A/N: I am soo sorry for the late update. "The lost Fable" threw me into a little spin. I have decided to ignore it for the most part and keep with the story I plotted.
-LifeisBeautiful17- I am glad to be back. And yes, I am keeping an eye on the ships people are calling out. Though I can't promise any progress on any ship during the main story until I mix and match different characters and get a feel for their interactions.
-Firealis- I am glad you find the way I write Shiloh to be acceptable. As with all the other characters, I want to portray them the way the creator intended. I
-onyxwhip- Thank you for your review. I am glad that you enjoyed Salken's intro.
-ElectricalZats- I am glad you like Roux. This trio will have a fun time. I hope that I can keep up the quality that you expect.
-Artesys- To answer your question about Shiloh, facial expressions wouldn't be seen, but she can feel the aura sensing the emotions behind it rather than seeing them on a face.
Jay frowned at the hooded man. "That is ridiculous. We can continue," the prince said with crossed arms. "The sun is still out; we can make some distance before nightfall." His blue eyes were narrow, shooting daggers at the cloaked man. The green-haired man stood his ground, not backing down from the prince.
Robin's amber eyes narrowed. "It will be getting dark soon. If we don't set up camp now, we will be swarmed with Grim. Especially with the negativity you are emanating. Your sheltered life has clearly has left you unprepared ." Jay's fist clenched tightly. Tanya's chestnut eyes darted around to the trees around the group as if she could see the shadowy creatures that Robin mentioned. She braced herself for an attack.
"We can continue for a little while. It won't take that long to light a fire," Asher pointed out, "Back me up here, Salken." The man with long dark hair turned to the one standing by his side. The yellow-robed man looked up from his book, blinking rapidly. Salken's orange eyes were trying to focus on Asher.
"I wasn't listening," the man replied, "What is happening?" Asher groaned muttering that the book should be the tinder. Salken frowned clearly unamused with the suggestion, moving so he was holding the book at a distance.
"My parents told me that as soon as the birds start nesting is the time you do the same," Harriet said, already lowering her bag. Her voice was soft as if unsure if she should speak. Jay huffed frustrated, lowering his own bag slightly. He was starting to be swayed, but his eyes betrayed his anger.
Shiloh stepped toward the fuming prince. Her faded red eyes looked up at the blue-haired young man. "Come with me, Jay. The rest can prep camp," her calm voice and steady hand on his elbow urged the prince from the group. Tanya stepped forward toward the pair. "Stay, Tanya. We will not be gone long." The girl didn't look over her shoulder to stop the one with the headscarf.
Tanya looked unsure, her brown eyes looking from one to another. She gave the prince a questioning look. Jay gave her a small nod. "Go ahead and set up your bed roll," Jay said, not quite an order. Tanya agree grudeningly, turning to the dark haired girl who was rolling her own bed roll. Harriet gave her a little smile before turning her back to her to roll out her bedroll.
Shiloh urged Jay to walk away with her. Jay followed the girl away from the group, his footsteps heavy. "What is this about, Shiloh?" Jay ask as they were left alone. The trees blocked them from the rest of the group.
"I understand that you are concerned about your sister. But charging head first will bring nothing but ruin." The girl let go of his arm, turning to face him.
"And what if we drag our feet and she is killed?" Jay asked, eyebrows cocked. "Is that just destiny? fate?" his tone was a bit harsh, the words biting.
Shiloh was quiet for a moment. If she flinched against the harsh words, Jay didn't see it. " If Oriole is killed, then you can punish those who harmed her. But we will not be of any use if the Grim destroy us," Shiloh stated sagely after a deep breath. She sat herself on the ground and pulled her legs into a crossed position, patting the fallen leaves beside her. "Sit, please," she asked the prince. The prince remained standing. "This would help," she insisted. Jay sighed but sat beside her. She crossed her legs, laying her arms on her lap lightly. Jay mimicked her.
"What are we doing?" Jay asked, looking at the girl who had a serene look on her face.
"A calm mind proceeds a correct choice," Shiloh said. "Have you considered meditation? It would clear your mind and perhaps give you some insight." Jay sighed frustrated. "Or perhaps just to unify our little group. We may be together for a while." She gave the prince a small smile before shutting her eyes. Jay rolled his eyes before shutting his own. Shiloh took a deep breath, listening as Jay took a deep breath in. "Oriole will be in good health. We will find her and return her home," Shiloh said calmly as the two breathed deeply. She opened her eyes to see Jay's blue aura. The blue shape slowed in its coils, the blue slowing and loosing its darker color. It became a little lighter. "I will not give you false promises, so I can't promise that we will save her. But your sister seems to be quite resourceful."
Jay opened his eyes, "That she is. I suppose you are right and Robin is right." His voice was a bit calmer, but Shiloh could sense he was still on edge. "Thank you Shiloh, I really needed to stop for a bit."
The girl smiled softly. "You are very welcome," she tried to look sympathetic toward him. "We can remain here for a while longer." Jay nodded, relaxing his body stance. Shiloh hummed softly to herself. She kept her breathing calm and even. Jay was doing the same likewise.
She could hear him shuffling. She opened her eyes even if it was unnecessary. She could see his blue shape get to his feet. He reached out a single cool blue hand to her before pulling back. She shifted her feet underneath her, getting to her feet. "I am going to check on the others. Will you be safe here or.." he trailed off unsure.
"I will return with you. I would rather not challenge fate and the Grim," she replied. The prince held out a hand to her. His upbringing demanding that he guided her. Shiloh didn't complain just laying her hand on his. He guided her through the pastel green forest toward the multiple colors of the rest of their group.
Tanya watched the two approach, being the first to hear the crackling of the fallen leaves. Jay looked unharmed as the two separated. Shiloh walked past the girl with flaxen hair to Harriet who was talking with Asher. Salken was standing with the pair, starting a small fire with dust. The two tents were set up with the fire in between the two. The scarf-wearing girl stood at the side as the others spoke. Her chestnut eyes looked down. She should join them, but she couldn't bring herself to move her feet. Her body tense and jumpy.
Jay looked over his group, counting them. His blue eyes turned to the isolated girl. He finished his sentence to Robin before walking toward the girl. Tanya shifted uncomfortably as he approached. "Tanya," he called as he neared. "We are just about to have supper. Would you like to join us?"
"I, uh, I am not so sure," Tanya responded, she wrapped her arms around her waist.
"Are you scared of us?" Jay asked, looking at the girl's stance. She opened her mouth to deny it, but her head nodded slightly. The prince nodded his understanding. "You have nothing to fear from me. I am sorry if I made you feel as if you couldn't trust me. I haven't really been my level-headed self."
"I trust you," Tanya said. "I feel like you are a good person. But I don't know about them." Her voice was small. Her chestnut eyes looking at the group behind him.
Jay nodded, "You know, Oriole always was telling me that people are good. Their actions may not be, but that just meant that they made a mistake. I don't think I believe the same, but I know that I am not in the position to refuse help. So just for now, I will assume that they are good."
"Your sister sounds too optimistic," Tanya stated. "People are so likely to hurt you. I just… I don't want to be hurt."
Jay gave her a soft look, sympathetic. "Well, then I'll have your back and you can have mine. Would that work?"
Tanya shrugged, unsure, but she followed the prince to the group. Harriet and Robin were pulling out dried meat and fruit. Salken reached for the food without looking from his book. His eyes were wide as he scanned the book. "Jay, have you seen a landmark like this?" Salken asked, turning his book excitedly to the prince who just sat down. Jay leaned back so the book was a proper distance away from his face.
"No, but I never left Dale," Jay responded. Salken turned his gaze to Tanya, silently asking the same question.
"I, no, I haven't seen that," she responded, sitting beside the prince. Harriet walked to the pair giving them a bit of fruit with a small smile. The dark-haired girl leaned over the two to see the picture.
"I may have seen that, but my mother said it was just a Deathstalker nest and to avoid it," she responded, dark eyes remembering something. "It was a couple of clicks west of here."
"Perfect, that would be an excellent hiding spot. The best in fact. No one would challenge a Deathstalker. We must explore it," Salken stated excitedly, waving the book in his hand.
"We don't have time for any distractions," Jay responded with a shake of his head. Salken frowned, turning his gaze to the book.
"But this could give us a hand up, perhaps a way to overpower the one who has your sister," Salken replied.
"Um, not to be rude. But I really don't know if any of us can take down a Deathstalker," Harriet responded. Salken looked up at the girl before turning his attention back to his book. Harriet shrugged and sat at Jay's other side.
"I for one think we can. Or at least me," Asher bragged as he took a bit of jerky.
The group ate silently as the sky became darker. The sound of beowulfs baying kept Tanya looking back. They sat in the dark; the firelight the only light. "We need to have a rotating watch," Robin spoke up, his tone firm. His voice finally breaking the awkward silence.
"I'll go first," Asher offered raising a hand. "Get it over with and all that jazz." The young man tugged his dark ponytail tighter. His bright green eyes turned to the woods as he tightened his grip on his spear.
"Then I will take watch after," Robin offered, his predatory eyes scanned over the rest of the group. One by one, each offered to watch. After Robin the order was Tanya, Salken, Shiloh, Harriet, and lastly Jay. With watch figured out, Robin got to his feet, walking to a tree. He pulled himself into the branches and leaned back cradled by the foliage. Salken stretched before retreating to his bed roll. Shiloh and Harriet turned in next each going in slightly different directions, not speaking with each other. Tanya was left with the prince.
He opened his bag, moving the objects inside till he pulled out a brush. He turned it over in his hands. "Tanya, this may not be my place to say." The prince seemed to quiet. "Oriole used to be so particular, I mean, she is particular. But I mean to say that I noticed. I do not mean to insult you." He held out the brush awkwardly. Tanya pushed her messed flaxen hair forward.
"Thank you," the girl responded, taking the brush from him. Jay cleared his throat before getting to his feet and walked to the other side of the fire to sleep. Tanya picked the brush and ran it through her unkempt hair.
RWBY~RWBY
Oriole was unhappy. She tripped for the upteenth time. Roux giggled at her right, holding the torch in her hand over the princess. The yellow light gave her enough light to see where to place her hands. The orange-haired girl pushed herself to her feet unsteadily. "Why aren't we stopping?" she asked Carmine.
The man stood silent. "Amari wants to put as much distance between us and whoever would follow us," he said at last.
Roux moved the torch in front of the group. "Yup, because Grim are less threatening than a prince," the Faunus said sarcastically.
Oriole huffed, trying to cross her arms, "Jay is tougher than he looks. He has trained his whole life for something like this."
"I doubt it," Carmine replied, "A prince who has never left the walls of Dale, he will be Grim food. Amari doesn't have to do anything. His own folly would get him killed."
Oriole bristled, stomping to the man. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to stare him down. It was humorous, given the height difference. The bound princess trying intimidate the mercenary. "You don't know my brother." Roux chuckled awkwardly, reaching to the girl. Before she touched the girl, Oriole back down, looking down at her feet. The faunus could see her shake slightly. Carmine walked away from the duo. Oriole didn't look up from the ground, following the mercenary who was unphased.
Roux walked close to the now silent girl. Carmine didn't seem to care that she was upset. Oriole perked up, giving the mercenary a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Did you know that Jay and I used to camp in the castle gardens? We begged my dad until he let us," she said, voice tense. She tried to be cheerful, but it was falling flat.
Roux could tell she was faking the nonchalance as if it was completely normal to be bound as she was. Carmine didn't respond to the bait for conversation. "How was that?" Roux asked, giving her an excuse to continue.
"Boring, the guard kids used to say it was so fun. A bit dangerous, but like an adventure," Oriole responded, her nose crinkled a little in disgust. "We had huntsmen there and we couldn't even start a fire. The chefs brought food for us and everything," Oriole said, her tense smile becoming a sad one.
"Hmm, that sounds fun to me," Roux replied. "Just eating without a care in the world."
Oriole rolled her eyes at the Faunus words, "Yeah, but you weren't there as Jay read the big book of history. He could have brought fairy tales, but he doesn't stop studying and roped me into helping him." Although the princess acted as if she was tortured with the study time, her watery eyes told differently. "The flowers were so pretty. I cut a handful for my dad," she giggled, "I don't think he was very happy that I destroyed the garden." The sound of barking stopped the princess. Carmine held up his gauntlets, steading his stance.
The shadows of the trees lurched forward. The dark shape becoming a physical form that collided with the princess's small frame. Roux jumped a little at the wolf-like creature that pinned her down. It opened its jaw and the girl's blue eyes were wide in fright and her hands her held up to defend herself. Carmine was quick, before the white teeth reached the princess. His sharp-tipped gauntlets grabbed hold of the Beowulf, tearing it off the orange-haired girl. Roux turned around facing another Beowulf. She pulled out her pari of urumi swords. She swung the whip-like blades across the wolf-like creature. It howled angrily. She spun slightly to avoid the Beowulf's claws. Her swords made two more cuts. The Grim crumbled smoking as its red eyes dulled and its body turned to dust. Roux saw Carmine tearing the earlier Beowulf. It smoked at it disappeared. His dark brown eyes looked over her shoulder. She turned to catch another Beowulf stalking toward her.
She took a quick step to the side and the black shadow lunged across. One of her urumi sword sliced through the back of the beast's legs. It stumbled, trying to regain its footing. Carmine curled his hand into a fist. Fire formed around his fist as the dust in the gauntlet ignited. He struck the wolf-like creature in the jaw. The bone-like mask cracked. It growled as it stumbled. Roux ran forward, swinging her right sword forward. The Beowulf fell to the side. Roux gave the smoking corpse a smirk. She looked up at Carmine with the same smirk.
"You aren't that bad," she said to the mercenary. He just gave her a grunt. "Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine."
"Where's Oriole?" he asked, dark eyes looking around the forest. Roux spun around as well. The group of men were standing around the smoking bodies of Grimm. The Faunus ears press against her head. The taller man huffed, stomping into the trees. Roux looked around , perking her ears to listen.
She walked away looking for the girl. Her amber eyes was taking in all the light, making the forest perfectly visible. She caught movement in the corner of her eye. "Hey Oriole, come out. I saw you." There wasn't a response. She rolled her eyes. She padded quietly toward where the girl was. "Olly, Olly, Oxen Free," the Faunus called out. She looked past the tree. "Found you," she teased, "You're it." The orange-haired princess looked away before giving the Faunus a cheeky grin.
"Okay, you hide and I'll seek," Oriole said. Roux reached out to grab the girl's arm, pulling her up.
"Sure, later," Roux said, urging her back to the group. "Carmine is looking for you."
"Please just let me go. If you want money, we have money," Oriole said. Roux paused for a moment.
"There you are," Carmine's stern voice called reaching the two girls. Oriole slumped a little.
"I thought Roux was seeking," she joked with a grin. Carmine rolled his eyes, wordlessly ordering her forward. Oriole followed beside him, looking back at Roux for a brief moment.