"Clark!" Penny waved excitedly from Beacon's campus stands. Just behind her was Ciel Soleil, who was attentively checking her watch.

Clark hadn't seen Penny's chaperone in a while. Apparently, the general could give Penny some freedom for spars and not much else.

"Hey Penny." He greeted. "Miss Soleil."

The soldier gave a small nod in response.

"I'm glad you got my message." Penny said. "You came down rather quickly."

"Yeah, I didn't really have that much to do today." He answered. Team CFVY was currently up in the stadium watching other fights.

"You didn't have any duties in the city?" asked Penny.

"Only a few."

He hadn't done very much as the Dart recently. There was already the increased police force, but the Atlesian military were pretty much everywhere because of the Vytal Festival.

Clark had only dealt with a couple of pickpockets trying to take advantage of tourists during his patrol. A light tap at super-speed had sent them careening into a wall and falling dazed. It had been easy enough to get the police attend to them.

"Okay." Penny nodded. "Then let's hang out." She pronounced the phrase carefully. As if she were trying it out for the first time. She seemed surprised by how much she liked the sound of it.

Clark smiled at the delight in her expression. Although it was kind of awkward with Ciel standing by stiffly.

Penny first led them to a food stand.

"If this is for my sake, you don't have to." Clark told her. "I'm not hungry, and . . . you probably aren't either. Unless you want something?" He asked Ciel.

"I'm fine." She said.

With Ciel here, he couldn't just outright ask Penny why she was buying food when she was a robot. Thankfully, she explained it on her own.

"I want to try some of the food here, it's not often that I get the opportunity." Penny explained.

That was why? He doubted that she'd be able to taste it, but maybe she wanted to practice eating.

Maybe it made her feel human.

Clark didn't mention it while they waited in line. He bought a big soft pretzel for himself, and Penny got a corndog.

He wasn't hungry, but Clark still bit into his baked treat and hummed happily. The surface cracked lightly, and the inside was nice and fluffy. The outside had just enough salt to give it a nice tang rather than completely dominate the taste. As he'd discovered yesterday, the pretzels at the festival were perfect.

Penny took a small bite of hers, barely a nibble. Clark recalled that she'd once drank a cup of coffee in one gulp. This was a bit too far in the other direction.

"So, you like it?" He asked.

She considered the question. "It's an interesting experience, I don't usually eat . . ." She glanced at Ciel. "these kinds of food." She added quickly.

Clark tried to fix Penny's slip-up as well as he could. Which meant pretending it was totally normal. "You can get ketchup and mustard on it too if you want." He suggested, finishing off his food.

"No, that could be difficult to clean in certain regions."

Really? She didn't seem to have any issue drinking liquids. What made sauces different? Or did she just not like the thought of them coating the inside of her throat?

Penny took another small bite. Her teeth only picked up more of the fried batter, and the sausage inside still wasn't visible.

"Hey, isn't that-

"I saw them yesterday-

"From Atlas, right?"

Members of the crowd started to recognize Penny as one of the tournament contestants. Although most of them focused on her and Ciel, a few homed in on Clark as an unknown. He could hear them speculating as to who he was.

It was the same situation as when he'd hung out with team CFVY. Although thankfully, this time no one made a move to approach Penny.

The looks were still mildly annoying, so Clark took the lead and brought them to a less packed area of the stands. Where some tables were hidden off to the side. Though there were still those who followed them curiously. Only a few.

"I saw your fight." Clark said. "I've only seen you in action a couple times before. You're really good with your swords." Seriously, there had been four people on Penny's team, but she'd done most of the work.

Penny brightened at the compliment. "Thank you. The general had me practice often as preparation. Perhaps I could use them the next time we spar?"

"I don't see how that would help me train for . . . my opponent." He said. Ciel's presence made it necessary to tiptoe around any mention of the phantom.

"That's true, he won't use swords, especially not like mine. However, you could use the opportunity to learn to fight a range of other opponents. With experience, you could become an even greater combatant."

"Yeah, but I don't want to fight people." Clark informed her.

"Are you sure? I find testing my skill against others very enjoyable."

Despite Penny's eagerness and suggestions, Clark didn't see the appeal. If he went all-out and used all of his abilities, it would be overkill against most people.

That was tough to discuss with Ciel nearby, but the two of them somehow managed. Hinting at a powerful Semblance.

Penny pointed out how he could limit himself like he did with her. That would make the fight last longer and add some difficulty. Which, to her, meant it would more interesting, but he didn't have a sense of thrill in fighting like she or team CFVY seemed to. They reveled in combat, while Clark preferred less violent pastimes.

Throughout their discussion, Penny didn't even touch her corndog. She'd almost seemed to forget about it until she moved the hand holding it. Then, she nibbled it again.

Clark chuckled.

Penny swallowed, and he could hear the machinery inside tuck the bit of food inside. "I don't understand, is something funny?"

He shook his head. "It's just . . . you can take much bigger bites than that."

"Oh." She held it with both hands and seemed to wonder how to continue.

"You researched them, right? Didn't you look up how most people eat those?"

"I neglected to investigate that."

Clark winced at the wording and glanced at Ciel. The soldier had a blank expression, but surely she would notice how strange all this was?

He was teaching a robot how to eat a corndog. Apparently, Penny wasn't exactly programmed to, but she should be able to manage it fine. Right?

"There's somebody eating one." He pointed to a man in the crowd. "Just do it like him."

Penny found who he meant, and mimicked the tourist's bite. Her teeth sank into the bread and a good chunk entered her mouth.

Her chewing was, to put it mildly, awkward. Several times, Clark heard her teeth pinch her tongue. It was softer than the rest of her metallic body, but luckily, didn't seem to suffer any permanent damage. Besides that, she tilted her head in different directions. Seemingly so she could get all the food between her teeth when she chewed.

Finally, she swallowed. Briefly, Clark wondered what he'd see if he tried looking inside her with X-ray vision. Did she have some liquid to act as saliva? Or did dry food just fall down and end up in a compartment somewhere?

"How was that?" she asked expectantly.

"Fine. Totally fine." He quickly assured her. "Although you should talk to Ironwood about it." If she wanted to eat from time to time, there had to be a way to make it look more natural.

"Yes, I can't exactly eat with the instinctive ease that most people have." Penny looked at it sadly. "Clark, you understand that I have trouble with my sense of taste. What's it like? Enjoying food?"

She phrased it like she had a sort of medical condition. It wasn't the best excuse, but it might work. He'd have to warn her about that method though, otherwise she'd go down a rabbit hole of constantly explaining away weird quirks about her body.

"Food can be great." He began. "From talking to my parents, I know that my sense of taste doesn't work like most people's either, but I still enjoy most of the same foods they do. There's no real way for me to describe sweet or salty to someone who hasn't tasted it before, but there's more to enjoying food than tasting it."

"How so?"

"It's always better eating with other people. It's great to talk at the table and catch up with how everyone's day went. To see their faces light up when they taste something good and keep their eyes on it for the rest of the meal." He grinned at the memories. "My mom always made us a lot, and Dad would always fill up and lean back in his chair satisfied after a meal."

"It sounds nice."

"Yeah, it is." It had been a while since he'd last seen his mom. Maybe he'd invite her home and have a big celebration dinner when he got back to Earth. He'd make sure to do all the cooking, although he'd need her to watch over the more complicated recipes so he didn't mess them up.

Penny had another question. "You mentioned that your sense of taste is different, how so?"

"Oh, that." It had been an off-hand comment. It was technically an ability of his, like all his supercharged senses, but not one he actively used. "My sense of taste is really sensitive. I used to be able to tell whether an apple pie was made with apples from the tree out back, a neighbor, or the market in town. Or if my mom changed the seasoning a bit in some of her dishes. Things like that, it doesn't really affect me much."

After a few silent moments, Penny smiled. "I just realized an interesting disparity between us. Many of my senses are dulled, practically non-existent. While yours . . ."

Penny didn't finish the sentence, since Ciel was there, but it was easy to understand what she meant.

"Yeah, that is kind of interesting." He agreed.

And among his heightened senses, his hearing picked up that someone had separated from the crowd and approached them. The footsteps were familiar, but before he recognized who it was, she spoke.

"Hey Clark!" Velvet called out.

He turned around, and waved back. "Hey." He smiled to her.

She was wearing yellow shorts and a light brown shirt. It was another hot summer day, so her face was a bit red from the heat. She was sweating slightly too, and a drop of moisture rolled down her smooth neck.

Stop staring. Clark urged himself, and moved his eyes up to meet her gaze.

"The fight's over already?" He asked, keeping his voice even.

"Yeah. The winning team's from Haven. They have some neat moves, but Coco thinks we could handle them just fine no matter who they send to the doubles." Velvet faced the two sitting with Clark. "Hi. You're Penny Polendina and Ciel Soleil of Atlas, right?"

"We are." Penny answered.

"Your team did great in your match." Velvet complimented.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I thought likewise of your own Ms. Scarlatina."

"Thanks."

Looked like Clark didn't need to introduce the two to each other. Their names and faces were recognizable thanks to the festival.

"Penny." Ciel said and tapped the face of her watch. "We must go."

"Oh." Penny frowned. "I'd hoped that I would at least get to talk with Clark's friend."

"I can introduce more of them to you later if you want." He offered.

Penny got on her feet and nodded. "Yes, that would be nice. Goodbye Clark, I'll see you later." She walked forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. After releasing him, she turned to Velvet. "I hope to see you again as well."

"Y-yeah, me too."

"Bye." Clark waved as the two left. He faced Velvet. "So, where's the rest of the team?"

She continued looking at the two Atlesians for a few seconds before the question registered. She blinked a couple times. "They're at this great noodle place that Coco found, and we thought you should come try it. Are you hungry?"

Not really, but the only thing he'd eaten since his light breakfast had been a baked pretzel. It was around lunchtime, so he should probably eat something.

"Sure." He decided. "Lead the way."

Velvet guided him through the crowd, interrupted once or twice by team CFVY supporters. After talking to the last of them, she stopped and rubbed her fingers together nervously.

"So, you know Penny Polendina?" Her voice was mostly casual, but Clark caught a hint of deeper interest.

"Yeah, she's a friend."

"Oh, how did you guys meet?"

"It was a little bit after I met your team actually. I had a couple discussions with Headmaster Ozpin about my responsibilities at Beacon." Clark explained. It had been during the aftermath of his first and only Grimm hunting mission. "He's friends with General Ironwood, and I met Penny one time when she was accompanying him. She . . . doesn't have many friends, and I was asked to help her out. She's a nice girl."

Velvet's lips pressed together for a moment. "That's good. You seem pretty close with her, that hug . . ."

Clark's pace slowed for a moment, he was a bit taken aback. Was Velvet jealous? He'd explained to her why he wouldn't pursue romantic relationships during his time here, he wouldn't use that as an excuse so he could try and date someone else.

Even though he was now far less certain of the time frame, it couldn't be too long before he found the phantom and managed to contact Jor-El through the crystal. Only a matter of time.

Clark thought back to Penny hugging him. It was hard to imagine her romantically interested in anyone. Not just because she was a robot, but her innocent personality just made it seem impossible. To Clark, her sign of affection was completely platonic.

But maybe to an outside observer, it could seem like more.

"Penny's just a really eager friend." Clark assured Velvet. "You'll probably find yourself being smothered after enough time with her. Careful though, she has a strong grip."

Velvet giggled. "Okay, I'll be sure to watch out."

She led him to the noodle stand to meet up with the others. Clark wasn't a fast eater, but he was the one who best handled the enormous bowls that were offered. The others were rubbing their stomachs or groaning after the food, but he was fortunate enough to have a tough stomach. He could fit a lot in it if he wanted.

Velvet wasn't able to completely finish hers. The others had soldiered on though, so it became a point of some light teasing from them. Coco had even hinted about a possible reason why she'd want to keep a close eye on her figure. Which had embarrassed Clark as well as the faunus.

By the time everyone had recovered, Velvet had asked the elderly cook to take their picture from her personal camera. They all bunched up together behind the counter, and a brief flash captured the moment.

\\\\\

During the night, the Traveler used the panels of lead Cinder had provided him with. He affixed them to the walls laden with machinery. He moved so quickly that the only times she could spot him were when he paused for brief moments to carry off panels from the pile or screw them to the wall with his bare hands.

He was a secretive individual. He hadn't even given them his name, preferring instead to go by his Traveler title. His precise relationship with Clark Kent was a mystery as well.

When she'd asked, he'd only answered that they 'were pretty much twins'. Even when Cinder had ordered Emerald to approach him more casually and ask, he'd said the same.

At the very least, the Traveler was inhuman. When he'd first removed his mask to reveal his pale skin, Cinder had wondered whether he had a connection to her mistress. Although upon closer inspection, she'd realized his skin turned a darker, grayer shade than Salem's. Its reaction to sunlight was different as well, and he seemed to be unaware of her.

Whatever he was, it was more than his skin that marked him as something other. He mimicked human behavior well, but at times, a brief look into his eyes was all it took to realize what he was.

Or more accurately, what he wasn't.

His eyes were a strange shade of blue, but what was more unsettling was the mind behind them. He was a creature far different from anything she'd encountered before.

What that implied about Clark Kent, she wasn't exactly sure.

"And . . . done!" The Traveler announced proudly. In a matter of minutes, he'd singlehandedly completed the task of covering the walls. "I really appreciate this, could you thank your friend for me?"

"Yes." His casual tone when speaking to her was irksome, but she couldn't rebuke him lightly. She'd once seen him fling Mercury into a wall during a spar by flicking his finger. That strength combined with his speed and flight made him a daunting foe.

"Thanks." He smirked. "By the way, I wanted to ask you something. I had an idea a couple days ago, and I don't want to step on any toes. You don't need her for your plans, do you?"

He pulled out his scroll and showed Cinder a picture of a girl.

"And if I do need her?" Cinder recognized the girl in the photo. Her plans didn't require her, but how important was this girl to him?

His arrogant grin widened. Then, with a shrug, he pocketed his scroll. "Guess I'll change my mind if you're going to do something with her." He tilted his head slightly. "Are you?"

Cinder maintained a calm façade, but she seethed at his tone. He spoke as if this were a favor that he granted her, looking at her with vicious eyes. She hated them as well. They peered at her with inhuman focus, as if he could see straight through her.

"No, I don't plan to do anything with her." She said.

"Great!" This time, his smile was so sickeningly pleasant that she might have believed it genuine at an earlier point in their alliance. "This partnership's really working out great for us." He offered his hand.

She shook it. How quickly could he react if she were to engulf the hand in fire?

She knew the answer, and it vexed her. Too quickly. Catching bullets seemed to be no difficult feat for him.

"I'll be in there testing this stuff. Call if you need me." He pointed at the room he'd just finished paneling. With a flash of speed, he donned the lead suit she'd provided for him, and in his right hand was one of the glowing green rocks Cinder had sent to Watts at the Traveler's request. It had an array of strange properties according to Watts. The man had wanted to keep it to study, but the Traveler had insisted that they would belong solely to him.

Cinder walked off. The Traveler was dangerous. She was loath to invite him to serve Salem, but it was a better alternative than allowing him to roam freely with an unknown agenda.

He seemed interested in neither money nor power, and he'd dismissed her magic with indifference.

Too much about him was unknown. However, whatever his goals were, he seemed to require Kent.

\\\\\

"Time and time again." Clark said, and displayed the Kryptonian crystal. The phrase and the fact that he could touch the crystal proved that he wasn't the phantom. It was a tedious ritual, which was why he usually skipped it by meeting with Qrow or the others during the day. The windows here in Ozpin's office were a convenient source of sunlight, but it was dark out at the moment.

Ozpin nodded. "Thank you for responding so quickly to our message."

"Of course." Clark sat down in the chair in front of Ozpin's desk . "I'm guessing this isn't an update on the phantom. Otherwise, you'd have been more urgent."

"Yep, this is about something else." Qrow said. He stood off to the side as the only other person here.

"And that would be . . .?"

"Before we discuss it, let me digress for a moment." Ozpin said. "You've explained your reluctance to openly use your abilities, but can you do so again briefly?"

Clark narrowed his eyes but agreed. "It basically boils down to two things. I don't want to be seen as different because of what I am or my abilities, and I don't want people trying to use me, or experiment on me because of them."

"I see. Based on your description of your world, abilities like yours are exceedingly rare. You don't have a population of individuals with aura and accompanying semblances."

Clark nodded and remained silent. It didn't take a genius to see where this was going.

"You would have a much less extreme reaction if you were to present your powers to Remnant. We are accustomed to those who seem superhuman and have unique abilities."

"Except my abilities work on a totally different mechanism." Clark said. "I'll take your word that it might not matter as much to most people, but huntsmen will notice when I can take bullets without aura."

"Yeah, but they're not going to freak out over it." Qrow added. "Even though it's not the truth, it's easier to think of you as a guy with a lot of aura and a dozen semblances. More a difference of degree rather than kind."

"Yes. Your powers may seem strange to most at first. But they would be accepted."

Clark shrugged. "Sorry, but I'm not convinced. Can we cut to the chase of why you're asking me to reveal my abilities? After I've already made it clear why I won't?"

"Patience is a virtue Mr. Kent. I believe it's best to build up to that."

Clark internally sighed.

Ozpin continued. "We understand that on your world, you may be persecuted for your abilities, but you should realize that it would not be the case here."

"Maybe, but I have those abilities because I'm an alien. No offense, but based on how I've seen some faunus treated, I don't think that a lot of people here will be accepting of that. And I don't want to be constantly on the lookout for anyone who wants to test me like a lab rat."

"Yes, that is a distressing thought." Ozpin agreed. "However, there is the option for you to pose as a human with extraordinary abilities. You certainly look like one."

"So you want me to lie?"

"Isn't what you're doing now?" asked Qrow.

Clark frowned. "That's different."

"Really, how?"

His frown deepened. "It just is." He knew it sounded stupid to insist like that, but it wasn't easy to explain.

"Well, it seems that neither myself nor Qrow understand why your current situation is better than the alternative of showing the world your abilities, and keeping your alien nature secret. If you're still concerned about those who might seek to experiment on you, Beacon would be more than willing to sponsor you. General Ironwood could offer his support as well. We are powerful allies that few would dare to try and cross."

Qrow caught on to Clark's skeptical expression. "If you're still going to say no, at least think about it before you do."

"Fine, I will."

Could it be possible? It was an appealing option. If Clark took it, he wouldn't have to hide his powers anymore. That was really what set him apart from humans, and Chloe had assumed he was a human even after she'd seen him use his abilities. The fact that he was an alien had been an additional shock to her. Most people wouldn't come to that conclusion on their own.

General Ironwood didn't seem like he'd lend Clark help, but Ozpin's offer seemed genuine. He was the headmaster of the most prestigious school that trained this country's protectors, he had influence. Enough so that Clark wouldn't have to keep an eye out for anyone hunting him. Although he could easily protect himself in a world without kryptonite and only rare cases of magic.

What chance of a normal life would he have though? At best, he'd be a curiosity, someone for people to gawk at. How would that change things with team CFVY? They wouldn't treat him any differently, but their lives would be affected too when people found out they were his friends.

"Thanks for your offer." Clark said. "But I'd still prefer to keep my abilities and . . . alienness hidden."

"You may not have a choice."

Clark narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"

Qrow shook his head. "Wow Oz, great job making it sound like we're threatening him."

"He is threatened, but not by us."

Clark looked back and forth between the two. "What do you mean?"

"Your double, the phantom." Ozpin said. "Has it not occurred to you that he could easily pose as you and start publicly causing mayhem? You'd be exposed, and even in the unlikely scenario we manage to convince authorities that he were a sort of twin, many would expect you to have abilities like his own."

"I did realize that, but . . . he's been quiet so far. He destroyed the ship carrying Amber, but only we could have known it was him. I was hoping that he'd stay on the down low." Clark saw the doubtful looks on Ozpin and Qrow. "I'm not stupid, I have a couple good reasons for believing that. He can't have a large stash of kryptonite to power him, I don't know how much he gets from it, and he probably doesn't either. He might not be able to use his powers as freely as I do."

"That's not a lot to pin your hopes on." Qrow said.

"There's more. The phantom, he has my memories too, and he acted like he cared about my friends and family. My memories could have affected him in more ways, made him want to keep his abilities secret."

"Are you willing to depend on that and a possible lack of energy to deter him permanently?" asked Ozpin. "Think carefully, your double could easily massacre a town and show his face. You'd be marked as a killer, and it would only take a single demonstration of his speed to expose your Dart persona as well."

Clark gulped, but made an argument. "He could still pose as me if I take your offer and tell the world about my powers."

"Not if at the same time you mention a dangerous twin brother with the same abilities as you." Ozpin replied. "Using that excuse after he acts would be hopeless, but if you tell the public beforehand that you're searching for him, you'd have a much better chance of being believed."

"Hold on, let me get this straight." Clark began. "You want me to reveal my powers, and tell a story about having a dangerous twin so the phantom can't frame me? All the while hiding the fact that we're aliens?"

"Ultimately, yes."

Honestly, it sounded insane. The headmaster had a point though, the phantom could take away any choice Clark had anyway. If he revealed himself first, at least he'd have some control of the situation.

"I'll need time to think about it." Clark said finally.

"Unfortunately, that is what we lack. I hope you have an answer by the end of the Vytal Festival. Cinder and the phantom's best opportunity to strike will likely be soon after, when Ironwood and his forces must return to Atlas."

Clark nodded. "I'll tell you by then. Is that all for now?"

"It is."

Clark went to the elevator, and Qrow took the same ride down.

The huntsman spoke immediately after the doors closed. "You know, there's another reason you should show the world what you can do. I think it's the most important of all."

"What is it?"

"People need hope. Things are looking bad with the White Fang, and Ironwood's ships in the sky don't exactly scream safety. It's only been a few months, but you're already pretty popular as the Dart. You realize that?"

Clark nodded. That merchandise store he'd found wasn't the only one of its kind.

"We need someone for the people to believe in. Ozpin knows it, but he doesn't trust you to fill that role. On the other hand, I do. You could do it, inspire people."

"Me?" Right when he asked, the door opened. The two stepped out.

Qrow nodded. "Sure. Not just cause you're super-strong or fast or can shoot lasers out of your eyes. You care about people, you spend your time using what you can do to help them. Pretty much anyone else would be a lot more selfish with your powers."

"You're exaggerating, I'm not that special. Huntsmen like you risk their lives fighting monsters to protect people."

Qrow shrugged. "To most of us, it's a job. Not a lot of people would have gotten as angry as you over a gang kidnapping a total stranger. Even less would make it their responsibility to clear the Grimm from under Vale."

"I did that because I could have stopped the Breach if I'd been with you at Mt. Glenn like I'd promised." Clark said. "And anyone else would be upset too if someone was used as a hostage to capture them."

"Would anyone else ask for the names and backgrounds of the people killed in the Breach?"

"Wha-how do you know about that?"

"You asked Oz for them, and he told me." Qrow explained. "Still think anyone else would do that?"

Clark bit his lip. "I'm sure there are some people."

Qrow shook his head. "Fine, I get it. I'm not getting through that thick head of yours." He placed a hand on Clark's shoulder. "Just think about what I said."

"I will."

The huntsman nodded, and absentmindedly reached for a pouch on his hip. An empty pouch.

"Where's your flask?" asked Clark.

"Hm?" Qrow looked down to see where his hand had wandered. "Oh, that. Well, with you and my nieces constantly nagging me about my drinking habits, even though they're totally healthy, I thought I'd leave it in my room for a bit."

"Really, you think it's healthy?" Was Clark's only response.

"Hey, aura boosts my liver. Look it up." Qrow said indignantly. "Anyway, see ya later Clark. Remember what we talked about." He waved and walked off to his room.

Clark would. After the incident with the Paladin had forced his hand, he'd let criminals know that he was protecting people. But could he do it? Go public, inspire people? Only his powers made him special, powers that he'd been born with, powers that he hadn't earned.

And inspiring others wasn't one of them.