The Deadly Nightshade of Stephanite
Roads
Nightfall, the mercenary duo and the strange man decided to set up a little camp knowing the dangers of the Grimm but regardless they did. With a little camp fire in the center with sleeping bags around them, Dewolfe tended to the fire and happen to notice there wasn't any more wood, "I'm gonna get more firewood, keep an eye out." He said getting up and told Blake before leaving.
"Sure thing." She responded after processing what he meant. He sounded as if he was referring to man but she took it as if she were to keep an eye on Grimm.
Blake and the man watched him walk off into the forests then Blake went to reach for her weapon next to her sleeping bag but she felt a sudden pull to her shoulder flipping her around to her back, "Ah, Hey!" Blake exclaimed seeing the man on top of her. She began struggling but the man quickly grabbed her arms and held them down, apparently he was stronger than he looked.
The man wore a sadistic grin with obvious intentions, "He won't be back for a while yet so you and I are going to have lots of fun." He said as Blake continued to struggle trying to break free from his grasp.
The man began ripping Blake's outfit apart getting her down to her underwear leaving one of her arms free and the only thing that arm to mind was to get him off. She tried to reach for Gambol Shroud but felt the jar of dirt she got recently and reacted by smashing to over the man's head.
The impact disoriented the man for a short few seconds but it wasn't enough to get him off, "You are going to enjoy every little bit of it." He told Blake as he furiously began ripping his clothes off and laughing hysterically. There wasn't much she could do at this point other than useless struggling, "I love it when their feisty!"
With her coat ripped open revealing her bare chest and stomach, the man began to pull Blake's bottoms but suddenly stopped as the sound of something sharp digging into flesh echoed. Blake also stopped and saw the man give a pained expression then suddenly the man was pulled off with Dewolfe having his axe into his back, "Cover up!" He said tossing his coat onto Blake. Dewolfe then pulled out his weapon out of the man's back and flipped him over.
"L-l-look man..." The man pleaded with his arms up in surrender as Dewolfe had his weapon flipped around pointing the revolver end down to his chest, "I don't means no trouble."
"You alright Blake?" Dewolfe asked with concern looking to Blake. She didn't answer as she was in shock but she turned to the man who was now running off in the distance. Dewolfe turned back and reacted by taking aim and pulling the trigger. Bang, the man dropped to the ground, "Look what you made me do." Dewolfe said making his way over to the man now lying lifelessly on the ground, "Now you look like a sick, poor, helpless animal." He commented as the man gasped for air with short breaths.
Blake slowly regained her composure and did was she was told just now and covered herself as best she best still trembling in fear. She didn't want to think what it'll be like if Dewolfe wasn't around to save her from such a vile act.
Still standing over the man, Dewolfe couldn't help but feel pity, "I didn't want to have to do this but you leave me no choice to put down an animal out of it's own misery." Dewolfe stated then shot a round into the man's head. Shortly after waiting for gasping Dewolfe began making his way back towards Blake, "Every time." He commented with sorrow.
Blake stood up after sloppily putting up Dewolfe's coat. With tears forming within her eyes she felt that the situation could've been avoided if she had listen to Dewolfe back at Raven Rock. She then looked to Dewolfe with a saddened expression when he stopped in front of her.
Without words Dewolfe began fixing his coat wore by Blake by readjusting some buttons, tightening the belt, as well as fixing the hood and collar like a parent would while sending their child to school. Dewolfe finished and just noticed Blake's saddened expression, "You alright?" On the verge of breaking down, Blake looked to Dewolfe with little tear bubbles at the corners of her eyes and shook her head, "Hey, Come here." He said pulling her into a hug consoling her as best he could.
"I just wanna go home." She told the mercenary hiding the sorrow within her tone. At this point all Blake could think of is to go home where it's the most comfortable, especially back in Yang's arms.
"So you can cry in your friends arms, is that it?" Dewolfe stated like it was a bad thing. Blake began fighting the urge to just breakdown but no matter how much she tried it was already at it's peak, "You spent most of your entire life running but you don't know what you're running from, but really...you're running from yourself." Dewolfe told her.
Blake's eyes widened in realization. She didn't want to think about it but to some extent is was true. She denied everything she did that was wrong, she refused to listen to reasoning even when it was logical, when things didn't go according to plan she ran away. Beacon was to provide a place to begin again but what if it didn't go like she'd planned? Was she going to run away if didn't and deny what she did was the wrong choice? She didn't know what to think so she broke down in tears crying out aloud beating the silence around the camp site. Not knowing what else to do she wrapped her own arms around him comfort herself with him.
"Shh, shh, shh, shh." Dewolfe sounded caressing Blake placing a hand on her head as she dug her face into his chest, "It's okay, just let it out. Let it all out." He said to her with a comforting voice as she continued to cry.
An hour goes by and the duo had enough of the wretched campsite and decided to keep moving. Blake finished crying not to long ago and just felt completely empty, so empty she could barely move that Dewolfe has to carry her piggyback style.
Exhausted and overtired, Blake couldn't sleep and had something she wanted to ask Dewolfe since their time at the Cathedral, "Dewolfe?" She called softly with a monotoned voice.
"Yeah?" Dewolfe responded while making his way through small brushes.
Feeling no other emotion other than emptiness she asked without hesitation, "Do you have regrets?" In the short time they knew each other she wondered if the big bad mercenary ever had regrets.
Dewolfe fell silent as a response. He then placed a hand on his chest and felt where his heart locket should be was but as expected it wasn't there, "Always." Dewolfe responded softly after a short pause. Sudden there was a light off in the distance coming at speed. Scanning ahead, there was a darker trail as the light followed along the trail, it was a train.
Town of Raven Rock
Wolfen's group casually walked through the main gates along side another Freelancer. The atmosphere seemed lighter after spending sole time with the other freelancer but really he seemed to stick around Wolfen the most talking about old times, "We're closer than before." Yang muttered under her breath thinking about the things she'd do to Dewolfe once she got her hands on the mercenary. She gripped her fists just imagining his face.
While everyone else was focused on other things, Weiss couldn't seem to grasp something she overheard while Wolfen and Rico were conversing a while ago, "I'm having a hard time believing that little girl is Remnant's best bomb expert, let alone the owner of that tavern." She said interrupting the two freelancer's conversation.
"I'm telling you what I believe and know is a fact, you decide what you want to believe." Rico said in regards to Weiss' statement with little to no interest. Weiss rolled her eyes in response.
Ruby also overheard something between the freelancers but regarding something else, "So...tell us about the apprentice." She asked with a curious tone.
"She was as you described your friend." Rico answered as to which he sounded confident they were talking about the same person. In the short time of his travels with the group, "Average height, Black hair, Golden eyes, likes to wear black but..." Wolfen had informed him of the girl they we tracking with the Dewolfe but Rico didn't sound too convinced.
"But what?" Yang abruptly butted in like she didn't like where it was going.
"...she didn't look like she was kidnapped." Rico said after a pause.
The girls stopped and looked to each other with either confused or concerned expressions, "What do you mean?" Wolfen asked also stopping.
Realizing where they were, Rico stopped as well, "Personally I though she was just another mercenary." Rico told Wolfen and turned to the girls.
"Really?" Ruby stated.
"She looked like one to fool me." Rico said to Ruby.
Once more the girls looked to each other but this time with more concern, "What now?" Weiss asked looking to Wolfen like he was the de facto leader though it would make sense since he's the track among the group.
"I don't know about you but I have some work to do, til' next time, Wolfen." Rico explained before Wolfen could answer and headed off towards the nearest tavern or bar.
Not knowing what else to do at this point, the group headed around town pondering the new information and debating on what to do if Blake was actually a mercenary. Weiss seemed somewhat convinced, Ruby was skeptically considering her past, Yang refused to believe, and Wolfen didn't bother since he'd get paid either way.
Waiting and processing the info outside a motel, things seemed quiet enough until a voice called out from nearby interrupting the trail of thoughts, "Mercenary, I thought you were already gone." The voice of Carmona stated.
The group turned to the voice in response, "Huh?" Wolfen stated as he turned to look at Carmona and his personal aid standing next to him. Carmona looked cleaner than he did when he was in the prison, neatly combed hair, shaven beard with only a bushy moustache.
Carmona immediately dropped his casual expression into a serious one, "You're not the mercenary." He stated seeing that Wolfen wasn't Dewolfe. Even though they were twins the two had their differences, one of which was their eye color.
"No sir, that would be someone that looks a lot like the mercenary." The butler explained confirming the difference.
Yang took notice and realized they were referring to Dewolfe, "You saw Dewolfe!?" She asked with an angered tone.
Carmona folded his arms unintimidated, "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" He questioned with nothing more than a frown.
Yanged gripped her fists in response and just as she was about to speak out Wolfen butted in, "We've been tracking him over a several of days for kidnapping, do you know where he is?" He questioned back. Yang shot up her arms and stormed off.
"I wouldn't tell you even if I did. He and his partner risked their lives to save me and I own them something, you people I don't know so I don't owe you nothing." Carmona explained with a determined tone of voice to keep quiet.
"Partner?" Weiss stated. Once more the group looked to each other, more so with confusion.
Carmona eased off seeing their reactions and dropped his arms, "Black Betty if I recall correctly." He said calmly. He too was a but confused by the whole situation but still he wouldn't give into telling where they might be.
Glancing over to Weiss and Wolfen, then back to Yang who was now makin her way back to the group Ruby stepped forward towards Carmona, "Please, that's our friend. I don't know what's going on but I really would like my friend back so any little bit of information would help. Can you help us?" She asked kindly and assertively.
Carmona's mouth opened speechless but his butler remained still, "Sir, I believe we should be considerate." He said turning to Carmona.
"I know." Carmona acknowledged. He didn't know what to do and remained quiet debating on his chances, "Vacuo, I believe their heading to Vacuo." He told the group. If it wasn't for Ruby's explanation, Carmona would have left it at that but he simply couldn't let down the concern crimson headed girl.
"Thank you." Ruby gratefully said with a smile and a nod.
Carmona shot the group a very serious look, a look that says 'don't rat me out or else' and rose a finger pointed towards them, "Don't, ever, mention, it." Carmona said slowly getting his point across not to mention him by name.
Yang then stepped forward ahead of Ruby and responded fiercely, "We won't."
Train cart en route to Vacuo
Sitting in one of the train carts loaded with grain, Dewolfe and Blake leaned against the wall beside each other. Dewolfe let out a depressing sigh and placed a hand on his chest once again to feel for the locket but it wasn't there. Dewolfe kept thinking he misplaced it but no matter how hard he tried to convince himself he believed it was at the bottom of a river near a prison. That locket was everything to the mercenary and his recklessness was to blame in this situation so he beat himself up for losing it.
Just as Dewolfe began imagining the picture in the locket he felt a body lean against him and take his arm only to be wrapped around a neck, "Thank you." Blake said getting comfortable in Dewolfe's arm. Still feeling empty she didn't care if it was him, as long as she felt comfort she was relieved.
Dewolfe didn't bother looking to Blake and kept staring at the floor, "You're welcome." He responded with a sad tone.
Blake didn't say anything and remained silent however she placed a hand on Dewolfe's chest for extra comfort and after a moment's pause she spoke, "You know, ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to do good. Ever since I heard stories about the Silver Sunned Wolf of Vacuo." She explained remembering the stories she had been told when she was just a little girl.
Dewolfe's wolf ears twitched upon hearing the name, "Oh, What did you hear?" He asked. It was a name he hasn't heard in a long time, not since he was at the age of 17 and because of it his heart dropped and skipped a beat.
"Stories on how he'd risk his own life saving and rescuing Faunus slaves from camps and other harsh conditions. I was amazed how one man could make a difference in such a short time." She explained sounding deeply inspired by her own words by explaining the deeds of this individual. She smiled as it warmed her heart being reminded of the first times she heard the stories.
Dewolfe smiled softly hearing those stories once again with a single tear running down his check, "Sh-short?" He questioned hiding the sorrow in his voice. Now he was on the verge of breaking down.
Blake lost her smile and closed her eyes, "I cried the night I heard he died while trying to save more Faunus slaves but only managed to save half of them while trying to buy them time to escape." She explained wanting to cry again but it was a Dewolfe said, she let it all out. With one hand on his chest, she grabbed his hand with the other. As expected his hand was as cold as the floor and carried weight, weight Blake was familiar with.
Dewolfe used his free hand to wipe his tear of his face and quietly sobbed, "I heard he was a great man." He said softly now with tears running down his face. Dewolfe took his arm from Blake and stood up and headed towards the other side of the cart away from Blake.
"Wa-wait." She called not wanting to be alone and reached out to grab his arm. He stopped as a hand lightly grasped his hand. Blake panicked and tried to think of something quick then she realized she still had his locket from the river, "I have something, it's belongs to you." She said digging into her pant's pocket and pulled out the heart locket.
Dewolfe slowly turned around and widen his eyes upon seeing the locket. Frozen, all he could think of was the picture inside but he was looking directly as Blake. After the brief moment he slowly reached out and took the locket, "Thank you Blake." He said softly now showing he was broken.
Blake became surprised now seeing as he is with tears running down his face and quietly sobbing, "Are you...crying?" She questioned looking into the now maroon colored eyes of his.
"Yeah." Dewolfe acknowledged grasping the locket, "You know...this is my heart...or what's left of it." He explained downing down to his knees and began wiping his tears.
"Hey, Come here." She said taking him by the shoulders and pulling into a hug. Now it was her turn to console him as she placed a hand on the back of his head and dug his face into her chest comforting him, "People said that have have a cold heart, but really...it's just broken." She told him saying what people told her when she were back at the towns and the tavern. They all said the same thing; Dewolfe is a cold-hearted mercenary but now she was understanding that it wasn't cold, it was broken.
Dewolfe, the well-known mercenary, was now breaking down in a train cart with someone that was supposed to be an easy job. Hearing her comforting words he rose his arms and wrapped them around Blake's body as he quietly sobbed in her arms. The only thing that comforted him during the darkest and loneliest of nights was his heart locket but now Blake opened her arms and comforted him instead. Feeling pity for the lonely mercenary she patted him on the back for extra comfort and hummed him a lullaby, maybe they weren't so different from each other.
There you have it. A little more development. I'll admit it pained me to write Blake in the beginning but I'm sure it'll make up for it in the end.
