The Forever Fall Forest was a place of mystery. Lauded for its ethereal appearance, feared for its roaming beasts, but never given anything less than praise. The dreamer found such sights to see in the red petal forest, imagining a world beyond the one he or she stood in. Such ideas for the thinker, conjuring a hundred and one reasons for the trees to never bare their branches, the leaves to never flood the ground, and for the beasts to never tire in the woods. It was a place for many visits, by tourists and Hunters alike, a place full of wonder and danger.

It was a place where the strong would see their flaws, reflected by the petals around them. It was a place where the weak could see their strength, blessed by the trees that never tired of their shedding. It was a place where the impossibilities of reality found their refuge, with the Grimm Beasts roaming endlessly yet life continuing just as easily. In the Forever Fall Forest, near anything could happen, so anything could change.

So it was of no consequence when the eternally falling leaves began to sway, finding themselves trapped in a sudden wind. It was not a gentle breeze sifting through the trees, but a vortex, a cyclone, that sudden grew and formed within the red forest. The leaves, spun about far faster than their normal graceful allowed, some tearing to pieces with others flying above the trees they fell from. Like a cannon into water, or an axe through wood, the wind destroyed the little peace the forest leaves had.

But then just as quickly as the vortex had come, it ended. And just as quickly, the leaves began to fall again, headless to any change that may have come. The trees continued to shed their leaves, the same blood-red greeneries that betrayed the laws of nature. And in the distance, far from the vortex that had come and gone, Grimm continued to end, sifting and searching for emotions of pain.

So no one noticed the new figure standing in the Forever Fall. The figure that stood to its tallest, head tilted down and arms curled up, holding a precious item to its lips. The figure was as still as the trees, green clothes waving like the red leaves. Blonde hair fell down from beneath a green hat, long and pointed, covering blue eyes that were hung in a half gaze.

Slowly, the figure retracted the item, staring at its light as if in adoration for the first time. An ocarina, carefully carved and blue in covered, yet free of any paint. Made from what could not be described in words, etched with a metal band upon its windpipe, and further detailed with a small trio of golden triangles. The figure let out a small breath of air before placing the item away, letting it vanish from sight.

"Whoa, where are we?" The figure turned slightly to see a fairy above him, dark in color with wings glassy and transparent. The fairy was glowing, like a floating ball of light, ringing as it twirled about the figure. "Everything's so… red."

"It's a forest Tael, we've seen them before." The figure turned to see another fairy now, far lighter in color than the aforementioned one. This fairy had the same glowing appearance, hiding its true body beneath the bright light, with wings just as glassy allowing it to float just as easily. "But the red's new. Think the trees are bleeding?"

"Don't say that, sis!" The other fairy whined, ringing lightly in the air. "That would mean that they were in pain, bleeding like that!" As if to demonstrate the point, the dark light creature flew across a few of the falling leaves. They waved at his approach, but made not a word of complaint. "It'd be like they're crying…"

"Alright, calm down, calm down." The lighter fairy half cajoled half soothed, flying over to her brother, leaves parting lightly as she passed. They touched one another, lights mixing into a soothing gray. Though their aura was blinding enough to leave their forms hidden, it was no stretch of the mind to see one embracing the other. "Geeze, the trees are alright, just something new to see. It's alright."

"Sorry Tatl," the younger fairy whined, though making no move to leave the embrace. Rather, the elder of the two rung lightly before making a return.

"You don't need to apologize," Tael's sister spoke easily, the falling leaves avoiding the floating fairies. "Just gotta relax, okay. The trees aren't in pain, we're just somewhere new, but we're altogether, alright?" The dark fairy's wings dropped, the only physical sign that he was heading his sister's words.

"Yeah, alright." Tael rang like a small bell, transparent wings shaking as he assumingly corrected himself. "I'm good. It's just… the most we had to deal with before were poisonous swamps and dry canyons. This just seems… different."

"Not bad though," his sister spoke on, the two splitting their embrace. The elder ball of light twirled amongst the falling leaves, a few of the red petals flipping to avoid her small wind. She rang at each one. "Kinda cool to watch. Think there's a song that goes with it? Like, a forest song or something? I don't know, feels like there should be something."

The fairy floated down to the figure in green, still standing in the small patch of land they had appeared in. The figure had blue eyes gazing upwards, looking at the fairy that floated down to them. The petals were headless of the figure, standing still in the small clearing of trees. Tatl twirled about the green clad figure, stopping only when she was staring into blue eyes. The figure stared back into her bright luminescence, used to the glow.

"Got any ideas, Link?" Tatl asked, bobbing lightly as she spoke.

The green figure raised a hand to his chin, lightly gripping it as his eyes looked upwards. He stared beyond the canopy of the trees, through the falling red leaves and the branches of trees that never showed. Link had a soft smile as he watched them move. But then, after a pregnant silence, he shook his head, shrugging his shoulders in dismissal of their ideas. Tatl rang in annoyance.

"Oh c'mon, you grew up in the forest. Don't you have something? I mean, really?" Her small tirade earned only small laughter from Link, his eyes lightly shutting at his friend's usual antics. Tael floating down next to him, floating above Link's shoulder as they watched Tatl ring with annoyance, her transparent wings vibrating. "That's just stupid! It's like saying I don't know any games to play. It's all we do!"

"Well, you did help save the world before… twice…" Tael spoke meekly from Link's shoulder. The green clad Hylian nodded towards the younger fairy, small still just as present. Tatl, however, was less amused.

"Those were special circumstances and you know that," she pitifully defended. "Besides, we're here now to get away from that." The sudden shift in topics was enough for Link to lose the small but still smile he had. "We got things to do here, things to find and people to see, I think. Who are we looking for again?" She directed the question towards the pair.

"Uh, what did he tell us?" Tatl asked aloud, voice betraying his nerviness. "Three of threes, right? Mind, body, and soul?" Tatl rang aloud at her brothers words, something clicking. Link only felt himself nodding at the words.

"Yeah, that's right!" The elder fairy agreed. "He said that we had to look for them in a place where they were forgotten. So here we are… now we just have to… look for them…" Tatl's voice fell with each word, becoming progressively quieter and quieter. Link only stared at her, silent as he always was. It was Tael that spoke up for his sister.

"So… where do we start?"

A roar was his answer.

In hardly a moment's time, Link spun on his heel, tall posture shifting into a practiced crouch. In the same motion, his right arm drew forth a crystal shield, red and gleaming with light. He placed it between himself and the noise, preparing himself for any sudden assault. His left drew forth a sword from its sheath, etched with ruby red diamonds. He held it behind his body, in a strong grip and flexed arm, already prepared to deliver a vicious blow. Both glowed with a faint light, their strength obvious to even the untrained. It took little time for either Link or his fairies to see the source of the noise.

A great black beast, standing easily to twice Link's height. It had an open maw, drool pouring from its impressive jaw and to the red leaves coating the forest floor. Fur thick as a trees bark was lined across its hide, interrupted only occasionally by large protrusions of white. To Link's trained eye, they almost appeared to be bone. But even those were not the most striking part about the figure. It was not its size, its mass, or its nightmarish shape.

It was the mask it adorned.

The white and red lined mask that hung from its snout. It was an unnatural item, a thing the beast wore like its face. It hide poorly the red eyes of the creature, alight and beady, staring at the young green clad figure with menacing intent. Link's position did not waver, neither did his shield or sword falter.

"Whoa!" Tael shouted, quickly flying behind Link in a panic. The Hylian could feel the dark light fairy shivering behind him. He kept his own blue eyes on the dark beast, hearing it growl with his sharp ears. "W-What is that? A-A wolfo? No no, a… a what?"

"No idea," Tatl answered her brother. Though she did not flee like her younger sibling, she was not keen to fly around the thing so readily. "But it doesn't look too bright, screaming like that before it attacked." Her senses worked, body ringing as she looked the creature over from a distance, no further away than Link stood battle ready. When she started to speak again, it was only too obvious to whom she was speaking to.

"It's got a lot of muscle, and those bony things aren't going to be easy to cut. But the rest of it should be like butter with a sword. Just gotta watch out for it to attack." Link nodded at her words, heeding her advice as he had countless times before. The grip on his sword tightened, the light aura it gave of flickering briefly.

The creature seemed to sense the green-clothed warrior's intent, growling as it fell into a low crouch. Even with majority of its body against the ground, impressive claws digging at the leaf covered forest floor, it still stood taller than Link. The warrior found no reason to be intimidated by such a fact.

He tilted his blade, seeing ahead of what would come. The beast would strike, a strong and vicious blow that would leave no time to counter should he chose to block. But it would leave the creature wide open, the beast likely assuming it would knock the green clothed figure away. That would be his opportunity to strike. A slice across the neck, maybe a draw down his exposed stomach, either would be possible for Link.

And as expected, the creature drew back one of its mighty claws, angled and beating away the falling leaves as it did so. Link gripped his shield tightly, already positioning his feet for a quick escape. Tael shivered behind him, Tatl hovering close above him, the beast let its claw begin to fall.

It stopped mid strike.

Link stared at it, confused and wary. His shield was now positioned towards the swing, aware that if it moved it would be too quick for him to dodge, his window of opportunity forgone in place of curiosity. He watched the beast's red eyes… watching as they lost track of him. Beneath the monster's white mask, the beady eyes began to dull, their focus fade, and fierceness dim. Link had seen it often enough to recognize what was happening. Life was leaving the creature.

No sooner did the thought pass by Link's mind than did the black monstrosity fall to the ground. It made an audible boom as it hit the red-leaf covered floor, its weight forcing many of the already fallen petals to flitter about once more, settling faster than before. Link didn't lower his shield, but he judged the beast as far less of a threat than before. Tatl spoke as much.

"What was that?" The yellow fairy asked critically. "Did it die of fright or something? Decide to have a nap before dinner? What?" She flew in front of the white mask, staring through the sockets at the fading red beneath. They were now almost as dark as the coat of the creature. "Or is it seriously dead? I mean, I'm not complaining, but what the heck?" Tatl flew back to Link, stopping in front of him as she had done many times before. "Did you do something? Anything? Like cast a spell or throw a knife?"

Link stared past Tatl to the dark creature, his blonde brow furrowed in thought as well. His shield was now relaxed against his arm, his sword held in much the same manner. Tael flew out from behind him, cautiously, staring at the fallen beast as a child would.

"Well… I don't mind," the dark fairy honestly spoke. "As long as it's dead. That's good, right?" Link didn't respond, eyes still focused on the creature. He began to walk towards, steps full of caution, but pace far from slow. Tatl, however, felt no hesitation in answering her brother.

"Well, duh, of course it's good!" Her sister critically noted. "We're alive, it's not, and we can keep moving forward. What's more there to think of, right Link?" The warrior didn't respond. He was too busy inspecting the fallen monstrosity. "Link, what's up?"

The warrior did not answer her. He was staring down at the back of the beast, the long white spines of the creature more than strong enough of a hold for him to climb on. His sharp blue eyes were looking towards the creature, lightly brushing away the red leaves that fell in his way. He saw nothing that he had not already noticed. A light coating but dark colored fur, now confirmed to be bony protrusions along its hide, a mask that seemed as set on its face as Link's own face, but nothing that would tell why it had died. Not at first.

It was small, almost unnoticed by even his eyes, but a bit of focus made it obvious. Putting his shield and sword to their homes on his back, crouching down soon after. His fingerless gloves pushed away the fur of the beast, feeling for something, anything that he could tell didn't belong. He noticed it from above, but kneeling down atop of the creature, it become more obvious.

There was a hole in the back of its head. Small, just large enough for him to fit the base of his thumb into, but no larger than that. It was pierced deep enough into the beast for Link to feel the vulnerable inside, whatever they were, beyond any protection of bone or muscle. But he could not feel any tool for the job, neither shaft nor arrow head. It bemused him.

"Link," Tatl's voice came again. He turned to her this time, looking up from the beast he stood on. The light fairy had flown over to him again. "What happened to it?" He only shrugged in response, unsure himself. The wound that finished the beast was obvious, but the tool that made it was a mystery. He retracted his gloved hand, certain there was nothing else to find.

He jumped from its back, landing on the ground with little effort. He turned back to it, staring at the honestly intimidating white mask. The red eyes that once sat beneath it were already faded to darkness, a color matching the creature's thin fur, a clear sign that it was dead.

"Look," Tael spoke up, more in awe than notice. Even with a dark light illuminating him, it was still too bright to spot and hand the fairy may have used to point towards the object of interest. It was of little need, however. It was obvious already to Link and Tatl what was so interesting, at least to the youngest among them.

Thin wisps of smoke were beginning to rise off the beast, dissipating into the air near as quickly as they formed. They appeared almost like the remains of the fire, but Link was not fooled. It became obvious after only a moment's notice that the beast was dissolving, returning to whatever void it came from. Little different than many of the monster he had slain before, though far slower to leave than those of his past.

"Think we should get moving?" Tatl suddenly spoke up, taking attention away from the dead monstrosity. "I mean, yeah it's big and dead, but something killed it without us seeing it, and I don't want to be next on the hit-list." The words had no apparent effect on the green clad warrior. They did, however, have an almost immediate clout on the fairy's younger brother.

"W-Wait, you mean… w-we might be in danger? Like, our life is going t-to end danger!" Link's sharp ears picked up Tatl's sigh easily. That, and the way her wings sagged made it painfully obvious she was more annoyed by her brother's antics. Repetition had that result on most things.

"Tael, we're fine." She spoke matter-of-factly as she flew to her brother's side. The dark fairy was quick to embrace the shining ball of light. Neither moved away. "I'm here, Link's here, and nothing else is here. Don't worry. Besides, if anything really wanted to hurt us, we'd have at least heard it by now."

"Hello!"

The suddenness of the feminine voice had an immediate impact on the three.

Both of the fairies began to shake, likely out of surprise. Their transparent wings shook as quickly as their illuminating bodies. Link turned as well, hands on his sword and shield, though remaining undrawn. His eyes were furrowed, searching the leaf falling forest for the owner of the voice. Trained blue eyes saw past the many petals, ignoring the stiff shapes of the trees. The two put aside, the speaker became obvious.

She was running towards them, waving with one of her hands in the air. It was a she, assumingly, her short stature, thin frame, and high voice were all rather clear signs. But where it not enough, she also wore a black dress, frilled at the ends with red laces. Boots of equal design were on her jogging feet, reaching easily to her knees, and black in color with red laces. A long red hood and cape also hung from her neck, but was only partially seen due to the girl's quick approach.

The long red scythe she held, however, was a bit easier to see. It put any trepidation the black beast had to shame.

Link finally drew his crystal sword and shield at the sight of the weapon, so large that it dwarfed the girl that carried it. A long sharp crescent blade, guarded by metal that was red as blood; it sat on an equally crimson rod, stretching the length of the girl that held it. Only the angle that it was titled at kept it from dragging across the leaf-covered ground.

Various objects hung from the scythe, some obvious and some less so. The counterbalance to the blade was easy to spot by Link's sharp blue eyes, hanging from the opposite side of the intimidating crescent. The sharp tip at the opposite end of the pole served as clear a purpose as the blade itself. The odd pumps, weights, and what appeared to be boxes lining the frame of the scythe, however, were not things Link had seen on a weapon such as this before.

The green clad warrior gripped his shield a bit tighter, putting it between himself and the girl, already near approach. He felt Tatl and Tael fly behind him, both as skeptical of the child as he was. He put the falling leaves of the forest aside as the girl stopped in front of him.

"Whoa hey, no need to worry," the girl was quick to speak, her silver eyes flashing towards his drawn weapons. "No need to get those out, seriously. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I mean, that Ursa Major was really close to you." The girl motioned towards the fallen beast, majority of it faded away already, only little wisps of smoke remaining of the creature's existence.

Link eyed her critically, assuming she was the one to kill the beast. He had few ideas for how she could manage such a feat with a weapon such as hers. The girl, however, saw him staring at it. He did not miss the clear delight that shown in her eyes.

"Oh! Curious about my baby here?" The girl pulled the scythe in front of her, flipping it around with masterful grace. Link didn't budge in his posture, but he could feel his fairy friends shiver behind him, if only lightly so. "This here Crescent Rose, an HCSS, High-Caliber Sniper Rifle capable of firing Dust .50 caliber rounds over 20 times per minute without over-heating. Built for easy storage and transportation, so I can carry it wherever I want!" It almost unnerved Link how she beamed about her weapon. He would swear later he saw stars twinkling behind her.

She didn't appear too threatening; were the weapon gone Link rationalized that she wouldn't be at all. She was a good head shorter than him, appeared free of any scars of battle, and spoke as if they were meeting in a tavern. But… she did kill the beast, or so she said. He pointed his sword at her weapon, Crescent Rose, lightly lowering his shield as he did so. She followed his direction, her silver eyes looking from one to the other. Then, when he pointed back at himself, he could see the fear in her eyes. She was poor to conceal her emotions, at least.

"What!?" She all but shrieked, the forest nearly shaking with her voice. Link, himself, flinched lightly at the loud question. "You thought I was going to… when I was running me… Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, NO! Her head was shaking rapidly left and right, the black bob cut that was her hair thrashing at the speed.

With a dexterity that gave Link pause, the girl rapidly began to fold her weapon away. The shaft pulling in on itself; the blade sliding into the red guard around it; the counter balance falling into the pole; everything fell into place until only a small red box remained, held in the girls hands by an equally blood red pole. She shifted the… sheathed weapon behind her back, to the space between her black dress and red robe. Her hands immediately lifted up as she finished.

"See? Non-threatening, completely safe. No reason to think anything suspicious of me." That was suspicious, but the girl appeared to realize it. "No, wait, that sounds worse! Um… this, okay, I got it!" She straightened herself out, putting her open palms above her chest, just beneath the nape of her neck.

"My name is Ruby Rose. I'm a student at Beacon, Huntress in training, and first year team leader of RWBY." That was something.

Link let out a small breath of air. He smiled as he did so, concluding that this girl was truly no threat. Skilled perhaps, as she still claimed to have slain the creature in a way he knew not possible, but not after his life. He spun his crystal sword about his hand, stopping when the tip sat in its sheath. He let it slide down as he clicked his shield back into its holster. He stood to his tallest as well, looking down at her with a grin. She seemed to return it.

"Okay, so, I'll take that as you trust me?" He nodded towards her, amused at her clear sign of relief, sagging arms and torso curling over towards ground. "Oh thank the Dust, I thought I made a huge mistake." Just as quickly as her relief, the girl straightened herself up, puffing out her chest, perhaps in some show of bravado. Link couldn't be sure.

"Alright, now, new meetings. I told you who I was, but now who are you?" It was dizzying, really, how quickly the girl went from worried about a ruined relationship to critical and analyzing. Her silver eyes were screwed in a way that emphasized some form of analysis, tilting her head back as she did so. "You have a sword and shield like Jaune, but clearly more elaborate than his. But you also have blonde hair like Jaune. And blue eyes like Jaune… and you look about as tall as Jaune…" Her head fell to the side as her words turned inwards.

"Would you… happen to be related to Jaune?" Link honestly shook his head from side to side, green hat swaying with the force. He was rather confident any name she spoke he would know little of. He was used to being the stranger in strange lands. "Huh. Well, you might want to look out for him. You two look a lot alike. But then who are you? Are you a Hunter with that sword? Maybe a merchant looking to collect the sap of the trees. Could you be lost? I mean, this is a dangerous part of the Foreverfall Forest."

"What's the Foreverfall?" It was Tatl that spoke. Ruby did not know that. Her silver eyes were alight in some form of wonder.

"Wow!" she spoke aloud, blinking lightly. "You have a really high voice. Are… are you a girl?" She spoke with a bit of hesitation.

Link could not suppress his chuckles of laughter.

One of his gloved hands rose to his face, gripping his jaw as if to stifle the amusement. It had little effect. He shook his head from left to right, the memories of his numerous gender confusions coming to the fore front of his mind. This was, however, the first time someone confused him for female based upon his fairy's voice.

"Oh, I guess not." Ruby concluded. "I mean, you wouldn't find it that funny otherwise. I mean even, most guys would be insulted but… maybe you hear that a lot, with a voice that high." Link felt his laughter return doubly.

"Okay, yeah, no, that's not him talking." Link heard the ringing of the fairies as they flew from behind his back, light and dark bodies glowing as they hung in the air above him. Ruby Rose, Huntress in training, blinked as she stared up at them. It was not an act that was missed by the observant fairies.

"Impressed, huh?" Tatl spoke in a tone of clear mirth. "Can't say you shouldn't be. I'm Tatl, and this is my brother Tael." The darker of the fairies hovered lightly, bobbing in the air a bit longer, perhaps in the form of a bow. It was hard for Link to tell, given how small they were. "The big guy you're talking to is Link and, for that other question, guess you could call us lost."

Ruby didn't say a word in response. Instead, she only continued to stare at the fairies, hovering in midair with their translucent wings and illuminating bodies. Link attributed the expression on her face as memorized, like one would act upon seeing an object of their desire. That did not sit well with Link. It was, unfortunately, a correct feeling on his part.

No sooner did he have the thought than did Ruby grab Tatl out of the air. The fairy gave a frightened yelp as she found herself caught by the girl's small hands, held like some sort of doll. Her brother was quick to yell as well. Ruby, however, was either heedless of their fright or too entranced by the fairy she was holding. Likely both.

"Oh my gosh! You're actually a fairy! I've never seen a fairy before! I thought you only existed in fairy tales! Wait, do you have tails? I can't tell with all that light." Ruby's thumbs reached into the bright illumination of Tatl, past the translucent wings that hung from the creature. She felt something soft, supple, and fragile.

Then she felt something hard, stiff, and unforgiving. That feeling, however, was focused on her upper arm. She turned in time to see Link glaring at her, his sharp blues suddenly a humbling sight. Ruby let out a grimace as he tightened his grip, her hand already feeling numb. She released her hand immediately, the fairy flying up and out of her grip. At the sight, and objections Ruby had at the actions of Link were left on the roadside. He did not, however, let go of her arm.

"How rude of you!" Tatl yelled as she flew into Ruby's face, the young girl assaulted by the bright light that literally beat at her forehead. It was mostly painless, like being hit with a pillow. It was still enough to make the grip the green-clad warrior had on her a bit more uncomfortable, however. "Here I am introducing myself and you have the nerve to just… suddenly up and grab me like that! Seriously, what were you thinking!?"

"I-I wasn't!" Ruby quickly admitted, her free hand gripping Link's, trying to remove the steel-like grasp. She didn't even get his glove to move. "Can you please let go?" She asked him, silver eyes pleading up to him. "You're like… really strong. A-And it hurts."

"How do you think being felt up by some teenage girl feels?!" The bright colored fairy yelled at her again, earning Ruby's attention, albeit pained. "I mean c'mon! We are lost here and you were just about to offer us help, but then you basically try and kidnap me?"

"N-No!" Ruby shouted back in defense at that. "I-I was just curious, really! I grew up with fairy tales, all the time! Fairies are supposed to be kind, and gentle, and soft, and wise. I-I just thought… I wasn't thinking!"

"Well, can't say you're wrong there," Tatl said back in a tone that oozed disdain. Ruby would have been hurt, were her arm not taking the majority of that front. She bit her lip, wondering what she could say. She looked back up at Link, the Jaune-look-alike suddenly far more intimidating that her blonde friend likely ever could be. Was she… was she going to be hurt by them?

"Wait Link, you can stop now," a new voice suddenly spoke up, though Link's lips didn't move. Ruby turned to see the dark colored fairy floating in between them. It was impossible for her to judge the direction the ball was facing. "I mean… she did scare Tatl, but she was just curious. We act like that a lot. She didn't mean it, really! She just said that like four times." Ruby didn't know the exact number herself.

She did, however feel Link release his grip on her.

She immediately put her free hand around her arm, grimacing as she touched it. It would likely bruise, the blood beneath her skin being stifled for too long, but no real damage that would hinder her. She looked back up to see the fairy floating towards her. Ruby took a step back, the consequences of touching a fairy already too clear in her mind.

"Um, I'm sorry about my sister, a-and how Link acted," the dark fairy responded, Tael if Ruby recalled correctly. She hoped she did, as forgetting his name would be pretty ungrateful. "We're just… a little protective of one another. A-And my sister and I are small, especially compared to you. That makes us fragile, in a sense. So… can you forgive Link for that? I mean, he really is a nice guy, I promise! He did save me and my sister before."

Ruby looked past Tael, to Link who was still looking at her. The small glee he had at her confusion for his gender was gone, replaced only with what she thought was close to an empty canvas. That was how Yang had described a statue once to her at least, and the green-clad man looked every bit the part.

"U-Uh, yeah," she spoke, a little hesitantly. "It was my fault anyways. Just… well, I've been called grabby since I was little. But back then I was grabby and crabby." She giggled at her own joke, hoping to earn some sort of humor.

To her fortune, the dark fairy did laugh with her, ringing like a bell as he did so. It sounded nice to Ruby, letting what little unease she still had melt away, bit by bit.

"So um… do you know where we are?" Tael asked her, his voice full of embarrassment; or was it curiosity? Ruby couldn't be sure. She did, however, know the answer to his question.

"Yeah, you're in the Forever Fall Forest, FF for short!" Ruby said the words with more cheer than Tael had been expecting. "I was here training against some of the Grimm. With the tournament postponed and all, there's a lot more free time. I didn't want to get rusty, so I thought that killing a few of them would be a good way to stay in shape! Made sure to stay close to Beacon though."

"O-Okay, um…" Tael suddenly found himself a lot more intimidated with the rush of information being thrown at him. This wasn't his strong suit, talking that was, especially not to strangers. Fortunately, his sister more than made up for that flaw.

"Alright, loads of more questions," Tatl spoke aloud as she flew to Ruby, lightly pushing her brother aside. "Go wait next to the hired muscle, Tael. I got this." Link spoke not a word either for or against the statement.

"So," the light fairy spoke again, earning Ruby's immediate attention. The young Huntress felt like she was about to be scolded by Goodwitch, given the tone of the ringing fairy. "Sounds like we're not far from wherever you stay at, is that right?" Ruby nodded her head in affirmation. "Cool, so does that mean you can take us there?" Ruby was more hesitant to answer that.

Her silver eyes looked from Tatl, to Tael, to Link, then back. Each one was gazing at her patiently, but she could only see the eyes of one of the three, and he looked more curious than dangerous. The sore spot on her arm, however, told her he was far from that. She was still curious about those weapons of his…

"Well," she started out. "Beacon is supposed to be restricted; safety, security and all that." Ruby spoke the words as if she didn't believe them, or didn't care about them. "So bringing strangers in from the forest would be kinda hard, especially after the attacks and all."

"Attacks?" Tatl asked curiously, flowing with the conversation as easily as she did fly through the air. "Who attacked who?" At the nearly insulted expression Ruby gave her, Tatl scoffed. "Oh c'mon, do we look like we're from around here? None of us even know the name of this forest, and given how weird it is, I'm sure that's rare enough." Ruby pouted her lower lip and nodded. There was truth to that.

"I guess, but the attacks were like all over the news. Tournament postponed until the coliseum's safety could be secured, White Fang threats, that's not exactly stuff people can just ignore, especially now." Tatl didn't miss the way the girl's voice dropped as she spoke, clearly loathing the words she spoke. That wasn't something to push.

"Okay, but just for a little more reference, don't have a clue what the White Fang is or what tournament you're talking about. And, just to make sure you know, don't know anything about Beacon or Grimm either. Think you mentioned something about Dust, but unless you were talking about cleaning, that's news too." The fairy's words made Ruby stare at the creature little differently than when she had first lain eyes on her. It made Tatl a bit nervous, not prepared to be handled roughly by the small girl again. Fortunately, it appeared that the youth was able to control herself.

"I-I…" She tried and fail to speak aloud, not knowing what to say. "You don't… not even Dust? Then… where are you from?" Her eyes looked from the fairies to Link, the darker of the two floating balls lightly hiding behind the much taller green-clothed figure. Ruby stared at him for a bit longer, noticing something about him she didn't before.

He had green clothes; that she knew. He had unique weapons; that she knew as well. He had a strong gaze and what appeared to be a strong sense of loyalty; that she picked up on more from his handling of her. But what she just noticed now were what hung from the sides of his head. Specifically, growing from them.

"And you're a Faunus," She lightly pointed at him, motioning towards his ears. Link blinked at the title, not having heard it before. He raised one of his hands to his ears, feeling down the long point he was so accustomed to. He heard Tael ring next to him, sounding just as confused as he was. Ruby seemed to see the confusion in his gaze. "Wait… you don't even know what a Faunus is even?" It was hard to tell if she was insulted or shocked, both was more likely.

"Where we're from, he's called a Hylian," Tatl spoke matter-of-factly to Ruby, floating above the girl's pointing hand. She retracted it as the fairy approached. "Care to tell us what the rest of those things you mentioned are?"

"Uh…" Ruby let out, thinking about what to start with, eyes looked about the Forever Fall as if to find an answer. She saw one rather quickly. "Well, that's a Grimm," she waved her hand towards the fallen black beast, nearly nothing remaining of it now. "Don't suppose you have a name for that?"

"Nah," Tatl let out easily. "We just call them monsters, lots of different kinds though. Ya got wolfos, dodongos, keese, chu chus, and couple of rare ones too, but you probably wouldn't know their names."

"Oh, okay," Ruby started to nod her head, seeing where this was going. She couldn't tell from the fairy's bright light, but she appeared to be seeing the pattern as well. The red hooded girl began to smile at the realization. "So like, you must come from some far off place, right? Like, did you sail here, or fly… Oh! Or did you use magic?"

It was only too obvious that the girl's eagerness and curiosity were returning in spades, her trepidation from her earlier actions near forgotten. It was enough for Tatl to back away in the air, trying to put herself higher above the ground, further out of the girl's reach. It only made her look like a love-sick puppy staring up at her, stars shimmering in her silver eyes.

"We uh…" Tatl started, unsure of what to say to that. This was, however, where her brother excelled.

"We came from an island, far off the shore." Tael spoke easily, flying to the spot his sister had vacated. The red leaves bothered him little as he flew forwards. "It was a magical island, called Hyrule. We're here on a journey, looking for a friend of ours. She left a long time ago, and we thought that maybe she found somewhere else to live. Honestly, none of know anything about this place or anywhere else but Hyrule."

"Really?" Ruby asked, lightly sucking in a gasp. A part of her couldn't believe what the fairy was saying. That was what made it all the more exciting to hear. "That sounds amazing, but really dangerous. I mean, that's really awesome! But… like… don't you have someone who can help you?"

"Well, we're not entirely unprepared." Tael admitted, his wings drooping as he admitted the feeling. "I mean, I'll admit I can't fight, at all, ever." Every word he spoke made him droop closer and closer to the ground. Ruby almost felt the small fairy's pain. "B-But Link is really good at fighting!" The fairy perked up immediately, flying over to his green-clad friend.

Link blinked, suddenly finding himself the center of the conversation. Tael flew around him, the dark fairy leaving a trail of light behind him as he did so. He was used to such acts, the sibling fairies doing the dance often, usually as a sign of their connection to him. Ruby, however, new to fairies entirely, was mesmerized by the sight.

"Link's like one of the best fighters in all of Hyrule! No one can beat him with a sword and shield, a-and he can learn how to use any weapon like really fast, too! He's slain just about every kind of monster in Hyrule at least once, sometimes twice!" Link began to blush a red that rivaled the hood Ruby wore. His left hand scratched at his forehead, either not enjoying the praise or feeling light headed from it. Ruby only quirked her head.

He was strong, as his grip on her was proof of, but the Huntress in training found it difficult that he would be able to kill a lot of Grimm with only a sword and shield. They were effective, as her years at Signal Academy had taught her the evolution of weapons. It helped that she was a prodigy with their design as well. But that only told her that mankind's improvement against fighting Grimm jumped bounds when they were able to channel dust through their weapons effectively. Swords and Shields didn't really do that. That was unless…

"So, you're a Hunter then?" She asked aloud, walking up to the blushing Faunus. Link blinked back at her, confused by the term. She saw it immediately. "Sorry, it means, um… you kill Grimm, or monsters, to keep other people safe, right?" At the explanation, Link nodded lightly, smiling as he did so. Ruby smiled in return.

"He's probably one of the best 'Hunters' you'll ever meet," Tatl spoke up now, flying around Ruby as she did so. The girl only squeaked lightly, head trying to keep track of the small ball of light. "Most of the things Link's had to kill were monsters most other people couldn't take. He's as serious as a sword mid-swing, if you catch my drift." Ruby wasn't sure if she did, but she hoped she assumed correctly.

"Well, that's great!" She cheered at the confirmation, earning another confused blink from Link. The dark and light fairy siblings joined him on either side of his head, each ringing with their own bells of confusion. "It means that I can probably bring you to Beacon then! I mean, yeah you're not a student, or from Vale, or the country even, but if anyone can help you out, there's gotta be someone at Beacon who can. It's not like you're going to get much further just walking through the forest."

The trio were quiet for a moment, but stopped when Tatl flew next to Link's long ear, whispering into it. Only a moment later did Tael join her, making for a gray light source hovering aside the Faunus. Ruby stared, watching as the green-clad warrior stared at the two from his side. She knew he still had her in his sights, a cautionary act, one that she had been trained to do when confronted with multiple Grimm. Maybe he really was a Hunter.

"Okay!" Tatl suddenly spoke up, shaking Ruby from any reverie she had. "We'll go with you to this Beacon place. But just so we're clear, we're going because you say someone there might be able to help us. If anything goes south, we're gone, got it?" Ruby got it, but she didn't want to accept it.

"Wait, what?" She asked, raising her hands as if suddenly threatened. She felt that way at least. "No one at Beacon is going to hurt you! I mean, yeah, classes can get out of hand sometimes, but it's really a safe place. Safe enough that most of the military doesn't even bother parking there cause of all the Hunters."

"I only got half of what you said, but I'm just gonna assume you're honestly trying to help us out, that right?" Ruby nodded her head, hoping to make that clear. "Well, it's better than nothing." That hit a small nerve with Ruby.

"Hey! I know I was rude before, but that doesn't give you the excuse to keep being rude to me!" Ruby pouted her lips as she finished, putting her hands on her hips as she glared at the ball of light. Behind Tatl, she could see Link staring at her, blinking with what appeared to be a bit of surprise. The dark fairy beside him, however, just wilted.

"Until you prove that you're gonna help us, it kinda does actually!" Tatl fired back, bouncing off of Ruby's head. The Huntress-in-training was more prepared for the blow this time, however, causing the fairy to bounce back painlessly. She watched as the eldest of the fairy siblings began to shake, her translucent wings rising as well. Judging by the quick series of bell rings she was making, she sounded upset. Ruby took a small amount of pleasure in that. Maybe Weiss was wearing off on her.

That was when Link finally intervened.

Ruby watched him approach, her eyes keeping their glare on the light illuminated fairy. He walked towards them with his hands raised, lips parted but not uttering a word. It took little time for him to get between the pair of them, forcing the crimson dressed girl to straighten herself, else she put her head against his back.

He was facing the eldest of the fairy siblings, making motions with his hands as the little ball of light rang in pitches high and low, flying about his face. He made no motion to move away from her, likely used to her antics. Ruby looked behind them just long enough to see Tael approaching as well, but far slower than their green-clad companion.

"U-Um," the dark fairy spoke when he was finally close enough, his wings telling Ruby that he was talking to her. She hoped she was imagining them correctly. "I know my sister can be… rude sometimes, but she's really a nice person. That means, um, I mean, I hope you can forgive her. We are a little lost, so she's not in her best of moods. So um, can you forgive her?" Ruby watched the younger of the fairies for a moment, before a small grin took over her face.

"Yeah, I guess I can, but only because you asked nicely." Ruby extended her finger out towards the dark fairy, though not daring to poke at him. She didn't want to get both siblings against her. Plus, the fairy seemed as skittish as Jaune. That wasn't to forget Link looked like her fellow leader in near every detail, all the way down to height and eye-color. She would really have to introduce them, maybe switch clothes and play guess who. She giggled at the ideas.

"Th-Thank you," Tael spoke kindly, wings extending outwards in what Ruby could only assume was some sort of bow. It must have been hard with people only being able to see your wings. "You're, um… you're very nice for a stranger."

"Eh, it's like my friend says, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." Ruby couldn't hide the giggle that came from her lips, quoting her blonde friend when his supposed doppelganger was just in front of him. Speaking of, Link had turned back to face her, looking back down at her with a small smile on his face. Not a smirk, but a gentle curve of his lips, nothing mocking or insinuating about it. He looked behind himself, motioning with his head.

"Fine," she heard Tatl let out in a tone that oozed of disappointment. The yellow fairy flew out, from behind the green clad blonde, stopping only when she was beside her brother. She looked up at the young girl, wings moving only to keep her in the air. "I'm sorry for being rude to you and I would really appreciate your help."

Ruby beamed.

"Oh that's alright, it's all in the past, literally." Ruby giggled lightly again before raising her hands. She gripped Link by the shoulders, looking into his blue eyes with her own silver ones. He didn't appear as unnerved by her contact as his fairy friends did, but he did blink at her in a bit of confusion. "So are you ready to go to Beacon?" She asked in a falsely critical tone. "Home to some of the greatest Hunters in training?"

He shrugged in response, nodding his head. Ruby smiled bright enough to show all her teeth.

"Well then let's go!"

She turned around and began to pull Link behind her, the green-clad warrior stumbling momentarily before joining behind her, hunched over to make up for their difference in height. Behind them, the two fairies followed, easily keeping pace even with the ever falling red leaves.

He sighed, an action that was becoming frequent in number. It was not something he was proud of. Usually a sigh indicated some sort of lack of energy or disappointment. Neither were good qualities for a man of his position. Lifting his favorite mug to his lips, he drank from it again, hoping the caffeinated beverage inside would give him the energy to fight back next time.

As another slow sigh left his lips, he knew it was not the case.

His hand moved up to adjust the small spectacles across his nose, pushing them until they sat more comfortable along his bridge, still behind the silver hair that lightly hang down over his eyes. Their emerald lenses turned the blue skyline of Beacon a majestic cyan, something he often found easing to his nerves to watch. Many a time he could recall the simple sight of Vale surrounded in such a peaceful and regal color to be able to settle any worrying matters of his mind. It was easy to see the world as more peaceful when it was made of brighter hues. But now that was no longer the case.

The green scarf held around his neck seemed tighter as the reminders of the present came back. Where he would stare out and see hope for tomorrow, he saw only disappointments for his past, decisions he had made and fell through any faith he had. Terrorist attacks increasing, White Fang numbers rising, Vytal Tournament postponed, civilians scared, and worse of all, students whispering. Whispers were rumors, and often times very little was more damning than a rumor wound up to great portions.

He sighed again.

"You once told me that sighing was a sign of old age." The voice was one he recognized very well, from a woman he entrusted many of his secrets to. He let a small smile take his lips, pleased that it was different from the depressive frown he had worn for the past few hours. He turned around, looking to see his companion walking towards him, Scroll in hand and riding crop in the other.

"Glynda," he returned with a small raise of his mug, bowing his head lightly. The woman repeated the action, without a mug, however. "It is good to see you. But shouldn't you be preparing the students for their sparring tomorrow? I hear Cardin has a lot of ground to cover with his team."

His longtime partner and friend had little patience for his words. A pity, really. Students seemed to enjoy it. Glynda Goodwitch, however, with a white low-cut blouse and long blonde hair, was the very definition of law-abiding. Even her lavender cape, long and hanging just past her knees, moved only as the wind and gravity commanded it. All despite being worn by a woman capable of extreme telekinesis.

"Those preparations were finished an hour and a half ago," his partner returned easily, tapping something on the pad in her hand, maybe a reminder to send him notifications about such events. He certainly hoped not, but he knew better. "I came here to inquire why you are the boundaries of Beacon and not up in your office. Don't say the view is superior from here, but I can know well enough that it is not." He had to chuckle at that, her superior knowledge of him and his habits.

"Just, reminiscing I suppose," he simply said, gaze turning back to the city across the water, illuminated by the sky and sun. "Decisions I should have made, actions I shouldn't have done, the past in general. And don't say it, I know how bad a habit it is."

"I was going to comment that I expected you to be planning your next move, not worrying over your last." Glynda returned his words as easily as he had hers. She took the few extra steps necessary to be by his side, staring across the same body of water to the same city across the way. "But you give yourself too little credit." Those words made him turn.

"Really?" He asked in an amused tone, not used to this rare sight before him. "Do go on." He sipped at the dark beverage in his mug as the woman beside him sighed deeply.

"Perhaps you could not prevent the actions that occurred, but your decisions reduced the possible damage to a minimum most people tend to ignore." She tapped a few items on her pad, outside of his sight. "The army tends to show enough force to make the enemies worried, but don't consider how the people are usually wary of such actions. Most of the politicians and council don't even believe a problem exists until it had blown down their door and started eating their food. You, however, took the middle ground."

"It is a habit of mine, isn't it?" He spoke the rhetorical question as he turned his gaze back to the school. To him, it was the embodiment of the 'middle ground."

Beacon. It was one of the most prestigious schools in the entire world for aspiring Hunters and Huntresses. Applications from across the globe coming to his desk every day, from schools as close as Signal to as far away as Atlas. It stood proudly tall, between the badlands where Grimm roamed and the bustling town of Vale where humans lived. A sign, if ever there were one, of those would want to defend the good from the bad.

It was a middle road, to him at least. Training Hunters to fight against the Grimm rather than forcing a marching order. Allowing civility and fun to be the major part of the students' lives, not drills and tactic trainings. But it also allowed constant reminders of the threats just over the horizons, rather than hiding them beneath neon lights and eternal festivities. There was little ignorance to be had at his school, and that was an achievement in itself.

But one achievement was all it was, and one he had succeeded in long ago. Now Ozpin was faced with the failures of the present, similar decisions leading to different outcomes. Remembering the definition of insanity, it brought a chuckle to his lips.

"Expecting change with similar methods," he chuckled at the words, knowing that they made his friend scowl at him briefly. That was a game he enjoyed to play. "It's hard to see the events of late any other way with the Vytal Festival postponed."

"That is only temporary, and no matter what your actions, the festival would have been delayed," Glynda returned easily, it was a habit of hers. "You can I can both agree that delaying the festival is one of the wiser moves the Military has made, ensuring safety without a blatant show of arms."

"That remains to be seen," Ozpin noted again, eyes swerving toward Vale. "They hope to protect the coliseum, but I can't help but imagine they hope to turn it into some flying fortress of power." He chuckled at his own words, imagining the Council ruling from the cloud tops with barrels aiming down. It truthfully wasn't far different than where they already were.

"I'm being serious Ozpin." She returned in a cold tone. "Or do you believe that I would be following you as I am did I think you were making the wrong decisions?" He blinked once before turning towards her.

She was staring at him with a hard gaze, one she often wore. Her lips were puckered, drawn in a small frown, sitting beneath her sharp green eyes. The lavender of her cape swayed behind her, cut into the shape of arrows she seemed so eager to wear. He looked back at her, for once, unable to think of a proper response. He settled for simply looking at her, hoping she would glance away first. He really should have known better.

There was no denying in any facet of the word that Glynda was loyal to him. A friend since their younger years, a comrade of arms that he was proud to call a partner. She was the embodiment of duty and civility, one who would conquer the unruly truth before even thinking of settling for a comforting lie. Were there any words he could trust, they would be hers. He was just able to stop another sigh from escaping his lips.

It was at that time that he saw something else nearly escape his vision.

From just behind Glynda, an airship was docking. Not a strictly unusual sight, except that he knew of no scheduled times for one to be appearing now. His partner turned to see what had captured his vision, taking note of the ship the same way he had. She began tapping on her pad again, likely looking up an inquiry as to who was on the vessel.

The question was quickly answered, as one Ruby Rose jumped from the door, lifting her hands into the air in a small cheer. It was enough to make Ozpin smile. A Huntress though she was, in training or not, she was still a child, and small acts like that only made it all the more obvious. It was a wonder that Qrow had been able to teach her so well at such a young age.

All musings about the young Huntress vanished, however, when she motioned for someone else inside the air ship. Her arms were making loops, encouraging someone else to come forward. Perhaps it was her sister, or more likely Jaune Arc, as the young team JNPR leader needed a bit of help following his rides on mobile devices.

Those thoughts died as well when another figure came forward, appearing far more curious than pained.

By appearance alone and at a distance, Ruby's companion did appear to look strikingly similar to one Jaune Arc, at least to Ozpin, but there were enough significant differences to make it clear they were not the same. Jaune did not often wear a garb of green nor a pointed hat. He did not have his sword and shield attached to his back. He did not have a couple balls of lighting floating about himself. And, if there was ever one significant detail, Jaune Arc was not a Faunus, which the long pointed ears of Ruby's companion clearly indicated he was. And if all of that was not enough, Jaune had been to his school enough to not be so impressed in the sight as this boy clearly was.

The slack jaw and wide gaze of this new Faunus was a clear a sign of surprise and wonder that Ozpin had ever seen. It was true he had seen the expression often, especially amongst new students or potential attendees. The prestigious name of Beacon and size of the school were not things easily looked over. He turned to ask Glynda if she was aware of who the individual was, but found her now longer there. Ozpin turned, quickly finding where she was.

Glynda was moving towards the pair before Ozpin, her high heels clicking across the stone and shoulders squared. For one who criticized the military so easily, she took up the posture and stance of a soldier very quickly. From the distance, Ozpin saw Ruby notice Glynda, nearly jumping at the teacher's approach. The figure next to her, wearing an impressive emerald green, only look a bit more curious. He had a good taste in color, if nothing else, Ozpin concluded before making his way to the pair.

"Um, hello Professor Goodwitch," Ruby meekly addressed the approaching blonde, waving her hand from side to side in a weak greeting. The taller woman spoke not a word, instead making her way in a beeline for the mysterious figure beside the girl. Ruby noticed it quickly. "W-Wait! This is a friend I just made! He got lost in the Foreverfall and I told him someone here could probably help him!"

"Ruby Rose," Ozpin heard his partner address critically, a tone most assumed was her natural voice by now. "Are you to tell me you brought a complete stranger to Beacon, during a time of heightened security, simply because he said he was lost?" The girl shrunk under the woman's gaze, forcing Glynda to turn head to the mysterious Faunus, who was looking at her with a curious expression and blinking eyes. "And who are you?" The figure blinked again, as if unsure of how to answer. He raised his hands, motioning towards himself then Ruby, likely trying to draw some sort of conclusion with his motions. Ozpin chuckled lightly. He knew Glynda would have none of that. "Speak up!" The professor ordered, her riding crop singing through the air at the command. That was when something truly unexpected happened.

The small balls of lights talked.

"Hey, back off!" The high voice cried out, ringing like bells. Ozpin stared at the floating light ball, noticing now the translucent wings that seemed to nearly vibrate around it. Said ball flew into Glynda's face, all but completely obscuring the woman's vision. "We're just following little red hood over here. You got a problem with that!?"

"Wait, sis!" The other more darkly colored ball of light spoke up then, flying next to his assumed sibling. He pushed against her, light and dark lights turning a soothing gray as they hovered inches away from Professor Goodwitch's face. Ozpin likely sipped at his coffee as he watched the exchange. "I-I'm really sorry about my sister. We were just lost a-and Ruby said we could come here for help. If we have to leave, we can, promise! J-Just don't like… hurt us or anything…"

"Hmph," Glynda snorted out as she waved her hand in front of her face, forcing the small balls of light to take flight away from her. Ozpin crooked a brow as he noticed the emerald colored figure furrow his own. He was defensive about those objects. Interesting. "I don't know who or what you are, but you need to have secured permission before setting foot on Beacon. I suggest securing a means of transport back to Vale promptly."

"What's Vale?" The younger and darker of the two lights asked, earning a chuckle from Ozpin, still standing on the sideline. Lost in deed. "S-Sorry, but we're not from around here… or near here… or like… anywhere."

"How very convenient," Glynda noted, her face twisting into a condemning scowl. She turned said expression on Ruby, who appeared to be shrinking into her red hood and cape. "And I suppose you have a valid reason for bringing them here, Ms. Rose?"

"U-Uh, yeah!" The girl spoke up, doing her utmost to appear confident. "His name's Link, a-and he's from some island place called Hyrule. He's never heard of Vale, or Foreverfall, or Beacon, or any place around here. He also calls everything different, like Hunters and Grimm and Dust are different for him and stuff… B-But he's looking for his friend! So I thought that someone here might be able to… ya know… help him." Ozpin saw his window.

"And I believe that is an excellent idea, Ms. Rose." All eyes turned to him as he finally spoke for the first time. He made a small show of his can and mug, holding himself high in both poise and dignity. Best to let actions speak more than his words. "Helping a young man such as this is what it means to be a Huntress, and you have shown good judgement in bringing him here. What's more, saying to hail from an island of no record. At the very least it is deeply intriguing." Ruby beamed at the headmaster. Glynda did not.

"Excuse me Ozpin," said woman returned. "But I believe that the police in Vale are more qualified to deal with a lost child than we are." Stifled laughter brought her attention back to the floating balls of light. Specifically, the light colored feminine one that was now twisting in the air, as if spinning. "And what is so funny to you?"

"You calling Link a child, duh!" The ball of light didn't even try to hide it. "If you think he's a child, then that makes you toddlers. No wait, that's too kind, babies!" Ozpin was fortunate to see Link appearing nervous by the ball of light's antics, hands raised as if debating to pluck them from the air. It was with just as much fortune that Glynda did as well.

"You may want to have a repairman do maintenance on those drones of yours," the professor supplied to Link, earning a bemused expression from the Faunus, ears dropping at the command. Ruby, however, seemed to pick up what he did not.

"No, wait, professor, that's why I know Link is telling the truth, or a good part of it, or more than a good lie," she rambled as she got her superior's attention. "Those aren't machines! Those are real fairies!" Ozpin took a slow sip of his coffee, enjoying this exchange more and more with every passing word.

"Fairies?" Glynda returned in question, looking at the pair of flying objects. One appeared to be taking pride in the title, ringing loudly with translucent wings flared. The other seemed to bow, as if embarrassed. They acted human enough, at least to Ozpin, but even he was skeptical of seeing the creatures of fairy tales. Skeptical, but not disbelieving.

He watched Glynda reach a hand up, presuming to grasp at one of the floating balls. Ozpin noticed out of the crook of his eyes a frightened expression on Ruby, earning his curiosity. That wonder was settled in the next moment.

Link, the now name green garbed Faunus, grabbed Glynda's hand, stopping her.

Ozpin stopped sipping his coffee, staring at what he was sure was a dead man. Ruby apparently had a similar expression, her hands cupped over her face, perhaps to hide her slack jaw. The pair of opposing colored fairies were ringing, both flying behind Link's head. Link, however, only glared at Glynda, his blue eyes suddenly far sharper than before. Glynda, however, had a green gaze full of just as much venom.

"Release my hand, now," the Huntress ordered in a low tone. Ozpin watched as his partner tightened the grip on her crop, the leather beneath letting out a small cry at the strain. Link, however, appeared determined not to let go until… Ozpin wasn't sure what he was waiting for. What he did know, however, was that it was time to intervene again.

"Right, why don't we settle down?" He spoke easily as he waved his cane in front of the two, forcing Link to step back, thereby releasing Glynda's hand. The professor rubbed her appendage in a way that looked as if it was sore. Intriguing indeed. "I believe this was just a poor form of communication on both of our parts. Why don't we mediate that, hmm?"

He smiled as he looked towards Link, the green garbed Faunus looking up to him. It became obvious now how short the boy was, likely barley scrapping below six feet if he was lucky, but more likely a good five foot eight. Short, but he knew better than to judge based upon appearance. Said boy looked up at him with a curious expression, not uttering a word.

"Ruby?" A new voice spoke up, earning a few twist of the heads.

Ozpin was one of the first to see a fellow member of team RWBY approaching. Garbed in tin materials of black and white, all complimenting the slit girl's slit golden eyes, Blake Belladonna was figure that exuded experience. With high heel boots clicking across the pavement, long strands of dark hair waving in the wind, and, of course, she was still wearing her now signature black bow on her head. The headmaster knew well what lay beneath the thin material, but he was more interested now in the way the girl's golden eyes stared at Link's ears. He smiled lightly at the small exchange.

"Blake! I'm so glad you're here!" Ruby spoke her teammate's name with cheer. The quietest member of the group had only a moment's time before her young leader grabbed her arm, pulling her forward. She stumbled lightly before catching herself. "You won't believe what happened! I was in the Foreverfall practicing with Crescent Rose when I suddenly saw an Ursa Major trying to attack Link here, so I shot at it and then I met him and he's a Faunus who's from some far off land! He's got magical fairies and other Grimm that he just calls monsters and… and well he needs our help but I'm not sure how to help him yet."

"A problem I am sure we will mediate," Ozpin decided to interject. He enjoyed watching conversations often, but he knew the importance of time. There were enough clocks in his office to prove it. "Ms. Belladonna," he spoke as he nodded towards the Faunus in hiding. "I'd like you to meet Link, a young Faunus we have just met." Link blinked lightly before facing the new girl, who stood only just under his own height. He smiled at her, easily so, bowing towards her. Blake stopped, confused momentarily, before bowing in response. They both rose, Link smiling friendly at her.

Ozpin, the ever-observant headmaster, could see the gears turning in the young girl's sharp eyes. Though only a few years Ruby's senior, Blake had seen far more cruelty in the world than he ever would wish upon a soul. It replaced trust with caution, joy with trepidation, and hope with fear. He loathed the last most of all.

"It is… a pleasure to meet you," Blake spoke uneasily, not sure of what to think of the new Faunus. Given her history, Ozpin was far to blame her. "But what is going on?"

"I was hoping that Link would explain that, as so far we have heard only testimony from Ms. Rose and his two fairy companions." Ozpin nodded politely at the two fairies, both ringing at their addressing. He saw the dark fairy quickly fly into the brightly colored one, perhaps to stifle a comment she was close to screaming. It seemed plausible, if not likely. "So, Link, may you perhaps tell us why you are here?" Link looked at him for a moment, eyes looking up to the two fairies. Ozpin followed his gaze, but was quick to hold up a hand to the pair.

"I apologize, but I would like to hear from Link why he is here. I appreciate the companionship, truly, but he can only go so far with saying so little." He lowered his hand, both fairies remaining quiet out of respect. Perhaps there was more civility to the lighter colored one than he thought. The dark did not surprise him. "So, Link," he looked back to the emerald colored Faunus. "Can you tell us why you are here?"

He watched Link's mouth move, hands making small motions as he spoke, but he heard not a word.

Ozpin's face quickly fell into a frown, thinking he was being mocked by the sword bearing Faunus. He looked to his side to see Glynda carrying a similar expression, the usual visage of annoyance that came so easily and naturally to her. Ruby appeared just as confused, head tilted and lips slightly parted. Blake… Blake appeared to be listening? Truly fascinating.

"A noble goal," the dark girl spoke. Yes, definitely listening, Ozpin concluded.

"Wait, what?" Ruby asked as she faced her teammate. "What's noble? What happened? I didn't hear anything! Is there something wrong with my ears? I made sure to wear my guards before I shot Crescent Rose!" The young girl put her fingers to her ears, twisting them back and forth. Ozpin had a far more likely theory.

"Ms. Belladonna," he started, earning the bow-adorned girl's attention. "May you please inform us what Link said?" She blinked for a moment, unsure as to why. Link also looked towards her, almost expectantly. She nodded before continuing.

"He said he left his home to search for a friend that left him a long time ago," she began, looking towards Link as he spoke. He smiled softly and nodded, confirming the words. It was also confirmation of Ozpin's unspoken assumption about Link's ability to speak and be heard. "She was someone who had helped him through an important part of his life, but was forced to leave for a reason he doesn't know. Now that there is peace in his land, he wants to look for her, but decided to leave his home to do so."

"Extraordinary," Ozpin muttered softly, a smile of his own across his lips. He took a slow gulp of coffee from his mug, letting the others muse upon the word. Thoughts gave conversation, and he hated to be the only one talking. "I'll be the first to confirm that you may have been the only one to hear anything Link spoke, Ms. Belladonna."

"I… thought as much, but I don't know why." She quickly began to defend herself, holding up her hands as if in said defense. "He was just… quiet is all." Ozpin hide his growing smile behind his mug, letting the aroma of the slowly vanishing liquid fill his lungs. He noticed the fairies above ringing next to one another, likely carrying their own quiet conversation. He was sure at least one was as observant as him.

"Yes, quiet," the headmaster repeated. "So quiet that we couldn't hear a word. I wonder why that is."

"It's because you all have such short ears." It appeared that Tatl finally broke her vow of silence, no matter how short it was. It earned a few confused brows from the group, but only a nod from Ozpin, who had thought as much. He could not tell for the hearing of these fairies, but he knew little to nothing of them. Stories had more information than he did. "Seriously, all your ears are so short and stubby. Reminds me of the Gerudo almost, but at least they knew how to listen. Good thing dark and brooding over here knows how to pay attention." The headmaster saw the Faunus in hiding blush at the name, likely more insulted than complimented. Tael, the dark fairy as Ozpin reminded himself, seemed to wilt at his sister's words. It was likely a form of embarrassment as well.

"I am not familiar with the term Gerudo, but I suspect it is similar to your interpretation of our word for Faunus," Ozpin returned to the fairy easily, hoping to move this conversation into the territory of fruition. They were already very close. "So, may I ask what you call yourself?" He asked the question towards Link, who silently moved his lips again. Ozpin found humor in that, speaking so softly he needed the sharpest of ears to hear him.

"A Hylian?" Blake spoke the word he spoke. "That's your term for a faunus?" Link shrugged in response, the green garb he wore rising and falling with the action. He appeared rather passive of the situation. Ozpin wasn't quite sure how to see that yet. It could be to their benefit, easily accepting what was around him, or a negative, hiding his true motives carefully. He hoped for the former.

"Hylians are the native people to the kingdom of Hyrule." It was the darker fairy that spoke this time, earning a confused look from Blake. Ozpin noticed Glynda pout her lips as she crossed her arms, lightly poking at her pad as Tael spoke. "They're said to have long ears to allow them to hear the goddesses, the length usually being assigned to those of royalty. Gerudo are… Gerudo are a race of thieves of the desert, all female but with ears shorter than those of Hylians. It's said in tales that they lost their long ears to the desert sands, whipping them away." Ozpin made note of the goddesses, a religion of his land doubtlessly.

"So you claim to hail from a kingdom of all Faunus?" Glynda asked the question with ease, something that Ozpin was sure not many could do. There was a lot of weight to such an insinuation, a kingdom free of any prejudice against the Faunus people, sitting out there in water, yet to be found. He sipped his coffee in thought of it. Link looked unready to agree to the term, waving his head lightly as he shifted his shoulders. With a shrug again, he nodded. Perhaps he was used to being unheard, given how little he attempted to speak. "Interesting. Only four kingdoms have been established throughout Remnant over the course of the eons of Dust's discovery. A new land is not impossible, but it is highly improbable."

"Oh no, it's real," the golden fairy spoke up again. Ozpin was starting to relate her to the head of the small trio. Though, by mere observation of sight, Link was clearly the muscle of them. "Trust me on that one. We've been all around it, from the high mountains of Snow Head to the low plains of the Gerudo Valley. Right now, it's more real than this training ground of yours." Ozpin hid his smile behind his mug. This creature, this fairy, he found appeal in it. It was interesting and forthcoming.

"That's… that sound incredible." Ozpin held no surprise at the amount of awe Blake had in her voice. He shifted his eyes to see the hidden Faunus staring at Link, her curious gaze now one of wonder. "You… you left a kingdom full of faunus…" The headmaster saw the next question coming a mile away. "Where is it? Can you take me to it? I'd… I-I'd like to see a place where Faunus live like that."

"Blake…" Ruby spoke from aside her teammate. There wasn't reprimand in the young girl's tone, more like sympathy. Ruby Rose was an empathetic leader if ever there was one. Ozpin half suspected the B of RWBY didn't even notice her folded hands, imitating a prayer of sorts.

Attention turned to Link, seemingly awaiting confirmation of such a task. Instead, however, they saw only the blonde Faunus put a hand behind his head, beneath the sharp green cap he wore. He scratched at it, pushing the brim of his hat down and over his eyes. A thin line was drawn over his lips. Tatl flew up to him, hovering beside his head. She made contact with him, and Ozpin noticed the small inclination he made towards here.

"We can't…" It was Tael to answer, sounding pitiful in tone. That never came with good reason.

"Why?" Blake was quick to return. "Is it about protecting your home? I-I assure that I can keep secrets well. No one will ever know where it is." Ozpin knew she was just as honest with such an examination of herself. The dark fairy, however, only shook in the air, almost sadly.

"No it's… w-we don't know where it is." A pregnant pause followed the statement. "Remember how we said we were lost? Like, actually lost?" Ruby nodded up to him, not enjoying where this was going. "There was a storm out in the ocean. It… it threw us off. We lost our map, our compass… even the sail. We… we have no idea how to get back."

A sad tale indeed, Ozpin recognized, earning at least a pause from Glynda as she tapped on her pad, likely noting all the details of this meeting. He watched Link carefully, however, noticing how he avoided contact with any of them, focusing only on the light fairy against his cheek. It could be seen as a sign of regret, knowing one so young would never return home. But another… well, everyone had a tell. He couldn't be sure which it was yet.

"Oh." It was all the response that came from Blake. Ruby was far more detailed.

"I'm… I'm so sorry to hear that," the young team leader spoke as kindly as she could, but Ozpin could nearly hear the constraint in her voice. "I-I mean, you must be very brave to still want to find your friend. Maybe… maybe we can help you find your way home! Like, we can find your friend then help you find your home! That'll work, right?"

Link looked up at her, pulling back the brim of his hat to do so. He looked at her for a moment before adopting what Ozpin could only describe as a side-ways grin, one full of acceptance, thanks, but more than anything else, consolation. That was not what he would expect from an individual told only recently he would never be able to return home. But again, he was not sure if it was because of an exceptional level of acceptance, or something else… He sipped is coffee in thought.

"Be that as it may, there is little we can do for you here," Glynda made herself known with her words, her own green eyes focused on the screen in her arms. Ozpin had given up long ago attempting to read the device as she wrote on it. The machinations of the mind were easier to understand than Glynda's writing patterns. "This is a school dedicated to the training of Hunters and Huntresses, dedicated to defending the lives from the threats of the natural and ill-natural world. There is little to nothing we can do for helping you locate a friend you have lost."

Ozpin made it a point to keep his mug against his lips, hiding his reaction as he observed the expressions of the others. Ruby looked pained, as he suspected she would, one to quickly connect and empathize with others. Blake appeared the same, but was far gentler with hers, settling with a short sigh. He half suspected she was still regretting not seeing this kingdom Link supposedly hailed from. The fairies drooped a little, but spoke not a word. It was Link that surprised him.

He gave the same sad smile, then nodded.

No arguments against it, no action to try and change the professor's mind, only calm acceptance, sad as it was. That was a significant point. Where many others given even a chance to stay at his school, humility aside, they would do their utmost to make any excuse to do so. Link's quick denial for such an act meant again, one of two things. He either truly did not care for his school or he did not know about it. They were not exclusive, but neither gave room for a supposed liar or spy to worm his way in.

"Perhaps you're speaking too quickly, Glynda," Ozpin spoke now, lowering his mug as he did so. He gave them a moment to adjust to him, again letting a few thoughts form in their minds. "It may be beyond our current boundaries of operations to assist you in searching for a friend Link, but I see no reason to simply throw you from our grounds and wish you luck. Tell me, how skilled are you with that sword?" His can lifted and pointed towards the jeweled object on Link's back.

Link looked behind himself briefly before raising his hand. He slowly withdrew the items, wisely at that. A quick display could easily be seen as a show of force. He was used to suspicion, at the very least. But with sword and shield drawn, Ozpin was suddenly much more critical of tools.

Though made of metal and well-shaped at that, they appeared to be encrusted with gems and Dust to a degree that he was not used to. A simple piece of decoration in the past, loaded and unloaded as need be, those were the common uses for such material. Link's weapons appeared to be loaded over and out with the material, shining with the sun's light like holy relics. Ozpin half suspected they were.

"Like them?" He heard Tatl say in a sort of sing-song voice. The light fairy flew around the objects Link held, coating them in a trail of luminescent dust. The headmaster had to admit, it gave a very ethereal feel to them. "Meet the Magical Sword and Shield. Forged and enchanted long ago during the time of the First Hero of Hyrule. The blade is enchanted to never lose its edge no matter what it is beaten against. It can channel magic as well as any rod or staff. The shield is able to block just about anything between heavy hammers and balls of fire. No luck getting through his defense." Magic… likely their term for Dust. It made sense they had different words for the same thing. Sharing a language was blessing enough.

Ozpin noted silently Glynda typing out on her keypad, likely snapping a few pictures with her ever-present mini-drones while taking down the fairies words. Ruby, however, had sparkles in her eyes. The weapon enthusiast that she was, it hardly surprised him. It was actually Link that earned the title for oddest expression at that moment. Rather than appearing humbled or proud for the weapons he carried, he appeared almost… embarrassed. Perhaps that wasn't the right words, maybe uneasy or something close to it. Interesting nonetheless.

"And as for his skill," Tatl went on, laughing a little before she did so. It almost unnerved the headmaster, almost. "Link's been called the greatest swordsman in all of Hyrule. Before we left, there was no one who could take him on in a fair fight, and even unfair ones he'd come out on top. Take on a whole cave full of monsters and come out without a bead of sweat, but some new treasure to boot." Ozpin smiled as the fairy finished.

"That sounds quite amazing," he admitted aloud, honest with his words. "Then, perhaps, we may be able to strike a deal of sorts." While the children around him appeared between confused and curious, with brows furrowed and lips puckered, Glynda only gave him a warning glare. He saw Link return his weapons to their sheath, likely uncomfortable holding them out amongst others. That was normal.

"Ozpin," Glynda spoke his name darkly. "Remember what we talked about. It was only minutes ago, so I won't believe you've already forgotten." He doubted she'd ever let him forget a single conversation they had shared, if he was being asked under oath.

"Link," he spoke the Faunus's name again, watching as he stiffened as if expecting orders. Ozpin briefly wondered what his role was in this kingdom he hailed from. "While we are not able to readily help you find your friend now; that does not mean we lack the resources to do so. In fact, it is likely we are more capable of this than the authorities in Vale at the moment. However, we cannot allow someone incapable of fighting the Grimm onto Beacon. It is a policy that we all abide by. A practical tradition really, given our purpose and standing in the world. So, here is my offer." He took a slow sip of the mug he was waving before. Then, lifting his cane, he pointed it towards Link. He noticed with a small amount of glee the way Link tensed at the action. Caution.

"If you can slay a Grimm of my choosing before night's fall, I'll allow you stay on my campus." Ozpin could feel the joy emanating from Ruby as readily as he felt the rage roll off Glynda. It was weird ground to stand on. Link, however, didn't appear ready to jump on the offer. Rather, he lifted one of his hands to his chin, as if in thought.

Both fairies flew down to him, floating by one of his long ears. He made small motions with his head as they doubtlessly spoke, whispering to him a voice already softer than a warm spring's breeze. He smirked lightly at that.

"Ms. Belladonna," he called lightly to Blake. The girl turned to him. "Would you happen to tell me what they are saying?" There was obvious hesitation on her part, likely seeing the fellow Faunus as more potential ally. However, it appeared that the actions of her former comrades had allowed Ozpin's request to win out.

"They're talking about if it's a good idea. Tatl, the light one, keeps saying it's better than nothing, and her brother is agreeing. But…" She bit her lip with one of her fangs before she went on. "But it sounds like Link is actual the more cautious. He… I think he's saying he wants to be alone." Now that was surprising.

If there was any doubt left Ozpin had that Link was truly a foreign Faunus, it was gone now.

"Alright," Tatl spoke up, flying away from Link and up to Ozpin. The headmaster stared at the ball of light as it floated in front of him. "We'll do it, but on one condition." Ozpin felt himself smile, even as he could nearly feel Glynda imagine his skin being peeled away.

"And that is?" The fairy rung lightly before speaking, lightly her way of clearing her throat.

"Link's an equal while he's here." That… was not what Ozpin was expecting. His brows rose questioningly at the statement. He didn't have to look to know that the others present had similar expressions. "That means no special treatment or unfair treatment. He's not some new kid to pick on or war hero to drool over. We're just looking for his friend and you're helping us find a place to start. Simple as that."

Ozpin looked over to Glynda, who appeared to have tapped out the message already. She was nodding at the pad, thought with a scowl on her features. She did not, however, have a word of reprimand for them. That was quite the turnaround. Perhaps that condition was to ease the burden her? Yes, it would but… what purpose did it serve Link? Was that how he was treated back at Hyrule? But which one then, the prince or the pauper? It was not something he could simply ask.

He looked towards Blake, noting how she nodded approvingly at the statement. With her arms crossed and a smile across her lips, it was the fastest he had seen anyone gain the young student's trust, let alone approval. Ruby seemed all that and doubly so, likely for she was given the same kind of attention, being the junior of near everyone by at least two years. Link looked at Ozpin, but not expectantly. It was as if… he had already made a decision, no matter what the headmaster decided. It made the headmaster smile.

Perhaps he had made errors when it came to his school in the past, but that didn't mean he should pass on new opportunities in the present.

"Very well," he spoke to the fairy, extending his hand outwards towards Link. "I accept." Link smiled back at him, gripping his hand with a firm shake. Ozpin noted immediately the strength behind it, higher than he initially thought for someone of Link's stature. That was, again, a thought he filed away for later.

"This is highly irregular Ozpin," Glynda scolded again from the side, but he noted that the flare he expected form her was gone. Perhaps she was just as interested in the outcome of this test as he was. "Usually new entries to Beacon must perform an evaluation test, and only then after completing a test of competency." He chuckled at her usual demeanor. "Sad as his tale may be, it isn't ethically possible to allow every case such as his to be admitted."

"That's why we're doing the test," Ozpin countered lightly, the cheer in his voice unchanging as he answered his partner. "That aside, I doubt there are any other cases like Link here, isn't that right?" He grinned lightly towards the green clad Faunus, raising his mug to lips as he did so. The warrior didn't blink as he gazed back at him.

"Well that's awesome!" Ruby shattered the tense atmosphere with her usual cheer. She jumped in front of Link, her hands clasped to her chest with a beaming smile aimed up at him. He blinked as he looked back at her, clearly unused to the level of energy the child had. "That means you can actually be a student here Link! You can have breakfast with us, go to class with us, do training with us, have lunch with us, watch movies with us, go to Vale with us, and then have dinner with us! Can't sleep with us though, four in a room is crowded enough." Ozpin chuckled as Link looked at her with a bemused expression, complete with a light blush. It appeared he wasn't ignorant of the insinuations either.

"Please forgive Ruby," Blake spoke up instead, putting a hand on Link's shoulder. He turned to her, not appearing offended by the gesture in the least. She smiled at him for it. "But I would like to see you enter the school as well. Your home… I'd like to hear about it."

"You seem pretty eager to talk about that," Tatl flew up to her as she spoke, causing the dark girl to pull her hand away. "Can't say I blame you for being curious about Link. He is an amazing guy. But you seem pretty interested in just Hyrule. Why is that?" Ozpin hid his smile well behind his mug, even as Blake appeared to have her stomach drop to the earth.

"S-She's just a history buff!" Ozpin had little surprise to see the young team leader jumping to her friend's rescue. "I mean, like, she's read almost every book about faunus in the school and Vale, always looking for something new to do and stuff like that. I-It's just a hobby for her, really!" The red cloaked girl nearly bounded as she spoke. She was not the most skilled liar.

"Whoa, whoa, take it easy Red," Tatl followed up, with a new nick-name for the young girl at that. It made Ruby blink. "I was just asking. Geez, no reason to act like I'm gonna burn down the town or something." The fairy rang as she flew away from the duo of girls, circling about link with a trail of gold, before settling in front of Glynda.

While it was obvious to the headmaster that his partner was glaring at the fairy, her own fingers resting above her pad, he could only assume Tatl was doing the same. Given the stiffness of the fairy's wings, it was a likely expression, though the blinding amount of light she gave off did make it rather difficult to judge.

"So, um…" Ozpin turned his attention back to Link, only to find Tael floating up to him. He assumed it was a meeker version of flight, given that the fairy moved at only a fraction of his sister's speed, wings drooping as he did so. "What kind of monster are we fighting? Y-You said Grimm, but Ruby said Grimm are monsters, but like, are they all the same or… what?" An interesting deduction.

"Though Grimm all have similar hunger and needs, they vary about as readily as you and I," Ozpin spoke plainly and honestly to the fairy. He hoped his good nature would ease any discomfort in the floating companion. "It is interesting that you call them simply monsters, but I suppose that is hardly the most interesting difference we have found. But besides that, I am getting away from myself."

He waved his cane as he spoke, metaphorically brushing away his rogue thoughts. Ozpin turned his attention back to Link, who looked at him expectantly, arms crossed and eyes forward.

"You came from the Foreverfall Forest, is that correct?" He watched Link glance to Ruby, who vigorously nodded her head. Link returned the expression to Ozpin. "Well, there is another woods call the Emerald Forest. I believe you will find it closer to your typical trek through wooded lands, with trees of green and grounds covered with light foliage and dirt. However, it is also home to a few more impressive species of Grimm." He gave another moment of silence to gauge Link's reaction. Not a muscle on his face had twitched. He was poised, if nothing else.

"Of those numbers, there is an impressive beast called the Nevermore." He heard a light gasp from Ruby, the memory of the monster that required her team's cooperative effort to slay still fresh in her mind. Link gave her only a glance before looking back towards the headmaster. "It is a Grimm with wing spans longer than the ship your rode in on, flying to deathly heights, and capable of catastrophic damage. It is among one of the more deadly forms of Grimm, especially to the untrained. If you can slay a beast such as this, I will allow you to stay on my campus, with the condition Tatl has specified." The fairy rung at the agreement.

It took not a moment for Link to nod his head. Ozpin made careful note of the Faunus's smile. It was much more confident now than it was before. Interesting in all ways.

"Alright!" Tatl finally let out, flying away from Glynda and back around Link. She stopped when she hovered over his right shoulder, the green-clad warrior grinning at her as she lightly bounced against his cheek. It was clear to see it was out of affection. "Looks like we got a monster to slay, just like old times!"

"Nearly, but I have a stipulation of my own," Glynda let out, earning the collective attention. She tapped at her keypad, giving Link a meaningful glare. He only appeared confused by it. "The test as specified is meant to be a solo mission, done to prove your individual worth for the school."

Ozpin raised his mug to hide his frown of disapproval. He knew well where this was going.

"As such, Tatl and Tael will wait here." The reaction was instantaneous.

"Wait, what!?" The lightly illuminated fairy let out, flying back over to Glynda in a blink of an eye. She rang like a child was shaking a bell, loud and unfaltering. "You seriously expect us to just split up like that! No way! Isn't happening!"

"It will if you want this test to proceed," Glynda continued, unfaltering in the fairy's presence. "Normally Huntresses and Hunters in training must work together to complete these tasks, but the deal was set only for Link's admittance into Beacon." Ozpin was only partially surprised by his partner's actions.

He should have seen it coming, in all honesty. She was not one to simply act from the sideline, especially while her rules were being circumvented for the sake of curiosity. That was his fault, Ozpin supposed. What was worse, he knew there was little way to stop it, aside from another rule. He knew better than most that no such rule existed.

"Th-Then what about us?" Tael asked the question now. The headmaster deduced the fairy's tone as being on the verge of tears. "D-Does that mean we can't stay here? No matter what? A-Are we gonna have to leave Link?" The fairy flew back to said warrior, landing on his shoulder and shaking lightly.

That was when Ozpin noted Link's expression. It was hard, focused, like that of a Hunter seeing his prey. The blue eyes that were looking about in curiosity now focused on Glynda with a deathly stare. It was beneficial to no one.

"Now now, that is not the case," Ozpin quickly amended. "The rules at stipulated in such a manner in order to prevent harm to non-competitors. Rest assured that should Link pass this test, I will in no way force you or your sister to leave his side." He saw Tael visibly sag at the words, likely out of relief. Tatl did not.

"We've been through hundreds of fights with Link before! You think this is any different?!" She flew at Ozpin with those words, lightly kicking his glass frames as she approached. He leaned back to adjust them, avoiding blindness with the intensity of the fairy's light.

"Not at all," he admitted, doing his utmost to hide his smirk as he spoke next. "I am only trying to treat Link as fairly as I would any other student. No restrictions or handouts being offered."

The fairy froze at his words. Check.

"It is?" The simple question came from Blake and Ozpin moved his spectacled gaze to see her. She was looking towards Link with a curious expression. The conclusion to be made was simple enough. It was only made more obvious when Link nodded towards her.

He lifted his hand up towards his shoulder, touching at the dark fairy that rest there. Tael rung as contact was made; Link's finger was being hidden beneath the dark light of the fairy. Ozpin watched as Link brought his hand back up to his gaze, likely making eye-contact with the younger of the sibling fairies. More mute conversation was shared between them, only the fairies light rings being heard. Ozpin sipped his coffee, watching Blake as the conversation proceeded. She saw it easily enough.

"Words of confidence," she spoke simply. "Promising he'll come back."

"He better come back!" Tatl shouted as she flew up to Link. This time, however, the green-clad Faunus had to move his head back as the fairy bounced against his forehead. He didn't lose his comforting smile, even as the brighter of the fairies rang loudly in front of him. "I'm trusting you on this cause you seem so confident. But mark my words Link, you get yourself hurt or lost without me and I'll be sure to chase you to whatever new world you find yourself stumbling into!" Ozpin felt himself grin as Link laughed at the fairy's comments. Companions indeed.

"Don't worry about him being lost," Glynda spoke again, her eyes on the pad as she spoke. "The test is strictly a feasibility test for his skills as a Hunter, not a navigator. Ruby and Blake will accompany him to the forest and locating the Nevermore. They will not, however, help with its fight." She made very clear eye contact with both girls as she finished her statement, silently forcing an order upon them. Ozpin knew that look well, terrifyingly so.

"Sounds good to me!" Ruby cheered exuberantly, arms held up and out into the air. She was nearly bouncing in front of Link, the Faunus looking back at her with amused confusion. "I can't wait to see you in action! I'm sure you're gonna be all like slice and dice and all BAM BAM against it!" Ozpin didn't need sharp ears to hear Blake laughing humorously at her young superior's mindset. She ruffled Ruby's hair, earning a puff of annoyance from the crimson colored leader.

"Perhaps we should leave now then?" She suggested earnestly to Ruby before facing Link. Her fellow Faunus blinked at her once before opening his mouth. He nodded in understanding, turning to look at the sun as he did so. Ozpin supposed it was the constant presence of his bright companions that allowed him to stare into celestial orb so easily. "Alright, the forest isn't far. C'mon." She motioned with her hand, already turning as she did.

Link nodded towards her before looking towards his fairy companions. Ozpin observed him make more mute conversation, the subtlest twitches of his lips accompanied by the fairies' ringing. It was odd, to be sure, but such a thing was a wonder to see. He only hoped that Link would prove Tatl's boasts of his skills. If he did… there might yet still be something he could do for Vale.

"Just be safe, okay?" Her heard Tatl finally speak, lightly bouncing off of the green-clad Faunus's head. It only made him grin before offering a quick nod. Then, without another word, he began walking towards Ruby and Blake, the two girls waiting patiently for him. Ozpin sipped his cup as he took his place beside them.

He watched Ruby, quick to jump up next to Link. She was talking to him, as much was obvious by the attention she was being given by the green-clad warrior. The headmaster hoped the team leader knew better than to ask questions, as only Blake would be able to hear the responses.

"So how long is this going to take?" He turned his attention back to the ball of light beside him, floating between him and Glynda. Tatl's younger brother Tael was immediately next to her, turning their shared light and dark light into a soothing gray. He supposed that was them embracing. It was almost annoying how many assumptions were needed for things he could not see. "Cause you know, I'm not a fan of this, being split up and all."

"Link does not seem to mind," Glynda spoke cold as ever to the fairy, typing away at her pad. She was likely now assigning drones to spy on the test as it occurred. It was logical, if predictable, to Ozpin. "Perhaps until he is finished with this examination you can mimic his mindset."

"Yeah, sure, I'll do that." The sarcasm in Tatl's voice could have drowned a man. "Right after you take a page out of Big Green's book here and actually crack a smile." Ironically at that, Ozpin felt himself smile at the comment, doubly so when Glynda furrowed her brow at the fairy. At least he wouldn't be bored with them.

Before they took more than step towards his office, the professor turned a hard glare towards him, an expression he was very well aware of, but not too keen to be at this end of. He stopped, waiting for her to approach. She did so with haste.

"Are you sure this is wise, Ozpin?" She asked critically, voice in a low whisper. "In the midst of the White Fang panic, bringing a new student that has all the signs of a spy?"

"He is too far and away an anomaly to possible be any tool of the White Fang," Ozpin easily countered. "They would not risk well-trained agents on such ludicrous grounds, no. If nothing else, those same agents would not offer to so easily leave, 