33

"Winter, would you kindly escort these two out of the room so that we may discuss these matters in private?" Ironwood ordered through clenched teeth.

"Woah there, not so fast!" Torchwick interrupted. "I think Neo and I are actually quite interested in what you have to say about this. I have no idea why her age would get you all so up in arms, but I think we're entitled to know if it's a matter of our safety! I can't keep my gorgeous face wrinkle free if I'm left worrying about what you lot are hiding from us."

"It's none of your business, you scoundrel!" Goodwitch glared at them, slapping her black riding crop into an open palm.

"It is our business! Cinder liked to keep secrets from us as well, and look where that got us! I may not have the same stage presence that I did in the past, but I'm done playing second fiddle!"

Neo frowned at him.

"I mean I'm done playing third fiddle!"

She smiled, satisfied with his correction.

"The General has ordered that you leave, and you will do so." Winter demanded, marching over to them to act as their escort as commanded.

"Um, excuse me?"

Everyone turned to Jaune, who had been very quiet for the meeting thus far, causing him to shrink back even further.

"I, ah, also don't know what's going on? But if it's as important as you're making it out to be, and you're… considering having these two work with us," his bafflement at that decision was obvious despite the fact that it was his own semblance that had suggested it, "then doesn't it make sense for them to know about it? I can't say that I trust an infamous criminal or-" he shivered as he and Neo locked eyes, "her, but if you want them to risk their lives going after Cinder…"

"There's my boy!" Second Thoughts patted him on the back. "Look at you, you're growing a spine! Soon enough you'll be trash talking Cinder!"

Jaune paled at the thought, remembering how close the woman had come to killing him, but Second Thoughts continued on.

"I do think he has a point though. If these two are working with us then the only real way that they can assist is in dealing with matters that aren't exactly in the public eye. Unless you're thinking of taking them on the Beacon staff as well? I think Roman could do very well in motivating the student body through bribes, and so could Neo through methods that frighten me."

Before Ozpin could even open his mouth to respond, Glynda glared at the man. "If you so much as consider that for a nanosecond I will hand in my resignation immediately."

Ozpin paused for a moment. "Of course not, I would never do such a thing." The headmaster then turned to Second. "And while I can see your reasoning, I cannot agree. We can simply focus their efforts elsewhere."

"Really? And how is that supposed to work?" Second Thoughts asked in a disbelieving tone. "Cinder is a petty egomaniacal lunatic. Even before I manifested, she believed that the thing we're dancing around was stolen from her-"

"Stolen from her?" Qrow interrupted. "That's rich coming from that-"

"Qrow!" Ozpin silenced the alcoholic before addressing Second Thoughts once more. "Anyone doing the things that she is must be crazy, but that has nothing to do with whether or not two known criminals can be trusted with highly sensitive information, let alone what you're suggesting."

"So you're just going to not warn them about some of the biggest potential threats out there?"

"You say that as if you know details about multiple." Ironwood spoke up.

"I know details for all but one of them, but even then I could make a few inferences about the last. And I can tell you right now that at least two of them are very real threats to our lives. All of our lives." Second gestured to the two thieves in their midst.

"Then could you not just tell them who to avoid?" Ironwood suggested.

"We're talking about people who could easily go toe to toe with any of you, even without the big secret. I don't think holding up a mugshot and saying 'run from these people' is going to do much."

"So it's a weapon of some sort then? Must be with the way you're talking about it." Roman interrupted. "Well why didn't you just say so! If that's the case then Neo and I can just go steal it!" Neo nodded in agreement. "What's a weapon have to do with Neo's age though?"

"Silence!" Winter drew her rapier, pointing it at Roman's neck, only to find Neo's blade at her own. Before Second could even blink, every weapon in the room was pointed at someone else.

The semblance sighed. "You guys are so dramatic."

"Dramatic?" Ozpin asked, his staff pointed at Neo, but his eyes on Second. "Perhaps. But you have yourself to blame. Things were not nearly this hectic before you manifested."

"Puh-lease." Second rolled his eyes. "If not for me you'd be… how far into the tournament are we?"

Nervously, being the only person in the room who hadn't thought to bring a weapon with him to the meeting, Jaune answered. "Uh, the singles matches? Yang's match is starting soon I think…"

"Yang's match… right then. If not for me-" the semblance reiterated as if he hadn't just ruined the moment, "then you'd have like, a day left before Cinder killed you."

Several people in the room frowned at that.

"You said you have information on all but one of them?" Qrow broke the strained silence.

"Yeah?" Second Thoughts raised a brow at the seeming non sequitur.

"Then would it be possible to… seek advice on the matter?" Qrow carefully phrased his question.

"No." Ozpin immediately answered, but Second Thoughts ignored him.

"Seek advi-" It took him a moment, but Second's eyes widened as he caught on. "I mean… it wouldn't be easy, but it's certainly possible. Provided the right incentives are given and uh.." He not so subtly glanced at Ozpin, "...that certain people stay far away."

"Can I get a guide for all the subtext and hidden meanings in this conversation?" Roman asked. "I'm normally pretty good at reading between the lines with Neo's conversational skills, but this is pushing it."

The girl in question pouted but didn't refute him.

"No." Ozpin repeated himself. "No, no, and no."

"Wait, what parts are you saying no to?" Jaune asked, trying and failing to keep up with the conversation.

"All of it."

"As loath as I am to admit it, Qrow's idea does have some merit…" Ironwood hesitantly added.

Ozpin took a long sip of his coffee, clearly displeased with how things had played out. "I was willing to entertain the idea of using them against our enemies, but you're pushing things too far, Second. I think it would be best if we adjourned this meeting."

"We are expected to make appearances at the festival soon, if only to the political class…" Glynda backed him up.

"Fine." Second sagged. "But don't go thinking that this is an excuse to do something stupid. I'll warn everyone to not accept sketchy offers from you, old man." he squinted at the headmaster before dragging Jaune towards the elevator.

"Is nobody going to tell us what's going on?" Roman tried once more, looking at the people around him.

"You'll find out soon enough, Roman." Second Thoughts told him as the doors opened. "Just remember," he added as he and Jaune stepped inside, "your options are to die… or to side with him." He pointed to Jaune before the doors closed and the elevator sent them back down.

Nobody was quite sure if that was meant to threaten Roman… or Ozpin.

As Ozpin and Glynda made their way to Amity Colosseum, he found himself contemplating the meeting.

Turning foes into tools at your disposal was a method that he'd used in the past. A child of a bandit tribe was one of his most trusted Huntsmen at the moment after all. Even Salem employed the method, turning members of the human race which she worked to destroy into agents furthering its downfall.

Roman Torchwick was a known entity to him, and while not overly powerful, he was an interesting character that Ozpin wouldn't have a problem with using as a pawn. Neopolitan… he had some concerns with her, but so long as her scope was limited, he'd rather the girl be on his side than against him.

So Second Thoughts suggesting that the duo be saved from a cruel fate and be put to use? He had been all too happy to agree. But to suggest that Neo become a Maiden? Even if it would be partial until Cinder was dealt with, that was asking for far too much. She very clearly was not loyal to any cause but her own, and perhaps Roman as well. She could not be trusted with even the knowledge of the Maidens, let alone the power.

"...Sir…" Glynda hesitantly began, that all too familiar look of concern on her face. She always got like this when the potential for student harm was there.

"Yes, Glynda?"

"Perhaps… perhaps Second Thoughts had a point."

That was not what he wanted to hear.

"And which point are you referring to? I certainly hope you're not about to suggest that Miss Neopolitan become the Fall Maiden."

"No! No, of course not. It's just…" she paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "Who are we going to offer that burden to? The age requirement makes things difficult, but the thought of forcing that upon one of the students when the one who put Amber in that state is not only still out there, but possesses part of the power already…"

"Have we not already discussed this at length?"

"That was before all of this nonsense, and you know it." The hesitation was buried under her usual sternness. "When we talked about Pyrrha we didn't know things were going to get so complicated. We knew that the danger would be there, but not that it would be so immediate. I agreed with your initial assessment under the presumption that Pyrrha would have years to grow stronger under our tutelage. She is strong for a first year, impressively so, but she is still just a first year. She is not ready to dive headfirst into the mess that we've left for the next generation. None of them are."

"You think that the disaster Second Thoughts outlined had not been avoided? That Beacon will fall and the students will be forced to handle things on their own while I… adjust?"

"Beacon will not fall. I… we will not allow it. But Beacon standing does not prevent those fools from coming after her anyway. She would not have the full power. She would not be weak, but she would also not be strong enough to handle the worst if it were to come to pass."

"But then who else is there?" Ozpin countered. "Amber will not last forever, even with the technology lent to us. We are running out of time, and Salem has chosen to show her hand once more. It is not that I want to burden a student with the responsibility, but that I have no one else to turn to."

"I know that you don't want to, I just…" Glynda adjusted her glasses. "...I don't know. I hate this. I feel so powerless. I want to shoulder the burden myself if only to save them, but that's not even an option…"

"I know, Glynda. Just focus on the festival for now. We may not have the luxury of taking things slowly, but it is not something that needs to be decided at this very instant, either."

He had other things to worry about as well.

The Relic of Knowledge currently sits at two questions remaining. He had not seen the need to inform the others, given his intentions… but the information Second had revealed was concerning. Second knew who the Spring Maiden was, she was quite strong even without those powers, and it was someone who had a strong… dislike for himself, personally.

Those characteristics narrowed the list down quite a bit, and he didn't like the picture that was being revealed.

Using the questions for himself might prove trickier than he had anticipated.