Adam has begrudgingly begun to cooperate, but is still at a loss why a human would help him. Meanwhile Opal has errands to run in Argus; just a simple trip, what could go wrong?
--
Opal sat on the front porch, knees pulled against her chest. The sound of crunching leaves came from the forest, but it wasn't who she'd been waiting for. It was Riley, the local leatherworker. He'd been friends with her family for years, and was always there for the family whenever they needed him.
"Opal…What are you doing out here so late, doll?"
She looked up at him, tears threatening to spill over,
"Where's Mama and Papa?!"
Riley sighed, sitting down on the porch next to her,
"Doll… Something… Something bad happened today."
--
"Say ah."
Adam looked at her, clearly annoyed. He was not a child.
"How about; Open your mouth or I'll shove this thermometer up your-"
He promptly opened his mouth, displeasure still apparent on his face. Opal smirked at that, before getting up and pulling the curtains open. Fresh fallen snow was all over, making the surrounding area appear even brighter than normal.
"Keep them shut."
She turned, looking at the faunus,
"I can assure you no one will see you; plus you've been in this dark room for two weeks now. You could use some light." She placed her hand on her hip, "You shouldn't be talking with things in your mouth you know."
Adam's nose wrinkled, holding back the urge to snap the small device between his teeth. Like clockwork, the thermometer let out a beep. Opal pulled it from Adam's mouth, eyeing it,
"Well, you're not running a fever anymore," she placed it on the table, leaning in, "I might as well check your wounds; you may not need the bandages at this rate."
He frowned, shifting his body to face her. There was still soreness here and there; his back ached horribly, which Opal had pointed out the large bruise across his spine. He had a matching one across his right arm, it was a miracle it wasn't broken. If he believed in any god, he may have thanked them. Adam watched her as she worked, carefully removing his bandages.
She was always very gentle, probably more so than even Kali had been when he was growing up. He cringed, mentally swatting the thought away. Adam eyed her curiously. She talked to him much more than he responded, but she didn't seem to mind his silence. He winced as she brushed one of the wounds, a quiet apology leaving her.
"Why?"
Opal looked up at him, quirking a brow,
"Pardon?"
"Why did you help me. You know who I am, you know what I've done. The only reason you're alive is due to my condition."
She paused for a moment, sitting on the edge of the bed,
"I… It's just not in my nature to leave someone like that; even someone like you."
Opal laughed awkwardly, smiling at him. He frowned, eye twitching slightly.
'That's such bullshit.'
Regardless he let the topic drop, letting out a quiet 'ow' as she ran her thumb over the scabbed area,
"It looks like you can keep the bandages off; but if anything changes let me know."
"Hn."
"Are you hungry? I can get you something if you'd like."
Adam silently shook his head, leaning back against the pillows. He kept eyeing her, attempting to find cracks in her facade. Opal stared back at him, the same smile on her face. It was one he knew well; a fake, masking smile. To an extent, he was impressed.
There was more to this woman than he originally assumed- and it starved his curiosity. Adam was an observant person; so when he couldn't figure something out, it ate at him. Opal let out a soft 'hm' before getting up,
"Well I have some business to take care of in Argus; do you want anything?"
"That pathetic Atlesian Commander's head on a pike but I assume that's not on the menu." He seethed, frowning.
"You're just a little ball of sunshine aren't you?" She hummed before turning on her heel, "How about fairy cakes!"
He looked dumbfounded. How could this woman be so deceitful, yet have such childish innocence. Opal cocked her head,
"You really don't have any input here; since I'm getting them anyways."
Adam rolled his eyes at her immature response, only to get a swat to the head.
"What the hell was that for?!"
She smirked at him, shrugging,
"Don't act like your face didn't have it coming."
"Did you forget who I am? I could-"
"Execute me like the vermin I am," Opal put her hand on her chest, tipping her chin up dramatically, "And how then I'd oh so truly regret my actions!"
Though he'd never admit it- he did like her audacity. During his time in the White Fang, most people wouldn't dare steal glances at him; yet this human woman had no fear in talking to him as if they were on the same level. Even going to the extent of mocking him. Adam's eye twitched slightly.
He was mentally praising a human. What has gotten into him? His lack of focus was apparently obvious as he got poked in the cheek. Adam quickly swatted her hand away, growling,
"Do not. Touch me."
Opal raised a brow, rolling her eyes. She headed to the door, looking back at him,
"I'll be back in a few hours; try not to hurt yourself."
He gave her one last sneer before she shut the door. Opal let out a sigh, pushing her hair out of her face. She knew he didn't buy into her answer; though it wasn't as if he really cared. Heading downstairs, she hummed a familiar tune. Pulling her coat off the rack, she tugged it on, slinging her large backpack over her shoulder.
Opal grabbed her walking stick, making her way down the battered cobblestone path. She took a deep inhale, enjoying the cool winter air as she walked, glancing back at the cottage. Hopefully he could be left alone for a few hours, though only time would tell.
--
The peaceful silence of the forest was soon replaced by bustling crowds and noisy vendors. Opal pulled her hood down farther, discomfort on her face. She hated crowds. Wading through masses of people, she made her way to a small corner shop. The small bell chimed as she opened the door, the thick smell of leather permeating the air.
She felt herself relax, enjoying the feeling of familiarity.
"Did an angel just walk into my shop?"
Opal smiled, watching the portly man make his way over from behind the counter. He was quite large, a thick, ginger colored beard covered his face; his cheeks were red and rosy, bright hazel eyes looking back at her. Speckles of scales decorated his arms, slightly sharp nails on his fingertips.
"Hey there, Riley."
The man pulled her into a hug, patting her on the back,
"How's my favorite doll doin'?"
"I've been alright, quite busy."
He stroked his beard, letting out a him,
"How's your… project doin'?"
Opal raised her eyebrows, smirking at him,
"Difficult, bull headed, and sarcastic- But what's new?"
Riley let out a bellowing laugh, resting his hand on the counter,
"Ah, glad he's not being violent at least."
She nodded heaving her backpack onto the table,
"Buuut that's not what I'm here for; you know that."
Opal unlatched her pack, pulling out bundles of leathers. Riley began pulling them apart, examining them,
"My God's, you're going to end up better than I am!"
She grinned at him, puffing herself up a bit. Riley handed her an envelope, tucking the bundle under the counter,
"Job well done, doll!"
Opal stuffed the envelope in her backpack, smiling,
"Pleasure doing business with you as always, Riley."
He nodded, resting his hands on his sides,
"I oughta' come up and visit you two one of these days. Gotta make sure he knows his place."
Opal rolled her eyes, playfully swatting at him,
"He's on edge as it is, he doesn't need more stress."
Riley stroked his beard, letting out a 'hm',
"Fine fine; but you let me know if he gives you any trouble, hun. He ain't the only faunus around here."
She nodded, leaning against the counter,
"I highly doubt that," she paused, resting her chin on her hand, "He's had a hard life, Riley. I think he just needs someone to let him know the world isn't out to get him."
Riley gave her a skeptical look, frowning,
"Look doll, I know why your doin' this, but this isn't just some lost soul. He's-"
"Never been given a chance. Someone has to give him a chance to change." She cut him off, placing her hands on her hips.
The faunus put his hands up, offering a quiet 'alright alright'.
They both chatted for a bit, enjoying the rare occurance of having each others company. She gave Riley one last hug before heading to the door, offering a small wave. The man watched her go, letting out a sigh as the door swung shut.
"Hope you're not in over your head, doll."
--
Opal made her way down the street, walking with the local bakery in mind. She hummed happily, in a better mood after her chat with Riley. He'd practically raised her after she lost her parents; he was like a second father to her. Unfortunately, her mood was short lived as a familiar voice knocked her out of her thoughts,
"Well well! The cow found its way back into the city!"
Opal's body tensed, feeling her skin crawl. She kept walking, perhaps a bit faster than before. Her backpack was promptly grabbed, almost causing her to slip on the icy sidewalk.
"Knock it off, Jacob!" She snapped, turning around.
Jacob smirked smugly at her, putting his hands up. His cronies laughed, looking to the man,
"Careful Jacob! Don't want to get trampled!"
Opal frowned, her grip tightening on her walking stick,
"I am -not- a cow. And will you grow up? We're twenty, act like it."
He scoffed, waving his hand,
"You know, you'd almost be pretty if you covered up," Jacob motioned to his face, raising a smug eyebrow, "All that. Maybe fix your hair too, so you don't look like a walking bush!"
The group laughed at her rising discomfort. She shrank back a bit, brows knitting together,
"There's nothing wrong with what I look like. Maybe I'd care if you all didn't act like teenagers."
Jacob smirked at her, shrugging nonchalantly,
"You're right, I'm sure the fact you look like walking camouflage must be helpful out in the boonies!"
Opal began to shrink back further, feeling claustrophobic in the open space. She felt uncomfortable in her own skin. The groups loud jeers and laughs attracted the eyes of passersby, making her feel as if the world was staring at her. Everything sounded so loud; murmurs of passerby felt as through they might as well been screaming in her face, glances in her direction felt as though they were looking through her.
Feeling her breaking point approaching, she took off down the sidewalk, seemingly vanishing. The group continued to laugh, scoffing,
"Awww come on! Running back to the pasture already!? We just wanted to have a little fun!"
Footsteps crunched against the fresh fallen snow as Opal dashed out of Argus. The sounds of the city grew distant as she collapsed against a tree, her knees pulling against her chest. Her fingers pulled at the front of her hair, her head nestled between her legs.
"I'm not different- I'm not; I'm…"
