A/N: So I am not dead. Though I have been sick so this chapter has been waiting for a week to be uploaded. Ugh, but I am better now. Thank you Epic Zealot Productions 2.0 for adding this story to your favorites.
-LifeisBeautiful17- Ivy is indeed the mom friend. I was hoping that I got that across. Carmine is coming around, slowly. The money is only going one way so Roux paying Carmine. So ehh, he is getting there.
-Firealis- So yup, Robin is a Faunus. And I am hoping to expand his back story first. As far as Carmine and Roux we have to see don't we. ;).
-Artesys- Yes, I am really liking Carmine, Roux, and Oriole's combination.
Robin was one of the first to wake up. He got to his feet and folded his blanket. He looked over the group of teens. "Oh you're awake," Ivy's kind voice called out. Robin stepped carefully over the snoring Jay. Robin rolled his eyes as he noticed that Asher had rolled nearly half of the room. He chuckled at Salken who had a book over his face.
He walked to the older woman who was in the kitchen. "I hope you like muffins. Strawberries are yet to have ripened, so I had to use my dried fruit stash. She mixed the batter, giving him a look. The hooded Faunus padded closer.
"May I help? At this rate, everyone will be up soon," Robin replied. Ivy motioned the other closer.
"It would be nice to have someone to help. This home can get awfully lonely," Ivy replied as she lined up cups. "Could you start a fire, please?"
"I would be a poor excuse of a Robin if I couldn't," Robin replied. The Faunus left before the woman could reply. He was quick to find Ivy's stack of firewood. Grabbing several pieces and balancing them in his arms, he made his way back to the hut. He paused momentarily at the door , ready to move the logs to one arm to open the door. It swung open. Asher was there with a grin.
"You look like you need a hand," Asher said with a grin as he held the door open. "You should ask Salken light that fire. He's good with dust. It is his semblance after all." Robin walked passed the other teen. The door closed behind the duo. Robin looked over the other teens who were all at various states of wakefulness. Robin placed the logs in the fireplace and Salken was already there, fire dust already in hand.
"I can light it," Robin said, stopping the other before he started the fire. The yellow-garbed man shrugged, backing away. The hooden faunus knelt beside the fireplace. He pulled out his flint and was quick to start the flames. He stood up once again before finding to sit beside Harriet. The dark-haired girl gave him a smile.
Ivy put the raw muffins near the base of the fire before she sat by the prince. The group was silent for a moment. Harriet ran her fingers through her raven hair as she worried her lip. Robin could feel her look toward his head. The Faunus wished that the girl didn't act so shocked about it. "Did you sleep well?" Ivy asked the teens, trying to start conversation with the rather quiet group of teens.
"Yes, thank you for your hospitality," Shiloh answered first. The other teens made similar comments. Conversation became meaningless at that point as they spoke a little about the village they would be passing by and made plans of what materials to buy. The muffins were passed out and eaten quickly. After the meal, the teens packed up their meager bags and Ivy packed hers as well. The woman led the teens to where her horses were housed. The woman hooked up her small wagon to the horses. Ivy gave her home one last look before the group left.
The teens walked beside the wagon, leaving just their bags within its cover. Harriet was at Robin's side. The two were quiet, only the creaking of the wagon wheel broke the silence. Harriet's dark eyes turned to him. Robin turned his amber eyes to meet hers. The girl looked away, pulling at her pink outfit. Robin grinned before looking forward again. He could feel her eyes on him. "Are you going to keep staring at me? The others will think you have a crush on me or something," Robin said sarcastically.
The girl started to blush, "I, uh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I just think you don't need to wear your hood." She shook her hands in a panicked manner. Robin smiled; the girl had told him already and the Faunus already answered. "I am sure no one would mind," she added. The green-garbed man was grateful that she was speaking softly so the others can't hear.
"I am unsure of that but that part of me isn't important for our mission. Revealing my nature would do nothing but cause a disturbance," Robin replied. Harriet nodded though she seemed unsure with his decision. The pair grew quiet for a moment. "Have you been to this village before?" Robin asked.
"No, my parents didn't paint the best picture of the villages outside of Dale. They said they are full of thieves. Uh, no offence," Harriet said, looking at him sheepishly. She tugged her hair and wrapped it around her pale finger.
"None taken. Though I would hardly compare myself to those thieves you fear, I wouldn't rob anyone who truly needs the money," Robin replied, he stood proudly as he remembered those who squandered their riches. He helped people, he made the world a little more equal.
"But you would rob someone like Jay?" Harriet asked, "How is that fair?" The girl's dark eyes were squinted as she looked at him.
"Jay is a good person, so I wouldn't dream of stealing from him," Robin said a bit offended that she would suggest such a thing. He looked away from her, watching the wagon wobble to and fro.
Harriet thought over it. " But if you didn't know him?" she asked. The hooded Faunus turned back to the girl. "I don't think stealing in general is right."
"I think there are people whose riches are better spent by the poor," Robin said, his face becoming stern. The two grew quiet as Salken hurried past. He nearly brushed Harriet as he passed.
Salken hurried to the woman who was driving the wagon. "Miss Ivy," he called, looking up at the brunette woman. He patted the chestnut horse on the hindquarters as he walked beside the wagon.
"Yes, Salken. How can I help you?" Ivy asked, she looked down at the yellow-robed held the reins a bit tighter to slow the horses. She leaned toward the teen, her hair draped over her shoulders.
"You live in these woods, correct? Have you ever seen a witch? I heard stories that she haunted these woods," Salken said. His voice was excited, his eyes shining brightly.
Ivy thought about it for a moment. She pushed her hair backed her long brown hair back over her shoulder. "I can say that I heard of a woman that people said had a strange power. It could be a semblance though.I think her name began with an A."
Salken perked up at the woman's words. "I would talk to the people around town. If there is a witch in town, she has to be visiting their market or inn." Salken nodded excitedly. "Is this your first time in Dale?" the woman asked.
"Yes, I live in Ravine," Salken replied, "My family and I never had a reason to travel here. There are plenty of unexplained phenomena there. In fact, my family found some ruins that suggest that there was a previous magical society."
"Honestly? I do wonder where they are now," Ivy asked. Her brown eyes grew distant as she thought about it.
Salken shrugged, "Perhaps Dale has such ruins somewhere." The yellow-clad teen continued excitedly. The motherly woman nodded along with him.
Shiloh walked by Jay who walked near the rear. "Have your injuries healed?" the blind teen asked. She tilted her head slightly to look at him.
"Yes. I do wish I hadn't froze like that," Jay admitted. "I wouldn't have been injured if I had reacted properly."
Shiloh smiled softly. "You have lived your life behind walls. It is not surprising you will fear that which you haven't seen." The girl's steps were nearly silent.
"I wasn't afraid of it," Jay defended himself, feeling like he was insulted by the girl.
Shiloh laughed, "I meant no offence. Though being afraid is merely a part of being alive. It is a feeling that passes and then you grow from it."
"What are you afraid of? With all your talk of fate, how could you be afraid? You believe that everything is planned for you," the prince asked.
"I'm sorry, Jay. I do not feel the need to express my fears," Shiloh stated. "Besides, it seems as though a fear of Grimm is an important one to overcome on our journey."
Jay crossed his arms. "And whatever fear you have isn't?" The prince looked down at the shorter girl, blue eyes amused. "Very well. I will respect your privacy." The two walked side by side, speaking of nothing important.
Tanya looked at the wagon. She tried not to look at the teen walking beside her. She guessed that he wasn't that bad. "So did you miss me. I couldn't help but notice that you were the one to jump in to save me." He waggled his eyebrows at her. Tanya looked down at her hands. "No problem. I can be intimidating." He flexed his muscles before brushing back his hair.
Tanya rose a single tawny eyebrow. She cracked the smallest smile. "In all seriousness, you are pretty good with that sword. It is a shame that it is all rusted."
Tanya looked at her sword that hung on her hip. "It isn't so bad and it was the best that I could afford."
Asher held out his hand. Tanya gave him a confused look. "Can I see it?" The girl unsheathed her weapon and lay it flat as she held it out for the other teen. He took it in his hand and swung it. Tanya flinched at the swinging blade, but it never got near her. "That sold me. I am buying you a new sword in the village. As a thank you. Besides, I think you look lovely with a shining blade in hand."
Tanya rolled her eyes, "Thank you. Though I don't see myself as worthy of a new weapon. Everyone else also had a part in saving you. You don't have to buy me anything."
Asher gave her a smug look. "Okay how about this. We don't want that sword to break and then we'll be out of luck. Don't worry about the cost. Let's just say I'm loaded," Asher elbowed the girl. He gave a wink before laughing. "Your face is priceless." He wiped his green eyes.
Tanya frowned, she didn't appreciate his flirtation. "Don't worry Tanya. I am pulling your leg," Asher said. "But not about the sword. You do need a new sword."
"Is there something that I could do to repay you?" Tanya asked, her voice was halting; she probably shouldn't give him such an offer. Who knows what sort of things crossed his mind. In fact, he seemed to be looking her up and down. She started to squirm, perhaps if his request was too unreasonable, she could tell Jay.
"Hmm, you can find me a dust store. Just a bit of ice dust or anything," Asher replied. "You look a little surprised. What did you think I was going to ask?" He gave a wide grin to the other.
Tanya stammered and she turned away in case she started to turn red. "You have a dirty mind, Tanya," Asher teased tutting slightly.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Roux crossed her arms across her chest. The sound of water bubbling over rocks were louder than the sound of men tightening up their packs. The Faunus girl watched as Carmine was reordering his pack. Oriole was sitting cross-legged beside the bag. She had been very quiet since her unwanted haircut. The princess ran her hand over her head. Her blue eyes watch Carmine. He handed her something from his pack. The princess just looked at it before taking a bite out of it. Roux walked back to the pair. "Hey do you have enough for the whole camp?" Roux teased. Carmine gave her an amused look, reaching into his pack again giving the Faunus girl a little wrapped package. Roux opened it to reveal a small roll. She took a bite out of the roll. It was sweet, a bit stale but sweet. "Wow, you bake, Carmine," Roux said with a wink.
"Yes, I was able to bake sweet rolls in a campfire," Carmine replied, closing his bag.
"Sarcasm? Nice," Roux teased. The three walked to the edge of the river. Some of the men had started to trudge across the wide river. The water sloshed around their chest. "Hmm, how much for you to carry me across?" she asked Carmine. She pulled her money pouch. Carmine gave her an unimpressed look.
"I am not a ferry," Carmine replied. Roux sighed starting to put away her pouch. "Brace yourself." Was the only warning before Carmine wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground. She was placed on his left shoulder. He held out his arm to the princess who shook her head. The trio stepped into the water. Roux watched as the water rose around the princess. She paddled beside Carmine.
"You need help there, Oriole?" Roux called out to the princess who was just keeping her head out of the water.
"I am fine," the princess said, spitting out water. "I like to swim." Carmine rolled his eyes before pulling the soaked princess out of the water. Her short orange hair was pressed against her head as it dripped. She looked absolutely miserable.
"Your stubbornness is going to get you killed," Carmine noted as he pulled her closer. The princess became limp.
"Yup, stubbornness. Not the war lord that is keeping me captive," Oriole responded. She didn't lift her head to actually look at them. Roux and Carmine shared a look. If the Faunus could guess, she would think that he was concerned. She was as well; the other orange-haired girl had been really quiet. Maybe her situation finally sunk in. Roux felt a bit of pity to her, but she couldn't let that stop her mission. This was important to her; she couldn't let Oriole get away.
Carmine broke her thoughts by shifting her so she could slip off his shoulders. Roux landed lightly on her feet. The mercenary lowered Oriole slowly. The princess thanked him with a mumbling voice. She walked over to the girl. The Faunus was going to put a hand on her shoulder, but Carmine nudged her away from the girl. He shook his head at her. Roux lowered her hand.
"Let's move. We can't waste time," Carmine said as the rest of the group started to work. The trio walked and Roux could hear the other two drip water. She was between the two; they were were quiet.
"Hey Carmine where are you from?" Roux asked. She looked up at the mercenary.
"Rift," he responded. Roux balked in shock. He was from the same city-state she was.
"I am as well," she breathed, her shock evident in her voice. Carmine smiled slightly, no doubt thinking about his home state.
"And I am from Dale," Oriole added, huffing a laugh. Carmine rolled his eyes and Roux gave a small laugh. "How is Rift?"
"Cold," Carmine responded, his voice flat. "It snows there a good portion of the year."
"My siblings and I would play in the snow the first day it fell," Roux said, thinking about a fond memory. A rare one, but one that kept her going.
"You have siblings? Brothers? Sisters? A bit of each?" Oriole asked, starting to perk up. "How about you, Carmine? Any siblings?"
"Woah, Oriole. You can't ask so many questions. We can't answer that fast," Roux jokingly reprimanded.
"Of course, mother. Please forgive my lack of etiquette," Oriole replied with a grin. Roux laughed and even Carmine chuckled.
"I thought we had raised her better," Roux continued, shaking her head. She wiped her eyes. The two girls couldn't keep up the scene and both started to laugh. Carmine even started to chuckle. Roux breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed as though Oriole wasn't going to push her questioning.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Jay wrinkled his nose at the smell that hit his nose. It smelt like filth and animals. His blue eyes could see all the people walking through the poor houses. He could see where planks were used to patch holes from Grimm attacks. The rest of his motley party had separated each with a bit of gold from his own pouch. Even now, he could feel how much lighter it felt now. In fact, it felt like he didn't have it all. The prince patted his pockets. He hissed as his met nothing. There was nothing in his pockets. "Are you looking for this?" Robin's voice asked the the man himself appeared at his side. Jay turned to see his pouch in the hooded man's hand. "You have to be on your toes," he said.
"Thank you," Jay replied as he took his pouch. He frowned and held his pouch a bit tighter now. "Who did you get it from?" he asked, the prince looked over the people that walked the village's streets.
Robin shook his head at the almost accusatory look that the prince had. "They were only kids who wanted some sweets. They weren't harden criminals." The hooded one shrugged his shoulders.
"No, but don't you think that they could be going down that path? They are clearly thieves," Jay responded.
"Jay. What is a couple of coins to you in comparison to what their families could buy?" Robin asked. The prince frowned, looking over the torn down town. He sighed, giving the hooded Faunus an unamused look.
"You gave them a couple of gold coins from the pouch," Jay responded. Robin nodded. "That is fine," the prince replied.
"You can't blame them. Most people outside Dale, don't like the nobles of Dale. Most of your noble families are close-minded and greedy," Robin responded. Jay looked at the thief.
"Is that why you steal? What noble family slighted you?" Jay asked. Robin got quiet and didn't look like he would answer.
"Is that important to you? What would you do? Punish them for exiling my mother because of me?" Robin asked, his face and demeanor changed to be a bit more stiff. "No, I will keep that to myself because they aren't my family and I do not care about them."
"I didn't mean to upset you," Jay responded. Robin waved off the conversation. "Let's find the others." The two teens found the others soon enough. Each of them had bags filled with food and water. Tanya was carefully holding a bag of dust. "Everything looks good. We can continue and…" Jay trailed off as Ivy pushed two young children in front of the prince. "Who are these two? Do I have to put a minimum age on who joins this rescue team?"
Ivy chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't be silly dear," the older woman said with a shake of her head. Her amusement slid off her face. "They need our help. Their parents went into the forest last night and they haven't returned."
"So we are helping them," Asher spoke up, crossing his arms. "Sounds good to me." His green eyes looked at the prince. Jay shifted uncomfortable as the others in his group also looked over to him. They were waiting for him to react; to tell the little children that his sister was more important. Jay looked down at the children who looked back up at him. The brother and sister whose matching eyes filled with tears. The prince backed away from the two turning his back to them.
"I told you he wouldn't help us," a low small voice whispered. Jay flinched slightly at the tone.
The prince sighed. "Leave the wagon here at the inn. We will find your parents." He didn't turn to see his group's expression or that of the kids.