Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of The Dragon and her rook. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlas, Schnee Manor, Cordially Invited.)
Skyler despised the political aspect of his duty. He was a soldier first. Skyler's thoughts turned to fleet movements, troop deployments. He wanted so much to be back in his office and coordinating the defense of Solitas.
He knew Merlot's army was busy striking at the kingdom… And to be spent here doing nothing but patchwork? It was an insult that he wanted to bring up.
Skyler turned to Yang to see that she was busy looking around. Her face was twisted into a frown. Something was far off; he could tell that easily. However? Skyler could not fathom what he could do.
'Seems like everything is spiraling out of control… What's left to even fight for at the moment?' Skyler questioned and rubbed at his temples.
He wished his uncle was ok. He wanted the general who had defended Solitas for years back. Skyler might have been somewhat of a leader… But he enjoyed it better when he was in combat, when problems could be defeated by gunfire and melee strikes…
"This should be over soon…" Skyler said which made Ironwood turn to him. Skyler met his uncle's gaze directly as best he could. He wanted nothing more then to have this over with.
He wanted to go home. To be dealing with the issue at hand. It would give some small degree of comfort at least.
"Yes… It should be." Ironwood stated which was enough to make Skyler turn away.
He could feel the presence of his friends. He knew very well that he and Winter were on shaky ground at best. Neither wanted to talk to the other or speak. They had so little to talk about the moment that Skyler wondered if they were still friends.
If they were? Then Skyler needed to have a talk with her after this. He needed to make sure that this was done and over with.
"Why is several of us here?" Skyler asked and looked at the Ace Ops. "General Ironwood is the only one Jacques wanted here…" Skyler said with venom coating his voice.
He knew very well just how stupid this seemed. Ironwood said nothing. He wanted to get back to work as well. Ironwood knew that if his own nephew was not addressing him by name but by rank?
Well then, he had damn put himself into a pit that had to be addressed with… Sooner rather then later. But sooner could wait a few hours to deal with the more pressing issue at hand currently.
"This feels like a walking into the den of a Cenitaur." Skyler stated and crossed his arms behind his back.
"Nearly." Winter stated which caused Skyler to look at her. "My father invited us here because it's a power play. He wants to make General Ironwood look bad… Then he'll use it to cement his position on the council." Winter added as they continued their walk inside.
Skyler looked at Winter. Both of them were soldiers, neither wanted to be here. Skyler wished that he and her could speak about why she had kept this from him.
"We should have another meeting." Skyler said and dusted off his coat.
"I'm sure there will be time enough for that later, Colonel." Skyler heard which caused his skin to crawl. "For now? There's far more pressing issues to deal with." Skyler heard and rubbed at his temples with annoyance.
Skyler looked at Jacques, he looked like a pale white ghost… And Skyler knew exactly how ruthless he could be when it came to dealing with enemies. If the man was that much of a fighter? Skyler would have been interested in seeing him as a soldier.
But he wasn't, Jacques hid behind Solita's army because he thought fighting beneath him. Skyler hated him and his lack of guile on dealing with enemies. Skyler let his thoughts drift as the Atlesians were led into the main room.
There would be time enough for hatred later. For now? Skyler simply wanted to get this dinner done. he knew almost nobody wanted to be here but Jacques. Nobody wanted to sit in a den occupied by politicians who were busy trying to deal with their own matters over assisting the kingdom.
Skyler pulled out a seat for Yang, she smiled at him but said nothing else. Skyler could only wish that he could speak more openly on this. He wanted nothing more to tell her how he felt on this.
Skyler took his own seat and crossed his arms. Winter looked at him and said nothing, unsure of what the best thing was to say.
Skyler sighed and rubbed at his temples. This was the last thing he'd do as a formality. The last thing he'd do before committing himself to a fight.
Even if he had to fight alone.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be delayed by a few months. Next chapter will be in august or such and will be 1500 words. Next chapter will show the speech Skyler gives and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Ruby is 1200 words Sunday. Cinder 1200 Thursday. Raven 1200 Saturday. Penny 900 words Tuesday… And so on.