Empyrean 22 - Home Away From Home

Empyrean 22 - Home Away From Home

Ozpin POV

Of all the things that the newest iteration of humanity had invented in their brief time existing on this accursed world, soundproofing was by far his favorite.

Ozpin was one of the few people who could claim to have existed before the first jet engine was made. He could claim to be one of the first handful of people who got to travel on the first jet-powered aviation solution. He could also attest to the fact that one flight in that death trap almost made his last body lose its hearing.

Now? Considering his private bullhead was practically a second home to him? He made sure he would never forget the brave human scientists that developed the technology. 

Of course, like any technology of its lofty stature, it came with some drawbacks, and as he flew back to Beacon, with team CFVY and Cardin Winchester sitting across from him in pin-drop silence, he would have appreciated it if the technology was a little less perfect. Just to help get rid of the awkwardness.

Subconsciously, he could understand their inner conundrum. It was not everyday humans came face to face with something so close to divinity. He likened it to when he first met the brother gods, the mixture of awe and subtle dread. The knowledge that not only did gods exist, but they were physical, tangible creatures that were always listening. There was nothing else that came close.

Except, he assumed that learning of Jaune’s true identity was likely worse for the kids. No one knew the brother gods before they ascended to divinity, if they weren’t born as gods to begin with. Jaune, on the other hand, had tangible history, even international infamy, even though his moment of disrepute had come and gone, forgotten by the populace the moment the next hot scandal hit the press.

Some councilman had cheated on his wife, if he remembered correctly, completely overshadowing any news about Jaune. 

Yet, these kids had known Jaune. They had interacted with him repeatedly when he was in Beacon. They remembered the shy, out-of-place kid who always looked like he was in too deep, who got kicked out of Beacon amidst a globally-published scandal. 

Ozpin could empathise with the fact that it was hard to reconcile that gangly teen with a legend who could cut down two mountains with one slash of a sword.

He could also empathise with them trying to keep his identity a secret. Their debrief had mentioned that it was an unknown huntsman who’d decimated the migration. Jaune had no need to ask them to hide his identity, considering Ozpin already was in the know. No, these kids had come to that decision together.

After all, the Empyrean could be anyone. It wouldn’t exactly make sense for a legend of that status to reveal his carefully-hidden identity to a couple of academy huntsmen.

Loyalty was a beautiful thing, so Ozpin hadn’t questioned them further, but now, sitting in this awkward silence, he felt the urge to needle them a bit. Ozpin wasn’t exactly a playful person, far from it, but boredom was anathema to him, always had been, ever since his days as Ozma.

It was how he became an adventurer to begin with, after all.

“Mister Winchester.” He drawled, startling the poor young man out of his existential crisis. “This huntsman, was he blonde, perchance?”

He saw a flash of panic, which was followed by one deep, ragged breath. “I couldn’t tell. It was dark and he was wearing a mask.”

It was a quick recovery, a smooth lie, were it told to anyone but Ozpin. Sadly, Ozpin had spent almost every one of his innumerable lives dealing with men in positions of power, men who could lie with the same ease as breathing. Cardin was passable, but his logic had holes.

He could use that excuse for himself, but not for someone like Fox or Velvet. Those two had incredible vision at night. When the topic of the huntsman’s identity would be discussed after the fact, they would certainly reveal their perspectives to him.

Quick-witted, but not a natural liar. A good trait to have for a Huntsman, not a statesman.

“Unfortunate.” Ozpin acquiesced. “What of his weaponry? Did anything stand out?”

“It all happened in a flash, sir. We didn’t get to see much.” Coco commented from the side. Coming to the rescue of her fellow huntsman was noble, but Coco was an even worse liar than Cardin. His face didn't betray him, but Ozpin could tell that Coco’s interjection did not match up with what his answer would have been.

A vague mention of a glowing sword, of his deadly winglet blades, and suspicion would have become confirmation. It was the Empyrean, a man known for being as elusive as he was deadly. The topic would have been settled. Yet, by leaving that question open-ended, Coco had opened the door towards more questions. Why would the Empyrean be using other weaponry when he had weapons that powerful?

Was there another person who could perform such an incredible feat?

Had Ozpin not known it was Jaune, then that one deflection would have sent him on a chase for the person’s identity. Another huntsman of that caliber? The world would bow over in reverence to secure his services, provided they could find him. 

Which would have led to interrogations, checking with civilians as to the person’s identity. There was no possibility that Jaune hadn’t been in the town before meeting with them. All it would take was one witness, one CCTV recording of them passing by a shop, and Jaune’s cover would have been blown.

They really weren’t good liars. Yet, they lied for him. He liked that a lot.

“Then I believe I’ll have to enlist the local detectives to help us track down our enigmatic savior.” Ozpin replied with a smirk, watching the panic rise on their faces.

“Is… is that wise?” Yatsuhashi asked. “If such a powerful huntsman wants to remain anonymous, it would be in our best interests to let him stay that way, right?”

If he could slice mountains in half, what hope did Beacon have?

It was the unspoken question, the one terror in the back of Ozpin’s mind ever since he’d seen Jaune after his ascension at Phalanx. The ability to simply remove anything that was an eyesore to him, unopposed. That was absolute power, and absolute power had the tendency to corrupt a man.

The only reason why he was able to get any sleep at night was because he understood Jaune Arc. The man who would be hero was now a hero. 

The real question was, just how long would that be enough to keep him sated?

“While that is a good observation, Mister Daichi, I believe there is wisdom in trying to foster positive relationships with individuals of such obscene might.” He commented. “Diplomacy is a powerful tool, and as Professor Oobleck has no doubt taught you, should be used as a primary weapon when dealing with other intelligent people.”

He then gave them a wide smile. “Plus, I’d like to at least have surveillance footage of the past two days. Men like him tend to stand out, after all.”

The silence was tense, it was panicked. Five minds working to find a reasoning that would help them dissuade Ozpin from that course of action. Yet, there was none. There was no reason they could give short of Jaune’s identity that would make Ozpin stop.

Checkmate.

“Plus, I’d like to use the recordings to teach Jaune that he has a digital footprint. I’m still a professor, after all.” He spoke, and saw the panic turn into shock.

“You… you knew all along?” Coco asked, and Ozpin gave her his patented headmaster smile.

“It would be remiss of me not to know someone who I admitted into my institution, would it not?” He asked, subtly confirming that he had known full well about Jaune’s faked transcripts. 

“I appreciate that you five tried your best to protect his identity. I also believe that it is my failure that subterfuge is not part of the classes offered at Beacon.” Ozpin stated. “Some information is best hidden, especially if I was an outsider or a threat in this scenario. I will see to it that such a course is offered in the curriculum.”

While Salem’s information network was not one that he could subvert, given her eyes and ears outnumbered humanity itself, there were other malicious groups, individuals, and ideologies who could try to convert Jaune over to their cause. The fact that his identity was not public was the only barrier between himself and an endless barrage of malicious solicitors.

That, plus subterfuge and information control were skills that anyone could use, especially those who would one day go out into the field at his own behest. He was a teacher, it was his job to make sure these men and women left his care with as many tools as possible to help them survive this treacherous world.

Even if the tool itself was treachery and lies.

LB

Jaune POV

It was surprising just how familiar the roads of Vale were to him.

Two months, the gap between the press finding out about his transcripts and his expulsion. Not a long time at all, but enough for him to become a pariah at Beacon. Left alone, unable to attend classes, unable to use the training facilities without being heckled, Jaune had found a new pastime in that period.

Photos of him were scarce and old. The decision regarding his expulsion had yet to be taken, so slipping on a medical mask and going out in town without being recognised was not hard to do. Peoplewatching had become his hobby, and like any experienced watcher of people, he had his favorite spots.

Part of why he’d decided to leave Emerald and Glynda behind, other than the fact that Glynda was still in recovery, was because he wanted to see how Vale had changed while he was away. 

The answer was simple, not at all.

It was humbling to realize that even as much as he had changed, evolved into something greater than what he was the last time he was here, the world simply did not give a shit. His favorite sandwich shop was still the same, with the slightly crooked sign and the faint smell of cleaning liquid lingering in the air.

So was his favorite Mistrali cafe’s barista, who still gave Jaune the same stink-eye when he ordered his coffee with double cream. So was the slightly chipped wooden bench that he favored, overlooking the central thoroughfare while being shaded by a tree. Innocuous enough to be completely glossed over by people on their daily commute.

He sat there. No medical mask this time. It wasn’t necessary anymore, with the physical changes he’d gone through. He nibbled at his sandwich. Ham hock, his favorite, as he watched people walk past. 

He wondered how many of them had any clue, any thought that on a whim, the queen of the Grimm could overrun this city with her hordes? That the only reason they could live these sedentary, boring lives was because their destruction was merely a byproduct of her real desire?

Probably none. Ozpin really had done a good job keeping her existence hidden. That, plus these people probably had enough to worry about on a day-to-day basis that entertaining thoughts about the enemies of humanity probably took far lower of a priority as compared to making rent.

He took a sip of his coffee. Still tasted like shit, still was the cheapest coffee in town. Reminded him of home in the worst ways possible. He leaned back, allowing his eyes to trail over the ever-moving hordes of people.

Wonder when his assailant was finally going to make a move.

It was a quaint little thing. A crow, perched just close enough to be able to see him, yet just far enough that even an experienced huntsman wouldn’t feel like there was something amiss. It was perched at the edge of a building, looking down at the thoroughfare. Yet, its gaze hadn’t left Jaune once ever since the crow had started trailing him.

Just as he exited the sandwich bar.

The crow wasn’t doing anything. It didn’t even have malice in its heart. It was slightly skittish, looking away every time Jaune’s gaze passed over it. It didn’t preen, it didn’t do anything one would expect from a crow. It was both worried about being caught yet… not.

Then again, Jaune would be surprised if the crow’s usual targets were on the lookout for avians spying on them.

Maybe birds really were just government spy drones after all.

He got up, finishing off his sandwich and chucking the remains into a dustbin. He slowly started moving. The crow followed, not really taking off, just flitting from building to building, conserving energy, most probably. Making sure it had enough energy to take off the moment it was seen.

Jaune smirked, taking a sharp right towards an empty-looking diner, the kind of place that has existed as long as you’ve known but never got any actual patrons. The bird stopped, watching him open the door. Yet, before he could step through the door, faster than any man could see, Jaune turned on his heels, jumping to cross the distance between himself and the rooftop the crow was perched on.

Giving any onlooker the illusion that he’d walked into the shop, as he appeared in a crouch right behind the crow.

“Heya little guy.” Jaune cheekily remarked, watching the crow almost jump out of its own skin. “You’ve been following me for a while, huh?”

The crow flapped its wings, taking off. Jaune could have stopped it then and there, but it was amusing to see its actions. He let it build something of a gap, as it soared over the city, headed towards Patch of all places.

Dies Iraes was removed from his inventory, equipped, and pumped with mana, sending him flying towards the bird all while breaking the sound barrier twice. 

“So as I was saying.” Jaune spoke, slowing down beside the crow, who would have been sweating, were it capable of doing so. “You’re being quite rude, you know? I just want to talk.”

The crow responded by going straight into a nosedive towards Patch. Jaune followed suit, making sure to not over-accelerate till the last moment, where he overtook the Crow, and landed in the lane the crow was aiming for.

As he expected, the crow transformed as it landed, revealing a… rather unimpressive man. 

He did feel that his mental assessment was harsh. He looked like he was trying his best. He just fell very short when compared to every other magic user Jaune had come across. 

That, and because he knew exactly who the guy was.

“Uncle Qrow?” He asked, and he saw shock on the man’s face. 

“How the fuck do you know who I am?” He asked, raising his monster of a weapon. Jaune still didn’t understand why huntsmen would use something so complex, with so many points of failure, when they could simply have a ranged and a melee option as standalones.

He did understand now where Ruby’s overcomplicated weapon philosophy drew inspiration from.

“Ruby speaks very highly of you, literally all the time.” Jaune stated.

“Doesn’t mean you should know what I look like.” The man was absolutely on the defensive, ready to spring into action the moment any of Jaune’s answers didn’t work for him. Not that it would do much. He was experienced, true, but no amount of experience could make up for the sheer gap in might between the two.

“The wallpaper on her scroll is literally a photo of the two of you.” Jaune countered, and realisation finally hit.

“Damn, you really are the scrawny blonde she talked about a lot.” He sheathed his weapon.

“Who else would I be?” Jaune asked, perplexed.

“I’ve been around a while. No one changes that fast, no one ever gets that strong.” Qrow replied, a weary look on his face. “It just doesn’t fucking happen.”

Jaune shrugged. “Maybe not to you. Don’t make the mistake of thinking we’re the same.”

“Yeah, got that much right.” Qrow commented. “I owe you, you know?”

Jaune raised an eyebrow. “For not kicking the shit outta you for trying to spy on me?”

“For saving Summer. Heard what you did for her.” Qrow commented, hesitant. “You knew whose mom she was, right?”

Jaune sighed. “Yeah. Kinda hard to miss considering how similar they look.”

“Midgets, both of them.” The smile on Qrow’s face was in complete contrast to his words. “Yet why did you help her? From what I heard, the little shit wasn’t exactly in your camp when you got expelled.:

“I didn't do it for Ruby.” Jaune commented. “I did it cuz it was the right thing to do.”

Qrow’s reply was a contemplative silence, as if the very idea was something foreign to him, something he wouldn’t even contemplate doing.

“I… I don’t think I could have convinced myself to do something like that.” Qrow candidly stated. 

“You’re Jaded. You’ve known loss. I can understand why.” Jaune shot back.

“And aren’t you the same?” He asked. “They did try to ruin your career. Your life.”

“Not her. She was just…disappointed.” Jaune replied. “I’m not above revenge, as my recent history has taught me, but when it comes to Ruby? Even I can’t be mad.”

“What about Yang, then?” he asked, and for once, Jaune was silent.

“That’s easier. She threatened me with physical violence because I made Ruby sad.” Jaune said. “While I understand her anger, I’d love to see her try.”

“You really are a goody-two-shoes, aren’t you?” Qrow spoke, sighing. “I’ve seen lesser men do worse harm over smaller slights.”

“What’s even the point?” Jaune asked. “I am everything they will never be. I am their standard, and I am the realization that as long as I live, they will never be great.”

“They tried to steal my career, I stole their dream. I think for most of them, that makes us even.” Jaune countered.

“Most of them?” Qrow shot back.

“Some of them deserve better.” Jaune answered. “Some of them? Far, far worse.”

He noticed as a shiver went over Qrow’s body. “Jesus, kid. Just try not to kill anyone.”

“Oh trust me, I’m trying.”

LB

Jaune POV

“Remind me again why we’re here?”

Qrow chuckled, drunk as he was, slamming back another one of those godawful drinks he seemed to favor. “Ozpin ain’t here. I can’t take you home because I really don’t want a Vacuan standoff in our living room, and Beacon’s got cameras.”

“Aren’t you on active duty, though?’ He asked, taking another sip of the strawberry drink that Qrow had ordered for him. 

“So I am, and my job’s to look after you till Ozpin gets here. He even gave me the company card.” Qrow spoke, trying to find it on the table. “Well, I had the card somewhere.”

“You gave it to the barkeep when you sat down and told him to keep ‘em coming.” Jaune replied, signalling for another drink, much to the surprise of his drinking buddy.

“Goddamn boy. You sure can hold your fucking drink.” He shook his head. “I know what goes into one of those. You’ve drunk more than me. Why the fuck aren’t you slobbering on the table?”

“I told you before, alcohol doesn’t affect me.” Jaune countered.

“Yeah, I thought you meant like you don’t get drunk easily.” He spoke, almost falling off the bar stool as he reached for his next drink. “Fucking hell, I haven’t been outdrunk by someone my whole career.”

“That’s not really something to brag about, is it?” Jaune asked.

“It is when you’re on a team of absolute lightweights.” He chuckled. “Especially when, realistically, you’re the weakest of the roster.”

“Aren’t you the only active field huntsman in your team?” He asked.

“Not by choice.” He sighed, a single moment of clarity in his drunken haze. “Neither by mine, nor by Ozpin’s.”

“Sounds like there’s a lot to unpack there.” Jaune commented. “I just don’t care enough to ask, though.”

“Heartless bastard.” Qrow joked. “Gods, you’re like a mixture of all four of us.”

“Elaborate?” He asked, only to get a shit-eating grin from the man.

“Nah.” Qrow shot back, and Jaune had to hold back the urge to knock him the fuck out.

“I’m surprised the bartender hasn’t cut you off by now, you absolute lush.” Jaune commented. 

“He’s too scared. Look, good ‘ol Junior’s literally on the other side of the bar.” He commended, and true to his words, the bartender was literally as far away from them as he could be. Thinking back over the course of the evening, the only times that the man had approached them was when they ordered a drink. 

“Even his two hussies are terrified, else they’d be all over you.” Qrow commented. “They probably saw you coming and made themselves scarce.”

“They know who I am?” Jaune asked, making Qrow chuckle.

“Nah. I used to come here often enough to get to know them a bit.” He chuckled. “They have a shared semblance, being twins and all. Danger sense. It’s why they banned me from entering the first time I came around.”

“Huh, how did you get that ban lifted?” Jaune asked, and the way Qrow glanced lovingly at his weapon was enough of an answer for that question.

“Point taken. The security here isn’t the greatest either.” Jaune commented.

“Oh, that’s because they probably felt you arriving when we were a mile away.” He chuckled. “There’s generally a dozen or more gunmen all over the club. Junior’s a sketchy piece of shit, but I’m pretty sure he got another with so much as a twitchy trigger finger out of the building before you arrived, for their own sake.”

“Good help’s hard to find these days.” Junior commented from his spot on the other side of the bar, not even looking over at the two of them.

“So… did you just bring me here so that you wouldn’t need to get into a fight to enter?” Jaune asked.

“In my defense, no one makes firewhiskey dust shots like Junior does. This shit is to die for.” Qrow sniggered. 

“I’m going to knock you out now.” Jaune spoke, emotionlessly.

“Way ahead of ya, kid.” Qrow commented, downing six shots faster than Jaune could even react. He didn’t even get to sit still for a second after, as his body slumped, rolling off the barstool, his face landing on Jaune’s shoe.

There was silence for a second as Jaune and Junior both tried to formulate what to do next. Silence, even as the thumping noise of electronic music kept going, Junior looked over at Jaune, a solemn expression on his face.

“Should.. Should I search his scroll for an emergency contact?” He asked.

“Yes, please.” Jaune monotoned. “And I’m sorry for the scare.”

“No problem. It was worth it to see that man in such a state.” Junior commented. “You uh, you’re okay if I kick him a little, right?”

“Oh, by all means go ahead. Be my guest.”

He would never say it, but watching Junior kick the ever living shit out of Qrow felt cathartic, felt invigorating. It was something he never knew he needed. Sure, he’d heal up the man before someone came to pick him up, but for now, seeing Qrow getting mollywhopped felt…magical.

He’d drink to that.

LB

Okay! That wraps up chapter 22.

Reminder. The poll for the next story ends on the 19th of this month. Make sure to vote!

-Cold Daylight