Menagerie was more than Pyrrha could have expected. There were faunus everywhere, and she could see they were all comfortable in the way they lived. The faunus she had always seen outside of this island always had a defensive undertone to their movements, but here, the people had nothing to worry about.
There were a few humans throughout the markets, Making Pyrrha comfortable able to walk around. She ran her fingers along the the crowned braids she'd pulled her hair into. It was uncomfortable, but necessary. She bought a hotel room and laid her bags down.
She began to unravel each braid and eave her hair loose. She moved to the mirror. "It'll look better short." She said aloud. It was Cinder's influence again. Pyrrha shook her head. "B-but I like it this way, it matched my mature personality."
Sometimes, when the two half-maidens bond at random, she can feel Cinder's opinions vaguely, but strong enough to voice. Pyrrha felt a little irritated, knowing full well that Cinder herself had long hair. She pushed the emotion through and received he feeling that in fact, no, Cinder did not have the same femme fatale look she did before.
Pain shot through the champion's head. She fell on her knees. Pyrrha pulled herself up and looked in the mirror. The maiden flame was dull in her right eye, and Cinder's amber color stared back at her. Pyrhha closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The pain was becoming more and more frequent, but this time, she didn't feel Cinder pushing against the pain before the connection cut off, she'd just let it wash over her. What happened to her to make her always be in pain?
Back to normal now, the red haired huntress examined the waves left by the braided and briny water. "Shorter hair would be more advantageous in battle..." She huffed and decided to take a shower and get to finding Blake. She wasn't sure how the cat faunus would respond to her surprise visit, but she had a plan to get on her side.
Once in the shower, Pyrrha tried to tap into the elemental abilities granted to her and ended up making a bunch of icesicles. The small success made her smile. Before, she wasn't sure she was the right choice becoming the Fall maiden, but now, even though she doesn't have the full power, it felt right. I felt like she was meant for this. She focused on making a connection to Cinder, sharing the feeling. Whatever her counterpart was going through, Pyrrha knew that just this vague emotion would help.
She stopped once again at the mirror and shook her head. Once again, not choosing to humor a haircut. She dress in plain clothes, something that still felt strange compared to her usual gladiator style. She opted out of the sweater on her bed, not wanting it to yet be ruined by the briny air of the island's coast. She held her tiara in her ungloved hands. Some things needed to stay the same.
Pyrrha wandered the streets, keeping her senses and eyes peeled. The first time she heard a whisper of "Belladonna" she could help but stumble a bit, thinking Blake was near, but it turned out that the Belladonna name was well known here, but she didn't have time to figure out why just yet. Blake was likely somewhere in the markets, trying to blend in and out things together.
"That's not the point, Sun!" Pyrrha gasped at the sound of the familiar voice. She turned to see a flustered Blake, clearly going on about something to the monkey faunus from Vacuo, who seemed not to care too much. The red-head popped in right towards the end.
"We still aren't equal!"
"Who isn't? You and this boy?" Pyrrha asked. Blake yelped and jumped, behind the boy, an almost hiss coming from her mouth. Her wide yellow eyes took in Pyrrha a moment later. A sudden shadow crossed her face.
"P-Pyrrha? Is Ruby here, too? Is..." She trailed. Pyrrha shook her head. "Just me, I'm afraid. I came to find you for different reasons than I'm sure you can imagine. Also, hello." The champion added happily, to take the ease off of what she'd said.
"Pyrrha, huh? Like Nikos? You're a pretty cool fighter. I'm Sun, pleasure to meet ya." The faunus boy reached out a hand, and Pyrrha shook it politely. Blake bit her lip nervously.
"So, why are you here?" The raven-haired cat's voice was stronger now as she stepped away from Sun. Pyrrha had expected her to be distrustful. The two of them weren't exact close close before, just ort of ran in the same circles.
"Well, to be honest, Blake, I'd rather not talk about it in the middle of thee street here. Is there some place we could go?" She gestured down the hill, where most of the homes were clustered together. Sun brightened up.
"Oh, yeah! Come on, Blake! Which one if yours? Is it that one? That one? I like the paint job." He kept pointing at various houses with no particular pattern. Blake's ear twitched and she cleared her throat, pointing out to the large mansion at the end of the road. "That one."
Sun's mouth fell open, and he looked from her to the house. His hands flew to his face and he made a fairly girly noise, that painfully reminded Pyrrha a bit of Jaune. She began to walk forward, grabbing Blake by the hand as she went.
"Then, let's go, shall we?"
The trio hovered by the door. Blake was biting her lip again, hand hesitating on the knocker. Pyrrha laid a hand on her shoulder, and Sun followed suit on the other side. Blake sighed and used the large knocker. There was a low, resounding sound with each knock. Sun quickly removed his hand as they all waited."To be honest, that's a bit intimidating."
It took a moment, but finally the large door opened. A small, older face peeked out for a moment before the faunus' ears perked up. The door swung wide and suddenly Blake was in an embrace. "Oh! Blake, honey. My baby girl." The woman said the last part quietly. Pyrrha could see the resemblance.
Not long after, another pair of footsteps is heard and a large man is standing in the doorway. "Kali? Who is it?" With another pair of yellow eyes comes shock. Kali, Blake's mother, is now beside her daughter, mimickking the supportive gesture Pyrrha and Sun have given the huntress moments before. Blake's hands are clasped together and shaking slightly in front of her.
The man smiles warmly. "Welcome home, my daughter." Blake smiles and shares a glance with Sun. He invites the group inside and leads them to a main room. He mutters to a rabbit faunus and she bows and leaves the room. Servants. Pyrrha notes.
"My name is Ghira Belladonna, it is a pleasure to meet..." His gaze lingers on Sun. "All of you." He continues at a glare from Kali. "I am the Cheiftain here in Kuo Kuana." Sun mutters a very unconfident hello and Pyrrha gives her usual greeting.
"So, what brings you all here? I mean, I'm so happy you are all safe, especially you, Blake, but to be hoonest, I wasn't expecting you to bring others." Pyrrha was grateful that there was no animosity in her voice. It was clear just by wandering the streets that most faunus on the island didn't appreciate her prescence as a human.
"I-I'd rather not talk about it yet, mom." Blake answered. Sun chimed in. "I came to make sure she was okay." All eyes turned to Pyrrha. "And I suppose I came to deliver a message to the cheiftain and Blake herself. The room raised an eyebrow.
The rabbit faunus returned with a tray of tea. She set down a cup for everyone and left the room. No one spoke for a moment. Suddenly, Kali set down her cup and clapped her hands. "Well, let's talk about this ominous message later! For now, I'm just happy my daughter is home. I don't particulary feel anything for the kingdom of Vale, but they certainly didn't deserve what happened. We were so worried about you, honey."
Ghira scoffed beside his wife. "I knew Blake would be fine." Kali's ears twitched in amusement, She leaned in and cupped her mouth with one hand.
"You should of seen the way he was pacing." She giggled. Sun laughed and placed his hands behind his head.
"You guys have nothing to worry about! I've seen your daughter in action and she has some serious moves!" Blake choked on her tea and blushed. Ghira lowered his voice.
"And, what, Mr. Wukong, do you mean by that?" The dusty blonde opened his eyes in alarm and dropped his posture. He tumbled over his words.
"Just her fighting, sir. She is a very uh, er.. skilled fighter. She does very...uh well with her weapons, of course. And-and know her semblance, uh, really well. As a fellow fighter I...uh...have a lot of respect for her.." Kali moved towards the girls and whispered. "Why is he here again?" Meanwhile, the monkey continued to dig himself in deeper with Ghira.
" ...And her fighting. But also for her..." Blake groaned. "He just kind of followed me home."
"...b-because of her fighting. Not her, er, looks. I mean, not to say she's not good-looking. She is! Very! But, um..." Her mother nodded knowingly. "I see."
"Slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. One could even say gorgeous. I mean, uh..." Ghira held up a hand to finally stop the rambling.
"I get the picture. Now, Pyrrha, after that I think I'm ready to change the topic. Tell me your message." And just like that everything shifted and Pyrrha spoke the careful truth, omitting a few details for her own wellfare. She told them a few half-truths, but just enough for them to realize something needed action.
Ghira leaned back, disturbed. "So, you aren't sure the exact plans, but you know the White Fang is involved?" Blake bit her lip, waiting attentively. She clearly wanted to speak her mind, but was unsure if she should. Pyrrha continued.
"Yes, I do. I'm sure that we will need help. I know it likely doesn't mean much, but it's very upsetting that they have become a large reason why the faunus are looked down on by most." Kali lowered her ears, confused.
"I understand what you're saying, however the White Fang-" She was cut short by the knocker sounding through the house. The whole group was quiet before Ghira stood. "Blake, I want you and your friends to tell me everything that happened at Beacon that night. I want to know why I should be worried. For now, I'm going to take this meeting with the representatives in Menagerie. Do you understand?"
"Representatives?" She asked warily. The cheiftain left the room to greet his guests. Blake's mother looked nervous. Blake asked her silently what exactly what was going on.
"Honey, we see these two men from the White Fang every so often, and they seem very sincere, albeit a bit unsettling. As it is, aside from a few rumors, your father and I are having a hard time wrapping our heads around them being some big villian. There leader, Sienna, seems very capable."
Sun perked up at this. "Sienna? I thought Adam-" His mouth was clamped shut by Pyrrha's hand. She muttered a characteristic sorry to him and removed her hand. Blake was red with shame. "He was ambitious, but not yet there. I'm sure Sienna is either actually dead or about to be."
Not long after Ghira left the room did he return, this time with his two faunus guests. The room stood.
"These two wanted to give you their regards, Blake." Ghira explained. The two stood in robes, holding hands in front of them as if in prayer at all times. "Yes, miss Belladonna. We are glad to hear that you are safe within the walls of Menagerie." The man with ears spoke.
"Yes, miss Belladoona. We apologize for the distress our Vale branch has caused at your academy, but we assure you we do not represent their ways." The one with the tail added. Blake had her hands clenched beside her, but she said nothing. And so, the guests continued to speak.
"We are very sad to hear, however, that you have left the White Fang." The ears said flatly.
"We understand that is a wearying fight." At this, Blake did speak, low and strong. "Who said I was done fighting?" The men glanced at eachother. The one with the tail smiled.
"If you ever wish to rejoin, please do let us know. I'm sure sister Ilia will be pleased to hear of it." Blake inhaled sharply. Sensing the tension in the room, Kali clapped her hands together.
"Right! Well, I'm sure you two boys have other things to do. Let me take you to the door." She said as politely as possible. Pyrrha released the breath she was holding, knowing something was very wrong with those two. A splitting headache assailed her the moment they opened their mouths. She had strained to hide the weakness from them.
The Belladonna's settled into the room again. The cheiftain was clearly distracted by whatever had happened with the men. Sun seemed uncomfortable in the tense silence, broken only by the occasiona tea sip.
"Tell me about the fall of Beacon."
Cinder stumbled through the woods, able to move and control herself largely thanks to Pyrrha's flow of strength. She was sure that that pest weren't still alive, Cinder would've never made it this far. She could feel less pain in her blood. Less illness in her breathing. Less fatigue in her smallest movements.
She was a monster, a disgusting thing created by Salem as punishment. Somehow, though, Cinder knew this would've happened either way. She dared not pull up the fabric of her left sleeve. It was disgusting enough just knowing it was there, but to see it? It made her want to scream.
It didn't matter though. Having what little maiden powers she had on top of this curse made her all the more powerful. She was going to control herself, and through that, control others.
She would never admit to the bond she was feeling with Pyrrha's motherly, mature nature. Hell, she would never admit to not being a full maiden. As she climbed the steps of Sienna Khan's chamber, she kept her stride even, projecting her aura out so her underlings could feel her power.
As the doors swung open, she walked right up to the bottom stair. She couldn't help but laugh a little. "You look ridiculous sitting on a throne, my dear friend." Cinder pointed out. The dark-skinned faunus had her chin resting on a hand, legs crossed in a position that showed she didn't need to worry about being in a fight. She raised an eyebrow at her guest.
"And you look ridiculous at the bottom of my steps, yet here we are." Cinder had always liked the White Fang leader's spunk. Cinder smirked.
"Fair enough. Now, I'm sure you weren't expecting me all by lonesome, but I'm here of my own reasons, not Salem's." She practically felt the venom dripping into her mouth as she spoke the name. This made the leader's head raise in attention.
"Personal reasons?" Cinder glanced at the guards behind her, knowing then and there they were listening for the benefit of being informants. She frowned.
"You know, sweet Sienna, I would very much like a bit of privacy, you know, just us girls. This is a very important matter, and to be frank, I don't trust your little guards here." The tiger faunus stood. "What do you want, Cinder Fall?" The maiden rolled her eyes.
"For some odd reason, to save your life. But it's clear to me that you deserve the death coming your way." Cinder turned and began making her way to the doors. Before she could make it half way across the room, Sienna had stopped her.
"Tell me your message. I know that my organization is not clean, and I am partly to blame for this. However, I have much more work to do to continue our fight. I can't let it end for some one else's plans." Cinder glanced behind her, hair hiding the flash of green in her eye.
"Of course, your majesty."
Hello once again! I've unfortunately been doing this chapter in bits due to work and a few personal endeavors, not to mention that the first time I wrote out a big portion of it, it decided not to save .-. So I had to take a moment. I know a few of you were wanting to have some Pyrrha development, so here it is. I think it'll be nice to take a break from our lovers every now and then. Now, a lot of season four is going to be moved around or omitted/edited for repetition and plot purposes. I don't particularly feel the need to go into depth on the Ren/Nora arc, not to mention my battle writing is awful. ANYWAYS, I'll keep trying to keep this up to date.
Once again, this was NOT scrubbed for all errors! and the dialogue might be a bit funky format wise.
Thank you so much to all of you still reading! It's those few views I get per day that really make me want to keep going with this.