KS: Okay, I have returned from an indirect exile and have now turned 21. Not much to be excited about being another year older, honestly. My driver's licence is set to expire once the new year rolls in, even though I haven't used it other than identification, but I'm not here to bore you with my life story. I finally got out of my slump and got something posted. Enjoy.
The words that came out of the man's mouth nearly made Weiss' heart stop beating. "Ars Goetia" continued to ring through her ears, as if the name was familiar to her.
"Hey kid," Humo said, poking her head. "What are you doing, spacing out like that?"
Weiss blinked a few times, then shook her head rapidly to bring recompose herself.
"Forgive me, what were you saying just now?" she said.
"I was asking you if you've heard of the Ars Goetia," Humo replied.
Hearing it twice didn't shock Weiss, so she was able to answer his question.
"The name has come up more than a few times," she said. "One of the largest criminal organizations to be founded in Mistral, it has taken over many businesses, both legal and illicit through any means necessary. Public opinion suggests that they obtain said businesses though coersion or destruction of property, but they fancy themselves as a dignified organization."
Humo nodded. "Go on."
"They are also in direct competition with the SDC," Weiss continued. "Namely, the production of Dust. The Ars Goetia has managed to set up multiple Dust manufacturing plants away from the public eye in fear of authorities discovering their operations. Rumors state that production originates in Vacuo, then it is shipped off by cartels who-"
Humo quickly covered Weiss' mouth, preventing her from speaking any further.
"Okay, you've done your homework. Impressive, but you may want to keep from speaking out too loud. Information like that could end up in the wrong hands and it's a mess no one wants to clean up."
Weiss moved his hand from her mouth, allowing her speak once more. "But wouldn't the Ars Goetia be able to handle it? Given that it's a sizable organization, one would think that they have the police on their side."
"Yeah, you would think that," Humo sighed. "But the cops around here care more for moral codes than quick profit. Luckily, the Ars Goetia are very good at covering their tracks. Unlike our little assailant over here."
Weiss almost forgot that he was carrying the woman who made an attempt on her life. "Oh, her. What will happen to her once you hand her over to your employer?"
Humo shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. For all I know, they might torture her for more information on what the Fang's next move will be now that Beacon's been dealt with."
The mention of Beacon made Weiss fell cold inside. The devestating and tragic events that occurred that night still lingered within her, the most horrible part being her forcibly seperated from her team. The memory still ran through her mind like a broken recording.
Humo noticed Weiss was spacing out and tapped her head a few times. "Hey, you doin' alright in there?"
Upon feeling the taps, Weiss gasped and turned to him, looking somewhat annoyed. "Why did you do that?"
"You went silent on me," Humo replied. "I just was just making sure you weren't falling asleep while standing up. I admit that's a skill only precious few have, but I doubt you would be the type to have it. Especially with your chosen footwear.
Weiss looked down at her dress heels, then looked back Humo with a slight glare. "Well, pardon me for looking elegant. I assume dress heels aren't as dignified as…" She looked at Humo's attire from top to bottom, then turns away while crossing her arms. "…Boots."
"I'm practical, sweetheart," Humo chuckled.
Weiss huffed. "Whatever. Can we move on now?"
"I expected more from whoever hired you," Weiss sighed, staring at the stone door with distaste.
"Come on," Humo replied. "Haven't you heard the saying 'appearance isn't everything'? Actually, strike that. From what I've gathered, Atlesians care more about appearances than they do breathing."
Weiss narrowed her eyes at the remark. "That is a poor generalization."
"Is it any less true?" Humo asked.
Weiss bit her lip and sighed miserably. "I suppose not."
"Ah, don't beat yourself up about it. There are certain aspects of the place people grew up in that they'd rather not admit."
Weiss held back the urge to sigh. "Just get the door open. My patience is bordering on anorexic at this point."
Humo placed his hand on the door for a few seconds, then it decended into the ground, revealing a long hallway with statues of various Grimm on either side. Weiss couldn't help but widen her eyes in shock.
"This… this is something that words fail to describe," she said.
"The words will come in time," Humo replied, walking into the hall.
Weiss stared into the passageway, then followed Humo into it. She was unable to take her eyes off of the statues, noting that a lot of time and dedication was taken into sculpting them to make them appear like the real thing.
"These statues are impressive," she said. "I wonder who made them."
"I am afraid that is information beyond your reach," a cold voice replied.
Weiss turned to see a woman in business attire standing in front of her and Humo.
"Greetings, Blanco. I trust your job went well?"
Humo dropped Marron on the ground in front of the woman. "What do you think?"
The woman smirked. "I think you exceeded our expectations as usual." Her smirk faded upon seeing Weiss. "We did not know you would be bringing a guest."
"Oh, almost forgot," Humo said. "This little lady here is Weiss Schnee."
The woman's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Schnee? As in… the Schnee Dust Company?"
Weiss did not say a word. Judging from the woman's expression, she was all set to kill her should she say something that would trigger her.
"Hey, Astaroth," Humo said. "You might want to tone it down a bit. You're scaring the girl."
"Maybe I want to scare her," she hissed. "This… wench is the scion to the most contemptable organization next to the White Fang. If I were ordered to, I would kill her and deliver her head to her father's doorstep."
Weiss was genuinely afraid of the woman. She slowly reached for Myrtenaster, prepared to counter in case she would be attacked. The atmosphere was beyond palpable, making it hard for her to breath. She could feel the sweat dripping from her pores.
"Aw, what's with this sour attitude of yours, Asta? I like it better when you smile."
The atmosphere suddenly changed when a young man with a huge grin walked up to the woman from behind and glomped her.
"Wha- Sitri, what are you doing?!"
"I'm cheering my favorite girl up!" he replied, poking her cheek. "Honestly, how many times have I told you? You'll get wrinkles making faces that aren't cheerful."
"S-Shut up! How I present my facial features is none of your concern!" the woman snapped in a flustered tone.
"But it is my concern!" he replied in a dramatic tone. "How can I live with my lovely Asta looking like a hag?"
"I'll kill you, you insolent-!"
The sound a cough interrupted the exchange between the duo. Both of them looked towards Weiss and Humo, where the former appeared justifiably bewildered by what she witnessed.
"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself!" the man said in a cheerful tone. "My name is Salmon Sitri, a member of the Ars Goetia. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Weiss was unable to find her voice due to the young man's attire. A bright pink tank top with insignia resembling seven swords crossing each other and white pants with stitches in them. On top of that, he wore black boots with small chains used as the laces. But to Weiss, the one thing she couldn't take her eyes off of was his spiky pink hair and green eyes, followed by a tattoo on his neck resembling devil wings.
"Yeah, I don't blame you for not saying anything," Humo whispered. "Sitri tends to dress extravagantly, regardless of what season it is. He's known to be a fashion anarchist of sorts."
"If you want my opinion, anarchist seems to be laying it a tad thick," Weiss replied dryly.
The bespectacled woman cleared her throat, drawing all attention to her. "Anyway Humo, you are certain this is the woman that we have requested?"
"My certainty is as accurate as my aim, Astaroth." Humo replied. "Although, I may have relieved her of one of her wings, if that will be an issue later on."
"None at all," she replied before turning to Weiss with a look of distain. "I suppose I should introduce myself to you, not that it should matter."
Weiss couldn't help but find the woman's tone to be grating. Honestly, she expected this kind of treatment since she is, as the woman claimed, "the scion to the most contemptable organization next to the White Fang", though she felt that last part was a bit of an exaggeration. She was not blind to the less than upstanding practices of the SDC, but at least they were not indiscriminately murdering people. Not directly, anyway.
"My name is Schokolade Astaroth, a supervisor of the activities of the Ars Goetia."
Astaroth bowed slightly, not wanting to look at Weiss anymore than she has to.
"Pleased to meet you," the heiress replied, giving a slight bow of her own.
"Now that's what I like to see!" Sitri said cheerfully, bringing the two women in for a hug. "I love it when a pair of lovely women greet each other without any vitriol exchanged."
Weiss struggled to escape his surprisingly tight grasp. She had no idea that a man with such a… unique fashion sense could have a near-suffocating hold.
"Hey Sitri," Humo said, getting his attention. "Could you let go of the girls now? They look like they're losing oxygen."
"We are losing oxygen, you twit," Astaroth hissed, hitting Sitri's arm in hopes he'll let go.
Sitri finally let go, allowing Weiss and Astaroth to take in oxygen. Once they have regained it, Astaroth tackled Sitri to the floor and began to strangle him. Weiss just stood there, watching the scene with a dumbfounded look plastered on her face.
"Hey, why don't you go on ahead and look around?"
Weiss turned to Humo, who set down Marron against a wall.
"I'll deal with these two," he said. "You take some time off and get a feel for this place. Who knows? It may interest you."
Weiss had to admit that the design of the complex was intriguing. She could see that a lot of care and dedication was put into the statues' development. In addition, the hallway had vibrant colors and designs, giving it a royal feel. If Weiss was being honest, she would love to explore some more on her own.
"Very well. I shall take a look around and see this place for myself."
Humo waved in response as he pride Astaroth off of Sitri, who sighed in relief.
"Go on now," he said. "Don't let me keep you."
With that, Weiss went off to explore the hideout, interested in what it has to offer.
The heiress' first stop was a large bathing room, which had a statue fountain. The roof was open, allowing steam to rise up from the water. Weiss was tempted to stick her foot in to see just how warm it was, but quickly decided against it.
"I'll visit this place some other time. I want to explore this place a little more."
She walked the bathing area, but right after she left, a young woman emerged from the water, clad in a teal one-piece swimsuit. Both her alabaster skin and radiant veridian hair was soaked, but it only added to her beauty. With piercing orange eyes, she stared at the door Weiss used to exit the room.
"It looks like that Schnee got lost and made her way to our hideout," she said distainfully. "Looks like I'll have to personally escort her from the premises. And I'll make sure she gets so badly bruised that coming back here will be the farthest thing from her stupid mind."
She snapped her fingers and more women emerged from the pool, but they were much different than the one who signalled them to appear. Each of them had scales on their arms and legs along with slit pupils in their eyes.
The leader grew a cruel smile. "Let's break this icicle."
KS: Seems like Weiss is in for some more trouble up ahead. But we'll get back to her another time. We'll see how Blake is holding up in the next chapter.