Pearls on a String

Volume 2

Chapter 14: Meetings

Undisclosed Location in Vale

Damian tapped the side of his leg impatiently. Even after all this time, the meticulous planning to get him to where he was at this point and the exquisite details he had to attend to in order to keep him there, he still detested waiting.

"You're fidgeting," his sister commented mildly.

He let out a soft, dignified snort of humor, but quickly ceased his movement. "I am merely anxious," he reminded her.

"Big brother of mine, you can face down the wardroom of a company in a hostile takeover, yet one man causes you such nervousness?"

"Anxious, Frost," he corrected her. "Not nervous."

His younger sister snorted in much the same way as he had earlier. "If you say so," she smirked affectionately. "But just so you know, I've got your back."

"And you always do," he murmured with a gentle smile. "I do appreciate it, Frost."

"Well of course, Damian," she said with a shrug. "That's what a bodyguard is for, after all."

"True, but you could have taken any number of huntress jobs right after graduating from the Academy," he mentioned, turning to gaze back out the window of the corporate Bulldog air transport. "You didn't have to join me."

"Of course I did," she replied with just the barest hint of reproach. "You're not just family, you're my brother, and you needed me."

"I suppose I did," he sighed. As he stared at the reflection of his face in the window, he couldn't fail to note the brief glimpse of a cold, calculating look in his pale blue eyes, one which he carefully wiped away before turning back to her with a warm smile. "And as I have said, I appreciate it."

Frost waved away his gratitude as she always did, recrossing her legs and minisculely bouncing the toes of her boot-clad foot in the air. "So, you're still not going to give me the details on this meeting with your new partner?"

"You'll see soon enough," he replied with a smirk. "We're almost there."

Indeed, the Bulldog had begun its descent below the treeline, the dark shapes of the forest flashing by in the midmorning light. Before too long it arrived in a clearing that seemed otherwise deserted and settled down smoothly before powering the dust-powered jets off.

"This is the place?" Frost asked skeptically as she rose from her seat. She tugged her white miniskirt down and adjusted the abbreviated short-sleeved jacket she wore over her tube top. "Seems deserted."

"The pilots know how to follow the beacons," Damian explained, adjusting his own silken suit. He glanced at his sister with affection. Anyone seeing the two together could tell that they were siblings, not just because of their hereditary eye and hair color, but also their demeanor. They carried the bearing of nobility, it was simply a part of them, nature and nurture alike.

The side hatch of the Bulldog opened to reveal a short girl, under five feet, wearing a black petticoat with purple highlights that were visible from the gentle breeze drifting through the clearing. She also wore a black long-sleeved jacket, low-cut with no shirt underneath, and a dark purple sash around her waist. Black heeled ankle boots sparkled from the amethyst jewels on the sides that matched the numerous bracelets and necklaces she wore as well. Her dark purple hair was done up into an intricate bun and held in place by black lacquered chopsticks.

"Welcome," the petite girl began with a smooth bow, her light amethyst eyes twinkling. "My name is Whisper, and it will be my pleasure to conduct you to my master."

She smiled brilliantly at the duo. "Won't you please accompany me, Mr and Ms Schnee?"

City of Vale

Saturday Afternoon

Pip leaned back in her chair and glanced around the quaint little cafe her team had chosen for their rendezvous. They'd come to spend the day in Vale for some shopping and well-deserved relaxation after a rough week of classes. The lanky blonde team leader had wandered for a bit, visiting her favorite weapons shop to see what new upgrades were in, as well as a boutique that catered to those who appreciated fine body care products.

She smiled to herself as she reflected on her shopping history that day. What can I say, I'm a complicated person.

"Did you have a good morning?" a lightly accented voice called out from behind her.

Pip twisted in her chair to grin at Lustre as her teammate walked around to sit at the table. "I did, yeah. Got me the latest 'Guns n' Dust' catalog, and some sweet new soaps. You?"

The silver-haired girl hefted her bag before settling it under her seat. "I found several new volumes in a series I have been reading," she replied, her pale blue eyes twinkling merrily. "It was a very productive time."

"Oh, babe," Pip sighed mournfully. "That was the extent of your shopping? Books?"

Lustre blinked her eyes uncertainly. "Er… yes?"

"We have so got to take you clothes shopping sometime," the blonde stated, shaking her head. "When was the last you did that?"

"Why would I need to shop for clothes? I have school uniforms and my combat outfit. I require nothing else."

Pip leaned forward and gently banged her head against the table.

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic, blondie," another voice snarked. "Not everyone shares your taste."

"And I shall convert you all yet to the finer side of things," Pip declared, lifting her head back up to regard the other half of her team. Evie and Beryl stood next to the table, their arms wrapped around each other comfortably and with blissful grins on their faces. "Just because I have no money doesn't mean I can't appreciate elegance, as should you all."

"Pfft," the blue-haired girl scoffed as she plopped down on a chair next to the one Evie took. She nonchalantly placed her hand on top of her girlfriend's thigh, which was quickly covered by the raven-haired girl's hand and squeezed affectionately. "I appreciate the finer things just fine."

"Really?" the Cat Faunus asked, her eyebrows raised. "Like what?"

"Well, I have you," Beryl smirked.

"Oh my Oum, you guys," Pip groaned as the couple gave each other a look that was becoming far more commonplace than she'd like to admit. "Have you two lovebirds been like this all day?"

"Yep, pretty much," Evie admitted without taking her eyes off of the blue-haired girl.

"Were you expecting otherwise?" Lustre inquired mildly.

Pip shook her head and grinned. "No, I suppose not. You guys gonna make out already, or do you wanna order something?"

"Hmm," Beryl pondered, the barest hint of a grin showing. "What if I'm hungry for both?"

Evie laughed, swishing her tail around to bop her girlfriend lightly on the nose. "You, my dear Beryl, are incorrigible."

"True enough," Beryl smirked. "But, yeah, I suppose we should order something now. Plenty of time for making out later."

The blonde girl shook her head in amusement as she flagged down a waiter. These two girls, her best friends and sisters in all but blood, had finally admitted their feelings for each other a week ago. Since then, they'd been inseparable, but Pip was overjoyed not just by their happiness but at the changes it wrought in each of them. The Cat Faunus hadn't been irritable at all, even towards some of the louder students that would normally set her off in the classroom. For her part, Beryl was more confident and outgoing, showing little of her usual social anxiety.

For all that, she could put up with a little bit of sickeningly sweet interaction.

The small group ordered a light lunch, along with drinks, and had just begun to talk about the stores that they'd visited when a loud, booming voice rang out through the cafe.

"RADIANCE BERYL!"

"Oh, Grimmshit," Beryl moaned before leaping to her feet. Approaching the table was a giant of a man, with a black bushy beard that matched the wild hair and shaggy eyebrows. He easily stood seven and a half feet tall, and his outfit seemed to match his demeanor, with a large black overcoat over matching black shirt and trousers. His bootsteps seemed to rattle the window pane as he approached.

Pip and the others quickly leapt to their feet, hands on their weapons. "Beryl…?" the blonde murmured inquiringly.

The blue-haired girl in question sighed resignedly and pushed her way forward, just in time to be wrapped up and lifted off her feet in a bone-crushing bear hug.

"Hi, Dad," she squeaked from somewhere within the confines of his chest.

The other three gazed at each other incredulously. "Dad?" Pip mouthed in surprise.

And then Evie's eyes got wide and panicked.

Oh, Dust, she's about to meet her girlfriend's father, and he looks like he could wrestle an Ursa bare-handed…

She tried to shoot her partner a reassuring look, but only had the chance to open her mouth before the towering man barked out a loud laugh.

"Ah, it's great to see you, Radiance! Is this your team, here?" The others could now see a large black round shield poking out from behind his back, perhaps the same size as Beryl's but on his arm it would likely function more as a buckler, as well as the hilt of an enormous sword strapped under it and poking up over his shoulder.

Beryl had finally regained her feet and stood, swaying slightly. "Um, yeah, Dad, they are," she murmured sheepishly.

Pip took the chance to step forward and offer him her hand. "Hello, sir, I'm Pip Cerise, Beryl's team leader."

Her calloused hand was swallowed whole by the man's meaty paw. "Wonderful!" he chuckled heartedly. "My name is Corvid Beryl, and I thank you, Miss Cerise, for taking my little girl under your wing! She's told us a great deal about you all!"

Lustre spoke up next, carefully remaining out of handshake range. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Lustre Bijou."

"Ah, yes, I saw your final round at the Vytal Festival! A most admirable attempt, I'm glad someone with such skill is partners with Radiance!"

Pip noted with some amusement that Beryl winced slightly every time her father used her hated first name.

Corvid looked over at Evie who was hanging by the back of the group, as if afraid to approach the great bear of a man. "So now, are you a member of Radiance's team as well?"

Evie clasped her hands behind her back, unusually nervous. "Um, well… that is…"

Beryl stepped over to wrap her arm around the Cat Faunus' waist. "Yeah, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Evie Black."

"Girlfriend?" Corvid's shaggy brows rose up to disappear behind his hairline, only to thunderously descend once more. "And what are your intentions towards my daughter?" he growled, seemingly looming over Evie and blocking out all the light.

"Eep," the Faunus girl squeaked in reply, visibly wilting.

"Dad!" Beryl shouted, pushing her girlfriend behind her. "Stop it!"

"I'm allowed to-"

"No, you're not! We've been going out for only a week for Oum's sake, don't you dare scare her like that!"

"I want to know she's gonna treat my little girl right!"

"She is, Dust damn it!"

"Radiance Beryl, you will watch your language around me or so help me-"

"Dad!" Beryl barked, her hands on her hips and glaring up the the mountainous man. "Do I need to get Mom on the scroll?"

The pair of them stared daggers at each other while the other three members of the team looked on warily. Evie was ready to bolt at any second but was torn by her desire to stand by Beryl, while both Pip and Lustre seemed poised to intervene, suicidal as it may appear.

After almost a full minute, Corvis threw his head back and laughed, a booming sound that practically shook the rafters and caused all of the girls to jump slightly. "Oh, Oum, it's good to see you again, Peanut!"

"You too, Dad," the blue-haired girl replied sheepishly, allowing herself to become engulfed into another hug, fortunately remaining on her feet this time.

Evie had a look of relief on her face, and was beginning to edge away from the two when she was caught by a massive paw. "As for you, Miss Evie Black, if you're dating my daughter then you get the Papa Beryl treatment as well!"

The Cat Faunus let out a startled mewl as her escape was halted and she was pulled into the hug. "Th- Thank you?" she stammered uncertainly.

Once the two girls were released and able to breathe again, they turned to note the expression of merriment on Pip's face.

"Peanut?" the blonde smirked widely.

Beryl rolled her eyes, but her father decided to expound on the nickname.

"It's because when she was a baby, she was such a tiny little thing! Just like an adorable little peanut!"

"Daaad," Beryl groaned over her teammates' laughter.

"Oh, come on now, you used to love it when I called you that!"

"Seriously, Dad, you're killing me here. Can you not embarrass me in front of my friends all to Vacuo and back?"

"Oh, fine," the large man rumbled. "Still, the stories I could tell…"

"No, Dad."

"Wait," Pip snickered. "I wouldn't mind hearing-"

"One more word, Pip," the blue-haired girl warned irritably, "and you shall become intimately acquainted with your own intestines."

Pip screwed up her face thoughtfully. "Aren't I already, though? I mean, they're inside me…"

"Blondie..." Evie said in a quiet but threatening voice.

"Wow, okay, guess it's gang up on Pip day," she snarked, raising her hands in surrender.

Lustre sidled up to Evie smoothly. "Ten lien says Beryl threatens Pip with bodily dismemberment before we leave," she murmured.

"You're on," Evie smirked. "She knows when to back off."

The silver-haired girl shot her an incredulous look. "This is Pip we are speaking of, correct?"

"True. I'll still take the bet, though."

"You know I'm right here and can hear every word, right?" Pip deadpanned.

The other two girls just beamed an innocent smile at her.

"So, Peanut," Corvis interjected. "I'm glad I no longer need to worry about you getting pregnant now, eh?"

"Oh my Oum, Dad!" Beryl squawked, her hands flying up to cover her face which was once again beet red. "Please, stop!"

"Well, I suppose you still should be concerned about protection and all," he mused in a low rumble as if he hadn't heard her. "Or do you? Miss Black, what do you-"

"Emergency change of subject!" Beryl shouted. She shot a glare at both Pip and Lustre who were now leaning against each other for support, tears of mirth streaming down their faces, while Evie was blushing just as brightly. "Why are you in Vale, Dad?"

"Well, Oz asked me to look into a few things," he rumbled absently. "Some such nonsense about mutant Grimm…"

"Wait, like fire-breathing Nevermores?" Beryl asked eagerly, her earlier embarrassment forgotten.

"Yeah, how do you… Ohhh, I see, so it was you lot who tangled with that beastie back in Vacuo, eh?" Corvis chuckled, his entire body shaking mirthfully. "Should have known my little Radiance was in the thick of things, just like a true Beryl, eh?"

"Here, why don't you have a seat, Mr Beryl?" Pip asked solicitously, pulling up another chair for him.

"Yes, we would love to hear more of your thoughts on this matter, being such an experienced and powerful hunter," Lustre commented evenly. Pip had to hide a grin behind her hand as she sat down. Very smooth, babe, very smooth. Maybe we'll finally get somewhere on this...

"Thank you girls, thank you. Now, where was I… Right! Oz said there's been reports of these new Grimm right here in Vale, of all places! Can you believe it?"

The four girls all exchanged wary glances as Beryl's father continued. "No other giant glowing Nevermores, but there are stories of Gryffons that also glow, these ones in green though. Strangest thing, glowing Grimm… Ah, well, I'll believe it when I see it. Ha! But you lot, you really did take down a fire-breathing Nevermore, eh?"

"Yeah, we did, Dad, me and Pip," Beryl assured him. She launched into the tale of their encounter, while the blonde sat back and pondered what Corvis had revealed.

So they're spreading? I wonder if they originated from the middle of the continent maybe? And how long before we start hearing of more missing teams?

How safe is it for any of us out there anymore?

Lustre leaned over towards her as Beryl expounded on her insane plan of the makeshift dust chamber grenade. "You are thinking quite loudly," she commented.

"If it's in my head, it can't be loud," she quipped back.

"You know what I mean," the silver-haired girl grumbled. "Are you concerned about more of these enhanced Grimm in our region now?"

"Yeah, I am… Lustre, I've never been so scared in my entire life as when I faced that… thing."

"Is that so?" Corvis interjected while turning to the two of them, obviously having overheard Pip's conversation as well as the end of Beryl's tale. "It sounds as if you dealt with it well enough, though."

"Sir, so far as we know, there were a lot of other teams that went missing in Vacuo," Pip began slowly. "Students and Hunters alike. If that starts happening here…"

Beryl nodded. "Dad, maybe I wasn't clear in this, but we just barely escaped with our lives. And we've fought literal hordes of Grimm before, but nothing like this."

"We're lucky to be alive," Pip agreed.

Corvis sat back and stroked his bushy beard thoughtfully. "Well, then," he finally mused. "That certainly gives me much to think about… Now I'm even more glad to have caught up with you, Peanut."

"Dad," Beryl groaned quietly.

"I think I'm going to go have another talk with old Oz before I head out into the wilderness," he continued as if he hadn't heard his daughter. He glanced up as the team's lunch arrived. "Ah! It seems your food is here, I will take my leave of you then. A great pleasure to have met you all!"

Corvis stood up once more, towering over the table. "Radiance, come give your old man another hug!"

"Yes, Dad," the diminutive girl sighed affectionately. Pip very carefully did not listen to their murmured endearments, as she did not wish to embarrass Beryl further.

"And you, Miss Black! You keep treating my little girl right, you hear me?"

Evie noded quickly. "Y- Yes, sir!" she stuttered.

"Good girl. I expect to see you over the break sometime, come meet the missus. Oh, before I go… Miss Cerise, might I have a word with you?"

Pip clambered to her feet uncertainly. "Um, yes, sir!"

She followed him out and into the street where he paused, looking up at the cloudless sky.

"I wanted to thank you," he rumbled quietly as she stood attentively beside him. "For looking after my little girl. I know she's training to be a huntress, Dust, it's all she ever wanted ever since I put a sword in her tiny little hands." He smiled ruefully, causing his beard to twitch. "But it's hard watching her grow up and put herself into danger."

He turned to face Pip solemnly. "So, you have my thanks for all you have done for her."

The blonde nodded back just as solemnly. "Sir, she's my family. All of them are, they're all I have and I love them dearly."

He furrowed his eyebrows and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You don't say? So… your parents, they are not proud of you?"

"Um, I'm an orphan, sir," she replied quietly.

"Remarkable," he murmured, the sound like an approaching thunderstorm. "You look just like… Well, no matter!" He reached out and pulled Pip into one of his customary bear hugs, and the lanky blonde suddenly attained a new appreciation for how out-of-breath both Evie and Beryl seemed after receiving such ministrations.

"Farewell, Miss Cerise, and you take care of that team of yours!" He waved merrily as he strode off, towering head and shoulders above the rest of the pedestrians.

She slipped back inside the cafe, shaking her head slightly. What was that all about?

"You okay, Pip?" Beryl asked solicitously. "Come on, your food's getting cold!"

"Sure thing, Peanut," she snarked as she took her seat.

"Pip," the blue-haired girl said levelly without even sparing her a glance. "I swear to Oum, they will never find the body parts."

Evie sighed and pulled a ten lien note out which she slid over to a widely grinning Lustre.

Eh, sometimes I just can't help myself...

Undisclosed Location in Vale

Damian and Frost Schnee had finished their tour of the underground facility and were making their way towards the heart of the operation.

"And this here is where the magic happens," their tour guide smirked. She held a hand out towards a thin, nervous-looking man in a lab coat. "Have you met the good doctor before, Mr Schnee?"

"No, indeed not," the scientist exclaimed, hurrying over to shake Damian's hand. "Doctor Viridian, at your service, sir."

"A pleasure, Doctor," he smiled politely. "This is my sister and bodyguard, Frost." She gave him a polite nod of her own but maintained a respectful distance behind the group, looking about the room in interest while her hand rested on the hilt of her weapon. "So, can you finally tell us about this process of yours?"

"Yes, yes indeed," he replied enthusiastically, twirling a stylus in his fingers that had one end chewed. "You see, it all begins with our dear Whisper here!"

The petite girl nodded amicably. "My semblance allows me to control Grimm."

"I see," Damian replied levelly. "And that's how you obtain your subjects, then?"

"Correct, and then the real fun begins!" the doctor stated excitedly. "You see, once she brings them in and under control, we implant the device… er, that is, the control unit…"

"It allows me to control them easily, multiples of the creatures and from further away," Whisper interjected. "It will also be critical to the final stage of the plan, as you might understand."

"Yes, I do." Damian looked about, noting that in the sterile, stark white laboratory, only Whisper showed up as any color. Both he and Frost wore all white, as was customary for their family.

"And the… process?" Frost asked hesitantly, brushing her chin-length white hair behind an ear. "How does that work?"

"Oh, it's quite complicated," the doctor began, tapping at his handheld rapidly. "You see, the basic functionality-"

"Now, now, Doctor," a smooth male voice, one with the weight of authority behind it, interrupted. "No need to go into the specifics."

The group turned to observe a tall, well-built man enter the room. He wore an expensive silk three-piece suit much like Damian's but in black with a white shirt and crimson tie. His face, bordered by a neatly-trimmed black beard that matched the short hairs on his head, bore a certain magnetism, one which would certainly be considered handsome but also one that commanded a certain amount of respect for the charismatic power he obviously held.

"Welcome, Mr Schnee," the newcomer said jovially as he extended a hand. Damian met his grip with a firm one of his own, immediately confirming his earlier impressions about the man.

This was someone used to power, someone who should not be trifled with.

"Lord Malachite," Damian greeted his host warmly. "Such a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"But the pleasure is all mine, I assure you!" Malachite replied. His pale green eyes were hard and glittering, though Damian couldn't detect any hint of actual malice therein.

"And to answer your question, Ms Schnee I presume? Yes, the process itself essentially fuses dust with the Grimm. Red dust for the Nevermores to allow them fire, green dust for the Gryffons for their wonderful sonic attack, and white dust for the Beowolves to lend them incredible speed."

Damian nodded agreeably, though he noted Frost wore a frown on her face. He shot her a quick glance, and her visage immediately faded to neutral again.

"Now, this facility here is for Research and Development only. We have another here in Vale to stage our operation, though we don't have the time to tour that today. Would you like to witness the actual process?" Malachite grinned at them, his brilliant pearly white teeth practically sparkling in the bright lights of the lab. "We have another captured Beowolf already on a table for you to observe."

"Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you…"

A couple of hours later the Schnee siblings were back on their corporate flight home to Atlas once more. Frost was gazing out the window, her face troubled.

Damian sighed inwardly. He knew she might have some objections to this. His sister was always an idealist, ever since she'd inherited the rapier that was at her waist. The young girl had idolized her Aunt Weiss, and when she had died she had resolved right then and there to follow in her and their mother Winter's path to be a huntress.

He glanced wryly at Myrtenaster. His little sister had indeed become deadly proficient with the weapon, easily surpassing her Aunt at that age, if the stories were to be believed. Only two years out of Atlas Academy, having graduated top of her class, and now she served the family.

Well, she serves me. We are all the family that remains. He let a quick, hard smile spill across his face before letting it slip once more. Certainly took long enough.

"Damian," his sister finally sighed. "I have concerns."

"I'm sure you do," he replied smoothly. "You know, though, I wouldn't be doing this without good reason."

"Would you?" she whispered. "You wouldn't do this just to amass more power?"

"Power is always a worthy goal," he asserted. "But in this case it is secondary. The greater good comes first. You remember all those who tried to dismantle our great-grandfather's company, don't you? Those who were so jealous of us that, even in the midst of our grieving, they tried to slander me, besmirch our family name?"

"I remember," she replied softly, still gazing out the window. "And still they try."

"Yes, still they try," he agreed. "It's the same everywhere, the people in power who hold their heels to the throats of anyone who isn't privileged enough to be wealthy or skilled enough to be a hunter. You've seen it yourself." Damian sat forward eagerly. "I am only one man, Frost. Reform comes slowly against those in power who fight it. Unless I can help wrest that power away from them, I cannot enact meaningful change."

Frost nodded slightly and turned to face him. "And your part of this deal, providing the financial resources for this Lord Malachite… It sets you up as the most powerful being in Atlas."

"That is the plan, yes."

"And this will benefit society, being able to finally push through all the reforms we've talked about?"

"Yes," he replied with a warm, trusting smile. "Absolutely."

"Very well, Damian. You know I shall always support you. We're all the family we have, after all."

He leaned back, careful not to show the smugness that coursed through his veins. It had been a risk to let her into the plan this early, but the risk paid off with her acceptance.

"Thank you, Frost. You won't regret this."

A/N: Yet more actors on the stage! And hey, the shadowy man finally has a name! I suppose that means that this arc for the story might just concern them more, eh? The plot thickens! Quick note about Damian and Frost keeping the name Schnee though their mother was Winter. Theirs is a dynasty, and likely anyone marrying into it, male or female, would assume the Schnee name unless the circumstances were extraordinary.

I had fun writing Corvis Beryl. Everyone knows a parent like that. Also, shout-out to /u/popoley4221998 on Reddit (Commando2341) for the Evie x Beryl pairing name of Scaredy Cat. I love it! And also my thanks to them for the reviews, as well as everyone else who favorited, followed, and/or reviewed!

TacoKing23: What a marathon of reviews. Thanks! Your kind words really keep me motivated to continue on this story, I am so very honored that you and others have grown so attached to the characters!

DustGremlin: I responded via PM too, but yes actually Lustre is ace. I'm trying very hard not to assign the girls their sexuality in a way that defines their character really, more like just another trait that goes along with Pip's snark, Lustre's calm, Beryl's social anxiety, Evie's playfulness when alone with the team. So, Pip prefers boys, Evie likes both boys and girls, Beryl likes girls only, while Lustre is asexual. Easy enough. But I am very glad you liked the section from Chapter 11 between Sunny and Beryl, and I agree it should help things whenever Beryl and Evie reach that point. Which I'm not gonna reveal my plans for that one way or another.

Stay shiny!