Chapter 17 Avow
Taylor
I looked at the quaint house before me. It was a large log cabin styled home with a well-worn path through bright flush green trees leading to it. A chimney poked out of the roof overlooking a porch beside the house. A shed stood alone, nestled in the tree just to the side of the house, and my bugs noted the basic tools of the workshop/garage.
The best way to describe it would be relaxing. It practically bled the 'small town' vibe, though everything on Patch did. It was a place that I could see someone calling home.
I knocked on the door and waited, my bugs slipping in to see the place. It was fairly large, with the bottom floor being encompassed by a large living room, kitchen, and dining area. Judging by the two beds with pillows that matched their colors, Yang and Ruby shared a room. An office room and another small room that seemed to be a storage space occupied a section of the upper floor, along with a guest room painted a clean white. Their father's bedroom stood apart from the rest, pictures lining most of its surfaces. The photos were free of dust while the dresser they sat on held a light coat - he must pick them up to look at often.
One of the photos showed a woman that looked like an older version of Ruby smiling brilliantly while waving a white cape, as though they were wings. Summer Rose, Ruby's mom.
Ruby and Yang's father was the only one in the house- wait. A black and white corgi was… holding a dustpan while Taiyang Xiao Long swept dirt into it.
He was confused by the knock, but told Zwei, the corgi, to dump the dust outside while he walked comfortably content to get the door.
Smart dog.
Taiyang was a blonde muscular man with a light soul patch and stubble. He wore brown cargo shorts and a tan shirt with a darker brown vest over it, a tattoo of what looked like a tribal styled heart made of two curved lines marked his upper right arm. A red bandana was wrapped around his left bicep, the same red as Ruby's cloak.
The door opened with a faint creak, a noise that brought to mind of having to step over the rotten step of my own house for some reason.
"Well hello there, you must be Taylor." He reached out his hand and gave me a friendly handshake. "We weren't expecting you so early. Ruby and Yang met Weiss in town and dragged her off on a little tour of Patch. I thought that they would have been back by now. I'd bet that Yang has something to do with it, for some reason." He smiled at his own joke, making me smile in return. "Well, let's not just stand here, come on in." He turned and walked towards the kitchen, beckoning me with a wave as he went.
I liked Taiyang instantly. He was openly caring in every expression he made. People like him were usually honest in everything they did. Although, some people put up that front just to appear trustworthy.
"Knowing Yang, I wouldn't be surprised," I mused out loud as I followed him in.
"I hope that doesn't mean she's getting into any trouble," Taiyang said over his shoulder, amused with a light undertone of worry; the sound of protective fathers everywhere.
"Nothing I think she would want me telling you about."
"Well of course not… but you wouldn't let her get over her head, would you?" His tone shifted to something between playful begging and soft scolding.
Make that very overprotective.
"Don't worry Mr. Xiao Long, I'll make sure to tell you about all the parties, alcohol, gang fights, crimes, smuggling, street races…" I deliberately let the list fade off as I arrived in the kitchen to see Taiyang fumbling as he moved to put the broom away. I chuckled as the look on his face told me why.
"Street races?! I told her no more bike races! I don't care if the other person challenged her or not! I…" He whirled, and froze upon seeing my face as I allowed a smirk to grow, a matching grin breaking out on his. "Oh, ha ha. Alright, that's fair. And please, call me Tai. I get enough of Mr. Xiao Long from my students." Right, he's a teacher at Signal. "Oh sorry, do you need help with those bags?"
"I'm fine, thank you." The unused muscles of my right arm disagreed as they burned with the strain of clutching the grocery bags. "I actually was wondering if it would be okay if I made dinner for everyone. It's why I showed up early."
It was odd; I had thought that having my robotic prosthetic would make me dive into training with it. Instead, I found myself wanting to cook, something I had never really had time for these past years.
"Oh wow. I don't see any problem with it. In fact, I think that would be great." There was a small beat of silence as I set my bags on the counter. "How are you finding it?" he asked casually, nodding toward my arm. Ruby or Yang must have mentioned it because it was currently hidden by my sweater and gloves.
"It's… different than what I thought it would be like. I was expecting some big revelation or something after finally getting it, but it was really lackluster."
"Like you had never lost it?"
"Exactly."
"Do you like it?" His head tilted and his tone shifted softly.
"I think I do. I have to be conscious not to trigger it by accident, but I think it'll prove really useful in the future." It felt like I had a muscle that wasn't there before, and if I unintentionally tensed it, I would inadvertently fire off a deadly weapon.
"Hmmm, that's good. May I ask why you're wearing gloves to hide it then?"
"It's a habit I want to get into. Anyone who's seen me so far will notice it, but anyone else won't. It'll be a nice surprise for them." I began taking the ingredients out of my bags as I talked.
Tai took a moment to examine me before he frowned slightly. "Most kids don't think that way, though I guess a 'secret agent' would." His frown reversed entirely as he finished into a dopey grin.
I sighed loudly. "Ruby is very… imaginative, at least." Tai just laughed. "Also…" I pulled the bottle of bourbon that Junior had gifted me out and set it on a counter. "I got this as a gift, but I don't really plan on drinking it."
"Oh, thank you! That's very considerate of you, but it would be a shame to drink alone." He walked over to a cupboard and produced two glasses. "Well, would you like to share a drink?"
"Should you be offering a minor a drink? Aren't you a teacher?" My eyebrow raised accusingly.
"It's fine. From what I hear, you're the most adult of the group anyway."
Well, that is… probably true. Why not try one?
"I'm not much of a drinker, only ever had a bourbon tea cocktail before."
Revel had snuck it in for us a month after I had joined the Wards. I was more than surprised that a tight-laced no-nonsense hero like Revel was the one to sneak in alcohol, but she said it was a bit of an initiation, to help build camaraderie. I smiled every time I thought of her pouring us drinks, then immediately monitoring our health and making sure we didn't have more than she had strictly designated, asking if we needed water every ten minutes.
"Do you like that drink?"
"It was fine. Company was nice too." Nostalgia colored my tone.
"Perfect then. I needed to use up those oranges anyway. I'll mix us up a bit and we can talk about how my girls are doing at Beacon," he stated with satisfaction.
I hadn't actually agreed to drinks, but only shrugged in response. My smile deepened at his plan to find out what his daughters were up to, beyond all the phone calls and letters Ruby sent him.
I didn't think I would normally be this open with someone I had just met. Maybe it was because it reminded me of how my dad and Kurt used to talk. Well, how they talked on Dad's good days.
Dad…
I sucked in a breath through my nose as I pushed those memories down. I didn't need to look at that scar right now. New arm, meeting team's family, trying to relax a little for once.
My sweater was loose against my torso but was tight against my arms, and the white fabric caught on the more angular forearm plate of my new arm as I rolled up my sleeves and peeled off my gloves. The gunmetal sections and circular black joints glistened under the sink water as I washed my hands. I took extra care to get into the nooks and crannies of the robotic limb. I also took out the Dust cartridge from just below the elbow and tucked it away. Best not to accidentally fire off my arm and skewer Tai's kitchen.
"Mind if I ask how it happened?" he asked almost offhandedly as he dug out a kettle.
"It got crushed, had to have it burned off," I replied, keeping my tone light despite its contents.
I heard Tai grimace behind me as I grabbed a cutting board he had placed out at some point. "That must have hurt like no other," he remarked in a jokingly matter of fact way.
"More than the bullets through my skull actually."
"Ha!" A joyful smile returned to his face. "Worst one I ever got was probably when I got gored by a Telphus." He circled three sections of his body, one on his leg and two on his stomach. "Luckily, my team got me out of there in time, but boy, did it ever hurt."
"A Telphus? That's those huge stag Grimm, right?"
"Yup. Pretty normal for Grimm to take something like antlers and make them like swords."
"Too true."
I knew I was letting myself think of my own dad during all this, guiltily socializing with Tai to somehow vicariously remember the times I spent with my own dad. I realized it the moment I started talking to him.
Or, maybe it was like what I wished talking to my dad was like before… everything.
It felt wrong, almost like taking advantage of Tai's caring nature for the sake of my nostalgia.
But… just for a bit. I just want to remember Dad a little more. Just for a bit.
"So, what are you planning on cooking and how can I help?"
"I'm making lasagna." I haven't made my mom's lasagna in… I don't even remember. "I should be fine on my own but thank you." I could have used the help, but I wanted to do it by myself.
"Lasagna? Never heard of it. What's in it?"
What?
I fished out my scroll and did a quick search, finding nothing.
For fuck's sake Remnant. You literally have Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but you don't have lasagna?!
"It's like… a spaghetti casserole, I guess."
"Huh, sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to it."
We made more small talk before setting everything in the oven. A salad that just needed dressing sat idly in a bowl while strips of garlic bread lay ready to be toasted when the time came. We stood leaning against the counters before Tai handed me my drink. He then held his glass out and I clinked mine off his.
Orange wedges floated amongst ice cubes in the chilled tea. Heating up tea just to let it cool always felt barbaric to me, but the sweet, soothing taste accented by the bourbon was refreshing enough for me to let it go.
I took some long breaths to force myself to relax, drinking somewhat quickly in hopes the liquor would loosen the constant tension I felt.
There was no imminent apocalypse, no necessary plans to get right last minute, no looming threat.
You're at a teammate's house for dinner, having a casual drink. You're allowed to relax, to open up a little.
Just don't think about how Contessa might suddenly appear to take you away for whatever reason she left you on this world in the first place, or all the terrible things you've done, or the talk you're going to have with your friends tonight- Relax damn it!
"So, what do you think of your team, Taylor?" Tai asked.
"Your daughters specifically or all of them?"
"I would like to hear about what they're all like: Blake, Weiss, and my daughters. Ruby and Yang have talked about you guys, but Ruby wouldn't say anything really bad about anyone and Yang would just go with the flow and keep her judgments to herself. Deal with things on her own and not tell me about them. Or, if there was a problem she wanted to address, she would do so head-on. So, I guess I'm looking for a more honest idea of them. How is Ruby as a leader? How is Yang as a teammate? What are Weiss and Blake like? Stuff like that."
"Well, Ruby is… awkward, socially. Talking to anyone outside her group of friends makes her freeze up nervously, but she's also caring and gets attached to different people quickly. Breaks down barriers, makes you feel welcome." Even when you don't deserve it or don't reciprocate. "She ummm… She told me I was like a big sister…" I mumbled the last part shyly. It felt almost arrogant to say out loud.
"Like an older sister to her, one older than Yang?" Tai's eye's crinkled as he smiled wider.
"Yeah."
"I can see it," he agreed amusedly.
"Yang and I… don't get along." His grin twitched downward. "Our motivations are fairly opposed, so it's caused some friction. Yang and I have made very different choices regarding how we approach our goals, so we can't help but disapprove of each other a little." Yang realized her search for her mom could hurt those around her, so she held herself back for the sake of those she cared about. I did the opposite. I separated myself from those I loved to make sure I completed my goals. "We've been able to talk it out though." How tonight goes might change that… "That being said… I came across something that I wanted to ask you about." Well, something that I actively had people search for me. Tai's expression invited me to continue. "Why haven't you told Yang about Raven? About what she's been doing and where she is?"
Tai's breathing hitched, and he seemed to get smaller. "You uh, know about Raven?"
"Raven Branwen. Bandit leader. Current guesses are that she and her tribe are in western Anima right now."
"How'd you find all that out?" Curiosity mixed in with his solemn tone.
"Yang had mentioned it before… I called in some favors to look into it."
Tai smiled through his gloom. "I'm happy that Yang was willing to open up to you guys about that. It says a lot… I haven't told Yang because I'm worried about what she would do with it."
"If she would go after her? Demand answers?"
"I don't want my daughter tearing across continents to track down bandits. It's too dangerous, and Yang is too… passionate to go at it with a level head. She would go rushing for answers… and I don't know think she could handle them. It's why I've been waiting to tell her..."
"You don't think she could handle it?"
"I don't think Yang would understand that Raven has already chosen to not be her mother…" Tai closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. The thought must have been weighing on him for years now, and I'd barged in and dragged it out.
I thought of everything I did in preparation for Jack Slash. I thought of Blake's fixation on the White Fang's actions and what it did to her. Unlike Blake or me, I didn't see Yang as someone who could hear the information and react rationally to it. Blake stepped back and let me handle things because she understood that I would be able to help her, and that she would need to be in a better state to deal with the White Fang when I found them.
Yang wouldn't though. Despite vowing to not let her desire to find her mom become an obsession, I didn't think Yang would be able to see the danger in it all. There wouldn't be a happy ending, and I doubted any explanation would justify Raven abandoning her family to go around raiding villages and leaving them for the Grimm to pick through afterward.
And if Yang found out her that's what her mother had been doing? She would need to find out why. She would just be pulling a wagon with her sister in it all over again, but this time she would be alone.
"I understand, and you're right. Right now, learning about it would… well, I'll hold off on talking to her about it." More secrets…
I'll tell her after the school year ends… We'll all go. It'll be safer, we'll have time, be more prepared.
"Thank you. I plan on telling her, just maybe when she isn't going around to places and beating them up for answers," he said, his tension washing away.
"Oh, you heard about that?" I wouldn't have thought Yang would have mentioned that she beat up everyone in Junior's nightclub for information.
"Wait, she actually did that?!" Oops, he was joking.
"Anyways…" His brow furrowed, and he looked in the direction of town where Yang was with an expression that told me he was going to have words with her later. "Weiss is a good partner for Ruby. Weiss pushes Ruby academically while Ruby pushes Weiss… socially. Blake and Yang… Blake has had some personal issues that have kept her from the team for a while, so they aren't as close as the other two." I swirled the contents of my drink, watching the light dance within it before taking another sip.
"I was wondering. Yang stopped mentioning anything particular about Blake after the second week of school," Tai remarked.
"Things have hopefully calmed down for her. We plan on talking about it tonight."
"Sounds serious, but why do I feel like that 'we' means you and Blake talking with everyone else," he pointed out with surprising insight.
I didn't think I hinted at anything, I guess he just understands his daughter that well.
"I helped Blake a little with her troubles, yes." Tai nodded to himself in confirmation of his suspicions. "I think that Blake will work toward mending any problems with the team. She understands that being distant wasn't something anyone wanted, and she plans to make up for that."
There was a beat of silence as Tai seemed to ponder my words. Zwei wandered into the kitchen and stopped to examine me. I stared back, and my mind flashed to times with Rachel.
Instinctively, I gave Zwei a sharp look and the corgi straightened instantly, somehow looking almost serious. He marched over to me and sat by my feet, my own little guard dog. Rachel would have been proud.
"He's usually a little more… dopey than that," Tai commented perplexedly as he watched Zwei. "Anyway, it sounds like my daughters are on a good team. Thank you for indulging me."
"No problem."
"Would you like another?"
"…Why not?" I shrugged.
Tai finished his own glass and quickly mixed up another two batches. I realized that he had made a full kettle worth of tea, enough for a few more glasses for each of us.
All there was left to do was to wait for the others.
My bugs caught Ruby, Yang, and Weiss approaching the house leisurely. Weiss's eyes were downcast, and she seemed to be thinking deeply about something while the two sisters didn't seem to notice. Yang was teasing Ruby about all the praise she had apparently gotten from the Patch locals for being admitted into Beacon early while Ruby was doing her best to match the shade of her face with her cloak.
Weiss finished psyching herself up and stopped, taking a deep breath in.
"What? Not big enough for you, Weissy?" Yang probed playfully as she gave a thumbs-up point toward her home.
"What? It's fine- I mean- it's a lovely home," Weiss sputtered as she lost any composure she had just built.
"What's wrong, Weiss?" Ruby asked with concern, stepping closer to her partner.
"Yeah, you've been kinda quiet for a while now," Yang commented, losing her comedic tone in favor of concern.
"I wanted to say…" Weiss cleared her throat and stood up straight before falling back into an embarrassed posture. "I wanted to say that I appreciate that you… that you were willing to take me to see your mom with you," Weiss tip-toed her words.
"Well, of course, I took you. Why wouldn't I want to introduce my partner to my mom?" Ruby asked as if it was one of the most obvious things in the world.
Yang beamed with pride, moving up to ruffle Ruby's hair despite her sister's protests. As for Weiss, I could only describe her smile as intimate. One made for her friends and them alone.
"C'mon Taylor. You can't just blank out when you're telling a story," Tai complained.
I shook myself from my bug's senses. "What is there to tell after describing how she basically psychologically tortured those people!" I shot back.
"But they were criminals and it wasn't really torture, more like pranks," Blake argued casually, having arrived a drink ago.
"Fine. I'll just rearrange your books every day and see how you make out."
"Never mind, I take it back."
"I think it's hilarious. What did she do exactly?" Tai inquired.
"We're ho~me!" Ruby announced as the door swung open.
"Welcome back! We're just in the kitchen," Tai called back.
"Oh, is everyone-" Ruby came around the corner and her eyes instantly snapped to my robotic arm. I had forgotten to roll my sleeves back down. "Taylor! Your arm!" Fireworks burst within the young girl and suddenly she was next to me, groping and feeling up my new appendage. "Oh my gosh! What does it do? Is this segment here to reduce recoil? Oh! And the forearm plate rises up near the wrist! And that's not an ammo slot- Dust? Looks like it superheats- is that why the insides are so insulated? For temperature resistance?" She was poking a finger inside the hole that Dust cartridges were loaded into. She buzzed with child-like curiosity, a veteran's discerning eye, and something like a tinker fugue all mixed into one.
As Yang entered the kitchen, she was also as mesmerized as her sister, but for another reason.
"You're letting them drink!" Yang's fingers pointed between Blake, me, and the bottle of alcohol on the counter.
"I've only had this one," Blake said passively before taking another sip of her bourbon sour. Tai talked me into trying a different drink, same liquor but different taste. A bit sweet for me but not bad.
"Taylor was nice enough to bring some-" Tai began.
"Then I'll have one too," Yang stated, as though her words were enough to confirm it was happening.
"No. Absolutely not. You and Ruby aren't allowed alcohol until you're twenty-five. Same with boys."
"That's so not fair!"
"Dad card!"
"That's not a reason!"
Hypocrite.
"The wrist joints are made to resist heat too… Long periods of exposure? It shouldn't stay hot that- oh! Unless the Dust continuously heats it! But is that for a flamethrower? No, it would need a bigger casing and it wouldn't need the recoil dampener," Ruby continued to ramble.
"Zwei. Hurt," I commanded, and a blur of fluff and love barreled into Ruby's face.
An onslaught of licks came from the corgi.
Close enough. At least she's not transfixed on my arm anymore.
Blake shuffled away from Zwei and glanced at the dog contemptuously. She gave me a look that threatened great vengeance should I ever do that to her.
I went to lean back on the counter, but as I moved backward I didn't feel the counter. My eyes went wide, and I moved to grab hold of something before my butt met the counter's ledge.
Oh, it was just farther back than I thought? Stupid drinks, making my body feel light and ready to move but also making me clumsy.
"Zwei, stop. Ha. Down. Haha, stop! Traitor!" Ruby groused before dissolving into giggles.
It was Weiss's turn to be captivated. She sped toward Ruby, picked Zwei up, and immediately began cuddling the dog, who reciprocated the affection.
"Oh wook at da wittle pupper, we're going to be best fwiends. Yes, we are. Yes, we are." She froze as she noticed everyone was looking at her. Zwei gave her one last lick on the cheek before Weiss stiffly set him down—causing Ruby to groan as Zwei landed on her stomach—and cleared her throat. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Xiao Long. Thank you for letting us into your home." She finished with a curtsey, a small blush the only reminder of what happened.
"No, thank you for coming over. Anyone on my daughter's team is always welcome," Tai answered, before he made the curtsey motion himself, resulting in Yang and Ruby snickering.
"Anyway, you never answered my question," Yang questioned her father again.
"Sorry honey, Taylor was just finishing up a story."
I shook my head at the obvious deflection. "She would go into their houses and rearrange the furniture. Just a little though, only enough to be noticeable but not completely out of place. Or she would make noises. Sometimes leave messages," I listed as Tai devolved into chuckles. Blake was shaking her head but smiling.
"What are you talking about?" Yang inquired.
"I had a friend whose Semblance was to make people forget about her. I was just saying what she did to the criminals in town."
"She haunted them?"
"Basically." Now Yang was giggling.
"That's a terrifying Semblance," Weiss remarked.
"It was. Strangers are scary like that. Aisha could have walked up to someone in a crowd and slit their throat and no one would have remembered she had done it."
Ruby made a face as she got back up. "That's pretty scary, at least she used it only for pranks," she said with a shaky smile. I sipped my drink to hide my face and a few sets of eyes widened. "Oh," Ruby finished darkly.
"What did you mean by 'strangers', Taylor?" Weiss asked.
'Strangers'? Shit, I didn't even notice I said it.
"It's a classification for types of Semblances," I lied, using my robot hand to rub my chin in thought. The metal was chilly from holding my drink. "I guess teaching you guys about it would be good. Especially Master/Stranger protocols." People like Neo were an active concern, especially now.
"Master/Stranger protocols?"
"It's basically stuff to do for when your opponent can hypnotize people, make illusions, change perceptions, control people." My voice hushed at the last example. "That kind of thing. Stuff so that you can make sure your teammate coming toward you is actually your friend and not an enemy in disguise." Didn't slur my words, so I'd say I'm not that drunk.
"That sounds practical," Weiss praised.
I caught Yang examining me with an amused look. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"I honestly can't tell if you're drunk or not. If you are, then it's really sad that even alcohol can't liven you up."
"I'm not drunk." The syllables snapped in the air. My protest didn't seem to convince Yang at all.
"See, it's a blank face, three-second smiles, or glower. Nothing else."
A ding on the stove rang through the room.
"Shall I throw on the garlic bread?" Tai asked, and I nodded in response. "Alright, Yang and Ruby, why don't you set the table since Taylor was nice enough to make dinner."
"Coach's cooking?" Yang wondered aloud.
"B-but… robot arm…" Ruby whined weakly as she gestured to my arm.
"It's not going anywhere, Ruby," I said dryly.
"Can you at least tell me what it does? I can't see the mechanism under the plating."
I looked away to avoid the puppy dog eyes. "I guess it's like a stinger?" I mused. Wait, did I say that out loud?
"Like on a bee?"
"Like on a fire bee." Wow. Maybe I should just stop drinking for a bit.
"Okay, maybe I do like drunk Taylor," Yang snickered.
"It lights on fire?!" More sparkles bloomed in Ruby's silver eyes.
"Ruby!"
"Oh! Sorry, Dad!" With a burst of rose petals, she was grabbing cutlery.
Weiss stood there examining the two sisters as they set the table and I watched the vein twitch on her forehead.
"Knives on the right, blade facing in," the heiress chided before making her way over to correct her partner.
"Hey Taylor, can I talk to you for a second?" Blake asked before motioning me to the living room.
"Whaaaat's up?" Why did I draw that out?
"I was talking to a friend of mine, one who used to be in the White Fang. Apparently, he was approached by some of the other Faunus who aren't in the White Fang that are coordinating a rally for Faunus, to talk about everything that's happened, and try to make a change," she whispered feverishly.
"Is that a good thing? I'm guessing they're trying to work with the rest of the Faunus to condemn what the White Fang have been up to." Blake nodded but still held her serious expression. "But you think that the White Fang may interrupt this rally?"
"It's a possibility. They were coercing Faunus who weren't in the White Fang to join, so I don't think they would take kindly to a gathering of Faunus that were speaking against them."
"Then what do you want to do?"
"I want to be there when it happens, just in case."
"With everyone?"
Blake turned away from me and sighed. "I… Yes. Having everyone there would help in case something does happen. All of team RWBYT, and team JNPR if they want."
If they were still willing. I hadn't been able to visit Ren in the hospital yet, nor had I seen anyone from team JNPR after we had gotten back to Beacon. The texts I had exchanged with Pyrrha didn't give me a good enough idea of how they were doing after what happened.
"But that depends on what happens tonight, right?"
"Is it okay? Asking for something like this right after I tell them I've been lying to them for months? That we went ahead without them to attack a criminal organization?"
"Suuure, I mean- wait. When is the rally?"
"I'm not sure. Not for a while at least."
"Then we read the mood. If it seems like the right time, then ask them. If it doesn't, then it can wait. There's no rush, and we can hopefully look into if the White Fang are planning a response as we go. Also, ask me again after dinner just in case." When I have some food in me to help clear out this alcohol.
"R-right. Thank you, Taylor. Talking with you about these things… it's nice to have someone who can help and isn't… distracted or biased by what's happening."
"What? All I'm good for is being human?" I joked.
"No! That's not what I-" She noticed the playful grin on my face. "Oh, ha ha." She rolled her eyes, but I could see her fighting to keep a smile from her face.
We moved back into the kitchen just as the timer on my scroll was about to finish. I grabbed a set of oven mitts and took out the lasagna from the oven.
I set the dish on the table and shuffled my hands out of the oven mitts so that they would act as heat pads.
Dinner was served.
"That was very good," Weiss announced, almost surprised at the fact.
"What was that Taylor?" Ruby asked, a smudge of sauce bouncing with her cheek as she spoke.
"A completely original dish… apparently." I began gathering the empty plates before Tai waved me off with a smile and took over the job.
My mind felt clearer now. I hadn't even noticed how the alcohol was making me feel. I didn't think I'd be drinking much in the future; not having full control over my thoughts and actions irked me.
"You made it up yourself?" Yang inquired incredulously. "Cause I never really pictured you as the cooking type…"
"It's a family recipe for something that I thought was a common meal," -Well, it is a common meal, it just isn't one here- "but I couldn't find it online or under a different name, so I guess so."
"What's it called?"
"Technically, it's lasagna al forno, but I've never really used the full name. Always just called it lasagna..." Mom only ever called it lasagna. I found out the difference only after she died.
"Thank you again for dinner Taylor. Why don't you girls go talk while I clean up?" Tai suggested as he lugged the stack of dishes to the sink.
Blake shot me a look and I nodded. I guess it was time.
"So, what do you think of our small-town life, Weiss?" Yang probed playfully as we made our way to the porch.
There was a circle of cushioned, wooden chairs that were covered by a slanted roof. The sun was deep into setting, and Yang flicked on a pair of wall lights to illuminate us.
"It's… nice here. I've… never been over to a friend's house before. At least, not in a way that wasn't my father having me build relations with a business partner's child," Weiss confessed shyly.
She made it sound so natural, how she thought her father was using her. There was no gratitude for having been brought along to meet potential friends. No, Weiss knew intrinsically that those visits were always about schmoozing, and she considering that completely normal.
Blake sat down first, her movements somewhat stiff as she prepared herself. It wasn't purposeful, but the seating arrangements ended up with Blake and me on one side with the others slightly opposite us. It was just how the chairs were set up, but I hoped they wouldn't read into it.
"So… what do you guys-" Yang began before Blake cut in sharply.
"There's something I wanted to talk to you all about." Blake locked herself into a state of calm. "And it's… well, it's pretty important to me." Her tone was stern and focused; she was ready.
Yang was rapt with attention instantly, but her posture felt skittish, like she was worried that moving would scare Blake away.
"Sure, what's up?" Ruby asked innocently, only partially feeling the edge in the air.
"Okay… just." Blake took a shuddering breath and her hands slowly crept up to her bow. Everyone looked confused but didn't break the silence.
Blake's hands quivered as they grasped the midnight cloth. Then with a final glance at me and a steadying breath, she steeled herself and pulled. The bow fell gently onto the ground.
Blake's eyes were focused on it, too afraid to look up at her teammates. I placed my hand on her shoulder and felt her trying to contain her trembling. Blake looked guilty, of all things. I wasn't sure if that was because of how she felt about hiding who she was or for how she felt about being a Faunus. I didn't like it.
Finally, Blake looked up. Yang looked like revelations were exploding in her head while more questions were coming out of the debris. Weiss was simply shocked and confused. Ruby…
"You have cute kitty ears!" Ruby proclaimed as she pointed at Blake's ears.
My metal hand met my face. It hurt a little; I would have to remind myself that my hand was made of solid metal and do so in a different way than smacking myself in the face each time.
"Yes, Ruby, I do," Blake said with quiet amusement. The younger girl's gushing cut down the weight on Blake's shoulders, but not all of it. "Also, ten months ago… I was a member of the White Fang."
A breeze chilled the air as the others froze.
"Explain," Weiss bit out accusingly.
"I was… born into the White Fang. I went to every protest and participated in every boycott. We had been promised equality, yet we were still discriminated against everywhere we went. Then, the leader of the White Fang stepped down, Sienna Khan took over-"
"How is this pertinent to you being-" Weiss started.
"She's giving context, Weiss," I cut in. "Context in how despite winning the war, the Faunus were still treated like shit, abused by companies, or outright banned from work and villages. For decades the Faunus were kicked around, but instead of retaliating again for their mistreatment, they started a protest group to try and fix things. Only after that didn't work, did the White Fang take a more extreme approach."
"Are you trying to justify what they've done?!" Weiss questioned.
"No, what I'm saying is that it's a complex issue and it really isn't surprising what eventually happened," I shot back.
"You realize you're defending a group that hates humanity, right? They're pure evil!"
"Even the Faunus that were forced into the White Fang? All because they didn't want to be discriminated against by both humans and their fellow Faunus, and were forced to pick a side. Are they evil too? What about Faunus that were so poor that they had no other choice than to join the White Fang for survival? Painting all Faunus, or even all Faunus in the White Fang, with one broad stroke is ignorant and discriminatory."
"They've been attacking my family since I was a child!" Weiss shot up from her seat. "I've watched family friends disappear, board members executed, tons of Dust stolen or destroyed." Her expression morphed into a scowl. "Everyday, my father would come home furious, and that made for a very unhappy childhood."
"Weiss…" Ruby murmured sadly.
"So, don't you tell me how I-"
"Weiss, don't blame the Faunus for your dad being a shitty person," I countered coldly, causing Weiss to stagger back. "Yes, they're responsible for the attacks on the board members and your family, but your father's actions are his own. Nothing's black and white. There are heroic criminals and villainous heroes in the world."
"Enough," Blake complained. "Thank you, Taylor." She cleared her throat and glanced between Weiss and the heiress's empty chair, who sat back down with rigid motions, seeming to have decided to simmer until Blake was done. "Anyway," Blake began, more hesitantly and with a slight shake to her voice. "I left the White Fang after… well, I didn't want to use my skills to help in their violence." Her voice became steadier and more confident as she went on. "So, I decided to become a Huntress, and hopefully try to make up for the things I've done and help the Faunus in my own way," Blake finished passionately.
"Does… this have anything to do with why you've been so busy up till now?" Yang asked, her tone and posture far more reserved than normally. She must be waiting to hear everything before making any judgments.
"…Yes. I was investigating why the White Fang had escalated their actions in Vale. It didn't make sense. They weren't helping Faunus or their cause, they were just hurting people... Honestly, I didn't get much done until Taylor confronted me."
Yang's breathing hitched for a moment. "That's why you two were working together, you found out about Blake…" Yang muttered before standing up and punching Blake on the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"I thought you hated me! Oh my god, this makes so much more sense." Yang started pacing, her hands emphasizing her words. "It was because you were worried how we'd react and didn't want us involved. Ah!" Each flustered step seemed to melt another layer of anxiety off Yang. "Man, that was bugging me!" She flopped back down and then noticed the confused stares from everyone. "Uh sorry… that really wasn't the time for that, was it?" She scratched the back of her head as she flushed with embarrassment.
"You thought I hated you?" Blake asked warily.
"Well, yeah! You were always gone and avoiding us, nothing I did was helping, waiting wasn't doing anything. Taylor had to talk me down after I blew up at our little slumber party. Whew, sorry, I'm steering us away from the story. So, Taylor confronted you?"
"I… didn't know I was making you feel like that, you have nothing to be guilty for, Yang. I was the one who-"
"It's all good. Really, Blake. I was the one beating myself up over it. And you're trusting us now, and I can't complain about that."
"Thank you Yang, and I promise I'll try to make things up to you. Anyway, Taylor knew I was a Faunus from the first day of classes-"
"What?"
"Really?"
"And you decided not to inform us?"
"Her bow moved with her ears. You would have noticed if you'd pay attention. And it wasn't my secret to tell."
Blake cleared her throat. "Taylor helped me track down where the White Fang and Roman Torchwick were basing their operation in Vale."
"Wait, how did Taylor do that?" Ruby asked.
"I've been doing my own search on them for a while now… I moonlight as an information broker for some groups in Vale, keeps me informed about some things. It's also an okay way to make money. We found out that Roman and the White Fang were working out of a small warehouse district."
"So you're telling us because you want us to go bust baddies together!" Ruby squealed in excitement.
Blake and I shared a look. "Actually, two nights ago, Blake and I, along with team JNPR, attacked them at the warehouse."
"What?!" Ruby and Yang cried in synchronized dismay, Ruby looking hurt while Yang looked angry.
"You just abandoned your team to go battle a group of dangerous criminals on your own!" Weiss rebuked sharply.
"No… we didn't. I was actually going to reveal who I was and ask you all if you would help, but…" Blake glanced at Weiss.
"What did I do?"
"You were talking about the White Fang being degenerates… and that Faunus we chased, the one from the boat…" Yang recounted before realization blossomed and her hand met her forehead. "The one you had been calling a rapscallion or whatever."
"And? What about that?" Weiss asked.
"It… made me second-guess how you would all react to me telling you I was a Faunus," Blake stated honestly.
"B-but they were criminals! It's different!" Weiss protested.
"I used to be a criminal, Weiss," Blake said softly.
"Me too," I added, drawing shocked stares.
"Wait, you were a criminal? But you're so…" Weiss swirled her hands, as if it would be able to conjure up the words she wanted.
"Yes. I used to be in a local gang in my city. Did a lot of bad things before I eventually turned it around." Well, I became a hero. It didn't mean I made the right choices. "Am I a degenerate then?"
"I didn't mean that you were any of those things, Blake. I was r-referring to-" Weiss stammered.
"Weiss, I understand that the White Fang have done a lot of wrong. That I've done a lot of wrong. You have a right to be angry with the White Fang. All I want you to understand is that they aren't all bad people. That all Faunus aren't bad because of that one group. And I hope that you could be more tactful with your choice of words. I'm not really familiar with how it went, but that Faunus who stowed away doesn't deserve to be placed in the same category as the extremists in the White Fang. Nor does any Faunus that makes a mistake or does something bad," Blake stated earnestly. I took my hand of her shoulder. She didn't need the support anymore, she was doing fine.
"I- but- I- I wasn't-" Weiss faltered before setting back into her chair in contemplation.
No one spoke, all waiting for either Weiss to respond or for Blake to continue. Seconds passed uncomfortably slowly as the silence permeated. Finally, Weiss looked up at Blake.
"Blake, I apologize. I didn't think my words would have made you not trust me enough to… well, I'm sorry."
Blake got up and walked over to Weiss. Each step clattered against the wooden planks of the porch. The white-haired girl blanched and glanced around nervously, unsure of what was about to happen. Weiss flinched away from Blake's hand as it shot forward.
Instead, Weiss blinked rapidly as Blake wrapped her arms around Weiss.
"Thank you," Blake whispered to her. Weiss hesitated before returning the gesture.
"Blake, I'm sorry too!" Ruby stated sincerely. "I-I didn't know, and I didn't think that-"
"It's fine, Ruby," Blake said as she released Weiss, who drew a hand across her eyes to wipe them clear.
"No, it isn't. I'm sorry too, Blake. It's like Taylor said in the cafeteria, we just sat there," Yang said.
"I didn't do anything then either, but I get what you mean. How some Faunus are treated, it's just become normal. I'm not asking you guys to pick up a sign and start protesting or anything; this has been more than I had hoped for already."
Ruby and Yang embraced Blake before they all sat back down. Blake seemed comfortably relieved, more relaxed than I had ever seen her. Were we the first group of humans that she's opened up to about everything?
"So, um, how did the thing with the White Fang and Roman go?" Ruby asked.
"Blake and I got Roman, while team JNPR took out their transport. Roman had a woman with him, Neo, who was able to take on Ren and Pyrrha at the same time." That got some shocked reactions. "Her Semblance is to make physical illusions that can hide herself or entire areas, so she was tricky to deal with. After we knocked out Torchwick, she ran off, though she hurt Ren pretty bad first. He's in the hospital right now with a few broken bones but he should be fine."
"Is that why Pyrrha and Jaune aren't texting me back?!" Ruby cried, worry in her voice.
"Probably. We asked them to not say anything until Blake talked to you all. We should go visit him tomorrow actually. Anyway, we did manage to retrieve most of the stolen Dust, and Roman was arrested along with a bunch of White Fang members." Now, I just have to look into who was backing Roman.
"That's awesome!" Yang exclaimed.
"Yes, um, congratulations," Weiss added.
"But, you both will include us from now on… right?" Ruby asked hopefully.
"Actually, there's a Faunus rally that I'm worried the White Fang might attack. I wanted to ask you guys for your help… depending on how things went tonight."
"Of course we'll help, Blake." Ruby's smile radiated warmth, and Yang and Weiss nodded in confirmation as well.
I'm glad I met these girls. Maybe, with them, I can learn to do things right.
Chapter 17 End
Author Notes:
Praise be to Juff, TheSleepingKnight, and garneredAcrimony! I shall (Insert something about murdering and/or blood sacrifice in their honor) for their wonderful help.
I'm making a separate thread for omakes of RoaW, because reviewers are right, it does break up the flow. So there's that.
Next chapter is suffering… Maybe. I've got RWBY: After The Fall on my desk so we'll see if that spawns anything that I think should happen before the agony begins.
I don't know Remnant's drinking age, so I'm just gonna say it's 19 for now. Junior said Yang looked young at 17, but she wasn't carded or stopped from ordering her drink… whatever, it's 19 now.
I totally guessed how long it had been since Blake left the White Fang and accidentally got it right.
I'm unsure about how well Taylor's logic about not telling Yang about Raven plays out. I'll tell you guys if I go back and change it.
We're finally farther than Volume 1 in terms of timeline, yeah… It only took us… Well, Volume 2 will be going by much faster at least.
Was hoping that Mirrored Eyes, Picking up the Remnants, or even Princess (Though that fic only came out a few weeks ago) would do their ideas for Taylor's Semblance first so I could compare and contrast my ideas, but I think I'm going to be the one to blink first.
I hated the entire train stolen line, it always felt too much of a callout to Blake's trailer for me rather than something that Weiss would have actually said but that's probably just me.
Didn't realize the whole lasagna thing was fanon until Juff pointed it out.
I hope it's not coming off as Blake justifying people not helping Faunus with her 'how they're treatment has become normal' thing. It probably doesn't (because it shouldn't), and I'm overanalyzing how people may interpret it because I'm overly anxious about making sure I'm tackling something like racism correctly.
Also, I WAS GOING TO CUT BLAKE'S HAIR FIRST! *Grumble grumble*. Anyway, Volume 7 costumes are out, look cool. Weiss's is actually pretty similar to what I was going to do for her spider silk costume (Which I'll change now).