A/N: um, hi everyone. I am so sorry for the very late update. I honestly have no excuse except I had a ten day challenge to stay off the internet., then I couldn't find the time/ inspiration to write. But here it is. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for everyone who has followed or favorited this fic. It means a lot to me. Thank you all for your reviews as well.
Oh, It has crossed my mind to offer a "RWBY chibi" of a sort. If people are interested, requests can be sent through PM for non-canon drabbles. This wouldn't affect the main story.
Hoofs crushed green grass. The soft sound the only thing between the two riders. Two horses one a dabbled gray, the other black walked in a single file. The black horse burdened by a man led the way. "Roux, my pet," the male called, he snapped his fingers pointing to the air by his left side. The young woman following on the gray horse, nudged the beast forward with her brown laced boots. She kept her disgust from reaching her face. She kept her amber yellow eyes down, her red fox ears pressed down. She could see the man's saddle bags and she slowed her horse to match his.
"Yes, Baron. Sir," she muttered, keeping her head down. If there was a hint of sarcasm, Roux would deny it. A heavy hand petted her head, loosening the red hairband keeping her long curly carrot hair back.
"My little pet, you cost me a lot of money. Any other man in my position would just sell you to the highest bidder," Baron said, his hand still stroking her head. Roux narrowed her eyes, if hate could burn the man would be cinders. She would say something to this, perhaps something about how it was his fault, but she could feel his own anger directed at her. "But in my infinite kindness, I am giving you another chance." He removed his hand from her head, moving it below her chin. He forced her yellow eyes to face his. "Don't fail me. This package would be the most priceless you have ever handled. I expect it to come to me unharmed. Now off." Roux nodded, quietly pushing herself off the saddle of the horse.
Her feet met the ground with a muffled sound and she watch the man turn around. The horses clopped away. Roux watched him retreat. "Good riddance," she grumbled, turning to the Southeast. The city of Dale was long behind her. Her amber eyes could see the signs of heavy travel. She ran forward. She had to be close to her target. Her feet were decisive and quick. Her white pants caught slightly on the underbrush. With the sun barely rising, she would catch her target off guard.
Through the trees she could see the encampment. The dying campfires were letting off thin trails of smoke. There was no movement in the few beige tents. "Halt, state your business," a male voice called. A tall shadow stepped forward, a spear leveled at her chest. His blue eyes were steady.
"My name is Roux. I am seeking employment," she said, making sure not to meet the man's eyes. Humans seemed to hate when Faunus did.
"Let her come, Demetri," A gruff female voice said from the nearest tent. The man grumbled, putting up his spear. Roux walked past the man to the tent. A woman with a shaved head marched out. She looked down at the fox Faunus. "A Faunus," she added, her tone unreadable.
She walked around the girl, inspecting the girl. "You understand that employment means having a wage."
"I do, sir. Ma'am," Roux replied.
"I can offer you a single gold piece when we reach Nullah. You will be doing the laundry for the men. If any of my men give you an order you will follow it," she said.
"Nullah is a several months away," Roux said. "A single gold piece is hardly worth the time."
The woman smirked, " No of course, not but equality is. You will be allowed to eat alongside my men. Sleep in the same camping area."
" Oh yeah, that is equality," Roux said sarcastically. "Just being` in the same area as humans?"
The woman gave the younger a smug look. "Perhaps. But do you get the same food as the others, the same type of supplies."
"You know what? That's fine. You know what I'll get started right away," the girl said.
"Of course, step out out of line and you will regret it," the leader woman threatened. Roux lifted her chin with pride. Walking away from the woman with the shaved head. She could see the men getting out of the tents look at her. She wasn't surprised about that. With her red dress with gold lace, she stood out among the rags. Her amber eyes passed over these men. They weren't really what she was looking for.
The tents and the campfires became just background as she walked. Roux smiled to herself as she saw her target. The orange hair and the nice, but dirty clothing was a dead give away. The girl was chatting at the young man who was putting out the fire. She was smiling which was strange considering the bandana binding her wrists. Her blue eyes were focused on the young man.
"Wow, who do you think you are, a princess?" Roux said from behind the girl, her tone joking. The orange-girl laughed, still not facing the Faunus.
"Surprisingly, I am," she said, turning her torso to face her. The girl's eyes looked past her face and eyes to rest on her ears. The princess's smile became strange, abit strained. "Anyways, like I was saying, Carmine. I don't understand why we can't just bathe. I am filthy and tired."
"Yes, the little princess doesn't look quite royal now," Roux teased, she looked at the princess. Her hair was sticking up in all directions. Her eyes had bags under her eyes and her feet looked scratched. She frowned at the rather worn expression.
"What I am saying, Carmine. Is that I think that this journey would be a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved if basic hygiene was employed." The man gave her a bored look with his brown eyes.
"She has an excellent point. I would rather not be with a bunch of smelly people," Roux wrinkled her nose. Oriole grinned slightly, but didn't look at the girl.
"Even if I agreed, there isn't a place for you to bathe at. There isn't a water source nearby," Carmine said, speaking to both. Roux smiled at the inclusion. Oriole groaned, uselessly running her fingers through her hair.
Roux snapped her finger with a grin. She held out her hand toward the princess. The Faunus's tangerine color swirled around her palm, materializing into a brush of the same color. "Here at least, you can untangle that nest of hair." Oriole looked at the brush, her expression softening slightly. Her pale fingers took the brush from the Faunus, making sure they didn't touch.
"Is that your Semblance?" Carmine asked, brown eyes watching Oriole brush her hair. The orange mess straightened slightly.
"Nah, that's just a magic trick I learned," Roux teased with a wide grin and a wink. Oriole snickered at Carmine's unamused face. The tangerine brush disappeared into trails of orange energy.
A loud whistle broke the trio's conversation. Amari stepped out in the center of the mob of men. " We are heading out right now," the shaved woman said, waving her arm on the path she was to travel. Oriole sighed.
"I guess that you're not the only morning person, Carmine," Oriole complained. "I mean I don't mind waking up early. I normally wake before Jay and wake him. But I don't really feel like walking right now. My feet are sore."
The taller man pulled the girl to her feet. "I would make you a pair of shoes, but they would just disappear after a couple of steps," Roux said.
Oriole gave her the briefest of glances. The princess gave a smile to the warrior who nudged her forward. "Thank you for the help," she chirped, smiling. The Faunus could see the strain on the girl's expression. She turned away from the Faunus. Roux followed the pair keeping her eyes on the princess.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
If anyone ever asked Shiloh if she resented that she couldn't see, she would answer no. Although she didn't know what the others saw, she knew what she saw. A beautiful painting of color, the living things of the world sending splashes of color to her 'vision'. The burgundy- haired girl was grateful that fate gave her the perfect semblance. Shiloh followed the colored silhouettes in front of her. Jay's cool blue aura contrasted beautifully against Tanya's amber aura, blending between the two. They stood out amongst the pastel green of the natural aura of the forest. "So, it is my destiny to be single. That actually hurt, just a tiny bit," Asher's confident voice said. Shiloh turned her head to see the young man's yellow-green aura.
Shiloh shrugged, "Any offense you feel is a choice of your own."
"I thought that was pretty clever," Harriet's amused voice added. The pink light from the huntress on her left.
"You two wound me," Asher said, his hand on his chest as if he was shot. Harriet giggled and Shiloh gave him a slight smile.
"Are you sure we are going the right direction?" Tanya asked Jay, her head tilting to look up at the taller prince.
"I am not certain. I never learned about tracking," Jay admitted. " It was not seen as important to my education." His tone was frustrated. His blue aura rippled at the emotion, Shiloh felt pity for the prince. "I just assume that the Glen has something to do with this. They have offered a marriage alliance between our states. He has plenty of sons," Jay said, his tone shifted to spite.
"How did Oriole take that? I wouldn't want to marry someone I barely knew," Harriet asked, "I hope she told them off."
Shiloh shook her head, " I doubt she would risk war for a trivial reason."
"Ah, so it was fate," Asher suggested, "It seems like fate is fickle." His tone was a bit angry.
"She would learn to live with what she could not change," Shiloh said, "Happiness can be found even through such circumstances."
Jay cleared his throat creating silence. "As I was stating, the Glen would have reason to take her. I am sure paying a war lord to fetch her isn't out of the question." Shiloh could feel Asher twitch beside her.
"Then why don't I lead the way. I actually know the quickest way to get there," Asher suggested. His lime figure marching forward to meet the blue and amber ones.
"How do you know that? Are you a spy of some sort?" Tanya asked, her amber aura brightening as if to protect her.
"No, just chill. I just come from there. It's not that suspicious. Unlike you, where do you come from?" Asher asked.
Tanya's form shrunk slightly, her aura betrayed her uncomfortableness. Jay put a hand on her shoulder. " Let's calm down, everyone. Lead the way, Asher," Jay commanded the shorter male. Asher gave a sloppy salute.
"Come along, beautiful women and Jay. I will lead you to the Glen," Asher said . Jay was the first to follow after the yellow-green figure. Harriet's pink aura bounced behind the two males. Shiloh padded slowly to Tanya's amber form that didn't move.
"You appear to be troubled," Shiloh mused beside the other girl. Tanya ran her fingers through her tawny hair.
"It- it is just. How can we trust him? How can Jay just trust him?" she worried. " I know you believe in fate, but what if our fate isn't good?"
Shiloh hummed, " Jay doesn't have a reason to trust any of us. We are literally a bunch of strangers he gathered in his lowest moment."
"Exactly, he is desperate. He could get killed any of us can turn on him and…" Tanya trailed off her aura shielding her as she looked to the blind girl. "We're going to be left behind." The amber shape hurried away from the blind girl. Shiloh lowered her head, faded red eyes looking at her feet.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Jay was starting to doubt that that they were going the right way. Asher was marching ahead, confident in the path he was taking. "I don't know about you, but I am disappointed in the amount of Grimm. I mean, escorting three beautiful ladies is a pleasure, but destroying grim is amazing," Asher said. "Hey, look there's someone up ahead," the dark-haired man said, pointing to said figure.
The figure's yellow robes clashed with the green of the forest, making him stand out like a strange yellow bird. Asher slowed down slightly. "Hey, you," he called out to the figure who was looking down at a book in his hand. He didn't look up or turn to face the group. His head full of short black hair was still lowered, almost hiding under his glyph decorated robes. Asher ran to the gentleman. The yellow-dressed man didn't look up from his book. The shorter man tapped the taller on his shoulder.
The man spun quickly, shutting the book in his left hand while drawing his sword with his right. The dark yellow blade missed Asher who jumped out of the way. The shorter man had his arms spread, a glider along his back. Asher folded the glider like a large fan. He shifted his hold so that the pointed spearhead on the end was held out in front of him.
Jay shifted his shield to his front and he could feel the girls move to arm themselves as well. The yellow garbed man looked at the group who were behind Asher. "Are you the group of thieves that live here or the witch?" the man asked mouth moving behind a green mask.
"No, we are just a group of intrepid rescuers," Asher said, lowering his spear slightly. The man looked at Jay directly.
"Who are you rescuing?" he asked, the defensiveness gone as he sheathed his sword.
"A princess, obviously," Asher responded. "A pretty one on top of that."
Jay frowned at the short man's words. "We are getting my sister. She was taken by this Amari person. Has anyone passed through here?"
The man removed his revealing a smiling face and orange eyes. The grin dropped a little. "No, I have been in the area for the past couple of days."
"Why are you just loitering outside Dale?" Tanya asked, suspicion in her voice. She stood beside Jay, her hand on her broadsword and her chestnut eyes narrowed.
"Oh I am so glad you asked that. I was reading this ancient book. And I found the most interesting passage. It speaks about a necklace that can lead the wearer to whatever their heart desires. I have read through the riddle the book has and calculated that it should be in the Dale area," the man excitedly said, flipping through the book in his hand. "Can you imagine an object like that? It is like magic." Asher shrugged his shoulders at the explanation.
"There's no such thing as magic," Harriet added chuckling. "We have semblences, but magic isn't real."
Jay sighed, " Well, back to the point at hand. If you haven't seen my sister, we clearly are going the wrong day. I am sorry for taking your time. Come on, Asher."
"See you, hope you find that magic necklace," Asher said, giving the taller man a wave. The man rolled his green eyes.
"Is she your younger sister?" the yellow-clad man asked, orange eyes concerned.
"Yes, we're twins, but she is younger," Jay answered.
"I have a younger sister," the man replied.
"Why don't you come with us? We are going to need all the help we can get," Harriet said.
"I also agree. I doubt we have met just to part so quickly," Shiloh stated calmly.
"I'll join you. Who knows what sort of magic this Amari person has. Perhaps she has the necklace and that is how they found your sister," the man added energetically. He put his mask back on.
"My name is Jay. Thank you for lending your service," the blue-haired prince said holding out his hand.
"Salken Grslyr," Salken replied with a hidden grin. His masked face turned to the others as they introduced themselves.
"Since we clearly went the wrong way. I suggest we return to Dale's gate and reevaluate where to go next. " Jay could feel a heaviness on his shoulders at the set back. Tanya put a hand on his arm and gave him a smile that turned to one of concern as Salken passed with Asher.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Tanya was on edge. What was once just Shiloh, Jay, and herself, now became a group of strangers. Salken with his thin, wiry shape and yellow robes walked almost like a stork. Asher was between Harriet and Shiloh speaking. His green eyes glinting at whatever tale he was spinning. She stood beside Jay, looking through the trees. She couldn't help but feel on edge. Something was watching them. She couldn't see it, but she was sure of it.
The wind rustled the leaves above. It sent a shiver down her spine. Something was with them. The prince and the others didn't seem to notice. "Jay," she whispered to him, not wanting whatever was watching them to hear. "Something is here."
"Princeling," a calm, steady voice called from the trees. Tanya reached for her broadsword, looking up in the trees. Something whizzed by Jay's face. "I do not wish to harm you, but the next bolt will not miss."
Tanya tightened her hold on her sword. The others in her group also tensed at the threat. Jay raised his head. "Stand down, everyone. If you wish to speak to us, lay down your weapon and show yourself." The prince looked at the others as they lowered their weapons. Salken sheathed his sword, Shiloh lowered her staff, Harriet lowered her bow, and Asher folded his arms with his spear.
The leaves rustled above and a green shape dropped from the trees landing with a light thud. His green cloak covered the top of his head and the rest of his green garb was evidence of his life in the forest. "Are you the spirit of the forest?" Salken asked the first to speak.
" I have been called that," the man replied, his almost predatory amber eyes looking at the yellow-robed man.
"He is just some guy hiding in the trees," Asher said, crossing his arms. A frown across his face.
"You're the thief that Dale speaks about, aren't you?" Jay asked. Asher frowned at the revelation, his green eyes narrowed.
"I am," the man replied, "My name is Robin." Tanya grabbed her sword again, narrowing her eyes at the green-haired man. If he made a move toward Jay, she would attack him. "And you are Jay, Prince of Dale. Tanya, Salken, Shiloh, Harriet, and… Asher, correct?" Robin asked pointing to each of the members of the group. He gave Asher a smug grin.
"If you are planning to rob us, I will be upfront and say I am not carrying much gold," Jay said, tone firm. His blue eyes held the other down.
Robin smiled, Tanya narrowed her chestnut eyes. "That wasn't my intention." His amber eyes softened. "I saw your sister," he said.
Jay took a step forward, "How was she? Where is she? Is she okay?" Tanya took a step forward as well.
Robin held up his hands in placating manner. "She is relatively uninjured and in good spirits," the hooded man said. Jay gave a sigh of relief, releasing a bit of the tension in his stance.
"Does the witch have her?" Salken asked, eyes gleaming.
"I don't think a witch has her," Harriet said.
"We can waste this time with useless conversation or we can get to the princess," Robin said.
"Lead the way," Jay said.
"Are you sure? He is a thief stalking your woods," Tanya whispered to the prince.
"I don't have much of a choice. Hesitation will only hurt Oriole more. She is okay for right now, but how long would that last?" Jay said, his tone was sure.
Tanya sighed loosening her grip on her sword. The prince strode to the hooded man. Robin nodded his head respectfully, his footsteps soft. Salken grinned manically saying something about the witch of the woods. His yellow-robes flowed as he followed bouncing. Asher walked behind Robin, eyes narrowed and hands twitching. Shiloh followed side by side with Harriet. Tanya shuffled behind the group.
She never felt as nervous as she did right now. She was surrounded by strangers. Off to attack a war lord. What if one of them was working with her? What if they were just waiting for Jay to be unguarded? Harriet turned around giving her a kind smile waving her to catch up. Tanya quickened her pace slightly.
"Don't worry about anything," Harriet said, "I am sure everything will be okay. We all want to be here." Shiloh gave a soft smile as well, putting a hand on Tanya's arm.