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Not Quite As Thick As Thieves

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Trust among our kind

Be it ever so hard to find.

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Just as Emerald revealed Yang's birthright as one of a noble line, Team ENMY's limousine pulled into the driveway of House Vermillion's Mansion.

Peafowl exited the driver's side and went to open the passenger's. But by the time he got there, Yang was already kicking out the door of the car.

"Wait! So you're saying I'm royalty?!" she exclaimed.

"Outcast royalty, but that's the gist," Emerald answered. "If you trace it back, a Branwen was Head of House Vermillion a few times."

"…So that's why you told me to bring my birth certificate when we left Patch."

"Bingo."

"And why I registered into Haven so easily. And how we were able to cross the borders without any problems!"

"Some of that was Raven, but sure enough."

Yang massaged the sides of her temples, trying to process this new information. As she chewed on it, Peafowl led the team through the Vermillion estate. Though it was referred to as a mansion, it would be more accurate to call it an entire complex.

While walking through its luxurious red-marbled halls, a note was passed to Peafowl by another butler.

"It seems my employer has an urgent meeting he must attend first. I humbly apologize on my master's behalf, but I believe I have something to occupy your time whilst you wait." At this, he addressed Yang and Mercury. "The parcel you requested as payment has arrived."

"Sweet!" Mercury rubbed his hands together.

Yang also seemed excited.

"Parcel? What parcel?" Emerald asked.

Deeming it better to show rather than tell, Peafowl led the team to a waiting room, where a small wooden crate sat atop a polished table. Although to his surprise, the room was not empty.

A flamboyantly dressed noble was standing beside the package. His suit possessed dashes of blue and green glitter. Heavy makeup applied to his face. And his nose protruded a touch longer than average, adding to his seemingly snobby demeanor.

"You!" he gasped.

Peafowl froze for a moment, but was hasted to regain his composure.

"Greetings, Lord Peacock," the butler bowed. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance once again."

"I'd heard rumors, but that Azure brat really took you in. Hmph," the one called Peacock scoffed. His attention shifted to Yang. "And YOU must be the Branwen scion all the plebs have been on about." He traded glances between the pair of exiled lineages. "Birds of a feather, I suppose. Things really have gone to hell. And to think, this package was meant for you."

"We are eternally grateful for—"

"Silence, worm. I am taking back the device this instant."

"It is within your every right, but if I may, this task was requested on behalf of your Head of House, was it not? I fear for your reputation if—"

"Gngh!" Peacock grumbled. He strode to Peafowl and stuck his chin out so far it was only inches away from the other's face. "I will remember this. And as for you," he turned to Yang again. "You should also remember your place outside the affairs of your betters. Just because you and your mother have scrounged up some scraps of acclaim, does not make you one of us! You are exiles, and you will always be exiles."

"I don't really care about this nobility stuff," Yang said indifferently. "But this exile's about to open up your rib cage in the next second."

The fingers on her prosthesis whirred, while releasing a mechanical hiss.

"How barbaric."

With one last harrumph, Peacock stomped from the room.

"—Nobles," Mercury snickered through his teeth. "You'd think they were born dumb and obnoxious."

"If only that was your excuse," Emerald added.

"You okay, Peafowl?" Yang asked the butler.

"I am fine. Thank you for your concern, but I am quite alright."

"Okay…" Yang gave him a soft nudge in the arm. "Hey. He wasn't worth the bloodstain on your clothes, right? SO! Let's see that reactor!"

Peafowl revealed the briefest of smiles, before proceeding to open the crate sitting on the table.

From the box, he pulled a pair of palm-sized circular objects. Metallic and shiny, they gave off a small hum of faint green light. It was obviously some sort of top-of-the-line tech. And the way they weighed in Peafowl's hands left the impression they were constructed of special grade material. Whatever they were, they looked impressive—and expensive.

"So, what are they? They look expensive," Emerald commented.

"Old Dust Reactor prototypes, courtesy of Schnee Dust Co. R&D," Mercury replied.

Emerald's eyes went wide. "These things are Dust Reactors? They're tiny."

"Compared to the engine we stole and the ones used on airships, yeah. But these aren't meant to fly dreadnoughts."

"Then, what are they for?"

"Weapons," Mercury grinned, as he took one and flipped it through the air. "They were originally part of that doll Atlas made a while back."

"Penny," Yang worded sternly. "Her name was Penny."

"Right, 'Penny'. Anyway, me and Yang did some research, and thought it would make for a good arsenal upgrade."

Emerald could see where Mercury was coming from. He wanted a new edge in the fight against Qrow and Ruby's team. The idea itself wasn't bad—but that wasn't what annoyed her.

"And, what? Peafowl just happened to send for one because you asked him to?" Emerald asked.

"Well, no. Me and Yang pulled a small job to pay for it."

"You and Yang took a job?"

"…Yeah?"

"Without consulting me."

"Yeah."

"Uh, is there a problem?" Yang interceded. "I mean, it's not a big deal—"

But Emerald only held a hand to her face and continued speaking to Mercury.

"Why didn't you come to me for this?"

"Well, Yang's the one helping me with my tuning lately, and it was her idea, so we just went with it," Mercury explained. "And the job wasn't tough enough to need all of us."

"I could have stolen the tech. We didn't need to rely on favors or…outside help."

"It's from the S.D.C.'s highest security R&D Department, Em. Even you couldn't have stolen it and made it back in three days."

Emerald crossed her arms. Her scorn drifted from Mercury to Yang.

"We'll talk more about this later."

"Fine. Anytime," Yang met her glare.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Peafowl answered and immediately went to a deep bow on seeing who it was.

Standing there was a young teenage boy wearing a dark-blue hakama. Accompanying him was also a tall woman robed in crimson garments. The two flashed a polite smile to Team ENMY, who instantly went on guard. The reason being the ones who greeted them, and most likely summoned them here, were none other than the Interim-Head of House Azure and Head of House Vermillion.

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X

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The group of seven proceeded to a private corner of the estate, where more clandestine meetings were held. A single-room building lying on the edge of the garden.

Upon crossing the threshold, a pleasant smell of old wood hung in the air. Low-light lanterns provided them vision of the conference space. They approached the long meeting table in the center, when the outstretched hand of Vermillion Wing, stopped them from doing so.

Likewise, Neo and Peafowl also sensed something amiss. Both positioned themselves in front of Yang and Azure like bodyguards.

Vermillion eyed a vase set in the middle of the table for a moment, before glancing to Peafowl.

"I remember that vase having slightly different flowers the last time I was here. The maids may have switched them out, but to err on the side of caution…"

"Peafowl," Azure prompted his butler. "Please, dispose of it."

"As you wish," the servant answered.

For the first time, Team ENMY saw the butler use the long cloth always draped over his arm. Its length whipped out around the vase. The thick tapestry enveloped the pot and its flowers until not a sliver of it was visible.

Just as the cloth tightened, a muffled boom caused the silhouette to expand momentarily. Smoke trails rose between the threads, as Peafowl carried what remained of the vase outside.

"Hm, I take back what I said. Guess not all nobles are dumb," Mercury whispered to Emerald. "At least, Vermillion's Head is the real deal."

"Woman in her position makes a lot of enemies. She wouldn't be alive if she wasn't legit. The other Heads probably aren't pushovers either," she whispered back, while keeping an eye on the young Azure.

Acting as if bombs planted in meeting chambers was business as usual, Vermillion made her way to the front of the table and bid everyone to take their seats. Team ENMY sat on one side, while Azure took the other, shortly joined by Peafowl.

"First, I would like to express my deepest regrets concerning what happened to the Branwen family in the past," Vermillion said to Yang. "Truly, such a thing should never have occurred. The perpetrators of the incident were found and punished over a decade ago, so you may rest easy."

"Uh…thanks?" Yang responded awkwardly.

"With your consent, I would gladly reinstate the status of your household and welcome you once again under the Vermillion Wing."

"Oh. That's…nice. Ow!" Yang felt Emerald kick her under the table. "But I don't think I'm in any position to make that decision. My mom—err—Raven Branwen should be in charge of that, right?"

"Unfortunately, Raven has elected to ignore subsequent offers of talks," the woman sighed. "As such, the prerogative of your family falls onto you."

"Riiiight… Well, I'd maybe want some time to think it over."

"Is the offer displeasing to you?"

"No!"

"Ah. You wish for an elevated standing than previous. I shall see to the amendment at once."

"No! It's not that…it's just—"

At that moment, a childish laugh echoed from Azure on the other side of the table.

"She's teasing you, Miss Xiao Long. There's no need to be flustered. Although, if you are so reluctant to join her faction, perhaps I should make my own bid," the boy offered.

"What?"

"In a technical sense, the 'Xiao Long' line is a distant relative of ours. Not as prominent as the Branwens in Vermillion, but a connection exists however thin. Before your family migrated to Vale, we were under the same House."

"Huh." Yang thought about the meaning behind her surname. "That makes sense. I'm not really interested though."

"That…is a shame. But, I do hope we can change your mind."

*Ahem* Vermillion cleared her throat. The golden rings on her wrists shuffled with a pleasant clink.

"I believe we should address the matter by which we have asked you here."

"Okay…" Yang answered uncertainly.

"Apologies, but it may be more prudent if Azure, Miss Xiao Long, and myself were the only ones present for this discussion. I mean no offense to your company."

Yang shook her head. "I trust my team. They're also my…closest advisors!" she quickly made up. "So, I'd like them to stay."

"I'd also prefer Peafowl remain," Azure added.

"Very well." Vermillion consented. "If I may be frank, Azure and I, among others, are curious about the stance you are taking in regards to Argent and his administration."

"My stance?"

"Specifically, the nature in which you serve under Raven, who acts as his Vice Minister. According to our intelligence, you and your mother were estranged. Recent circumstances have changed that, but still, a distance exists."

Shouldn't be surprised they know. The top nobles probably have countless spies and resources.

Yang spared a subtle glance to Emerald, who seemed passive and stone-faced.

Play it straight for now, huh.

"Yes… That's right," Yang tried to answer calmly. "We're not really close. It's more like she hires our team for work."

"You refer to in a mercenary capacity."

"Yeah."

"That is all?"

"Yup."

"Hm…"

Not only Vermillion, but also Azure lapsed into silent thought. After some time passed, the young boy spoke.

"I believe we should be straightforward with our proposal, Vermillion. If I may?"

"Please," the woman motioned her consent.

Azure turned his attention to Yang with open amicableness.

"The truth is, we would like you to throw your support behind one of our Houses."

"I don't think I know what that means. Why, even?" Yang puzzled.

"As it stands, Parliament fears Prime Minister Argent wields too much power. While there are a number of variables contributing to his expanding influence, one of its larger factors is you."

"Me?!"

"Your team proved a pivotal force at the Battle of Dracul. You led the White Fang's division of Mistral's military to victory."

"My mom did that."

"Both your names appear in the minds of our citizens when the war is concerned—and that inevitably leads to support for Argent."

Yang scratched her chin and scrunched her nose.

"Alright… So, you want me to stop fighting for my mo—Raven, and fight for you guys instead," Yang checked. "You want me to stand alongside the regular military, instead of the White Fang."

"Exactly."

"Well, I don't really care who I fight for, but me and my team have an arrangement with Raven. We can't just bail on it."

"Whatever boon she promises for services rendered, our two Houses combined can outmatch it. If it is rewards alone you are after, that is," Azure spoke with emphasis. "But I believe you an honest person. One who wishes to do a more selfless kind of good. Am I correct to assume you work towards the betterment of your fellow person?"

"…"

"We seek your help not to benefit ourselves, but to the benefit of all," he elaborated. "With Argent's growing influence, corruption will undoubtedly set in. And if we wait until the war is over, it may be too late to act."

Yang compared Azure's words to the issues surrounding the Prime Minister she'd learned. She was able to draw conclusions to what the young boy was hinting at.

"…What makes you so sure Argent won't continue the cycle?" she asked. "He's gone on the news saying he'd step down once the war is over."

"Because power corrupts all, Miss Xiao Long. The other Houses must exist to keep the others in balance. He, himself, has said this."

By the look on Yang's face, it was clear she still harbored doubts.

"But that doesn't make sense. The Prime Minister can't get rid of the cycle just like that," Yang argued. "It's not just the nobles, but regular citizens who would resist it. They'll see him as a tyrant, wouldn't they?"

"He doesn't have to get rid of the cycle. He only needs to control it."

"…"

"Our Houses are diminishing. By the end of this war, it would not take much for Argent to initiate a takeover. Should he succeed, he would be able to choose any future Prime Minister he wishes. In actuality, two candidates come to mind from the outset."

"Oh…"

Crap, Yang internally cursed.

"You are beginning to see the bigger picture, are you not?" Azure continued. "Argent could position Raven as the new Head of House Vermillion and yourself of House Azure. Your statuses are precarious, but the reputation and respect you've garnered from the masses would see the appointment with little resistance."

"But what about the Sable faction?"

"If Argent does not raise a figurehead for their household, he could simply have it abolished altogether. Sable has faced much criticism in recent times. Our citizens would cheer its dissemination."

"But…this is just guessing what might happen. It doesn't mean it actually will," Yang supposed.

I can't believe mom would just let that happen either. There's just no way.

"I would also like to believe Argent incapable of such a thing," Vermillion weighed in. "But I would err on the side of caution than risk tempting him."

"Please, Miss Xiao Long," Azure pleaded. "You would lose little by switching your support. But Mistral stands to lose everything if you do not."

Yang felt plagued by a million thoughts. The arguments by Vermillion and Azure were a bit far-fetched, but a certain truth rang to them. She also didn't know Argent personally, so how would she know if he was the kind to be corrupted by power or not. Wouldn't it better to be safe than sorry?

"Miss Yang Xiao Long," Vermillion implored her.

"There must be balance.

Or the people will be the ones to suffer."

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X

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Team ENMY made their way across Haven's campus after Peafowl dropped them off. It was midnight by the time they returned, and the classrooms were already emptied and locked.

"UUGGGHHHHH! I hate politics…." Yang groaned.

"Yeah, that was some pretty heavy stuff," Mercury responded. "Glad I'm not in your boots."

"Thanks, Merc."

"I mean, my problems suck, but at least they're simple. Kick a guy here, stomp a Huntress there. But fate of the Kingdom mixed with mommy issues? Your problems have that extra-special, complicated kind of suck."

"Thank-you-Mercury. Insightful stuff, as always."

"What are you gonna do? They said they were expecting an answer soon."

"I don't knowwww~" Yang sighed tiredly. "What do you guys think?"

"—Doesn't matter to us," Emerald gave the shorthand reply.

"How does it not? You need my mom's help with Cinder, so you can't just switch support."

"They need you, Yang—not the team. People don't care about us. We didn't take down an Atlas flagship single-handed."

She frowned. "I was really looking forward to some sarcastic remark, followed by actual clever advice."

"Looks like I'm fresh out of both."

Yang groaned so loud it was practically a yell.

"Come on, Merc. Let's work on those weapon upgrades. I'll just lose myself in that and stop thinking about this noise for a while."

"Sounds good to me," Mercury agreed.

"—Wait a second." Emerald laid a firm hand on Yang's shoulder. "You two go on ahead," she titled her head to Mercury and Neo. "Yang and I need to have a little chat."

Mercury seemed to take the hint, shrugged, and walked off with his hands in his pockets. Neo lingered a second longer, trading looks between them, but inevitably followed suit.

When they were gone, Emerald led Yang to an empty classroom, to which she picked the lock to. She held the door open for the other to enter.

Once Yang was in, Emerald closed the door, shrouding the room in pitch black darkness.

"Um—?"

"You and I have a problem," Emerald's voice crept from the shadows.

"Yeah… guess so," Yang replied coolly. "I thought you were going to dance around this like you usually do. But now, maybe I can finally get some answers."

"Don't get cheeky. I know what you're trying to do—the angle you're playing."

"And that would be?"

Emerald paced around her.

"Miss goody-two-shoes, moral compass and big sister to us all. You may have Mercury fooled, 'cause he's easy to please, and don't get me started on Neo." Yang felt Emerald's blade hover close to her neck. "But you're not pulling one over on me."

Yang was doing her best to remain unintimidated. Being around the team taught her to hold her ground and defend herself at every turn. Showing weakness under any kind of pressure was taboo.

"What's this about, Em? I won't get it, unless you spell it out for me."

"This is about you getting all chummy with us. We're not your friends. We're just using each other for our own ends, and once we get what we need, we're going our separate ways. So let's not pretend this is more than it actually is."

"Where's this coming from? Why can't you just face me?" Yang searched. "I get you're upset about something, but when have I ever given you a reason to not trust me?"

"Don't. Just stop. We're not teammates. So stop treating us like we are!"

"You recruited me! You were the one who said we were Team ENMY in the first place!"

"And you bought into it like a cheap sap," Emerald chuckled. "It's my fault for making it too convincing. I only said what I needed to get to Raven. It was never about you. It could have been anyone. We could've just as easily left your crippled ass to rot in that stupid house where we found you. Probably should have, too."

Yang felt hurt by Emerald's words. They cut into something deep, exposing a fear she tried so hard to ignore. Even so, Yang couldn't back down. She could sense there was more to this.

"You're right about me trying to get closer to all of you! I just..." Her lip tightened. "I don't think you're bad people for the most part."

"Hah! Don't make me laugh!"

"Wait, just listen, okay? I'll be the first to admit, I didn't think I'd get along with you guys either! After everything you did and the pain you caused. But after getting to know you guys, I…I got to care about you. Even if you don't care about me."

"Cut it with the saint act already~!" Emerald groaned in disgust. "Still trying to be the hero, trying to please everyone! It's seriously pathetic."

"It's not an act. It's just me. No filter, no lies."

Yang dug deep in her heart for the words that almost cracked trying to leave her throat.

"I just want to be your friend…"

"And trying to save people who DON'T need saving!" Emerald fumed. "Let me repeat myself. We. Don't. Need. You. The only one we ever needed was Cinder."

And then, Yang knew she touched on something. A moment of clarity behind Emerald's words. A sensitive truth.

"Who do you think I'm trying to be, Em?" Yang questioned.

"I know you're trying to be our friend, when you're not."

"That's not what's bothering you."

"Hah! Do you seriously hear yourself?"

"I've hung around you long enough," she pressed. "The only times I've seen you this pissed off is—"

"Shut. Up!"

"—when Cinder is involved."

"SHUT UP!" Emerald jammed the barrel of her gun at the back of Yang's head. "You need to shut up. Right. Now. Or I swear…"

But Yang couldn't stop. If she retreated, she knew something would be lost. Instead, she turned and grasped Emerald's hands, which shook.

"Do you think I'm trying to replace Cinder?"

A bullet went off and whipped Yang's hair back.

"It's a good con, blondie," Emerald snarled. "If I was a chump, I'd probably fall for it."

"I'm not trying to con anyone."

"The next bullet's going straight through your FUCKING skull."

"I did everything I could to earn your trust. I don't know what else I can do!"

"There's nothing you can do! Don't you get it yet?!" Emerald screamed. "You were nothing—nothing but a dumb mark! In fact, we don't even need you anymore! We know how to save Cinder! We can work out the rest on our own! This team's done!"

Something snapped in Yang.

She stepped towards Emerald's gun. Her hair blazed with a fire that lit up the room like a candle. Her hands took the scruff of Emerald's collar. The lines in their visages laid bare.

"Then take the shot, Em! You don't want me? You say, you don't need me?! THEN, TAKE IT!"

"Back off, Yang!"

"Take it! Prove you're right! That you can't trust me! DO IT!"

"I'M WARNING YOU!"

"I'M SICK OF THIS SHIT BETWEEN US!" Yang shouted from the depths of her soul. "YOU THINK I WANTED THIS?! I WANTED TO HATE YOU GUYS UNTIL THE END!" Angry tears glistened down her cheeks. "But…I came to like all of you. Mercury, who screwed me over at the Vytal Festival… You, who acted like our friend, when all along, you were planning to destroy our school… And Neo…"

The emotions caught tight in her throat. There was no stopping the words from overflowing.

"I fell for someone who tried to kill me! Who's probably going to kill Ruby the first chance she gets! How messed up is that?!"

Yang's lip quivered under her hot breath. Her cheek bones tensed so hard they ached. The edges of her mouth twisted.

"Tell me you don't feel the same, Em… Tell me you hated me all this time and were just waiting for this moment."

Yang's thoughts went to the day they barged into her house and offered her a proposition—to the day it all began.

"That it didn't mean anything to you, that you guys were the ones, who brought me back." Yang's body shook uncontrollably. "Say this team doesn't mean anything. Say it's done one more time."

Her thoughts went to the fights with Blake and Weiss.

"I betrayed my friends and everything I stood for. I killed Weiss' sister. She'll never forgive me. I betrayed Pyrrha and Penny's memory."

Yang's face contorted into a broken smile.

"Go ahead and say it, Em. Say it was all for nothing. That I was wrong. You conned me. Because if I don't have this team, at least, I…!"

She stopped.

Her voice softened to a whisper.

"Do it. Just do it..."

Yang's flaring Aura dissipated, and the room went dark once more.

In the quiet shadow, she felt Emerald break away from her grip. Rapid footfalls echoed the lecture hall, followed by light peering from a doorway that opened and swung loosely.

And like that, the thief had stolen away.

Yang left to wallow in the words she and Emerald still left unsaid.