Le gasp, I am a day late! Forgiveness, readers. I have failed ye!
My already shaky at best schedule has been ruined.
I shall hang my head in shame. In the meantime, however, why not enjoy this chapter?
The High Commander of Vale's royal knights, head of the Commandery, had a swathe of responsibilities. Oversee the financial institutions which supplied them, oversee the training of recruits, and meet with nobility who sought to entreat their aid in maintaining order within their holds. He made personal visits to their numerous forts throughout the kingdom, conducted raids on bandit camps who grew too bold or too problematic to ignore, and above all else, served as one of the king's blades in his hour of need.
Yet there was another duty that he and he alone was tasked with too; know every member of the Church. From the Initiates to the Archbishop he was made to memorize names, faces, their magics, their origins. Hells, given the dossiers provided it wasn't an exaggeration to say he knew what their favorite meals were.
For any one man to remember the hundreds upon hundreds of individuals which made up Vale's branch of the Church of Remnant - clergymen, priestesses, Initiates, Hunters - was impossible, and so those of the lower ranks he often forgot, only to revisit if the need arose. Clergymen were simply mouthpieces and of little import, so they too fell to the wayside. It was namely the Hunters and Wardens, the instructors and, of course, Ozpin himself that Hazel deemed worthwhile.
So, to meet a woman in the King's grand hall, one important enough to gain audience with His Majesty, yet nondescript enough that he didn't recognize her whatsoever, was something of a puzzlement.
The ease with which the woman moved about the room spoke of confidence. One passing glance made her appear more like a concubine than a woman of high standing, and that was not to say she dressed poorly. No, the flowing and layered purple gown that she wore, a brooch of a silver snake over her right shoulder, and the bangles of pure gold on either wrist was tasteful, simple yet elegant. As she strode across the room to greet them her hair, golden yellow like stalks of wheat, bobbed, bound in a tidy bun, bangs and longer, untied locks cascading down her neck.
"And so the guest of honor has finally arrived." The woman spoke in a soft tone, polite, and yet Hazel felt an inexplicable chill run through him. With a smile that suggested warmth she gazed upon him, her icy blue eyes lacking any affection her tone carried. Mechanically, Hazel extended a hand and bowed as it was taken.
"The honor is mine, my lady. Although I'm afraid we've not met before?"
"I should think not," the woman said, lips curling upward. "It's rare that I'm allowed out. My duties often keep me too busy for cordial visits."
"But this is not a cordial visit, now is it?" The King, Uldor Caines, smiled as he approached. "Forgive my interruption but we do have a schedule to keep. Hazel, allow me to introduce you to Lady Salem. She is one of Ozpin's aides, and a woman who, as I've been told, is an expert in the matters we'll be discussing today."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. I merely study the material, nothing more."
Hazel arched an eyebrow at Uldor. And why do I not know of this woman? The king shook his head subtly, maintaining a practiced smile while Salem removed her hand from his own. Later then, when the woman wasn't present. Was she sent here from another kingdom? Has she newly been brought into Ozpin's employ?
Whatever the case there were answers desperately needed.
"I assume you're speaking about the events in Galloway?" Hazel asked. No use in trying to interrogate the woman there and now; he might as well focus on the task at hand.
"The very same. Come, I'll appraise you of the situation."
Salem followed behind the King, smiling sidelong at the man. Already greatly disliking the woman, Hazel kept on her heels, sorely wishing he'd brought his weapons with him. Not that he expected the Church to try anything as bold as assassinate the king but more of the comfort they brought. Perhaps I need a vacation, he mused, chiding himself immediately for the idea.
Who would oversee his duties? He had subordinates, sure, but their typical workload was paltry compared to his own. Even taking so much as a day off would undoubtedly lead to more headaches than it was worth.
Laid out across a table was a map, one Hazel immediately recognized as depicting Galloway and the surrounding area. Much of it was blank, flanked by the ocean as the city was, and the land beyond the city's walls was either relegated to farmlands or forests. It wasn't a place Hazel frequented often despite the city claiming some of the kingdom's largest ports. His duties meant he never left the kingdom, and the city was protected so well by natural and manmade defenses that the need for him and his knights was all but unheard of.
Until recently. Uldor moved across the table, his squared jaw locked as he silently ran a hand over the canvas. At the city's perimeter there were a multitude of green figurines set out representing soldiers. Others in a slate grey depicted Hunters, mixed in among the standard squadrons. Further away from the walls, in alarmingly sizable clusters, were figures of pure black.
"Grimm." Hazel scowled, splaying his hands on the table as he assessed the display. "I thought that there were no sightings. What changed? Why have they appeared now?"
"Unknown, and ultimately irrelevant. They're outside the city and we may need to send more soldiers to help secure the walls. I had hoped that you may be able to send a few squads of your own as well, Hazel. As matters stand, they are holding the walls just fine, and I don't doubt that they could continue to do so."
"But we all know what magic leads to, do we not?" Salem picked up one of the Grimm figurines, inspecting it as a child might a lackluster toy. "They will hold for a time but given the presence of Magi there will be more of them. Of those we deployed only a handful of them are what we would deem veterans, the rest are either freshly graduated or retired. We contacted those closest to the city and bade them to rush to its defense."
"Yet it's not enough." Hazel frowned, leveling his eyes on Salem. "If I may speak plainly, sire?"
"By all means."
"It is concerning that the Church is involved in this matter at all. It was through your negligence that your Wardens were able to infiltrate the city at all. And, need I remind you; it is your blasted insistence on secrecy that is going to damn these people if they aren't provided aid. Frankly, I don't believe you're competent enough to be trusted with Galloway's defense, not after your blunder."
"A critique that is not unfounded. Yes, I'll admit that we fell woefully short in monitoring Arthur Watts." Salem set the piece down and sighed, her youthful, pale brow furrowing. "We had suspicions for some time that he'd become a risk, yet without proof of the matter we couldn't confront him. We thought that by letting him continue, he'd make a mistake and incriminate himself. Our intention was never -"
"Intentions be damned, woman. Your lack of foresight has put an entire city at risk not weeks after a Grimm outbreak, and has resulted in the disappearance of several of your own!" The table groaned under Hazel's fist, his armor scraping loudly against itself. "You'll have to forgive me if I'm not entirely keen on trusting you and yours whatsoever. Not after all the trouble your ineptitude has caused us!"
"Hazel," Uldor said.
"Trust? Shall we discuss that?" Salem folded her hands, tilting her head as she studied Hazel.
She didn't appear the least bit upset by him, nor the least bit remorseful for what had happened. Rather than become indignant, defensive, or confrontational in any way she acknowledged him the way a mother might a rowdy child; patiently understanding. The woman's calm demeanor only agitated him further. How could she pretend to be so indifferent? So aloof? This was the Church's doing after all. And here he was, yet again, being made to pick up the pieces.
"We made a mistake. Arthur Watts and his followers conducted their business right beneath our noses and the fault there lies with only ourselves. However, for someone who is so quick to villainize us, commander, you and yours left those girls to fend for themselves. If we are so dangerous then why not protect them?" Salem sighed. "And then there's the matter of your dubious comrades."
Hazel ground his teeth, stepping back from the table and exhaling. Now was not the time to argue, much as he was inclined to. "Your subordinates' betrayal is not on us, Hunter. And I'm afraid I don't know who you're referring to."
"I think you do, High Commander." She tapped her temple, smiling. "Or do you believe yourself to be so discreet? I'm referring to Raven Branwen and Roman Torchwick, or are we still calling him 'Lord Bisset'?" Salem shook her head. "Let us drop pretenses, commander. We have both made mistakes, we are both hardly as righteous as we'd like to present ourselves to be. But do not for one moment pretend that the Church and we alone are at fault here." She frowned. "Your 'associates' have taken some of our own, not to mention slaughtered Wardens in their wake."
"They kidnapped two young women!"
"And they would have been dealt with by our own accords. We may be unable to enforce common law, commander, but the punishment of Magi, particularly our own, falls under our jurisdiction. Or have you forgotten such a rudimentary fact?"
"Enough." Uldor's voice boomed, echoing off the bare walls. Hazel swallowed his rebuttal, closing his eyes and willing himself to calm. The sound of the king's boots padding across the tiled floor followed and he listened as his liege paced. "We are not here to accuse one another of malfeasance, nor I did not bring the two of you here to squabble. I was under the impression that we were all adults and capable of civil discourse. Was I mistaken?"
"No, Your Majesty," Salem answered, bowing her head. "Forgive me, I spoke out of turn."
"Apologies, sire, I forgot myself," Hazel said.
"Allow me to make things perfectly clear." Uldor stopped at the head of the table, glancing between Hazel and Salem before jabbing at the map. "One of my cities is under siege by those damnable creatures. My people, our people, are at risk, and they need aid. I do not care whose negligence allowed this to happen, and we are not here to discuss some of our more questionable alliances. That said, as a show of good faith between allies."
The King placed a hand to his chest. "Salem. It was on my orders that we sought to entreat with Raven and Roman. I am of the mind that enlisting the aid of our enemies and striking a treaty with them is more productive than slaughtering one another. I am aware that the decision has not been a popular one, not among your organization nor my own court, and I am not here to justify my decision either. Merely acknowledge that it was my choice, not Hazel's."
"To say that the Archbishop is displeased by your decision would be making light of his concerns, Your Majesty." Salem held up a hand before Hazel could speak. "But we merely wish to be informed why it is so, nothing more. We have a difficult history with Ms. Branwen."
"As I'm aware. I'll meet with the Archbishop soon enough and share all with him, so that there may be no questions among allies. And Hazel," Uldor turned to him, brow creasing beneath his silver circlet. "The Church alone is not guilty of negligence. I did not think I needed to tell you to provide a protective detail to someone who we knew was at risk, but here we are. All parties here are at fault, myself included." He sighed. "But we are not here to point fingers, nor are we here to make excuses for ourselves. Our only concern today, in this moment, is organizing the defense of Galloway. More than the token force currently there."
"Now then, if I may?" Both Hazel and Salem nodded, remaining silent. "I have requested more Hunters be dispatched in the city's defense. However, given magic's propensity to make our problems infinitely worse, I wish to enlist some of your knights as well. I would like for you to gather whoever you have in the city at present and send them with Ozpin's forces. Waystones are being prepared as we speak," Uldor explained. "And once ready, the combined forces shall teleport to Galloway and bolster the forces there."
"The volume of Grimm will grow, of that we can be certain, but there is always a limit. The purpose of the reinforcements is to give those there now a much-earned reprieve and hold the walls. They are to all remain there until the final beast is slain and will not leave until we are certain Galloway is safe. Am I clear?"
Hazel stomped his boot while Salem bowed. "Yes, your Majesty. "
"Good. Salem? You have my blessing then. Please have Ozpin put together a group as soon as he's able and have them meet Hazel's men by the main gates. Hazel? I would ask that you remain a moment longer. I wish to discuss these partnerships of yours."
"Understood, sire."
Uldor stepped back from the table again, squaring his shoulders as he nodded. "Excellent. Lady Salem, thank you for coming in Ozpin's stead. One of my men will escort you to the exit, and I've already arranged for a carriage to return you to the cathedral."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Salem bowed again, smiling as she rose. "Rest assured, we will send some of our most promising Hunters in the city's defense."
Hazel felt the same unpleasant chill when she turned on him, keeping his jaw locked as Salem strode to meet him. Despite being a full head and a half taller and twice as broad there was something decidedly unpleasant about her. Why was a woman so young so highly regarded by Ozpin? The more troubling point was why did he not know her? A man in his position did not like to be surprised. The fact that she seemed so comfortable despite being thrust into this meeting, however brief it had been, didn't help his suspicions.
As he watched Salem leave his trepidation about her remained. She was like Ozpin in that regard; some people had an aura about them that made it appear like they knew more than they let on. It was why he never had trusted the Archbishop, and why, despite their fleeting time together, he'd already decided he didn't trust Salem.
Everyone had their secrets, but few people held secrets that could be so dangerous.
Left alone with the king, Hazel watched the man walk to the throne at the head of the room. One for him, the other empty, as it had been for several years. With no attendants present it was only the two of them inside the spacious hall, silent save for the rustling of curtains as the wind slipped through opened windows.
Uldor sank into his throne, releasing a loud sigh and sinking into the stiff seat. His shoulders slumped and he rubbed at his face, peering up as Hazel approached.
"I know you dislike them, Hazel, but we have to work with them."
"Dislike is putting it mildly, Uldor."
"Regardless, they are our allies in this, however reluctant that might be." The king, waving a hand dismissively, folded one leg over the other and frowned. "Tell me: what news do you have?"
Before answering Hazel glanced towards the doors, towards the windows. The room was sealed despite appearances, courtesy of the court's Magi. Still, a man in his line of work didn't live as long as he had without some measure of caution. Satisfied that they were safe, he shook his head. "None yet, I'm afraid. Raven is stubborn as always and has yet to respond to my messages. Roman has gone silent as well, and if the charlatan isn't dead then he's potentially gone rogue."
"When allying yourself with snakes there is always a risk to be bitten." Hazel hummed in agreement. A sad thing that fit with everyone they were involved with nowadays. It was so much simpler when we could just do the damned work ourselves. Damn the Church, insisting they get their fingers in everything. "You've confirmed their locations, at least?"
"I have. Or rather, I know that Raven has them, wherever they've gone to. From what my scouts tell me it appears that her brother, Qrow, has gone with them as well."
Uldor sat up a little taller, earnest curiosity plain. "Qrow Branwen? Has he defected?"
"Unknown, but it's safe to assume, given everything that has happened."
Even if Salem told the truth and the kidnappings weren't their doing, the Church still allowed Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose to be stolen away. That aside, the former's experimentation, the latter's subsequent strife, all of it laid at the feet of the Church. It wouldn't surprise Hazel in the slightest if Qrow had finally decided enough was enough, trading his allegiance to Ozpin for the safety of his family.
It would certainly be easier for them to have a man like Qrow on their side. Anyone with intimate knowledge of how the Church operated behind closed doors would prove invaluable.
"We'll work under the pretense that he is with us now, or at the very least, likeminded. See if you can't confirm their location, Hazel. I doubt that I'll be able to meet with them now. A travesty if you ask me, being unable to thank the four young women who did such a service to our kingdom."
Hazel couldn't help but smile. "Pardon my saying, sire, but I don't imagine they're too disappointed. I know some of them don't much care for politics."
"Yes, well, unfortunately politics is the game we are forced to play, dear friend. Just as we are made to cooperate with the Church so too must we abide by the rules of the court, our duties, and maintain appearances." Uldor rolled his eyes. "Gods know I do that more than anyone."
"The Church," Hazel redirected before the king could begin to complain. Again. "Do you trust them?"
"I acknowledge that they seek the same thing we do: safety for Remnant. Whether I trust them or not doesn't change that we share a common goal." Uldor leaned forward, clasping his hands together in his lap. "But no, I do not trust them, nor do I trust that woman, Salem. She is more like Ozpin than I care to admit." He regarded Hazel curiously. "You did not seem to know her." The Commander shook his head. "Troubling. I'll have someone else look into it. You have other duties."
"I'll depart for Galloway at once, sire."
"No, you won't." Uldor smiled, a small, knowing smirk that Hazel knew all too well. He groaned.
"Uldor, if this is one of your schemes -"
"I want you to find where those girls have gone, Hazel. If they're with Raven as you suspect, then finding them shouldn't be too hard. Once you do, secure them passage out of the kingdom. I don't want Ozpin to be able to use them, am I understood? After all they've done for us, for Vale, the last thing I'm going to do is allow that organization to sink their fingers into them."
Well that was a surprise. Not that Hazel minded it one bit; all along their aim had been to do just that, keep the girls from becoming too involved. Having them leave the kingdom would certainly accomplish that, although only temporarily. The Church existed in every kingdom after all, their reach further than any king, queen, or warlord.
"I'll see to it. But where do you intend to send them…?"
"I hear Mistral is nice this time of year. Warm weather, wonderful food, beautiful scenery." Uldor chuckled, laying his head on one of his hands. "And, from what I understand, you have more associates there, do you not?"
Hazel almost denied the claims, instead smiling to himself and shaking his head. "You and your spies. Why do I try to keep anything from you?"
Chuckling, Uldor's head turned slightly, eyeing the back of his seat before smiling at him. "I ask myself that as well, Hazel. See to it that these girls reach Mistral safely. Send word to your allies abroad, have them prepared to receive them. I'll pen a message for the western provinces, let them know that I have guests arriving on their shores. In the meantime -"
"Find them and ensure their safety. I think I can manage that much."
"Wonderful. I'll inform Ozpin that we've received reports of issues along the Vacuan border, and that I dispatched you to settle them. That should absolve you of any suspicion, if for a time. Send men you can trust and make certain they're aware of the situation."
Hazel bowed. "By your will, my liege."
"See it done then. Edos guide you, friend."
Bowing once more, Hazel turned on his heel and marched for the door. With one hand on the handle he glanced back, smiling in amusement. From behind the throne a woman emerged, shrouded in a dark cloak with platinum hair spilling out of the hood. Uldor greeted her silently, raising a hand before meeting Hazel's gaze and shooing him out.
Explains why he was so keen to keep the meeting brief. He refrained from a taunting remark and shut the twin doors behind himself, shaking his head as he left. Most men didn't mix pleasure and business. Most men weren't king of Vale, and with no one to tell Uldor otherwise who was going to stop him? Hazel chuckled, glancing out into the courtyard as he walked above it, watching as children of some of the servants played among the gardens. I don't imagine that the throne will be empty for much longer.
Gretchen was among them, growling like some absurd monster as she chased the children about. Hazel's smile grew, pausing briefly to watch his sister.
His service to the crown had bought her a chance to be more than their humble beginnings should have allowed, yet she'd achieved so much on her own too since they arrived at the castle. She was happy here, happier than he could ever have expected her to be, and that the king valued her so much spoke more highly of her efforts.
He'd better not be sleeping with her too. I'm not above smacking you, Uldor. Gretchen must have felt she was being watched for she turned and smiled up at him, waving as she held a squirming boy under one arm. Hazel waved back and laughed as the child broke free, watching his sister resume chasing after him and his friends.
He'd find those girls and he'd ensure Ozpin didn't get his way. Anything that jeopardized his kingdom, his liege, and his sister would be denied, he'd make damned sure of that.
The High Commander had many duties after all. Ensuring the peace of his kingdom was but one of them.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Ilia sat rigid in her seat, hands gripping the edge of the wooden chair until her knuckles went white. The inspection was slow, studious, and Blake had to admit she was grateful Avery had some idea of what to look for. Her friend had been concussed yet evidently it wasn't a serious one, and after a few days rest in a dark house Ilia seemed ready to move again.
"You're certain you're not feeling nauseous anymore?" Avery's fingers tugged at Ilia's eyelids, leaning in to examine her eyes. "No headaches?"
"I'm fine."
"Sensitivity to the light?"
"I'm fine," Ilia reiterated, batting one of Avery's hands away. "It's nothing I can't handle, human. Quit touching my face."
Blake cringed. She hadn't told Ilia and she hadn't confronted Avery either since last night. It was none of her business why their hostess chose to hide what she was. Revealing it would make Ilia treat her more kindly, sure, but it wasn't her secret to give. Her story to tell. While Avery went about applying fresh bandages Blake's eyes fixated on her back again, only now noticing the slight bumps beneath her shirt. Whatever story was behind the injuries wasn't a pleasant one.
The examination ended soon thereafter. Satisfied that Ilia was healed, or at least not liable to collapse after a few steps, Avery stepped back from the freckled girl, sporting a slightly apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay to travel." She turned to Blake while bunching up soiled bandages in her hands. "You two are sure you want to leave today? I don't mind putting you up another day or two."
"Thank you, Avery, but no. I have some friends who are expecting me." At least I hope they are. "And I have a lot I'll need to discuss with them. Thank you though, honestly. I'm not sure we'd have survived without your help."
The huntress' cheeks went rosy pink and she looked away, giving Blake an askew glance and bashful smile. "I only try to do right by people. It's the least we can do, right?"
"Shame the rest of your human friends don't feel the same way," Ilia said.
"Ilia!"
"What? Are humans all good because one of them decided on a whim to help us?" Ilia scowled, both as she grabbed her head and looked at Avery. "Elves side with them too! They're basically just pointy eared humans, after all. And Dimurans are no better."
"Ilia, please," Blake urged, eyes flicking nervously between her friend and Avery. "Avery isn't trying to suggest that, she -"
"No, it's okay, Blake. I get it. I'm sorry for bothering you, Ilia." The worst part was Avery seemed genuinely apologetic too. As if she'd done anything wrong, Faunus or otherwise! "And you're right, my actions don't make everything okay, but I hope you're at least willing to believe some of them are genuinely good people." She bowed her head. "I'll let you two relax. Excuse me."
"Avery, wait." Blake rose to stop the woman and frowned as Avery slipped out of her fingers, watching the huntress go without a word. As the door creaked shut and left her alone with Ilia again she stared at her empty hand, breath held.
"I'm not saying I'm ungrateful she saved us, Blake." Ilia rose too, slowly, nursing the side of her head with a wince. "But one act of kindness doesn't make everything better."
That wasn't it though! "Ilia."
"You know how they treat us! You saw it again when you went to the city, didn't you? How can you just forgive them so easily after that?"
Ilia had it wrong. It wasn't her story to tell, Blake knew that. People had every right to keep their secrets and for whatever reason Avery decided to conceal who she was, what she was, that was her right. Whether it made sense to her or not was irrelevant. She didn't need to know the story, but she did need to make sure Ilia understood. Waiting until Ilia had finished slipping on her poncho, courtesy again of Avery, she grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her towards the door.
"H-Hey, what are you doing?!"
Even without outing Avery she could get Ilia to apologize or at least thank her. That wasn't so much to ask, right? Squinting against the mid morning sun she searched immediately outside the hut. Not by the tanning racks, nor the tables where they prepared meats. Had she gone into the forest?
No, she spotted Avery at the edge of the clearing, sitting in the grass as she prepared arrows. With her back to them Blake watched for a moment, pursed her lips, then tugged Ilia's arm and made her follow.
"Blake," Ilia hissed. "Stop it! I don't want to talk to her!"
"I don't care. You're going to apologize."
"For what?!"
Blake stopped briefly and turned back on Ilia. Her ears flattened, eyes narrowing as she strained to keep her voice low. "Ilia, I get it. I know what they've done to us, to you. But if we go thinking that every single one of them is out to kill us or stab us in the backs then we're no better than they are." She swallowed and lowered her head. "We're no better than Adam."
"You didn't look exactly ready to trust her either, you know!"
True, albeit for different reasons. Trusting someone, especially a human you didn't know, was intimidating. Yet coming off a flagrant betrayal by people who she trusted, friends, made her loathe to trust just about anyone, and she'd managed.
"Look, just trust me on this, okay? She isn't our enemy here." Blake squeezed Ilia's hand, offering the smallest of smiles to hide her own impatience. "Just humor me, okay?"
Ilia groaned, pulling at Blake's hand. She pulled right back, making it clear where she stood on things. They stared at one another, neither willing to give the other any ground. Then Ilia frowned, scowled, and turned her head away, giving one final tug before huffing.
Avery smiled uncertainly at them, bow slung over one shoulder, her quiver over the other. "I figured you two would just be leaving?"
"We will be, but Ilia has something she wants to say first." Blake pulled her friend alongside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders to make her stay put. "Right, Ilia?"
"If this is about before I'm fine, honest. I'm just a stranger, after all."
You're one of us. You don't deserve this. Blake stared at Avery, wondering why in the world she wouldn't just reveal herself. They were all Faunus, they were kin. Was it because one was a Hunter and the other in the White Fang? Clearly their allegiances didn't matter much, not if two enemies could remain friends. Just tell her, Avery. She'll understand once you do. I will too.
Avery's smile waned and her expression turned furtive. Rubbing one of her arms she lowered her head, chewing at her lip as she shuffled in place. Only then did Blake realize she'd been staring a bit too much, letting her expression relax. "Avery?"
"Blake? Was that you?" The huntress looked up and smiled, a weak gesture. "Last night by the river, was that you?"
Ilia questioned her silently, tugging at Blake's shirt for attention. "It was," Blake admitted. No use in trying to play coy or deny anything.
"I see."
Somehow having herself outed like that seemed to make Avery only sadder. Why? Shouldn't she be happy that she'd found someone like her? People who wouldn't judge her? Ilia was wary but only because she thought Avery was human. If she'd just share her story, what she was.
"Blake, can we just go? Whatever this is," Ilia nodded towards Avery. "She obviously doesn't want to talk about it. Come on."
She resisted Ilia's tug again, releasing her friend to instead approach Avery. Without a word she reached out and threw her arms around the other girl, pulled her in close, keeping her hands low and away from the shoulders. At first Avery tried to shrug her off, breath hitching in a startled gasp. Blake doubled down and closed her eyes, tightening her hug and hesitantly pat their hostesses' back.
"It's okay," she whispered. "You have friends. We won't tell anyone."
"I…" Avery's bow dropped to the ground. Blake didn't pay it any mind and smiled when a set of arms wrapped around her in turn. "You promise?"
"I promise," Blake nodded. "Thank you, for everything."
"Blake!" Ilia's restlessness was beginning to wear on her. When her friend came forward Blake released the hug, taking Ilia's hand again and shaking her head. "Are you done? Can we go now?"
"Not until you apologize. We can go once you do."
"That's really not necessary," Avery said, smiling sadly with a shake of her head. "I understand."
"Someone showed me kindness before too. They vouched for me, showed me compassion when I didn't deserve it. They're the reason I'm alive now, Ilia. The reason I was even able to see you again." Blake gestured to Avery. "They were human. The ones I was traveling with, you remember them don't you? The girl with the red cloak, that was her. She kept them from having me executed when I was brought to the city."
"Blake, I don't -"
"Her name is Ruby. She's a friend, just like Weiss is, and just like Yang." Friends she doubted. Friends who, unlike Pyrrha, Jaune, Ren and Nora, she'd been through more than one harrowing experience with.
She had to trust them still otherwise she wasn't any better than Ilia was. Paranoid, jumping at shadows at every turn, quick to condemn without knowing anything.
"Excuse me?" Avery held out a hand then drew it back, seeming uncertain. She bit the inside of her cheek before looking to Blake with a hesitant desperation. "Did you say Yang? Tall girl, blonde? Black scales?"
Blake's eyes widened. "You know her?"
"Do I? She saved me!" Avery's voice rose to a pitch. "She… She saved me," she repeated quietly. "And I chased her away. Are you going to see her? Do you know where she is?"
"We are, yes. I'm not sure where we'll find her though," she admitted.
"Can you please tell her I'm sorry then? And that she's a good person, and…" Avery paused, wiping at her eyes before giggling. "And that she has wonderful friends."
Easily done. Blake nodded, although now she was more inclined to stay than ever. How did Avery and Yang know each other? What was Avery sorry for?
"One more thing!" This time Avery turned to Ilia, stepping closer and taking her friend's hands. Ilia let out a startled yelp and Blake kept her in place. "You're not with the White Fang anymore, right? Tell me you're not."
"N-No, I'm not! Neither of us are!"
Surprise registered for only a second on Avery's face before a relieved smile appeared instead. "Good. Please, keep fighting? You're right: Faunus are treated horribly. We deserve better." She caught herself, blinking before clearing her throat. "You deserve better."
Ilia stared, puzzled. Blake could only stand by and wait for Ilia to ask, or Avery to come clean, hoping for one or both. If they were leaving then Avery deserved to be thanked properly, although what she was shouldn't change that.
It shouldn't, but it did, and frustrated as she was with Ilia she couldn't blame her friend either.
Birds took off from a nearby tree, screeching as they fled into the sky. On reflex Blake drew a dagger and moved around the pair, ready as she stared into the treeline. Grimm? Had Hunters found them?
So much for not being paranoid.
She stared into the forests and held her breath, ears picking up the faintest sounds. Behind her, Avery retrieved her bow and notched an arrow while Ilia drew her sword, taking up a position beside Blake herself.
"What is it?"
"Not sure," Blake whispered back. Potentially nothing, likely a problem.
There! Among the trees she saw a figure coming nearer, concealed inside of a ratty cloak. Not stark white, too dark for that. Blake's fingers tightened around the dagger, watching as the figure came closer still. She couldn't see anyone else with them as she scanned the treeline but that didn't mean they were alone. A scout? An awfully dumb one of so.
From the trees another bird emerged, screeching as it flew overhead. Then it doubled back, circling and screeching irritably. One of her ears folded and Blake glared up at it, hissing. Avery drew the arrow back and took aim.
"Found them! Found them!"
The bird's screeching shout made Avery yelp in surprise and her arrow flew well off course. Blake watched it sail away and disappear into the brush some several yards away. The cloaked figure continued their approach and she relaxed her stance, even going so far as to roll her eyes when the stranger's cloak caught on bramble and tugged them back.
"Fuck!" They tugged on the ashen grey cloak, cursing again before tearing the fabric free. Out they came, storming into the clearing and throwing back their hood.
"Vernal?!"
"Do you have any fucking idea how hard it's been to find you?!" Vernal looked down at herself and growled, plucking a small twig from her shirt and dusting herself down. "Even with Raven's stupid fucking bird tracking you I had to scour half that fucking forest! This shit's not my job, dammit!"
"A human?" Ilia uncoiled her sword and tried to pull Blake away, giving her a confused look when shrugged off.
"Good to see you too, Vernal," Blake lied. Why, of everyone Raven could have sent, did it have to be her?
"Fuck off, whiskers. I've had a day." Vernal narrowed her eyes at Ilia when she noticed the girl staring, bristling and marching towards them. "Got a problem, freckles? Go on, give me a reason to kick your ass!"
Ilia raised her sword and Vernal lifted a hand, wind surging at her palm. Avery notched another arrow and took aim, leveling a barbed arrowhead at Vernal's chest.
"Stop!" Blake stood between Vernal and Ilia, hands held out. "We're all on the same side here! Don't you dare bring Grimm here by doing something stupid!"
"Out of my way, Blake. I want to teach this one a lesson!"
"Move, Blake. I don't trust her."
You don't trust anyone besides me, Ilia. Blake groaned, rolling her eyes before throwing her hands up. She swat Ilia's hand, wagged a finger in her face, then went back to Vernal and pushed her hand aside.
"Stop," she repeated, firmer this time.
"Listen here, whiskers. I just trekked through that fucking jungle to find your sorry ass, so don't you fucking lecture me, got it? Do you have any idea how much of a pain – "
"Whine! Whine!" The raven descended and circled Vernal, screeching as she began to swat at the bird. "Vernal whines! Vernal whines! Baby! Child!"
"Oi! Cut it out, you flying rat!"
Beside herself, Blake shook her head and gave Avery an apologetic smile. To Ilia she only shrugged, waving for her friend to sheathe her weapon, her own dagger following suit.
Well, they knew how to find the others now, hopefully. On the bright side they wouldn't have to scour Vale's wilderness in a blind search. But did it have to be Vernal she sent? It couldn't have been, oh, literally anyone else?
Vernal continued shouting and swatting at the raven, going red in the face. Ilia just watched, befuddled by the display, and Blake patted her friend's shoulder, nodding to Avery then tilting her head towards the cabin. The huntress nodded back and headed back, waving to them and mouthing 'thank you' along the way.
They could get back. It wouldn't be long until she and the others were reunited. So long as Ilia and the new arrival didn't kill each other first.
That the whole 'not hating humans' thing just became a million times more difficult.
/+/+/+/+/+/
A day of levity after so much stress had done wonders for Weiss' mind. She still had concerns as did they all, and more questions than ever, but for a time she'd been able to breathe and simply be.
It wasn't that Plockton had much to offer her, Ruby, and Yang in the way of entertainment. Even before the Branwen tribe had moved in and begun their meager restoration efforts the town was a sorry sight. Shabby homes pressed together like soldiers made to stand abreast, homes of rotting wood and crusted tin roofs and windows so caked in dirt and dust that they were impossible to see through. What few roads had been finished with pavers had long since been claimed back by nature and weeds split stone, turning the gray pathways green.
They had managed, somehow. Mostly they had explored the more remote recesses of Plockton's streets. It was sizable for a town but paltry compared to the likes of the capital. The Branwen tribe claimed perhaps a third of the buildings for themselves, choosing to stay well away from the ruined plaza, from where Merlot's monstrous rampage had caused irreparable damage and rendered some dozen buildings unfit for habitation.
Instead they explored old shops, ventured beyond the town's borders and admired some of the more pleasant growth. Beds of daisies and sunflowers grew rampant and turned the town's southernmost perimeter into a blindingly beautiful wash of color. On some homes vines crawled up the walls, sprouting flowers of deep purple, blue, and curious pink.
To be reminded that the town had once been filled with people was sobering and yet they managed to make a day out of it. So long as they avoided the homes, avoided any painful reminders of what once had been - beyond the obvious abandoned town itself - it was relaxing.
A shame then that their relaxation had to be tinged with doubt. No one spoke of what had transpired between them, how Weiss had attacked Yang and couldn't recall it, but she knew it was on their minds; it was all she could think about for most of the day. Neither Ruby nor Yang brought it up and she refused to be the one to do so. Maybe they didn't want to talk about it? Weiss didn't either if she was honest. The last thing she wanted to do was consider herself a threat to her friends. After all they had been through it was cosmically cruel that she might be too dangerous to be around.
So, when Qrow came to retrieve her the following morning it came as something of a relief to be taken away. Neither sister showed her any animosity even then, going so far as to wish her well and demand she be back soon. Ruby had even hugged her before she could leave. The phantom warmth clung to Weiss as a painful reminder and she closed her eyes, her arms tightening across her chest.
She wished Qrow would say something to her as they left. Instead he moved along the ruined streets in silence, slouched over with his hands in his trouser pockets. More than once Weiss attempted to initiate conversation with the man only for her voice to fail her.
He doesn't have his sword with him, at least. Although I don't suppose that matters much, not when he can render my magic useless. It didn't help matters that he had to lead them right through the tribe too. There were plenty of ways out of Plockton but no, he just had to parade her to the main road.
This is humiliating. People were staring, smiling at her, conversing among themselves as though she was some kind of spectacle. In a way she was: a Hunter being led along like cattle, save for a rope around her neck.
No one tried to stop either of them. Once they left the town behind Qrow finally signaled for her to stop, gesturing to a stack of abandoned crates along the roadside. "Take a seat, kiddo."
"I'd rather stand, if it's all the same to you."
"Take a seat," Qrow repeated, firmer this time. Weiss bowed her head and brushed dirt off a crate before sitting on the edge, nervously chewing on her lip as she was stared down. "Look, I'm gonna keep this brief, so listen up, 'kay? I don't really like doing this kinda stuff."
"And that 'stuff' is what, exactly?" Weiss leaned back when Qrow reached towards her, cringing. He grabbed something from beside her head and she blanched as a mouse squeaked, suspended by its tail.
"Having to lay down the law. I'm not really that type of guy." Qrow flung the rodent and watched it disappear into the tall grass. "But we've got a problem with you, kid, and we've got to do something about that. I know we talked to you already about it," he stepped closer, leaning down and tapping at his temple. "But I want you to think really hard on this, ok? Do you seriously not remember what happened back in Galloway?"
"No, I don't. I've told you before, I don't remember any of it!" Weiss shook her head, holding her hands up before dropping them in her lap. "We had been fighting, we bested Watts, and we had just finished dousing the flames. After that…"
What? Her memory was blank. She knew she and Goodwitch had salvaged the manor and they had begun to celebrate their victory. Had she been struck by debris? That couldn't be it; she had no head trauma and that would have rendered her immobile. She wouldn't have been able to attack Yang if that had been the case.
"Great. Just great." Qrow slicked back his hair and groaned. "Okay, has this stuff ever happened before? Ever have, I don't know, lapses in your memory? Black outs, anything like that?"
"Haven't we already established what caused this? Your sister said so herself, didn't she?"
"Rae says a lot of things. Some of it I believe, most of it I think is total shit." Qrow shrugged. "I like to make sure. So what you said before is still the case? This stuff never happened before you got that mark?"
"The only thing I can think of are random headaches that I would get. A small headache is a far cry from, well, whatever happened to me." Weiss shifted uncomfortably, nursing one of her temples. Was she somehow made unstable? Was there a complication with her mark? A mistake due to the hastened process? "I'm sure there's an explanation for it."
"Yeah, and the only one we got is the one my sister is peddling. Neither of us are exactly keen on that being true, are we?" Qrow removed his flask, popped the cork and took a swig. "Listen, Weiss. I knew you for a decent bit before this crap happened, I know what happened isn't you."
"Then why is everyone so worried about -"
"Because that's the problem. This ain't you, kid, but you did it. Which means that the mark Oz gave you is doing something to your head. And whatever that is apparently keeps you from remembering it too."
Weiss hung her head, hands kneading at her lap. If they knew she hadn't done it intentionally then that was comforting, somewhat. Ultimately, however, it didn't mean much if they couldn't fix things. That makes me a constant threat. If I can snap at any moment, attack one of them, I can't be trusted. I shouldn't even be around them.
"Listen," Qrow said as he crouched before her. "I like ya, kid. My nieces like you, and I don't want to make them leave a friend behind. But with that thing on you right now you're dangerous. We don't know what sets it off or how to keep it from making you go nuts. I talked with Rae." He rolled his eyes. "Or she talked at me, mostly, but we came to a decision."
"Wait," Weiss said, fear creeping into her voice. "Please, don't make me stay here. I'll try and figure out what's happening, I'll find a way to stop it. I'll let you carry my weapon; you can bind my hands!"
"Woah there, kid, relax. Let me finish, yeah?" Weiss settled back and took a deep breath, nodding quickly. "Sheesh, you're gonna stress me out doing that. No one's making you stay here, and no one is gonna make you split up from the girls either, okay? That isn't what this is about. Well, not exactly."
"What is this, then?"
"This is me telling you what wherever you kids are going, I'm going. At least until we can get that thing sorted out." Qrow reached out and peeled back her collar, tapping the mark with a frown. "I don't know enough about it; I never got offered the thing, never cared enough to ask. And even if what Rae says is true, that Summer knew it was dangerous, she doesn't actually know much about it either." He pushed himself back to his feet. "So, I'm sticking with you. Without your magic or your weapon, you're not exactly much of a threat."
Most people weren't, to be fair. Weiss tried not to take offense to that and mostly succeeded.
"Until we figure out how we're doing things though we're gonna hang here, ok? There's still that broody friend of yours we need to find, not to mention it's only been two days since the whole shitshow in Galloway. We all need some rest before we go setting out on another big adventure."
Weiss nodded again, placing a hand over her racing heart as she exhaled. This hadn't turned out nearly as catastrophic as she'd feared. Having Qrow along was unexpected, maybe even a little undesirable, but hardly the worst thing to happen as of late.
"Great. Glad we got that out of the way," he cracked his back audibly, making Weiss wince, and rubbed at his stubble. "Sorry if it worried ya, dragging you out here, but I didn't want any of those idiots overhearing this. We're trying to be careful about who hears this stuff, ya know?"
"Understood. And I wasn't worried." Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Much. And Qrow? Thank you for sharing this with me. I've been… Concerned about what might happen."
"Aha, you were worried," Qrow drawled, grinning.
So you're where Yang gets it from. Wonderful. "I was concerned about whether or not I had a place with them anymore. I'm glad to see those concerns were unfounded." Weiss frowned, rising from the crate and dusting herself off. "They are unfounded, right? Ruby and Yang want me to stay with them?"
"Why're ya asking me? Did you not talk to them about it?"
"No," she admitted. "I was hesitant to bring it up."
"Welp, you know where they are. Head on back and go ask them." Seeing her face fall Qrow reached out and patted her back. "Come on kid, try bein' a little optimistic, will ya? You're bumming me out here."
"I attacked her, Qrow. I tried to kill her!" Weiss shook her head and shuddered. "How could they still want to be my friend?"
"As I recall you and Ruby made friends with an ex-White Fang assassin, didn't you? Plus you all somehow, against all odds, made my sister actually like you." He snorted and laughed curtly. "Hells, she doesn't even like me, and I'm her godsdamned brother. You all are either the most forgiving kids I've ever met or the most naive."
She would acquiesce that Ruby might be naive but only her. Blake and Yang had seen enough of the world to know better. And you've been just as coddled as Ruby has until recently. Her mind jeered at her and she huffed. None of us are naive. Maybe we're just good judges of character. Although we did blindly trust Ozpin for years.
They were human, and Faunus. They were prone to make mistakes.
"Get goin'. Go talk to 'em, ask them what they think." Qrow circled around the crates, smiling knowingly. "Trust me, Weiss, sometimes what we think is gonna happen is way worse than what actually does. Our mind's like to be cruel like that."
"You aren't coming back with me…?"
"Nope." Qrow leaned down and grabbed something heavy, dragging it out from between crates. He laid his greatsword over one shoulder. "I've got patrol duty and gotta get started soon. You know the way back, don'tcha?"
Weiss took one glance back towards the town, not two-hundred feet away, before frowning at Qrow. "Did you take me out here just so you could get your sword?"
"I didn't want to make two trips." Qrow laughed as she glowered at him, turning and waving his shoulder as he made to leave. "Go on, ice queen, go talk to your friends. They'll understand, trust me; Tai's a better dad than Rae gives him credit for."
The nerve! So Qrow took her out of town just to avoid a second trip? She nearly had a heart attack! If she wasn't certain attacking him would give the completely wrong impression, she had half a mind of freezing him in place. Instead she took a page out of Ruby's book and stuck her tongue out at his back, huffing and turning on her heel, storming back into town.
Again people watched her, albeit with less rapturous attention than before. Whatever they had thought was bound to happen clearly hadn't and they regarded her with only passing curiosity. Or maybe they were scrutinizing her every movement and watching her like a hawk stalking its prey.
Weiss didn't know. Her heart was beginning to hammer again as she doubled back the way they had come. It wasn't that she didn't trust Qrow's assessment of his nieces; Weiss liked to think Yang and Ruby would welcome her back with open arms. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that they had been on edge since then. Afraid to be around her alone. Ruby was probably too nice to say anything and Yang too considerate of her sister to confront her.
When she arrived at their temporary lodgings, a single-story home with peeling paint and a crumbling chimney, she lingered by the steps for a time, mulling over how to approach the subject. After failing to find any delicate way to approach "So, I tried to kill you…" she took a deep breath, reached for the door and pulled it open.
Ruby and Yang were just as she'd left them, sat in the middle of the floor going through books. The yellowing, charred, or otherwise ruined ones made a pile beside the fireplace and those that were salvageable made up a small stack to either side of them.
"Weiss!" Ruby jumped to her feet and hurried over, smiling as she stopped short. "Welcome back! We're just about done going through everything."
Trying not to read too much into the distance between them she smiled back, nodding. "Wonderful. Have you found anything worthwhile?"
"Well, it's hard to know what Blake likes," Yang said, reading the backs of two books, tossing one behind her and setting the other aside. "I'm betting she's totally into romance though! Ruby thinks she's more of an adventure girl."
"Everyone loves adventure stories!" Ruby said. "Who doesn't like a story where the hero slays the monster and saves the day? Or people hunting for treasure? It's exciting!"
"Sure, sure, but we've had plenty of adventure for one a lifetime already. I bet Blakey just wants to unwind." Yang gasped, grabbing a book titled 'In Your Arms' and waggling at them. "Like this! Let's see." One look at the back cover and Yang began to snicker, peeling open the pages. "Oh yeah, I bet she'll love this one!"
"Yang!"
Ruby dropped back down and got to work again, stealing Yang's selection and setting it aside. The elder sister took it right back and the pair quickly devolved into a tug of war over the book. Weiss wanted to laugh but she couldn't bring herself to, or even smile. They seemed so normal, so nonchalant about everything. That didn't mean everything was okay though. Ruby suppresses things. Yang would fake it for Ruby's sake.
Uncertain, she took a step forward, pausing and instead busying her hands with some of her hair. She still didn't know how to broach the subject or even where to begin. Should she just apologize? Again? Promise she'd try to remember?
"Weiss?" Ruby smiled, then frowned when she noticed her hesitation. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Did Uncle Qrow say something bad?"
"No, we had a perfectly fine conversation."
"Was it one of those creeps outside?" Yang's eyes flicked to the door before offering a comforting smile. "I can to talk to 'em if they're bothering you, Weiss. I've been looking for an excuse to pummel some of those assholes anyways."
"No, that isn't it!" Weiss groaned, rubbed her temples, then exhaled. "You two aren't making this easy on me."
"Making what easy?" Ruby asked.
"This! Us! It's like you two are ignoring everything that's happened! What I did!" Weiss felt her eyes begin to prickle and her breathing came unevenly. "I attacked you, Yang. I tried to kill you! I could still try! I'm not safe!" Ruby rose back to her feet, as did Yang. Weiss wrapped her arms around herself. "I'm a threat to you and yet you're acting like nothing's changed. How can you be okay with this?"
"Weiss." She flinched when Ruby grabbed her, making a fitful effort to wipe tears from her cheeks. When she was hugged, she almost pushed Ruby away. "Weiss, it's because we know that wasn't you. You're not our enemy."
"But I attacked you!" Weiss nearly wailed. "I tried to kill Yang!"
"To be fair I sorta tried to kill you too when we first met." Yang chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck as she stood beside Ruby. "And Blake tried to kill me, and she probably tried to kill you. Look, my point is that it's, like, obligatory for us to attack each other at this point. It's like a rite of passage."
"That's not funny, you dolt."
"Am I wrong though? Weiss, we know you wouldn't have done that. Just like you guys forgave me for what I did at Holbrook, I forgive you for what happened." Yang placed a hand on her arm and smiled warmly. "You're our friend, Weiss, okay? Whatever happened was cuz of that thing Ozpin gave you, it wasn't you."
"I know my best friend better than anyone, and I know you'd never try to hurt us," Ruby chimed in. "Weiss, we love you, okay? What happened was scary, and…" She bit her lip, sharing a quick look with Yang before sighing. "Maybe we're a little worried, okay? I'm worried Yang might have trouble too, but I know who you two are. And I know that if one of us slips, the others will catch us. Because that's what friends do."
"Even Blake would probably tell you you're being an idiot." Yang grunted, sticking her tongue out at Ruby.
"Be nice!" Weiss giggled and Ruby smiled, pulling her into a hug. "She's right though. We've been through a lot, haven't we? No way is this going to be what ruins our friendship."
"We gotta kick the Church's ass still, right? Plus, if what Raven is saying is true then Summer might still be out there." Yang's arms wrapped around them both and they were pulled into a tighter embrace. "If we do find her then you've gotta meet her, Weiss! I bet you'd love her!"
Weiss didn't doubt that one bit. From the precious few stories Ruby had shared of the woman, and what little she'd gleaned since then, Summer Rose must be the world's greatest mother. Not that she had great metrics to work from; her own mother wasn't bad but was perpetually bedridden, her memories of Willow Schnee were foggy at best, and Raven was, well, Raven.
Not exactly stiff competition.
She sniffled, smiling as he hid her face against Ruby's shoulder. "You two are absolute idiots…"
"Yep! But we're the coolest idiots you've ever met," Yang said.
"I don't know. Jaune has his moments."
Yang gasped, tightening her grip and sighing dramatically. "Do my ears deceive me? Am I outdone by that beanpole?"
"Hey, Jaune is nice!" Ruby quipped. "And he's just a little thin."
"He's a twig, Rubes. Boy's gotta eat more." Yang tilted her head then snickered. "Ren too. Nora's way bigger than both of 'em!"
Weiss laughed, lifting her head and poking Yang in the side. "I think she's stronger than you as well, Yang. You're slacking."
"What, no way! I could take her easily! I bet I'd win six, no, eight out of ten times!"
"So you acknowledge she could beat you?"
"Ooooh, I bet Pyrrha could beat you too!" Ruby taunted. Weiss nodded, trying to seem serious as she wiped her face dry. "She's, like, really, really good at fighting, Yang."
Offended, Yang stepped away from them and placed a hand to her chest, gawking at Ruby and Weiss both. "Are you girls honestly suggesting I'm not the most badass girl you know?"
Weiss tapped her chin and hummed. "Well, I don't know. Blake does have some impressive skills as well."
"Blake?" Yang scoffed, waving dismissively. "Please, she wishes she was half as awesome as me! I'm so awesome, in fact." She held out a palm and ignited a small flame. "I'm on fire!"
Weiss groaned. "Yang, please."
"Wait, wait!" Yang narrowed her eyes and grew the flame. "I guess you could say I'm… Firing up!"
"Yang!" Ruby cried. "Stop!"
Laughing, Yang extinguished the fire, winking and tossing her hair back. "Fine, fine, I get it. I'm too hot for you two. I figured you'd be de-lighted when I put the flames out." They both deadpanned at the blonde. "What? Quit smoldering at me, will ya?"
"Yang!" Weiss shouted, grabbing the nearest book and thwacking Yang on the arm. "Stop, you're ruining the moment!"
"Hey, easy there, Weissy! Take a page outta Ruby's book!" Ruby grabbed a book and Yang squealed, bolting past them and towards the door. "Uh oh, looks like I'm in trouble! Leaf me alone!"
"That one didn't even make sense!"
And there we go! I'm sure everything is going to go perfectly smoothly from hereon out. Look, they even got a day off! Hooray!
As usual, thank you so much for reading, and please, be excellent to each other. The world is crazy and a little bit of love goes a long way!