May Marigold was tired. She wanted some rest from all the running around because of the Grimm. She was no good to anyone tired and haggard. Especially to Robin.
May sunk to her couch, not even bothering to change out of her outfit. Robin needed her at her best. She passed up a promising military career to follow Robin and her wild dream to help the underclass. A decision made more with her heart than with her head.
She almost fell asleep but someone knocked on her door.
"Go away," she said.
"It's me," said the knocker.
May bolted up and whipped open the door. Henry-her cousin- was on the other side. His undercut was unkempt.
"May, no time to explain." He grabbed May's wrist. "I chartered a bullhead to get us out of here."
May pulled back. "Where would we run to Henry?"
"I don't know. Anywhere that doesn't have a giant flying Grimm." He threw his hands up. He leaned forward to grab May again.
"Henry." He stopped. "If there are Grimm, then Mantle needs to be evacuated."
"Let the military handle that." He paced back and forth. "Spare me the heroics."
"I'm no hero." May stood firm. "I am a huntress and I have sworn to protect the people. This is bigger than us, Henry. We need to help those who can't."
"Oh?" Henry laughed. "Those people will no sooner stab you in the back first chance they get. I know because I've grown up around them."
"You're fifteen-"
"Sixteen."
May Winces.
He continues: "Too busy 'slumming it' to keep count, huh? Well, where were you when my parents died and I had to scrap by myself? No one helped me then. You didn't know who I was until I showed up at your father's door. Then I had to earn my keep and believe me I earned everything I got. Looks like I didn't matter."
"You matter, Henry. You know more than anyone the struggle people go through. The families-"
"You're my family. The only family I got left. Those people will not thank you or know who you are until the next disaster. Why throw your life away for such ingrates?"
"Our family used to mean something-"
"So did 'Schnee' and they're doing just fine." Henry crossed his arms and stared back at her.
May's scroll vibrated before she could retort. A new message. She played it and Robin Hill's voice filled the air:
"Sorry ladies, it's gonna be a long night. Ironwood is going to declare martial law and leave Mantle behind. Help whoever you can. I might be captured soon. Don't worry-"
Then the sound of a boot crushing something.
The call ends.
Her mind wanders-why would Ironwood do this? Does it have to do with that giant Grimm heading their way? Whatever's going on Mantle's going to suffer.
"There you go again," Henry says.
"What?"
"You are going to choose the huddled masses over your own family"
"Henry please, those people need help."
"Then help them and die. Good-bye May." Henry went for the door. May hurried after him but he was too quick.
The door slammed shut between them.
May's scroll vibrated again. It was Fiona.
"May, where are you? We need you at the hideout."
May looked at the shut door. "Heading your way. See you soon."
When I found out that these two were related yet so different, the conflict just wrote itself.