The dock that the Menagerian contingent had been directed to by the Atlesian Military's Airship Terminal wasn't empty when the MV Audumla touched down. Four figures awaited them as the group, with Ghira at their head, left the Sky-Sailor.

Even if their uniforms were highly individualized, the White, Blue and Red colour scheme they shared was practically known the world over. All four were obvious members of the Atlesian Specialists.

"Oh look." Sienna commented with a smirk, causing Ghira to frown. "Our handlers are waiting for us."

"Peace, Sienna." Her friend replied. "None of that. We're here for diplomacy, not to spark a war."

"That's what you are here for." She fired back. "I'm here to ensure Kali doesn't lose her husband and little Blake doesn't lose her father. Anything else is a bonus."

"I doubt that I am important enough for Atlas to attempt anything. Nor do I think that Atlas would break international law by killing an official Ambassador."

"You are the Designated Successor, Ghira." Sienna reminded him. "You'll be Head of the Menagerian State when Kali's father steps down. You are an obvious target for those that cling to ideals of human supremacy. It might not be as bad as in Mistral, but those ideals are still present here in Atlas."

Ghira did not argue the point.

It was when they were halfway to the main building that one of the four left their own group to meet them between the Audumla and the rest of her team. She had short, olive green hair, with a short braid down the left side of her face.

She wore a white jacket over a blue shirt, red wristguards and a pair of blue fingerless gloves. Her leggings were white, and her boots were black.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Atlas, Sir." the woman offered a crisp salute. "I am Specialist Nonette Hughes. Myself and my team have been assigned as your protection for the duration of your stay in our Kingdom."

"Ghira Belladonna, Representative of the Menagerian Government." He introduced himself, and gestured to Sienna at his side. "This is my longtime friend and colleague Sienna Khan, Representative of our Outreach Group."

"And Head of Security." She chimed in. "I assume that there is a reason that we have an escort this time? Are you expecting trouble?"

The Specialist let out a sheepish chuckle. "Something like that. Unfortunately, some of the more...distasteful members of the military have been unusually quiet recently. The General is convinced that they are planning something, so whilst admittedly we would ordinarily be here to 'keep an eye on you' as it were, in this instance we really are here for your own protection."

Sienna didn't bother to hide her frown. "And to keep an eye on us, yes?"

"...We have no orders to do that, ma'am." Nonette replied. "And I hope we have no reason to do so. It'd put a dampener on this whole thing."

"You will not." Ghira cut in. "I shall make sure of it, Specialist Hughes."

"I appreciate it, Representative Belladonna." The olive haired woman smiled gratefully. She then proceeded to lead the group over to her team. They had remained standing at ease during the conversation, but snapped to attention and saluted when the Menagerian group reached them.

"Introductions." She first gestured to the pair of obvious siblings. "These are Caelus and Terra."

Caelus wore a sleeveless white waistcoat over a red shirt. His trousers were blue and had an abundance of pockets, and his boots were black and red and clearly intended to be used in most if not all terrains.

Terra wore a similar uniform, albeit one that actually had sleeves. Both had deep brown eyes and dusty blonde hair, although Caelus' was kept short and wild and Terra's was in an impressive plait that came halfway down her back.

"Ah." It was Ghira that spoke. "The famous Yesta twins, yes?"

"Correct sir." Caelus answered. "Although I believe my sister is more famous than I am."

"Aye, I'm afraid I cannot dispute that." Ghira chuckled, and turned his attention to Terra. "If it is not too much trouble, I would appreciate your autograph before I leave, Miss Yesta. My wife is quite the fan."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"It's no trouble at all, Representative Belladonna." Terra replied with a small smile. "I'd be happy to provide one for her."

"And the last of our quartet, Taji Shen." Nonette cut in, and gestured to the lean individual, whose longcoat-like uniform had a hood, unlike those of their teammates. A few stray locks of pale blonde hair peaked their way out from under it, and a wicked looking chain-whip made its home on their belt. "They're quiet, but usually the voice of sanity amongst us."

Taji offered a faint nod in greeting. "...Hello."

Sienna returned it, and privately decided that Taji was already her favourite of the 'protection' team. Not that she had much to go on yet. But she had always preferred the quieter ones, especially ones that weren't overly boasty.

The fact that Taji's accent was neither Atlesian or Mantellian was another thing in their favour.

Nonette cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention. "Forgive me for moving things along, but I do believe that Starlight Tower awaits you, Sir. Best not keep the bigwigs waiting, for all our sakes."

_______

Albus Hawthorn watched as the irate figure of Absinthe Campbell stalked around his office, and wondered how the woman managed to do so for so long without breathing. He could understand her anger, if he was honest.

She had had a great deal of pressure put upon her since she became the Headmistress of Atlas, and had to compromise her personal code of ethics on more than one occasion. She'd covered up missteps of his own agents and allowed Ozpin access to files he really had no business in seeing. And she'd had to deal with Branwen being his usual unsober self.

But in spite of all of that…

"Five years." Absinthe seethed. "I've been Headmistress of Atlas Academy for five years. If he can trust me with the existence of the Relics, Maidens and Salem, why does he not trust me with the bigger picture of what he's doing?"

"He does like to pull the 'I'm bloody cryptic' act more often than he should." Hawthorn smiled. "But even if you don't trust him, trust me. Ozpin's doing what is needed. It's frustrating, I know. But what you are doing, and what you have done, has been and is appreciated."

"Stop defending him." Absinthe snapped as she made to leave his office. "I swear, Albus. If he doesn't start actually telling me why I'm doing what he wants me to do, I'll resign as Headmistress and go back to beating on Grimm. Let some other poor schmuck deal with his bullshit. Now come on, we'll be late for the meeting."

"I need to make a call." Albus said. "Go on, I'll catch up."

"...I'm not apologizing for you if you are late." She warned as she departed.

"Understood!" He cheerfully called after her, before waiting a few moments to make sure she was gone. When he was certain that Absinthe was out of earshot, he sat at his desk and began typing.

"Albus?" The image of Headmaster Oliver Ozpin appeared on the screen. "I wasn't aware that we were due a meeting today. Dare I ask what's happened?"

"It's a small thing, Oz. But it ought to be dealt with sooner rather than later." Hawthorn began. "You know that I trust you, my friend. But Abby really doesn't. Unless you throw her a bone or two, we might well have another Raven on our hands."

"..I doubt Absinthe will go that far." His colleague replied. "But I take your point. I have pushed her further than I ordinarily would. Someone coming into the Inner Circle when they are already in a position of authority is not a common occurrence."

"Perhaps that's the problem, my friend." The General commented. "How many of the Circle have their current positions because of you and your...input?"

Ozpin remained silent.

"All but her, Oz." Hawthorn continued. "True, Fiona chose her as her successor, but that was based entirely on her talent as an educator. You had no input in her placement."

"..All true." Ozpin conceded.

"So, I must ask.." He cleared his throat, and looked the man on the screen in the eye. "Is the reason you've tested her so much, because she wasn't your choice? Or because she's a Campbell?"