A/N: Hi everyone, So sorry for slacking on both this and The Aviary. I hope to have another chapter of The Aviary tomorrow. Now onto the reviews:
-Firealis- Yeah, Jay is a bit single-minded. Though it gives him a place to grow from here.
-Hofund- Thanks for the review. I am glad you like what I am doing with Harriet. Salken's semblance is dust manipulation with out a conduit like a weapon.
-Artesys- You're not the only one glad that everyone is introduced. Now I can work with backstories and dynamics.
-LifeisBeautiful17- Hopefully I can get some of the past of these other characters soon.
-onyxwhip- Yes! Victory. Thank you for your review
Ivy looked over the group of teens she invited into her home. They were all worn, sitting with sagging shoulders. She could still see the teens from her kitchen where she was cutting vegetables. The girl with the headscarf had her hand on the blue-haired teen's shoulder. The boy held his side, red was staining his blue tunic. The girl with the purple poncho and red hair looked as though she was meditating. The two other males were speaking with the dark-haired girl. The hooded teen was still outside. Ivy startled, realizing that the young man might need a towel or a change of clothing. She hurried past the teens to her room, grabbing a towel. He would have to figure something else to wear. She gave the other teens a small smile before she walked out of small house.
"I nearly forgot to give you a towel," Ivy called out to the hooded teen or the previously hooded teen. He held his green hood in his hand. Her large blue eyes traveled to the top of his head. Sticking out of his green hair, were two wolf ears. They twitched backwards toward her. The teen himself turned to her. He didn't look upset that she caught him. He didn't lower his ears in a defensive manner.
"Thank you," he said, reaching for the towel. "I was just about to bathe," he said as he motioned to the tub full of water. Ivy was unsure whether she should say anything about his ears. She stood silently in front of him.
"Of course, come in when you are done. I will be making stew," Ivy said, giving him a smile. She walked back to her cabin. The teens were still sitting around talking amongst themselves. She walked back to her kitchen and resumed chopping the vegetables.. She started the fire in her stove. She filled her pot full of water and set in top. She walked back to the teens. The green-haired one was back with his hood was on. She didn't think much of the teen's Faunus nature; it didn't bother her, but she was starting to suspect that the others didn't know about him.
"Thank you for letting us stay," the blue-haired teen said as she entered the room. "And feeding us. I can pay you for your troubles."
Ivy nodded, "It isn't a hassle or anything so you don't need to pay me. I am sorry but I don't know any of your names."
The blue-haired teen nodded. "My name is Jay." He put a hand on his chest.
"The prince?" Ivy asked, she knew the royals. She looked over Jay, he did look somewhat like the king if she squinted. The prince nodded, he seemed to straightened his posture. It did little to make him look more royal well past the worn expression.
"This is Tanya, Salken, Asher, Robin, and Shiloh," Jay introduced as the teens motioned as their name was said by the prince.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. But why is the prince this far from Dale?" Ivy asked as she stirred the stew. The other teens just looked to the prince to answer.
"There was an attack on the castle. This group of men took Oriole," Jay said, his face twisting into a frown. His hands clenched into fists.
"Oh, the poor dear," Ivy said. She left the stew to reach out to the prince. "I know I am just a stranger to you, but perhaps I can help you retrieve your sister." She held his hand. The prince looked at the woman, his blue eyes examining her face. She gave him a small smile and the prince seemed to ease a bit.
"One more won't hurt. Thank you for offering your aide," Jay said. Ivy got back to her feet, brushing off her clothes.
"Are you all ready for dinner?" Ivy asked.
"Are you kidding me? I'm starving," Asher said, jumping up to his feet. Ivy laughed before directing the teens to her bowls. The dark-haired teen was passed up by Salken who had slipped by while the other was helping Tanya to her feet. The yellow-clad teen filled a bowl before handing it to Shiloh who silently stepped behind him. She gave a quiet thank you as she walked away. The girl's faded eyes told Ivy that she couldn't see. The woman reached forward to guide her.
"Thank you, ma'am," the blind girl said as she was guided by the short woman. She sat the girl down on a seat. "May I ask you not to aide me? To help me would hinder me." The girl looked serene, the gentle expression caused Ivy to not argue.
"My apologies. You are very wise for your age," Ivy said, thanking Robin who handed her a bowl of stew. The teens sat around the pair. Some were on seats while the others were sitting cross-legged on the floor.
" This is pretty good, miss," Asher said as he slurped his stew.
"It could use some protein," Jay responded as he pushed around the vegetables.
"I don't particularly like hunting," Ivy said. "I do apologize." The teens didn't stop eating as she explained. The meal became quiet then as all of them ate. One by one they finished and put their bowls in where she kept her dirty dishes. Tanya stood up remained there and started to wash the dishes. The other teens relaxed with their full bellies.
"Jay, I can fix that wound if you would like," Ivy offered. She patted the space beside her. Jay nodded, gingerly making his way to her. He stepped around Asher, Salken, and Shiloh who were sitting together as Salken read his book out loud. Asher gave a complaint as the prince nearly stepped on him. The blue-haired teen apologized politely.
He lowered himself with a small flinch and removed his torn tunic. Ivy washed the slash with water. She wrapped it with her roll of cloth bandages. The woman called the next injured teen to her. She bandaged each scrape and cut. Robin kept his hood on and Tanya kept her head scarf on. She then ordered them all to go to sleep, promising that they could move out tomorrow. "We can take my wagon to Cove tomorrow and pick up more supplies."
The teens were laying on blankets. She had to direct Asher to the boy's side of the room once, but everything was at peace. Ivy added wood to the fire before joining Tanya and Shiloh on the floor. She could sleep in her bed, but she would rather watch over the hopeful rescuers.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Oriole woke up before her companions... captors? She would decide that later. She looked up at the tent roof. She listened to the birds call the morning. Their songs were beautiful. The wind blowing from the north whistled through the trees. If she strained her ears she could hear the river that the group would have to cross to reach Nullah. She couldn't let that happen. If she passed that river, she wasn't coming back. She'll be lost. The princess stood up very quietly, careful not to disturb Roux or Carmine. Both continued sleeping. She stepped over Carmine gingerly before slipping out of the tent. The fire she lit the night before had died to embers. She grinned at the thought of the large flames that had Carmine and Roux a little anxious. She looked around the encampment. Everyone was still asleep, anyone who wasn't in sight. Probably washing off in the river.
The princess padded quietly behind the tent. She spotted the pointed rock the trio had to move to set up the tent. She knelt beside it. The girl had to spit out her hair that fell in her face as she ran the black bandana that bound her wrist across the rock's sharp edge. The fabric tore causing her to slip. The rock slit a tiny cut across her hand but that was okay. She was free. The princess got to her feet. With a quick look back, she ran into the trees. She stopped to hide behind a tree and closed her eyes to listen. She could hear the noise of the camp waking up. Oriole lowered herself to the ground. She crawled on her hands and knees. She was getting away; she wanted to laugh. Oriole frowned only slightly as her clothes was caught and torn. She shrugged; she would just buy more clothes when she got home.
She bit her lip as her hand slid over a sharp branch. Oriole lifted it to her face. Red blood was welling from the small cut.
"Where is she?" a shrill voice screamed. Oriole's breath caught in her throat. She lowered herself flat on the ground. She held her breath as she listen to the loud movement of the camp.
Footsteps were coming closer. Heavy footsteps, crushing all the plants. A hand grabbed the back of her head, pulling her orange locks. Oriole squirmed, reaching up to try and free herself. "I found her, Amari," Demetri's voice said, loud against her ear. The taller man pulled her to her feet. The princess hissed through her teeth. She didn't have time to react as he pulled her forward.
Everyone in the camp stared at the pair. Oriole looked frantically around, looking for a friendly face. Her blue eyes caught sight of Roux first, her carrot hair standing out. The Faunus's ears were pressed flat against her head. Carmine who just walked beside her, gave her a glance. His dark eyes looked at the princess. Oriole gave them a smile and a small wave. The hand holding her hair swung forward. The princess held out her hand to stop herself from meeting the ground.
A cold hand cupped her face, pushing it up. Oriole gave the shaved woman a smile. "Good morning," the princess said. Amari looked unamused.
"What were you doing outside camp?" Amari asked.
"Trying to get breakfast. Carmine and Roux were asleep and I was hungr-" her explanation was cut short with a loud smack. The princess lifted a hand to her stinging cheek.
"I am tired of your rebellion," Amari said. Her eyes became cold. "Perhaps you need to be taught a lesson." She reached to her belt , pulling out a knife.
Oriole moved to get to her feet. Demetri was a wall behind her, a pair of strong arms held her in place. The silver knife neared her face as she moved her head back. The knife was too close now. Amari's cold hand grabbed a fistful of hair, stilling Oriole's head. The princess was breathing heavily. The knife was cold against her temple. The cold was gone as well as the tugging from Amari's hand. The woman held her hand in front of the princess. Orange strands of hair were in her hand. They fluttered to the ground as Amari brought her knife again to Oriole's head.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Roux's previous good mood was gone. She had to admit that teasing the mercenary who was her unofficial partner was fun. That was before she saw Oriole in Demetri's hands. The princess made eye contact with her. Roux could feel her ears pressing lower. She nearly lost the princess. If that had happened what would she do? The Faunus felt more than saw the mercenary stepped beside her. "At least she was found," he stated. "This might mean a pay decrease."
"Isn't that a shame," Roux responded sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"It is a shame. The bigger shame would be what Amari chooses as a punishment," Carmine commented. The taller man crossed his arms.
"Maybe we should stop her," Roux said, ears perking back up. "I can pay you if you want."
Carmine held out a hand. The Faunus reached for her money pouch, pulling out a single bronze coin. The man's brown eyes looked at the meager pay. "Pleasure doing business with you." Roux jogged to where Oriole was being restrained by Demetri. Amari gave them a frustrated look.
"You let her escape," she said, her eyes held a bit of fire in it. The north wind picked up again. Roux shivered slightly. "One more slip like this and you will be out of a job." Amari walked away, Demetri on her heels. The man gave Carmine a smug look.
"He needs a bee's nest in his tent," Roux commented.
"Agreed," Carmine said. "Get up, Oriole. You can't put it back on." Roux looked down confused. The princess was picking up strands of orange off of the ground. The mercenary put a hand on her arm.
The princess looked up at the two. "Good Morning," she said with a smile. "I'm sorry that I tore your bandana." Carmine hmmed as he lifted her to her full height. The princess let her hair fall to the ground.
"So Carmine, you were telling me that you cook good bird eggs," Roux said.
"It comes with the job," Carmine replied.
" You doing jobs for chefs?" Roux teased.
"They pay well. And they treat you to their fine ales," Carmine replied.
"You're joking?" Oriole asked, an eyebrow raised. Carmine gave the smallest smile that could be considered a smile. Oriole was in front of the two as they walked back to camp so she didn't see Roux slip Carmine another coin.
A/N: This chapter is a bit short. Sorry. I would like to add before that if you want to edit your character as in how they see/treat the others, who they may have a crush on and the like just add it to your character thread.