Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of A Lingering Ember. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.
(Mistral.)
Desmond looked out the bridge window upon the sea. It would be a few days before they reached the city of Mantle. He knew that they'd need a plan to land. One did not just simply sneak past the majority of Atla's fleet.
Desmond heard the sound of soft footsteps behind him. He turned to look over his shoulder at Neo. She held Hush in her right hand as she slowly walked up to the thick glass window. Neo turned from the customized glass to Desmond. She watched the thief who gazed out into the brilliant blue cresting waves below.
"I was worried, in case you think I want to be this big scary monster," Desmond stated while he leaned on Melodic Cudgel. "I thought she'd kill you. I hunted down the first Spider I saw, knocked the snot out of him before kicking their front door." Desmond added while he started to brush off his coat.
Neo was quiet while she nodded, Desmond crossed his arms, curious as to how this escape would go. He knew that Neo was hurt when it came down to it.
"Did they hurt you worse? I didn't want to check; it'd be crossing a line as you think about it." Desmond stated while he tapped his cane upon the ground. "I did come to get you personally if Ms. Stonewall didn't end up having more soldiers? It would have been much more different." Desmond added as he shook his head, rubbing at his temples as he did so.
Neo was humming to which Desmond hummed to himself. He was quite curious when it came down to it. Her aura had replenished which helped heal her faster. That? Combined with the sleep and relaxation she had? Neo was almost back to her old self or would soon be so in a few hours.
"You, ok? She didn't hurt you that bad? I'd kill her if she did…. If I could." Desmond questioned to which Neo hummed and nodded. "Good, last thing that would be needed. I want to point out that it will take us a bit to get to Mistral. We're slowly arriving, it will take us a few days to get there." Desmond added which caused Neo to giggle while she looked out the window.
The duo shared a chuckle as Neo put Hush across her shoulder, curious as to what could happen next. Both warriors were interested in what would come after this.
"You know, there's more work to be done when it comes down to Mantle." Desmond put in, brushing off his cane, knowing that Neo was a much more playful woman than he thought. "We have plenty of business in Mantle. I don't plan on ticking off the Atlesian military, though. There are some fights you just don't pick. Not even you should be picking that fight, sweet tooth." Desmond added as he shook his head.
"I can defend myself just fine." Neo put in as Desmond chuckled, turning to her.
Neo's colorful clothes clashed with the blackened hull upon the floor, nor the sigil which seemed to be much more random. He turned back around with interest. Neo smirked, a playful gesture tugging at her lips as she poked Desmond in the shoulder with Hush.
Desmond chuckled when he turned to look at the smirking girl who looked up to him, leaning on her tiptoes. Desmond hummed and turned towards the sea moments later.
"I'm glad you're alright, Neo," Desmond said, resting the cane across his shoulder. "If something happened to you? I'd never forgiven myself; I already lost my team in Vale." Desmond said with a glare downwards.
Neo read faces very well, it was part of being a thief. Plus? It helped her mess with people to learn more about them. He let out a heavy sigh, his breath staining the windowpane in front of him. She had been through a lot, the destruction of her family, the war with the Spiders, losing Roman.
One thing that Neo was aware of, however? She knew what the feeling of loss was. It was something that sat in the bottom of her stomach and burned like Deathstalker poison. He was quite hopeful this turned up something.
"You know, this plan I have?" Desmond asked, slowly removing his cane from his shoulder. "I'm making it up as I go. I don't know what the hell to do. You should know that because I just don't think of everything. I have no clue about the next move when we get there." Desmond added, shrugging as he did so.
Neo gave a nod. She could tell Desmond was trying to point out that they were in a bad spot. Neo, however? Simply didn't care at the time. She had been tortured, lost her best friend, been used as a pawn by a backstabbing sociopath. Neo was planning to tell Desmond about her plan to kill Cinder. He had promised to kill her, she remembered.
"I don't blame you for thinking I'm stupid," Desmond stated to her. "I didn't know what to do in Vale. My team? They depended on me, I let them down. Then I met you, didn't think anything of it." Desmond added, sighing as he exhaled, fogging the window.
"I don't blame you," Neo said with a shrug. "But you should know something. I'm NOT a good person." Neo added, watching as Desmond blinked.
He clicked his fingers on the cane in front of him. The intricate instrument was something that felt… Natural, it felt like he had owned it for years. Desmond was curious as to whom had crafted it.
"Neither are most Huntsmen," Desmond responded. "We have to bend rules. You don't think killing, blackmail, manipulation exist? Good guys are willing to do bad things to save someone. People fight to survive; you think survival has any rules or morals?" Desmond questioned, his smile seeming to radiate possible warmth.
The duo shared a pause of silence. Neo smiled in return at this gesture. She knew Desmond wasn't like Roman, he wasn't self-serving, nor was he much of a criminal. Still? She owed him for saving her, for trusting her faults and all.
"You still plan on killing that person?" Desmond asked as he slowly turned to walk to the door. "I'd hate to be the person who ticked you off. You'd cut their throat in seconds. I'd probably see you leave them gasping for breath on the ground." Desmond added, flipping over Melodic Cudgel.
"Yeah," Neo responded, nodding as she did so.
"The deck is yours. I have some business to deal with currently… I'll see you later," Desmond put in before leaving.
Author Note
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will be longer and hopefully better. The next chapter is 900-4500 words and will show more bonding. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Elm is 1200 Saturday, Ruby 900-1200 Monday, Cinder 900-3500 Friday, Emerald 1500 Friday, Penny 900-1200 Tuesday, Raven 1200 Thursday, Yang 900-3500 Thursday, and such.
