Mistral, House"So... you're like a family maid or something?" Nora asked curiously, tilting her head as she sat across from Selene at the dinner table. Her usual energetic tone was softened slightly by genuine interest.Rinko, Weiss, Selene, and Team JNPRR had all pitched in to prepare dinner. In the adjacent living room, Qrow sat nursing a drink, deep in thought as he quietly formulated plans.Selene set her fork down gracefully, her posture impeccably composed. "I am the Schnee family's personal maid," she replied with practiced calm, her tone polite but distant.Nora blinked. "Whoa... like, a fancy maid?"Weiss cleared her throat, mildly exasperated. "Selene's duties extend far beyond typical housekeeping, Nora. She's highly trained and—""I manage household affairs, oversee logistics, and ensure the safety of the family when necessary," Selene interjected smoothly, sparing Weiss the explanation. Her calm demeanor remained unshaken. "It's a responsibility I take seriously."Nora nodded slowly, impressed. "So... you're basically a secret bodyguard in a maid outfit?"Selene allowed herself the faintest hint of a smile. "If that helps you understand... perhaps.""Cool~!" Nora's eyes sparkled with excitement, practically bouncing in her seat. "So, do you, like, have super fancy maid powers? Secret combat skills? Ooh! Can you do that thing where you catch a falling plate without looking?"Ren sighed, already expecting where this was headed. "Nora... being a maid doesn't mean she's some kind of action hero."Selene raised an eyebrow, still composed. "I assure you, my skills extend beyond domestic tasks... though I suppose catching plates is within my expertise."Nora gasped dramatically. "She can do it! You're like... a secret agent maid!"Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Nora, please... she's not some storybook character."Selene's faint smile lingered. "Let her imagine. It's harmless."Pyrrha chuckled softly. "You must be very skilled to have earned a position within the Schnee household."Selene inclined her head gracefully. "I serve where I am needed."Ruby leaned forward, curious. "So... you've been with Weiss's family for a while?"Selene's expression dimmed slightly, though she remained polite. "Long enough."Her answer seemed to hold more weight than the surface meaning, leaving the room momentarily quiet—until Nora clapped her hands together."Well, I think having a super-maid on our side is awesome!"As they continued eating, Ruby looked up thoughtfully. "How did you guys even get out of Atlas? I thought the whole kingdom was on lockdown."Rinko set his utensils down, his expression thoughtful but calm. "We managed to slip out just before the lockdown was officially enforced," he explained. "I'd say we were pretty lucky... though I suspect luck wasn't the only thing on our side."Weiss nodded in agreement. "Timing was critical. The lockdown was imminent, but we had enough foresight to act before things got completely sealed off."Jaune leaned forward, curious. "Didn't the military notice you leaving?"Selene's serene demeanor didn't falter. "Let's just say... certain precautions forced by Jacques were taken to ensure our departure went unnoticed. "Ruby's eyes widened. "Whoa... you guys must be really good at sneaking around."Rinko smirked faintly. "Let's just say... I may have taught Weiss a thing or two."Weiss crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Taught me? Need I remind you who covered our tracks through the entire Dust District from the military?"Rinko chuckled. "Fair point... though someone nearly tripped an alarm when they 'subtly' kicked a crate out of frustration."Weiss's face turned slightly red. "It was a miscalculation! The crate was poorly placed!"The group chuckled, and even Ruby stifled a giggle.Jaune smiled. "Sounds like you two make a good team."Selene, ever composed, added calmly, "Their partnership is... unique, but undeniably effective."Weiss cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "We do get results."Rinko smirked again. "Even if one of us is a bit dramatic about it."Weiss shot him a sharp glare, but there was a hint of amusement in her icy gaze.As the group finished eating, Selene rose gracefully from her seat, collecting the empty plates with practiced efficiency."Oh, you don't have to do that," Pyrrha offered, starting to stand.Selene raised a hand gently but firmly. "Please, allow me. It's part of my duty."Jaune blinked. "You sure? We're kind of used to cleaning up after ourselves."Selene met his gaze with calm assurance. "Consider it my way of showing gratitude for your hospitality."Ruby tilted her head. "Hospitality? You're practically with us now."Selene paused for just a moment, a rare flicker of something softer crossing her usually serene face. "...Thank you."As she moved toward the kitchen, Ren rose silently and began gathering utensils as well.Selene glanced back. "You needn't trouble yourself."Ren shrugged lightly. "I don't mind. It goes faster with two."Selene nodded in quiet appreciation, and the two worked in seamless rhythm, clearing the table efficiently while the others chatted nearby.Watching them, Nora whispered to Ruby with a playful grin, "Think Ren's got competition in the 'silent and efficient' department."Ruby giggled. "Maybe... but Ren's still got the 'mysterious' vibe down."From the kitchen, Selene's sharp hearing caught the exchange, but she merely allowed herself the faintest trace of amusement before resuming her task.Footsteps echoed from the hallway, steady and purposeful, drawing closer to the dining area.A familiar, rugged voice followed."You all done eating?"Everyone turned toward the doorway to see Qrow leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed, his expression a mix of weariness and urgency."Yeah, just finished," Ruby answered, perking up. "What's up?"Qrow's gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on Weiss and Rinko before settling on Ruby. "We need to talk—strategy meeting. Living room. Now."The air in the room shifted, the lighthearted atmosphere giving way to something more serious.Selene emerged from the kitchen, her composure unchanged but her sharp eyes reflecting keen awareness."Should I prepare anything for the meeting?" she asked calmly.Qrow shook his head. "Just bring yourselves... and be ready."With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared back down the hall, leaving the group exchanging concerned glances before following in silence.Living RoomQrow sank heavily into the worn-out sofa, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced as his sharp crimson eyes scanned the room.His intense gaze cut through the dim light as the group gathered, each finding a place—on chairs, the floor, or leaning against the walls.Ruby sat closest to her uncle, her expression wavering between determination and anxiety.Weiss and Rinko stood near the back, their postures composed but alert.Team JNPRR settled in with quiet readiness, their shared experiences evident in how naturally they formed a cohesive unit.Selene lingered near the doorway, her sharp, calculating eyes ever-watchful.Qrow let out a slow, measured breath."Alright... here's where we stand."His voice carried a commanding weight, instantly silencing the room."Tomorrow, we're conducting a Huntsman search throughout Mistral. With more of us now, we can cover ground faster and finish scouting the city sooner. Our goal is to recruit Huntsmen for a raid on Raven's base."Weiss, Rinko, and Selene exchanged questioning glances, still in the dark about the mission's specifics.Rinko—Kakashi—raised a calm hand. "Question. What exactly are our objectives at Raven's base?"A heavy silence followed before Qrow cleared his throat."Raven... has the Spring Maiden," he revealed gravely. "Salem's forces—the ones behind the Fall of Beacon—are here in Mistral."The room tensed.Qrow's expression darkened. "Rinko encountered Torchwick and Neopolitan in the upper districts of Mistral."Team JNPRR's eyes widened."Seriously...? So they are here in Mistral!" Pyrrha exclaimed.Qrow nodded grimly. "Yes. If we cross paths with them again, we need to capture at least one of them for questioning. We need to know what they're after. Given their presence... their likely target is Haven Academy."He paused, gathering his thoughts. "And since Cinder's... dead... the Fall Maiden's power has probably passed on to someone new.""Wait... Cinder's dead?!" Ruby gasped, mirrored by the stunned faces of Team JNPRR."Yes," Weiss confirmed, cutting through the tension with her usual composure. "Rinko killed her."Selene nodded silently.All eyes snapped to Rinko, their astonishment palpable."I crushed her heart... by driving my hand through her chest," Rinko admitted coldly, his gaze fixed on his hand as if reliving the moment. "During our fight... something awakened inside me."Before anyone could respond, arcs of white electricity crackled to life around Rinko's hand, surging with intense, raw power. The room seemed to hum with energy, charged by the display."A new Semblance?!" Jaune exclaimed, wide-eyed.Weiss crossed her arms, still grappling with the revelation. "First he has glyphs... and now he can manipulate electricity? That shouldn't even be possible!""I was baffled when I first saw it too," she added thoughtfully.Rinko clenched his fist, extinguishing the crackling energy."That's... kinda awesome," Nora chimed in with an excited grin. "Hey, we could totally team up—electricity buddies!"Rinko allowed himself a faint, amused chuckle.As the shock settled, Qrow's expression turned serious again."We already spoke with Leo about the Maiden's location," he continued, his tone steady but wary. "He's stalling—claims he needs a week to convince the council."He scoffed bitterly. "But waiting that long is a mistake."Qrow pulled out his flask, taking a slow drink before continuing."We scout Mistral for Huntsmen first. If—by any chance—there's no one left to recruit, we head for Raven ourselves." His gaze hardened, leaving no room for doubt."She doesn't trust me... and I don't trust her either. But she's the only key to the Vault, and we cannot let Salem's forces reach her first."His tone sharpened into deadly seriousness."Her location stays between us. No one outside this room knows where she is—except for Leo—and it stays that way."A heavy silence followed, the gravity of the mission sinking in.Qrow straightened up. "I'm splitting you into pairs. I'll go alone—better for covering more ground unnoticed."He pointed at the group. "Ruby and Rinko, Pyrrha and Jaune, Nora and Ren, Weiss and Selene."Everyone nodded in silent acknowledgment."Good. Get some rest—we move out at first light."His eyes swept the room one final time."Meeting dismissed."As the meeting concluded, Qrow retreated to his room, leaving the others still gathered in the dimly lit living room, silently processing the weight of the mission ahead.Rinko sat at the corner of the sofa, deep in thought, his expression unreadable.'The Spring Maiden... Raven... She has the Spring Maiden's powers?' he mused, recalling his past encounters with Raven—her ability to levitate, summon ice shards, and unleash devastating blasts without using Dust.Breaking the reflective silence, Rinko asked aloud, "What exactly... are Maidens capable of?"Ruby perked up, though her answer was uncertain. "According to Uncle Qrow... they can manipulate magic.""Magic...?" Rinko echoed skeptically. "Like a Semblance?"Everyone tilted their heads in contemplation."Not exactly," Ruby explained. "Uncle Qrow said they can control the elements—fire, ice, wind—without using Dust."Rinko folded his arms, digesting the information. His gaze sharpened as a memory surfaced. He turned to Ruby and Weiss."Do you two remember... when we fought Raven back on the train heading toward Vale?"Weiss furrowed her brow. "Yeah... why?""Raven... she froze the entire train in ice."Ruby's eyes widened slightly. "Y-yeah... now that you mention it..."Team JNPR and Selene listened quietly from the sidelines as the realization took form."She also... levitated," Ruby added slowly. "That... definitely isn't her Semblance.""What is her Semblance, then?" Weiss asked."Uncle Qrow said... Raven's Semblance lets her create portals—connecting to people she has strong bonds with," Ruby explained thoughtfully.Rinko's eyes lit up with sudden clarity. "Of course...!" He straightened, connecting the dots."Raven... is the Spring Maiden."The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone, including Ruby and Weiss, stared at Rinko in astonishment, minds racing."W-what?" Jaune stammered. "How... how can you be so sure?"Rinko didn't answer immediately, taking a steady breath before speaking."When my father was taken... Raven herself blasted us, which led to his capture. After that... I enrolled in Beacon."His tone darkened as he continued. "Not long after, I was assigned to work with Team RWBY on a mission to Mountain Glenn."Team JNPR exchanged surprised glances."Oh! I remember that!" Nora piped up. "We said goodbye to Team RWBY before they left for the mission!""You were there, Rinko?" Pyrrha asked, brows raised in surprise.He nodded. "Yes. Ozpin assigned me to the mission... as a final test before officially enrolling me at Beacon. Even Professor Goodwitch seemed uneasy about it, but Ozpin insisted."His voice grew colder. "During that mission... we almost captured Torchwick. But then... Raven appeared."The room went still."She came to save Yang," Rinko continued, his expression unreadable. "But... Since she was responsible for taking my father, I couldn't let her escape... so I fought her."Weiss's eyes widened. "Wait... I don't remember that! Yang and I were with you on the train!""You were both unconscious by then," Rinko explained gravely. "Raven and I fought... and while we clashed, Torchwick used the distraction to escape."He paused, his fists clenching at the memory."Just as she was about to leave through one of her strange red portals... I tackled her through it."The tension in the room thickened."We fought... there. Somewhere in their camp." His voice grew distant. "I even saw my father... but... she outmaneuvered me in the end."He let out a slow breath. "That red portal... was her Semblance."The room remained silent, the implications sinking in."And when she used ice on the train... without any form of Dust..."Rinko's gaze sharpened."There's only one explanation..."His voice lowered into grim certainty."Magic."The word lingered in the air, heavy with the weight of its implications.Everyone fell silent, absorbing the gravity of the discovery. This was a lot to take in.Weiss was the first to break the silence, her voice sharp with realization."Yeah... It makes sense now. It all makes sense!" She glanced around, piecing it together. "Raven's the Spring Maiden—then we'll have to tell Qrow about this, right?"Everyone nodded in agreement.Without hesitation, they moved to fetch Qrow, pulling him back into the living room.Rinko, Weiss, and Ruby took the lead, explaining everything they had discussed while Team JNPR and Selene listened closely.When Qrow returned and heard what they had pieced together, he froze for a moment.His hand instinctively went to the bridge of his nose, as though trying to process the absurdity of it all."You've got to be kidding me..." Qrow muttered, voice filled with disbelief. His crimson eyes darkened with a mix of shock and frustration. "Raven... my sister... is the Spring Maiden?"The room grew tense, and Rinko watched, quietly waiting for the emotional fallout.For Qrow, it wasn't just the revelation—it was deeply personal. Raven, his estranged sister, now wielded a power of immense significance.Rinko stood a little taller, his expression steady as he answered. "We didn't know until now, but the signs were there... the ice, the levitation, and the portal—that's what made me realize."Qrow let out a frustrated breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "What the hell..." he muttered. "She's always had her secrets, but this... this is something else."He paused, looking up with a mix of bitterness and resolve. "I should've seen it. If she's the Spring Maiden, we can't let her fall into Salem's hands. We need to move fast, before anyone else gets to her first."He stood up, his gaze sharpening. "Change of plans, we head straight to her location tomorrow. We only have to convince her immediately—even if she doesn't trust me."Rinko could see the weight of the moment pressing down on him."Gathering huntsmen won't be necessary since we won't be raiding her camp—only to visit her and convince her. That's it."This was more than a mission—it was personal. But Qrow was focused, determined, and that's what mattered now."Let's get to rest," Qrow said, his voice steady with grim purpose. "We've got a lot of ground to cover, and we're not wasting any more time."The room was silent for a moment, each person understanding the urgency of the mission now more than ever.[End]