Hello, it is I, the Maelstrom! Happy Late Holidays everybody, I hope everybody enjoyed your festivities in the many ways one can! I personally had a good holiday, but I also wanted to apologize in advance.
As usual, my updates tend to be slow after about a month, so I wanted to get you this chapter done and deliver on it! This in my opinion shall reveal a few teasers and hints, as well as some juicy development for what may happen later!
Now onto responding to some of the reviews from last time!
Hiremsage00: I'm glad you seem satisfied with Sable's flashback and his character, even if he can be pretty rude at first. Don't worry, though, eventually more people will call him out as the story progresses, and he'll adjust slowly on his own.
G944od: Aw, thanks so much for the kind words! Yeah, it can be pretty cheesy at times, but then again I like how cheese can be used correctly. And yeah, Sable's definitely inspired by the prince himself! That said, I am curious, what specifically drew you to the story, and what makes you like the characters?
Gameer98: Well this is simple, but you have gotten your wish!
Gotta thank my beta reader, TH3-V01D for doing a wonderful job helping me with the editing.
Also, I don't own RWBY or any of its content.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10: The Firecracker and The Marionette.
Ragnar Periwinkle has no reason to complain about his situation. Hell, he did a good job getting used to his dorm and Beacon Academy. Not that it's easy dealing with a wolf Faunus whose temperament has a shorter fuse than a Dust Bomb.
His grin widened as he turned on his Scroll, laying his back on his bed while everybody else slept in their respective beds. Sable wore the same sleeveless shirt for his sleeping wear, while Lilac, wearing his Unicorn onesie, sprawled his body on the bed and snored enough to not be disturbing. Frey's the only one sleeping while wearing standard-issue sapphire sleeping wear.
While the dorms are dark now, Ragnar couldn't sleep so instead he browsed his Scroll for some entertainment! Dog videos, fail compilations, and heck, even a few skits and bits. But now, breakdancing videos caught his eye.
It's one of the few things where Ragnar found joy and excitement from practicing and watching. And it's rare for him to ever enjoy something legitimately. Not that you'd know from the way he acts around his friends.
However long I can call them my friends anyway. Ragnar shuffled in bed, shaking his head and adopting the grin. The thought isn't needed and irrelevant, so he buried it by browsing through the videos.
If there was anything he could be grateful for; it was his…friends. They were a pleasant distraction from certain people. Unfortunately, the 'ping' from his Scroll signaled like a bell tower in the morning. At the top right he noticed the message came from the last person he wanted to talk to today. It simply read; from: 'Doc'
Immediately, Ragnar had a frown on his face. Even now, the 'doc' wouldn't leave him alone after a couple of months here in Beacon. The first semester was only a few weeks away from ending, and now's a good time for him to update him?
Well, at the very least it ain't tedious…if a bit fucking stupid.
Ragnar clicked his teeth, and he begrudgingly opened said message and read the following text:
Ragnar.
I can see that you have adapted to your environment. Interesting, the results are unexpected but nonetheless pleasant. More so, I'm pleased to see that your combat protocols have not changed in the least to be any less effective even against your classmates. Speaking of which, I certainly hope that whatever you're doing with your…friends doesn't distract you from the purpose of this experiment. You are to be efficient, not distracting.
Introductions and small talk aside, this message is to remind you to leave more updates of your own will through this line. I'm getting tired of gazing into the screen of the micro-bugs cameras. After all, you wouldn't want me to…interfere with your enrollment in Beacon Academy. You were given this privilege to have passed through screening, and the transcripts. Do not make me revoke them because of your inattentiveness and slothful behavior.
Anyhow, onto more important matters. She'll be arriving in Vale tomorrow, and considering I know you have made plans for tomorrow; I want you to cordially but firmly make your presence known to the marionette.
Be sure to send a message.
- Dr. Rok Periwinkle.
Marionette. Even through text, the word carried a… certain bitterness and confrontational weight to it. Ragnar rolled his eyes and scoffed, loud enough to voice his annoyance.
It's not like the Doc has an obligation to follow through…but the threat left Ragnar with a bad taste. The Doc doesn't make empty threats, and knowing him, he's been spying on Ragnar's 'progress' ever since the Emerald Forest.
He wouldn't be surprised if a drone managed to capture a semester's worth of footage following him around and making sure he didn't stray from the path.
What a load of bullshit! He grit his teeth, clutching the phone before stuffing it in his pocket. Too much noise was made, and a small yawn escaped from Sable's lips as he rolled in his bed. Ragnar let out a breath of relief and decided to roll up the blankets over him.
He didn't need time to think this shit through, but fine…he'll make sure to comply, at the very least, with the…marionette.
Now that I think about it… He closed his eyes into a frown, and slowly but surely sleep took hold of him, before his last few thoughts ended
…I wonder what she is like.
After a good night's sleep, and muting the notifications on his Scroll, Ragnar stretched himself out again, his… prosthetic arms whirring as he moved them. A good day was planned ahead of him, and his team.
A few days ago, while he was enduring yet another one of Professor Port's snore fests, Frey and Weiss were discussing a rather…devious idea that ended up getting both teams dragged into it.
Team RWBY and SLFR were going down to Vale, more specifically the docks of Vale…for some odd reason. Frey said that maybe this would be a good bonding experience for everybody involved, or something like that, since they were going to sight-see while going straight to the docks.
What this meant is that they would be sightseeing, and regardless of whatever plan those two rich kids have planned, Ragnar was never one to decline an invitation for fun over the weekend! Lilac, no surprise, immediately jumped and agreed to it. The show pony likes to have fun after all!
Sable, on the other hand…
"I'm not going out."
"You must, it's rude to decline an invitation!"
"I don't see what the big deal is if we can't make it!"
"Sable, you haven't once gone to the suburbs since enrolling in Beacon Academy. Don't you think you might be missing out on a few opportunities to take in the sights and relax?"
"I'll relax when Lilac over here stops trying to put chocolate syrup in my damn toothpaste!"
"It's not my fault you're so easy to dupe!"
Yeah, self-explanatory. He didn't want to go, unsurprisingly.
Regardless, the cacophony of familiar voices put a grin on his face, as Ragnar leaned his chin on his palm in smugness. Right now, Sable laid on his bed while shooting a mean and annoyed glare at Frey, who stood with his arms crossed and a stern expression with a twitching eyebrow.
Or, as Ragnar likes to call it, the Strict Old Bro mode. Not a lame-ass name, and totally not whatever Frey called it when he first heard it.
What exactly was the word? The point was that Frey already wore his combat suit, and so was Sable, but Sable's being difficult. He'd prefer to put it as him being a difficult little shit again.
Frey sighed in exasperation as he tapped his foot. "I just don't understand why you seem so reluctant to take this time and relax from the daily grind of academics and indulge in a bit of slight sightseeing."
"Well, my complexion, for one, doesn't make going outside in the middle of the day pleasant, specs." Sable held out a finger, still wearing his fingerless gloves and Alabaster Jacket with maroon stripes. "Second of all, I don't see the point in going outside if we're not going to be on a field mission!"
"It's not like you're any bit excited on a field trip either." Lilac sat on the bed next to Ragnar's, swinging his tail back and forth while shuffling a deck of cards. He seemed to be doing that more often, in fact the deck of cards he had was a bit more stylized than normal.
Ragnar did not know what else to describe it but black and purple with a groovy art style that accentuated certain cards. It had the initials on the bottom corner of every card: the letters L.S., which left the guy confused and wack full of questions.
"Hey, I was forced to attend that trip because you signed up for it behind my back!" Sable remarked with a small frown.
"And we all had a butt ton of fun! That was the point, that we had fun and got to know a bit more about our classmates!" Lilac waved it off as he stood from his bed and put both hands on his hips. "And this is yet another opportunity for Fido to finally get out of the kennel and get friendly with the ladies!"
…
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" Immediately, Sable shouted out as he marched over to Lilac with a glare that could kill.
"Heh! Easily riled up like always!" Ragnar commented with a waving finger. "Dawg, you should just ignore whatever Lilac says at this point. You're like putty in his hands."
"Tch, like your one to talk! Every time the dude puts a gas putty on your seat you give him noogies like it's old school!" Sable retorted while pointing his finger at him.
"Hey, I never said that you couldn't get payback!" Now that got a reaction out of Ragnar, standing up and getting all up on Sable's face with a taunting grin. "Now quit being such a little crybaby, and let's go!"
"Fine! Fuck, just let me apply my sunscreen!" Sable huffed as he stormed into the restroom, slamming the door behind him. "Friggin' firecracker…"
Ragnar sniggered out loud, resuming back to putting on a different shirt. That said, he didn't wait for Sable to get out of the bathroom. That'd take way too fucking long. So, he decided to just change into the same cyan sleeveless shirt…in the middle of the room.
"Whoa, wha-, Ragnar! Have some decency!" Frey called him out on that with an outraged expression, his glasses going crooked now due to the sudden action. "Can't you wait until you're in the restroom?!"
"No, specs, because that'd take too long to put on a shirt." Ragnar grunted as he adjusted the sleeveless shirt, before pounding both his prosthetic arms together with a small clink. "Besides, I look good in this and you know it!"
Frey sighed, before his eyes lingered downwards for a moment, then looking to Ragnar in the eyes. "Excuse me…but it seems the paint is rubbing off."
"Oh." Ragnar voiced it out like it was a no brainer and looking down at the prosthetics they looked more metallic than when they first met, and by now were having a steely cyan gleam to them, with accents of grey around the forearms.
He expected this to happen as time went on, and so far, he managed to explain that he preferred to keep them painted to not put people off when they see metal instead of flesh. Or at least what looked like flesh.
It was convincing enough.
"Do you need us to get some supplies during Vale?" Frey offered with a small smile, adjusting his tie all the same. "I'm sure it wouldn't be so difficult to paint over it."
Playing it off, he laughed it off and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nah, man, it's aight. I can go one day without the paint. Not gonna ruin this man's Friday!"
"Our Friday." Frey chuckled, before getting a beep from his Scroll, flipping it out and reading a message sent to him. "Ah, it seems they are waiting by the port."
"W-wait, who's code did you get?" Lilac looked interested as he pointed that out.
"O-oh…well, since we've needed to make sure everybody stays connected, I took it upon myself to get Weiss' Scroll code." Frey explained with dignity, though he clearly didn't want to linger too much. "You know, for communication and such."
Oh, so it was like that huh? They already got that far, huh? His wiggling grin clearly made Frey uncomfortable and wince. Ragnar just lobbed an arm over Frey's shoulders while laughing. "Aw man, specs, you have no idea how lucky you just got!"
"Yeah, here I thought that the Ice Queen wouldn't warm up to anybody, but you two are already exchanging phone numbers now?" Lilac teased as he nudged Frey in the gut with mirth. "Why you smooth operator, you managed to warm her freezing heart!"
"P-Preposterous!" Frey firmly denied that with a firm shout before a stern glare shut both of them up and left them intimidated. He didn't stop there though, as he surprisingly chopped them both on the head, leaving stumps! "It was a mere transactional deal; it benefits both us and them to have a means of communication! Get such depraved, perverted thoughts out of your head!"
"Chill, dude, it was just a harmless joke!" Ragnar groaned out as he rubbed the stump on his head, glancing at Lilac who seemed…subdued. And silent? Wait a minute…
…was he pouting?
Apparently, Lilac didn't like the bonk to the head, but nonetheless remained pouty as he finished shuffling his cards and decided to put on the same checkered black and purple suit with a bow tie. It made him look like a bite-sized Frey, only without the tousled brown hair and more boyish in stature and face.
Regardless, Lilac didn't need to do much else beyond adjusting the bow tie, royal purple in color, and he grumbled and mumbled something as he walked out the door. Frey took a breath and glanced at Ragnar. "I'll go cheer him up."
"You do that, specs." He nodded back with a grin, watching as Frey simply walked out the door, leaving Ragnar in the dorm, and Sable in the restroom applying his sunscreen.
Never a dull moment. Ragnar accepted that, and to be fair he had been playing along with that. He enjoyed the back and forth between him and Lilac at times, the show pony being the one who instigates the conversation. He also is very patient with people, and clearly plays in good fun when it comes to the pranks. They never become harmful or mean-spirited but do tend to get annoyed, but all in all, Lilac's pretty chill and kind-hearted.
Sable, by comparison, has no chill and no sense of humor. Or rather, his sense of humor is downplayed to the point of being… a jerk-face. No doubt that he is trying to be a good leader, but the only real issue is that when it comes to him socializing or…talking at all…he's more abrasive and somehow a bit more focused on fighting than he is on socializing.
Not the case with Frey, who in Ragnar's opinion is by far the most level-headed member of the team. Sure, he may be stiff as a board, and constantly regulating the schedule to fit their needs to an obnoxious degree of all proportions, but he means well.
Ragnar doesn't need to say it…but gods-dammit these three dudes are good company. Cool distractions, and more importantly gives some leeway to make him forget about the bullshit.
Well, either way, he just hopes whatever happens ends up being adrenaline-pumping! It can't possibly stink!
"THIS FUCKING STINKS!" Ragnar is inclined to agree, though with the way how Sable just shouted that out suddenly at the top of his fucking lungs…nope, nothing to say.
"Language!" Ruby immediately chided him as she frowned before she got a pat by Yang on the back.
"Ruby…just stop. He's not gonna change his vocabulary anytime soon." Yang shook his head, though she wasn't as bothered by the crude language. If anything, she grinned in a way that made Ragnar himself grin. "Can't teach a dog new tricks, especially if they made it such a habit!"
Oof, she really does like to make bad jokes…I love it! How could he not? Sure, the docks of Vale stink both literally and figuratively…of fish and salt, but SLFR and RWBY were simply walking around with no problems! Chatter was lively, and Lilac decided to tone down the pranks for today.
'I just wouldn't want to ruin the moment for everybody!' is what he said before they left, and Ragnar did find a bit of respect in the little guy for that.
Either way, right now RWBY and SLFR were simply carousing around the streets of Vale. Though Frey and Weiss were taking the lead of the group a few steps ahead while the rest of both teams were behind, chattering. The streets were calm and lively at the same time with the civilians going about their day.
"You know, I've been meaning to ask." Blake spoke first with a confused frown.. "Why all the dog jokes? You know he's a Faunus, right?"
"Eh, it doesn't really bother me." Sable shrugged it off, before giving one pointed glance at Blake. "Besides, it's not like she's trying to demean me for being one…not that I give a fuck whether she does or not."
"Y-Yeah, my sis is not like that! She's pretty much the best person you can ask for!" Ruby defended her sister, with a smile so bright and innocent that what she said after would underplay all that. "Even if she is horrible at making puns!"
"Ruby!? You wound me!" Yang gasped, though she ruffled her hair all the same in a teasing manner as they both laughed.
Blake's lips formed a thin line, though she sighed as she glanced around. "I suppose that makes sense, but..."
"Why so moody?" Lilac came up from behind and surprised her, widened eyes but not much else. "You don't seem to be having too much fun with that bored expression!"
"O-oh, that's just…"
Ragnar smirked as he spoke. "Don't worry too much about her, Lilac. Bored and deadpan is just her default!"
"W-w-what? No, it's not." Blake denied the statement, unaware of her small frowning features…equally unaware that Lilac just laughed it off when he took a closer look.
"C'mon, you always stick your nose in the books that it's hard to even see you have a different expression! Live a little, show a smile or two!" Ragnar prodded Blake, with no mean-spirited intent mind you.
"I'm very fine with how I am, thank you." Blake scoffed, shrugging before adopting her neutral expression again. Still, she glanced at the side when she noticed Lilac giggling.
Kind of a bore, but who's really bothered by her?
Honestly speaking, Ragnar found this trip a good distraction. Soon enough as they made their way through the streets, there were people putting up banners for the festival. Small little flags in their hands, and even a huge banner between buildings that had the words "Vytal Festival".
The deeper they traveled into the docks the more the streets seemed to be fully decked out in decorations. From red streamers, to green balloons, and even yellow confetti, everyone involved in the decorations looked like they were having a wonderful time. The group of teenagers arrived in the middle of the street, a few blocks away from the docks.
Ragnar craned his head to notice two people putting up a sign that said, "Welcome to Vale!" with smiles and genuine joy in their faces. Ragnar winced, though he replaced it with a chuckle. Regardless, now he remembered what this was.
The Vytal Festival worked basically like an exchange student program, culture exchange program, and the prelude to a giant tournament all at once. It wouldn't officially go underway until the end of their second semester, but even Ragnar found it interesting. The idea of students from academies all over Remnant coming to Beacon for the tournament and exchange.
I can see why Beacon is one of the best academies. Not only were the teachers annoying at times, but they were also the first choice for an exchange program? He whistled to himself, impressed.
"Finally, here we are!" The brightened up and amazed voice made him blink, because surprisingly the one who rose their hands in amazement and with a smile on their face wasn't Ruby, but Weiss. "The Vytal festival! How absolutely spectacular!"
"Indeed, the amount of jubilee in the air before it's even underway is something to appreciate." Frey agreed fervently, nodding with a stoic smile on his face. Even more joy than what Ragnar thought was possible for the Ice Queen!
"You two seem happy, especially for glorified paper and confetti." Sable deadpanned while stuffing his pockets with his hands, his sun goggles over his eyes and wincing from the sun.
"And why shouldn't we?" Weiss whirled around gesturing to the decorations around them. "The festival is dedicated to the cultures of the world! There's going to be dances, parades, and the tournament to boot!"
"And you mustn't underestimate the amount of effort it takes to even organize such an event with no hitches or problems." Frey noted with a raised finger, still smirking all the while. "All in all, I believe we still made a good decision to witness this ourselves."
"We know, Frey. Still, I will never get used to seeing Weiss smile so widely." Ruby shivered, creeped out.
"Oh hush, even I can allow myself a moment of joy!" Weiss scolded Ruby with a pointed finger as they resumed walking, eventually stopping to the sound of foghorns, where they decided to wait on the docks.
"Remind me again why'd you take us down to the docks?" Yang remarked, uncomfortable with the smell that reeked. "On a Friday afternoon, where we should be relaxing somewhere more exciting?"
"Yeah, like downtown Vale or something…oh, oh, or maybe even the disco floor!" Ragnar pitched in with a rambunctious tone and huge grin. "I make a good dancer, considering I can wipe the floor with each and every one of you!"
"Oh, I don't think so, Firecracker!" Yang remarked with a chuckle.
"Whoa-ho-ho, I doubt you would be able to keep up with all of these moves." Ragnar decided to respond to the taunt with a few grooves of his shoulders, before breaking into a spin and striking a pose with both fingers pointed at Yang.
"Blegh…" Ruby gagged, covering her nose in disgust. "It smells nothing but fish…!"
"Heugh…" Lilac heaved over with a bit sickly green on his face. "Oh…oh boy, I think it's gonna make me sick!"
"Hey, watch where you spew! If anything gets on my jacket your ass is grass!" Sable stepped away with a glare.
"That aside…we have decided to meet new students from Vacuo that are coming in by ship today." Frey cut through the shenanigans with no bother.
"And, as representatives of Beacon, I feel it's in our best interest to welcome them to this fine kingdom!" Weiss finished with triumph, walking away with the sort of stuck-up swag that Ragnar would expect from her.
"She wants to spy on them, so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament." Blake said with flat tone, and surprisingly…not bothered by any of the smell. Weird, and yet pretty indicative of something.
Not that Ragnar himself cared to put in effort to know.
"See, now that makes more sense than whatever she had in mind." Lilac giggled even through his sickness.
"Yeah, what else would she do? Treat the two of us with actual respect?" Sable's sarcasm was thick.
"I know right?" Lilac chuckled aloud with that, before a foghorn interrupted the conversation.
"Come on, guys. She's not that heartless—" Ruby began, before looking to her right and catching her breath in her throat…" Whoa…"
Ragnar's eyes followed, to where she was looking. Across the street there was yellow tape zigzagging in a circle around a building's entrance, keeping out anybody who wasn't part of the Vale Police Force, and allowing the detectives to investigate the crime scene. Ragnar noted the sign, that this shop not only specialized in general wares, but most notably Dust for conventional use.
What…the scrap? That phrase came out of nowhere, but regardless he and the rest of the group got a closer look, one detective that had bags under his eyes. Scuffed grey hair and stubble on his chin, he fit the hard-boiled detective look. He looked perplexed, if not a little bit grumpy, but that didn't stop Ruby from peeking her nose in their business.
"Um, sir…what happened here?"
"What's it look like to you?" He grunted, harsh enough for someone who looks like a racoon. "Somebody decided to go for a third round with a Dust shop…this week."
"Shit, that's gotta suck for you busters." Ragnar couldn't help but cringe. "Any idea who did it?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, kid. It could be one of three scenarios…" The racoon-eyed detective sighed as he lit up a cigarette and blew the smoke. "Not that you need to worry about it, so scram."
"Hey, we're just curious is all!" Lilac pouted with his hands on his hips.
"We don't need kids snooping around okay. Buzz off." He glared one last time before heading off to a young, fresh-faced detective. Possibly an assistant. "What'd you find?"
"Well, Lien is still coded into the shop, the Dust however…" He gestured to the rest of the shop. "…wiped clean."
Salt-and-Pepper cop groaned aloud while rolling his eyes. "I swear, at this point I'm starting to think someone other than the Mafia might be involved…"
"Why do you think that?"
"Because they don't like getting their hands dirty over resources like this, let alone leave all the money there. It's downright unprofitable." He charged to the other side of the crime scene muttering. "If you want my guess, it could be the White Fang."
"You mean those terrorists?" The young detective asked as he followed.
"Who else, rookie?"
When the two left out of the group's earshot, Ragnar didn't need more reason than to half-lid his eyes and flip off the detective without him even looking. Old man better watch where he runs his mouth.
"Hmph…the White Fang, committing a robbery?" Weiss spoke up with her usual pretentiousness, turning up her nose while crossing her arms. "Why am I not surprised degenerates would do such a thing?"
"What's your problem?" Blake spoke with a questioning tone, making even Ragnar wonder about her sudden forwardness.
"Oh, right, pardon the comment. I just don't care for the criminally insane." Weiss turned to Blake with a narrowed glance, though her tone hardened.
"Weiss, they are hardly a group of psychopaths." Blake crossed her arms, her expression hardening as well. What's with the sudden engagement? "The White Fang are simply misguided Faunus trying to do the right thing."
"Completely wack!" Ragnar couldn't help but laugh it out as he held his sides, before catching his breath to see most of them looking at him weirdly, Weiss seemingly in agreement…and Blake staring him down with a death glare. "What? I'm not saying that Ice Queen's right!?"
"Still rather insensitive to say it out of nowhere." Frey chided with crossed arms. "Although Blake does have a point."
"Excuse me?" Weiss turned to him with an arching eyebrow. "I'm sure you of all people aren't trying to defend animalistic rapscallions. They are trying to wipe humans off the face of Remnant!"
"Well, maybe they are just very misguided." Blake definitively stated that with no room for discussion. "Besides, it doesn't explain why they would rob a Dust shop in the middle of downtown Vale!"
"Honestly, from where I'm standing…this sounds like bullshit." Sable added, ignoring the small kick from Ruby who pouted. "I mean, the cop said it himself…it could be many things aside from a terrorist group that doesn't speak for the two of us."
He directed that statement to Lilac, before widening his eyes that Lilac was nowhere near the group. They looked around them for a brief second, before Frey spoke. "W-wait, where did he—"
"Alright, Alright, I'm back!" Lilac came sprinting at full speed, before skidding to a stop next to Blake with a juice box in one hand. He sipped casually before looking at them with an innocent smile. "So, what are we talking about?"
"Weiss is talking crap about the White Fang and Blake is defending the terrorist group by saying that they are misguided. Go." Ragnar wrapped it up, earning a glare from Blake and whistling to ignore it.
"Oh." Lilac's face dropped to a neutral, unamused expression. "I think they're both wrong."
"What?/Excuse me?" Both Weiss and Blake responded with confusion and disbelief. Everybody else seemed to be in a similar state, and Ragnar himself tilted his head while pinching his eyes closed.
They are both wrong? He almost found it hard to avoid snickering, let alone burst out in laughter. I mean, if both sides are wrong then he just dug himself into a discussion so thick with stress!
"Okay, before we get into a debate that goes nowhere, I think we're all forgetting that even Roman Torchwick could have been the one that did this." Yang cut into the growing tension as she pointed to the shop. To be fair she has a point. Roman Torchwick is a big-shot criminal for his record, though nobody has been able to catch him so far.
People started to wonder how exactly he gives people the slip so well. Ragnar always chalked it up to the right place at the right time, and convenient connections. Not like he would know what those connections are but he ain't a criminal, so what's he gonna do?
"Y-yeah, but I'm curious by what they meant by 'Mafia'." Ruby commented, fidgeting with her feet.
"Probably something relating to the criminal activity…if there is any." Frey added in with his own uncertainty as he adjusted his glasses. "And Weiss, please do refrain from active confrontation."
"Hmph…very well." Weiss seemed to turn her head away, pacified if a bit too calm. Now, Ragnar didn't understand why she got so mellow, but then again, he doesn't like poking the ice bear…uh, queen.
"Hey, hey, hey, what do ya think you're doing, punk!?" The same gruff shouting that Ragnar recognized as the guy he so cleverly flipped off came from another direction, this time towards the docks. Immediately he grinned and found himself something to do.
"Oho, I have got to see this!" He chuckled to himself before rushing off to a sprint, followed by the off-guard surprises of his team and friends, so they followed him to the docks to investigate. They came upon the edge of the railing which separated the docks and the sidewalk, leaving Ragnar leaning on both hands with an eager eye for trouble.
"What's going on?" Sable and the company had just arrived, before they looked off to the nearest boat where Ragnar found himself…disappointed.
Running along the edge of the boat, flipping and somersaulting with remarkable acrobatics, he noticed a young man with golden hair combed and yet expressing a wild nature. He also noticed the golden tail that immediately signaled that he was a Faunus.
Speaking of which, Ragnar whistled in amazement, as eventually the Faunus being chased after by two sailors that looked noticeably different. Ragnar recognized the voice, and yet he failed to realize that it was a completely different person.
Honestly, almost every adult sounds the same to him at this point. Professor Port and Ozpin look the same to him, another authoritative figure.
He's never been fond of allowing others to boss him around. Especially if they are constantly checking on his…progress.
But back to the Faunus, he managed to jump and coil his tail to the nearest lamppost, hanging like your typical monkey while…peeling out a banana.
Okay…now he's just making it too obvious. He cringed at how obvious the joke was. It's not like people didn't know what a monkey was in Remnant…they were just incredibly rare to find because they would get killed by the Grimm in the wild.
"Ya darn stowaway, git down from that pole you rascal!" The toothy sailor shook his fist at the golden-haired monkey with rocking motion. "And give back our produce!"
"Come on, it's your fault for having delicious bananas like this lying around!" He simply took a bite, unfazed by the fact that he totally committed what could be considered a crime by Valean standards! "Besides, it's too late to be talking about produce when you got scurvy!"
"The hell's you mean! I ain't got no scurvy!" The head sailor shouted at the top of his lungs, before slowly coughing in a fit of dust breath. The guy does look old.
"Well clearly you might have asthma. I suggest you get medication at your age!" He remarked with a chuckle, before narrowly avoiding a rock thrown to his head, jumping off the lamppost and vaulting over the railing!
Guys got moves, and nimble feet, but apparently, he managed to brush past them in speed, while leaving Lilac spinning in place since he was in the way! Of course, what that meant was that their supposed…target managed to escape.
"Ah, he's getting away! After him!" Weiss was the first to take the lead, as she ran.
"Right, steady on!" And surprisingly Frey joined in on the lunacy. What the heck? Since when was he invested? Regardless, Lilac managed to stop spinning in place and dazed around before pouting and pounding his feet into the ground.
"Oooooohh, he's gonna get it!" Lilac took a sprinting start-up before leaving everybody in the dust, only for Sable, Ruby and Yang to follow the three that went ahead. Only Ragnar seemed to notice that Blake stood for a second.
"Uh…you good?" Ragnar poked her, before she brushed it off with her hand,
"I'm fine…I think?" She looked clueless, but she shook it off as she took off and followed her friends. Ragnar didn't take too long to follow, considering he'd rather not be dead-last.
Plus, he's interested in this monkey boy for the odd reason that he wanted to spar with him! In the middle of the street, though?
Yes, yes, he will.
Well, taking off with a sprint his legs felt lighter than air as he trotted through the streets of Vale, following this guy through streets, blocks, and even corners of the city they didn't think they'd be able to find. Yet somehow, he was always one step ahead of them. That cheeky monkey is clearly tricky to find!
"Ah!" A sudden voice of surprise and a thud later, Ragnar planted his feet to the ground in surprise. After pushing through Sable and Lilac to get a closer look, he saw that Weiss was on the ground and on top of somebody.
Who it was he didn't have a good look, but he still felt like laughing at the position Weiss was in. Ice Queen going down on someone, what an image.
"Huh, how's it feeling down there?" Ragnar cheekily remarked with a grin and a chuckle. "Enjoying yourself?"
"Shut up, we just lost that Faunus!" Weiss snapped at him with a turned head, noticeably frustrated and livid.
"Um…Weiss." Yang slowly brought it up, before pointing to the person that Weiss was on top of and—
Oh… He held his breath, and his cyan eyes narrowed. The person that Weiss bumped into, she smiled as if there wasn't any issue. No scuff, and the smile left Ragnar frowning for an odd reason he couldn't put down.
Weiss noticed who she was on top of and quickly got on her two feet while the girl in question remained on the floor. Her back on the road and still smiling. "Sal-u-ta-tions!"
Her eyes were a bright forest green, and her curly orange hair brought home some memories of how he'd describe her. Just like in the pictures. Even her clothes were just like the pictures, a seemingly off-white shoulder blouse with all the trimmings of a good designer. Green accents on her dress and a seemingly innocent demeanor, Ragnar stood there with an expression he wasn't sure of.
Anger? Excitement? Resentment? He wasn't sure whether he was accurately presenting the right emotion in this situation.
"Uh…hello?" Ruby was the first to speak up, unsure how to approach her.
Unsure! That's what he was feeling now.
"Hi!" The girl simply repeated the greeting, before looking curiously at Frey's extended hand. "Hmm?"
"Do you need a hand milady?" Frey spoke in that same gentle tone that Ragnar scoffed at while throwing a hand in disbelief.
"Nope! I already have two of them!" She just jazz-hands both of them back and forth without any shame.
"U-uh, I meant if you need some help getting off the ground…milady." He added that with a raised eyebrow, but a polite stature to him.
"Hmmm…yes, actually!" She responded in understanding, taking the hand and with a smile introduced herself. "My name is Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Hmmm…my pleasure as well." Frey simply nodded with a tilt of his head in acknowledgment and politeness before gesturing his hand to the rest of his team and RWBY. "Frey Sapphire, and they are my associates and colleagues."
"Y-yeah! Hi, I'm Ruby." Ruby introduced herself with a smile.
"I'm Weiss." Weiss introduced herself simply with snootiness.
"Blake." Simple and to the point, great.
"Uh…Yang!" Yang waved a hand before throwing a small nudge to Sable, who simply growled in annoyance and sighing.
"I'm Sable, don't forget the name." Blunt and crass as always, but hey it's Sable so…
"And I'm~ Lilac Sleipnir!" The only one to walk around Penny in interest and excitement, while extending a small hand. "I'm here, and full of cheer! Nice to meetcha!"
Oddly enough, she simply looked at the extended hand with an innocent, if clueless, smile. "Is this how you greet people?"
"U-um, yeah!" Lilac chuckled to hide the surprise, though Ragnar knew he was probably just as weirded out. "You just hold the person's hand and shake it!"
"Hmmm…" Penny hummed, before slowly putting her hand and shaking it suddenly that even Lilac had trouble holding on! "Like this? Am I doing it right?"
That ain't right… Ragnar groaned, putting a hand to his face.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Lilac felt his hand being strongly shaken in a manner that his body was moving around and shaking. He let go of the hand reflexively holding it with the other while still holding a faint but twitching smile. "Y-yeah! You got it right, buckaroo! Just…be sure to not shake too hard!"
"Ah, I see. It was a bit too rough!" She simply giggled while putting both hands behind her back. Innocent…and awkward. Ragnar slowly didn't understand why her behavior was like this. Didn't she learn how to properly interact with people before? Or was she not like that before? "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you!"
Weiss folded her arms while shifting her footing. "You just said that."
And pausing again before flashing her smile again, she said. "So I did!"
She doesn't know how to talk to people…great. As if this couldn't get any weirder, she never interacted with another human being in her life? More importantly, how has she not noticed him yet?
Don't get him wrong, he's not hoping for her to notice.
"Well…sorry for bumping into you!" Weiss said, about to walk away before Frey spoke.
"Ah, yes…but first." Frey stood upright and bowed his head at an angle that he looked like a stick bent half-way! "I must humbly apologize for my friend."
"H-huh?" Weiss raised an eyebrow at his sudden behavior. "Frey, I don't think it's necessary to bow your head so low, I already apologized!"
"On the contrary, as a gentleman it's absolutely necessary for me to apologize on your behalf."
"What's that supposed to mean!" She stomped a foot in defiance.
"That goes for the rest of you as well." Frey turned his head to the group while still bowing half-way. His neck is looking terrible by now. "Humbly apologize to the lady for bumping into her."
"Dude, chill out, she's looking alright…" Sable inched a step backwards, almost unnerved by Frey's sudden mood shift and insistence on bowing so low. That is until his neck was pushed down into a bow as well. "W-whoa, what the fuck?"
"Everybody apologize properly, understand?" Frey commanded with the force of a booming general, surprising everybody including Ragnar for a hot second, forcing his expression to change into a daze of confusion rather than resentment.
"W-wait, I think you should ease up—"
"BOW!" He left no room for Ruby's protests, leaving everybody reluctantly and awkwardly bowing in the middle of the street. With everybody watching. And Penny is still smiling in content, and unquestioning.
Seriously, Specs, why so intense!?
"Owowow, I'm stretching! I'm stretching!" Lilac was the first to plead for the bowing to end, and fortunately, everybody was allowed to raise their heads again. Lilac stretched backwards and pouted at Frey. "What was that for, Frey?"
"Forgive me, but I simply couldn't allow this to pass without a proper apology." Frey closed his eyes, lifting his glasses up but nonetheless putting a hand to his chest. "After all, it is my duty as a proper gentleman."
"I never seen a gentleman force an apology out of everybody before, so I don't think you did shit." Sable was the first to growl, his twitching eyebrow expressed annoyance instead of anger. "Either way, are we done now?"
"Jeez, Fido have a little class…" Yang deadpanned, but nonetheless realized something before they could leave. "Oh! Right, you haven't met Ragnar yet!"
Ah, shit! Immediately he clenched his teeth, and chuckled nervously, putting his hands up, as Yang took him by the arm and dragged him to the front.
"Well, go on, say hi!" Yang nudged him forward, smirking in a way that made Ragnar reconsider whether coming out here was a good idea.
"U-um…" Ragnar slowly spoke, unsure of what he should do now. What else would you do? This is the first time he's meeting her of all people, and the doc didn't bother telling him to give a gift or even anything else! The fuck you expect him to do, treat her like a cousin!?
Wait…that's it!
"Uh…hey there! How long has it been, cousin?" Suddenly, he smiled and stretched his arms out for a hug playing it off the best he could to make it convincing.
"H-huh?" Now that seemed to catch her off guard, and surprisingly raising an eyebrow.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, hold up…she's your cousin!?" Ruby exclaimed in surprise.
"You have a cousin!?" Sable followed up with his own disbelief, unsure whether he could believe that. "You can't be serious!"
"Do you think she could be extended family?" Yang merely whispered in Lilac's ear, similarly befuddled, though smirking all the same.
"Yeah, they do look very different…maybe second-cousins?" Lilac replied, though his visible grin and glimmering mauve eyes are itching for excitement.
"Yeah, duh, my dude! We just haven't seen each other in a long while, I barely recognized her for a moment!" He looped an arm around Penny's shoulders, who still looked confused but nonetheless didn't say a word. He whispered in her ear to not draw suspicion. "Play along…!"
She blinked for a moment; her head tilted in a way that communicated how unsure she was. He immediately panicked inside whether she would play along…but surprisingly instead she slowly widened her eyes, a glimmer of joy as she laughed…a bit too much…but nonetheless she brightened up and gave a convincing smile while jumping with joy.
"Ah, yes! We are certainly family members from two different families!" Penny tried to play it off by giving him what was considered a bear hug, although she hiccuped as soon as she said it. Ragnar felt the pressure, and if it were anybody but him, the hug would leave them with a crooked back. For now, though, he followed through with the act and decided to return the hug with his own…even if he laughed nervously.
Nice, she's playing along…guess she's not as hopeless as I thought she was. What that hiccup was, he didn't know but maybe it was a coincidence.
"Seriously?" Weiss was just as perplexed as everybody else, walking up to Penny with narrowed, though not hostile eyes. "You're cousins…with this buffoon?"
"Exactly!" Penny confirmed, before hiccupping once more…and already Ragnar started getting concerned. She lied, and coincidentally a hiccup escaped.
Ah…shit…I'mma have to take the lead.
"Weiss, there are a lot of things you don't know about me…such as the number of times I could kick your ass in sparring." Ragnar shrugged and laughed it off, trying to ease the tension and confusion and ignoring Weiss' indignant frown and turning to Penny folded arms. "But still, what's up with you? Whatcha doing here?"
"Oh, I'm here to participate in the tournament!" Penny cheerfully explained with a smile and pep in her step as she looked to the rest of the group. "Representing Atlas, of course!"
"Heh, is that so?" Sable crossed his arms and curved his lips upwards, interested. Not surprising. Ragnar already knows this guy likes to fight, heck he dominates in one-on-one spars almost all the time. "Are you sure you can handle yourself?"
"Of course, I'm combat ready!" Penny gave a salute with enthusiasm, and surprisingly more determined than Ragnar expected…and now he needs to do something.
"Heh, well that sounds great!" Yang had attempted to join in on the conversation, while still noticing Penny's mannerisms, smirking in typical Yang fashion. Always enjoyable. "Can't wait to see what you can do!"
"Oh, there's plenty I can do actually!" Penny as she put one hand to her chest and smiled, engaged in the conversation, and Ragnar kept his strained grin. This was…surprisingly painful to keep up with.
"Hmmm, very interesting, considering your attire and…your pleasant demeanor." Frey commented with a finger to his chin, and an inquisitive glance. "One wouldn't be remiss to say you're a normal girl."
"Normal? I doubt normal is the right word, but you don't look the part." Weiss seemed to scrutinize, and she tends to do that every day, though Ragnar couldn't blame her for thinking that.
Penny's ditzy outlook seems to be a half-truth, considering that Ragnar still doesn't know why she went along with the lie…but at least it's working. He'll just have to confirm something with her.
"Says the lady, wearing a dress." Blake remarked with her own snark, though however dull and plain it sounded. She looked pretty on edge now though.
"Hey, it's a combat skirt." Weiss crossed her arms, subtly turning up her nose in confidence.
"Yeah!" Ruby defended Weiss, going over to her with a high-five…to which Weiss obliged and returned? He just saw that happen…wow. Those two really love their combat skirts.
"Okay, okay, aside from…whatever that was." Sable waved his hands, and his expression cringing in disbelief of what Weiss did, (Guess he feels the same) before turning serious about something. "If you are cousins with Ragnar, and you seriously haven't seen each other…then why haven't I heard anything from you?"
"Huh?" Penny tilted her head, though she darted her eyes to Ragnar…and he understood why she did so. "Well, see…"
"L-let's just say that, uh, both our uncles…have a complicated relationship." Ragnar stepped in chuckling nervously and rubbing his head, before taking Penny by the arm. "A-and, since we haven't seen each other in a long time, I think we should start catching up! It's still pretty early before we go back to the dorms!"
"W-wait, you're sure? I wanted to show her my trick!" Lilac whined as he shuffled a deck of cards together. "Come on, can I please!?"
"Lilac, don't be rude…let them have their moment if they need to." Frey chided, though he noticed Weiss walking over to Penny first. "E-excuse me, Weiss!"
"Before you go…I need to ask you whether you have seen…that rapscallion!" Weiss asked fervently and seemingly with no joke to her tone.
"Okay, easy there, Ice Queen." Ragnar deadpanned, miffed about her insistent nature.
"Um…who?" Penny still tilted her head, though now she looked just as clueless. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are referring too!"
"Ugh, fine…" Weiss looked to Frey, and held her hand out. "Can you give me your notebook?"
"Um…of course?" Frey shuffled through his messenger bag, taking out a spare notebook he doesn't use. Once she took it, she started taking out a pencil from his skirt pocket and scribbling something.
"Oh, right a drawing…that's what you're going for." Ragnar nodded in realization, before Weiss held up the drawing and…
"Whoa…" Sable deadpanned.
"Wow…Ice Queen." Even Lilac was slightly dumbfounded by the drawing…
"You…" Ragnar half-lidded his eyes, looking at the rough and very disproportionate drawing of what he only assumed to be a gross cartoon of the golden-haired Faunus from before. "…fucking suck at drawing, you know that right?"
"Quiet! it's the best I could do in such a short amount of time!" Weiss snapped at him, before turning to Penny with a serious expression while holding up the picture. "Well, does this seem familiar to you?"
"You mean the drawing? I think it looks good!" Penny happily said without any lies.
"Penny, don't encourage her." Ragnar patted her on the shoulder, sighing.
"No! I mean the filthy Faunus from the boat!" She finally snapped with frustration, and the slur that slipped let everybody wide-eyed and—
"Stop saying that!" Surprising everybody, Blake shouted it out with an angered expression. Now this was out of character…since when could she be this expressive and…pissed? "Quit calling him a rapscallion and quit calling him a thief! He's a person, just like the rest of us!"
That's hella true! Ragnar agreed with that, his frown hardening. Even despite his unique situation, the conflict between Faunus and Humans is something he already stated is wack and pointless…and now here's Weiss Schnee calling the guy a 'filthy Faunus'
Though then again, with her background it's no wonder. Atlesian's don't have the usual best outlook on Faunus, much less because of the White Fang. If Ragnar had the opportunity, he could've just smacked Weiss upside the head for that slur.
But he didn't since Frey was the first one to tap his foot, gaining the attention of Weiss and the group.
"Weiss, I'd suggest that you don't continue with what you have just said." Frey looked just as stern, and…disappointed somehow. His frown deepened slowly. "Need I remind you we have two friends who are Faunus with us?"
"W-well, I wasn't referring to them! I was referring to the monkey!" Weiss attempted to defend her actions, though apparently, she just let another racist remark slip, which only made Frey look even scarier. "O-oh, come now, you can't be taking his side! Do you expect me not to refer to a criminal as a criminal?"
"Stop it!" Blake stomped her foot as she marched to Weiss with her own uncharacteristic frown. Why was she taking this so seriously? I mean, even for Blake this is out of nowhere!
"O-okay, you two I think we need to calm down about this!" Lilac stepped in, hopefully trying to ease the tension, at least that's what Ragnar hoped. With what Lilac revealed about his opinion on the White Fang, he hoped that the show-pony wouldn't make things worse.
"Calm down? For what, acknowledging that he'll just end up with the rest of the White Fang?" Weiss turned up her nose at him, with Blake looking at him questioningly and confused. "I understand you might have some bias, but you can't excuse the actions of terrorists!"
"Who said I was?" Lilac interjected with a raised eyebrow as soon as he could. "I'm not going to disagree with Blake that not every Faunus is liable to end up with the White Fang., but with all fairness, the White Fang is more than just misguided Faunus…they knew what they were getting into!"
"Lilac, what are you trying to say?" Okay, and now Blake is looking at Lilac like he was spewing nonsense.
"I'm trying to say that maybe…just maybe…both of you are in the wrong, and are thinking in extremes to the point that, and excuse my language, you both sound stupid." Lilac succinctly explained with folded arms, a neutral expression, and pursed lips.
OUCH! Ragnar's jaw opened slowly, ajar from the word he just used… until he realized, who says 'language' for something tame like 'stupid'? Apparently, while Yang, Ruby were looking uncomfortable, Sable shook his head while rubbing the back of his head, and Weiss and Blake were…
Well, to say they are both satisfied with the answer and understanding is complete bullshit.
"E-excuse me!?" Weiss gasped, and Blake's glare softened to frustrated confusion. "Whose side are you on?"
"Only the one that can understand how ridiculous it is to start arguing about one Faunus who broke the law but trying to defend him and condemn him at the same time is pretty stupid like I said." Lilac shrugged while looking adamant with his neutral expression. "Besides, I never once agreed with the White Fang, or what anybody says about them."
"You mean…you don't agree with the idea that the White Fang are misguided people?" Blake asked, her glare returning slightly.
"Nope."
"Then do you think that the White Fang are monsters?" Weiss spoke, her sharp tone darting into the heart of the conversation.
"Not necessarily, no." Lilac shrugged, folding his arms behind his head, and smiling mischievously. "But hey, we can just end the discussion right there. No need to be in a hissy-fit, everything is alright! Am I right?
…
"NO, IT IS NOT ALRIGHT!" They both screeched at the same time, leaving Lilac holding both his ears and wincing. Aside from that, while the two mature ones ended up arguing in confusion with Lilac, but the diminutive horse Faunus countered their points with his own neutral standpoint.
"Uh…Sable?" Yang looked to her right, unsure whether to be uncomfortable or not. "Shouldn't you butt in and help Lilac out?"
"Eh, he can handle himself." Sable shrugged, smirking all the while. "Besides, I'm not particularly interested in the White Fang discussion so…meh."
"That's…um, okay…I guess?" Even Ruby was uncomfortable, though for a different reason.
"Oh dear." Frey pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning while Ragnar chuckled nervously.
"O~kay, so if ya guys don't mind…" Ragnar held Penny's hand who still smiled cluelessly, almost unaware about the fight, and giving a peace sign. "Two cousins are about to reconnect so…peace!
"You two do that." Frey said simply with a small smirk, twitching of course but trying to maintain the façade of calm. Ragnar felt a pang of sympathy for the group that he just left. "Meanwhile we'll…make sure Weiss and Blake don't carve each other's throats out…"
"Totally…uh, see ya Perry!" Yang waved Ragnar by with a small smirk on her face, which so far was probably comforting to him. "Bye, Penny!"
"I hope we can meet each other again!" Ruby waved her away with a cheery smile, eyes glimmering.
"Me too!" Penny waved them both in a wide arc, as she walked away with Ragnar's guidance, leaving them both to leave the group and head off somewhere. However, as soon as they were out of earshot and turned the corner, Penny seemed to turn her expression to one of curiosity. She's probably curious by now, and Ragnar couldn't blame her. "So…where are we going?"
Where do we go? Ragnar kept walking forward and didn't bother looking back, merely turning his eye to the nearest lamppost, and on it he noticed a minor, but distinct, ladybug with a vibrant green shell and red spots. He frowned harshly, though he didn't let Penny see. But first…I need to know.
"We're…going to have a chat," He said not once turning back, but his expression was rough, coarse and unlike anything he had given before to his friends. It wasn't the face of everybody's friend Ragnar Periwinkle, but instead the face of Dr. Rok Periwinkle's own personal firecracker.
The one who'd light up and burn the marionette.
Lilac kicked his legs around as he continued to shuffle his deck, wiling away the minutes that passed. The cards were his own, and dare he says his favorites. Lilac always had more than three decks in his little satchel, being a practicing magician thanks to the lessons from his dad. They were a good distraction and honestly kept his hands moving in place while his thoughts traveled.
The dorm's still silence preceded his giggle's while he kept flipping and twirling his custom-made cards. The reason for this silence, being that Sable decided to commit to a training routine he'd followed for a long while. Diligent, especially for someone so short-fused. Then again, he probably is on one after the boring trip.
It didn't take long after the trip and the eventual 'conversation' between him, Blake, and Weiss before everybody decided to come back to the dorms and spend their own time relaxing.
Frey sat at his desk, writing down on paper for the notes to the next class before they even got to the subject matter. He isn't the kind of man who's an intellectual, but Lilac could respect a man who dedicated time to academics. But sometimes even Frey can be a party-pooper. Partially because he intervened in the discussion between him and Ice Queen and Black Cat.
At least, that's the way I see it. Weiss certainly saw it as another Faunus giving into bias regarding his own kind, Blake's more subtle approach still hinted at a sense of betrayal. Nobody else knew that, but with how the two of them knew about her secret, it was a matter of time before she slowly heated her tongue in confusion.
Lilac couldn't help a pursed lip and a bland expression as he recalled what happened.
Wincing from the sudden shout, Lilac's lips curved downwards, and his brows curled into a pout. That was a few octaves higher than he thought would come from Blake, but certainly not from Weiss. "Ouch! Did you need to shout!?"
"Maybe if you weren't so…indecisive!" Weiss extended her finger at Lilac. "How can you say everything you just said, and still remain with a straight-face?!"
"I dunno, maybe because I'm willing to see both sides of the argument" Lilac said as it was the most normal thing to remember. "Is it so hard for you to do that, you need to shut down any and all criticism?"
"Uh, w-well…!" Weiss faltered with a raised eyebrow. "T-then what about Blake? What points does she make that you disagree with?"
"Simple." Lilac shrugged. "She's way too lenient just because they are the minority."
"E-excuse me?" Blake narrowed her eyes, and Lilac sighed to himself.
"Look, I may not be the smartest cookie in the jar, but I can see why people who get pushed around would be more than willing to fight back and earn their place. But any justification falls flat when you suddenly decide to raid stores in the Kingdoms, recruit young impressionable Faunus, and finally commit acts of terrorism!" Lilac explained the clearest he could, pacing back and for between Weiss and Blake who stared in bewilderment. "I can agree on some of the points you both made, but I'm sorry, I can't agree with you on the whole because…"
He remained silent with a sheepish smile, leaving Blake silent and Weiss expectant.
"Because…?" They both asked, to which Lilac might have rubbed his arm in a sheepish, and yet all too certain manner. He grinned.
"Because you both are way too biased to the point that it'd be impossible to hold a conversation."
…
Huh, seems like that softened them up. Blake's widened eyes revealed a pang of hurt, for one reason that Lilac already knew. Her secret was the one thing only both know, and even despite his supportive nature, he already knew that she felt hurt…though why was she trying to defend the White Fang is anybody's guess.
Weiss on the other hand folded her arms and looked to the side despondent but still reluctant to let it go. Although, he knew that from her perspective it would make sense. While he doesn't know her family situation to accurately deduce, he could make a guess. Bad influences rub off on the impressionable children.
"Lilac, are you done over there?" Frey called out to him, and with that scary stern expression, with his crossed arms and adjusted glasses. He did look pretty scary, so Lilac had to sigh and clap his hands together to both ladies.
"So…I'd love to continue this discussion ladies…but I don't, so how about you guys argue about this later? Meanwhile, I'm going to be sensible and enjoy myself!" Lilac announced it with clapped hands, leaving the two of them alone and walking back to Ruby, Yang, and Sable, the latter simply yawning with a toothy grin.
"So…what did you do?" He asked with confidence.
"Verbally destroyed them, that's what I did." Lilac simply giggled with his sly smirk.
"Sick." Sable raised his hand, and Lilac responded in kind with a high-five.
While the thought of Sable offering a high-five left him in a joyful mood ever since he arrived, it did nothing to distract him from the points and the hurt eyes of Blake. It's not that he felt sorry for expressing how he felt, but perhaps he should've been more open about this to Blake.
And risk losing another friend? Admittedly, he didn't reveal too much while discussing with both Blake and Weiss. The reason being he didn't want to put them both off with how much…hostility he harbored toward the White Fang. Or the Faunus, or humanity really. Does he hate them all and have some anarchistic desire to see them burn?
What does he look like, maniacal jester?
Nah, it's a bit more subdued and reasonable, he thought. Just a matter of being frustrated with the constant fighting, the back-and-forth that never seems to fix itself…only ever getting worse with the change in leadership.
And for as long as he had those beliefs in Mistral, where his kind isn't exactly welcomed as much as Vale. In fact, it was normal for the Faunus to live in urban environments with low-income.
He just happened to be the lucky one, given a family to care for him.
But he shook those thoughts aside and thought to himself, what should he do regarding Blake? He wanted to clear a few things up, and make sure that she understood how he felt…but admittedly the doubt built up in his head.
What if she took it the wrong way, and instead called him a traitor to his own kind? That phrase rubbed him the wrong way…and while his expression didn't show, it betrayed the building fidgeting of his legs.
They beat against the side of the bed over and over, a rhythmic tapping thudding and pleasing to Lilac's ears.
"Lilac, could you refrain from tapping the bed?" Something that didn't go unnoticed by Frey, who turned to Lilac with a stoic expression. "I need silence for this material."
"Oops! Sorry, specs!" Lilac waved it off, poking his tongue out, and returning to discreetly shuffling his cards. His eyes wandered to the open door, bored out of his mind…and still planning on how to discreetly open up to Blake…if he could of course, duh.
He could easily leave the room, and a couple doors down he'd be right in front of Team RWBY's own door, it wouldn't be difficult to let her know to talk about it tomorrow…but before he could think about doing so, he heard the quick shuffling of feet, followed by an open door.
In the briefest moment through the crack on the door, he noticed Blake running in the opposite direction of the dorms, and surprisingly found himself curious and concerned.
Her eyes were surprisingly soft, and yet…horrified. By what though? Lilac quickly put his cards back into the box that fit them and walked towards the door. He wasn't half-way twisting the handle before Frey spoke.
"Where, are you going this late?" Frey asked with just as much strict tone as well as a curious lace.
"Oh, I'm just gonna go check on Sable…make sure he at least gets a shower after he's done training," Lilac said with the brightest of smiles on his face, and Frey simply shook his head and went back to writing.
"Just be sure to come back."
"Oh, I plan to!"
Maybe…I dunno. He went out the door, and after walking a minute down the halls and outside the dorms. He began to sprint in the nearest direction he saw Blake. Out the corner of his eye, he saw her leaving towards the entrance, or more accurately the courtyard to Beacon Academy.
While he tried sprinting after her, he didn't give away his position if he could help it. He wasn't sure what happened, but he wanted to make sure she was okay. If he didn't, he'd be a pretty bad friend.
Either way, the trip took 10 minutes until the courtyard started to come into view, and Lilac barely arrived with warmed up legs and a flicking horsetail. Up ahead, he could notice that the courtyard turned into a circular sidewalk around this beautiful sculpture. He had to admit the artwork exuded a sense of regal inspiration.
Two huntsmen, one male, and female, stepping forward to arise from the Beowulf they used as their stepping stool. It was a rather inspiring sight, one fitting for anybody willing to become a Huntsman. Lilac immediately thought of possibly decorating it but pushed the thought into his prank vault as soon as his eyes turned to Blake.
She was far enough not to notice him, but her head was raised towards the same sculpture…though her expression was unknowable since her face remained concealed.
He wasn't sure whether she noticed him, but something about her stature, from the way her shoulders slumped, and from the way she slowly raised her arms indicated she didn't. She untied the bow which covered her raven cat ears…and as it unraveled her right hand held it tightly.
Lilac didn't understand what made her do it, but as he took a step forward, he uttered. "Blake?"
Her head flinched, but she hung her head down. Seconds later she turned to face Lilac, and misty-amber eyes met with him, leaving him with a soft sensation in his chest. He pursed his lips, and she kept looking away in shame.
"Oh…Lilac." Her voice timid, and meek, unlike her previous steadfast and mature tone, insinuated that whatever happened must have left her distressed. "I-I…"
"Huh, there you are."
A third voice broke through, leaving both looking to where the voice came from…and somehow even Lilac was surprised and unsure of what he was doing here.
But despite all that, Lilac didn't want to leave Blake alone…for the same reason that he would do so for everybody.
It's not how I was raised. And he needed to stick to his roots.
Eyyy, so now that I finished this chapter, I'm happy with how it turned out! I'm just pleasantly surprised I managed to churn out a good chunk of writing and content for everybody!
I do have an announcement to make however, specifically regarding a new story I'm working on! It's going to involve the Persona series, and another character that we're all sure has gone through so many trials and tribulations! As for who it is…that's a secret.
Oh, I also need to announce that since I'm working on that story, I'm going to be putting Team SLFR on hold until I get a few chapters out of the new story before coming back to it! I'm sincerely sorry, especially since we are near the climax of volume 1, but I can't help it where my creative juices go!
Anyway, thanks for reading and understanding! I hope to see you enjoy my content either way! Please leave a review and a follow if you're willing!
Either way, I, the Maelstrom, will see you on the horizon!
