Cinder was walking in the direction the dark haired woman told her to. Not like she walked there because she was told to. She walked there on her own choice. The least she is waiting for is to actually see the face of that woman. Just looking at her gets the vision in her mind to punch someone. Putting things aside, she was happy that those three were finally found. She didn't want to waste any more time with the searching because there are more important things to do. That is, finding out what is going on!
She saw someone waving at her from even far away. But not that jumping up and down like a child type of waving. She just stood there only moving her arm like a robot. No emotions at all. What's up with this woman? Cinder really wanted to question what she was feeling because it felt like she was just existing in the world but did not give a shit about anything. Obviously, she can't do that because it would just seem like she actually cares about her. And she does not… When she finally got there Raven immediately started to greet her.
"Whoaa, you did take your time. I thought you would—" Cinder just walked past her while pushing her out of the way by the face. "Oww. It's nice to see you too." For Cinder it was considered the greeting so that was enough. Although, it would have been more lighter. This will literally leave a red spot on Raven's face.
"Guys, you okay?" She sounded way happier than she should have. Crap. I have to keep my cool. "Khm. I mean, it's better if you are. You are fighters, after all." This whole being cold situation was crumbling down as soon as Raven opened her mouth.
"Ah, for a second I saw a different person in you." She stated like it was just a fun fact, looking into the thin air.
"Great. I'm sure you just hallucinated." Of course she could come up with a thousand different excuses for her mood change but it wasn't the most important thing at the moment. "Anyway, do you guys know something about the occuring events?" She was finally putting the conversation onto the right track.
"We know nothing for sure, but we have theories. First of all, I can't confirm it but as I saw, all the 'zombie' people were faunus. So therefore I think it only affects faunus. Because if you think about it, we were in the area as well. And Torchwick here recognised one of his co workers which is not the most frequent thing that happens." Emerald explained what they found out.
"Yeah, you can basically say that I am the genius here. Women value this kind of privilege in a man." Torchwick said this oh so proud of himself while winking at Raven. Oh God! Cinder considered if she just stayed there on the rooftop that would have saved five more years in her life.
"Jesus, if you don't stop talking I will push you off of a cliff." Raven said this not even looking at him. Cinder thanked her for this internally.
"Anyway, anything else you found out?" She questioned.
"Hmm. I think that's it. Though, I'm curious if this state of theirs is permanent." Emerald was thinking while the boys got into a different conversation something about girls. Eh the usual.
"So wait. Just to make things clear…" Raven joined in the brainstorming completely ignoring the boy's nonsense talking. "You people created a serum that makes faunus go crazy? Wait, is this serum drives out the faunus' animal side? Like it's blocking out the human self and only the animal stays there."
"The fuck…" Wow, Cinder just said it. "I mean, sorry but that sounds like exactly what is happening." Hmm. So Salem is making animal slaves at this point. What if she can control them? These faunus are basically useless but in that state they actually sound scary. In this case they are more efficient. And if she can even control them somehow she can turn some enemies onto their side. That actually sounds like a good plan.
Now that Cinder realized Salem's intentions she really wanted to know why the woman did not tell her about this. It's not like it's a whole new level. She controls Grimm so if it's up to her it's not hard to imagine controlling faunus. Especially their animal side. And then she realized something. That team. They have a faunus and she is a great fighter.
"Hey, Torchwick. What's that girl's name who is in that team with Ruby and was in the White Fang?" She questioned right away, confirming her knowledge as soon as possible.
"Oh you mean our Kitty Cat." He stated. From outside he looked like he was daydreaming. Not even gonna question that.
"I said name. What's her damn name?" Yeah, she got really irritated by the man's stupidity.
"Oh, right. Her name is…" he stopped clearly forgetting her name. "Wait, it's on the tip of my tongue."
"Blake." Raven said it instead. She knew all about Yang's teammates. Her daughter thinks she doesn't even care about her but she sees a lot of things. Which to be honest, sounds pretty creepy.
"Yeah, Blake. I call it Kitty Cat so it's hard to remember her actual name." At least for him. It's not like a hard name to remember.
"Blake… I see." She said this wickedly.
"Jeez, woman. What are you planning?" Raven asked, suspicious about Cinder.
"Whaa…" She caught off guard as Raven asked that question. How dare she speak to me like that? "First of all, what is that tone?"
"Sorry, Your Majesty. Can you tell me what you are planning?" She teased. Although eager to know what is going on in her mind. At this point Emerald just left the two alone joining in on the boys conversation about some game.
"That's even worse. Why can't you talk to me like a normal person?" She really wanted to know. On the other hand, she wanted to change the subject because she didn't want to let in the woman. She still didn't know what's exactly her relationship with her daughter so maybe she is on their side. She can't know for sure.
"Because you are taking your time while we are standing here on the street shouting nonsense while those idiots talking about some child play and you still not telling me anything!" This was the first time Raven showed this self of hers. She was angry and impatient. Maybe she just wants information and then just ditch her. All this teasing is just to make herself closer to her but in reality she just wants the information. Why would I even think more of this anyway? She really wanted someone who is on the same level as her but there are not a lot of people like that. Raven is one of them but that woman only cares about herself. Partnering up with her is a bad idea.
"Look, I don't know what you want. Why do you even want to know the truth about this when you could just easily go to the other side of the world, far away from here? I don't have that privilege. I can't go anywhere because she eventually will find me." She said more than she should have again. Why is she telling her this when everything she says and not relevant to work will just fly in and out on her ears?
"It's true that you can't win a war against her. But do you really have to be on her side? That's just cowardness if you ask me." That hit hard. No one ever said to her that she was a coward. Actually, she was anything but a coward. But when it came to Salem, that woman just ruled over her. She did everything she said. She went through punishments she had to endure. But what is exactly that she wants? She never asked that from herself. Salem said she will grant her anything. She is basically the reason she is still alive. And her arm is being the leash. Raven doesn't know about this because she is hiding it from her. But overall, she does not have a choice.
"I'm sure you know what cowardness is like—"
"Stop this, Cinder!" This made her jump a little. This woman is actually showing emotions this time. She grabbed her arm and pulled her aside so the others won't hear them. "Stop this. You know I'm right, that's why you can't come up with anything else. I'm not coward. I'm being realistic here. What is it that makes you stay by her side either way? And I really want to know." Well, changing the subject tactic worked out but it became another subject which is a really touchy spot of hers.
"She is keeping me on a leash. I can't escape her. She knows everything." That was the truth with a slightly bit of part missing out.
"What is it that she can do with you from far away?" She can't get out of this. She has to show her arm…
She did just that. Pulled her sleeve up slowly showing her Grimm arm under. Raven's eyes went wide as she never saw a human being partly Grimm. And she knew Salem is the one who controls them.
"What the hell…? you didn't lie when you said she is keeping you on a leash." Raven was really surprised by the sight in front of her. That disgusting creature became of her arm which in this case lost its ugliness. It was still a Grimm arm but a human wore it. Which made things complicated. "There has to be a way you can escape from her. I'm sure deep down you want that too." She was right. Salem gave her a lot of things. She found meaning in life. She actually wanted to live for once. But now that she found that reason she can't escape from the person who gave it to her. And now she is snatching it away from her vision. So by the end of the day, her reason in this world is only to obey her keeper.
"I told you!" She shouted at Raven. That woman just wanted to help her. To what was the reason for that, she did not know. But she actually showed that she cares about someone. And that someone is being her. "There is just no way. I have to live with it." She looked down, actually sad. Completely forgetting about the whole serum situation. And started to think about why the dark haired woman wanted to help her so badly.
"Can I have a question?" Why did she even ask for permission?
"Sure, why not?" Why is she asking for permission? That's different. Am I going the right direction with her this time?
"Answer it honestly. Why do you want to help me get away from Salem?" Raven knew she was eventually going to ask that.
"Honestly, I don't know. I just feel like you are keeping up a role that you don't want to play at all." She was right. She wasn't like this when she was a child. It all changed when she started to obey people. Acting as their puppet. Doing everything as they said. Every dirty work when she was only a kid who didn't have a purpose in living. She never had a chance to go down the path she wanted to. But that doesn't have to be this way all of her life. And here is someone that might be willing to help her. Even though she doesn't have a clue what that solution might be.
"Can you help me?"