Embers of Autumn
Chapter Thirty-Five
There's a sitting table against the wall and Blake has been at it almost as long as Ruby and Weiss have been in the bed that's just a few feet away. She's ears deep in the scroll and books she borrowed from the library, following a quiet compulsion to become as well versed in their contents as possible. For the most part they contain entries of journals -first and second hand- in regards to the Progenitor Grimm, records of sightings and encounters and the scant few expulsions of them. As she goes Blake references the scroll, mentally checking off the Old Ones that come up in the literature until she can account for the last known whereabouts of all but one of them.
Yang sits across from her when she's no longer occupied with pacing the room. Blake can tell she would much rather be doing something else, something productive, but knows she also feels the need to be here with them. After the great hot mess that was the meeting in the library, all four of them likely felt the need to stick close and process it, feeding off the security of close proximity. When the brawler does sit still she'll find something to keep her hands busy, from going over the physical therapy exercises with her prosthetic, to massaging the stump when she takes it off to set on the table for a while and give her shoulder a break. She'll try to play footsie under the table from time to time, happy to return the tolerant smile Blake gives her as she half-reciprocates. Yang then chances to skim through some of the books if for no other reason than to kill time, eventually moving on to get a closer look at the scroll for herself.
"Holy shit," she laughs without warning, "look at this stupid thing."
Blake looks up to see Yang angling the scroll towards her, her felid eyes thin until her vision adjusts. "Oh yeah, that," and shakes her head.
"Aw come on, I thought you'd actually like this one, Blake. I mean, looks tasty, doesn't it?"
"I don't eat catfish, Yang. Besides, a Grimm's a Grimm, why in the hell would I like it?"
"Fair enough." she nods, relenting. "Wonder why we've never seen one like this before, though. Maybe they went extinct."
"Well it must be doing something right, because that's the only one I can't track down with these journals -and they're thorough. Last the writer heard of it was just before a massive flood in northern Vale."
Yang just inches her shoulders. "Although, now that I look at the rest of these, I'd almost prefer to deal with it over the others. I mean, spiders don't really bother me, but this one-" she tilts the scroll towards her Maiden again, "you don't get much more nope than that."
"Tell me about it." the Faunus shivers.
"And what the fuck is this? Where's its face?!" Yang shakes the roll of paper to gesture towards the bipedal, minotaur-esque looking creature with a head full of snakes, Blake visibly concerned for the document under such treatment.
"Give me that before you rip it."
Weiss worries. She has such a longstanding engagement with it that there are times she has to wonder if she likes it. Somehow worrying feels constructive even though she knows damn good and well that it isn't, but it fuels her desire to do something constructive so she takes it as a help more than a hindrance. Worrying is what helps her keep her arms around Ruby even though prolonged physical contact still feels strange, keeps her fingers calmly sifting through her hair to pet her scalp, keeps her doing whatever she has to so Ruby might feel better. It's been several hours since the meeting in the library, the sunlight outside the window of the room Team RWBY has come to occupy has faded into night, and for all that time Ruby has laid tucked up under Weiss' chin as the heiress props herself up on the pillows at the head of the bed. She says nothing, doesn't move, just holds Weiss about the waist with her cheek on her breastbone, and seems to stare at the wall. And Weiss lets her have her self imposed silence, won't even answer the likely symptomatic chiming of their mental link, not without permission first. If Ruby wanted her that close, she would say so.
Not once does she wonder or think to ask why, because she knows. She knew it from the second Pyrrha Nikos was brought up in conversation, her name actually said aloud. Just as she knows Ruby still has nightmares that wake her up in the middle of the night because she feels her Guardian stirring feverishly beside her in the seconds before her eyes snap open and she tries to get her breathing back under control. Just as she knows why Ruby just wants to be alone and cry sometimes, a symptom of the overwhelming guilt she still feels.
And the possibility of the fallen champion still being alive clearly didn't bring her any comfort.
But why should it? Who could possibly find any solace in the situation they faced now? Maybe if things were much different, maybe if they didn't have to stare down the idea that their late friend had been trying to and come frighteningly close to killing them?
Pyrrha Nikos tried to drown me. The Winter Maiden shivers, hearing the thought for the first time coming as quite the shock. Another thought surges behind it, something too quick for her stop and equally flooring if not ten times more so. Pyrrha Nikos tried to kill Jaune. If she hadn't seen all the strange things that had been going on lately, and heard what she had heard in the library, that notion alone would have been enough to turn her into a total skeptic. Pyrrha willingly trying to hurt Jaune was just as likely as herself willingly trying to date him. Which is to say not at all. She shivers again, this time in very mild disgust. She'll tuck her chin and press a kiss to the top of Ruby's head, hoping to gain as well as give a little comfort.
Do you believe him?
Weiss' expression flickers towards surprise at the whisper that's only in her head, not expecting it. Are you all right?
I'm getting there. Ruby's body expands and contracts in her arms. But do you believe him?
...I don't know for certain, not yet. I mean...there's equal evidence for and against what he said. I know he believes it. And if she were being brutally honest, she would voice how sad she thinks that is. Then again I don't think he's ever really gotten over her.
You expected him to?
What? It isn't like they were actually in love. I mean, I know Pyrrha was interested in him, but you know how dense he is.
That's not what I meant. She was his best friend, we're sure about that much -because she feels like beyond that isn't their business anyway- and you know how hard Beacon was for him in the beginning...look at it this way, what if we lost Blake?
Whatever thoughts the Maiden might have had fizzle along their connection, scattering like snowflakes on the wind. Ruby had a point. She and her Faunus teammate had a unique and honest bond. If Adam had been able to...or if Yang hadn't been there...that all but slapped the heiress with a heavy dose of perspective. You're right, I'm sorry.
Nothing to be sorry for. Still... part of me wants to believe it, but for the most part...god, I don't know what to think.
Weiss holds her a little tighter, kissing her head again. I think...that is, if you want my opinion,
Of course I do.
I think we should take it as it comes, but be supportive. At the very least, like Tag said, there's still a person that needs our help. Everything that comes after that we'll deal with then.
I guess you're right. But...what if it's true?
...I don't know. Weiss doesn't know because it used to be that there were certain irrefutable laws of the universe, and if what everyone was thinking turned out to be true, that was no longer the case. It would bring everything -absolutely everything else into question. As a Schnee she could handle it, it's what Schnees do -anticipate, react, adapt. But as a woman who grew up too fast and has barely had a chance to accept all the times her life has turned upside down just within the last few months...where do you even begin?
I'm feeling a little smothered. Ruby's thoughts pulse, her body shifting a little and lift away.
I'm sorry. I-
I didn't say it was because of you. There are remnants of a little laugh echoing around the notion. Not everything is your fault, you know. And she only teases a little, knowing why she does it and that it's not really a conscious thing. It's more like cabin fever, anyway. I've cooped myself up in here too long. Can we go for a walk or something?
Weiss' brow tightens. Where?
Another mental giggle. We could sneak out, it'll be fun.
Ruby Rose, we'll be doing no such thing. There's a chime of hesitation though, because it does sound fun.
Come on, it'll only be for a little bit, an hour tops, we could just say we're going to visit with your sister. They'll believe it.
On the one hand, staying at the manor with everyone else was the safest thing to do. On the other, time alone with Ruby sounded too good to pass up. Not that she didn't love being with her whole team again, but...you know.
Well...I guess...but no more than an hour, all right? Then we come back here.
Ruby just giggles and nuzzles her sternum before squirming onto her hands and knees to crawl down from the bed. The two slip on their shoes without a word to their teammates and make no big deal in grabbing up their weapons before heading for the door.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." is all Yang says, she doesn't even look up from the book she's reading. Though Ruby can see her smirking from the doorway.
"We'll be careful." Weiss assures her before the pair disappear.
"...Shouldn't we keep an eye on them?" Blake inquires casually, one ear cocking outward.
"Let them have some time alone, they deserve it." Yang turns the page coupled with a dismissive gesture of her stump. "Besides...now we have some time alone."
Blake smiles comfortably, cheeks rising against tired eyes as she pretends to continue reading.
Don't tell me you haven't been thinking about it when I know you have.
Fair enough, Blake eventually nods, fair enough. Flickers of the night of the Solstice had been jumping between them for...god, she can't even remember how long, and the last thing she wants is for her lover to call her a liar to her face. So...right now?
Why not?
...It is Glynda's house. Wouldn't it be rude?
So? The first time it was Weiss' house, what's the big deal? As long as she isn't in here with us, I don't have a problem.
Blake laughs breathily, lounging back in the chair with an exaggerated stretch after flipping the book closed.
I'll just have to make sure you stay quiet.
Blake gapes at her from across the table, taking in the brawler's mischievous grin with wide felid eyes.
He doesn't know what time it is because he's convinced he fell asleep. It feels late. Jaune sluggishly lifts his face from the pillow, knowing he's been laying face down in one of the bunks on the airship for...hours most likely. As he rolls on his side, carefully as he feels a body behind him, his mind steadily files through the last things he remembers: the meeting in the library, the bitterness in the pit of his stomach, the need to disappear for a while and maybe shake the awful heaviness he felt in his ribs. That's when he found his way onto one of the airships, feeling a need to distance himself from Glynda -from everything- as much as possible to process everything. He plopped down on one of the beds like his body weighed a ton, and was quiet for all of three minutes before he just burst into tears. There's just too much and he doesn't know how to handle it any other way. Too many questions, too many answers, too many things to consider now that he's accepted the weight of everything that's been on his mind for weeks. Just. Too. Much. Half way through it Nora came in, likely to check on him since he more or less disappeared. She doesn't say anything, and when he looks up at her he knows why she's really here because she starts crying too, and they both feel with some certainty that it's over the same thing. So they cry together, Nora slumping beside him and leaning against his shoulder until he puts an arm around her and holds on. He feels a little static coming off her, something that feels like her aura, and softly warns her of it. Last thing they needed right now was another freak storm.
When the crying took the last of their energy they managed together on the bunk, Nora's head beneath his chin as he pets her hair because he knows it soothes her, just like it soothes his baby sister. She sniffled and sputtered a little longer, finally calming after several minutes.
"Jaune?" she asked just above a whisper.
"Hm?" it's a mix of a response and the rough clearing of his throat.
"...You cut Cinder, didn't you? I saw it, she was pretty messed up."
He took a breath, feeling her tuck a little closer as he exhaled. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"
"Yeah." Jaune couldn't see it, but Nora smiled. "I'm proud of you. Asshole."
His heart clenched hard as he tried not to laugh. "Billy got her too."
"I know. They told me the story. Wish I could've seen it." she almost laughed, smiling a little wider and swallowing the thickness in her throat instead. "...Jaune?"
"Hm?"
"...What are we going to do?"
It took him a second, but he caught on. His first instinct was to ask if she believed him, but of course she believed him. There's a part of her that simply had to. "Whatever we can. I don't know what that means, exactly, but we'll do it."
She sniffled again, wiping her face on his hoodie regardless of whether or not he cares. "Do you...y-you think we can...get her back?" it sounded like she was pulling against the world to say it.
It took him a spell to answer, because at first he didn't know how, it felt like too big a question to answer too quickly. He didn't want to lie to her, or get her hopes up, but how could he get away with it? It just isn't possible. "I hope so." he finally said. "...We're going to try."
Thankfully she just nodded and nestled against him, going quiet. They fell asleep like that.
Now Jaune is trying to get to his feet without waking her, thinking maybe she could use the extra rest. That is, until he feels a hand at his thigh take hold of a fistful of denim to keep him in place. He just smiles, understanding, but still does his best to coax her out of bed since she's obviously awake anyhow. But it's more likely her grumbling stomach convinces her than his gentle encouragement.
They'll find Ren in the ship's commissary. He's been in here for a long while, it's where Nora left him to handle this mess in his own way like she knows he will. He had been busying himself with folding the napkins into little animals and flowers until he has a veritable garden of them, all the while pushing increments of his Semblance on himself to stay stable. He will do this until he is certain everyone has pushed through their respective emotional recovery before taking some time to himself to process it otherwise, and he shrugs quietly when he allows his mind to recognize just how much he's going to have to sift through.
Still Ren expresses the happiness he only partly feels when Jaune and Nora come into the room and sit with him. They fawn over his napkin figures, Nora has always loved them and Ren is happier still to see Jaune smiling as he examines a few of them more closely. He lets it slip that he's trying to make a peacock next and that has both of their attention expressly on him. When he's finished, the tail fanning perfectly outward and him looking satisfied, the three decide it's finally time to eat. They relax into little conversations, even laugh a little. For a short time they discuss where to sleep, settling on the manor just for tonight though they agree that the place is a little unsettling. The beds are bigger, making it easier to share. Nora politely informs her teammates that she will be sleeping in the middle.
It's pitch black outside save for a pair of windows in the face of the manor and snow clouds have gathered overhead, a few flurries having started coming down as the three of them make their way back to the house. Halfway there they spot two shadows form up against the door, pushing through it after a second or two in a just audible fit of giggles. Jaune is fairly certain at least one of those shadows belong to Ruby, the idea making him smile to himself. Once inside they quietly make their way through the house in search of a bed. As they ascend the stairs to the second floor they pause, a punctuated and rough sound echoing through the large room. Glynda's at the landing above them, appearing to wait, looking uncharacteristically subdued with her chin tucked and without her glasses.
Jaune gently pushes to the front, meeting his aunt at the top step. "Did you need something?"
"I was finally able to reach mother," she clears her throat again, shifting on her feet. "Maab, that is, and we'll be leaving for Menagerie in the morning."
Jaune's pretty sure the face he makes in response is unlike any other expression he's ever held. "...W-why-"
"I haven't been able to contact her until now because she was investigating an incident of a magical nature that she is more than certain I was part of, which means there's a high likelihood of the hybrid perhaps having reappeared there. I've already brought Maab up to speed on the situation and she will be expecting us."
Jaune nods after moment of taking it in. "Alright. Do the others know?"
"I was on my way to inform Specialist Schnee and Holiday, as well as anyone else I pass, but Team RWBY has been updated, yes." she wipes the lenses of her glasses with a corner of her flannel shirt before putting them back on their face. "Qrow will remain here to keep an eye on the house and continue his watch for Cinder, and I'll be joining you."
"We can do it."
"Perhaps," to be truthful she isn't sure, but at this point it doesn't matter. "But...you understand I have an emotional investment in the situation as well. Salem is my sister, and part of this...I can't ignore how much I may be to blame for it."
He nods again, slowly, making sure to hold her gaze though it makes him a little uneasy. He's quiet for a moment, curious if she has anything else to say. Then "We're going to try and save Pyrrha."
"Jaune,"
"I don't care if it's possible or not, we're still going to try." he feels Nora's hand around his wrist and feels a little stronger for it, more certain.
She exhales in a puff of air, resigned. "I assumed as much already, so rest assured I won't try to stop you. In fact, I hope you would accept any help I could give. I know I was...rigid during the discussion earlier,"
"More like impossible." Nora corrects.
"True enough, still...I apologize for making you feel disenfranchised like that. I may not understand what's going on -much less wholly believe it- but I should at least accept that you're sincere about it. I'll try my best to have a little more faith."
"Thank you." Jaune says flatly, feeling unable and somewhat unwilling to fully accept her apology. "Goodnight, Aunt Glynda."
Everyone pauses, waiting for something to happen and receive the echoing clatter of broken glass from somewhere in the house. Glynda shrugs with a hanging shake of her head. "Goodnight." is all she says as she makes her way down the stairs as was her original intention. The three young hunters make their way to the nearest bed, only fussing a little with the friendly sleeping arrangements before settling in for the night.
In the airship infirmary, after Glynda has relayed all the necessary information and lights have gone out for the night, Tag squashes herself between the wall and her Guardian and doesn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. It'll be the best night's sleep she's had in weeks, surrounded by Billy's incredible body heat, the dull vibrations of their snoring, and the stable rhythm of their heartbeat. She gives little energy to the worry of what the medic said, that now that they've had one heart attack they could be prone to another -a bigger one- because she knows as long as they carry her mark they'll be all right. And she doesn't mean for them to be separated like that again.
What worries her more is her inability to completely put away all the echoes of what that poor girl had going through her. All the pain, confusion, and desperation had been at such a ferocious frequency that it still rings through her skull, through her bones. Tag doesn't even know her and her guts are twisted up with the need to act and the hope that there's still time to do so.
Billy sleeps unmoving and unbothered, having dozed off content and confident that Manticore would not be so fortunate as to escape the next time their paths crossed. Human or not, they meant to put an end to it.
The day starts too soon, Glynda taking it upon herself to rouse everyone from their beds before the sky even begins to gray with sunrise. She all but rushes them through breakfast all the while trying to give them an idea as to the day's itinerary: The flight to Menagerie is nearly ten hours which, provided they left on time, would get them there by late afternoon. That -she hopes- will leave enough daylight for Glynda to have a look at what Maab had found for herself and suss out the nature of things. Otherwise, she makes sure to explain that the lot of them are to conduct themselves as professionals since all but three of them are going to be considered foreigners and therefore watched with greater scrutiny -and considering uniformed Atlesian Specialists were in attendance, a certain degree of care could not be stressed enough. Ruby feels Weiss' tension through the haze of still being somewhat asleep, almost hearing the worries she knows are creeping through her thoughts. A Schnee in Menagerie, who'd have thought? Ruby takes her Maiden by the wrist and offers her an assuring smile, hoping it helps. Blake and Yang are staring at them, both grinning like cats in the cream. They know what they were up to last night, mostly because they were up to the same thing and they know the looks new lovers give each other. Yang catches her sister's eyes for all of a second, just long enough to shoot her a wink that makes her blush.
The sun still isn't even close to coming up when they all split up and board the airships with parting hugs and wishes to take care and for good luck. Ten hours is plenty of time for things to go wrong, after all. Thankfully the trip is uneventful enough for most of them to catch a few more hours of sleep. The only snag they hit along the way is having to take the long way around a stretch of sea situated between two of Mistral's southern island territories and one of Menagerie's. Supposedly a number of ships disappeared there -whether or not that was true, there was no need to risk it. The detour puts an extra hour on their flight, much to Glynda's displeasure.
In spite of the anxiety fluttering in her chest like a caged bird, Weiss' curiosity gets the better of her. She stands in the cock-pit behind the pilot's chair, watching the green and gold of Menageries jungles and beaches coming closer as the craft makes its final approach on the southwestern side. The rest of the team is with her, which helps -Blake's presence being especially comforting, but she can't stop her hands from fussing together.
"Do you think anyone will recognize me?" she can't help but ask.
"I don't think you'll have to worry too much." Blake eases up beside her, offering a hand on her shoulder. "According to Glynda we're going to a less developed area, so it's possible no one's ever even heard of your family."
"Really?" she looks back at the Summer Maiden with genuine surprise, partly from her words and partly for her now exposed feline ears.
Blake nods, a little amused. "Really. At most someone might have a radio, emphasis on might."
"Yeah, Weiss, remember when you told Tag who you were? She wasn't impressed," Yang adds.
"Well, yes, I suppose."
"But think of it this way," Blake inches a little closer, her arm stretching across the heiress' shoulders in a light hug. "This is could be your chance to build a whole new relationship between Faunus and the Schnee Family."
"You really think so?" most of the anxiety looked to have been replaced with a sort of quiet hope.
"Has to start somewhere, right?" and Blake returns the smile Weiss offers, hugging her a little tighter when her smaller, fairer skinned hand smooths over her own.
"Brace yourselves for landing, ladies." the co-pilot announces.
A few Faunus scatter as the airships descend on the beach, disappearing into the thick cover of trees only a few yards from the water. Once stable on dry sand the passengers waste no time disembarking, momentarily crowding together to clarify where they're headed. The air is heavy with moisture and just warm enough to make you sweat, enough to make Yang put her hair in a ponytail less it become an absolute mess. Thankfully it's a short walk through the jungle to the nearest village where Maab is supposedly waiting for them; all present Faunus take joint lead of the party in hopes of keeping the locals as untroubled as possible. At first there's no sign of anyone, even the few that fled the beach seemed to have disappeared into the dense jungle growth, and Tag and Billy assure them that's the point; too many times over too many years have outsiders come to Menagerie and brought some sort of disaster with them. Here in the jungle, once you know how to walk, you're taught how to hide. Drawing closer to the village ahead they start to see them, traces of ears and tails and the glimmer of eyes among the leaves and branches, but the humans present do their best not to telegraph their awareness.
The trees and vines eventually open up into a clearing that stretches farther than they can see, mostly due to the stilt houses constructed from wood and leaves and held together with vines blocking the view of the far side. Families fill the windows, children shouldering for a place, only half hiding as they stare at the pod of strangers emerging from the jungle. There are some trees left in the cleared area, ancient and powerful looking things with shelters built up in their highest branches where there appear to be -at a glance- bird Faunus looking down. Some residents still linger just within the treeline, watching from where they feel the safest.
On the east side of the village is the only structure not made from whatever the jungle offered, and looked to built from the red clay that's more common in the barren areas of the subcontinent. It's two stories with rounded edges, though its roof is just like all the others -made from woven branches and leaves. There's an awning over the main entrance of similar make, and as they all come closer they make out the shapes of at least two people standing beneath it, make that three after one of substantially smaller stature steps out from the silhouette of another.
The three beneath the awning are obviously Faunus, even at a distance. Two are exceptionally tall, one more so due to his impressive rabbit ears, but it only gives him half a head over the other. He's deceptively thin framed, almost bony as his simple clothes hang on him, and his rich dark skin creases with age around his eyes. Graying, tightly cropped hair surrounds his mouth and covers his head, though the fur on his longer ears is a dull red. Beside him is another aged Faunus, a stocky, stable looking woman who's once stark black hair is now white with only a few remaining strands of gray. The horns sprouting from her temples as well as the robust redness of her skin is reminiscent of a certain Guardian. And between them, the smallest one -perhaps four feet tall, is a blonde, visibly Mistrali woman with shockingly fair skin. Large vulpine ears shift atop her well restrained hair, likely alerting her to the crowd of footsteps coming their way.
Glynda is unconsciously smiling, part of her admitting to having missed her mother. She steadily advances to the front of the pack as Maab approaches them, then kneels down once they're close enough to embrace her. The gesture is brief, only somewhat sincere seeming, and the two women smile each other in an almost formal way.
"Glad to see you made it safely." Maab nods, the lenses of her glasses catching the light of late afternoon. Then her happiness shifts to slight confusion. "I had no idea you were bringing so many with you."
"I told you the situation had grown considerably." Glynda lilts her head. "But it's mostly out of necessity, I don't believe Vale is safe for them at this time."
"Fair enough. Can't be too careful with Maiden's involved. Now, please, come inside, there's lots to discuss."
Glynda cocks her head as Maab turns and starts away from her. "Don't you mean to show me what you found?"
"Not necessary," the smaller Witch just continues walking. "What we need to focus on is what to do next, that and perhaps giving me a few of the finer details in regards to this fresh hell we're dealing with. Now, if you would,"
Glynda straightens and shrugs, her shoulders remaining tense for a moment. Now she remembers why she and Maab didn't maintain contact: they're too damn much alike. A notion only reinforced as she catches someone -likely Yang- whispering "Holy shit, that is her mom." But it doesn't stop there. "So that means," a sharp exhale, "holy shit, Jaune, that's your grandmother," and Yang just smirks at the look Jaune responds with, his eyes wide.
Maab stops and half turns with a sharp twist of her little body. "Who's a grandmother?"
"You are." Glynda sighs. "Didn't you know Gypsy had children?"
"She keeps in touch with me about as well as you do," Maab raises one eyebrow.
"Well, maybe if there was a reliable way to reach you-"
"Oh shush. Now where's this grandchild of mine?" Maab just lets herself in to the pod of bodies, pushing at their thighs to move them aside.
"They'd be mine too, Maab." The Rabbit Faunus steps out from under the awning, into the light and closes the distance between them with relaxed steps. "Good to see you, Glynda."
"Likewise, Mr. Quetshadee."
"Please, just Rusty." he wants to hug her, but he accepts the handshake she offers instead. He knows she's not the affectionate type, especially considering he isn't her father. "So which-" Glynda steps aside a little as he rises to the balls of his feet to have a better look.
"Oh, she had a son!"
Jaune's eyes shoot downward, his brain a little slow to accept the Witch standing in front of him at all, much less that she is his grandmother. In the back of his mind he had been expecting a lot of things, but every thought paled in comparison to the reality presented to him. All he can do is stare, though his jaw works to try and make him say something.
"Come down here, boy, I've got glasses for a reason." Maab curls one finger at him until he bends at the knee. She holds his face in both hands, turning his head this way and that to a few restrained snickers from the others. "You're sure he's Gypsy's?"
"Well he certainly isn't mine." Glynda scoffs. Rearing children -or the act of acquiring them- had never been on her list of things to do. Never.
"But you see the resemblance, don't you?"
Rusty moves to stand behind Maab. "Those are my daughter's eyes if I've ever seen them." and he seems fond and proud to say so. "But he clearly takes after his daddy. My girl still with that traveling musician?"
"Y-yeah." Jaune chokes out finally. "Noah."
"Yes, yes, Noah, now I remember. He was always so sweet to her. " he nods. "So what's your name, grandson?"
It's funny hearing it out loud. "Jaune."
Maab jerks his attention back to her. "Are you an only child?"
"N-no, I have seven sisters."
"Goodness,"
"Stop fawning over him, Maab, we've still got work to do." Rusty taps her shoulder, hoping it's enough to break her all but obsessive focus.
"Don't you mean Faunus-ing over him?" Yang couldn't stop herself. Blake is hissing chastisements over their mental link but they go mostly ignored -maybe because the resounding groan is so loud.
However, Maab just smiles as she turns to look at Yang, who she assumes made the joke since she is the only one not cringing. Then she laughs. "Oh I like you."
"Mother, no."
"Don't be such a poop, Glynda, it was funny." she dismisses her middle daughter with a wave of one hand. "But Rusty's right, let's get inside and get to business."
The third Faunus beneath the awning had waited patiently, not wanting to interrupt though part of her wanted to. But finally, as the party of mostly strangers began to follow Maab back to the house, she took a step forward and to the side to be in Billy's direct line of sight. Once the Guardian is close enough they open their powerful arms to sweep her up, pulling her stout body an inch or two off the ground in a solid embrace.
"It's good to see you, mother. I've missed you." Billy takes in her scent, the feel of her, holding fast for a moment before setting her down. "...But why are dressed like this?"
"You've been gone almost a year, Billy, you can't expect everything to stay the same." Her eyes shift down, going over herself. Like most who live in the deep jungle, clothing had been mostly optional, if not minimal. Now she stands there clad in leather and hardwood armor, flint knives strapped across her thighs and chest, and a stone club holstered on her back. "I'm the elder now, and we needed more hunters after you and the Maiden left."
"I'm sorry."
"You did what you had to, just as we did."
"What about Matt and Elo?"
"They're doing their best but there simply aren't enough of us yet." she shakes her head, her fatigue showing. "Even with the Witch's help the people are still terrified, still feel unsafe."
"Well, with any luck, it won't be this way much longer. We think we might have finally tracked down the Lion and mean to put a stop to it. For good if all goes well."
She doesn't respond immediately, her lips thinning into a line, perhaps uncertain or just disbelieving. "What about the others that came? The ones with the guns?"
"That...isn't as simple as we thought, but we will discuss it later, alright? Perhaps tonight if there is time?"
Reluctantly she nods. "Very well." She hugs Billy again and then the two of them follow the others inside.
Author's Note: God, that last part felt AWFUL. I don't know why it was so hard to write it! Anyway, chances are good that the next chapter will begin the endgame for the first act, so you can bet things are about the get real...crazy, to say the least. Though I've got a little more Witch lore coming your way as well as a little bit closer look at Maab, but after that it's all downhill. And, at this point, I almost HAVE to write a steamy White Rose spinoff, lord knows I hinted at it hard enough. But who knows when that's coming. Enjoy!