Music Choices: Raven by Faun
Eclipse
Chapter 2
Kingdom
Raven stood at the bank of the river, watching the white water boil over the rocks. The water raged, hypnotic, mist dancing over her skin. She glanced up, eyes flicking over the grass and black trees. She could hear music.
Her head was aching, a sharp pain between her eyes, and she winced, rubbing her brow. A sudden motion across from her made her tense, fingers automatically reaching for her hilt; but her fingers grasped nothing but air. She didn't have her sword.
A shadowy figure, hunched over by the opposite bank, was dunking something in the raging waters. Raven watched it, confused. The water was changing color, a violent crimson, as the figure continued to submerge its too long pale arms.
Raven watched, trying to call out, but something stopped her. Her voice died in her throat, a feeling of ice and dread creeping over her entire body. The river was red, red, red. After a few more minutes, the figure stopped it's thrashing and pulled its arms out. A white cloak was in its hands, one far too familiar.
The entity stretched the cloak out in its bony hands, showing her the back. It was stained red, an oval spreading out over snow white cloth. Raven trembled, her mouth twisting in a silent snarl as she backed away. The creature had long black hair hanging over a bony inhuman mask. It's eyes were red, pupil-less.
"Raven?"
...
She jolted awake, hands grappling the sides of her seat. She panted, looking about her. Taiyang was sitting next to her, blue orbs concerned as he peered at her face. She took in her surroundings, the nightmare already fading as she pushed black locks from her eyes. She needed a haircut. She hated haircuts.
"Hey? You ok?" he whispered. The airship was still dark, the lights having been dimmed for the sleeping passengers.
Raven hesitated before nodding briskly. Across from her were the sleeping forms of Qrow and Summer, their chairs leaned back as they slept. Tai touched her arm, warmth spreading out from the contact.
"Bad dream?" he asked, voice sympathetic. She paused, brow furrowing, before glancing at him.
"I think so," she admitted.
Taiyang frowned, before brushing hair behind her ear.
"I'm sorry," he said. "We're nearly there, I think. We can nap when we get to the dorms."
She exhaled, leaning into his shoulder, closing her eyes again. Tai radiated heat like a furnace. He ran gentle fingers through her hair again, and she hummed at the sensation, pleased. They didn't talk, dozing in and out of sleep as the airship thrummed through the air. Finally, the intercom buzzed and the pilot's voice crackled overhead.
"Ladies and gents, we are now beginning our approach to Vale Interconntinental. We will be landing in approximately fifteen minutes. Thank you for flying with us."
Across from her, Raven felt her teammates stiring, their bonds brightening in her mind as they began to wake up.
"Nngh. But I don't like potatoe salad, it's gross," Summer grumbled.
Raven snorted in amusement as Taiyang's shoulder shook as he chuckled.
"Sum sum," Tai whispered, reaching out to nudge their little leader's leg. "Hey. Summmmer?"
"Mmm. Hm?"
"Wakey wakey, steak and bakeyyy. We're almost there," Tai whispered.
"Nnn," a silver eye peaked open, sleepy. "Yea?"
Raven felt herself smile at her girlfriend. Summer's face brightened, ears perking as she suddenly sat up. Qrow was still laid out, half conscious but pretending to not be. Summer pushed the blind that covered their window up a tad, revealing the amber light of dawn dancing over gentle clouds.
The three of them watched the scenery pass below them, still drousy. It had been a long flight from the Settlement that Chen's people had dropped them off in. They had said their farewells to the Branwen, Black Dogs and others back in Anima, but Nwyfre had accompanied them all the way to the small island Settlement that they would catch their flight from.
Raven and her mother had set aside their differences at the end of the moot, finally having a long heart to heart about what she wanted. Nwyfre did not like that Raven was returning to Beacon, under the gaze of Ozpin once again, considering the events of the last several months; she had even suggested that perhaps their team transfer to Shade Academy in Vacuo, to get away from his direct influence.
Raven had considered her argument carefully, before deciding that something that big would have to be an entire team decision; but in the interim, she wanted to return to Beacon with others, to continue their training. Nwyfre had not been pleased, but she accepted this as gracefully as she could. Raven had tried to reassure her mother of this decision by forming a Semblance bond with both her and Ciara, allowing her to open a portal to their locations, one which Ozpin would not be able to interrupt or tamper with; that way, Nwyfre would never be cut off from her children again and wouldn't feel like she had to come to Vale with the mission to save them from the meddlesome headmaster.
Their goodbye had not been teary, because gods forbid either of them ever cry in front of the other. However, Raven had hugged her sincerely that day as they left, and Nwyfre had returned it firmly. Even when they bickered, Raven still very much loved her mom. She was her hero.
The airship shuddered as it lowered itself through the clouds, banking as it prepared for landing. Around them, the other passengers were waking up, putting away their things. An attendant was striding about, taking people's garbage and calmly reminding them to stay seated.
At last, Raven could see the spires of Vale outside the window. To her surprise, she was actually glad to see the Kingdom again. Vale was far from perfect, but she had admittedly grown attached to it. STRQ sat together, watching the skyscrapers pass below them, glittering in the morning sun. Summer all but had her nose pressed to the glass, oohing excitedly at the view.
Then they banked again, the airship slowing further as it began to drop straight down to the airfield. The lights came on fully as the airship came to a stop.
"Welcome to Vale, everyone. Have a good day, and see you next time."
Raven unbuckled herself, ready to be free of the crowded tin-can; her sword had been stowed with the rest of STRQ's weapons in the overhead bin. Hunter's and Witchfingers were apparently allowed to carry their weapons on public transport, in the event of Grimm attack.
STRQ stretched, cracking joints and gathering their few belongings before following the crowd through aisle. People gave them a few curious looks, and one little boy exclaimed excitedly as they walked past, pointing out the Hunters to his parents; said parents gave them embarrassed smiles, apologizing. Raven looked away, strangely uncomfortable, as Taiyang and Summer beamed at them. Summer waved at the little boy and he brightened visibly.
Qrow was the first of them to disembark, groaning loudly as he stretched again, relieved to be on the ground. Raven squinted in the morning light, appraising the airfield, when her eyes fell on a familiar, mountainous figure. She tensed, catching her twin's attention, before he saw who she was looking at.
Tormund Rindvallis, Summer's adoptive father, was standing in the crowd of people waiting for their loved ones to arrive. Raven met his eyes, the hair on her nape standing. They hadn't told Tormund what flight they were on, or contacted him over the nearly two months they had been away. Meaning he had people on the ship, maybe even at the moot, keeping on eye on them.
Summer stopped at Raven's elbow, zeroing in on her father immediately. Her face ran a gamut of emotions, before finally picking one, and the faunus blurred to her parent in a storm of white, before jumping into his arms.
"DAD!"
Qrow and Raven exchanged cautious looks, approaching the witchfinger along with Taiyang.
"There's my little Huntress!" he boomed merrily, laughing as he spun them around. Summer giggled happily, hanging from him like a koala.
"AHH I missed you!" Summer exclaimed, before pausing. "How'd you know I was on this flight?"
"Oh, I got a call," he shrugged.
Summer squinted at him, trying to look serious.
"You were spying on us?"
"Yep!" Tormund boomed, setting his daughter down. The giant's face was completely unrepentant. "Sigyn told me where you were going, so I had some colleagues keep an eye out."
Summer's ears flicked, irritated.
"Dad."
"And it was a good thing I did, too," he rumbled. "What was this nonsense I heard about you trying to apprehend a huntsman? And getting hurt in the process?"
Summer sighed, rolling her eyes as she folded her arms.
"It was just a bad guy doing bad things - but that's not the point! We've talked about this," Summer frowned. "I'm adult and I have boundaries, I thought you respected that?"
"I do," he nodded. "Or I would have pulled you out of there immediately; what were you thinking, Summer? Those people are fucking dangerous. You could have died in the middle of nowhere, or worse! I've been having an aneurysm for the past two months! And you two!"
He focused on Raven and Qrow. Qrow pointed sarcastically at himself, making a face. Raven didn't move, other than to narrow her eyes.
"You know what could have happened, yes?" he growled. "How could you expose your teammates to all that?"
"Hey!" Summer stood up, trying to be taller. It did not work. "Listen here, mister! You don't get to be mad at them for squat! They didn't even want us to come to begin with! We are just, super friggin stubborn! And even if they did, you don't get to scold them! It was my decision, and you need to understand that!"
Tormund stared down at his daughter. There was a long pause, before he finally started to chuckle.
"Dust, you sound just like Fen," he finally sighed.
He scratched the back of his head, looking briefly uncomfortable. Summer's face changed from anger to surprise.
"You're right," he said at last, smiling ruefully. "I'm sorry. But next time you decide to run off into the wilds, could you at least tell me yourself? Instead of sending your sister to do it?"
Summer's ears flicked, before she hugged her father again. Her arms couldn't even wrap around his middle. Raven shuffled awkwardly, feeling distinctly guilty.
"Ok," Summer mumbled.
"Thank you," he sighed again.
"Where is Sigyn?" Summer asked after a moment, pulling away.
"Well, she was right here a minute ago," Tormund looked around. "I think she was trying to smuggle that dog in-"
A whirlwind of pink and noise manifested suddenly, trailed by a the barking form of Yin, Tai's corgi. Summer was engulfed immediately as her sister scooped her up, babbling a mile a minute.
Speak her name, and thus, she appears.
"Summmmmmer! Aaaahahahaha, you've been gone for ages! I've been so bored, Tali's been gone all of break too, and you! You have to tell me everything!" Sigyn shouted over Yin's excited barks.
Tai saw his baby and immediately went into dork mode, talking to Yin like she was toddler as he cradled her.
"Ooooh there's my little princess! Hi sweetie, I missed you so much! Have you been good? Hm? Yes you have, look at how big you are! Yes you are!"
Qrow made a face as if he wanted to vomit. Raven elbowed him, earning a glare. She smirked and he rolled his eyes.
The reunion lasted several more minutes, all noise and enthusiasm. It was giving her a bloody migraine, but she didn't have the heart to be too irritable about it. She was just relieved Tormund had taken the fact that his daughter had fucked off into the wilds with a bunch of barbarians as well as he had. Had their roles been reversed, she doubted Nwyfre would have responded as calmly. The idea of Summer having been raised as a Branwen and Raven growing up in the Kingdom instead caught her imagination for a moment, and she smiled. She kind of doubted much would have changed.
Finally, with much ado, the procession made their way from the airfield, following the crowds. Raven gave the airship behind them a final glance, before looking ahead, the memory of nightmare fading in the morning light.