For those of you who want to know more about Jenni her updated OC info is now posted in my OC book.

On the train headed to Mistral, Jenni was laying her head against the window lazily watching as the countryside became a blur of earthy tones as the train rumbled by.

She stole a quick glance to Hazel, who was sitting across from her, but found her companion was asleep, his chin resting against his chest.

Jenni sighed knowing that her only conversation partner was out of commission for the moment so she went back to watching the outside. Though she couldn't help but wonder how easy it would be to just jump off the train. To run away from Salem and everything else. But, she knew she couldn't leave Cinder.

As if reading her mind Hazel let out a grunt causing Jenni to jump in her seat.

"You know you're stupid kid," Hazel said gruffly.

Jenni raised a brow, "excuse me?"

"You really think you can protect Cinder? All on your own?"

"Where's this-"

"We got nothing but time kid. Might as well make the best of it." Hazel said cutting her off.

"Ok first of all I'm not a kid. And second I'm trying my best here." Jenni said sharply.

"Look Jennifer, Cinder needs to leave Salem's domain as soon as possible. She mentally, physically, and emotionally won't be able to handle it forever. And you mouthing off to Salem or trying to interrupt her training is just going to get you killed. Then where will Cinder be?"

"If you care about her so much why didn't you insist that she come with us?" Jenni asked.

"I don't trust Adam not to hurt her." Hazel replied.

"Why? Because she's human? So are you."

"If he were to try anything I could handle myself."

Jenni eyed Hazel's scarred arms and his physique, even sitting down his head almost touched the top of the train car.

"Yeah," she agreed, "you could probably snap him like a toothpick."

Thinking, she added, "so...why do you do this? Support Salem I mean. You're...I don't know...not like the others I guess."

"I have my reasons," the man replied gruffly.

"Ok...and those reasons are-"

Hazel shot her a look, "my twin sister was murdered. Salem promised I could get vengeance on the person who caused it."

"So you work with other murderers," Jenni said with a slight eye roll, "makes perfect sense. Why not go to a huntsman or huntress for help?"

The young woman could tell Hazel wanted to yell at her as his voice somehow lowered another octave and he spoke almost in a growl.

"I don't trust them. Huntsman academies are disgusting. They promise children that they can become heroes but all that ends up happening is they get killed. Then someone is brought in to replace them. And the cycle repeats."

Jenni blinked, "oh..."

Hazel leaned his head against his chest and closed his eyes once more. It was obvious he was done with this conversation.

———————–––—————————————

Cinder took a deep breath as she slowly opened the door to Salem's meeting room. She had been called to Salem's side for additional information regarding her new mission. 

When she walked up to Salem she saw her conversing with a seer Grimm.

Salem waved her over and the surface of the creature rippled.

"Y-your grace...are you there?" A nervous voice called from within.

The seer grimm went still once more and instead of her own reflection staring back from the mirror like surface Cinder saw Watts and a man whom she assumed must've been the headmaster of Haven Academy.

"Hello Leonardo," Salem said, "do you have something to report?"

"Of course ma'am," the nervous man, Leonardo replied, "I would not waste your time if not."

But before he could state his report Watts pushed him aside and began tapping a finger on the surface of the seer.

"I'm still just so fascinated by this creature. Cinder dear are we coming through?" He shot her a cocky grin, "can you see us clearly? Well as clearly as you can?"

Cinder grit her teeth, "Shut. Up."

Watts' grin faltered, "oh goody. You've recovered."

Cinder opened her mouth to retort but Salem held a hand up, "Leonardo. Your report. What is it?"

"I-I found the spring maiden," Leonardo answered.

Salem raised a brow, "is that so? Well done."

Leonardo seemed to almost perk up at the dark  witch's praise but that was short lived as Salem praised Watts instead.

"Arthur. Had I known how useful you'd be in expediting this process I would've sent you long long ago."

"As much as I'd love to take credit for this ma'am I'm afraid neither of us are to thank for this development. I guess you could say...a little birdie told us." Watts smirked.

Salem raised a brow, "explain."

"You see ma'am," Leonardo stuttered, "Qrow Branwen arrived at Haven Academy earlier today. He believes Spring has taken residence with his sister's tribe."

"So Qrow is there too," Cinder thought. Out loud she added, "is...the girl...with him?"

"Yes Miss Rose was in attendance," the Haven headmaster confirmed.

Salem shot Cinder a glare as if challenging her to interrupt again, "and you know of the tribe's location?"

"Yes ma'am," Leonardo nodded, "but you have to hurry Qrow is already at odds with my-"

But he was cut off as a single glare from Salem caused the seer grimm to shoot out a tentacle and wrap it around his throat.

Cinder's eye widened in horror.

"Leonardo," the villainess purred as Leonardo choked and gasped for air, "do you remember the first time we met?"

The tentacle tightened and Leonardo fell to his knees.

"I remember. I remember your fear."

Leonardo's eyes bugged out as he struggled for oxygen.

"But since that day you've been extraordinarily brave," Salem smiled and the other tentacles of the seer grimm rose up from the ground, "I won't forget all that you've done for me. But don't forget everything I can do to you." One of the tentacle's bladed tips hovered an inch from the Haven headmaster's face.

The dark witch then commanded the grimm to let Leonardo go causing him to collapse on the floor while breathing heavily.

"Cinder. You and your team will meet with Dr Watts and together convince Raven Branwen that the survival of her people depends on her cooperation. Once you have Spring under control escort her to the relic and contact Hazel and Jennifer. The white fang was promised the destruction of Haven and they'll have it once we have what we need."

Watts bowed, "understood."

"Not yet Arthur," Salem cut him off, "Tyrian is in need of a new tail."

"What happened to his old one?!" Watts asked in disbelief.

"Guess," Salem said with a smug smile.

Watts sighed, "the silver eyed girl....fine it will be done."

The reflection in the seer went dark.

Cinder stood at the window looking out over the hellish landscape.

"You're free to speak your mind," Salem said.

"Yeah right," Cinder thought, but she decided to test her luck, "I don't understand. Working with bandits? Keeping Ruby alive? What's the point?"

"Never underestimate the usefulness of others. Take Leonardo, he was one of Ozpin's most trusted and yet now...." Salem said.

The fall maiden gripped her shadow hand which was hidden under a long sleeve.

"You will have the power I promised you when the time is right but don't forget that it comes at a cost." Salem added, "if Ruby Rose has learned to harness her gift then you must take care to protect yours. There's only so much I can do to aid you."

Cinder slowly bowed and prepared to walk away.

"And Cinder. One more thing, inform Tyrian that I wish to have a word with him." Salem's eyes glowed dangerously.

The fall maiden couldn't help but smirk, it seemed Tyrian was finally on his "goddess'" bad side.

As Cinder headed back to her room a portal opened in front of it and a woman with long black hair, clad in a form fitting black dress walked through. She also had a curvaceous figure and an ouroboros tattoo on her chest.

"Mother's home!" Wendy Eves said enthusiastically.

Cinder mentally groaned.

"There's my Cinder," she said hugging her tightly.

Cinder hugged her back reluctantly.

Wendy then grabbed Cinder's chin and forced her to look at her.

She clucked her tongue, "such a disappointment. That girl did a number on you."

Cinder looked at the ground and she felt Wendy roll up the long sleeve covering her left arm, "what's this? A grimm arm?"

"It was Salem's idea not mine..."

"What do you mean?" Wendy asked.

The fall maiden grit her teeth, "stop playing dumb you know what happened! You saw through my eyes! You controlled me at Beacon! You know Ruby used her silver eyes on me and thanks to that stupid grimm beetle you use to force me to do your bidding I almost died! My arm was paralyzed!"

Wendy's fingernails elongated into claws and she pinned Cinder to the wall, her hand clasped around her throat, "listen here you little brat. You don't get to snap at me! You understand?!"

Cinder gasped for air.

"What was that?!"

"Y-yes...mother," Cinder choked out.

Wendy dropped her to the floor, "good girl."

"Now run along I have a meeting with Salem."

Cinder nodded and quickly walked away. Once she made it back to her room she closed her door and laid on her bed.

"You will have the power I promised you when the time is right but don't forget that it comes at a cost." Salem's voice echoed in her head, "if Ruby Rose has learned to harness her gift then you must take care to protect yours. There's only so much I can do to aid you."

The fall maiden raised her left arm up, "yeah it cost me my arm, my eye, and probably my life." Cinder wasn't stupid she knew Wendy, with Salem's permission of course, was using her as a vessel to hold all the maiden powers. But why she had no idea. Yes at first she had wanted power to feel strong, to feel important. But now seeing what gaining that power had done and what she had to endure to get it she wanted nothing to do with it.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Hey Cinder can I come in?" Rei asked from outside.

"Yeah..." Cinder said.

The snake faunus opened her bedroom door and walked in before closing the door back behind him.

"I saw Wendy was back."

"Yep," Cinder groaned.

Rei sat beside her on her bed.

"Salem gave us our mission, we're supposed to go to Raven Branwen's tribe and tell her to give us the Spring Maiden. Haven Academy is the next target," Cinder said changing the subject.

Rei ran a hand through his hair, "great...and once we leave this place you're-"

"Wendy's puppet again. Yeah."

"What does it feel like anyway?"

Cinder looked at her lap, "it's weird. It's almost like I'm watching my life through a screen or something. I know where I am and what I'm doing but I can't control any of it."

Her friend nodded, "have you told the others?"

Cinder sighed, "I've tried but Emerald follows me no matter what I do because I saved her and Mercury is just apathetic to all of this. And Jenni...she said she knew that wasn't the real me at Beacon because we've been friends for so long."

She then looked at Rei, "Rei please promise me something. If things get really bad, and I mean like back at Beacon bad, I need you to stop me. Do whatever you need to do to break Wendy's control."

"Cinder I can't-"

"Please?!" Cinder had tears welling in her eye.

Rei sighed sadly, "alright. I promise."