery zeal of hope that inspired Yang to be a better person. That this Ruby hadn't of sounded just like her sister in the throes of one of her old nightmares. That this Raven didn't have that same, longing sadness in her eyes, except this time without Yang having to rip it out of her. These were all the people she knew, just... different.

Which is why it hurt so bad seeing everything so horribly, viciously twisted into all the wrong shapes and stories. To hear that her dad died. To learn that this world's Yang hadn't ever really been there for the young Rose. To have it digging into her brain that their bond was far more tenuous than she would have ever believed, that if a few things were different, it just wouldn't exist at all.

"...Well thats.... s-stupid. Sounds like the me from here isn't anything... I wouldn't...."

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"I assure you, they are. But-" Salem's eyes shifted over as Glynda began to move from her side, the professor sternly striding for the exit and forcefully opening it with a swing of her weapon, before repeating the gesture to have it firmly shut behind her. "-for how long remains to be seen."

'You feel your sins crawling down your back'