It's been a few days since the Tukson was murdered. Police are still investigating the events that took place there. Things aren't matching up for them, Everything looked simple at first, Until they saw evidence of the Stranger's presense. Gaining Ozpin's attention rather quickly as he now had an idea where to start looking and what to look for.
The stranger was walking. Mostly in a shadier part of town. That was rather close to Junior's Club. Even if it was close. He knew he couldn't go there. Going there would mean he would be found easily, So he wasn't heading in that direction. walking down what seems to be a red light district. He would normally never be caught dead in a place like this, But he had to hide somewhere, Knowing that he messed up big time by beating down that punk kid. He lost his temper. Something that's become easier to do nowadays. He walked by a Love hotel called Love & War to which he saw a guy being dragged inside by what he assumed to be his girlfriend. He merely rolled his eyes at this and kept walking. No direction in particular, Just walking. Already losing something dear to him and losing the only chance to replace it, He felt like he had no reason to care about anything.
He walked past an Alleyway to which he heard screaming. He looked down the alleyway and saw what appeared to be someone, Specifically a woman, About to be mugged. He sighed and kept walking. Only to reveal moments later that it was one of Emerald's Illusions in an attempt to lure him. She was given orders to find the stranger. And she proved to be good at that. Granted it took a couple days to do so. She now has a general Location of where he is at the moment. She could either recruit him now or wait for a moment to get him later. Overall she had to be patient and wait for the perfect moment.
Later on his walk, The stranger found an apartment building that was seemingly abandoned. He walked to the door and pulled the boards off with his bare hands and set them aside. He walked in, The air was cold inside. The inside was covered in cobwebs and dust and was crawling with all types of bugs. Including Cockroaches, Spiders of all kinds, And various other insects as he walked past them and straight up the stairs. Almost to the second floor, a step broke under his foot, He didn't even bother looking as he just continued. He walked to a door and opened it with ease, It wasn't locked. He didn't think any of the rooms we're going to be. He also doubted that people were going to look here. At least that's what he thought.
He walked around the small room for a bit until he found a bedroom of sorts with a bed that's been torn apart. But was just good enough for him to rest awhile. for a few days at most. That's what he thought at least. Unbeknownst to him, Someone was following him, and they weren't far behind. Emerald relayed back to Cinder about his location, She was just given orders to follow him. She took those orders by heart, Not doing anything to upset Cinder again. She was already scolded once for killing Tukson, So She's hoping she can make Cinder pleased this time around by recruiting this Stranger. Or at least stalking him, It didn't matter. She knew where he was gonna be. She contacted Cinder, Letting her know of his current location.
Cinder recieving the update, went to the abandoned building herself after ordering Emerald to head back to headquarters. She was somewhat cautious entering the building. Figuring him to be a bit hostile as seeing what he did to Mercury from Emerald's report. Mercury denied being manhandled of course, Cinder trusted Emerald a little more anyway. Due to Emerald being more of a loyal subservant to her. She snuck her way through the abandoned building, carefully watching her every step as she searches for the Stranger. Finding him sitting on a chair looking out the window.
"The idea by staying here was to not be found." He said before she could even speak. Knowing she was there by seeing her enter the building earlier.
"I figured. I had someone find you for me." She replied.
"I take it you don't care about the fact that I wanted to be left alone. I hid here for a reason and that was to avoid people. Specifically for a good reason." He replied calmly as he gup from his chair.
"Well. Seeing as how you rammed one of my subordinates head into a wall made me think that I should talk to you personally, You look familiar by the way." Cinder responded as she walked around him.
"I just have one of those faces," He said. Wanting to be left alone but knowing in a way. She wants something, similar to Ozpin in way. But that's where the similarities end. "What do you want?"
"Just to talk to you. Is something wrong with that?" Cinder replied. having a slight smirk.
"I'm not the type of guy who likes long conversations. If I'm being Honest. I also know what you really want." The stranger replied.
"Is that so?" Cinder replied as she sat down in on a dusty chair.
"You're here to recruit me for something. Ozpin was the exact same way. HE recrutied me for something That I didn't care about but ended up agreeing to it anyway. That didn't end well for me." So what makes you think that what ever you're offering won't end up badly for me?"
"Well For one. I can't guarantee anything really, I might not even have anything to offer you at all. Seeing as how you're no longer working for Ozpin. I can see that you don't want money." Cinder said as she relaxed a bit more.
"Spent the last I have on something that I never got to use, After that. I have no Money." He replied as he stood in a doorway.
"They wouldn't happen to be art supplies right?" Cinder asked. Slightly stunning the stranger.
"I'm assuming now that you're subordinates are the same people that killed that bookstore owner." The stranger realised.
"Why do you say that?" Cinder said. A bit more shocked.
"Mostly because the only reason you could've known I spent all the money on art supplies is because one of your little employees thought he was cute. by trashing it. I only got what I needed for one painting. And he trashed it... Did your spy tell you that?" The stranger said almost annoyed. With a hint of sarcasm as well.
"Well. I have all the materials you need and thensome. If you were to accompany me back to my base. of course. Girls like me shouldn't go home alone at nights. in places like this." CInder said with a hint of sarcasm as well. She knew she didn't need him to escort her, and He knew that too.
"Fine. I'll fucking entertain you. Even though you came here alone. At night, Entering an abandoned building with a possibly deranged serial killer. Just know this. If someone tries. to mug you. I won't help. I'll just keep walking." The stranger said as he left the room. Cinder smirked at this. Knowing he was being sarcastic at the least. But more than anything. ANnoyed.
They started their walk shortly after. Any hints at small talk were immediately shut down. The walk was a long one. No one went to bother them for the most part. They shortly arrived at the warehouse which they were hiding in. The stranger heard a voice that sounded a little too familiar.
Sure enough he entered the building with her and sighs. "You gotta be shitting me." He says as soon as he spots Roman. Roman turns around at the voice and immediately turns pale with Fear.
This chapter was hard. Kept getting hit with Writers Block throughout the week. Anyway. It's done. NEXT WEEK. Can Ferret successfully defend his Shiny against Hakumen. And can Achilles be able to beat Nu? Find out.