"Bye mom, see you." Safira murmured quietly up to her mom as she hugged the older woman. Her mommy holding her a lot tighter than she normally did, the young Faunus finding more comfort in that embrace than ever before.
"Have fun at the Belladonna's home and just…just be careful alright?" Her mom warned, her smile looking painful than ever before, as she tucked a stray lock of blue hair behind Safira's ear before gently turning the winged Faunus around to see her two guards for the day. Both of the daddy-age men before her wearing the same black outfits that she had grown used to over the last few weeks. One was old, his mustache all grey and scraggly, while the other one was really young, looking between the two Ha-Nuel women with a really nervous expression.
"Do not worry Ms. Ha-Neul. We will allow no harm to come to your daughter. I swear to you on the honor of the Menagerie Guard." The moustache one said as he placed a hand over his heart and bowed to mommy, Terra smiling at the two men and bowing herself.
"Of course, I'm counting on you." Mommy answered before looking down at Safira and nodding knowingly. The young Faunus nodding back up at her mom with the same exactly look. Safria knowing exactly what her mom was talking about, her secret friend.
"You know, if you two keep making faces like that in public people are going to think somethings up, and it's pretty unlikely they'll guess right so who knows what kind of rumors will start floating around." The Ha-Neul familie's ever present ghost commented from somewhere over Safira's head, the young Faunus wanting to giggle at the funny tone her dead friend was using but swallowing said laughter instead, she didn't wanna look crazy to her guards after all. The blunette turning around and slowly walking in the direction of her best friend's house all while maintaining her straight face.
Safira was glad, so very glad, that her daddy hadn't told Sarah to leave that night like he had wanted to and instead allowed her to stay in their family. Her mommy and daddy had talked a lot to the ghost girl, Safira repeating whatever the older girl said back to her parents 'cause they still couldn't hear her. They had talked about where Sarah had come from, the spectral girl talking about more places Safira didn't recognize, to the weird energy thing that Sarah did sometimes, a thing called Aura apparently. And while Safira was always excited to learn new things about the black-haired ghost, the real reason she wanted Sarah to stay was because she…she just really didn't wanna be alone so soon after…after…
Blade pressed against her throat, angry, mean, eyes glaring down at her, fear-somuchfear.
"Safira!" Sarah shouted, the green-eyed girl flinching out of her thoughts to realize that she had stopped walking, her two guards looking down at her in concern.
"Is something wrong Princess?" The younger of the two guards asked her, the man using that weird nickname that people had started calling her by when she got back from…the shipblade against her throat-.
Safira sucked in a breath before clamping down on those thoughts. She didn't wanna-couldn't think about that right now, instead she put on her best fake smile and looked up at the two adults with her. "No, I'm ok. Just thinking about stuff."
The mustache man didn't really look like he believed her but nodded anyway as he gestured in the direction of Blake's house. "I see. Then shall we continue Princess? It would look poorly upon us if we delayed for too long." He asked, Safira humming in agreement as they moved forward.
They only managed to make it a few steps before Safira felt a bunch of nice feeling feelings coming though their link, the young Faunus smiling slightly at the good feelings before frowning a little in confusion. Ever since she woke back up and had been told what exactly had happened her spirit friend hadn't really said anything about that night other than talk about what the older girl saw. She was always around, which was really nice when she had nightmares and woke up crying, but at the same time everyone she knew was constantly asking if she was ok and looking at her sadly, a look Sarah had explained was pity…except for Sarah. Did she…did she make the older girl angry somehow? Was Sarah ignoring her? These were the thoughts that were constantly running though her head nowadays…and that wasn't even mentioning the other thing that she wanted to think about, the decision she wanted to make but was just too scared to think about. What if she wasn't strong enough? What if…what if she was going to be this afraid her whole life?
Wait, that doesn't make sense, she said something to me earlier so she's not mad, stupid, stupid Safira. Safira realized as she shook her head to get rid of the bad thoughts, not bothering to consider the other thing anymore, her two guards looking at her strangely for a second before once again returning their attention to their surroundings. But then…why isn't she asking if I'm ok too? Why wouldn't she? She questioned again, despite the fact that no answer presented itself to her like she wanted.
Eventually, after taking the long way around so Safira could avoid the crowds of Faunus that inevitably gathered in the center of town around this time, their little group reached the Chieftain's home. It was at this point that the guards that were always around Blake's house nowadays took charge of protecting Safira, not that the little girl paid them much attention, she had gotten used to being escorted around by people with weapons ever since…that day. The guards escorted her up the steps before one of them stepped forward and knocked on the heavy wooden door, Blake's mom opening the door after a little while, nodding at the guards, and smiling down at the blue-haired girl.
"Hello Safira, how are you today?" Kali asked quietly as she placed a hand on the Faunus's head and keeled down next to her, that sad look on her face.
"Unn, I'm ok…can I play with Blake?" Safira asked, just as quietly, a flash of something sad crossing the older Faunus's face for just a second before she smiled again.
"Of course you can sweetie. Blake and Adam are out back with my husband. I'll take you to them right now ok?" Kali answered before looking up at the two guards. "Thank you, gentlemen, I'll take her from here."
"Ma'am!" Both shouted before turning around and walking down to the bottom of the steps, Kali gently wrapping an arm around Safira's shoulder and leading her into the house. They walked in silence for a moment before Safira looked up at the older woman, her expression one of faint hope as a question came to mind.
"Umm…Ms. Belladonna? Is my daddy here? Mommy said he might be here when I got here, so i was just wondering..." She eventually asked, after the night when her parents had found out about Sarah, Safira's dad had been spending less and less time around their house besides for the times he wanted to ask Sarah something. And from what Safira heard he wasn't actually out in the desert like he was sometimes but was just somewhere in Menagerie ... It was kinda lonely actually, knowing he was around but not somewhere she could see him.
"He was here earlier, but your daddy had to go talk to some people about something really important with some of the elders." Blake's mom apologized as she patted the girls shoulder, Safira frowning for a second before forcing a smile back onto her face.
"Th-that's ok. I just…" Safira trailed off, not really sure how to say what she wanted to say.
"Your dad does love you Safira, never doubt that." Sarah added from above the young girl's head, nearly startling the younger girl.
"I know Sarah. I just don't know what daddy's thinking about anymore 'cause he's never home. And he keeps asking about you and-." Safira answered, her thoughts beginning to pour though their mental link unabated before the older spirit began to chuckle.
"Like I said, you don't need to worry. Your dad isn't going to make me go away. He just…needs to work things out." Sarah commented with a shrug. "Also, Ms. Belladonna is still speaking to you, so you might want to start paying attention to her again." She continued, Safira actually jumping slightly and noticing that yes, Blake's mom was looking at her like she was expecting an answer.
"U-um…I'm sorry, I wasn't listening." Safira apologized as she put a miserable expression on her face and looked down at the floorboards, the Cat Faunus not buying her act for a second.
"Nice try, but Blake does the exact same thing when I catch her not paying attention."
"Uh…sh-she told me to do that actually." Safira admitted, Ms. Belladonna rolling her eyes and patting the winged Faunus on the head.
"it could use some work, Blake tends to add a trembling lip as well." And with that Kali slip open the door to the backyard, Safira blinking slowly at the confusing sight they found there.
Blake's dad was currently swinging around Adam by his leg like a doll, the bull Faunus screaming curses as the Chieftain threw him into some weird scarecrow looking post while Blake was on her knees panting heavily next to a tree with a weird indent in it. And then, right when he hit the post, Adam's body glowed bright red with some weird light, a light that kinda reminded Safira of the black light that she sometimes saw around Sarah. Maybe it was that Aura thingy?
But Safira didn't have long to think about it, as Blake's mom walked forward and cleared her throat, drawing the attention of all three Faunus. Blake looked up with an almost nervous look, Adam looked kinda sheepish, and Ghira smiled brightly as he clapped his palms together, an almost thunderous boom echoing though the courtyard.
"Ah, young Safira. How are you this fine day?" The Chieftain asked, his own voice just as big as the rest of him.
"I'm ok." Safira answered easily, the answer almost automatic at this point, as she looked around the backyard. "Umm…are you playing some kind of game?" she couldn't help but ask.
"That's one way to look at it I suppose. A game to improve one's body and spirit." Ghira answered before adopting a stern expression. "Though I cannot allow you to join us, as this training is far too advanced for you."
"O-oh…" Safira muttered as she looked down in disappointment.
"Dad…" Blake whined as she stood shakily and made her way over to Safira, hesitating only for a second before hugging the winged girl.
"B-Blake?" Safira couldn't help but squeak out, not really concerning herself with the sweaty, sticky hug she was currently getting but worried more about why she was getting it in the first place. "W-what's wrong?"
"…You looked like you could use a hug." Was all Blake whispered as she broke off the hug and turned back to her father with a serious look of her own. "Dad, even if we can't do Aura training with her, she can join us for everything else right?"
"Hmmm…I suppose that should be fine, so long as she doesn't push herself too hard I see no reason to keep her from joining us." Blake's dad replied after a second before laughing. "Besides, a good sweat does wonders for anyone! Come little Safira, let us see just how well your father is training you." Ghira continued as he cracked his knuckles, Safira paling considerably as the sickening crunch echoed across the backyard.
"…Wow, I'm kinda glad I'm dead already. This isn't gonna be fun for you." Safira heard her spirit friend commented from somewhere behind the winged girl, a sentence that Safira couldn't help but agree with.
Sure enough, it didn't take long for Safira to reach her limit, the young Faunus laying on her back trying desperately to figure out a way to both fill her lungs with as much air as possible while ignoring the burning in her limbs, and failing miserably.
"Really? That's all you've got Seagull?" Adam sneered, falling back on what he used to call her in an attempt to get a rise out of her. a tactic that Safira knew pretty well at this point because Sarah had pointed it out when he did it. "At this rate you won't be coming with u-."
"Don't be a jerk Adam." Blake cut him off with a whack on the back of his skull, Safira smiling tiredly up at the scowl now on the bull Faunus's mouth. "And you're not supposed to be talking about that." She finished, the look on her friend's face making Safira more than a little curious.
"Eh, eh? What? What are you guys talking about?"
"Don't worry about it, young Safira. Simply a choice that these two need to make in the coming days." The Chieftain answered as he walked up, the smile that he had been giving them since they started their little exercise game fading slightly as he turned to his daughter. "Though speaking of. Blake, you need to make your decision soon. Aura or no, it will be a difficult path to walk on. Make certain that this road is the one you truly wish to walk."
Safira watched with growing curiosity as Blake frowned, like she was working on a really, really, hard math problem, before she bowed her head. "…I will father. I promise."
"Mmm, good. Now then, if you three will excuse me, I have some business to attend to." Ghira replied as he gestured back towards the house, Safira peering around the man's leg to see two Faunus in weird red hoods waiting in the doorway. "Safira, feel free to spend as much time as you wish here. My home is yours as well. But I must take my leave. Blake, Adam, I expect you to continue what we have practiced in my absence."
"T-thank you sir!" Safira yelped as she struggled to sit back up and bow awkwardly, the older Faunus simply waving off her awkwardness and turning back and heading into to the main house.
An awkward pause followed in the wake of Blake's father leaving, as Safira was still too exhausted to put enough words together to actually make a sentence, but the silence was broken when Adam made a really weird snorting noise and flopped down himself across from the winged girl.
"Tch, damn it Blake, I know we asked him for this, but your dad's a real slave driver." The bull Faunus complained, Blake shrugging as she pulled out a book from her pocket and quietly sat down next to Safira.
"He says we need to be ready for anything if we're going with him…and after what happened I agree." The cat Faunus answered quietly, Safira's confusion at the situation only growing.
"…Ok, you guys are being really weird. What the heck are you talking about?" The winged girl couldn't help but ask, the way they both tensed at her question only causing her to narrow her eyes further in suspicion.
"N-nothing really! Father is simply helping us become stronger." Blake hurriedly explained, Adam nodding along with the cat Faunus almost mechanically.
"Y-ya! 'Cause we gotta make sure we're tough enough so that if any human bastards show up again we can kick their asses!" Adam shouted in agreement, his eyes going wide when he realized the mistake he had just make.
"Shut up Adam!" Blake hissed back but the damage was already done, as Safira had frozen up at the mention of humans, her eyes wide as she stared off into the distance.
"You…you shouldn't do that…humans like that…they're really scary." Safira eventually managed to force out, a pain filled smile stretching across her lips. "And besides, bad people like them won't bother us here in Menagerie anymore…right?" Safira asked tentatively.
But no one answered her, not the living or the dead. Adam and Blake looked at her like they really wanted to say something but really didn't know how to say it. While Sarah had that same sad smile she always had on in recently. Now that Safira thought about it, what if...what if that was why Sarah was never asking about what Safira was feeling? What if the ghost already knew? But if that was the case...then the black-haired girl knew just how bad everything was and that meant...
"Safira? What's wrong?" Blake's words startled Safira out of her thoughts, the blue haired girl flinching back slightly as the cat Faunusl leaned forward with a really worried looking look on her face. "You were just staring off into space with a sad look."
"Oh…I-I'm fi-."
"You're not fine!" Safira's denial was interrupted by Blake's shout, the cat Faunus leaping to her feet and staring down at the still shocked winged girl. Blake was…was she actually mad? Blake almost never got mad, just pouting a little if she was really upset. Safira hadn't ever seen her look so angry and upset at the same time, it was kinda scary actually. "Everyone can see it! We're all really worried about you but you just keep saying nothing's wrong, that everything's ok when it really isn't!. We want to help you, but you just keep pushing us away!...Do you…do you really not trust us?" Blake anxiously questioned as she sat back down and reached out to grasp at the hem of Safira's shirt, her hand shaking a little as she did so.
Safira was utterly shocked, so shocked that she couldn't even reply with her usual 'I'm ok'. Blake was this worried about her? Worried enough to actually reach out for her? Her cat Faunus friend had always been a little shy about hugs and stuff like that in public, Sarah saying she was a lot like Safira's daddy in that regard, so for her to actually grab Safira was really surprising...But still…" Blake…I just can't. Please…" Safira half begged as she gazed down at the grass beneath her. Why? Why did everyone want to talk about that night? Didn't they get that it hurt to think about? Sarah was the only person who never asked how she was, what she felt about those horrible people, she just… "Please, just don't ask me." She continued, tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes.
"…But…but you're in pain…and I wanna help you, but I don't know how and-and my mom says that talking about problems can make them better…but you keep saying your fine and…and I don't know what to do." Blake started to cry as well while Adam simply watched with a really upset look on his face, the bluenette vaguely recalling Sarah telling her that no matter how old a boy was, they were never really that good at dealing with crying girls.
Safira clenched and unclenched her hands as she tried desperately to think of a way to explain, to figure out a way not to have to talk about her pain, but before she could figure out an excuse she felt a pair of really warm arms circle around her back. Safira slowly looked back up to see that Sarah was now giving her a sideways hug, the older girl giving her a look that reminded her of her mom. It was a look that made her feel safe, a feeling like no matter what she did right now, everything would still be ok after everything was said and done.
So, after taking a shaky breath to try and calm her stomach, not that it really helped, Safira looked back up at her best friend, the look on her face making Blake's eyes go even wider than before. "…I'm scared…I'm so scared Blake. E-every time I close my eyes I hear them laughing…w-when there's too many people around I think someone's gonna grab me! I-I can baerly sleep at night without thinking that the next time I wake up I might be in a cage again!" Safira was practically screaming now, her hands that had been clenched onto the ground only moments ago now wrapped around her chest in an almost vice like grip. "When the sun goes down I can feel his knife against my throat! And I don't know what to do anymore! I can't, I can't do this anymore!"
"But they got the guys, right? They can't hurt you anymore. So why would you still be scared!" Adam argued as he started pacing around in front of the two girls, his arms tensed like he wanted to take a swing at something but he didn't have anything to fight.
"I know! I know that! But I can still hear them laughing at mommy and saying they were gonna kill her! I can still see their faces when I meet strangers! I just…I…" And just like that, everything that Safira had been trying to hide was out in the open, leaving her completely drained. The strain was just too much for her as she placed her head in her hands to try and hide her tears that were now gathering in her eyes, despite the fact that her shaking body and occasional sobs gave her away. She was thankful that she was still in Sarah's arms, and that the older girls hug only getting tighter as Safira explained things, as the hug was the only thing that kept her upright.
And then, without any warning, another pair of arms wrapped around her. a pair of arms that was a lot smaller than her spirit friend's but attached to a very warm body that was currently pressed against her. awkwardly moving her hands out of her face, as her arms were currently trapped between the body currently pressed against her and her own, Safira was surprised to see that instead of just holding her like before, Blake was now full on hugging her fiercely, her arms were so tight that the winged Faunus almost felt like she was going to bruise.
"…I'm sorry…I so, so sorry." Blake muttered into Safira's shoulder, her hug somehow getting even tighter than before. "I knew that you were scared, but I never thought…never considered that you'd be that terrified by what happened."
Safira's sobs quieted into sniffles as she returned the hug, putting as much strength as she could into her grip. "I didn't want to tell anyone. Mom and Dad would just get upset and you and Adam… I just…didn't wanna hurt anymore..."
"…Damn them…Damn them!" Adam cursed before slamming his foot into the ground, the soft earth actually cratering under his anger. "All Humans ever do is take and hurt us Faunus! We can't keep letting them walk all over us like this! And your dad really thinks that being all peaceful is really gonna help? What we need to do is fight back, do to them what they've done to us!" The bull Faunus continued, looking between the two of them with an almost desperate look on his face.
"That's…" Safira trailed off as she looked back down at her best friend, who had tensed at Adam's words. Sure, she wasn't exactly the biggest fan of humans right now, but that didn't mean that she hated all of them…plus, Sarah was technically a human too! Or at least she was when she was alive, so it didn't make sense to be mad at humans just because of the bad ones.
But Safira didn't say anything, how could she? The only humans Blake or Adam had ever met were the guys who sold stuff at the port and…and the people who kidnapped her. she couldn't talk about Sarah to people outside her family, so she couldn't tell them how nice her first friend was…but she still wanted to say something to change their minds.
Though in the end she never got the chance to, as Blake decided to speak up before the winged Faunus could decide what to say. "Adam, there's no reason to talk about this here." The cat Faunus commanded, her words still slightly muffled due to her head still resting in the crook of Safira's neck
"But!" Adam shouted, clearly willing to argue some more, but after glancing at Safira for a second, he simply clicked his tongue and turned away. "…I'm going to go train some more." And with that the red-head walked over to the other side of the backyard, leaving the two girls still hugging.
"…Blake?" Safira eventually managed to find the courage to break the silence, as her best friend still hadn't moved from her position, though thankfully her grip had lessened from 'trying to snap in half' strength to 'very uncomfortable'.
"… Safira, I'm sorry that I made you talk about this." The dark-haired girl apologized as she finally pulled away, her yellow eyes understandably red and puffy considering how wet Safira's shirt was now. "I don't know how to make your pain go away, I don't know how to help you…at least right now."
"Right now?" Safira parroted in confusion, enjoying the newfound freedom of her arms to finally wipe at her own eyes which probably didn't look much better than Blake's.
"Mmm…I've decided." Blake continued, seemingly ignoring Safira's confusion as she stood and stared off into the distance for a second before looking back down at winged girl, Safira gasping at the determined look in her best living friend's eyes. "I'm going to make this word a better place. A place where no one will hurt you like that ever again. I promise."
Safira blinked slowly at that, not really following what her best friend was saying, but before she could question her Blake's mom walked out of the house and made a startled noise in the back of her throat, drawing the attention of the two girls.
"Blake? Safira? What's wrong…wait, were you crying?" The older cat Faunus questioned before rushing over to kneel next to the two kids, her concerned eyes quickly scanning over the two girls. "Come along inside and tell me what's wrong. I'll have someone bring us some tea alright?" Kali warmly suggested, although she didn't even wait for an answer before gently helping Safira up and guiding her back in the direction of the house, the older cat Faunus yelling something at Adam as they went inside.
"So, feeling better Safira?" The winged Faunus's ghost friend asked, Safira jumping slightly in surprise as she had nearly forgotten that Sarah was there, Kali whipping around to check on her.
The winged Faunus couldn't answer immediately, as she had to try and make some excuse that Blake's mom would accept, but after mumbling though a pretty lame excuse she noticed Sarah hover just off to her side out of the corner of her eye, not that she had a good reply anyway. "Eh?"
"Do you feel better after letting that all out?" The spirit clarified as she passed though a wall, her attention never leaving the younger girl.
Safira blinked owlishly for a second before actually thinking about Sarah's question and…she actually did feel a little better. It felt like some of the weight that had been on her chest since she woke up was gone now, like everything was just a little brighter, a little better. Not fixed, but…nicer.
"Ah…eh uh yes, I do feel a little better now…how did…?" Safira couldn't help but question as she and Blake sat down at one of the really low tables Blake's family owned, the winged child not at all that bothered with sitting formally due to the many days she spent around the table reading with Blake, waiting for the tea and Sarah's explanation.
…But when no reply came from her spectral sister Safira couldn't help but turn her head to the side, all while trying to make it look as natural as possible, to see Sarah staring off into the distance with a look that was really familiar to the young Faunus…as it was a look she was seeing more and more in the mirror every time she saw her face. "I know because I've been where you are now. Not for the same reasons but…I know what its like to feel useless and afraid. And when I felt like that, the worst thing was people asking if I was ok." Sarah turned her attention back to the now shocked winged girl. "I knew that the only way you were going to feel better was when you were ready to talk about it, not when anyone else wanted you to talk." And then the older girl smiled, Safira feeling her own lips curl upwards almost like magic. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but someday you'll be able to move on from this. You'll carry it with you yes, but every day that goes by will make it feel better. And I'll be here for you every step of the way…Also, Ms. Belladonna just asked you what type of tea you'd like. I'd go with peppermint or lemon balm if I were you."
Safira jumped to answer the question her soul partner had heard, her mind still stuck on the ghost hovering to her side. Sarah…was just so cool. She was so strong, so nice, and so smart. She was everything the young Faunus wanted to be…she was a hero.
Is this…how my dad makes people feel? Is this what being a good guy is like? Safira considered as she stared down at the table, her hands clenched in her lap. Is this what it's like to be strong? She questioned, despite knowing the answer deep down inside already.
…I think I know what to do…what I want to do. Safira decided then and there…now she just had to figure out how exactly to bring it up to the older girl.
"Good night Dear. Try not to stay up to late, alright?" Zephyr heard his wife call from over his shoulder, the hawk Faunus not needing his admittedly limited imagination to know she was likely smiling fondly at him.
"Of course not Terra, I will join you soon. I simply have some things that need to be confirmed…goodnight." The head of the household returned as he took a seat at the now cleared table and folded his arms in front of him, listening as his wife turned down the hall and moved in the direction of their room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
And what a myriad of thoughts he had that night, almost far too many to actually consider any individually. Chieftain Ghira's timetable is accelerating as more and more Faunus agree to join the cause. I will be getting even more busy in the coming days…which is why it is time for us to finally have this conversation. Zephyr couldn't help but think as she tore up a piece of scrap paper and let the scraps gently fall in a pile on the center of the table before nodding in satisfaction and folding his arms, resigned to the wait before him.
He had learned over the last few weeks that while Sarah was incapable of sleep, a fact that the hawk Faunus couldn't help but feel pity over despite himself, the ethereal guardian of his daughter would remain by Safira's side until she was deep asleep. Something that wasn't necessarily quick to occur due to recent events…or at least that was what he managed to interpret from his daughters less than precise explanation, she had never been truly that excellent at explaining herself after all.
While Zephyr still held reservations in regards to the new member of the Ha-Neul family, he had to admit that from what Safira had spoken about she was useful in regards to the development of his daughter. She aided the winged Faunus in school, watched over her in public, and according to the bluenette's less than stellar explanation was capable of using Aura to heal the child's wounds.
That last part was quite the interesting fact to learn, as the hawk Faunus was fairly certain that no one would have been able to activate the ghost teen's Aura besides for his daughter, and he knew for a fact that she had no idea what Aura even was. Terra and Zephyr had most certainly never mentioned the power of one's soul to the child, and the Huntsman doubted that any of the elders would risk his displeasure by going over his head in that regard…so how exactly did Sarah awaken said soul energy?
A question for another time perhaps, there are far more important questions that need to be answered this night. Zephyr determined as 'something' blew though the scraps of paper, sending them swirling around the table. A wind that normally couldn't be possible considering all the windows were shut and there was no one else present.
"Sarah, I'm glad you noticed my invitation." Zephyr greeted calmly to the open air, already used to ignoring the absurd notion that was him speaking to an empty room. "I apologize for taking up your time tonight, but there are certain things that we need to speak of one on one…but first, I would like to show you something." The hawk Faunus explained before pulling a small, gray, device from his pocket and placing it a good distance away. "While I do not know if you have had a chance to see these devices in your time with us, this is known as a Scroll. A handheld communication device that has become commonplace in the last few years. I intend to give one of these to my wife, along with one to Safira. I will go over most of the functions with her tomorrow, but for now there is one aspect of this device that you need to take note of." And with that, the head of the house grabbed the two sides of the devise and pulled them apart, revealing the screen and projecting the various apps that had come pre-loaded on the Scroll. "This application here is called 'note', and it allows a user to type whatever they wish without risk of the information being given to others." And with his explanation finished, the Huntsman leaned back in his chair and watched the Scroll's screen like the hawk he was. Safira claimed that their families ghost was of noteworthy intelligence, and as such he had no doubts she would understand the implications of such a tool.
And sure enough, after only a few seconds of waiting, a message began to slowly get typed out by an unseen hand. "I C. Nice 2 finly speak 2 U."
She's already figured out how to get a message across without wasting her Aura. Impressive. Zephyr complimented in his head before nodding at the message. "Good…now then, before we begin in earnest, I wish to thank you for your cooperation and for giving my wife and I the space we needed these last few weeks. I will admit, it has been…difficult adapting to the knowledge that there is an unseen person in my home at nearly all times. But despite my misgivings you have behaved honorably from what Safira has relayed to me and have aided my daughter immensely in her recovery. For that you have my gratitude." The hawk Faunus humbly thanked as he slightly lowered his head in respect, his eyes never leaving the Scroll's screen.
"Hpy 2 hlp." Was the simple reply, the simple text missing any audible clues that would allow the Huntsman to determine if the spirit truly felt that way or felt anything at all at his heartfelt gratitude. A frustration, but one that he was willing to put aside for now. "Thank you. Now then, while the investigation will likely never close, the Menagerie Guard has completed their reports on the 'incident' and was unable to determine who intervened or how they were able to defeat the pirates…So now I must ask you, Miss Sarah…were you the one who killed the pirates?" the Huntsman asked with all the authority he could muster. He hadn't fully asked the night he confirmed her existence and therefore had to know the truth.
Not that it seemed to be needed, as the answer was typed out almost immediately. "Y." was the simple, one letter reply. The ease of which implied a certain level of callousness that the spirit possessed when it came to the act of taking life. A level that even Zephyr, in all his years of protecting intelligent life from both the creatures of Grimm and the scum of society, had yet to reach.
"I see…" Zephyr muttered before closing his eyes for a moment, falling back on his years of training to get his emotions under control, as the next question was one he both needed to know, but dreaded hearing all the same. "…Miss Sarah, my daughter has stated that for you to interact in the physical world you are required to expend immense amounts of what she called 'black light stuff' an energy I believe to be Aura. But many of the pirates died from physical wounds that would have been impossible to create simply using the energy of the soul…unless one had a physical body." At this, Zephyr once again opened his eyes, not bothering to mask the anger held within. "You used my daughters body to kill those men, didn't you?"
This time the answer was not as immediate as Zephyr would have liked, but just as before the keys on the Scroll began to blink one by one as the spirit wrote out her response, Zephyr's heart falling with each letter that appeared. "Yes, I did. I am so sorry."
The moment Zephyr finished reading the words he closed his eyes in sorrow, the admission hitting him with a near physical force. He wanted to be angry, to be furious, at the teenage spirit. He wanted to condemn her for doing something that could never be taken back…but he couldn't. He couldn't hate her for her actions, for he knew that there was simply no other choice. Had she chosen to do nothing and keep his daughter pure, she would be half a world away by now, forever out of his reach.
And in the end, was it not his own failure to keep his daughter safe that led to Sarah having to make her choice?
"…I see. I…do not blame you for what you've done." Zephyr eventually managed to force out, not able to determine if the spirit believed him or not but based off of his daughter's explanation of the ethereal teen's impressive insight he highly doubted it. "I simply wished to reaffirm the truth. For my own peace of mind… You fight well for the age my daughter described you as. Tell me, where exactly did you learn such techniques? Were you perhaps an aspiring Huntress…in your life?" Zephyr continued, only pausing for a second as he considered how best to phrase his question. It would make sense to hear that she would have been his junior if she had lived, as while not anywhere near the level of a fully trained Huntress, she clearly understood antipersonnel combat beyond what any civilian knew.
But the answer was not what Zephyr was expecting. "N. fght n War. Lrn thn." The disembodied teen replied after a second, the Hawk Faunus only blinking a few times in surprise before placing a hand under his chin.
She was a combatant in the Great War? So, she would have been the ago of my Grandparents, perhaps Great Grandparents, if she had lived…but that does explain her skills. As from what I understand of that era, no one was truly a civilian in those days. As you either fought or you died. "I suppose that explains your talent…does my daughter know of your participation in the war?"
"N." Another simple reply was typed out, Zephyr assuming that the spirit simply didn't enjoy speaking of those days and respecting her silence. Such memories were better off left in the farthest reaches of one's mind.
"I see, and have you been teaching any of these techniques to my daughter?"
"N." The same reply, Zephyr humming in understanding before clasping his hands before him.
"Then I would like to formally request that you begin instructing my daughter in the basics of combat. To the point that she will be able to recognize threats and retreat accordingly." The hawk Faunus requested with a slight tilt of his head.
"Y not U? Hunt gd fight right?" Sarah asked back, a legitimate question assuming his interpretation of the words being "Huntsmen fight well correct?" Was accurate.
"Because I will not be around to teach her such techniques." Zephyr answered solemnly, the two finally reaching the other reason for their conversation. "I will be leaving Menagerie in the next few days and I do not know when I will return." He explained, but before he could continue, Sarah began to type, the two words she spelled out once again catching the trained Huntsmen by surprise.
"White Fang?"
"…Yes. I admit, I'm surprised you learned of the Fang's existence, as neither Terra nor myself have mentioned it to my daughter. Nor would any other Faunus after the Chieftain requested Safira be kept in the dark. How did you hear of it?"
"Tk twn. Ovrhrd awy fm S." the spirit answered back, Zephyr taking a moment to decipher her words as "Overheard in town while away from Safira".
"I see, a useful skill to have." The Faunus mused out loud. If his daughter was capable of intercepting supposedly private conversations using a being that no one knew existed then the White Fang would have a major advanta- no, there was no point thinking about that. The decision had been made, and no matter how much he wished to see his daughter grow up it was simply out of his hands.
"Take S with U?" The spirit asked, Zephyr shaking his head immediately, feeling slightly disturbed that Sarah had seemed to read him so well.
"No, neither my daughter nor my wife will be joining me in the White Fang. Their less than ideal health aside, my daughter would be too much of a target on the open road. We cannot risk a similar incident occurring, not when so many Faunus here rely on her presence, too many having faith in the Legends surrounding her." Zephyr admitted, one of the few times he had ever admitted to the stories surrounding his daughter.
An acknowledgment that the spirit jumped on immediately. "Lgnd? Wt lgnd?"
"You…do not know the legends surrounding the winged Faunus?" Zephyr confirmed after a brief pause due to needing to interpret the message, yet another 'N' appearing on the Scroll in response.
That statement had Zephyr leaning back in his seat, the Huntsman viewing the spirit in a new light, at least in the metaphorical sense of the expression. After learning of her existence, Zephyr had simply assumed that she was naturally aware of the legends that surrounded winged Faunus. How could she not when her very existence gave credence to one of the oldest tales the Faunus knew? But now that he thought about it, if this child spirit was indeed someone who had died in the Great War and was once human then it was only natural that she wouldn't be aware of the tale of the Winged Tribe…a situation that he would need to rectify here tonight.
And after taking a moment to collect his thoughts, the Huntsman began his tale. "…The story of the Winged Tribe is perhaps the oldest legend our people tell. It states that long ago there was only one sentient race that walked upon Remnant, Man yet not the Man of today. They built towers that pierced the sky, forged creations beyond our understanding, even beat death. But in their hubris, they forgot their respect for nature, they lived beyond their means and stole from the world with reckless abandon."
"And in retribution for their arrogance, the world itself forged creatures that reflected Mankind's twisted nature…creatures of darkness that fed on Man's hidden fears…The Grimm. The legends state that this first Man fought against the darkness using their mightiest creations, even going shattering the moon in their attempt to fight back the tide, but in the end the civilization of the first man was nearly wiped from the face of the planet."
"But all was not lost. A small number of the first Man realized their mistakes, their hubris, and felt true regret over their actions. They pleaded to the heavens for a chance at redemption, a chance to mend their ways. And it was then, in their most desperate hour, that the Winged Tribe descended from on high…the first Faunuses of creation."
"These winged beings granted the first humans with two gifts. One was the power of the soul, our Aura's, as a bulwark against the living shadow and a manifestation of our individuality. And the second, a connection with the animals that prowled the land, traits of the animal kingdom and eyes that could perceive the truth, even in the darkest corners of creation."
"Creat Funs?" Sarah clarified as Zephyr paused to collect his breath, the letters being typed out coming slower than before. Was she surprised? Shocked at his story? Or was she just growing tired from using her Aura for too long? But of course there was no way to know so the Hawk Faunus simply continued on.
"Indeed. The Winged Tribe forged the first Faunus in those moments, Faunus of all species born in a single moment. And just as quickly as they came, the Winged Ones left…though not before leaving a prophecy for the newborn Faunus. "We will return one day, oh children of man and beast, born anew with wings upon our backs. And upon that day, hold our new forms aloft, for these children will bring about an age even greater than before." And with that, they vanished without a trace. Leaving the first tribes of Faunus to fend for themselves in a broken world."
Zephyr sighed then, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off the oncoming headache. "Of course, many consider this nothing more than superstition, as the legend doesn't explain how humans gained Aura or how exactly the first Faunus survived when by all accounts the Grimm were even more vicious in those days, but it is a story that nearly ever parent tells their children regardless. Those born with wings are considered the greatest of Faunus, bringers of a new golden age and destined for greatness, though none has ever lived past their fourth full moon…until my daughter was born."
Zephyr wasn't sure how, but he could almost feel a shift in the atmosphere at his words, a nearly indescribable pressure that came and went like a tropical storm. But if Sarah was the cause of the strange phenomenon, she did not write out what she had done, leaving Zephyr to continue on. "Of course, I do not blame you for saving my daughter that night, I could never be so calloused as to think Safira would be better off dead, but the fact remains that to many of my people my daughter is nothing short of a god-elected prophet. You've seen the looks they give her sometimes, a reverence that even the chieftain falls short of. They see her not as a weak, sickly, lonely girl, but as something beyond them. And as her father I wished to save her from such expectations, to keep her innocent of what the world expects of her for as long as I can."
"But I can no longer ensure she safe here, not when damndable humans such as the ones who tainted our shores recently come for her and will likely continue to greedily seek out their fortunes at her expense. So, I will go forth and change this world with my own two hands if need be, to force humans to accept our people as equals, as beings who simply want to survive for as long as possible on this accursed planet. So that my daughter may live her life without fearing every human she passes on the street."
Zephyr stood then then, his movements slow and methodical, as he stood to his full height and bowed low. His body nearly bent at a ninety-degree angle. "And so, I ask you Sarah; despite having every right to seek out the peace that all those with souls deserve after death, will you continue to protect my daughter? To safeguard her in my place? This, I beg of you."
Zephyr waited a moment before moving his eyes to stare at the Scroll, the cursor blinking slowly but not revealing the spirits answer. He began to frown, worrying that he had somehow offended the spectral teen, but before he could say anything a strange sensation began to spread out across his shoulder. A sensation that almost felt like…like someone's hand was resting there.
And then it happened. It was barely a whisper, barely even qualifying as a noise at all. And if it weren't for the fact that seemingly the entire world had fallen silent in that moment Zephyr was certain he would have missed it.
"…I will." Somethi-no, someone whispered in his ear. A young, tired, and quiet voice, but also a voice filled with compassion a gentle warmth. A voice that had likely been speaking with such kindness to his daughter for the past eight years.
"…I thank you." Zephyr eventually managed to force out in a nearly broken voice. And if his shoulders were shaking nearly imperceptibly he simply chalked it up to the fact that he was currently being touched by a spirt.
Sarah watched with a slight frown as the fleet of ships carrying a good chunk of the Faunus population of Menagerie sailed out into open waters, the spirit occasionally looking down out of the corner of her eye at the clearly still quietly upset child she was bonded to. Safira had cried for hours when her father had informed the family of his decision to leave with the White Fang and that Safira and Terra would remain on the island. She of course had stayed out the discussion that had eventually devolved into the bluenette throwing a tantrum, as she did hear about it before hand, heck she knew even before Zephyr had informed her of his decision, after all.
And it only got worse when, on the day that the new created Faunus rights group was leaving, Blake and Adam announced their intent to go as well. The sheer devastation that had passed though the link from Safira nearly overwhelmed Sarah to the point where she couldn't do anything to mitigate the feeling.
She had, of course, known for years that the White Fang was going to start at some point and that Blake and Adam would leave Safira behind. But it had always felt like it was still far ways off, like it was just some fact that didn't really have anything to do with her…
She had been thinking about it like this was all still a story she had watched years ago, like they were nothing more than characters that they had all once been.
In short, she was being an absolute idiot. How many years had she been in Remnant for? How many years had she been watching the cat Faunus interact with Safira thinking in the back of her mind that Blake was simply a character from a story long ago?
It was yet another failure of hers, and Safira was once again paying for her mistakes.
Speaking of…Sarah thought as she turned her whole attention back to the eight-year-old currently standing at the end of the dock she was hovering over, the young Faunus currently staring out at the sea with a blank expression, something that was even more disturbing than seeing her bawling like the little girl she was.
Ever since she had seen her father and only friends off she hadn't said anything, only stared out at the gently rolling waves, the young Faunus having asked her mom to be alone for a minute leaving the spirit and the Faunus alone on the dock. Heck, Sarah was barely even getting anything though their link, no sorrow, no anger, just a strange feeling of numbness…it was beginning to make the spirit anxious.
But at the same time, she wasn't quite sure it'd be a smart move to try and open that can of worms right now. Safira had, after all, just recently gotten her feelings on the night of the kidnapping out in the open. Sarah knew what it was like to carry around something that hard in the back of your head. Her own memories of the night of the invasion bothering to this day when she wasn't being careful, the flames, the blood…the terror. And she knew that immediately after her own trauma she always felt a stab in her heart when someone came to her and asked if she was ok. how the pity in their eyes just hurt, not helped. But one day, when the shock from the opening day of the war finally faded, she finally broke down and let it all out, and it was only then that she finally started to feel better.
So, she had given Safira the same space that she had wished others would have given her back then. The time to work through it, to come to terms with it, and the chance to seek out others for help. Sure, it probably wasn't the healthiest of coping mechanics, but it works.
But for this situation…Sarah didn't exactly have much experience with being left behind to help. Sure, she knew what it was like to wait on others to come back, she had spent hours at rendezvous points waiting on the other survivors to get back, but this was different. Sarah knew that there was no guarantee that this White Fang would be any different than the one from back when RWBY was just a show. And even if it was the same, they would be fighting for years with nothing much to show for it.
There was a very real chance that Safira wouldn't see three out of the five people in her life for a very long time…but still, was it really a good idea to try and bring it up so soon?
Gah, I'm just going to keep thinking myself in circles at this rate. Sarah eventually thought as she shook her head rapidly, secretly glad she didn't have a body anymore as such rapid movements would have likely given her a headache back when she was alive. I'm just going to have to push though. "…Safira-." The spirit started but stopped when the Blunette turned around to stare up at her, but it wasn't just the fact that Safira made a move first, rather it was the look in the child's eyes. A look she had the night that the Ha-Neul family learned of Sarah's existence.
"Sarah? There's something I wanna ask you…and promise you won't get mad?" The winged girl asked calmly, her voice quiet but carrying the same authority she had pulled out of nowhere when she had asked Zephyr to allow Sarah to stay.
And the spiritual assassin wasn't any less effected by her strange demeanor than her father had been that night. "Of course, Safira, what is it?"
But contrary to what she expected, the green eyed did not immediately reply, instead gazing down at the planks below her feet. "…I'm really tired Sarah, I'm tired of having to be saved, of being in danger and needing you or my…my dad to come get me. I wanna be strong."
Safira looked back up then, her eyes clear and filled with a strength that caused Sarah's eyes to widen. "I wanna-…I want to be a Huntress."
The Sprit said nothing at first, choosing instead to look at the younger girl, really look at her. Her first, and immediate, response would have been to refuse but the former assassin squashed that thought as quickly as she could. Despite the fact that Sarah wanted to tell Safira that she should just find some simple, safe job and stay out of the danger that was coming…but she couldn't. after all, didn't she make a vow to let Safira live her own life? That she would only help the young Faunus with whatever she needed?
So instead of voicing her concerns, the spirit instead took a deep breath and smiled down at the young Faunus, a smile the older girl was certain looked positively predatory. "Alright then, we'll start training tomorrow. You'd better prepare yourself, because I'm not going to take it easy on you like your dad has been." The black-haired teen announced, noting with pride that while Safira did shiver at the thought of exercise she didn't complain.
Well…at the very least everything's going to be happening half a world away. Sarah conceded with a shrug as Safira thanked the older girl and turned back to looking out at the sea, spirit already going over how she was first taught CQC. But at the very least, the spirit was absolutely certain that the next few years would be anything but boring.
