Legal Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth. The True Runes and any other Suikoden-related lore that pops up in this fic are the rightful properties of Konami.
Chapter Thirty-Two:
"For the record, I'm still not completely on board with this." Harriet murmured, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned her back against the cold, fabric-lined corridor their group were all standing in. The group in question consisted of the rest of the Ace Ops, the Happy Huntresses, and Winter. Harriet's magenta-colored eyes lingered on the doorway leading down to the dungeon where they'd just contained both Jacques Schnee and their current monarch.
May rolled her eyes at the smaller woman's pronouncement, "We know. You've only said that about ten times in the last hour." She muttered under her breath, the taller Joanna nodding her head in agreement beside her.
The petite knight bristled at May's remark, her arms dropping to her sides with fists clenched in a combative stance, "Well," she gritted out, "Excuse me if I'm not entirely comfortable with what amounts to treason!"
"Hare." Fiona said, biting her lip while gently placing her arm on the other's shoulder in a consoling gesture. The other woman brushed her hand off with a snarl, though she looked away in shame a moment later at the stricken look that appeared on the sheep Faunus' face due to her actions.
"None of us necessarily like this, Harriet." Winter spoke up quietly, "But King Ironwood's recent actions have been jeopardizing the kingdom as a whole."
"She's right, Harriet." Vine stated softly, "This is the best course of action until we can safely settle the situation with the Land of Darkness' forces for all of our people."
Elm and Marrow both nodded their heads in earnest agreement to their usually more reserved and quiet comrade's commentary, and Harriet glanced from them to Clover with a defeated sigh, "And you agree with this too, sir?" She asked, clearly about to place a lot of stock in whatever his judgment of the matter was going to be.
The mer nodded, the odd feeling in his gut intensifying slightly at the question though he ignored it all the same, "As much as I want to trust James, his actions have put Atlas at greater risk." Clover replied, his hands unconsciously grasping at the black marks on his arms left behind from the Grimm Water, "We have to do what is best for the kingdom, first and foremost."
"Which is a nicer way of saying our monarch needs a bit of a time out." Robyn cut in succinctly.
Fiona smiled over at Harriet encouragingly then, "Maybe this will help him to calm down some and see reason, Hare." She reasoned gently.
Harriet pondered over the situation for a few terse moments, her brow furrowing in consternation. At length, she reluctantly nodded, though there was a soft light in her eyes when she smiled over at Fiona a moment later, "You're right, Fi." She said, "And we do need to focus on doing what's best for both cities now."
"Not to mention the outer settlements too." Joanna added in, visibly relaxing now that some of the tension had been taken out of the hallway.
Winter's eyes narrowed in pensive thought, "Which means that we have to seriously consider Salem's proposal." She said in a strategic tone.
Elm shared a look over at Vine then, "You mean bringing the True Runes to her?" She asked, her tall Ace Op companion nodding his head in response.
Joanna rubbed the back of her head, "No offense," she said plainly, "But that just screams trap."
"Yet it's one we don't really have a choice in taking." Clover spoke up, "Not when Salem can easily unleash a horde of Grimm over our borders."
"What's to say she won't do that anyway?" May asked, raising a blue eyebrow inquisitively.
"Her primary focus has always been acquiring the True Runes." Robyn added in, tapping a finger against her chin in thought, "If we bring them to her and somehow manage to subdue Salem in the process, we won't have to worry about her attacking any other areas."
"That's a pretty big if though." Marrow pointed out.
"But it's our best chance yet." Winter reasoned, her pale blue eyes flickering in the torchlight of the hallway, "And, besides, we wouldn't be leaving Atlas and Mantle completely defenseless."
The Happy Huntresses and Ace Ops not in possession of True Runes or their offshoots then glanced at one another as Robyn smirked, "Think you guys can handle a bit of teamwork while we're away for once?" She asked jovially.
Fiona and Harriet both smiled, bumping their shoulders together, "I think we'll manage somehow." The white-haired Faunus spoke up, the others resolutely nodding their heads in agreement.
"Leave the cities to us!" Elm shouted, pumping her fist excitedly into the air, "You guys just focus on your own mission."
"Don't have to tell us twice." Robyn said as she shot a knowing look towards Clover, Marrow, and Winter then, "Now we just need to talk it out with the other Rune Bearers and prepare."
Clover nodded his head in stark agreement, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. It was going to be quite the battle, regardless of its outcome. He just hoped they would all be ready for it. Hopefully they'd have enough luck on their side.
"And here are your rooms!"
Qrow shoved his hands into his pockets as he leaned against the wall of Schnee Manor as the former heiress and her younger brother were showing off two of the spacious bedrooms of the noble family's home to their latest guests. Emerald stared at the two side-by-side rooms and promptly made a face as she looked dismissively over at her grey-haired compatriot, "We have to be next door to each other?" She asked rather derisively, as if the very notion offended her.
Weiss and Whitley both lowered their outstretched arms, casting nervous glances over at one another. The two siblings had clearly not been expecting that reaction. Qrow shook his head, not really caring one way or the other.
Mercury scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Funny," he remarked in response to Emerald's question, "I was just about to say the same thing." He smirked over at the green-haired mer, "I thought this was finally my chance to get away from you."
"Please." Emerald said, rolling her red eyes as their banter spilled forth in a surprisingly easy way, "You wouldn't have agreed to come here at all if you really felt like that."
"Same could be said for you." Mercury was quick to smugly reply with. Emerald glared over at him, but the young woman said nothing to refute his statement.
Weiss cast a questioning glance over at Ilia then, the chameleon Faunus merely shrugging her shoulders in response, "I guess that's just how they get along." She helpfully supplied.
"We do not!" Both Mercury and Emerald were quick to retort with rather vehemently, causing the brunette to raise her hands up in mock surrender.
Whitley sighed and relaxed his stance, "We could maybe get you rooms farther apart." He offered, eyes scanning the massive hallway.
Mercury promptly strode forward and tossed his satchel into the open doorway of one of the rooms, not even bothering to check where the object landed, "Nah, you don't have to on our account." He muttered nonchalantly.
Emerald nodded her head in agreement, a hesitant look forming in her red eyes not a moment later, "Are you sure we're not in the way here?" She asked, clearly doubtful.
Weiss scoffed at the notion, waving her hand in the air, "Please," she supplied, "There's more than enough room now that our father is out of the picture."
Behind the two newcomers, Ren helpfully added, "And we know staying at the knight academy is probably a bit much for you given the circumstances."
"Yeah, I could do without all the constant suspicious death glares." Mercury noted, a grimace forming on his face.
Jaune patted his shoulder then, ignoring the way the other young man flinched slightly at the contact, "Give people time and they'll adjust." He said before adding, "Hopefully."
A considering look crossed over Mercury's features then as he glanced over at his teammate, "You really think we'll be sticking around that long?" He asked, sounding genuinely curious.
The dark-skinned mer frowned in response, "Well, I'm staying to help them get to the Land of Darkness at least. For Hazel." She stated emphatically.
Mercury made a face at the reminder of their deceased comrade, "Fine. Geeze, guess I can at least do that for the big guy too." He said, obviously still uncomfortable with the arrangement.
At this turn in the conversation, the elf suddenly felt two pairs of eyes on him. Qrow glanced up from his musings to find that both Blake and his eldest niece were watching him with concerned expressions clouding their features. Subconsciously, his left hand covered over his right, exactly where he knew Soul Eater's mark was. He gave them both a reassuring smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. He really should be used to Soul Eater by now. It was largely why he'd spent so long on his own, after all.
Nora, bless her heart, smirked at this point after picking up on the somber mood filling the space and promptly wrapped her arms over a stunned Oscar and Whitley's shoulders, "Besides, it's not like you two will be the first guests to move in here!" She said gleefully to Emerald and Mercury.
Emerald raised an eyebrow, "Really?" She asked, sounding genuinely surprised at the idea that a rich family like the Schnees would be offering their not-so-humble abode to others not in their family.
Yang was quick to enter into this line of conversation too, thankfully tearing her violet gaze away from her uncle to waggle her eyebrows, "That's right!" She exclaimed, "Not only did Weiss move back in here, but I do believe Ilia and Oscar did too."
Ilia's face and freckles both turned an embarrassing shade of red, "Only because it was crowded in the dorms and Weiss offered!" She tried to explain, clearly flustered.
Jaune was quick to look sympathetically over at Oscar then, "It's because Ren snores, isn't it?" He intoned seriously.
A blank look suffused the black-haired boy's features as Nora guffawed loudly at the suggestion, "I think you may have gotten us confused, Jaune." Ren muttered.
Oscar glanced over at Whitley then, his freckled features turning slightly pink, "Well, the dorms are crowded like Ilia said…" he sheepishly began before trailing off.
"Uh-huh. And I wonder whose room both of yours are next to?" Nora teased with a knowing smirk.
Weiss averted her gaze from everyone in the hallway, coughing awkwardly, "That's neither here nor there!" She stammered out before collecting herself, "And you know the invitation stands for all of you too, right?"
Yang grinned mischievously and nudged Blake fondly in the shoulder, "Hey, we happen to like cozy." She joked, causing the feline Faunus to roll her golden eyes in response.
"And I can pretty much sleep anywhere," Nora proudly boasted, jerking her thumb in her two teammates' direction, "Even with how loud these guys snore!"
"Again. You might be confusing us, Nora." Ren gently informed the redhead.
Emerald and Mercury both glanced at one another, askance, before Emerald unceremoniously asked, "And you guys are really like this all the time?"
"We can be even worse!" Yang cackled triumphantly.
Footsteps came from further down the hallway then, and Qrow turned his attention to the approaching Willow Schnee. The ice queen's mother was watching the interaction out in the corridor with a rather unreadable look in her regard. "Not too late to change your mind on these arrangements." He prompted in a joking manner for levity's sake.
Willow's lips curved upwards slightly in what would pass for a smile, "I think it will do the manor wonders to have a few more lively guests around." She informed Qrow, and there was a proud look in her gaze as she turned her attention to her two currently flustered children, "And a part of me is just relieved to hear that they wish to remain here for a time."
Given how tense the Schnee household situation had so often been, the dark-haired Huntsman could well understand that. Willow turned her assessing regard onto him then, "And how are you faring?" She asked cautiously, as if unsure if she should be asking him anything at all.
Qrow frowned at how direct her question was, his fingers reaching for a now constantly empty pocket over his chest out of habit before realizing that the motion wasn't lost on her, "I'll be fine." He murmured brusquely, averting his gaze.
He'd have to be. For all their sakes, especially after they readied themselves to travel to who knew what fate. Fortunately, Willow chose not to comment on the shakiness of his tone then. Instead, she opted to hesitantly join in on whatever new thread of conversation the youngsters were having currently. Qrow, having ensured that nothing too awful had occurred with the newcomers' moving in, promptly removed himself from his leaning position against the wall and headed outside. Hopefully a flight around Atlas would help him clear his head.
"Since you didn't seem too keen on staying at Schnee Manor with your former comrades..." Penny began jovially, trailing off as she shoved open a door to reveal a small guest room just beyond it. Neopolitan made a face, shaking her hand in a manner to indicate that she had only very loosely considered Emerald and Mercury thus as she moved past the artificially created girl to peer disinterestedly into the bedroom beyond.
"We figured you might enjoy residing here in the interim instead of at the knight academy!" The redhead jubilantly finished, beaming brightly as she stepped aside to let the dual hair colored girl take in the cluttered space all the more.
Neopolitan frowned thoughtfully, the half-mer turning her considering gaze back out into the workshop proper where the other residents of the home were along with a smiling Ruby. The girls apparently had something in their pasts that they'd needed to discuss earlier, but whatever issues there had been were apparently moved past. Pietro and Clover both nodded encouragingly at Neopolitan, while Maria merely scoffed and stamped her cane on the floor for added emphasis, "Great. Another freeloader." She joked, though there was no actual venom behind her words and she was smiling all the same.
Pietro glanced at the older woman fondly, "You know, one could almost say the same thing of you, Maria." He teased.
"And they'd get a cane to the jaw for good measure!" She was quick to respond with, hoisting up the skull-topped cane with gusto, "Just as I'm sure someone would get an umbrella to the face if she was really bothered by what they said."
Neopolitan raised a pink eyebrow, smirking in rather fond amusement at the remark. Apparently, Maria wasn't too far off the mark there. Ruby's smile widened and she bounced forward to pull at Neo's arm, "Anyways, now that you're settled, how about a tour of Mantle?" She asked jovially.
Neopolitan looked at her askance as Penny delightfully clapped as she exclaimed, "A most wonderful idea, Ruby!"
Pietro sighed and held out his hands as the two younger women began dragging the bewildered, silent girl from the house, "Now give her a moment to breathe…!" He trailed off as the door to the workshop closed behind them, the sounds of joyful laughter filtering through regardless.
Maria smiled and patted his shoulder, "It'll do them all some good." She told him reassuringly.
A stricken look crossed over his features, "I know, especially if they do intend on going to the Land of Darkness later on." The dark-skinned man said as he sighed and rubbed his forehead slightly, "We won't have as much time to just be around one another like this once preparations begin in earnest."
"Penny and her friends are going to be just fine." Clover assured his adopted father gently, "I'll make sure of it."
"We're worried about you too, golden boy." Maria informed the mer succinctly, a knowing tone settling into her voice, "Have you managed to talk any with tall, dark, and grumpy yet?"
Clover frowned at the mention of Qrow. The other man had been deftly avoiding talking for lengthy periods of time with anyone following what had happened with Hazel and Soul Eater. To say it had been bothering him given just how much there was that needed to be discussed was an understatement, yet he sighed all the same, "I don't know if he wants to talk right now." He muttered out loud.
"Clover." Pietro said as he looked at the brown-haired rune bearer pointedly over his spectacles, "You should at least try, son. You don't want to have any regrets before it's time to go."
His father was right, of course. After all, who knew exactly what would happen following their response to Salem's ultimatum. It didn't change that a part of him was afraid and somewhat ashamed of his previous actions. But maybe...
Just maybe, he still had the chance to at least set things on the right track again before whatever was going to happen occurred. "Thatta boy!" Maria called out as Clover headed towards the door himself, not even bothering this time to jokingly call out over his shoulder for the two of them to wish him luck.
Author's Notes: Figured everyone deserved a bit of a breather following the events of the last chapter, and this is the result! Thank you for reading, and hopefully the next update will not disappoint! :D