[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[Phillip_II_of_Macedon]

Jaune just wanted to play a board game

Click to shrink...

He REALLY should have known better when Blake suggested that they all play a game of Twister.

 

[Phillip_II_of_Macedon]

Leander: I just can't look at the game of Twister the same way ever again.

Penny: listening intently

________________________

Penny: Friend Jaune, I am trying to schedule in a game of Twister played by you and team RWBY based on something that Leander said happened in his timeline. But I am confused, according to my research, that game is supposed to be played with clothes.

Jaune: Yeah, uh, let's play that game with clothes on for now Penny.

Penny: Sensational!

 

[Ardrianian]

Jaune just wanted to play a board game

Click to shrink...

Sometimes a man wants to play Parcheesi.

 

[cavalal386]

Jaune just wanted to play a board game

Click to shrink...

men just want one thing.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Beacon, Vale

One Month after the Party

- - -

Yang was sitting in front of the mirror in their dormroom, mechanically brushing her hair as she stared at her reflection. The sun was just setting outside. Everything was quiet... Before the door burst open and Ruby stormed in, followed by Weiss and Blake.

"Yang! What the hell?!" Ruby demanded angrily. Yang started and swung around, her eyes narrowed.

"Hey! Language-!"

"You don't get to pull that with me!" Ruby growled, advancing up close to her sister, "You broke up with Jaune?!"

Yang winced. Her fist clenched around her hairbrush. She turned away, sitting back down and resuming brushing her hair.

"S-So? It-It wasn't working out!"

"You were over the moon over Arc," Weiss stated flatly, as Blake went to sit on her bed and stare at Yang, "You were having fun. You were giggling."

"I was not!" Yang scoffed.

"Did he do something?" Blake asked pointedly. Weiss nodded.

"Yes, did the oaf make a fool of himself-?"

"NO!" Yang looked over her shoulder and growled, making Weiss start. Even Ruby was surprised. Yang flushed and went back to brushing her hair.

"I... No, he didn't do anything," Yang muttered, embarassed and soft. Ruby frowned.

"Then why?"

"I... W-We have too much to do," Yang stuttered, "We're in the Vytal Festival. He's busy, I'm busy..."

"Yes, incredibly so," Blake deadpanned. Yang slammed her hairbrush down and turned around, scowling at her team.

"It's my decision! Who the hell are you three to question it?! I-I didn't want to do it anymore! I need to look after Ruby and I..." She looked to the side. "He's a nice guy, and... And that's all..."

Blake stared as intensely as a cat at Yang. Ruby scowled, her hands on her hips.

"Yang," she pressed. Yang took a deep breath.

"Look, I... I've been on other dates with guys before-"

"One date! One! Or half dates! You were happy with Jaune!" Ruby insisted. "So what's wrong? He was devastated!"

Yang swallowed thickly and shook her head.

"He-He'll get over it! He's tough... He's-"
"Yang," Weiss stated flatly, "Even I am not so cruel."

That hit like a punch to the gut. Yang sucked in another breath.

"... I-I just... I do like him... A lot," Yang murmured. Blake stared. Ruby scoffed. Weiss scowled. "Okay fine! I REALLY like him, all right?!"

"So why?" Blake asked. Ruby shook her head.

"If you have to look after me-You don't have to anymore! Heck, you haven't done it since we got here! You just dumped me with all the responsibilities!"

"I did not!" Yang growled.

"You basically did," Weiss sighed, "You never help with team paperwork, at all. Then again neither does Blake."

"Hey," Blake scowled. Ruby took Yang's hands in hers.

"Yang... Please, just tell me the truth," she pleaded, "Please."

Yang looked down. She let out a long, hard sigh. Blake shook her head.

"You're afraid he'll leave you. Or you'll leave him. Aren't you?"

Yang's head shot up as she gaped at her partner in shock. Weiss hummed as she looked over at the cat Faunus.

"Huh. So you aren't completely self absorbed."

"Says the spoiled brat," Blake shot back. Weiss scowled, but bit her tongue as she looked back to Yang. Ruby looked into her big sister's eyes.

"Yang... Is that true?" She asked. "You know he'd never ever leave you-"

"But I don't know I wouldn't," Yang hissed. "I don't know that I'll never... Never turn out like... Like her."

She turned back to the mirror. She winced at how red her eyes were. So much like...

Ruby hugged her tightly from behind.

"Yang..." She murmured, "You aren't her. And Jaune's not her either."

"I-I just," Yang whispered, "I..."

Weiss huffed.

"You told me to make more friends, to open myself up and, what did you say? Oh yes, pull the stick out of my-"

"Language!" Yang snarled, again glancing at Ruby. Ruby rolled her eyes.

"'Ass'. I know what it is, Yang! I'm not six!"

"And now you can't do the same?" Weiss demanded. Yang grimaced. She looked back in the mirror. She saw Blake rise, and walked up just behind the sisters.

"If you keep everyone at arms' length, all you'll have is a lonely life, Yang," Blake said softly. "You don't have to walk alone out of fear. That's... That's what you all have taught me."

Yang opened her mouth to speak... When an acoustic guitar playing filled the air. The source was outside, below their window. Then, a familiar male voice began to sing:

"I've had time to write a book
About the way you act and look
But I haven't got a paragraph
Words are always getting in my way
Anyway, I love you
That's all I have to tell you
That's all I've got to say~..."

Blake and Ruby both went to the window, and looked down. Weiss stayed by the door, her arms over her chest. Yang sucked in a deep breath. She rose, and walked over to the window. Blake and Ruby parted for her, and she looked down. Jaune was there, playing his guitar. He looked up at her, his face troubled and uncertain... But he kept playing and singing.

"And now, I'd like to make a speech
About the love that touches me
But stumbling, I would make you laugh
I feel as though my tongue were made of clay
Anyway, I love you
That's all I have to tell you~..."

"Hey, I remember this song," Ruby murmured, "It's from The Last of the Unicorns."

Yang knew it. It was one of those nerdy fantasy movies from when she was a kid that she had watched with Ruby. She'd even read the book. She and Jaune had gone to a midnight showing of it. Something she had never done with anyone before-It was too embarassing to admit she liked dorky fantasy movies like that.

Too embarrassing... Except to Jaune.

"I think he wants to talk to you," Blake suggested.

Yang sucked in a deep breath. She turned and ran out the door, down the hallway, down the stairs, and to the door. She hesitated a moment, before emerging and walking outside, heading around the dorm building.

He was still singing as she rounded the corner. He locked eyes with her as he kept singing and playing, his face sad.

"I'm not a man of poetry
Music isn't one with me
It runs from me
It runs from me~..."

Yang approached him. the lyrics coming to her in that moment. The way she'd sung along to the song with Jaune in the theater...

"And I tried to write a symphony
But I lost the melody
Alas I only finished half,
And finish I suppose I never may
Anyway, I love you
That's all I have to tell you
That's all I've got to say
That's all I've got to say
That's all I've got to say~..."

They stared at eachother, as Jaune stopped playing. He let the last note reverb just a bit. Yang licked her lips.

"... What's all this?" She asked.

Jaune hesitated, but pushed himself forward.

"Pyrrha told me... If I really loved you, truly loved you... Then I'd be willing to fight for you. And... I do," Jaune said.

Yang sucked in a deep breath, her heart pounding in her ears. She took a few more steps, their noses only a few inches apart.

"I... I might... I'm scared, Jaune," she admitted quietly. Jaune nodded.

"So am I. It's not easy for me to... To make a fool of myself all the time."

"You... You make it look easy," Yang said with a small smile. A smile he returned.

"Yeah... But, you know... I'm willing to be brave, and a fool... If you're there alongside me."

Tears were in her eyes. She tried to turn away to wipe them up, but Jaune's hand got there first. His hands were rough, but gentle.

"So...?" Jaune asked softly.

Yang laughed, her tears still coming. She reached out her hands and hugged him tightly. A hug he gladly returned.

"... You're such a freaking dork," Yang whispered, kissing him deeply.

It would take a while for her to admit she loved him back in words. She just hoped her actions spoke for themselves.

- - -

A bit schmaltzy and romantic, but it's what I was in the mood to write. The song is from "The Last Unicorn" but this version is my favorite rendition:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utt2wLMbz0k&list=RDUtt2wLMbz0k&index=1

 

[AndrewJTalon]

(Set before the end of Glynda's class)

- - -

Nick was often bored. This is why he worked and moved constantly. Movement of any kind was welcome to his restless spirit, whether it was playing with his children, working on his farm, sparring with his wife and the militia-Anything. Sitting around for hours on end wasn't always unpleasant: He did meditate, pray, and even did some studying. Heck, he could do taxes!

Not that he would ever let his wife know.

Sitting around talking about stuff could also be fun, as long as it was interesting. Like what his wonderful grandson Adrian was up to. Or how he totally won that last Grimm killing competition with Arjun. Or sitting in church, singing the hymns and listening to the sermons!

But this...?

"... As it turns out," WIllow went on, smiling a bit, "Jacques wanted to exclude those sights for exploitation because while the Dust was classed as inaccessible, it was to stall so that new mining equipment designed to extract it would come online. It's all a massive con."

Ironwood and Arjun frowned heavily. The general made a note.

"Another charge for the numerous suits to be brought against him," Ironwood growled.

"Indeed," Arjun added angrily, clenching his fists, "That Dust mine was marked off limits to us even though it's in our territory! We abided by the SDC's recommendation it was worthless! I'll need to find how many inspectors were bribed..."

"We'll track them down," Saia said, "But knowing this gives us another means to get the treaty finalized!"

"And another common link," Ghira added, "If he's been doing this to all of our nations, that means we can make him the true villain to direct all our ire at. Very useful to have a common enemy."

This was torture to Nick. Now, he wasn't as immature as he used to be. Back in the day, he would jump out a window with some kind of lame excuse to get out of boring meetings. But even he had a limit, and it was fast approaching.

Poor Whitley looked bored out of his mind, and he was very nerdy! Not that Nick disliked nerds. He appreciated their ability to handle things he could not. But he was and never would be a nerd.

Except about fighting. He was a super nerd about fighting!

Isabel rested a hand on his forearm. She smiled in understanding.

"We're almost done, I promise," she murmured softly. Nick smiled back warmly, and squeezed her hand in his.

"You are my heart," he signed to her. It was how he had expressed his love for her the first time. Grandpa George, his mentor and father, had told him his heart was his greatest source of strength. And over time, he had come to realize Izzy was his greatest source of strength. So he had told her she was his heart.

She'd blushed and stuttered and giggled when he told her that. And she blushed deeply when he told her that now.

"You two," she signed back. They caught Saia's eyes. The queen smiled knowingly, and rested a hand on Arjun's forearm. They had been at this for several hours now-Even Arjun seemed to be getting a bit impatient.

The elevator doors opened. Everyone turned to see Athena Nikos, with her butler, and Barsara Atlan with her husband Logos, stride into the room. Athena herself was in a dark red dress with a feathery headdress. Some kind of Hellenic style, though Nick didn't know the terms.

"Hello all!" Athena said grandly, "I hope we're not interrupting?"

"Not at all," Ozpin said, "I was hoping all the parents could contribute what they could to our enterprise."

"Of course!" Athena declared, pointing a finger to the ceiling, "And we have a wonderful idea! You see, I believe making videos for the Festival to help sell the idea of the treaty would be a great idea!"

"I have wanted to try directing," Logos admitted, as Barsara nodded. Orestes was playing with his butterfly knife and looking exasperated as usual.

"And," Athena added, striding forward to lean against the table, "I was thinking that all of us working together to get ideas for shorts would be grand! You've all lived such interesting lives and had so many adventures! I want to get as much as I can from all of you!"

"Much of what we're discussing is classified," Ironwood pointed out. Athena shook her head.

"I know and we won't get into that, but we still need to put a human face on this whole endeavour!" Athena cried. "That and... It would help if we could better sell the cover story for Jaune's arranged marriages."

"Agreed," Barsara said intently, "People are going to question it and we need more background."

Nick sighed. Well, this was also really boring. But hopefully they'd just dismiss it or focus on it tomorrow, after a break-

"Agreed," Ozpin said thoughtfully, "It would be useful to get on top of the public relations game."

"Me too!" Kali said with a big smile, "I've always wanted to work with real Thornywood stars anyway!"

"Oh, you look wonderfully photogenic, Kali!" Athena giggled, "So does your daughter! Oh this will be so much fun! We'll need lights, cameras, catering...!"

Nick looked over at Ironwood, hoping the stern military commander would veto this.

Come on, come on...!

Ironwood looked considerate... Then nodded.

"I suppose we could add that to the docket of things to work out," Ironwood ground out, "PR is important. The military is fully aware of this."

Nick looked over at Arjun. His last hope...

"And you too, Saia!" Athena enthused, "May's story is the stuff of Thornywood magic! I want to bring it to life!"

"Oh, well," Saia smiled, "It is nice it has a happy ending..."

Arjun looked back at Nick, sighed, and shrugged.

"I obey my wife as much as you do," he replied.

Nick nodded. Well... There was only one thing left to do.

"And you, Mister Arc? What would you like to contribute to the discussion?"

"My Father senses are tingling!" Nick declared, standing up abruptly. "Excuse me!"

"Nick, wait!" Isabel cried, as Nick ran out. He hit the call button several times. He scowled.

"It's in use," he muttered. "Plan B! See you all later, guys! I'll pay for the window, Headmaster!"

Nick barreled right out a window with a crash. Isabel stood up, angry and mortified.

"NICHOLAS ARC YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" She bellowed, running out and jumping through the broken window after him.

The elevator opened, revealing Professor Port. He beheld the shocked individuals sitting around the table. He looked at the broken window, and nodded.

"Ah," he said, "I take it Nick Arc just left?"

"Is... Are they going to be all right?" Barsara asked slowly. Port chuckled.

"Of course! They used to jump out windows all the time back in my day!"

"So dramatic," Willow sighed happily. Arjun and Saia just rolled their eyes in nostalgic exasperation. Athena nodded and beamed.

"YES! Oh, we're gonna make such amazing cinema with all of you!"

"I can hardly wait," Ozpin deadpanned.

 

[Ardrianian]

Imagine that Kali being in a short brings film crews to Menagerie like 1980's to early 2000's Australia and finds an untapped resource in talent.

 

[Marlow3]

Thanks for the chapter. If I could blast out a window from my meetings I absolutely would as well.

 

[zMADLAXz]

Nick is me when the professor would starts talking about "respect of decorum" or "you all are adults now, stop using devices in class" lecture instead of just reprimanding the student later and teach the class they are paid to teach.

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From the SpaceBattles Thread

Glimpses Into Another Timeline: Dance The Night Away

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kuo Kuana, Menagerie. 3 Years After The Defeat of Salem.

"You really look amazing, tonight."

No matter how many times she heard it, Blake Arc-Belladonna blushed at her husband's words.

"You say that every time we go out." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Then stop being beautiful." Jaune Arc smiled, pulling his wife's chair for her as they sat down for dinner.

It was the first Friday of the month, which meant that it was time for their monthly dinner and dance date night. It was the first one they had in since Leander and Leandra were born. Kali was more than happy to babysit for them if it meant that she got to spoil her grandkittens and if it increased the possibility of Jaune and Blake having more kids. She even hoped that they'd have another set of twins or by some miracle have triplets.

Like that'll ever happen.

Since it was her turn to choose the restaurant, they went to Blake's favorite noodle shop. Sure, they could go here any day they want, but tonight they had a special Lovers menu that had Rainbow trout, halibut, black cod, and (Her favorite) Atlesian Tuna. These fish were served as a stew with thick noodles. The staff was surprised the first time Jaune and Blake came here after their wedding because when she was a pre-teen, Blake would order this special swearing up and down that she had a boyfriend.

What was funnier to them was Jaune fitting the description of the fake boyfriend Blake claimed she had.

"You know," Jaune leaned in, hoping no one would hear him. "If you wanted fish noodles, I could've just made this at home."

"That would defeat the purpose of us going out tonight," Blake snarked. "Besides, you'd still owe me a dance."

The two laughed. Enjoying their meal together. It was nice to enjoy nights like these, Blake thought. They shared some stories about their embarrassing families.

"I really hope my mom doesn't make another scrapbook," Blake sighed, her cat ears flattening. "It's bad enough she shows everyone the one she has for me. Leander and Leandra don't need that kind of embarrassment."

"I think my mom has yours beat," Jaune said. "She has a whole page dedicated to their first medical chart. And remember when we did your first ultrasound? She has a copy of the paperwork in there, too."

"Oh, no. Please don't tell my mom, Jaune. If she finds out, She'll end up starting a war with your mom." Blake laughed.

"My lips are sealed," Jaune motioned sealing his lips. He took a piece of tuna and ate it. "My mom would win, by the way."

Once they finished their meal, the mood in the restaurant began to change. It was time to dance the night away.

"Well, my lady," Jaune stood up, sticking his hand out towards her. "I believe I owe you a dance."

Taking his hand, Blake let Jaune lead her to the dance floor. She still remembered how well he danced back in their Beacon days. The dress she was wearing was similar to the one she wore back then, the only difference was the skirt was a bit longer.

The band began playing. The music they chose was Vacuoan Tango. Jaune knew this. It was his specialty. He had to help his sisters dance to this after all.

It was thrilling. It was powerful. It was romantic.

Every turn and swing made Blake look like twirling darkness. Jaune was leading the whole time.

They got lost in their movements for what seemed like hours. All that existed was them and the music.

When the music ended, took up a striking pose. The other guests began clapping. The two were nearly out of breath. Blake was close to Jaune's chest, looking up at him.

Jaune looked at Blake and noticed something. He knew that look in her eyes. He knew them very well.

He wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.

--------------------------------------
I know I should be writing Side Stories for the first date of the others, but I re-read the Jaune and Blake Heart to Heart chapter and I really wanted to write a short story about one of their date nights would look like. Especially after Leander and Leandra are born.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Isabel smiled warmly as she sat down in one of many courtyards in the Elphaba Memorial Garden at Vale. Unlike the others this one was replete with ancient statues alongside the flowers, as well as a few trees. Her future daughters-in-law (and one son in law) and Nora had all convened here with her, sitting on stone benches or just on the grass around her with their lunches.

"Aw, this brings me back," Isabel sighed, as Nora eagerly devoured her lunch next to her. Glynda had ended up on her other side, while Winter, May, Pyrrha, Ruby, Blake, Weiss, Arslan, Ren and Emerald were scattered around close by. "I always liked this garden for lunch and studying, so much privacy!"

"I seem to recall you using it for romantic encounters with Nick," Glynda said dryly. Isabel flushed and glared.

"I wouldn't be talking given you're involved with my son, Professor Goodwitch," Isabel hissed. Glynda went bright red, and cleared her throat.

"Th-That's in the future!" She said weakly.

"Great to know, Mom!" Nora said cheerfully, and Isabel blushed. The rest of the future brides all blushed and looked around in speculation. Blake was already making notes.

Ren remained stoic, though he couldn't help a small smile at Nora when she looked at him.

"Still, it is nice to know these things," Yang sighed, "The upper classmen are a little stuck up and not many talk to us newbies."

Glynda frowned.

"I'll have to address that," she muttered, "We did help instruct the younger classmen back in the day-I wasn't aware it had changed."

"I mean, Team SLVR is pretty cool," Ruby chirped, "And so is Team CFVY! But most of them don't seem to bother much with us."

"Simin Magister, leader of Team SLVR," Weiss sighed happily, "He's so helpful and kind and knowledgeable about Dust," Weiss beaed, "And handsome-Ah..." She panicked. "B-But Jaune is far more handsome! Really!"

She immediately pulled out her Scroll and began texting. Blake raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think your son is going to vanish just because you thought Simin was hot."

"I-I'm just making sure!" Weiss stuttered, as similarly uncomfortable looks fell on everyone's faces. May and Emerald immediately pulled out their Scrolls and texted frantically, shortly followed by everyone else. Winter looked like she was tempted to pull out her military communicator.

Isabel cleared her throat, her maternal authority coming out as naturally as breathing.

"Now now. We need to take time to relax and rest," she advised, "And not invent worries for ourselves. There's no indication the time travel works that way. Let's focus on something else, huh?"

"How about how you all met Brother Jaune?" Nora suggested cheerfully. Ruby beamed.

"Oh, that was great! I got blown up by Weiss' Dust because she didn't secure it properly-"

"It was secured properly, you're just an idiot," Weiss sighed. Ruby continued undaunted.

"And he helped me up and was super nice and friendly!"

Isabel glanced at Weiss.

"And you, Weiss?"

Weiss coughed as Yang and Blake both shot her smug looks.

"Um... He hit on me and I insulted him before heading off," she managed. To everyone's surprise, Isabel chuckled.

"Oh! Just like how I met my Nick! Well he didn't actually hit on me, I thought he was. But he was just being sincere." She sighed fondly.

"He threw up on my boots on the airship," Yang volunteered, chuckling a little. " He cleaned them off himself, so I was still annoyed with him but... Hey, he did clean up his mess."

"Ew," Emerald wrinkled her nose. Isabel again laughed.

"Nick did the same thing on our first training mission! He got airsick back in the day."

Yang was very smug and didn't try to hide it. Weiss scowled.

"You're proud of that?"

"Prouder than your first meeting. Well, technically second since we're childhood friends," Yang sing-songed. Ruby glared at her big sister.

"Yang!"

"Sorry, sorry," Yang managed, holding up her hands.

Blake cleared her throat.

"We... Haven't really talked much before now," Blake admitted. "Though he did recommend me a book once in the library. I-I rather liked it."

"We met when I was praying in the Star Maiden Garden," Arslan said calmly, "He prayed with me and it was very nice."

"Um... When our teams met during the transfer," Emerald said with a shrug, "I was supposed to spy on him for... You know..."

"Your terrorism plot," Yang stated bluntly, as Emerald glared back. "What? That's what it was!"

"Um," May managed softly, "He-He helped me out in History Class since I'd forgotten my notes. He was very kind." She blushed deeply.

"Unfortunately I only just met him this weekend," Winter confessed. Glynda shrugged.

"First class. He... Didn't do very well," she admitted. "Later he asked if I could help him outside of class and I gave him my Scroll number."

Isabel glared. Glynda shook her head.

"Just to help him!" Glynda insisted. She glared at the younger women. Yang was the only one brazen enough to smirk back... For a moment, anyway. Even Emerald lowered her eyes.

Pyrrha beamed, just the tiniest hint of smugness in her eyes.

"He was the first person not to know who I was," Pyrrha sighed happily, "And I pinned him to a tree during Initiation so he couldn't get away."

Emerald stared at Pyrrha in disbelief, as did most of the other brides. Arslan shook her head.

"That you consider that romantic says so much," Arslan muttered. Pyrrha flushed, but continued.

"And we became Partners... After Weiss saw him pinned to the tree and walked off."

"You what?!" Winter demanded, turning on and glaring at Weiss. She coughed.

"I-I'm sorry!" Weiss cried, holding up her hands, "He was annoying!"

"It's all right, it's all right," Isabel said, holding up a hand, "We all make foolish mistakes! Especially at this age." She shook her head then looked back at Pyrrha. "And then?"

Pyrrha beamed, her cheeks bright red.

"And then I unlocked his Aura with the sacred chant I used~." She sighed and held her cheeks. "It was perfect!"

She didn't seem to notice or care about the jealous glares directed her way. Isabel blinked and then laughed.

"What? Unlocked his Aura? That's silly! Nick unlocked his Aura before he left!"

Pyrrha was shaked out of her flashback, and blinked at her future mother-in-law.

"Um, n-no, sorry Doctor Arc," she said, "His Aura was locked. He even bluffed that it was before I unlocked it."

"Wh-Why didn't you unlock it, Aunt Isabel?" May managed. Isabel shook her head.

"I was going to unlock it when he went to Medical School... If Nick didn't unlock it then..." She rounded on Glynda, her eyes blazing in fury.

"YOU LET MY SON GET CATAPULTED INTO THE EMERALD FOREST WITHOUT HIS AURA BEING UNLOCKED?!"

Glynda immediately lifted up her hands in appeasement.

"T-To be fair, his Aura was fairly strong before being unlocked! And who would be crazy or stupid enough to undergo Initiation without their Aura being unlocked?"

"CLEARLY MY SON!" Isabel growled.

"It wasn't my fault! Ozpin overruled me!" Glynda said quickly.

"D-Doctor Arc, please!" Pyrrha tried, "We don't need another scene!"

Isabel scowled, and resumed sipping her tea. She calmed herself down.

"Fine," she muttered, "But the Headmaster and I are having words."

"Please don't throw another bus into the office," Glynda sighed. Isabel flushed.

"I-I only did that when I was... Ahem... Inebriated! Just a little!"

"Really?!" Nora gasped. "Can you tell me about that, Mom?"

Isabel sighed.

"Yes, but only so you can avoid making my mistakes in the future."

"Oh, I'll just make whole new ones!" Nora said cheerfully.

Emerald slowly shook her head and chuckled.

"Well... He has balls. I will give him that," she admitted.

Winter sighed.

"Seems we'll have a lot to discuss on our date," she murmured, as Isabel regaled them all with the tale of the Party That Got out of Hand and Ended with a Bus in Ozpin's Office.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Glimpses into Another Time: Winter: At the Office

- - -

Northern Solitas, Mantle/Atlas, Five Years after Salem's Defeat

- - -

"Seriously General," Marrow Amin sighed, leaning back in his chair in General Arc-Schnee's office, "You could hire a babysitter."

"You'd have no shortage of volunteers," Elm Ederne added.

"Don't look at me!" Harriet Bree huffed, "I don't want to look after any brats! Er, kids," she said quickly, at Winter's glare.

Winter shook her head with a sigh.

"Honestly, can't you be professional?" She asked.

Theodore suckled rather loudly, despite the blanket over him and Winter's chest. Her subordinates gave her dry looks.

Winter shrugged.

"What? My son needs to eat and well... I forgot the bottles. It's not like I'm doing this in public."

"Would make your addresses more memorable," Marrow joked, even as Winter, Harriet and Elm all glared at him. He coughed. "Still! You're already carrying your next kid! You have plenty of leave time!"

"And I'm going to take it," Winter insisted. Theodore cooed, and so she gently pulled him away, holding him with one arm while fixing her uniform under her blanket. She pulled the blanket away and expertly cleaned off her son's mouth, smiling as he snuggled against her. She turned back to her subordinates as she tucked her son back into his baby carrier.

"But we're still not stable enough for me to leave the public spotlight," she stated firmly, "So..." She looked apologetically over at her son, "I have to split my time." She reached up to caress his chubby cheek, and he flailed and wriggled about, impatient.

Winter sighed and pulled him out of the carrier. She turned and set him down on the baby blanket next to her desk, and handed him a few toys to chew on. He gummed them aggressively, making happy hoots and squawks. She turned back to Harriet, Elm and Marrow with a shrug.

"That and... I never want to be like my parents," she murmured, going through her paperwork while sparing her little son a glance. Elm shrugged.

"You love him and take care of him-I think you're already doing better," she said.

"Yes, but I still want to be there for him," Winter insisted. "Even while I'm working. And I can't put it all on Jaune! He has his own duties!"

There was a call on the holo. She activated it.

"Yes?"

Her aide, Marcus Cole, shook his head.

"Sorry to bother you, General, but Colonel Falke has an urgent message. Looks like Vale's Southern Islands might be about to revolt."

"What?" Winter asked icily. Cole nodded.

"Yes. His training group was assigned to the area and ROE wasn't updated for this. It's a huge diplomatic mess already and the High Council are already demanding answers."

"I'm on my way," Winter sighed. She turned off the holo, and looked at her subordinates. She bit her lower lip.

"You three aren't doing anything important right now, right?"

"Well-" Harriet tried to protest, but Marrow put a hand on her arm and shook his head. Elm smiled gently for all of them.

"We'll handle him, Winter. Don't worry about a thing," she said warmly. Winter slowly nodded.

"All right." She got out of her chair, knelt down, and kissed and hugged Theodore.

"Mommy will be right back, I promise," She whispered. Winter stood up and strode out of the office, the doors sliding shut behind her. Harriet sighed and went around behind the desk. She knelt down and scowled at Theodore, who was rolling around happily as he chewed on a cute duck toy.

"See? He doesn't even care she's gone," Harriet said, "Little guy's stronger than she thinks. Why have all three of us watch him?"

"Beats filling out paperwork," Marrow said, dropping his Scroll on the table and going around to kneel and watch Theodore from the other side. Harriet huffed.

"Watching him wiggle and squeal isn't my idea of fun-OW!"

Theodore had thrown his toy right at Harriet, and nailed her in the eye. He clumsily reached up and grabbed onto his feet as he giggled up at the growling Atlasian officer. Elm and Marrow both tried and failed not to laugh.

"Little brat!" Harriet snarled. Elm came around and bent down, looking at the giggling baby with a smile.

"That can't have actually hurt," she said, between coos at the baby. Harriet scowled.

"No... Just my pride," she huffed. Marrow grinned as he held a set of plastic keys over Theodore and jangled them.

"Just think of how badass he'll be when he finally grows up," Marrow said. Theodore grabbed the keys and yanked them out of his hand. "Ha! Strong grip already!"

Harriet huffed.

"If we're looking after a baby, the Chief's baby of all babies, we're doing this right!"

- - -

Winter stormed back towards her office, her heart pounding in her ears. Turns out that the reports of revolution were a bit exaggerated-Terrorists had taken over the local governor's office and declared a full uprising, but had almost no support. They'd just used lots of bots to simulate it on social media. The local Valean security forces had dealt with it (with an assist from a few Hunters) and the High Council looked like idiots for believing something trending on XYZ.com.

Not the first time, and certainly not the last, Winter sighed mentally. Colonel Falke had gotten a good laugh out of that.

Now she could get back to her usual paperwork and her son.

She rounded the corner, headed for her office. She opened it... And frowned. Nobody was inside.

She quelled the spike of panic in her chest with long practiced ease. She used her Scroll and dialed up Harriet.

"No answered," she murmured with a frown. She then heard Theodore squealing happily down the hall. She walked briskly down the hallway, towards the local break room.

She peeked inside. Her eyebrows nearly shot up to her hairline.

"Yeah! Hang on little guy!" Marrow cheered.

"You can do it!" Elm encouraged him.

"Hang on tight, you brat!" Harriet encouraged in her own way.

Theodore was holding onto a robot vacuum cleaner, same as multiple drones across Atlas' new military HQ. And Theodore was perched on top of it, laughing happily as it jerked and scurried about like a panicked mouse. Theodore lost his grip and fell back, but before Winter could move to intercept, Harriet gently caught him and held him up.

"How long that time, Marrow?" Harriet asked.

"Three minutes, ten seconds!" Marrow cried. "A new record!"

"He's such a badass!" Harriet crowed.

"Haha! You're so good at this, so good!" Elm teased, bending down to nuzzle Theodore-Not an easy thing to do given her height. Theodore giggled and reached out to her chest, hanging on tightly. "Woah! Eager little guy, huh?"

"Takes after his dad," Marrow joked, and the other two specialists laughed.

"Ahem."

All three Specialists turned to look at Winter. She scowled at them. Marrow coughed, Elm winced, and Harriet scowled.

"Ah, hey General," Marrow said, "How'd it go?"

"Just fine," Winter stated coldly. Elm held up her hands.

"Sir, he's totally fine. And he loves it!"

"Yeah!" Harriet enthused, holding Theodore up, "He's a little badass!"

Winter looked at Theodore's happy face. She melted inside and sighed.

"Just be careful with him?" She said firmly, walking up and holding him tightly. He snuggled into her arms.

"Of course we are!" Marrow insisted. "Nothing's happening to the little guy. Not on our watch."

Winter was silent for a bit, before she nodded.

"I know," she said, the weight of old fears in her grateful voice.

She looked to Theodore, who happily grasped her face. She sighed.

"Well, could be worse. You could have been betting on him."

All three Specialists looked very guilty.

Winter scowled. Harriet shrugged.

"What? We were betting on him, not against him! That's gotta count for something!"

- - -

 

[Reader548]

It could be worse, at least it wasn't a Grimm he was riding.

 

[Stormfury]

It could be worse, at least it wasn't a Grimm he was riding.

Click to shrink...

That only happens when Port babysits