Unhappy Hour

"So… on a scale of one to ten, how dangerous is this person we're seeing?" Jaune asked nervously, as he fidgeted with his armour. Stood across from him was Neo, a sarcastic smirk in place though even to him it looked a little more brittle than usual. "That bad?"

The small girl nodded, not meeting his eyes.

Well shit… there were plenty of things in life that scared Jaune Arc. His sisters, his father, his mother, Glynda, most of the students, Grimm, the idea of being found out – people who put tomato ketchup on eggs. There were enough things to fill a small book. But right near the top of all things was almost certainly Neo.

Because honestly if how she acted around him was classified as "friendly" then he dreaded to imagine what "hostile" might translate to. Also he'd had a first row seat to that little show she'd put on with the Ursa, and while that had been to save his life – something he was obviously quite thankful for. It still painted a scary picture of just how strong she was.

And just how far he had to go – Hell, he could only last at most a minute with her, and that when she wasn't using her weapon.

Still, back to the issue at hand – he was going to be meeting with some kind of crime boss as a favour to Roman, and would need to agree to whatever plan they had. Something about smuggling people into Beacon if he remembered… What could they want from that though? Initially he suspected the worst; that they were trying to kill someone. But dramatic panic aside, if they wanted to do that then why not just have Neo teleport in and do it?

Maybe it was something more mundane… like them just wanting someone to be able to sneak in and graduate as a Hunter? Or have access to better training for some promising new recruits.

"How do I look?" He said as he strapped the last piece of armour into place and turned to the girl. First impressions counted after all – so he'd gone so far as to buff what little plate he had, and even shine his boots. Just in case anyone saw him he'd tied a grey scarf around his neck that he could pull up over his lower face if needed.

Neo tilted her head as she looked him up and down. After a few moments she held up three fingers.

"Three out of ten?" Coming from Neo that was high praise. "Good enough… so, how are we getting there?"

Travel by Bullhead would be the obvious answer, but it might look just a little bit strange if one of the staff slipped out of Beacon so late in the day. Sure it was only seven or so – but it was a weekday, and that meant paperwork and preparation for lessons.

Neo grinned – which really ought to have been the first (and only) warning he needed – before she strolled over and grabbed him by the sleeve. Whatever Jaune had been about to say died in his mouth, as his entire body compressed and folded. It felt like he was crushed into the space of a speck of dust – before being dropped from a great height. His stomach plunged, even as the food he'd eaten threatened to force its way from his throat. Until with a jarring flash of light, the world seemed to stop.

Right as his face smashed into that of Roman Torchwick.

If his life had been an anime he might have lost his first kiss to the man, and honestly – that might have been preferable. Instead what he received was a rapidly widening green eye – before his forehead collided with that of Roman's. Immovable object met irresistible force – made all the worse via the application of aura which meant that instead of two hard (but not solid) heads meeting. Two skulls that may as well have been made of granite smashed together.

On top of that he got a whole inch of burning cigar crushed into his teeth as they bounced off one another with a sound that was reminiscent of a car crash.

"Fuck, Neo!" The orange haired man shouted as he hit the ground, bowler hat flying off. "You fucking piece of shit, why do you always pull this shit!? Fuck!" Jaune simply coughed out ash and the taste of burning; filing away the information that Roman became pretty flipping potty-mouthed when he was in pain.

Neo tilted her head and lightly rapped a hand against her skull – as if to say "Oh gosh darn, did I make such a silly mistake!? Tee-hee."

Neither of them believed her.

"Just when you think the day can't get shitter," Roman pushed himself to his feet, taking the time to locate his hat, draw out another cigar, light it – and take a few long puffs. Before finally turning to Jaune, "You comfy down there?"

"Nice to see you care," Jaune sighed as he forced himself up – having given up on waiting for Roman to offer him a hand. "She do this often?"

"Only every time she's in a pissy mood." The thief snarled, flicking his cigar so a few pieces of ash floated toward the girl. She raised one eyebrow, blowing them away before they could get close.

"How often is that?"

"All the fucking time. Anyway, glad you could make it kid. You're moving up in the world now it seems."

"Yeah," Jaune looked about as he tried to orient himself. This definitely wasn't the same place he had met Roman at before, and he had no idea where they were – or how he could escape if things got bad. It took him a few minutes to realise that was probably the point, which didn't do much for his nerves. "So anything I should know about this woman?"

"Yeah, too many things to count," the thief said as he led Jaune a little deeper down some dark corridors. Wherever they were, it was arranged like some kind of huge warehouse structure, with metal racks and rails reaching up to the ceiling – and various pelleted boxes stacked on each. Knowing all the recent news reports on dust robberies it wasn't hard to imagine what was in the containers.

"First things first, this woman is Dangerous with a capital D." Roman puffed some smoke back into his face, making him hack and cough as he waved his hand to dispel it. "So I doubt you were actually going to try and do something stupid, but I'll say it anyway. Don't do something stupid!"

"Got it," Jaune coughed.

"Also try and keep calm if you can help it. She's going to notice if you get nervous or anything and she'll go in for the kill. Let me do all the talking, just nod along."

"Anything else?"

Roman paused, as Jaune nearly collided with him. A few clouds of smoke puffed forth, before he turned to stare into Jaune's blue eyes.

"No matter what she says – or what she does. Remember she can, and will, kill you at the slightest provocation if she feels like it."

"I am so not prepared for this…" Jaune said quietly, more of a squeak really. If Roman had sought to boost his confidence then his methods needed work. Neo offered her own comfort, a small pat on his back which doubled as a shove to get him moving once more.

His mind whirled into overdrive, as he pieced together what he could about the woman. He'd seen enough TV to get a mental image of her, probably overweight with two black-suited men by her side. With sharp and cruel eyes, set in a bulbous and horrifying face. She would probably have one of those cigarette stick things as well, so she didn't have to sully her long-gloved fingers with the ash.

He prepared himself. Took deep breaths and cracked his neck from one side to the other, ran through the plan in his mind. Step one – nod hello. Step two – shut the fuck up. Step three – wait for Roman to do everything.

It was a simple plan – but that was how he knew it was a good one. Because there were very few ways he could bugger it up.

You can do this Jaune – just don't meet her eyes, try not cringe at how horrifying she'll be.

Roman nodded one final time, before pushing aside a long-hanging curtain and walking into a new room. Jaune hesitated outside, wondering if it was still too late to flee – only for Neo to press the heel of one of her boots into his ass and push him in.

"Hello there," possibly the silkiest voice he had ever heard seemed to purr, "You must be Professor Jaune Arc."

She wasn't bulbous. Nor was she fat with beady eyes and sweaty skin. Instead she was a pair of long, smooth and creamy legs – with an absolute babe attached to them.

"That's me," he said, immediately forgetting step two and three of his master plan as his eyes roved up those long luscious legs, which disappeared into tantalising darkness when it reached her thighs. Her red dress, the colour of blood his mind quietly whispered, clung snugly to her shapely form, promising everything – and revealing just enough to keep one wondering. His eyes traced up the gold leaf, paused at the swell of her ample breasts, before finally reaching up her neck to her face.

Holy crap… she was dangerous alright, he could already feel his pulse racing so hard he feared he might keel over. She smiled coyly at him, even as she flicked her black locks behind her, revealing two amber eyes that seemed locked onto his own. Her pink lips parted, brilliant white teeth and a glistening tongue catching his attention as she spoke.

"A pleasure then Jaune, if I may call you that?" Her legs uncrossed as she slowly pushed herself up from the black leather couch. Standing up she was almost as tall as he, with hair that fell down her back. She reached out one hand to him, and not noticing the subtle shake of Neo's head – he reached out and took it.

Soft… incredibly soft, and also warm, as she curled her fingers around his – her thumb briefly stroking the top of his hand. Gods her hand was warm, he almost felt like he was heating up just from touching her. She was hot, and he meant that literally – it was almost like their hands were on fire.

A brief flash of what looked like confusion crossed her face, before she smiled once more and released his hand and stepped back. She gestured to the seat beside her.

Next to her? Jaune paused as he threw a quick glance towards Roman, who was staring at Jaune as though he couldn't quite figure out exactly what his eyes were seeing. Okay, thanks for the help Roman… he thought to himself as he settled in beside the woman. She smiled indulgently, though there was a certain edge to her expression as she sat beside him. One bare leg rested alongside his own, and he fought down the urge to swallow and look at it. Or touch it.

"Roman," she cooed softly, her voice filled with a hint of amusement, "do sit down before you start catching flies. We have things to discuss." The thief coughed, his eyes meeting Jaune's own as he tried to impart some kind of valuable message.

Something about squirrels and pineapples?

The man huffed, one hand coming up to rub his face as he sat down in one of the single armchairs. Neo took the one beside him. It wasn't until the chairs were filled that he realised just how alone they were, for someone they were so afraid of – she hadn't brought a single person with her. Was that a sign of weakness – or strength?

"Right," Roman began with a sigh, "so this is Jaune Arc – my contact I told you about at Beacon. We do business together, very hush-hush and all that."

"It sounds it," the woman said with a tinkling laugh. A few strands of black hair fell across his shoulder, and he could faintly smell the scent of berries from it. "Allow me to introduce myself then Jaune, my name is Cinder Fall – though," she paused as she turned to face him, her head dipping low as she looked up at him through her lashes, "I do hope you'll call me Cinder."

"Of course," he laughed, though it soon died out when he saw Roman making a frantic throat-slitting motion – his teeth gritted as he shook his head no. The message was… rather clear.

"Delightful, Roman has only told me a little about you Jaune – just that you work at Beacon. Won't you tell me a little more about yourself?"

"Well he's-"

"I wasn't talking to you Roman," the woman cut in, her amber eyes never leaving Jaune's own – even as she cut the thief down mid-speech. "I'm sure a man like Jaune can speak for himself, hmm?"

Don't show fear, don't show fear. She smiled once more, as some thick locks fell across one eye. Her tongue flicked out, a tiny motion – but it caught his eye. Don't show arousal, don't show arousal.

His dad Nicholas had always said the best way to talk to women was with confidence, which was tough at the best of times – and much harder when said woman was already right next to you -smelled fantastic and looked even better. Still… given how dangerous she apparently was, sorry – how Dangerous she apparently was – maybe it would be better to tone down on the confidence a little bit.

"There's not much to say," he said instead as he smiled in what he hoped was a charming manner. Judging by the way Neo's head fell into her hands in horror he hadn't done the best job. "I work as a Professor at Beacon, as well as being a Student Councillor."

"How exciting, you must be quite trusted then," her smile grew, still closed-lipped but somehow more self-satisfied.

"Perhaps more than I should be," he admitted honestly. Although the truth wasn't exactly perhaps – he was totally trusted more than he had any right to be. She laughed lightly, as though he had made a particularly funny joke – though he supposed considering that she thought him a criminal, the words might have come across as humorous.

"Aren't we all? I must say I didn't realise you held such a lofty position – Roman simply told me you were a contact."

Jaune shrugged lightly, though he did feel a small thrill of fear that dragged him from his ardour. She had lied, or twisted the truth at least, in those words. When she had first shook his hand she had referred to him as a Professor… If what she said about Roman not telling her anything was true, and knowing Roman it probably was, then that meant she had been doing her own work to find out more about him.

And didn't that ring alarm bells…

There was a dangerous criminal mastermind, who had been doing background work to try and get information about him, Jaune Arc. Seventeen year old teen who was in over his head, except that now it looked like he was about to have more "over his head" than under it.

"Roman knows not to say too much," Jaune said after he realised the silence had dragged on, with her brow raised waiting for an answer. "Information is dangerous."

And the award for most mysterious and pretentiously pointless statement goes to… From the corner of his eye he could see the criminal in question, who had pulled the bowler hat down over his eyes and was furiously puffing on his cigar. As though if he pretended it wasn't happening, it might come true.

"Oh… I didn't realise you had that kind of relationship," she purred, "perhaps in future I should be dealing with you."

Dealing with him? What did that mean… he hadn't said anything to – "Roman knows not to say too much." – Oh crap, had she taken that to mean he considered himself Roman's superior? That couldn't end well…

"Ah well… that might be hard, since I have to stay in Beacon and all."

"That won't be as much of a problem as you believe."

"What do you mean?" Surely she didn't expect him to come down for meetings like this? Okay, sure with Neo's teleportation it was hardly a big issue – except that he never wanted to travel like that again. But even so – him having to dedicate even more time to meetings with dangerous criminals? He didn't like the sound of that…

"Now Jaune, allow a woman a few secrets hmm?" She said as she reached across him. He froze at her proximity, wondering exactly what she was trying to do. Her face passed just in front of his, her hair drifting across his lips, even as her delicate and enticing neck was so close. She steadied herself with one hand on his thigh as she reached across him – picking something up from a table by the couch.

Jaune released a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding when she withdrew, his muscles relaxing once she wasn't touching him. She smiled victoriously, as though pleased with his reaction as she proffered a bottle of red wine.

"Perhaps we should all have a drink to our future cooperation? After all, you and I may become partners in the future Jaune. Roman, do be a dear and fetch us some glasses."

"Ne-"

"I said you Roman. You certainly are hard of hearing today."

"Yeah… how silly of me." Jaune felt he could almost hear the man's teeth grinding together as he stood up and moved away, returning a moment later with some long wine flutes. Cinder placed another hand on his leg as she pushed herself to her feet, pulling out the cork and filling the glasses herself with the dark red liquid.

"A toast then, to our continued partnership," Jaune stood up with the others, holding the glass out so they all touched, "and perhaps, to new friendships as well," she finished – pointedly meeting his eyes as she moved the glass to her lips.

Feeling a little sick, Jaune did the same. It tasted good, he supposed… thick and heady with a fruity aftertaste and a sharp kick that he felt he desperately needed right at that moment. They finished at roughly the same time, and as they put the glasses down he was half waiting for the poison to kick in and kill him.

No such luck…

He looked towards Roman for help – receiving nothing but a shrug in reply. Neo was just as much help, she looked tense – ready to fight at a moment's notice. It didn't escape him how the only one who seemed truly relaxed was Cinder herself, even outnumbered three-to-one.

"I must admit," Jaune began, keeping his voice as confident as he could, "Roman hasn't told me much about what our agreement is to include Cinder. If we're going to be working together so closely – perhaps you might tell me more?"

"I suppose I could," she said as she poured some more wine into their glasses, though she pointedly left Roman's empty – forcing him to do it himself. She leaned back in her seat, taking the shortest of sips as she crossed her legs, one resting against his thigh. "Although I'm sure you'll understand if I don't tell you everything Jaune – we know so little about one another after all."

Welp, looked like the old "get the villain to confess their master plan" approach wasn't going to work. Man… X-ray and Vav made it look so easy.

"Of course," he said instead, "I simply meant what it is you might want me to do for you. How can I be expected to help, if I'm not aware of what you need me to do?"

"It's good to see a man with a brain on his shoulders," she laughed as she placed her flute back on the table, half-empty. And yeah he was feeling rather cynical at that point in time, he felt he had the right to be. "It's a simple task Jaune, in fact there isn't even much you need do. I have a few… associates, who wish to attend Beacon for the duration of the Vytal Festival."

That much coincided with what Roman had already told him, though he kept quiet on that front. Sure he'd already kind of messed up the plan – but Roman's idea to let him do all the talking had been shot the moment she decided she wanted to hear Jaune speak. Still, there was no reason to put Roman in a worse situation.

"They don't have any formal hunter training, though you can rest assured they are able to fight just as well as many in Beacon. Sadly, what they lack is simply documentation that could assure their entry."

Couldn't Roman handle that easily enough though? He made forged documents good enough to get me accepted as a teacher, so transfer papers should be a lot easier. Hell, if they went through Ozpin they would probably get approved even if all they had on them was a pencil-drawn smiley face.

"Then I heard about yourself Professor, who had come from Vacuo. From a school that had suffered a most unfortunate fate, I am sorry for your loss." She leaned closer to him, her face twisting in concern so obviously fake – and yet so convincingly real, that he didn't know what to do.

"It's fine, it was a long time ago," he shrugged, idly noting that Roman had kept his true identity a secret. That was… probably for the best, since if she found out he was just a normal teenager then he would lose whatever value he had to her. And it didn't take a genius to figure out what would happen if she thought him worthless to her…

"I was hoping you might allow my associates to claim to be from your school Jaune – just vouch for them and say you had seen them there."

"What are they going to be doing at Beacon?" He asked, though when she narrowed her eyes he wished he hadn't.

"Nothing you need worry about Jaune," she reached out to place a hand on his chest, and once more he couldn't help but feel incredibly hot – just from her touch. "Leave what they're doing to me."

Gods it was hot… he felt like he wanted to lose the jacket, but worried that would send the wrong impression. Instead he smiled in what he hoped was a casual manner.

"I didn't mean it like that, just that my own cover might be blown if my `friends from Vacuo` do something foolish." Like murder someone, or break into the Headmaster's office and steal valuable documents… though what they thought Ozpin might keep in his office, he wasn't sure. He dreaded to imagine what stupid little things Ozpin considered valuable.

"Rest assured they won't do anything to give you any trouble," she said as she removed her hand from his chest, "in fact they won't be doing anything that could get them arrested at all. Or if they do, they'll be answering to me."

And from those words alone he doubted whoever they were would even try. At least that meant he wouldn't need to worry about them getting him in trouble, and to be honest it made a certain amount of sense. If they were coming in as temporary transfer students then whatever they wanted in Beacon, they probably wanted to get done quietly, and then leave when the others did. Surely for criminals like them, getting the police – or worse, the hunters involved – was truly the last resort?

"I'm glad to hear that, well as long as they aren't going to do anything foolish then I don't see why I can't agree to that." She smiled brightly, as she held her glass out once more for him to tap his own against. Clearly she thought she'd managed to win him over with her honeyed words, but the joke was on her – he'd already decided to agree with her at the start to pay off that favour to Roman!

…

Okay, that didn't make as much sense as it had in his mind. Still, in a way she hadn't won – everyone had just lost, her included. Sort of.

I should slow down on the wine…

"I suppose you're associates will be coming in with the other transferees then? If the issue comes up I will say I recognise them – though I hope you'll forgive if I say I haven't been in touch with them since the fall?"

"That's more than acceptable," she whispered as she leaned back with a lazy smile, "it's good to see you can look after yourself. I suppose if something does go wrong you can now claim they must have gotten involved in crime after Vacuo."

"That's the idea. So, are we done here?"

"Oh, so eager to be done with me?" Her tone was flirtatious, though he couldn't help but notice a deadly edge to it, he smiled and laughed.

"Only a fool would be eager to be away from you Cinder," he said as he tried to imagine what his father might say, "but certainly some might begin to notice my absence if I stay any longer."

"Such charming words," she purred, "but I suppose you are right. Never mind… I'm sure we will see one another again." They rose from the couch, him holding out a hand to help her – earning another smile. Across from them Neo and Roman did the same, the latter's cigar flipping from the left side of his mouth to the right.

"Well, charming as always Cinder," Roman said unconvincingly, "but as you say places to be, things to steal – we'll get out of your hair."

"Yes Roman, do see to your other tasks." The famous criminal flinched but laughed nonetheless, as he ushered Jaune from the room, Neo in close pursuit.

Roman dragged him deeper into the warehouse before he spoke, and the intent was clear – he didn't want Cinder to overhead any of what they were saying. Eventually however, the three of them stopped. With Roman slumped back against a crate of dust.

"Damn kid… I don't know if you're a genius or just plain lucky. No wait, I know which one it is…"

"Well you didn't exactly help with the way you made me do all the talking," Jaune argued as he threw his hands in the air. "What the hell happened to `just let me do all the talking` - you were quieter than Neo!"

"Oh well, I thought you had it handled quite well. I mean I loved the way you walked in and just stared at her legs." Jaune flushed, looking away as Neo laughed silently at his distress. "Fuck's sake kid – she could have had a gun or anything, but nooo – let's focus on the legs."

"Yeah well, she wasn't armed, was she?" He groused as he folded his arms across his chest. Roman froze, as did Neo. The two of them looking at him as if he had said something particularly incomprehensible.

"Unarmed?" Roman choked, as he buckled over in laughter. "Oh shit, kid – that's rich. You didn't even realise did you?" Contrary to the amusement Roman felt, Neo looked frustrated, her hands thrown in the air as she looked at Jaune as though he were the biggest moron.

"Okay sure, laugh it up – I don't need you to tell me I don't notice things, thanks. Just tell me what I apparently missed."

"Well I don't know," Roman chortled as he got himself back under control, "did you perhaps notice anything weird when she touched you. Like when you shook hands, or she placed her hand on your chest?"

Had he?

"Well I mean… I felt a little hot, like under the collar… but I'm only seventeen and she was being pretty suggestive."

Roman stared at him, as did Neo. Time seemed to tick by, a few seconds – maybe even a full minute. Before eventually Neo rolled her eyes before placing her head into her hands. Roman on the other hand nearly bent double in laughter.

"Hot under the collar!" He choked as he slammed a fist on the crate next to him. "Oh shit, that's amazing. I bet she had you all hot and bothered eh?"

"Yeah, yeah – laugh it up." Jaune said with a grimace, knowing he deserved the ribbing. It was hardly his fault though, she was like Yang – except twice as gorgeous and she knew exactly how to use it. Roman had been right to call her dangerous.

"Aw man, that's great. Well allow me to explain why she had you all `hot and bothered` - what makes our dear Cinder so dangerous is her semblance. The power to control fire."

…

Oh…

That made… a certain amount of sense. So when she had held his hand and he had felt like it was on fire?

"She nearly killed me?" He managed to whisper. Roman nodded, and Neo did a second later. "Oh…" Jaune slumped back against one of the crates, his hand coming up to scratch at the metal plate on his chest. Which he now noticed was warped slightly. "Holy shit… Wait, why didn't you say anything!?"

"What did you want us to say?" Roman threw his arms wide. "Was I supposed to stand up and say `hey boss who can kill me at any moment – please don't set fire to the kid.`" The criminal popped another cigar into his mouth, taking along drag and blowing some smoke towards the ceiling. "She wasn't trying to kill you anyway, don't ask me why but she just does that every now and then. I think she likes to see you back down, prove she could kill you at any moment."

Okay… so it was just a threat, that was fine… except he hadn't backed down had he? Oh Gods, was she going to keep doing it to see how long it took him to give up?

"I just painted a target on myself by not backing down didn't I?" He sighed, head drooping when Neo gave him a thumbs up.

"Probably." Roman shrugged. "Either way, we're alive – that's a minor victory for us. Just do what she says when her associates drop by, and honestly try and keep out of their way. If they do anything to get in trouble, just drop 'em and say you didn't realise."

"Why do you work for her anyway, if she scares you that much? Somehow I figured you'd be smarter than that." The orange-haired man hesitated, as smoke puffed around his cheeks. With a sigh he spat out the cigar, letting it sizzle on the hard floor.

"Smart enough to keep myself alive kid. There's no rules or laws down here. I didn't sign up to join her little operation – I was recruited." Jaune didn't ask how – not when he could see the frustrated look on Roman's face. He supposed recruitment came suddenly, and probably without the option of retirement – or saying no.

"Well," the criminal shrugged as he tossed something towards Jaune. The blonde caught the bottle clumsily, juggling it for a moment before taking hold. It was a bottle of the wine Cinder had shared with them. This one unopened. "Cheers kid – that's your initiation present. Trust me, you might want to drown yourself in it tonight. Neo, be a dear and guide the dear Professor home."

"Wh- no wait I can wal-" Jaune cried out, before the world folded and his spine became one with his knees, feet, face and everything else.

~~~~~Professor Arc~~~~~

"How did it go?" The grey-haired teen asked uncertainly. She fixed him with a short look, her face perfectly calm. He began to fidget nervously, and she smiled at the affect she had on him.

"Everything went as planned dear Mercury," she said as she sat down in her apartment. Emerald, the dear, handed her a glass of red wine. "Our entrance to Beacon is all but assured, though we will need to be careful once we're there." Unsaid went the accusation that it was they who would need to watch themselves. They nodded regardless, catching her intent.

"And Roman's contact?" The small dark-skinned girl sat down on one of the nearby seats. "Is he someone we should watch out for?"

Cinder paused. One finger coming up to trace around the rim of her glass, her eyes staring into the inviting red depths. The two teens didn't speak, they knew better than to interrupt her when she was thinking – or doing anything, really.

"He is someone to watch," she agreed eventually, though she didn't elaborate. He certainly was someone to watch. At first she had thought him foolish, easily ensnared by her charms until he could be just another piece of putty in her hands.

Had that been a clever feint by him? He'd reacted so obviously to the sight of her – as he should – for she was beautiful. But he had failed to show any discomfort when she used her semblance on him… twice no less. The first time had been something small, little more than a silent show of power, not so dissimilar to squeezing someone's hand.

He hadn't acted as though he didn't feel it… he just hadn't felt it.

And then, when she leaned across him for the wine – sure he had paid attention to her. But he hadn't taken the bait, not even when she rested her leg on his own. A man like him, capable of infiltrating Beacon without difficulty… that took a certain level of confidence, yet he hadn't accepted her tacit invitation.

Had that been a rejection?

No… surely not. He was simply keeping things professional. Clearly he had seen through her attempts to charm him, she'd been too obvious perhaps. Underestimated him.

She wouldn't make that mistake again… Jaune Arc was clearly a very dangerous man, one that would need to be watched closely. He had proven it by daring to defy her, to question her when she had demanded her favour from him.

And then, when she had placed a hand firmly over his heart – the most clear and deadly threat she could make that didn't involve literally setting him on fire.

He had just calmly explained his reasoning.

Calmly explained – without fear, without discomfort. Hell, he'd looked mildly confused. She held a hand up before her, and frowned as it burst into roaring flames. Mercury and Emerald flinched, as though wondering what they had done to displease her. She snuffed it out a second later.

Fire was easy, it was hungry and longed to happen – but when she super-heated her hand and placed it upon a person, it was hotter than fire. Burned fiercer and with enough concentration could melt through steel and flesh with equal ease. Obviously she hadn't made it that hot when she was threatening someone whose cooperation she required – but even so, there should have been some reaction.

"Emerald."

"Y-yes?" The girl shivered nervously, but answered nonetheless. "What can I do boss?"

"Once you are in Beacon I want you to find your way into this man's confidence, by whatever means you find necessary. Find out about him, what makes him tick, what he likes, dislikes. Weaknesses, strengths. Find it all."

"O-of course. I'll do whatever is needed."

Jaune Arc… such an interesting name, perfect for such an interestingly dangerous man. She would find out what there was to know about him and then make her decision. If he was a threat, she would remove him.

But maybe…

Perhaps he had the potential to become something more?

Cruel amber eyes drifted closed as she savoured the fine nectar, relishing every last drop. It certainly looked like things would be interesting in the coming days. Perhaps… Hmm yes, maybe a small change to her plans was in order.

Yes…

After all, she did look a little bit older than Mercury and Emerald.

~~~~~Professor Arc~~~~~

What a day… Jaune sighed as he pushed open the door to his office and stepped inside, Neo having long since vanished to indulge herself in some comfort ice-cream. He had come out alive, although more entrenched in criminal activity than he had ever wished for. Even if it was soon to be by omission only.

Why couldn't Ozpin have just taken him in as a student? He would have been the most epic student, brave and strong – and a hit with all the women.

Such dreams were pointless at that moment however, and he didn't even bother to flick on the light as he shuffled across the dim room, idly placing the bottle on his coffee table. Assuming Neo didn't drain it dry he was going to try and make that last.

"I've been expecting you." A voice spoke suddenly, making him yelp as he span about and reached for his weapon. Except he hadn't taken that with him, too much risk – and Roman had said to go unarmed.

His eyes narrowed as he peered through the gloom towards his desk, noticing the chair behind it was turned so he couldn't see the person in it. Honestly Blake sat in it more than he did, whenever she was doing his work for him.

"Who's there? This is a teacher's office – I doubt you're supposed to be here."

The chair span slowly around, as the lamp on his desk flickered to life. Bright beams of white light reflected on black glass as the figure steepled their hands before them, fingers interlocking as they stared at him over the top. Dark brown hair and a black beret adorned the head, as the glasses slowly dipped down a small nose, showing dangerously narrowed brown eyes.

"Hello Professor," the figure said softly, "I think it's time we talked."

~~~~~Professor Arc~~~~~

(Omake)

"I…" Jaune paused, his voice catching in his throat as the other teachers looked at him. This was the moment he had been dreading for so long. But Glynda, Ozpin, Oobleck… even Port (when he wasn't doing something stupid and getting Jaune in trouble) – they were all his friends. They deserved to know the truth. "I have something to confess."

"Your attraction to Glynda?" Oobleck guessed, before ducking as said woman nearly decapitated him with her crop.

"You got a student pregnant?" Ozpin threw his own two lien in, "it was Velvet wasn't it – I knew getting you to counsel her would work – cough up the money Bart, Peter."

"No!" Jaune yelled, his face going red as he pointed at Ozpin. "And the pairing is still unconfirmed!" He added as he turned to Peter, "So stop shipping."

"Unconfirmed my ass," Glynda mumbled inaudibly.

"Anyway," Jaune pushed bravely on, hoping to just drown them all out by speaking louder (it worked when his mum did it) "I have something I need to admit to you all. I'm… not the man I have claimed to be."

This was it… the moment he revealed the truth and sealed his fate. His position, his life – every relationship he had , they would all be irrevocably altered by-

"Are you a bear?" Oobleck cocked his head, inspecting him from every angle.

"What? No, I'm a fake! I'm not actually a teacher."

"Well of course, you're a support teacher," Glynda laughed.

"No," he shook his head, "more than that. I'm sorry Glynda, I lied about my past. I'm not a support teacher – I didn't train at Vacuo… I'm only seventeen. I- I lied about everything."

Silence. Complete silence as the assorted adults looked towards him.

"J-Jaune…" The only woman in the room managed, he didn't dare meet her eyes.

"Mr Arc," the Headmaster began as he took a sip of his coffee, "this is quite the serious issue you have brought before us. I'm surprised you would even admit it."

"I know." Jaune said, eyes firm as he looked at them. "I can't live with the lie any longer however, and am willing to accept my job termination, and my arrest if needs be." Ozpin and Glynda looked troubled, but before they could say anything – support came from an unlikely source.

"No!" Oobleck cried, standing up as he strode to Jaune's side. "I won't allow it. Mr Arc has been a valued member of the team and… and I am a fake too!"

"What!?" Glynda cried out, as everyone – including Jaune recoiled.

"Is this true Bart?" Ozpin demanded.

"It is." The history Professor confirmed – "I didn't intend to be a hunter. I was thirsty and followed the smell of coffee until I came upon a room with it. I didn't realise it was a job interview and just gave whatever answers were necessary to keep the coffee flowing."

"We did drink a lot of coffee that day," Ozpin reminisced with a fond smile. "Still to hear that you fooled me as well…"

"It is not just he Ozpin," Peter Port laughed, striding forward. "I am no Hunter – I was but a TV advertisement actor for a Bullhead insurance comparison company, I would sing opera – and was hated by all… Until I became a teacher, beloved and respected by all his students."

No one had the heart to correct him.

"All three of you?" The Headmaster sighed. "That is troublesome, or it would be – if I hadn't already known."

"Ozpin!?" Glynda gasped, as the man stood up, and threw his cane aside.

"For I too am a fake!" He shouted. "I'm not a Headmaster, nor even injured – I can't fight, and I sure as Hell don't know anything about paperwork."

"That explains a lot…"

"But," the Headmaster continued, "this has long been a tradition of Beacon Academy, we relish our fakers here. Our cheats and our delinquents. All the teachers here are fake, and so it had always – and will always be."

Jaune gasped as a smile broke over his face. He wasn't alone in his situation? It felt as though a weight had removed itself from him – and he could walk freely once more.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Glynda cried out, stepping between them. "I'm not a fake – I'm a trained teacher!"

"You are?" The Headmaster raised one brow. "Genius! You're a teacher who faked not being a teacher, so I would hire you!"

"No!" The woman said, hands on her hips. "I didn't fake anything, I'm an actual teacher."

"Wow Glynda…" Peter Port comforted as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "That must have been hard to admit, I respect you for it."

"What!?"

"I too Glynda," Oobleck said as he tipped his mug in her direction. "It was brave of you to admit something like that, and I want you to know I think no less of you for actually being a teacher."

"That doesn't even make sense," the woman said, though her arms had fallen to her side in shock. "You're completely missing the point."

"Exactly," the Headmaster agreed. "Rest assured Glynda I will keep your dirty little secret safe. It shall die with us, and no one shall ever suspect you're a real teacher."

"I still respect you!" Jaune cried out his own support.

"Rarghh!" The woman growled as she started to smash her head against a nearby wall.