After returning to the school from that other dimension, the team were a little dazed for a while afterwards.
At dinnertime, when some of them were gathered for it, Oscar finally said, "I can't believe he's gone... completely now."
Shine, who as usual was the only one who acted normal about it, shrugged. "He'll be happier this way."
"Yeah." Oscar fingered his fork. "I know... it's just... strange after all this time."
"I'm happy for them though." Ruby leaned on her hand. "And now I know what happened to Mom for real. I guess... I really have no questions left about the past. At least not ones that matter that much. I feel... a little weird. Is it weird?"
"It's weird all right," Weiss sighed. "What are we going to do?"
She shot a look at Shine and Wally, the latter of whom wasn't even listening that closely. He was trying to stack peas into a pyramid.
"Huh?" He looked up.
"You are such a child," Winter noted.
"It's not my fault it's so easy to play with food," Wally said.
"I think it's a good sign," Shine said. "We're not taking things too seriously anymore." She tugged her hair.
"You really are tolerant," Qrow noted.
"What are you looking at us for anyway?" Wally asked, popping some food into his mouth instead. "We don't know."
"Don't you?" Winter replied.
"No," Shine said. "I mean, it's your lives, not ours. We just helped you stop Salem and the gods, and that was hard enough. You think we want the rest of your lives? Please." She rolled her eyes and sipped her drink.
[Shine image design by Onerose.]
"It's just that now that Ozma and Salem are gone, and there's no more magic and not as many Grimm, we're kind of lost," Blake pointed out. "We hoped you'd have other ideas by now."
"It's so weird to hear you ask us for ideas," Wally muttered absently.
"I'm thrilled that you no longer feel such a divide from us as before," Shine said. "I suppose it's the result of the gods' power being removed."
"Or we're just grateful," Ruby said.
"I knew it wasn't that you liked us," Wally teased.
"Of course we like you," Ruby argued.
"He's just kidding." Shine tapped him a little to let him know to dial back the teasing to the impressionable kids. "Sorry, we're in a good mood after earlier. But really, what else can we teach you?"
"You must have so much you've hardly even covered." Winter lifted the holy book. "From what I've seen."
"Hmm," Shine mused. "Well, of course... but I don't think we'll have time for it all, and we're not the final word on things. There's a reason our influence is limited. We've been over this."
"It's just that if you go before you tell us," Ruby said. "We won't know what to do. I've been thinking since we got back that I don't know anything about a world without magic in it."
"Didn't you think you lived in one of those up till a few months ago?" Wally said.
"You adjust quickly," Winter said. "I mean, there is plenty to do... but what could be done and what should be done are different."
"You could start by resting," Shine said dryly. "Really, Winter, you never stop working."
"Tell me about it," Qrow said.
"You should talk, Uncle Qrow," Ruby said.
"Heh... yeah..." Qrow had to admit she was right.
"I just don't know if aimlessly try to have fun is my version of enjoying freedom," Oscar mused. "I feel like I should be doing something with it."
"Well, there's nothing wrong with resting for a bit," Shine said pragmatically. "We usually do after an ordeal... You see we are now. But if you feel lost, I think I understand. It was simpler for me. I had the pattern laid out already. Still, I had to learn what I was good at. I never thought it'd be this."
"Same," Wally said. "But it's making more sense now. In a way I've been ready for this my whole life, building up to it, I mean."
Shine mused. "Perhaps we're not the best source of knowing how to live in your world. After all, if we fit well into our own, we'd be less effective at this."
"On the other hand, who knows better than you how to fit into a new world?" Weiss countered.
They laughed.
"Well, she has a point," Wally said.
"Hmm," Shine said. "Well, what would we tell them if they were us?"
Wally rubbed his head. "I'm not great at advice like this..."
"Sure you are," Shine said.
Cinder rolled her eyes at Wally's lack of confidence.
"I guess off the cuff?" Wally thought back. "I think I tried too hard at first, you know? Sometimes stuff just had to fall into place. And I wish I'd taken more time to learn about this place. Skimping on that was definitely a mistake. In the long run, I think I just learned the most about Remnant from hanging with you guys and fighting with you and walking a day in your shoes. Glad that's the way it went. Usually I just blast in and out of a crime scene and fix it and leave. I don't have to get to know the people that well. I just don't have time. But it's different when you know them. Helping is a lot harder when you know the situation, but it's... better, I think."
"There's a time and place for both," Shine amended. "And your speed has helped a lot. I wouldn't put it down."
"But you know what I mean," Wally said. "You get it..."
"I guess that advice translates to you all would do well not to worry so much about what you'll do for a while," Shine said. "Didn't rushing in before get you poor results? You understand more now, but you can keep growing. And with that you'll find what it is you need to do. Some of you may already know. But if you don't it's fine. It takes some people 30 years to find a calling. In the meantime, just do whatever good you can do well and leave the rest. You all have these bigs idea of heroism, and that's wonderful, but it took 80 for Moses to be ready to lead the Israelites and 500 for Noah to be ready to sail the Ark and 30 years for Jesus to even start doing miracles. God can do a lot with a little time, and you all don't need to worry about rushing Him or yourselves."
"Didn't you tell us you started this job when you were 14?" Oscar said.
"That's only because DJ-ing is easier for younger people," Shine shrugged. "The lack of bias is a good thing. But I wouldn't say I've found my only true calling. At home, I'm still working on it. And what of our two friends? They took thousands of years, so you see it's not formulaic. Don't worry about trying to copy us. We're only your models in some ways."
"Do you think we can learn to be anything but this?" Blake asked. "I've done nothing but focus on saving the world and helping unite humans and Faunus for years."
"Look, I went through the idealist phase too," Shine said. "I think we all do. And it's great to have that kind of enthusiasm. Young people are good at that. And I wouldn't say I've lost it all even though I'm a few years older than you now. But there's a reason we outgrow it. Mankind is limited, but when we stop thinking just of what we can do, it's astonishing what more can happen. That's why I'm suggesting you not try so hard to figure it out. It'll probably surprise you when it happens."
"It's great to care about big changes," Wally agreed. "I was like that when I started too. I still care, but now I know that it's okay to have a small win too. The big wins are a real rush, but like the one we just had, the problem is that they come at a high cost. Watching you guys suffer so much wasn't fun for me."
"Oh, indeed no." Shine made a face. "I hated it."
"Hated it?" Winter said.
"Don't get me wrong, I loved watching you succeed," Shine said quietly and somberly, almost like a mother would have, "but every time someone got hurt, captured, tortured or threatened because of the quest, it was awful. I looked forward so much to it being over and having relatively small problems to deal with. So I'm in no rush to push you into another death defying adventure. I'm sure you'll find another one in time--it's this world after all, but I hope not on the scale of world-ending peril next time. That's why it's not wise to wish too much for excitement, not that kind. The satisfaction of doing the right thing in the right way and seeing it work, that doesn't have to be over big things. I get a thrill from students getting hard concepts as much as I do from winning a fight, more even, because fights hurt someone and learning doesn't usually. If you want a fight, you won't find much help in me."
"Yeah, and fighting for so many years has made me kinda appreciate not fighting more," Wally said. "So ditto for me."
Qrow chuckled. "Actually that makes sense," he said. "You know what? I respect that. You two may act like you're young and naive sometimes, but you have the perspective of more battle hardened warriors, I agree."
"Aww, that's sweet... I think," Shine said.
"Never can tell with him," Wally mused. "Just like--"
"Don't say Batman," Ruby, Weiss and Blake all said.
"A friend of mine I know," Wally amended.
"So you're serious that your guidance is past?" Winter said, rather sadly. "I suppose you've earned it..."
"Winter, of course I'll always be trying to teach you something," Shine said drolly. "I'm doing it right now, for crying out loud. Often when I want to learn one thing from Him, He tells me something else I need to learn first. We're not that smart about what we need. You're all so impatient to get back to saving the world, but the world is going to have to catch up with you. It's not even been a week."
"Again, she's right," Qrow said. "Look, I've been around this block a few times--not on this scale, but as eager as you all are, it's just gonna take a while for people to catch up. And that's not so bad, really. I could use a year off."
"That's because you're old," Ruby groaned.
"Old?" Qrow frowned at her. "I'm not old, kid."
"Well, compared to us, you are," Weiss said archly.
"Weiss!" Winter said.
"I'm just saying that maybe you're happy with just taking a break," Weiss said. "But if we don't ride this moment, I'm just worried people will miss it... Is that weird?"
"We had all those plans, and we had to put them on hold. That's what we'd talked about before--hey, you started that conversation with us a few times," Blake said, looking at Shine.
Shine looked pretty smug.
"Was that to prepare us for this?" Weiss said suspiciously.
"Of course it was," Shine said. "Always have to look ahead."
"Wow, your confidence is really just out of the park," Qrow said.
"Well, someone has to think that way," Shine shot back. "You all got so tunnel visioned about it. Anyway I think you'll find what's important to you now is your best clue as to what you should do."
"Perhaps they feel this way, but I already know what I'll be spending the next few months doing," Winter said. "Likely years. Atlas is going to have to be rebuilt in some form. The world needs a fourth kingdom or at least to establish another part of trade. Too many resources came from Atlas."
"Or Mantle, really," Weiss snorted.
"Okay," Shine said. "That's not bad... but don't limit yourself either, Winter. You can do a lot of things. They don't all need to be 'big' ones either. I'm just saying, this is not the time to think small. But it is the time to wait."
"I guess my first priority is to be letting my aunt know what's going on," Oscar said.
"Oh, I've taken care of that one already." Theo came in in time to hear this. "I already invited Emily to pay us a visit."
"You did what?!" Oscar squeaked, standing up.
"Keep your shirt on, farm boy," Theo said. "It's for the ceremony. Figured she'd not want to miss it, and then you can tell her all about what happened in person. Problem solved."
"No, it's not. I have no idea what to say," Oscar said.
"You have a while to think about it," Vara said, following Theo. "She'll take at least another day to arrive by train and bus and plane."
"I'm actually surprised she even agreed to come," Theo said. "Must be the broadcast about us saving the world if she's willing to brave Vacuo."
"I actually took the chance to send some messages to a lot of your families," Vara spoke up, holding up a file, which seemed very unlike her. "It was hard to get in touch--I didn't like to say anything at first, but we found their numbers finally."
"All my family is here," Ruby said.
"Yes, well, the Belladonnas will be returning." Vara handed Blake a printed list. "Along with a few others."
"Illea is coming?" Balke looked at it. "Oh... I thought she would be too busy."
"For this? I doubt it," Vara asid. "The entire world would show up to see us if they could, but we're restricting the amount of people who fly in."
"Oh, you invited my parents..." Jaune said nervously.
"Jaune, they'll be so proud of you!" Pyrrha clapped her hands.
"And my sisters... oh gosh, I hope they don't all come." Jaune looked scared. "What a nightmare."
"And my parents too..." Pyrrha noted.
"Just keep track of them all," Vara said. "Getting lodging is hard enough in this kingdom, and they couldn't all stay at Shade. We're already pushing it with you all being here and the Huntresses and students. You should start making arrangements to leave, by the way."
"Leave?" Pyrrha said.
"I like you guys and all--" Theo cleared his throat. "--but we just can't have you all here forever. I've got to reopen Shade for regular school hours. The Grimm aren't gone, even if there's going to be less of them. And there's still bandits and crooks out there who we need to beat. It's been out of session for way too long as it is. Plus, you don't all really want to stay in Vacuo, do you? Most of your Atlesians already want out anyway who are still here."
"Yeah, they're sick of the sand." Vara brushed some off her clothes carelessly. "Pansies."
"Of course we intend to leave," Winter said. In fact she had no wish to stay anywhere near Theo. "But it will take time to set that up."
"Yeah, well, we're not kicking you out," Theo said. "And the council won't dare to after you being heroes, but knowing when to get out actually is a useful skill. People may not force you, but they'll resent you overstaying now that the crisis is over. So start thinking about it."
"For now we're okay," Vara added. "At least the Grimm being reduced will put less of a strain on our dust resources."
"About that," Shine spoke up, "I should probably give you a heads up. The removal of magic is likely to cause some other changes to your world."
"Meaning?" Theo narrowed his eyes.
"It wouldn't be that surprising if things like dust and Semblances soon fade," Shine said. "Even if they aren't magic, they exist because magic used to. You all still have yours?"
Pyrrha levitated a fork. "Yes," she said.
"I think you always will," Shine said. "Possibly everyone in this generation will... but as Grimm will soon be hunted to extinction without those ponds, and dust is going to be used up eventually since it's not a renewable resource, especially without magic, you're going to have to come to grips with reality. Like you can't run the world on the same things anymore."
"But that would mean an economic collapse," Winter said with some alarm.
"Not necessarily." Shine gestured. "It will take decades likely for it to even start to be noticeable. You have lots of dust still. Your smartest move now, all you world leaders or future ones, will be to start think tanks and research projects for people to find ways other than dust to make your technology work. Some of it already runs on very little dust. In my world and Wally's they have all kinds of tech similar to yours that uses the world's nature mineral resources instead of dust. You clearly have the same things here or we couldn't have lived here with you easily. The Grimm destroyed things so much, you've never had that much time to explore it... but you will now. There will be people eager to find another method of power, won't there? Dust is expensive."
"Actually there have been those who suggested it's possible to harness natural lightning," Winter mused. "But they were dismissed as crackpots usually."
"It's possible," Shine said. "But of course, we can't tell you how even if we knew. It's not wise to try passing technology from world to world. But you have smart people here and resources and you can learn for yourself... though if you ask me you'd be better off without some of it. It's a hassle."
"Do you really think Semblances will cease to be?" Pyrrha said.
"It depends on how much they became a part of you, but the environment changing is bound to have an effect on them. They might just become weaker," Shine mused. "I've been to many worlds with special power sets, but some of those power die off away from their source. They may just change. It's not a big deal--you really don't need them so much now. My world gets on fine with them."
"And supers are only a small part of the population in my world," Wally said.
"There are some Semblances that I could see being better off without," Qrow noted. "But it's too late to help us, huh?"
"Oh, Qrow," Shine sighed. "Yours will likely be helped with the changes we made also--if you take control of it and learn. Or it may fade. It depends on how much power you give it. But it's not that big a concern anyway. And remember there are other kinds of power. We've shown you some of them. I'm only saying your world is likely to change. It's not that powers and wonders will leave, but the way you see them may alter... It's a thing that happens in most worlds. Things change. Mankind is like that. We're very plastic."
"You're sure this will happen?" Theo said.
"Do you want to take the chance?" Shine replied very calmly.
Well... there was really no arguing with that.
"Okay, I guess we'll put that on the agenda..." Vara said. "This is going to be more work than I thought."
"You two don't seem to have any problem with moving on," Weiss said.
"Are you kidding? It's like I was on time-out for the last 14 years," Vara said. "It's been killing me to be out of the action for so long."
"And for me to have so much of my attention being on Oz's mission and neglecting my actual school and students," Teho said. "And fun of course."
By fun he meant working in the field himself.
"So no way are we wasting time now," Vara said. "I'm still getting used to waking up every morning and not feeling like I'm on pins and needles and not in a good way." She slapped her thigh. "But it's not old yet. I don't know what's wrong with all of you. You act like saving the world wasn't a total buzz."
"That part was. It's just that we're not sure what to do now," Blake guessed.
"You people overthink," Theo said.
"No one could accuse you of that, Mr. Rhodes," Winter said.
"Not if I could help it." He didn't bother to deny it. "And shouldn't you all be getting ready for the ceremony tomorrow night? Unless you're going to wear all that get up."
"What's wrong with it?" Weiss said.
"Personally, I couldn't care less," Theo said, "but the council has been slipping me some not so subtle hints that they expect us to put on the right show for the visitors. Something about our reputation with the other kingdoms. I'm warning my students that if they steal anything for a joke, Vara will be teaching them a lesson afterward in the gym, with high precision."
Vara nodded with a scary smile.
"But all of you have got to clean yourselves up too," Theo said. "None of this half-dead mission blues look. I mean, you don't want to get off on a bad foot with the other kingdoms, do you?"
"Since when are you a diplomat?" Qrow said.
"Well, Likstar pointed out herself, Vacuo has had the chance to get back on top here," he said. "We are still the strongest kingdom. The Apathy didn't damage us as much as the attacks did for the others. This is our moment, but it won't work if people don't respect us."
"Told you," Shine said.
"And I'm not losing that edge," Theo said. "It's a matter of national pride."
"Isn't the ceremony more about Remnant's freedom than about you?" Winter pointed out.
"It can be both," Theo said.
"Theo, shut up." Qrow was finding this annoying.
"I'm not really asking that much." Theo was apparently better at guilt tripping than you'd think. "Just of you all to present yourselves well and play up this hero act for the public. They're going to want to meet you anyway."
"Oh, I'd be great at this," Wally said.
"Oh yeah, he's the best at it," Shine agreed.
"Good, you can coach everyone on what to say then," Theo said. "No one tell any stories that make us look bad--so probably all the Mind Grimm ones are off the table."
"I cannot handle you giving us etiquette lessons," Winter said.
"Fine, I'll leave you to West and Robyn then," Theo said. "She's milking this for all it's worth, trust me, though of course she's on about 'helping the people.' I think it's all of a piece. What helps us helps everyone else."
He left the room and Vara followed.
"I would say he's recovering too quickly," Winter said.
"Why does it even surprise me at this point?" Qrow rubbed his eyes.
"You know... maybe it won't be so bad," Weiss said. "I haven't gone shopping since before we left Atlas. And we will be meeting a lot of people. It'll be like Father's awful dinner parties, but with people who actually want to talk to me and not him."
"That sounds awful," Winter said.
"Winter, are you shy?" Blake said incredulously.
Winter looked down. "Of course I'm not. That would be unthinkable in someone of my rank."
"Oh my gosh, you're shy!" Ruby was just as incredulous as Blake. "Wow, I never thought you'd be."
"Did I say I was?" Winter said.
"I think that tracks," Wally said. "Anyone can see that Whitley is the people person out of the three of you."
"Hey!" Weiss said.
"Introvert, Ambivert, Extrovert," Shine said. "They go in steps like a stair."
She meant that Weiss was the Ambivert.
"Shy people can be scary," Wally said. "I think a lot of my friends are shy, honestly. That's why they're so rigid."
Winter frowned at him.
"It's okay, I was shy once too," Shine said. "I still am a lot of the time. I don't know how you do it." She patted Wally's head.
"I don't know how you don't. People are weird," Wally said.
"What about you, Qrow?" Shine said.
"Well, if I had to say out of me and Raven who's the bigger people person, ironically, it's probably her," Qrow said. "If you can call what she does that. I was more shy when I was a kid, but now I just don't like talking to people that much."
"How is that different?" Wally asked.
"One's fear and one's just not liking it," Blake said. "I can relate."
"Let's go!" Weiss said.
"Maybe we'll find Meridian while we're out there," Blake added slyly.
"Who cares about him," Weiss,who was still mad that he'd been a no-show today, said indignantly. "Let's get Nora."
"I'll come too then," Pyrrha said. "And Emerald should join us... I think she's bit uncomfortable here still."
"Can I join you?" Shine said.
"Of course."
"Do I have to do this?" Wally said.
"I mean... you can't attend in your torn clothes,"Jaune said. "We should find Neptune. He'd know all about that."
"Seriously is he actually a girl?" Qrow muttered. "What does Yang see in that kid?"
"Hard to say," Shine said dryly.
Yang and Neptune were out together, as far as everyone knew, probably bike riding around Vacuo, but the girls wanted to bring her along on their shopping excursion since she had good style, and the boys were anxious to get the only one of them who knew anything about style to help, so they set out to find them.
["Time 2"--half alive]
* * *
Doing something normal-ish still felt weird.
Especially since the people at the very few indoor stores in Vacuo were a little starstruck by the heroes.
Weiss was a bit more used to that kind of attention and brushed it off, but Ruby and Yang didn't know how to handle people coming up to them asking if they needed anything.
"I used to dig through the clearance rack on Patch to find stuff that looked good at a bargain," Yang said.
"I do the same at thrift stores." Shine held something up. "I really don't understand your fashion. Why all the buckles?"
"Well, that's more combat gear," Pyrrha tried to help. "Regular clothes aren't that different from what I've seen in your bag."
"But fancy clothes are," Shine said.
"This is kind of boring," Ruby complained. "I've never liked this. Weapons are so much more fun."
"You can't wear a weapon to a party, Ruby," Weiss said.
"You can! What about dust clothing?" Ruby shot back.
"This is a ceremony in our honor!" Weiss was losing her patience. "Come on."
"This is such a waste of time." Winter had only been roped into coming by their insistence that she would need to present herself well also. "What is wrong with uniforms?"
"Other than the fact that yours was destroyed already and you can't get replacements?" Shine pointed out to her.
Winter sighed.
"On the bright side, I didn't think Vacuo even had boutiques," Blake said.
"They're only for the rich," said Libby, who'd tagged along probably just to make sure they navigated the kingdom well.
"There are people staring at us through the window!" Nora peered around a mannequin.
So there were. With cameras.
"I'd better get out of here." Shine hurried towards the back end of the store.
"Do you think they'll put us on cereal boxes?" Nora asked.
Pyrrha shuddered.
The pursuit of clothes lasted longer than it had any business to, according to Winter, because Ruby kept arguing with Weiss and Yang about what she wanted to have to wear. Like no heels.
Winter told Shine that she'd wear boots if she wore anything.
Shine said that wouldn't go with the formal wear they were looking at but that she didn't blame her about the heels.
"Just wear sandals or flats. It's the desert, it won't matter," she said.
"But the scorpions," Winter said.
"Oh... well, if it's crowded I doubt they'll come near," Shine shrugged. "I guess you really don't like this much."
They were sitting at some table while the younger girls were still looking.
"I've never had much time for it," Winter said. "Nor any friends to participate in such flippant activity with."
"I think clothes are a necessity," Shine said dryly. "I know, it's mostly not worth anything real--but what can I say? Girls bond when we give each other tips on how to make the most of life. Clothes and otherwise. It's how we are."
"Not all girls," Winter said.
"You don't count your advice to Weiss to be along that line?" Shine said.
"Yes, but as far as dress is concerned, I think Mother mostly cares about that," Winter said. "And I have... not much skill at what they call 'style'."
"I think you're selling yourself short," Shine said. "But even so, it's not like everyone has to enjoy the same thing. It's just that if people enjoy it, it's good to bond. Of course, I like shopping, so I shouldn't talk."
"Strange, you seem so practical most of the time," Winter said.
"We all have our weakness," Shine mused. "I guess I feel more like myself when I can make those kinds of choices. Isn't that what this stuff is about? It's not the stuff itself, it's that you can do it. Couldn't you appreciate that? Freedom?"
"I suppose," Winter said. "Or is that you trying to say that if this is our biggest problem, we're very fortunate?"
"That and it's funny to me that you can face down giant Grimm with less stress than a clothing store," Shine said.
"This is a small matter to you," Winter grumbled. "I'm sure there's a hundred things I could be doing that would be more worthwhile."
"More than bonding with your sister?" Shine said.
"She seems preoccupied," Winter said. "At least she's not with that Wallace boy, however. I haven't seen him since we got back."
"You been looking for him?" Shine said.
"Yes."
"That's why you haven't seen him," Shine snorted. "He's not stupid. I like Meridian. What's your problem anyway?"
"Oh... I suppose he's not as big of a ruffian as I thought at first," Winter said reluctantly. "But Weiss is so young... and Schnees do not have the easiest time with relationships, due to our status and reputation."
"That doesn't seem to stop you," Shine said.
"Qrow is not the same."
"No, he's never treated you any different because you were a Schnee, has he?" Shine said. "Right down to picking a fight. And that's why you always secretly liked him deep down."
"I did not--" Winter caught Shine grinning and knew protesting was useless. "You are very rude."
"I get it, honestly," Shine said. "You might find it hard to believe that's the same reason I like Wally, just in a different way. Most people tend to treat me like being DJ is kind of freaky... and I know I'm... eccentric to say the least, when I talk anyway. Wally treats everyone the same no matter who they are. That's why I like him. We don't really enjoy that pedestal or freak zone treatment so much after the novelty wears off. And I think Weiss feels the same way about her prospective boyfriend. Perhaps you should just accept that all of you Schnees are sick to death of the special treatment and you're hopelessly drawn to people who don't give it."
"Must I?" Winter frowned at her.
"But they're so cute together anyway." Shine reverted to sounding like a teenager or at least the mother of one. "Especially with his accent. It's adorable."
"Adorable? Miss Likstar, that is not the word to use to evaluate a relationship."
"I guess I'll keep quiet about you and Qrow then," Shine said.
Winter flushed. "You must stop saying things like that, Shine."
"I seriously doubt I ever will. Better just get used to it."
Winter rolled her eyes but then reflected that Shine would likely be leaving soon. She didn't find it so reassuring to be told she'd have to get used to it.
Shine didn't seem to be thinking about that though.