I'm back. From outer space! I just walked in here to find you... something, something, parody!
It's early okay? Also hi again. It's raining a lot here. I have an ark now. I named it Donald.
No medical bay though because Donald doesn't like healing people.
Bless anyone who understands my pain.
Weiss stumbled into the main hall. She'd been so graciously escorted by a no-name priest who was just a bit too handsy, too keen to grab hold of her. If he hadn't rushed off to help with the growing unrest she might have frozen him just to teach him a lesson. She'd settle for hoping a pigeon decided to relieve itself on his head.
From behind the heavy Cathedral doors and through marble and stone walls the sounds outside were muffled even to her hearing. Shouting continued and she could only just make out Ozpin's voice above it all. They were behaving like children, the nobles, spoiled, rotten children. Over what? Her appointment as a Hunter? She'd earned this. Not by her namesake, nor by any favors granted by Ozpin or anyone else. She'd worked just as hard as her peers, excelled in her studies; if the nobility knew she'd been picked as a Warden then she'd be lauded as she deserved.
Who am I kidding? They'll take any excuse to try and delegitimize me… An angry burst of air passed her lips and she sat heavily onto one of the pews. After all that, the training, completing our final test, I'm still not good enough for them?
Fine. She'd made it this far without her own family's approval so what good was that of the nobility?
More than she liked to admit. Nobles pledged their wealth to the Church, and while Weiss could only guess at the numbers she imagined it was no small portion of their budget. Nobles weren't always Magi, in fact very few she knew of were, but they had the power of Lien to make up for that. In some circles coin held just as much weight as spell craft.
"Well… That went rather poorly," Pyrrha muttered, settling in beside Weiss. "Are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"They didn't seem happy about our appointment as Hunters."
You mean my appointment, Weiss thought bitterly. She hadn't heard anyone call afoul when any of her friends had been declared Hunters. They were fine. No one questioned that Pyrrha, Ren or Nora were from different kingdoms, or that Ruby had not one, but two family members who had fallen as Hunters. Foreigners were fine. People with a history of failures were fine. But a half-Ydran girl?
Blasphemy.
"If those overstuffed, sanctimonious fools want to decry my success then fine, let them," Weiss growled. "I hardly care."
"No offense…" Ren sat in the pew ahead of them, turning to speak. "But your behavior suggests otherwise."
"No offense, but how are you NOT more upset? They ruined our ceremony! All of us! Today was supposed to be the day we all became fully fledged Hunters. We're meant to be given recognition by the Church and nobility, and…"
"We're still Hunters, ceremony or not," Ren interrupted. Weiss shot him a pointed glare and he lowered his head in apology. "I share your distress, but they can't change the fact we've all accomplished something grand. We are still Hunters."
"And we're going to be the best. Hunters. Ever!" Nora jumped onto Ren's back and slung her arms around his neck. The boy's face went red and he grabbed Nora's wrist, exhaling and shuddering when she ceased choking him. "Oopsies, sorry Renny!"
Weiss felt a smile force its way to the fore. They were still Hunters, that much was true. People could call her whatever they pleased yet nothing would change that fact. Nobles' opinions would forever remain negative, immutable in their views, and while that may not be fine it hardly negated what they had done. She'd accomplished precisely what she had set out to do and that was all that mattered.
Still, it would be nice if one of those insular, witless buffoons would give her the recognition she so rightfully deserved.
Their seat creaked, and Weiss raised an eyebrow as Jaune faceplanted onto it. Were it anyone else she'd have asked if they were okay. Jaune had a knack for taking falls and being fine though, and sure enough he picked himself up a second later and let out a resounding sigh.
"Man… It's a mess out there…"
"You went out?" Pyrrha asked.
Jaune nodded. "The nobles are still mad, and now some of the commoners showed up and are yelling at the nobles. Ozpin's trying to settle things but it's still pretty hectic."
"All of this over my appointment as a Hunter?" Weiss couldn't believe she'd caused such a stir, and she hadn't.
"Nah. I mean the nobles seemed pretty mad about that," Jaune admitted sheepishly. "But the commoners are just miffed the nobles think they can choose who gets to be a Hunter." They kind of did, they had plenty of say when it was their Lien that kept things running. "And it sounded like most of them are just mad at Ozpin."
"Why would they be angry with Oz?" asked Nora.
Ren made a thoughtful 'hm' before tapping his chin. "If not over Weiss' graduation then I'd imagine it's over the matter concerning the Conglomerate."
"It was curious that he allowed them to speak when they did." Pyrrha tilted her head, brow furrowed. "He had to have known their reception wouldn't have been positive, which begs the question of why do it?"
Hypothetical or otherwise Weiss found she had no explanation. The only one she could arrive at seemed outlandish: Ozpin had purposefully wanted to incite dissent. Not that she could fathom why or what anyone would have to gain from that.
While her friends fielded ideas between themselves Weiss rose from her seat. Agitation having subsided she finally realized, abashedly late she might add, that her partner was nowhere in sight. "I'll be right back," she said hastily, excusing herself as she hurried away.
The gates to the Cathedral were guarded by a pair of Hunters so all likelihood of Ruby having left went out the window. And no, Ruby hadn't tried springing from one of those either, Weiss had checked on a whim. With no obvious signs of her partner in the hall she moved to the back of the space, past the lifts and into the small innermost chambers. One such room had held them not an hour earlier and she poked her head in, finding no trace of Ruby anywhere.
Nor was she in any of the other small rooms. A handful of modular meeting rooms, a storage closet, and a small kitchen were all devoid of any excitable dolts. Weiss huffed and shut the kitchen doors behind herself, turning on her heel to head upstairs. She'd only just reached the stairwell when a flustered looking priest scurried down and nearly collided with her.
"Ah, pardon me! I'm so terribly sorry!"
Weiss rolled her eyes and stepped aside, gesturing for the man to be on his way. Taking one step at a time - two would have been obscene with her gait, she hurried upstairs, to where balconies and pews overlooked the main hall below, stretching out to her left and her right. A few smaller rooms were on either side as well and she headed left hearing the sound of faint voices.
Spying an open door, she had a mind to waltz right into the room, particularly once she realized one of the voices was Ruby's. The other belonged to a man she didn't recognize. They were arguing, or rather, Ruby was, and the man she was speaking to was having none of it.
"I know what I saw! Why don't you believe me?"
"Because what you're saying makes no sense, Ruby. You were probably stressed, it was your first mission…"
"I wasn't hallucinating, dad!" Weiss raised an eyebrow and silently moved along the wall. Eavesdropping was uncouth and normally beneath her but her curiosity compelled her to linger. Thankfully she didn't need to get very close to overhear their discussion.
"I'm not saying you are, petal, it just doesn't add up. Even the best Hunters can have problems after using lots of magic, and according to your report…"
"Heh, uh… You read those, huh?"
Ruby's father sighed. "Someone charged headlong into the battle against Adam Taurus." Oops, that would be Weiss' report then. "Ruby, do you have any idea how dangerous he is? You could have been killed!"
"I had to do something! He was going to attack the town!"
Weiss almost interjected but clamped a hand over her mouth. Adam did attack the town, although her and Ruby's intervention prevented much worse. A brief silence followed by a squeak made Weiss inch forward further, stopping when the floor creaked. Neither person inside noticed though she kept firmly where she was.
"I'm not angry you tried to help, Ruby. I'm upset you could have been hurt…" Ruby's father said gently, his voice soft. "I know you're going to take risks because that's what Hunters do. But don't make a habit of doing crazy things like that. Please? I can't lose another daughter…"
"D-Dad… I'm telling you…"
"Ruby, please. Just be careful, okay?"
Feeling guilty for listening now Weiss took a step back, then another. She turned her head and did her best to ignore the rest. It didn't take much longer for the pair to come out and when they did neither looked like they'd just had a heavy conversation. They were smiling, and Weiss managed to put one on to match when two pairs of eyes finally focused on her.
"Hello Ruby, sir." Weiss said politely.
"Weiss!" Ruby skipped over and moved in for a hug, and no amount of flailing or cursing could scare her off. Rigid as a board Weiss let her partner get it out of her system, rolling her eyes as Ruby planted herself at her side. "Weiss, dad, this is, uh…" She paused and pursed her lips. "No wait, dad, this is Weiss! Weiss, this is…"
"Taiyang, but everyone calls me 'Tai', if that works for you," Ruby's father chimed in, mercifully rescuing his daughter from her blunder. His hand dwarfed Weiss' as she shook it and she had to crane her neck to look up. Gods he was tall. Blue eyes duller than her own sparkled and he grinned, pulling her in suddenly and hoisting her off her feet in a hug.
"Ah! Uh… Uuuuuh…"
"Congratulations on passing and thank you so much for keeping my baby girl safe!"
"Daaaaad!" Ruby whined.
"I was so worried when I'd heard what happened in Holbrook! It took me ages to get a ship to Vale and by the time I'd gotten here you two were already back! Thank you so, so much. I owe ya one."
"Dad…?" Ruby prodded, tugging on her father's arm.
"Yeah, petal?" Ruby puffed up indignantly at the pet name and pulled on his arm again. Tai didn't register what she was after at first, not until he felt feet kicking at his shins. With a start he opened his arms and caught Weiss' shoulders, chuckling. "Oh jeez, sorry! Are you alright?"
Wheezing and blue in the face Weiss nodded, or maybe she was convulsing from lack of oxygen. Taking several deep breaths and feeling her lungs fill she smiled weakly. "Fine… It's a p-pleasure to meet you, sir…"
Gods above she thought she was going to snap in two! Tai might have worn the typical garb of a priest, but the man's physique was suited better for someone used to hard labor. Or slaying Grimm.
"Dad used to be a Hunter!" Ruby said, swaying as she beamed proudly up at the tall, blonde man.
"Used to…?"
"Ah… You know how it is," Tai answered, waving a hand dismissively. "Plans change as you get older. Very few people can keep that kind of work up forever."
"You're not that old, dad!"
"Old enough that I have two grey hairs," Tai laughed. Ruby whined as her hair was ruffled and Weiss smiled when her partner hid behind her. As if her stature was going to do much to deter her father.
"Gray hairs are fine, dad! Uncle Qrow has loads of them, and Weiss' entire head is gray!"
What?! Weiss' brow twitched, and she spun around. "My hair is white, you oaf! And I'm the same age as you!" Two years difference, give or take a month or two. "I hardly have any gray hairs!"
Boisterous laughter made Weiss blush and she squeaked when a strong arm slung around her shoulders. "I'm glad to know my baby has such good friends. Does a lot to put my heart at ease," Tai chuckled.
"We're besties!"
"I tolerate her," Weiss admitted, smiling.
She was ashamed to admit no small amount of jealousy as Tai stepped back and embraced Ruby. Her father was enamored with her, as any good father should be. Ruby, despite her numerous protests, appeared every bit the 'daddy's girl' as Weiss had suspected she'd be. There would be a lot of teasing later.
"It was good to see you again honey, but I really do need to get back out there." Tai stepped back and smiled apologetically when Ruby pouted.
"Can't you stay just a little bit longer…? Pleeeeease?"
For a moment Tai looked to be seriously considering Ruby's plea. Then he shook his head and ruffled her hair again. "Sorry, but they probably need all hands-on deck for this. Shouldn't take too long though, then we can go grab dinner, okay?" Ruby's frown instantly flipped, and she nodded vigorously. "That's my girl. That means no eating sweets beforehand, okay? Can't be spoiling your appetite."
"Aw, but dad! Just one cookie isn't a big deal!"
"Would you eat only one…?" Ruby hung her her head and shuffled in place. Weiss heard a faint 'no' and Tai laughed. "Just hold out a little while longer and I promise we'll stop somewhere, okay?"
Weiss feared she'd be enveloped in another bone crushing hug when Tai opened his arms. Instead he leaned down and made the embrace as gentle as possible, patting her back before smiling down at her. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like. Treating you to dinner is the least I can do for saving my little girl."
"Oh, well thank you, but I wouldn't dare impose," Weiss began, cut off as Ruby leaned against her.
"She'd love to! And you're not imposing, Weiss!" Ruby said, nearly shouting. "It'll be our treat! Well… Dad's treat since I don't have much Lien, and I kiiiind of need to buy some stuff tomorrow, but uh… I'll be there in spirit!"
"More than spirit I hope," Tai teased. The doors below opened and Weiss heard another man calling for Tai by name, signaling his departure. "Welp, time to go help work things out. You girls just sit tight a little longer, we'll get this settled soon."
"Of course, thank you sir."
"Bye dad!" Ruby squealed, rising up onto her toes and waving emphatically the entire time Tai was in view. When he vanished downstairs she raced to the balcony, called out for him and waved again. Weiss stood just behind her, face in her hands as she could imagine their friends laughing. Why was her partner such a dolt…?
Sounds of discord vanished with the closing of the Cathedral's doors and a stillness settled in the building once more. Ruby stepped back from the balcony, her smile waning slightly. "He seems like a wonderful man," Weiss offered, hopeful to keep her friend from becoming upset.
"He is! He's super nice, and he's really fun to hang out with," Ruby exclaimed, balling her hands into fists at chest height. "He can be really overprotective sometimes, especially since…" she trailed off before shaking her head vigorously. "He's awesome! And you'll have an awesome time with us tonight if you come out! You will come out, won't you?"
In other words, it was 'Come out with us or I'll blubber and pout until you do!' Weiss liked to think she had the fortitude to withstand Ruby's waterworks. Then again, she liked to think she could handle Ruby's endless energy and yet she constantly was befuddled by the bottomless well that was her partner.
"I'll be there," Weiss conceded. Ruby bounced and threw herself at Weiss, the hug mercifully nowhere near as crushing as Tai's had been. "Until tonight, however, why don't we go join the others? I do believe we have arrangements to make for tomorrow."
Assuming everything was taken care of outside in a timely manner, and Weiss had no reason to think it wouldn't be, they would be given their new stipends, as well as an added pouch of Lien, an award for graduating. Weiss might not have cared for the coin as much if the empty harness at her hip didn't serve as a reminder she was without a weapon. Without Myrtenaster. Even a fake recreation meant something to her. And unless she intended to wear the outfit tailored for the ceremony full time she'd need to look into new clothing as well.
"I can't wait! We're real Hunters now!" Ruby giggled as she skipped towards the stairs, then twirled precariously at the top. "Let's take a job tomorrow! I want to get started right away!"
Weiss flicked her friend's forehead before making her way downstairs. "We can't, you know that. The Week of Veneration always follows graduation." Weiss smiled over her shoulder. "That means all non-essential forces are given a reprieve, and as newly forged Hunters…"
"That means us," Ruby realized with a huff. She perked right back up and smiled, jumping three steps to the landing and spinning. "Fine, there's other stuff we can do! I want to get new clothes too, and maybe I can see about getting my baby patched up!"
Weiss rolled her eyes and walked past Ruby. Was it unhealthy to refer to a weapon as 'my baby'? Probably. Was that going to stop Ruby from calling Crescent Rose that? Hardly. Where all Hunters tended to name their weapons, a gesture meant to trust in their blades, it was nothing more than for show.
Ruby darted ahead of her again and waited at the bottom of the steps, patiently bouncing on the heels of her feet. Weiss shook her head, smiling as she joined her friend down below. "Hey, Ruby…" she asked before Ruby could race to their friends.
Ruby turned on the spot and smiled. "Yeah, Weiss? What's up?"
Should she ask? Whatever Ruby and her father had been discussing earlier was enough to make them argue, or close enough to it: not that either of them showed any strain afterwards. What was so important that Ruby felt the need to try and argue with Tai? What had she been trying to convince her of? Weiss bit the inside of her cheek and looked out a nearby window, watching leaves dance soundlessly. Was it any of her business?
"Where should we go to dinner tonight?"
Silver eyes widened and were matched by a wide, childish grin. "I know tons of super good places!"
"And all those places, I assume, serve copious amounts of sweets…?" Weiss prodded knowingly.
Ruby laughed, pressing her fingers together. She didn't say no and shrugged instead, trying and failing to whistle.
"Well, think about it. As your guest it's hardly up to me to decide where we go," Weiss teased. Ruby nodded and followed along through the pews. "Don't tell me though, keep it a surprise."
Ruby grinned and saluted, or at least Weiss assumed it was a salute. It vaguely mirrored what one might see a guard give their superior, only her stance was horrendous, and the fingers were all out of line.
"I won't say a word!"
Unfortunately, that was the exact opposite of what Weiss wanted. To ask about the argument though was not only a betrayal of Ruby's privacy - how else could she have known they'd argued unless she eavesdropped, but also none of her business. If Ruby deemed it important then she'd share it in time.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Blake had no idea where she was being led. The Cathedral, or at least the main building where services and ceremonies were held, possessed no cells to speak of. It would explain then why those she had been brought in with were led off elsewhere, likely to some place more suitable to house prisoners. The barracks perhaps? Surely the Church had a place to hold prisoners, although Blake wondered what sorts they typically kept locked up.
Chains jostled around her wrists and she glared down at her bindings. Silver manacles clasped around her wrists, silver links locking like stern fingers around a coin purse. They were light things and could easily be broken if given the chance. Not by magic though: the Church had made certain of that.
Magic energy continued to swirl around her and yet remained just out of reach, refused her calls and urges to be drawn in. The manacles acted as a dam in a stream and blocked all flow. She'd tried once or twice to bypass it and got nowhere. Every time she attempted to conjure a spell the restrains would become chilled, blue runes sparking to life. There was no pain with it, a mercy she supposed, but it was evident she couldn't perform magic.
That explained then why the Church and Ozpin hadn't seen fit to stow her away in some cell. She was the lone Magi among their prisoners and could very well pose a threat, had she the magic to do so. In the face of Hunters however she was, without magic, as much a commoner as the rabble outside.
Fresh air filled her lungs as a door was thrown wide, stumbling as her escort pushed her out onto the walkway. A broad man with a mess of red hair and an equally unkempt beard glared at her, one eye closed and scarred over. "Get a move on," he growled, shoving her again.
Blake curled her lip in contempt before marching on. A gentle summer breeze passed through the open pass, leaves twirling through the air soundlessly. From somewhere beyond the walls she could hear the bickering finally dying down. Whatever clamor had begun during the ceremony was ending. If she'd thought the Hunters with her might answer any questions she'd ask what had happened.
"Hold." The simple command made Blake stop halfway across the walkway. Another Hunter had joined them and waved over her escort. Red, because she didn't know the bastards name, glared and pointed to where she stood. "Don't move a muscle."
"How am I supposed to breathe then?" Blake quipped.
Red sneered before moving away, speaking to the newcomer in hushed whispers. Blake could have listened in easily enough but didn't care enough to try. Instead she moved to the edge of the walk and leaned against the stone rails, peering down at the gardens below. Puddles of purple, white and red - lilacs, tulips and roses engulfed in a sea of green filled out the space, meticulously maintained. Stone pathways snaked through the grass and connected to doors hidden beneath carved stone, and a single crystalline pond sparkled majestically in the sunlight, the bright scales of fish glowing.
Children of nobles pranced about without a care in the world, their laughter filling the air, bright smiling faces, blissful in their ignorance. Only noble children would be able to wear velvets and fine linens, and one or two even sported what Blake suspected were tailor-made doublets that even to her untrained eye were high quality. Only children of nobility could afford to have two or three retainers apiece watching over them, or in this case, making sure they didn't sully their garments.
"Eulia, get back here! Put that down at once!"
Lazily her eyes drifted over to the shrill, raspy voice of a handmaiden. The woman scurried along in a dusty gray robe, her fading brown hair bobbing fitfully as she rushed over to the pond. A girl in a lustrous yellow dress that mirrored the sun knelt over the pond, and from here Blake could hear her giggles. It wasn't until the handmaiden lifted her up that she noticed the frog in Eulia's hands, grimacing and batting the slimy creature away.
"Disgusting!" The old woman looked like she wanted to retch on the spot. "That is play suited for boys, not young ladies! Come, come, we must wash your hands!"
Was that really so disgusting? Blake's lips twisted into a cruel smile as she watched Eulia be dragged away by the sleeve and disappear into one of the adjacent buildings. Frogs were hardly the grossest things in the world. Besides, she thought callously, pushing away from the rail as Red and his idiot partner returned, her father will sell her off to some noble brat before long and she'll be handling much worse.
"Leerin' at children now, animal?" the idiot barked at her. Blondie sounded woefully uninspired - as if Red wasn't, so Blake settled for 'Piss-for-brains', or 'Piss' for short. "Shouldn't be surprised, yer beastfuckers all the same," Piss grumbled.
Red earned some favor by swatting Piss upside the head. "Shut up, moron."
Piss grumbled and nursed his skull but said nothing more. "Let's get a move on then," her cherry-headed escort commanded. "Sooner we drop you off the sooner we get a break."
"Well, don't let me keep you from drinking." Not like she had much to lose by barbing the man. Red sneered and grabbed the back of her tunic, turning her around and shoving her. Did it help him feel like a man, pushing around a shackled young woman? Without a weapon or spell to her name insults were the only thing Blake could use. "Does your wife like being handled roughly as well? Practicing for her?"
The Hunter's face matched his nickname and Piss snickered into a closed fist. She probably deserved the harsh shove that nearly knocked her over, and the spit that clung to the back of her pant leg.
"Keep. Walking."
Blake glanced fleetingly at the railing before deciding it might be best to comply. She didn't think they'd throw her off, nor did she think the fall would be enough to kill her, even without magic. Not wanting to tempt fate however she marched along like the good little prisoner she was. Ahead, obscured by the shadow of a tall oak whose limb stretched out and brushed along their path, another door eased open. Another Hunter held it for them and ushered Blake inside, and Blake alone. Red and Piss hardly spared her a look before turning and doubling back the way they had come.
The main hall of cathedral was clearly meant for worship. Ozpin's tower, each level, was designated for research and scholarly endeavors. The building Blake now found herself in appeared to be living quarters, complete with more doors than any inn she'd visited, a common room with leatherbound furniture and a fireplace, unlit. Windows allowed natural light to fill the spaces, the marigold painted walls giving an air of ease.
"Where exactly are we going?" Blake asked.
Her new escort - she hadn't thought of a name for him yet, glanced back, sniffed, and left it at that. Well fine then, don't answer her. Another door leading outside stood off to her right, two windows, one on either side, showing another balcony and likely steps beyond the threshold. Blake stared at it furtively before shaking her head and trudging along. Running would only make things worse and, for the time being anyways, she was avoiding the worst of it.
Passing by a stairwell her ears swiveled hearing voices from below. Old and young mingled, some in furious exchanges, most in excitement or joy. One she recognized, and she slowed her pace when she heard Ruby's among the crowd, and another she vaguely recognized. Whoever Ruby spoke to sounded annoyed and fraught with nerves, and evidently it was all due to some antics of Ruby's.
I should go down and thank her. Blake's eyes widened at the traitorous thought and she quickly dispelled any such notion. Her escort, realizing she'd stopped, came to a standstill and cleared his throat loudly. She might well be the reason I'm even alive, the Meera mused, staring at the floor as she continued along. But she's also the reason I've been conscripted. Which is worse?
Death, obviously, but working for the very people responsible for so much strife was hardly a good alternative. Would she prefer an arrow to the heart or an arrow to the lung? Both would kill, one would just kill faster.
They turned, going right at a fork and into a hallway painted maroon instead. Doors were sparser now and more ornate, with gilding on each knob and trim depicting swirls of… Blake wasn't sure. Water? Magic? Swirling mass carved into wood framed each door, painted white over the dark cedar wood.
Any questions as to where they were going were answered by a pair of Hunters stood outside one of the doors. Their eyes snapped to her when they approached, sharing a silent glance with her escort before nodding. One came over and for a moment she dared to hope they'd remove her manacles.
The woman did no such thing, patting her down before clicking her tongue. "She's clean," she informed her compatriots. "Send her in."
"Wait, who's in there?" Blake demanded. Who did they have her meeting now?
"They're the archbishop's guest, Meera," the woman explained, dismissing Blake's question entirely. "Try anything and we'll be inside in an instant. Keep that in mind and we won't have any problems."
Not an idle threat either, unless these people made a habit of carrying weapons while wandering the residential wings. The door opened, and Blake's wrists were seized, pulling her along and pushing her inside. "She's here, sir."
"Thank you kindly."
Blake glared at her escorts and they returned the gesture before closing the door behind her. Did they make a habit of threatening all their prisoners? Last she checked she was one of them now. Assuming Ozpin had told anyone. Hells, she wasn't even a prisoner then. Pulling at her restraints she growled when silver bit into her skin, huffing and looking again for any way to unlock them.
Forgetting briefly someone was with her she cringed when a man laughed at her frustration. "Good luck getting those off. I hear they're bound by magic, not a key."
Blake frowned and focused on the man before her. Sat casually in a chair much too small for his large frame she felt her heart seize, an unpleasant nostalgia overcoming her. She opened her mouth to answer and words failed her, a defeated sigh coming out instead as her shoulders slumped.
"I'm not trying to make fun of you, Blake," the man continued, chair creaking in relief as he stood. "I'm saving you the trouble. Those aren't coming off without a Magi's help."
She didn't want to look up when he approached but did anyways. A somber smile greeted her, hazel eyes pinched between crow's feet and a thick black brow. It was her father and yet not, similar enough that the pain she'd long since thought gone returned anew, blossoming and dredging up memories she'd just as soon forget.
Tukson pulled her into a hug the moment her walls broke. A pained groan, silent as she could keep it, wracked her body and Blake barely managed to keep tears back. Her uncle brought her in closer and her nose pressed to his chest. He smelled of mead, which made sense since he worked at a brewery. A combination of honeysuckle and barley clung to his clothes, and while the scents on their own were meaningless they somehow brought comfort; an uncle's loving embrace made her distress less burdensome too.
"Edea's teeth, girl, you look awful…" Did she? Between being marched through the streets, held prisoner in Holbrook and then ferried around the Cathedral grounds she hadn't exactly had time to look at herself.
Tukson eased out of the embrace and cupped her cheeks, calloused hands rough against her smooth skin. "When did you last eat? Have you been sleeping well? You're not ill, are you?"
"I…" Blake's voice thickened, and she swallowed. "Last night, well enough, and no." She managed a weak smile that wasn't remotely convincing. "You seem well, uncle."
"Nevermind me, Blake! Gods… Do you have any idea how worried I've been? How long we tried to find you? I sent messengers, I looked in nearby towns. Hells, I even traveled as far as Vacuo to try and find trace of you!"
"I'm sorry…"
"And then I hear that you've gone and joined the White Fang! How on Remnant was I supposed to get to you then? That was years ago, Blake. I didn't know if you were alive, how you were doing. And I can't even begin to imagine what they had you doing for them!" Tukson sighed and pulled Blake back into a hug when she sniffled. "I was so worried…"
What could she say? Sorry felt cheap, explaining what she'd been up to even worse; if Tukson knew the sort of tasks she'd been performing then he'd probably have a heart attack then and there. "I'm alive…" she offered weakly.
"And a prisoner of the Church, not to mention wanted for numerous attempted murders." Attempted. He didn't know about the ones she'd actually carried through on, or he chose not to bring them up. Either way Blake cringed and hung her head, refusing to meet her lone living relative's gaze. "Blake… Why? What did you think was going to happen by working with them?"
"Change," she answered. Lifting her head, she shrank back a bit when Tukson stared at her, scrutinized her. Large hands clasped her shoulders, not uncomfortably, but firm enough to keep her in place.
"And you thought committing crimes would bring about change…?"
"We had to do something! Nobles won't change unless we make them, Tukson! We must force them to listen to us, otherwise things will stay the same! We've been repressed for too long and I'm sick of being looked down upon! We have every right -"
"They look down upon us because we make ourselves criminals, Blake." She bit her lip and looked aside shamefully. No anger, not from Tukson, that would have been easier. His hands left her and he rubbed at his face tiredly. No anger, just disappointment. "You could have hanged for what you did, easily. It's only by Edos' mercy that you're still here."
Blake sneered and shook her hands, chains clattering. "If any of the gods had mercy on us then mom and dad would still be here…"
"You know that's not true, honey. The gods don't account for the will of man…"
"It was the gods who let the Church kill them!" Blake screamed. Tears stung her eyes and she stomped her foot, shaking her head. "How can you be here knowing that? Hunters murdered them, Tukson! Your own brother, and yet you're here? Groveling before them? Don't you have any pride left?"
Through tears she watched a myriad of emotions flash across her uncle's face. First shock, then confusion. His eyes sought something in her and they dropped along with his posture when he failed to find it. "Blake… The Church didn't kill my brother, or Kali."
"You saw them, Tukson! You saw their killers, didn't you? They had the marks, their clothes…"
"Impostors." Tukson's smile failed to reach his eyes and the man seemed ages older than he was. Her uncle turned and settled back into his chair, burying his face in his hands for a silent moment. Unsure of what to do Blake stood as she was, chest heaving and trembling.
"What do you mean 'impostors'...?" she prompted.
Tukson leaned back in his seat. "Exactly as I said, they were impostors. I sought them ought, the killers, to try and exact revenge just as you have. And you know what I found?" She didn't, obviously, and now she wasn't certain she wanted to either. "They were with the White Fang, Blake. They copied the mark, I don't know how, but they were definitely with the Fang. The Church didn't kill my brother or your mother, sweetheart. We have Sienna Khan to thank for that."
All the air rushed from Blake's lungs at once. She felt dazed, weightless, as though dumped into a vacuum and left to drift. Tukson said something else yet his voice sounded muffled, distant despite only a few feet between them.
That had to be a lie. No way was that possible. Adam had looked up to them, treated Kali and Ghira as his own parents. People had loved them even after their departure from the White Fang. "You're lying…" she whispered hoarsely. "Why…? Why would Sienna have them killed?"
Tukson sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Edea's teeth, girl. Why? Because Ghira and Kali put together the Faunus Conglomerate! They wanted to continue peaceable protests, to try and achieve equality through discussion and civil disputes. That's enough for them to be killed in of itself."
"Liar." Blake refused, no, she couldn't accept that the organization she was with had done such a thing.
"Why would I lie? Blake, I saw them, their killers. They were in and out of White Fang camps regularly, meeting with that Adam Taurus bastard," Tukson growled. Adam knew…? "Think about it. The Conglomerate gives people afraid to fight a voice, a way to push for equality. More people than not want nothing to do with battle, so where do you think most support goes?"
"What happens then when the leaders of the organization are killed? And by the very people they're supposedly working with, no less? Think about it, girl! If the Church killed Ghira and Kali then it would betray everyone's confidence, brand the Church as turncoats and murderers. And it's any wonder the White Fang's numbers have gone up…" Tukson huffed, scratching loudly at his sideburns.
With no chair to sit in Blake sank to the floor instead. There were two explanations here: either Tukson was tricked into thinking this or her uncle spoke the truth. If it was indeed a lie, then it was a convincing one. Gods, she felt like an absolute moron for not thinking of it sooner! It seemed so obvious in hindsight now, thinking back on it. Frame her parents as martyrs, show that the Church couldn't be trusted, and even people who were once reluctant to fight would take up arms.
It hadn't been enough to spur every member of the lesser races into action. If that had been the case, then there would be riots in the streets even now. Was this common knowledge then? How many people knew? If the White Fang was guilty then it would also make sense, why they had kept it from her: they hadn't wanted her to find out and lose her as an asset.
Why then did Adam abandon her? He must have known she'd find out somehow, or there at least was a chance for it. The answer for that was right in her face too: Yuma. Everything she could do he could do as well, arguably better. Their supposed love? Evidently Adam cared more for the White Fang than her. That realization hurt more than she'd care to admit.
Blake looked up as Tukson joined her on the floor, pulling her again into a hug. Her arms dangled uselessly between them and she leaned into it, staring aimlessly at the fraying thread on his tunic. If she pulled on it would the entire shirt come unraveled? How old was the shirt? Why didn't he buy a new one?
"Blake…" Her uncle's voice was gentle as his embrace. Loving. When was the last time someone spoke to her like that? "I'm sorry, I truly am. I tried to find you sooner, to take you away from those people, but I never catch you. Every time I felt like I got close your camp would move, or you'd be away on some mission. Even your friends couldn't keep you safe…"
Blake's eyes widened, and she looked at Tukson. "What do you mean…?"
"Ilia, that's her name, right?" Her uncle smiled gently and brushed a bit of her hair back. "I met with her once. She recognized me, I think, and thank goodness for that. Otherwise she might have run me through." Tukson chuckled uneasily and shook his head. "I just asked her to protect you and watch over you for me. I didn't explain everything to her then and maybe I should have. Maybe you could have left together…"
Ilia knew? Or she knew enough at least that something wasn't quite right. Adam knew too then, he had the blood of her parents on his hands and kept her in the dark. Treated her like a pest and a plaything both. Ilia she could forgive, she'd only tried to help and knew a sliver of a sliver of the truth if that. Adam though…?
Anguish and rage boiled inside of her. Blake's face scrunched, and she pulled herself closer, letting out a scream into Tukson's chest. She screamed herself hoarse and slammed her bound fists into the floor until her hands ached and skin bruised.
Idiot. Fool. Ignoramus. Moron.
That it seemed so obvious now only made the draught even harder to swallow. They had kept her, strung her along until she proved a liability, and only then did they see fit to cast her aside. So what if she found out the truth now? What was she supposed to do against an organization as widespread and powerful as the White Fang?
She had her answer. Ozpin had all but offered her the means to get back at the people who had taken her life from her. All she needed to do was agree to the man's proposal and she could have her revenge. She'd save her friends, save Ilia, and make Adam answer for the crimes, for he was every bit as guilty as the killers themselves.
Blake smiled and pulled herself from Tukson's arms. "Uncle… I'm going to be joining the Church…" His shocked expression did nothing to lessen her determination. "I'm going to make things right. And… And I'll make the White Fang pay for what they did. To us and to everyone else."
/+/+/+/+/+/
Perhaps not exactly the modus operandi Ozpin had hoped for, revenge, but it would work well enough. The young Belladonna only needed proper incentive and she'd agree to work with them, incentive which Tukson had so graciously provided. Perhaps inviting the man along wasn't a mistake after all.
Replacing the scrying stone into his pocket the Archbishop turned as he heard foosteps approaching, the clack of heeled boots and dull slap of worn shoes well past their prime. Glynda, flanked by Qrow, marched up to him, each looking thoroughly exhausted. Good humored as always, he smiled and gestured to the table behind him. "Coffee?"
"At this point I'd rather mead," Glynda grumbled, the remark earning a raised eyebrow from Ozpin.
"You, drink? Gods, maybe the world really is going crazy," Qrow laughed.
"Anyone who would have to deal with you for so long would be driven to drink," Glynda retorted sharply.
Qrow grinned, then removed his flask and drank. He shrugged when Glynda refused a taste and sipped more. "Hm… I'll take that as a compliment, since I'm so much fun to drink with." He laughed raspily then winked. "I've been told what comes after is even better."
"Qrow…" Ozpin interrupted. "While I'm certain your escapades are endearing - in your own mind," Glydna snorted with barely suppressed laughter. "Let's save the sophomoric talk for a later time, hm? Status report on the situation outside?"
"Stifled, sir. Nobles who were behaving crudely were brought aside by the guard and reprimanded, and missives have been sent to the palace for further discipline. Most of the commoners who caused a scene fled into the crowds, unfortunately…"
"I'll find 'em," Qrow offered. "Shouldn't be too hard. I'll ask around, see what I can find. What do you want done, Oz?"
"Nothing serious, I assure you. Please just remind our fellow citizens that discourse isn't going to help anyone, and to conduct themselves properly. I'd hate to have to close off future ceremonies to the public as a result of today's incident."
Incidents that he should have accounted for better considering the forces at play. Having representatives of the Faunus Conglomerate present, and the leader no less, was bound to cause a stir. Shame on the nobles for not behaving like the adults they supposedly were, and equal parts shame on himself for not accounting for it. Then again, he was hardly their caretaker; the king and queen would dole out fitting punishment in due time.
Ozpin helped himself to a mug of coffee, sighing into the drink. The bitter draught did wonders to calm him and focus his thoughts, and right now plenty sought to take the fore in his mind, miss Belladonna chief among them. How would they move forward, he wondered? Smiling behind the glass he lowered it, gesturing to Qrow as the man cleared his throat. "Speak, please. You know the floor is open to you."
"Ah… Yeah, so about this week, Oz. Usually you got me workin' and I appreciate it and all but… Think I could get it off? Or maybe a few days?"
"Your niece?" Ozpin asked with a smirk.
Qrow nodded and chuckled. The man could come across as grizzled and rough, and indeed he was. Yet whenever Miss Rose was brought into the conversation there was a spark to his eye, a palpable excitement in his voice. It was endearing, really.
"I wanted to spend some time with her, congratulate her for graduating and all that good stuff." Qrow opened his mouth then closed it, rubbing his neck.
"And…?" Glynda pressed him.
Qrow gave the woman a pointed stare before sighing when Ozpin nodded for him to continue. "And… She's got some weird ideas in her head. Nothin' serious, but I want to make sure she doesn't go doing nothing dumb. Feel like it's my job to do that much."
"What about Taiyang? Shouldn't he try to speak to her, as her father?"
"Tai's headin' back to Patch tomorrow so it ain't like he's gonna be around," Qrow answered. He frowned and folded his arms. "Tried talkin' the idiot down from going back but he's real busy with sermons and shit. Says the people will get fussy if he isn't around."
"Well… We should laud his dedication to the faith," Glynda suggested, to which Qrow scoffed angrily.
"And ignore his own daughter? The only one he's got left? Come on, Glynda, tell me his little services are more important, tell me to my face and I'll drop it." She didn't and Qrow snorted. "See my point? He's still avoidin' stuff. Hells, he's probably scared stiff that she's gonna be a Hunter now."
Ozpin swirled his drink in his mug. Both Taiyang and Qrow had a fairness to their decisions, each man coped differently, after all. He'd just as soon wash his hands of the matter if Qrow hadn't come directly to him with the request.
"You'll have your time off, Qrow. As much as I can afford. Just because we decide to take a week off doesn't mean our enemies will as well."
Qrow grumbled as he ran a hand through his graying locks. "I know, I know. Just three days tops, 'kay? Just need a little time to talk her down from whatever ideas she's got in her head before she goes and gets herself in trouble."
"Anything we can help with?"
Qrow shook his head and shrugged. "Nah, I got this. A bowl of ice cream and some time at the fair should help her forget all about it," he laughed. "Thanks, Oz. I'll go look into some leads on the rabble for ya before it gets too late. Glynda?"
"For the last time, no, I'm not joining you for a drink, Qrow," Glynda replied sternly.
"Fine, suit yourself! See you guys tomorrow then."
Ozpin chuckled at the low growl from Glynda, then bade her farewell. Both of his assistants disappeared into the lift, ferried down to the cathedral and back to the masses. His time in the limelight was finished for the day, sadly, as much as he enjoyed playing the piper. There was yet more work to be done as always and with Glynda otherwise disposed of it fell to him to take care of.
Settling back behind his desk he removed a bound stack of papers, thumbing through them carefully. Miss Schnee was seen to, the proposal to her settled. She would become a Warden and learn the arts of sealing off towns. Wonderful. Miss Belladonna it seemed had suddenly become more open to working together and should soon be welcomed into their ranks, splendid. That was two pet projects finished.
What a fascinating group of initiates they'd had. So much potential, so many opportunities. Weiss Schnee had certainly lived up to her name despite what a handful of indignant nobles might think, and there was more yet to come. Was he feeling excited? It had been some time since he'd felt genuine excitement, yet he was certain the buzzing he felt was just that, not the copious amounts of coffee he drank.
Now… What piece should he move to the board next?
Off to work, so enjoy this chapter filled with merriment and love and other good, fuzzy stuff that was totally in it.
Feedback appreciated, love thy neighbor, but not too much because you'd get in trouble, and water your pets.
Peace!