*** Meanwhile... Tyrian's suggestion about seeking out a different outfit did not go unheeded. With a quick pick of the lock and shutdown of the security cameras, she was in. Aurelia stood in the darkened Roxbury Boutique, processors analyzing and dismissing options with mechanical efficiency. Current design assessment: Combat proven Optimal blade array integration All systems are perfectly calibrated Movement patterns already calculated She caught her reflection in the mirror, red eyes analyzing her existing outfit with new consideration. "Your opinion is noted, uncle, but my current configuration," she said to the empty store, "Already represents peak efficiency. Changes would require unnecessary recalibration." Her array shifted slightly beneath her coat - a perfect fit developed through precise calculation. "Though," she added as she reactivated the security systems, "I suppose this means you were correct about my developing preferences. How inefficient." The key to optimization meant recognizing where it already exists in the world. But this charade into a boutique has given her an idea. To overcome this increasingly complex situation in Atlas, she'll need some creativity. Later, in Mistral… The Spider's Web wasn't just a bar - it was an analog information network. Inefficient, perhaps, but with key... advantages over digital systems. Mission parameters: Adjusted Approach vector: Calculated Cover identity: Selected How... theatrical Aurelia's heels clicked with precise timing as she descended the steps. Her sensors mapped every exit, every concealed weapon, every eye watching. The guards' fingers tightened on triggers as she approached the Spider's throne. "Well now," Lil' Miss drawled, fan fluttering. "What brings such an... interesting guest to my humble establishment?" "Information," Aurelia modulated her voice to project exactly the right mix of wealth and danger. "Regarding certain... creative individuals for hire in Atlas." The fan stopped. "Atlas is a long way from Mistral, dear." "And yet," Aurelia's red eyes reflected candlelight, "Your web stretches quite far, doesn't it?" Aurelia noted to Lil' Miss, red eyes reflecting candlelight. "Perhaps you may also have information about one Trivia Vanille." Tactical analysis: Ongoing Threat assessment: Minimal Room mapped: Complete Missing: One crucial variable Above, hidden in the shadows of the support beams, the person in question watched the machine that helped orchestrate her employer's death with predatory patience. Each movement, each calculated gesture, each precise word - all recorded with perfect attention. Aurelia's sensors swept the room with mechanical precision, missing entirely the one person who had mastered the art of being unseen. Aurelia's perfect calculations created a blind spot that she had slipped into with practiced ease. "Afraid that particular individual's been... scarce since Beacon," Lil' Miss replied, her fan hiding what might have been a smile. "Is that so?" Aurelia's voice remained steady as her infrared sensors detected movement above. Each silent step registered with perfect clarity as she descended. New variable detected Combat probability: Calculating Threat assessment: Significant How... fascinating "Though perhaps," Aurelia continued, red eyes fixed on Lil' Miss, "We should include all relevant parties in this discussion." Her blade array shifted beneath her coat - not deploying, just preparing to deploy into defensive positions. She finally landed behind Aurelia, with a parasol in hand. She didn't make a sound, but Aurelia's sensors mapped every subtle shift in air pressure. "Neopolitan," she acknowledged without turning, well aware such was the name she preferred. "I was wondering when you'd make your presence known." The tension in the room crystallized into something perfect and deadly. Two predators, each an expert in their craft, meet properly at last. And it would seem she had every reason to want her dead. Neo struck first – Hush became a blur aimed at Aurelia's neck. But the android was already moving, her frame twisting with mechanical precision as two golden blades appeared to counter. Combat analysis: Initiated Target style: Highly unpredictable Standard probability calculations: Failing How... problematic The Spider's Web erupted into chaos as they clashed. Where Aurelia moved with calculated grace, Neo was pure artful deception. Each time the android's sensors locked onto a target, it shattered into glass, leaving her striking empty air as Neo appeared from impossible angles. "Your combat algorithms exceed standard parameters," Aurelia noted as she blocked a strike that came from three directions at once. "Though ultimately-" Neo's boot connected with her jaw, sending her through a table. The smaller woman's smirk carried years of accumulated rage. Combat assessment: Recalculating Traditional targeting: Ineffective Threat level: Increased Pride subroutines: Irritated Aurelia's full array appeared, golden blades creating perfect geometric patterns that Neo somehow flowed between like water. For every calculated strike, the assassin had three impossible counters. For every perfect defense, she found four gaps that shouldn't exist. Tables shattered. Walls cracked. Lil' Miss simply watched, fan hiding what might have been amusement as her establishment became a battleground between opposing forces of nature. "Perhaps," Aurelia managed as Neo's parasol found another gap in her supposedly perfect defense, "We should discuss this like rational-" Another spray of glass. Another impossible angle. Another strike that bypassed every prediction algorithm. "Outside." Lil' Miss's voice cut through the chaos with quiet authority. "Both of you." Neo paused mid-strike, her parasol hovering inches from Aurelia's throat. The android's blade array had frozen in a perfect killing formation around the assassin. Tactical assessment: Venue change needed Property damage: Significant Spider's authority: Acknowledged How... inconvenient They backed away with predatory grace, neither turning their back on the other. The patrons parted as they moved toward the exit, tension crackling between them like lightning. "Try not to destroy the entire district," Lil' Miss called after them. "Bad for business." The night air carried the promise of violence as they moved to Mistral's empty streets. Neo's smirk hadn't wavered. Aurelia's array was reformed into perfect attack positions. Neo struck like a ghost - present one moment, shattered glass the next. Aurelia's blade array created perfect geometric patterns that somehow never quite caught their target. Combat protocols: Failing Standard calculations: Insufficient Opponent capability: Exceeding parameters Pride subroutines: Severely irritated A parasol strike that should have been impossible shattered another blade's perfect trajectory. Neo's boot found openings in mathematically flawless defenses. Each time Aurelia's sensors locked on, they found only fragments of illusion. "Your ability to defy probability is..." Aurelia blocked three strikes while tracking four illusions, "Becoming problematic." Neo's silent smile suggested this was only the beginning. Then something shifted in Aurelia's red eyes. A cold fire that even made Neo pause. "Hmm," The android expressed with a mechanical surety, "It's about time to change the parameters, yes?" Maiden power exploded outward - not just fire, ice, or lightning, but pure elemental fury channeled through perfect calculation. Neo's illusions shattered under waves of golden energy as Aurelia's array became conduits for power that could reshape reality. The assassin's heterochromatic eyes widened slightly as she found herself surrounded by a storm of maiden-enhanced blades, each one trailing power that could reduce buildings to ash. "Shall we discuss business now?" Aurelia's voice carried through the maelstrom. "Or would you prefer another demonstration of optimal force?" Neo's grip on her parasol tightened, but even she had to acknowledge when she was outmatched. Her slight nod carried both acceptance and warning - this wasn't over, just... postponed. There are moments when precise calculation means understanding just how much power it is to show. Even if it meant exposing cards one would have preferred to keep them concealed.

In the aftermath of Beacon's fall, Team POLC and JNPR unite for training at Atlas Academy, each carrying the weight of their losses with them. Pyrrha's agility complements your raw power as you spar; Nora and Cinder engage in explosive combat. Ren and Liam flow with precision, synchronization, and lethality. Qrow and Raven watch critically from above. The session ends with both teams standing together, sharing their journey through grief and determination, finding solace in unity.

As Ruby and Yang burst into the infirmary, they are greeted by an empty room. The school nurse must be elsewhere attending to another patient. Your clone, hidden behind a nearby door, watches with amusement as Yang tries to help her sister lie down on one of the beds.

Ruby, still in the throes of pleasure and pain from U's violation, clings tightly to Yang, her nails digging into her sister's skin. "No! I can't... It hurts..."

Yang winces as Ruby digs her nails into her skin, but doesn't let go. "Ruby, I need you to calm down," she pleads, trying to keep her voice steady despite the pain. "You don't want anyone else to see this, do you?"

With a final heave, Ruby finally lies down on the bed, wincing as U's cock inside her shifts uncomfortably.

"Oh, you know her?" Jaune asks, raising an eyebrow. "She's a good fighter, but I think she needs to work on her endurance if she wants to go far in this tournament." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "Why? Do you two know each other or something?"

"She may be strong," Jaune agrees, "but she can also be quite stubborn. You'll have to catch her at the right moment if you want to fight her."

He glances at his watch before continuing.

"I have to go myself, but I can put in a good word for you if you want."

"Thank you, Jaune,"

You say gratefully.

"That would be great. I appreciate it."

Nodding goodbye, you work out for a couple hours at the gym, shower, and then head out.

"How about we start with some offensive techniques?" you suggest to Ruby. "Your strikes have a lot of power behind them, but it might help if you focused on precision and speed as well." She nods seriously, seeming eager to improve in that area.

Weiss watches silently from the sidelines for a few moments before speaking up. "I could show you a few exercises to help with that," she offers, her tone slightly less frosty than usual. "They've worked well for me."

You and Ruby exchange glances before turning back to Weiss, surprised by her offer of assistance. "That sounds like a good idea," you say, giving her a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, Weiss."

Weiss huffs but doesn't argue, instead walking over to join the pair of you. Ruby looks pleased as she begins to follow Weiss' instructions and practice the exercises she suggests. With both of them working together, they seem to make good progress over the course of the session.

"How about we start with some offensive techniques?" you suggest to Ruby. "Your strikes have a lot of power behind them, but it might help if you focused on precision and speed as well." She nods seriously, seeming eager to improve in that area.

Weiss watches silently from the sidelines for a few moments before speaking up. "I could show you a few exercises to help with that," she offers, her tone slightly less frosty than usual. "They've worked well for me."

You and Ruby exchange glances before turning back to Weiss, surprised by her offer of assistance. "That sounds like a good idea," you say, giving her a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, Weiss."

Weiss huffs but doesn't argue, instead walking over to join the pair of you. Ruby looks pleased as she begins to follow Weiss' instructions and practice the exercises she suggests. With both of them working together, they seem to make good progress over the course of the session.

You enter the cozy bookstore and are immediately greeted by the welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The shelves are packed with books of all genres, and Tukson seems quite pleased to see you. He asks if there's anything in particular that you're looking for today, or if you'd like him to recommend something. What do you say?

You take a closer look around the store, and notice that Blake is browsing through some books nearby. She seems quite engrossed in her reading, so you decide not to interrupt her right now. Instead, you head further into the shop, taking note of various interesting titles along the way.