That evening, Roy stood before the Dusty Daydream; bag in hand and Μόνος strapped to his hip. The airship was still parked in front of the town hall and had been mostly patched up.
"We're still gonna need to stop in Argus for actual repairs, but she should get us there just fine," Aster said, wiping her hands off on an oil stained rag, "Could've done a little more if you'd given us more of a heads up."
Roy shuffled his feet guiltily, "Sorry Aster, the bandits want us out of here as soon as possible."
Ebony appeared next to him, her bag slung over her shoulder, "Understandable. I was wondering where you vanished off to earlier."
Dahlia snorted as she lugged her own suitcase down the stairs, "Wondering? You were freaking out because you couldn't find him."
Roy cringed inwardly; he hadn't told anyone where he was going and even now hadn't told his friends about his meeting with Edel.
"I was just walking in the woods," he said, "Now that the wyrm is gone, it seems that most of the grimm are keeping their distance."
Aster smiled broadly, "Well that's one good thing to come out of all this I suppose."
Roy's ears twitched as he heard several pairs of footsteps approaching from behind. Turning, he saw Coal, Jade, and Peri walking toward them across the square. Coal looked tired, his eyes were bloodshot and he was leaning heavily on his wife's arm. Jade stood tall, bearing her husband's weight with stoic beauty. Peri brought up the rear, her helmet under one arm and stifling a yawn with the other hand. Roy shifted guiltily, his hand tightening on Μόνος' handle as the trio drew near. Coal gently patted his wife's arm and stood up straight as they came to a stop before the ship.
"So," the patriarch said, "You're leaving."
Roy nodded, "we thought it was best, given the circumstances."
Coal nodded back, "true, you've caused us no end of trouble while you were here…" Roy began to apologize, but Ebony's father held up a hand to cut him off, "But, you stayed and helped us get out of trouble." Coal looked him up and down, his eyes narrowing slightly, "I hope you've learned something from your time with us."
Roy nodded vigorously, "I have sir, you can be sure of that."
Peri took a step forward, looking down her nose at the faunus, "The guard you saved wanted to thank you again for her life. But she had to undergo further treatments this morning and couldn't make it."
The captain turned to look at Aster, "She also wanted me to give you this," she said, handing Aster a small slip of paper. The pilot visibly colored as she accepted the slip and tucked it away in her pocket.
Turning back to Roy, Peri punched him in the shoulder, "You've got promise. You fight like a man possessed. If you can stop flying off the handle, I think you'll be one of the best fighters of your age."
Roy rubbed his shoulder ruefully and nodded to the captain, "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
Peri turned to Ebony, "if he gives you any more trouble, I'll come and show him how a real man behaves."
Ebony laughed and Roy felt as if he'd just had warm water poured over him; he'd missed her laugh so much. The female faunus gently grasped his hand and smiled at the guard, "Don't worry, I'll keep him in line."
Peri laughed as well, the sound echoing through the square, "You've raised her right Jade, I daresay she'll be scarier than you when she grows up."
Jade bristled slightly, her tail puffing up indignantly, "I am not scary!"
Peri continued chuckling as she walked back towards the main gate. Jade sighed, her tail going back to its original shape, "Listen closely, stupid boy. My daughter is my treasure and I value her above everything, I expect you to do the same. I'll be honest, if you asked to marry her now, I would say no."
"Mom!" Ebony exclaimed, her face turning several shades of red.
Jade ignored her daughter's outburst and continued, "From what you've shown me, you are not worthy of her yet."
Roy hung his head, "I know." He felt Ebony squeeze his hand and felt a fire reignite inside him. He looked up and locked eyes with Jade once more, "But believe me, I will fight to be worthy of her."
Jade smiled, a fire dancing in her eyes, "I would love to spar with you someday. Come back after the little one is born and we'll see just how worthy you are."
Roy offered Jade a small bow, "it would be an honor."
Coal stepped forward next, "Well, I guess it's my turn to offer sage advice. This world is a hard place to live. We exist day to day and tomorrow is never certain. It's easy to feel like everything is gunning for you and your loved ones, but you can never forget what you are; a huntsman. It's up to you to make this world a better place in your own, small way. Avoid fighting when you can, fight when you must and above all…" The patriarch gave Roy's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "Be the man my daughter knows you are."
Roy offered his hand to the older man, a small smile appearing on his face, "I will sir, I promise."
Coal smiled back and firmly shook Roy's offered hand, "I look forward to your sparring match with my wife, she's always been the fighter. I've just been the lover." He added the last part with a wink and Roy couldn't help but laugh as Jade rolled her eyes, a small blush appearing on her cheeks.
Aster cleared her throat and tapped her wrist, "If we want to reach Argus by nightfall, we should be going."
Roy released Coal's hand and turned to board the Daydream. He could hear Ebony embracing her parents as they both whispered quiet words of advice to her.
Smiling softly to himself, he elbowed Aster lightly in the ribs, "Someone gave you their number huh? When's the wedding?"
Aster glowered at him, her hand flying to her pocket almost protectively, "You do know that I have every right to pitch you over the side, right?" The pilot's scowl turned into a diabolical grin, "captain's privilege."
Roy feigned being deep in thought, "Interesting, what other perks come with this 'captain's privilege'?"
Aster tossed her ponytail seductively and batted her eyelashes at Roy, "Oh you know, being irresistible to all the ladies."
Roy stifled a laugh and tried to look as serious as he could, "A valuable perk indeed."
Aster smirked and walked to the cockpit, a slight swagger in her gait. The gangplank retracted as Ebony stepped onto the deck and a few seconds later the engine rumbled to life. One of the dust thrusters backfired with a bang and the ship began to lift off. They all waved one last goodbye to Coal and Jade as the Dusty Daydream gathered speed and soared off into the azure expanse.
-:-
The village of Akichi was about 30 minutes behind them before Roy turned his attention away from the open sky. His wandering gaze found Ebony, standing several feet down the deck from him. Her eyes were still fixed on the tree canopy beneath them, the wind causing her ponytail to flow in the wind.
"So…" he began awkwardly, "where do we go from here?"
Ebony shot him a questioning look, "Argus, I thought."
Roy's brain short circuited for a moment until he realized Ebony hadn't perceived his meaning, "oh! No, I mean with...us."
Ebony blinked in surprise, "Oh...well," her gaze returned to the blue sky, "I think that we should start slow, go out for dinner or something."
Roy's ears drooped, "I'm not sure I have enough to cover dinner. We need to get supplies, not to mention you and I need a proper set of winter clothes for when we get to Atlas."
Ebony nodded sadly, "Same here. My family gave me a little money before we left, but you're right; supplies are more important."
"Did someone mention money troubles?"
The two faunus turned to see Dahlia walking toward them. Roy's ears stiffened, his cheeks coloring slightly, "It was nothing."
Dahlia leaned on the railing, placing herself between Roy and Ebony. "Don't lie," she reproached, elbowing Roy softly in the ribs, "I heard everything. I've been blessed with a wealthy family and if you ever need anything, just ask." Her eyes lit up, "Oh I know! I can pay for your winter clothes! That way you guys can pool your money and go on a nice date!"
Ebony avoided eye contact with Roy, "It's not a date, not yet. It's just a way for us to…."
"Start over." Roy finished, nodding , "You really don't have to buy us anything Lia, Honestly."
The smaller girl locked eyes with him and gave him a disarming smile, "I know...But I want to." Dahlia stared out over the cloud banks, closing her eyes as the sun played over her face, "I don't really mention my family a lot. Having that type of money attracts the wrong kind of friends. I had too many of those when I was younger; friends who were only there because of my rich family." she crossed her arms and rested her chin on them, "Hunter was my first real friend and then I found you guys."
Roy gently patted his smaller teammate's back, "Don't worry Lia, we'll get him back. I bet you can't wait to stick it to his old man."
Dahlia brow furrowed, "I have many things I want to say to that old bastard."
Ebony's hand joined Roy's on Dahlia's back, "And you'll get to say them. Just make sure me and Roy are there when you do."
The smaller girl laughed, and pulled the faunus into a group hug, "Don't worry, I want at least one of you recording when I do."
Roy and Ebony joined in laughing, both promising to immortalize the event if possible. Aster chose that moment to walk up, "Well, glad to see you all laughing again."
Ebony shrugged, "I guess we feel like we're finally getting to where we need to be."
Aster leaned against the railing on Roy's right side, scoffing softly as she shot them all a sidelong glance, "Right, because saving a village from a grimm invasion isn't something."
Now it was Roy's turn to scoff, "Oh, you mean the grimm invasion I caused?"
Aster held her hands up in a gesture of surrender, "Fair enough."
Ebony's smile faded slightly, "Maybe it's because of everything we've been through. but when you can find happiness in those little moments, you celebrate it."
The pilot nodded solemnly, "True that sister. By the way, we should reach Argus at around six o'clock tonight. I know a little place to stay downtown."
Roy gave her an incredulous look, "is it a smuggler's den?"
Aster rolled her eyes, "No, it's not a smugglers den. It's an inn called the Blue Dust Tavern, or Blue Dust for short. The rooms are reasonably priced and the food is to die for. The owner owes me a favor, so I can get us all one big room for free."
Dahlia clapped her hands, a happy glimmer appearing in her eyes, "It'll be like a big slumber party!"
Aster grinned mischievously, "maybe we should have Roy sleep outside so we can have girl time."
Roy shot all of them a hurt look and the three girls dissolved into fits of giggles. Aster nonchalantly threw her arm around Ebony's shoulders and pulled her into a side hug, "So, how does it feel to know you're going to be a big sister?"
Ebony's tail waived back and forth as she thought the question over, "I don't know, it's almost surreal. I haven't seen my family in so long and soon I'll have a sibling?" She sighed, "it's a lot to take in."
Roy shuffled his feet awkwardly, "I'm sorry I ruined your reunion."
Ebony reached around Dahlia to gently pat his arm, "I forgive you. They'll be more chances to meet them under the right circumstances."
Roy nodded and fell silent. "Since the pressure of succession is gone, are you going to use your family name again?"
Ebony shook her head, "Now that someone else will succeed my father, I don't see any reason too. I've still done things in my life I'm not proud of. Were these things to come to light, I don't need them tarnishing my family's good name." She blushed slightly and looked away, her hands fiddling with her ponytail, "Besides, someday I'll get married and take my husband's name. Until that day, I'm content to stay Ebony Winterhold."
She froze, her fingers suddenly gripping her ponytail in a white knuckle grip, "Roy, can I talk to you in private for a moment?"
Roy, confused by his teammate's sudden change of mood, nodded and followed her down into the crew quarters. "What's wrong?" he asked, taking a seat on the edge of the lower most bunk and patting the spot next to him.
Ebony ignored the offered spot, choosing instead to pace up and down the room. "While I was alone in the infirmary, I did some soul searching, thinking back over my life and every wrong decision I've ever made. When I did, I came to a horrible realization; I've never told Dahlia about my role in her father's capture and death."
Roy raised an eyebrow, "wait, wait. What do you mean role?"
Ebony's eyes widened, "you mean I never told you either?"
Roy stood up, gripping one of Ebony's hands, "told me what?"
The female faunus was shaking slightly, "Do you remember the first time we met up after the warehouse 13 incident?" Roy nodded, "yeah. It was at a white fang safe house where Matsudo had been kept."
Ebony nodded back, "didn't you ever wonder what I was doing there?"
The faunus shook his head, "I just assumed you'd been assigned."
Ebony short, mirthless laugh, "I was in a way. Roy, I was one of Matsudo Shino's handlers. I helped move him from place to place so that the authorities couldn't find him."
Roy's heart sank into his toes, "why didn't you tell me earlier today?" he exclaimed.
"Between broken ribs, worrying about you, and a grimm attack, it just slipped my mind," Ebony said miserably. She collapsed down onto the adjacent bunk, her head in her hands, "What am I going to do Roy?"
Roy crossed to Ebony and gently knelt in front of her, gently raising her chin to look her in the eye, "You're going to have to tell her. She deserves to know."
Ebony's eyes grew wet with tears, "I...I don't want to lose her Roy, She's like a sister to me!"
Roy gently rubbed her hand with his thumb, "You said it yourself Eb, there's a very good chance that your past could come to light. I think, as painful as it might be, she'd rather hear it from you."
Ebony nodded, "You're right, her mother and sister still live in Atlas, right?"
Roy nodded, "they do, what are you thinking?"
Ebony squeezed his hand, "I want to tell them all. I need to beg their forgiveness, not just Lia's"
Roy got up and sat next to her on the bunk, "I think that would be best."
Ebony leaned her head on Roy's shoulder, gripping his hand like a lifeline. Roy looked over and noticed his teammate's head was bobbing slightly. The fact she was tired, despite everything she had on her mind was troubling, "Eb, have you been sleeping?"
Ebony shook her head, looking guilty, "not for the last few nights, I was busy helping in the infirmary. There were some really rough injuries that required…" She yawned, "extensive attention."
Roy sighed, "you're amazing, but you need to sleep too. Why don't you catch a few winks until we get to Arg…." Roy trailed off as he caught the faint sound of Ebony snoring and realized the poor thing had passed out on his shoulder.
Smiling to himself, Roy maneuvered out from under her and laid his teammate down on the bunk. He slid a blanket from the upper bunk and gently draped it over her, settling down beside the bunk to 'catch a few winks' himself.
-:-
"Hey you two! Get up here the sunrise is gorgeous!"
Roy was roused from slumber by Aster's voice bouncing around the hold. He straightened up and stretched, instantly regretting his choice to sleep sitting up as his back popped in protest.
He leaned over and gently shook Ebony by the shoulder, "Come on Eb, we're coming up on Argus."
The female faunus stirred and let out a small whine of protest. Roy couldn't help but smile, "Come on sleepy head, apparently the view is great."
Ebony sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she stretched. "Don't worry," she said with a yawn, "I'm up."
She stood, straightening her coat tails and re-taming the fur of her tail. Roy could tell from her face that the issue of Dahlia still bothered her.
"Hey, Don't worry," He said gently, "we'll get through this...all of us."
Ebony sighed, her tail drooping slightly, "am I that obvious?"
Roy nodded, "Yeah."
The female faunus drew herself up with a deep breath and offered her hand to Roy, "Here's hoping I can be a good enough actor."
She began to lead Roy towards the stairs that led to the upper deck, but he dug his heels in and forced her to stop. "Eb, this is Dahlia we're talking about. Just treat her like the dear friend she is."
Ebony refused to look at Roy, "but...what if she senses something's...off?"
Roy squeezed her hand, "Then she'll understand that we've all been through a lot in the past few days."
Ebony nodded, shooting Roy a small smile. The two of them finally made it up onto the deck, the late evening breeze ruffling their hair slightly. Aster had brought the Daydream to a halt and the ship now hovered broadside to the city. Dahlia was standing at the railing, her hair flowing in the wind as she took in the view. The two faunus joined her at the rail and the full scope of the view hit them.
"Wow…" was all Roy managed to say. Ebony was equally speechless, settling for a tight squeeze of his hand.
Dahlia nodded, "You said it."
The view was breathtaking. The land leading up to the city was green and lush, the trees only showing a light dusting of snow. Argus itself sat between two large cliffs and a large wall spanned the gap between them. The higher of the two cliffs had a broadcast tower perched atop it that stood out stark against the sky.
The sky was a beautiful canvas of purple and gold, massive cloud banks drifting lazily across it. Beyond the buildings and houses of the city, the sea stretched into the distance. Roy's keen nose could smell the slight salt smell of the water wafting in from the coast and he took in a deep breath of the sea air. The sky reflected in the sea turned it a deep dusty violet and the sight took Roy's breath away.
Aster sauntered up, smiling at her friend's gobsmacked faces, "I take it you've never been to Argus before?"
Roy and Ebony shook their heads.
"I have," Dahlia said, "My family stayed here for several months after...after my father died."
Roy felt Ebony stiffen next to him and he gave her hand a quick squeeze.
Dahlia turned to them, offering one of her warmest smiles, "The cold weather clothing stores here aren't great so we'll have to wait until we get to Atlas. I know this one store that sells really good gear that won't break the bank."
Aster grinned mischievously and put Dahlia in a gentle headlock, giving her a playful noogie, "Aw look at you, taking your friends shopping."
Dahlia squirmed in the pilot's grip, "Aster! Cut it out!"
Aster's chuckling quickly turned into a whoop as Dahlia gave her a hefty poke in the ribs, "Owch! Oh you heathen!"
Dahlia wiggled free and scurried away with Aster hot on her heels.
Roy watched them go, before turning to look back at the beautiful view. "Don't worry Ebony, everything will be alright."
The female faunas nodded in agreement, but Roy could tell from the way her tail lashed from side to side that she didn't truly believe it.
The future is far from certain. He thought to himself, hopefully there are only good things ahead.
It's odd to think that this will be my last chapter of 2020. This year has been...not the best, but like Roy, I hope that better days are ahead. I'm not the most optimistic person on the world, but I am hopeful. We'll see if Fate kicks me in the nuts again or not. Anyway, you've all been amazing this past year and I'm honored to have you as an audience.
Catch you next year!
-Ar3mRising.
