Chapter 8: When This Wickedness Consumes Me
Huntsmen and Huntresses were strong. They held too much power, overwhelming power. Some, like Glynda, could avert disasters on their own without batting an eye. Others could kill Grimm for days nonstop, and most even held encyclopedic knowledge.
To think that of all the challenges Huntsmen could pose to Cinder, a party was the biggest one she'd face so far.
What would she even wear? She could tailor any dress she could think of with her semblance, but what was appropriate for the occasion?
She had a black gown in mind for the student dance, but that wasn't due until a couple of months from now, and Cinder refused to wear that dress before it's time, it was simply too good. She could dress casual, but what if Vale students went to parties in their uniforms? They were in school, and as far as Cinder had seen, when students weren't dressed in their uniforms, they were using their battle outfits.
She supposed it made sense, in a twisted way. They were meant to grow into warriors after all, it was only expected that they'd be ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Should she then wear the dress she usually did for battle? There was a chance that could be seen as poor form, especially when they were meant to celebrate success today. To show up to a celebration dressed like she was expecting a fight to break out wasn't something that seemed like anything resembling manners.
Then again, to show up dressed like a civilian, something they were most certainly not, could also send a different message.
Above all, she could not ruin her image with Pyrrha. It wouldn't do to attend a meaningful event inadequately, Cinder would need to be out of her mind if she ever dared considering something of the kind. When she started a mission, she finished it, and looking good was something of a skill she liked to nurture..
Perhaps, just maybe, there was a chance she was overthinking it.
Looking out the window, as much she hoped it would elucidate her with some sort of celestial revelation, did nothing to reveal anything other than the obvious to her. The moon still lit up the night, as it always did, the nearby tide still crashed below the precipice near Beacon, and cicadas outside were still as annoying as ever.
It was better to make an uninformed decision than no decision at all. Cinder decided on a skort with a pair of boots and a long sleeved shirt. She would have used a skirt instead, but if for some reason she had to fight, Cinder wouldn't have to worry about a skirt being impractical, or about violating Beacon's dress code, not that it was in any way strict, or even much of a code at all. At least having students to be outfitted with uniforms while toting uniqueness wasn't something enforced by Ozpin, a droplet of decency in the sea of antagonism the man was capable of.
And she couldn't forget, that day at midnight Salem would want to talk with her again, like she always did. Cinder was prepared this time, but it was important to keep it in mind, for when the time was right.
There was so much to explain, given how Pyrrha wasn't at her side yet, but it was close, Salem would understand later. She had to understand, even if it took hiding the plan to bring Pyrrha to their side.
If Salem couldn't grasp the value of powerful allies, then how would she even have chosen Cinder in the first place?
Taking her scroll, she typed out a message to Pyrrha, hoping it wasn't too late already.
[Private Message 18:30 PM] Cinder Fall
I am ready to attend the party. What is your dorm room?
[Private Message 18:30 PM] Pyrrha Nikos
Hi!, it's room 343, central doms :)
[Private Message 18:31 PM] Cinder Fall
Thank you. I am on my way.
[Private Message 18:32 PM] Pyrrha Nikos
You can take your time! Team RWBY had that last-minute quest of theirs, so it's just us and CFVY instead.
[Private Message 18:33 PM] Cinder Fall
I would hate to be late
Pyrrha sent another message, yet Cinder was forced to ignore it when a notification from the program Watts had installed in her new scroll took up the entire screen. It was inconvenient even in the best of lights, she'd need to have another talk with Watts about user-friendly interfaces.
It was just the kind of thing she'd have to endure for now, since she had a brand new scroll, and no excuse to stay offline.
[18:33 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
... - .- / -.. - / .. / ..- ... . / - ... .. ... / .- -. .- .. -. ..-.. / -. . - -..- / ... . -.- -..- / .- .-. . / -.- - ..- / - ... . .-. . ..-.. / .. / -.-. .- -. .-. - / ..-. .. -. ..- .-. . / - ..- - / - ... . / -. - -.. -.. .- - -. / ... -.-. .-. - .-.. .-.. -...-
The message erased itself ten seconds after she finished reading it, as it should. This was the only way they could avoid being tracked or spied, and even then, it took all of Watts's effort to keep up with Atlas and their monitoring.
[18:34 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
You don't need to use coded language in this version, it's why we're using it
[18:34 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
Finally. I need your help.
[18:35 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
You need even more help? Paladins and White fang aren't enough to get a job done? I thought I'd hired the best in Vale. Was I wrong in thinking you were useful?
[18:36 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
Of course not! I'm only asking for your help because of that psycho, Adam.
[18:36 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
What did he do?
[18:37 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
It's what he's about to do that worries me. I know you have a plan, but I'm pretty sure he's seen the news by now, and you know him. Short fuse and all that.
Of course he had seen it. Cinder hoped, for once, that Vale media would get something of importance to report on, but from what Roman had to say it seemed like misplaced optimism.
She'd be lying to herself if she thought it didn't annoy her. Regardless of the inevitable misstep here and there, she could have dealt with something as small as the fallout from a couple of news stations, Perhaps even ignore it completely.
But who was she kidding, some problems simply had an affinity to growing progressively worse, even without any outside input.
For once, Beacon's obligatory post-quest paperwork was a positive, making it so Cinder didn't have the energy to deal with the news smearing her image even days after the quest itself. She'd seen the rough summary of it, but hadn't had the time to properly study how she'd crush them when documents regarding liabilities, non-disclosure agreements, confirmations of property damage and all of its subsequent reports made sure she hadn't gathered enough intel, or planned a way to pool resources to properly crush them.
Interestingly enough, however, was the higher-ups at Atlas and their attempts to bill repair from property damage caused by the so-called 'bandits" on Team Juniper. Having first-hand information like this was certainly a meaningful perk of having access to Beacon, and it did make Watts stop pestering her.
If anything, Atlas's constant occupation attempts were getting bolder, she had to give them that.
Cinder briefly wondered how Pyrrha felt, taking into consideration how she took most of the paperwork, hopefully it was the kind of busywork that became easier with practice.
[18:38 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
Did he contact you?
[18:39 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
Not yet, and that's what I'm worried about. Before he goes ballistic on me I want to call a meeting.
[18:40 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
So you'd like me to save your skin in person then? Again?
[18:40 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
Not the way I'd phrase it. We need to cooperate, don't we? I can't exactly do my job if one of my "allies" could be coming for my head.
It was understandable, though Cinder wasn't foolish enough to not think about it twice. As far as she trusted Roman, she was well aware that this could be a trap. His attempt to cut her, as she was a loose end. He could be calling for a meeting so he and Adam would get a chance to attack her together.
She considered it further, Roman was charismatic enough to make strange allies, but Adam only allied with humans out of convenience. Something that held the White Fang back, as Cinder has mentally noted a thousand times before. If she wanted to fight for faunus, he'd have to be dealt with.
Were those two allied against her? Unlikely, but Cinder could deal with them if they were, she had safeguards. Emerald and Mercury would be at their most useful if she found the need to deal with the thief.
[18:42 PM] Dark, Tall, and too hot for you
Growing fearful? We'll meet near Mountain Glenn. Two days. I'll choose the place
[18:40 PM] Clockwork Clamjam
I'll make preparations. By the way, do you know if fire dust residue can be used to cook popcorn?
That was as far as the conversation needed to go, she wouldn't dignify that with an answer. For now, Cinder had someone else to answer
[Private Message 18:33 PM] Pyrrha Nikos
See you soon! Can't wait to see you again! S2
As the message brought a smile to Cinder's face, for a brief second it was accompanied by something, she couldn't tell what, striking her like a punch to the gut. What did she feel? Guilty?
What was she feeling guilty for? She should be happy, with just a little more work, a little more trust, Pyrrha would join them. She'd see how wrong Huntsmen are, how careless, apathetic, alienated and merciless their path was. Pyrrha had to see it, she was supposed to be Mistral's champion after all.
No, it couldn't be guilt. It most definitely wasn't. There was a chance she worried that Salem would catch on to her plan, and discard it as easily as she did last time, that must have been it. Taking care of that would simply demand a little more caution, accepting fewer risks to make sure her story was bulletproof.
Walking out of her dorm room, Cinder locked the door behind her. Immediately, a chill ran up her spine. Someone was waiting outside, and it seemed to be the one and only Glynda Goodwitch, looking for someone.
Better stay out of her way. Cinder pretended not to notice the teacher, walking away.
"Ms Fall," Glynda's voice echoed, nearly stopping Cinder's heart. Had she slipped up somewhere? Had the combat instructor finally recognized her from the brief encounter near a dust shop months ago?
Glynda took the pause as a cue to continue, "A moment, please. There are matters I need to discuss with you."
Matters. Most definitely not ominous, but the teacher didn't seem to be prepared for battle. When she looked through the hallway, her green eyes peering straight through the dark, weariness marking her face, Cinder wasn't so sure she should be cautious of the combat instructor at that specific point in time.
Still, it was hard not to wish she'd taken Midnight with her. How helpful it would be was doubtful, but at least the weapon would have given her some sense of security, however small it would've been. Against Glynda flesh, bone and spirit would not be enough to survive someone like her.
To keep her composure, Cinder chose her words carefully, "Was I not up to protocol last quest?"
Glynda shook her head, to assuage in the best way she could, "You were perfect. It's other recent events that bring me here."
Other events, at least her choice of words made it obvious. Of course nearly everyone who bothered with dialogue would want to talk about it. "You mean the media."
"Not quite. That's for later."
"Then..."
For a brief moment, Glynda's expression shifted, before she returned to her usual, stoic self, "When you abandoned camp during the quest, why did you do it, Cinder?"
As prepared as Cinder could try to make herself, the comment caught her off-guard, "What do you mean?" Cinder took a step back, out of instinct. Had Glynda finally connected the dots, seen through her disguise? She waited another moment for the teacher to start attacking.
Uncaring, or perhaps too confident to see Cinder as a threat, the teacher cut through the silence again, "Even though your performance was flawless, I cannot ignore the signs I see. Do you have anything you'd like to tell me?"
Backing herself to the wall, Cinder could barely breathe. It made keeping her composure many times harder, taking all her will just to utter even a syllable without shaking, "I… I'm…"
'I see. I'll be direct then," Glynda said, approaching a couple of steps. "It's my responsibility as a Teacher and a Huntress."
Cinder didn't answer, at that point she'd only be digging herself further. Her left arm ached, carrying the fragment of power to her fingertips, forcing Cinder to repress it even as the parasite's instincts screamed at her to attack. She knew better.
"Are any students giving you trouble?"
What?
"What?" Cinder asked, mirroring her surprised thought.
"There were problematic students in the past, I'm sure you're aware," Glynda stated in a matter-of-fact way. Of course Cinder knew about it, although she couldn't remember who was involved the last time, their names didn't seem to matter at that moment.
Oh, so the Goodwitch had a soft spot for her students?
Glynda resumed, with same seriousness expected of someone investigating a murder, "We dealt with it using the disciplinary methods expected, it won't repeat itself."
Definitely not. She was a fool for thinking otherwise, even if only for a second.
She looked away from the teacher for a moment, a good opportunity to feign weakness. It was important to give up some metaphorical ground, pretend she deferred to her authority, as it would be expected of a student. In a more favorable situation she would play the victim too, but it would be meaningless with no one to blame, "No student is harassing me, if that's what you're asking, I just live with anxiety"
"Still, I want you to know you're not alone, even if Haven didn't consider making that a little less literal when they requested you to be transferred to this specific wing."
Why did Glynda even bother querying in person? Ambushing a student in a hallway to ask about their well-being couldn't have been her first choice. She had an office, and there was a Teacher's room after all, summoning a student wasn't a difficult task.
There was no chance in remnant that Glynda Goodwitch could simply be worried about a random student who was the latest target of tabloid grift. It would require more emotion, more empathy than a Huntsman was capable of. There was simply no way she genuinely cared.
When the chance to inquire presented itself to Cinder, staying quiet suddenly felt like less of a survival tactic and more of a suggestion, she could take the opportunity then and there, "I understand, Ms Goodwitch. Will Beacon help me then? Given how so many news stations placed a target on my back."
Glynda, as if readying to inform someone of a tragic accident, took a deep breath, "I hoped it would simply go away, but it seems I was too optimistic. We'll be forced to do something about it."
Forced? That was an interesting way to put it.
Glynda continued, "Given their reckless approach, the Headmaster found it necessary to give you space. We could arrange to have you speak at a show of his choosing, but you'd need to talk to him first. Personally."
"I'll be there," Cinder said, before she realized what she was agreeing to. Her instincts got the better of her, but the moment after made her thankful for it, when she realized how valuable this could be. Getting them to trust her even more was worth it, without a shadow of a doubt.
It was just a matter of hiding any killing intent. Or hacking intent. Or spying intent. To be safe, she preferred to think of it as a matter of hiding everything and putting on a mask, leave Cinder at the dorm and take "Ms. Fall" to the meeting.
Glynda paused for a second, surprised, "I see. We'll be expecting you in the Headmaster's office today, at midnight."
Midnight, same time as Salem would be expecting. Of course nothing could come this easily to her.
That was a problem for future Cinder to solve. Present Cinder had places to be.
"So, Team RWBY had a last-minute quest huh?" Coco asked Pyrra, leaning forward on the windowsill next to her as she opened her can of soda. She had thankfully ditched the glasses as soon as it was dark, but preferred to stare out the window as she talke.
Pyrrha heard the question and nodded along, but to say she was listening would be stretching it too far. Cinder said she'd be there half an hour ago. Maybe she gave up on the party, she didn't seem the very social type anyway.
Had Pyrrha scared her away, like she usually did with most people? She thought taking most of the paperwork would have helped, maybe she should have done some with Cinder, at least they'd get to see each other for a little more.
And she couldn't think about Cinder without thinking of their kiss. It was wonderful, tender and not the least bit below her already high expectations. Just thinking about it, and everything that happened next was enough to make heat spread to her face.
"Thinking about someone?" Coco asked, smirking.
The question immediately snapped Pyrrha back to the present, "What? No, I'm just… thinking, that's all."
"Right. You know you have a terrible poker face?""
"I'm just worried, you know?" Pyrrha confessed.
"I can see that. What's worrying you?" Coco asked, nonchalant, before taking a sip of her soda.
"Who's worrying me. I invited Cinder and she said she was coming thirty minutes ago. Do you think something happened?"
Seemingly unfazed, Coco put a hand to her chin, thinking, "Cinder, Cinder… Oh I remember, she went on a recon quest with you right?"
"Yeah. The news hasn't been very kind to her since that."
"That's putting it lightly. Did you see the whole White Fang conspiracy thing they have going on at CommLink? I'm sure you've dealt with the same thing before, right?"
"Not really, Pumpkin Pete's had the whole public relations thing covered for me. Most I've ever had to do is sign some merch and participate in some morning talk shows."
Coco took another sip, still as calm as ever, "I see. Is that why you're worried?"
"I don't know," Pyrrha answered.
Pyrrha let the question sit in her mind, maybe it was, and she just hadn't allowed herself to think about it yet. It was too easy to fall into that same mental trick over and over again, where she pushed some worries out of sight, then out of mind. It happened when she'd ignore how none of the other girls back in Sanctum ever wanted to have lunch together, study, or even hang out. Couldn't be a part of any team in physical education, because the other would complain it was unfair. Couldn't participate in group projects, because teachers deemed it to be akin to cheating for the rest of the group. She was even kept from joining the theatre class, on grounds that her presence was too strong, even as an extra. The only thing she was ever allowed to do was fight, so she did it, and soon enough it became the only thing that made her feel like she was walking towards a good future, a path she finally belonged to, in a way. Fighting and staying an outsider was her destiny, and a struggle against it would only be a part of said fate.
Of course anything else would just be another road closed for me.
She overheard Velvet talking to Nora, "You know, I'm impressed Ozpin let you guys do this, we just usually go to ScarLobsta for their cheddar biscuits when we come back from a quest."
Nora nearly choked on her pancake for a second, "Yeah… Yeah, Ozpin is really cool, we totally got his permission, right Jaune?"
Jaune, who unfortunately happened to have his mouth full, couldn't utter much more than a few indistinct sounds. Nora took her chance, "Yeah, see? Anyways, so tell me more about that camera of yours, can you capture any kind of semblance?"
It brought a smile to her face, but Pyrrha let their talk fade into background noise. Ren was busy cooking, still frustrated that he would never get a culinary rematch with Yang. Yatsuhashi was at least trying to give him a challenge, and his food wasn't bad if Pyrrha had to admit it. Fox seemed content on hearing Jaune talk about some of his comic books, not a surprise, given how he wouldn't be able to read them.
Coco watched them with her, as Fox answered something Jaune had said, "What? What do you mean Olivia's Garden is better than Scarlobsta?"
"I mean, not them, but the breadsticks are really good," Jaune said.
"They're bread jerky! I don't even like Scarlobsta and I'll go there just for the cheddar biscuits!"
Coco giggled at their discussion, but try as she might, Pyrrha couldn't smile after following where her thoughts led her. Could she even imagine Cinder there, at that moment? She seemed to have warmed up to Nora, or perhaps it was the other way around. Not that it was impossible for her teammate to warm up to other people, it was just the circumstances back then. They would likely make good friends, given time.
Cinder had left the camp that day because she had the same condition as Nora, hadn't she? There was a non-zero chance Nora could talk to her some more, help her live with the night terrors, and it wasn't because there was a trick or a cure for something like that, but sometimes there didn't need to be one, just enough company.
If Nora would open up then Maybe Ren would too. Cinder was as cautious and rational as Ren, and Pyrrha knew that in Ren's case, it was because he cared. Cinder was likely the same.
Jaune was always so friendly, so open, he could likely befriend anyone for a lifetime.
So she was the last one left. Could Pyrrha see herself with Cinder? She wanted to, no doubt, but what about Cinder herself? Had she one-upped someone again, driven them away? Maybe Cinder didn't want to be with her...
"So," Coco once again broke the silence, "Is Cinder the reason you went shopping for new clothes?"
"Hm? How did you know?"
"Well, for starters you asked me where I buy mine, and next time I see you you're like a walking Magnolia line model. Then there's the fact you've got the look right now."
"What look?"
Coco put her right hand to her hip, then pointed at Pyrrha with the one that held the soda can, "The look. The one where it seems a lot like you're thinking about someone. You're staring right through the wall, not at it, so unless I got a terrible read and should be worrying about reporting shellshock..."
"You got it right, okay? I overthink stuff, that's all. Can we talk about something else?"
"Oh well, we can, but I'd hate to make you keep her waiting," Coco said, pointing at the door.
Pyrrha never heard the doorbell, neither did she hear anyone knock, but apparently Nora heard, and answered the door for them. Standing outside was Cinder, looking as gorgeous as Pyrrha remembered her in the CCTS tower. To see her in person again was far more precious than the memory. As heat flooded her face once more, a big smile slipping past her defenses, she couldn't waste any time before hugging Cinder again.
Cinder was surprised for a moment, before hugging her back, "Well, hello again."
"I was waiting for you," Pyrrha said as she let go, afraid she'd hugged a little too hard.
"Ms Goodwitch ambushed me in the hall, sorry."
"It's okay, let's introduce you to everyone!"
Although Cinder had met most of Team Juniper before, Pyrrha hadn't exactly expected her to get along with Team Coffee so well. As it turned out, both Cinder and Coco favored the same women's clothing store, Velvet and Yatsu both liked her statement on TV, as divided as the subject was, and Fox didn't seem to care either way. Regardless of who liked and thought what, it was a breath of fresh air to just have her there with them.
How stupid of her, to think that destiny and fate would do something like closing this road for her too.
When was she last able to enjoy company like this? Pyrrha didn't have any memory of it. To sit, watch movies, eat and drink with someone she liked as more than just a friend? Among friends? To not worry about Pumpkin Pete's, about the next mission, about how the media kept trying to make Cinder look like a villain. It made her heart leap.
And it formed a pit in her stomach too.
"You've been... quiet all night," Cinder said. Less a question and more of a statement, an invitation.
It worked too, since most of Team Coffee had left a while ago, and it was already ten minutes to midnight. Everyone else was taking out the trash, taking baths before bed, or in Nora's case, snoring in bed after laying down for one minute. Pyrrha had moved to the fridge, looking for the last tub of ice cream in her secret stash, but she accepted an excuse to talk some more, "I'm enjoying everything, if that's what you're asking."
"In a way, I suppose. You were right about Matsuri, it does help ward off the stress."
Pyrrha chuckled once, "When you think about, it's just a post-quest party, but that's what it's supposed to do. It's something to look forward to, next time we go out on a quest."
"Next time?" Cinder asked.
"Well yeah, right? You don't have a team, and they've already let you go with us to one quest. Should be okay from now on."
"Yes, it should."
Pyrrha looked at Cinder again. It was calming, entrancing and joyful, regardless of where she was or what she was doing. Perhaps it was familiarity starting to set in, she'd heard conversations about how other people felt when they talked about being with someone.
"Do we really need to wait for another quest to do this?" Pyrrha asked.
Cinder looked puzzled for a second, "Hm?"
"To be together."
Cinder smiled, "Of course not, We can meet any time, right? And you have my phone number."
"Yeah," Pyrrha laughed, thinking about it, "Yeah, you're right."
Cinder didn't say anything, instead preferring to let Pyrrha pour her words in between them, something she desperately needed that night, "I just… I just want to get to know you better. Quests, everything about Beacon can get in the way sometimes."
"And I want to know you too," Cinder said as she took her hands, then leaned forward to kiss Pyrrha.
For a second, and only a split second, Pyrrha felt the urge to dodge. Not lean back, or avoid, but the combat instinct surfaced from deep within. She suppressed it, because following through would be outrageous.
But why did she feel it?
Cinder was the one to pull away first, tucking her hair behind one ear, "I need to go, it's almost midnight. See you tomorrow?"
Pyrrha put on her best smile, despite how bewildered she was at herself, "Yeah, see you tomorrow!"
Pondering about it for minutes, Pyrrha knew she wouldn't come to a gratifying conclusion. She was too tired to talk herself into a corner again, however. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her concerns out of her mind, and smiled again.
"Nora, I know you're not sleeping" She tested.
"Can you blame me?" Nora answered, much to her dismay, "So when are the two lovebirds meeting again?"
Cinder had a choice to make. One one hand she could meet with the Headmaster, dig herself deeper into Beacon, and possibly acquire even more trust while simultaneously silencing the media that attacked her. On the other, she had to make sure Salem didn't suspect her current position, for the good of their plan, of course. She was only doing what Salem would wish, after all.
Both managed to have the courtesy to happen simultaneously, because if things could be simple for once, then she wouldn't be where she was, having to act.
Now, where to?