Lelouch of Zero: I thought the same thing, outside of the first season it seemed like Penny was a Ruby-exclusive friend lol. Such is the effect of Team HERO, whether it is for better or worse...they create new possibilities. :D
ahsoei: Only in the way that they are separate personalities in one body. Venom was an external force sharing Eddie's body. Hildie is a part of Olivia that festered due to being suppressed in her mind for so many years. It was like Ozpin told Horatio back in Chapter 1...over or under use of one's semblance can have adverse consequences.
Roland opened his door a crack, making sure the hallways were clear. He was certain he'd heard Tai pass by downstairs a few minutes prior, he wouldn't get another chance. With silent footsteps, now know each creaky beam and section of the floor to avoid he made his way towards yang's room. He couldn't wait till morning.
She's been locked in her room all day since getting the arm. He sighed, having had no chance to talk with her. She clearly is hesitant to take it up, maybe now she…
The shield-bearer of Team HERO looked in surprise, the gleam from under the door revealing that Yang's lights were on. What she still awake?
"Yang," he whispered as loudly as he dared. The lights were on downstairs as well; whatever her father was doing he hoped it would keep him busy. Were he to be discovered now, certain death was sure to follow. "Are you awake?"
"Yes, come in."
Must be the nightmares still, Roland breathed deep as he opened the door. Just put it out there, she'll be against it I imagine, but with the arm as an option I can convince…
Roland locked eyes on Yang sitting in front of a mirror; she was so focused on something she wasn't even looking at him when he opened the door. She was still dressed in the orange top and baggy pants she had adopted during her stay. A smile graced his lips as he spotted a flash of silver and lilac at her neck, the gift he had given her in Vale. She was fully concentrating on adjusting the silver metal arm now connected to the stump of where her previous had resided.
She…put it on already…
"Good timing," Yang remarked with a calm grunt of frustration. "Unlike the Ice Queen I am not left handed. Can you give me a hand tightening this bolt?"
Roland just stood at the entrance for several seconds taking in the scene before him. She looked uncertain of course, but she seemed better. He had expected her to be hesitating putting on the arm as it would be tantamount to accepting it as a piece of her and what she had was not coming back. He had to shake himself back to the present.
"S-sure," he replied at length, approaching Yang as she handed him a strange tool that looked like a screwdriver and wrench merged into one. "Does it hurt?"
"Stung like a Rapier Wasp at first," she admitted while pointing out where she needed tightened. "Now it just feels," she paused to select her words, "different."
"Well you know what they say, the first time is the hardest," Roland remarked without thinking. With how laid back she was acting over it he had reverted to his default setting. Quickly he scrambled to think of how to apologize but Yang beat him to it.
"Eh, I might have trouble with the first two or three arms, after that I'm sure I'll be an expert."
She's…okay with it?
"Yang, I…"
He didn't get a chance to finish, as his hand twisted the bolt into place, her remaining hand reached up to cup his own. She didn't look at him, maintaining her gaze into the mirror. Regardless, the fringes of a genuine smile formed on her lips for a moment before devolving into the goofy grin he had missed so much.
"I'm not supposed to use it for anything stressful until the nerves acclimate," she explained. "Though I think the transition will be much butter with you here."
I'm such a moron, Roland berated himself. I almost made the same mistake again. How can I keep forgetting how…amazing she is? I could have ruined everything, she…she was always strong enough. I was the one who needed help. He thought back to all the times he tried to take the pain from others; Casey, Olivia, even Yang in small amounts to hide the drawback of his semblance. He wanted to help his friends so much. But hurting myself like that would only hurt them just as much, trading one pain for another. As much as I wanted to help you Yang…you were doing the same for me.
"Well you know me," he finally continued. "If you ever need a hand…you know I'll be here."
Yang turned towards him, causing the young man to kneel so they were at equal level.
"That was the worst one you've ever come up with," she teased.
"I guess I still have a thing or two to learn."
Her eyes shimmered in the light of the room; the two just couldn't look away as they steadily drifted closer to one another. He risked a hand placed on her shoulder. A loud crash downstairs shook them from their mutual trance, snapping attention towards the door so they could hear better.
"Like what you see?" They heard a voice that wasn't Tai's before a raucous chorus of laughter soon followed. The two teenagers looked at each other with identically confused expressions as they recognized the voice without a doubt.
Professor Port?
Downstairs…
With growing worry at what awaited them, Roland and Yang made their way downstairs. Sure enough, the light in the kitchen was on and was the source of the noise. Their former teachers Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck were sitting around the kitchen table with her father Tai leaning against a counter. The portly teacher was laying on his back looking up at the ceiling as if he'd just recently fallen over as the other two and even he himself laughed at his own expense. Even Yang could not stifle a little snicker at the ridiculous-looking situation.
"Oh…Ms. Xiao Long!" Professor Port called out at noticing their presence and leaping to his feet. "Mr. Mane! Please join us!" Doctor Oobleck had similarly stood to his feet, tucking in his shirt and standing straight as if to recover a modicum of his former professional status.
"Yes, yes," Oobleck agreed as he nodded his head vigorously while tightening the grip around his cup. Based on the two were acting Roland was relatively certain it wasn't coffee in there this time. "Pull up a chair, please pull up a chair!"
"Thank you," Roland complied with his request while Yang hopped up on the nearby counter. She was a bit too forceful with her new robotic arm, cracking the marble surface.
"Oops, sorry."
"Don't be!" Tai rushed for a pan to brush away the remains. "The general mentioned it would take time before you get used to it."
"And I am sure that will take no time at all!" Port called out in his usual overly-boisterous tone. "You were one of the finest students of your year! With Beacon's collapse many transferred to other schools, I know of CFVY and CRDL at least relocating to Shade Academy…I did not enjoy writing those letters of recommendation as much as they were well-earned. Speaking of our best students how has been Ms. Nikos' recovery?"
"…Slow," Tai admitted at length. "How did her folks take the news?"
"They," Oobleck paused as he recalled their previous visit before Patch. They had informed Mr. and Mrs. Nikos of their daughter's survival. They were overjoyed until the mention of the fear that the ones responsible for the fall may come after her again and her location must remain a secret. They understood yet had shed many tears. "Took it better than expected."
Tai nodded, Pyrrha was currently conked out in her room upstairs and considering how long she'd been working on her project in the shed it was highly unlikely even their ruckus could wake her.
"It is so good to see you again Professor," Roland leaned over to share a quick hug between the two. "What are you two doing here?"
"Relaxing with an old friend," Oobleck answered for him. "We tried to get Ms. Goodwitch and Ms. Peach to come as well but they were…preoccupied with restoring Vale. Your father sends his regards."
"Dad was there?"
"Indeed, his firm has been helping raise the necessary funds for much of the repairs. He voiced his desire to come; alas he could not get away. He and your mother send their best to you, Ms. Xiao Long and your team."
"Come on now, we can worry about that stuff in the morning," Tai worked to change the subject back to the discussion prior to the teens joining them. "So there we were in the auditorium, looking at Qrow wearing a skirt and Ozpin says 'it's time to start working on our landing strategies!"
The kitchen burst into laughter as each recalled their own chosen strategy from Yang's Ember Celica propulsion, Roland's shield surfing or even Oobleck's uncharacteristically simple idea of 'aim the weapon down, fire and hope for the best.'
"The Branwen twins have always been…interesting to say the least," Oobleck finally remarked as the laughter in his belly subsided.
"That sure didn't seem to stop young Tai," Port continued, raising his eyebrows suggestively towards the grizzled huntsman near the counter. He did not seem to appreciate the implication involving the woman he had tried to steer clear of discussing.
"Come on man," Tai's playful tone had disappeared as he motioned towards his daughter. "She's right here."
"Oh please, she is a mature young woman," Port waved him off, the contents of his drink loosening his tongue even more than it already was most days. If she can handle combat, she can handle a few jabs at her old man."
He doesn't get it, Tai sighed.
"That's not the issue Pete, besides she's still a teenager…"
"SHE is also in the room," Yang interrupted. "And can be directly spoken to. And "I" think we have been through enough to be considered adults at this point." She motioned between Roland and herself, the young man suddenly wished he had a glass nearby to absentmindedly sip as he felt very uncomfortable with the direction of the discussion.
Her father's face screamed subtly that he did not want to have the conversation, but between Yang's piercing eyes and the side glances of the other three attendees, there was no escape.
"Adult or not, you've still got a long way to go before you are ready for the real world."
"A long way to…" Yang flexed her new arm forward as if in proof against his statement. "How far do you want us to go? Off the map?"
"You've made amazing progress in so short a time, I am not belittling that. But there is way worse out there and you are NOT ready."
"We can be sir!" Roland jumped in this time as he saw the two glaring each other down, seemingly about to come to blows. "We can do it, we're…"
"Right," Tai turned his parental fury upon the young lad. "A shield-bearer with no shield…
"Half a shield!" Roland corrected, recalling the battered remains that he had stored in the shed yet not touched since arriving.
"Half a shield," Tai humored him. "A shield-bearer with half a shield and a huntress with one arm!"
"Two now!" Roland was getting heated; rising from his seat he advanced on Tai who did the same in turn until they were an inch apart. "We are improving every day…"
"SHE'S improving every day, Pyrrha too," Tai countered. "You've gotten flabby," he poked at Roland's stomach for emphasis. "Have you done any real training since arriving?"
"I've been busy!"
"I know you have!" His eyes betrayed his intensity; he knew full well what Roland had been busy helping with. "It doesn't matter if you let yourself go in the process."
"Well maybe I just need to get in some training!"
"And who would oversee your training? Zwei?"
"He's probably the most qualified, though If I could find a capable Huntsman I'd be back to form in no time!"
"H-hey," Yang had withdrawn towards the table at Roland's advance and started inching forward to be the voice of reason. Before she could move, a gentle hand fell on her shoulder.
"Best not Ms. Xiao Long," Oobleck whispered just low enough for her to hear. "This is an amazing occurrence to be witnessing firsthand. The first heated argument between a father and his daughter's boyfriend. Very rare to witness in the wild, we shouldn't startle them…they may charge."
Yang turned away, trying to hide the blush forming at his words.
"If I may add my opinion, you have been very brave," the green-haired doctor complimented her while the two continued arguing in the background. "I've known plenty who would not have bounced back as quickly as you…if at all."
"I'm…not brave, I just," Yang admitted with a pause as she glanced to Roland. "I just had a really good reason to not hesitate. I'm still scared by…all of this," she held up her new robotic arm, flexing the fingers as gently as she could out of fear of using too much strength again.
"Bravery is not the absence of fear," Professor Port explained. "But how to push past its presence. I admit, even I wrestle with that emotion rarely from time to time."
"He's afraid of mice," Oobleck quickly revealed.
"THEY BRING ONLY DISEASE AND FAMINE!"
"Well, maybe I'll just have to bust you into shape!" Tai yelled as the argument continued. "If I leave you be you're sure to find some way to muck it up!"
"Thank you!" Roland roared back despite no longer really arguing. "That would be much appreciated! I hope to not let you down!"
The two reached out, gripping the other's hands in a powerful shake while locking their eyes together. A silent agreement had been forged between them; Tai would train the young man and the others under his care while he would in turn protect one of the most important girls in his life on the day they would inevitably depart for the world at large.
"If you are determined," Tai at length returned his attention to his daughter. "You can do whatever you put your mind to…you are Yang Xiao Long, my Sunny Little Dragon."
"Dad!"
Roland did his best to hide the absolutely incorrigible smile that crossed his face at the reveal of Yang's childhood nickname.
His Sunny Dragon, my Sunflower…she's the Sunflower Dragon!
Menagerie…
"Drink up, it's good for you."
Esmerelda's grandmother had shuffled them through the crowds back to her home, a quaint house not far from the water's edge. Blake seemed to be in a rush to leave yet could not deny that after the display outside it would be best to lay low for a bit before heading back out. The older swan-faunus had presented a mug of thick white liquid in front of each of them. Sun and Esmerelda had taken hold of their own and started drinking as Blake eyed it suspiciously.
"What is…?"
"Coconut milk," Sun answered for her. He pulled away his cup to reveal a ridiculous white mustache and one of his patented disarming smiles.
"It's good," Esmerelda agreed. "I'm pretty sure it's all you ever served."
"I saved the good stuff for after you were off to bed. And since I have been remiss in my pleasantries, my name is Odette Mustra," she was referring to Sun specifically before returning her attention to Esmerelda. "Never thought I'd see Kali's little girl back here…or you. What brings you back home?"
Blake heard her parents talk of the Mustra family, that they had once been strong supporters of the White Fang yet fell out of the inner circles long before her time. She couldn't believe that a family acquaintance had kept such a secret from them. The lengths she must have gone to over the ten years Esmerelda lived on the island to keep her hidden must have been extreme.
"I…I wanted to make sure you were okay," Esmerelda seemed to stumble somewhat with the cold professional nature of Odette's personal question. "With everything happening since Beacon…"
"Oh now you know that doesn't affect us here," she pushed her granddaughter's concerns away. "With the CCT Towers down we barely heard about that until recently, the Grimm on the rest of the island have been stirring but no more than usual. Not that reception was very good here even when they worked. You didn't have to come all the way out here."
"But nana..."
"What have you been up to anyway since Beacon?" She interrupted quickly before Esmerelda could continue.
"I've...been helping out with the Grimm outbreak, fighting where I need to."
"Someone has a student fighting out there where armies and professionals should be? Whoever you fight alongside must be on hard times."
Esmerelda did not know how to reply.
"Odd family reunion," Sun whispered to Blake who simply nodded. It felt more like a business meeting.
Odette sighed at Esmerelda's silence, inhaling deep as if what she planned to say would be far harder. "It is nice to meet Esmerelda's friends, I don't think I've seen you since you were a little kitten," she half teased Blake much to her embarrassment. "Equal parts your mother and father no doubt. And…"
She looked over Sun, raising an eyebrow at his open shirt and laid back attitude.
"Sun Wukong…ma'am," he quickly added towards the end. "I've never been here."
"Clearly," she joked with a final glance at his abs and an accompanying chuckle. "If you two accompanied her here just to check on my old wings I'm afraid it will be a boring stay."
"We came separately," Blake finally spoke. "I…I just wanted to come home."
"I just sort of tagged along with them," Sun admitted, laying down his mug, only then noticing the pitcher was empty as he reached for a refill.
"Oh, I can…"
"I can get that," Esmerelda interrupted, snatching the jug from the center of the table. "Everything is in the same place right?"
"My routines have been unchanged since before I had your father!" She called out as the lancer of Team HERO disappeared into the next room over. "And they will persist long after your kids have developed their own!"
With Esmerelda gone, there was an awkward silence between the remaining three in the room. With empty glasses they could only twiddle their thumbs as they contemplated what to say.
"So…are you really Ezzy's grandmother?" Sun just blurted out as the question had been eating at his mind. Blake's jaw dropped open at the incredibly blunt question.
"Ezzy? What is it with kids these days shortening everything? You really do say whatever pops into your head don't you?" She remarked with a raised eyebrow before a childish grin crossed her wrinkled lips. "I like that. If you mean blood relation and the traditional sense of the word, yes I am very much her grandmother."
"But…if you're a faunus and she is a human…"
"Not just me, Esmerelda's parents, my son and daughter-in law, were faunus as well. He had the proudest set of wings you'd ever seen."
"Isn't that imposs…"
"My own beloved husband on the other hand…was as human as they come."
The room fell silent; the distant sound of clattering dishes from the next room the only sound in the house. Odette recalled the days back when she had met him, he'd been so charming each time he brought his ship into port to provide supplies and take on or let off passengers. It had been not even two decades after Menagerie was granted to the faunus and finding anyone willing to trade was tricky in those days. Yet he hadn't cared. Alas he had passed away of natural causes shortly after Esmerelda had been born.
At least he got to see his granddaughter.
Blake didn't know what to think, her ears shirking down. She had been a faunus living among humans ever since fleeing from Adam and the White Fang, yet Esmerelda had been a human living among the faunus. The similarity between their mutual deception for fear of the reactions of others was…unsettling.
"It's never been reported before," she clarified. "We were worried of course when I had her father, but that it could skip a generation is unheard of even in a mixed marriage. I was told the odds of what occurred were beyond astronomical from past experience. You've seen how faunus and human relations are out there, can you imagine looking at it through the other side of the window?"
"Wow," Sun continued. "That must have been rough."
"More for her than I," she admitted truthfully to her granddaughter's friends. "I cut ties with the White Fang after they voiced their…displeasure at my love-life choices. I only wish your parents had done the same since Sienna took over."
"Wait, what about my parents?" Blake's eyes widened at her remark made as a side note as if it were common knowledge.
"Well, your father may have stepped down, but a branch of the White Fang still remained on the island. He has regular reports with…"
"We have to get over there, NOW!" Blake stood up and rushed to the door.
"Hey, wait!" Sun scrambled after her without even waiting for Esmerelda who emerged from the kitchen, jug in hand at hearing the commotion.
"What did you say nana?" She knew what had been said, but wanted to hear it again.
"The Belladonnas have meetings with the White Fang Branch on the island. Reports of their protests worldwide, changes being implemented by the various kingdoms, even…"
Esmerelda stopped listening as she gathered her things to give chase after them; Odette huffed as her guests rushed out so quickly without a word muttering something about manners from the young.
Why? Esmerelda screamed internally. Why did the General's Intel have to be right?
Patch…
Roland completed another push-up, sweat dripping from his brow as Tai walked past, eyeing the young man to ensure he wasn't cutting corners. A familiar corgi lounged lazily on his back adding to the difficulty, he was uncertain if it was part of Tai's training regimen or if the pup had simply grown bored and wanted to taunt him.
"Ten more then we move to sparring," Tai commanded as Roland followed his instructions with an exasperated yet dutiful groan.
They had been at it for days since Oobleck and Port's visit, laps, routines, sparring sessions all while Yang watched from the sidelines. Her arm was coming along and she was growing used to its strength every day. Until then, he would improve himself, fight, train and ensure the next time he faced Adam Taurus…he would not escape again.
Horatio would have been proud, he lamented sadly, remembering similar workout routines in the early mornings back at Beacon every morning. The memories created a surge of adrenaline allowing him to finish the pushups early.
"Keep the guard up but not too high," Tai instructed as he swung. Roland caught the attack but was pushed backwards, even pulling his punches Yang's father was incredibly strong which was only natural he supposed.
Roland was improving; he had to get back into shape beyond what he was before. No matter how long it took he was going to prove he had what it took to keep her safe. He could not help but chuckle in his head at what they would have to face that she herself could not handle and he would be there right at her side.
As he blocked a renewed punch, Tai stepped in, locking Roland's hand behind his head before flipping him clean over his shoulders to slam onto the ground. It did not take much effort to pin the defeated huntsman trainee.
"Bet you didn't see that coming."
"Are you kidding, back at Beacon Yang had me pinned at least three times a daaaaaaa," he tried to retort only for the older man to twist the arm more in retaliation, silencing him with a spike of pain.
A sudden explosion interrupted their verbal and physical spar. The door of the nearby shed blew open, releasing a cloud of dust and soot into the cool air. In the confusion, Roland was able to wiggle free. Pyrrha emerged from the plume of smoke coughing and waving her hands in an attempt to clear the air. The two men rushed over to ensure she was alright.
"Pyrrha! What was…?"
Tai's inquiry was cut short as the answer presented itself. In the young Spartan's hand was a longspear extending nine feet in height. The handle was a bright bronze coloration with spirals of white going up all the way to the blade, with a twist of her hands the length retracted to only about two feet in length. The head of the spear drew their attention as the tip seemed generally standard in a diamond-shape pattern made of red and bronze. Just beneath was a crescent moon made of a white-metal that had certainly once been from Jaune's armor. The double moon-shaped blade made in the likeness to the Arc-Emblem added twin prongs that almost made it akin to a trident and contained indentations on either side no doubt for dust crystal placement.
"Sorry," Pyrrha apologized upon realizing the mess she had made. She was covered in a thin layer of soot save for her eyes which had been protected by a pair of red goggles. The untouched circles around her lids were prominent as she removed them.
Behind her as the mist cleared, Roland spotted her armor which seemed to have additional plates and shoulder additions made of the same white-metal. Pyrrha pushed them out of sight before he could see more. Her shield Akoúo̱ was beside it, now wider than before with a surrounding layer of white though she kept the circular indentations to allow spear thrusts from cover. Lying alone beside the workbench he spotted the battered surviving half of his own bulwark.
I can't put it off any longer, I am sure Pyrrha won't mind assisting me with some repair and alterations.
"That's incredible Pyrrha!" Roland gushed at first sight of her new weapon. "I had no idea you were so skilled at weapon crafting!"
"I made all of mine, armor included," she confirmed.
"Did you…think of a good name for it?"
Pyrrha paused for a few moments before answering. "Vόnon If you wanted some help with yours…"
"Hey!"
Roland turned as he spotted Yang approaching from the house, his interest piquing higher than ever at realizing she had the left half of Ember Celica attached to her remaining wrist, the right half in hand.
"Think you're ready kiddo?" Tai asked at seeing the determination in her eyes.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she nodded. "But it doesn't work anymore, no nerves to set it off," she flexed her robotic arm. "I can't fire it."
"What did you plan to…?" Roland started, but was interrupted as Yang chucked the weapon through the air. He barely caught it in time as the slow realization of her intentions became clear.
"Well, I always did say you needed something to compliment your shield didn't I?" She teased with a wink. "Put it on, we don't have long for you to get used to it. Ember Celica has her own art to master and you will HAVE to learn fast."
Menagerie…
Esmerelda was panting as she finally caught up with the faunus pair. They had raced all the way through the streets towards the center of Kuo Kuana to the largest house as far as the eye could see. It was the home of the Chieftain of Menagerie symbolizing they were the heart of the people.
And apparently that was Blake's house. Sun's eyes were wide in shock that the woman he had met at Beacon and danced with was the closest thing to a princess he knew. She had wasted no time at the mention of the White Fang in her former home. Pushing past the trepidation and hesitation at being back for the first time in years, she had already sounded the intimidating knocker, signaling their presence.
It wasn't long before the door swung open; a woman with dark hair and cat ears quite similar to Blake's answered the door. She couldn't be considered old, yet the hint of wrinkles betrayed the onset of age. She wore a white dress beneath black hakama pants and matching cloth shoulders with gold trim. It was obvious who she was as she peeked out, eyes widening as they fell on Blake.
"Blake…" She started before the huntress of Team RWBY rushed forward, embracing her mother, thankful that she was okay. "Oh, my baby girl," she whispered while reciprocating the warm hug.
Sun could not help but smile, it was such a heartwarming scene.
"Are you and dad okay?" She backed away, looking her over for any sign of injury or danger. "What are the White Fang doing here?"
"Blake, slow down," her mother, Kali, tried to get a grasp on the situation. "You're scaring…"
"Dear, who is it?" A deep booming voice from the next room called out. "Please excuse me a moment."
Esmerelda and Sun looked on as a tall imposing faunus rounded the corner from within. He had more muscles than Sun and wore an open purple robe showing off his chest with a single armored shoulder and a buckle so large it could have served as armor for his stomach. Based on the black hair and yellow eyes they assumed correctly his identity as Blake's father.
His stern expression softened as he also spotted Blake still wrapped in her mother's arms. A smile stretched across his face.
"Blake?" He asked as if his eyes betrayed him.
"Dad," she smiled back, the urgency of their hurry almost forgotten before returning to her. "Is it true you are meeting with the White Fang?"
"Well of course, I may have stepped down as High Leader, but I still like to help however I can, is there something wrong?"
"You haven't heard?" Sun couldn't hold back any longer, unable to believe that the news hadn't reached them yet.
"Heard…what?"
Inside…
Ghira and Kali Belladonna entered their living room, the former High Leader of the White Fang held a tense expression from the information given him by his daughter and her friends who followed behind. That White Fang had been at the attack on Beacon, killing anyone they met while releasing a new breed of mutated Grimm inside the school. He was heading to verify with the guests he had been meeting with all morning.
Kali was talking with Esmerelda as they walked, having been confused at her assertion of the surname Mustra. She had spent much time with her grandmother and knew of Esmerelda's birth yet had been in the dark as much as the others as to her being a human. The reason for her friend's overly secretive protection and lack of visits suddenly made sense though she was still hurt that even they had not been trusted with the information.
A pair of faunus were seated near a long wooden table, documents were scattered across its surface that they had been discussing before the interruption. The two were wearing white robes and red hoods denoting their affiliation with the Menagerie branch of the White Fang who wore no masks unlike those in Vale. One had holes cut in his hood to allow fox ears to poke through while the other had a long and fluffy fox tail.
"Your Grace," the one with the ears stood and bowed at the additional company. "I did not know we would be having guests. "Ms. Belladonna, it is good to see you returned to Menagerie."
"They have told me disturbing news," Ghira crossed his arms over his chest. "That White Fang members were complicit in the attack on Beacon and other assaults in Vale. "Why…was I not informed?"
The two brothers known as Corsac and Fennec glanced to each other awkwardly before returning their gaze to the towering man.
"We…were getting to that your Grace, you see Adam Taurus…"
"My daughter and her friends already told me of his involvement. That is information I should have been made aware as soon as it was known. We have been discussing rallies in Atlas all morning…why did you not begin with this update?!"
Sun, Blake and Esmerelda eyed the two White Fang representatives suspiciously, leaning forward threateningly with her father's words.
"We," Fennec started. "Did not wish to burden your Grace with the information until we had a counter plan to deal with the splinter group that formed in Vale under Mr. Taurus. They no longer operate under High Leader Khan. Since you stepped down, such information seemed…unnecessary for you to know."
"Unnecessary?" Blake stepped forward angrily baring her teeth. "They KILLED people! Adam took off Yang's arm!"
"And he nearly killed my friend," Esmerelda joined Blake, her eyes focused in venting rage at the two faunus for Roland's scars.
"However," Corsac stepped in to play off his brother. "If you do wish to aid in bringing these…aggressive insurgents to justice we would be more than happy to share our strategies at the next meeting." The brothers eyed her up and down, clearly noticing her lack of faunus features but she didn't care. Esmerelda wasn't a little girl in hiding anymore and wouldn't back down.
"His…extreme actions are regrettable, yet that is NOT the way of High Leader Khan. Some violence is required for great change, but this is no way for our message to be heard. He has tarnished our ideals with his actions."
Ghira relaxed somewhat, disarmed by their words yet far from trusting the men after withholding such information.
"We are done for today," he sighed at last. "We can discuss Adam Taurus another day, for now…I would like to spend time with my wife and daughter.
"Of course your Grace," the two bowed politely before making their way to the door. "It is good to see you return to Menagerie Blake…and you as well Ms. Mustra."
Esmerelda's blood turned to ice at their words but they were already halfway down the hall before any words of comeback popped into her head and by then it was too late.
How…did they recognize me?
"Well…those guys were creepy," Sun remarked to try and break the tension, earning confused glances from Esmerelda and Blake with a stern, uncertain stare from the imposing Chieftain of Menagerie.
"Well," Kali finally raised a voice. "Let's put this business aside for now. It is so good to have you home. I have some tea on the stove, when you are ready we can hear how you've been all these years…"
Outside…
The two brothers walked away from the Belladonna residence in complete silence waiting until they were certain that they could no longer be heard.
"An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec asked.
"Interesting indeed."
"Shall we inform Brother Adam?"
"We shall, and I am sure Brother Yuma would be most keen to learn of the identity of her traveling companions."
Mistral Countryside…
"I will take first watch," Ember volunteered. They had been traveling over a day without rest; even Tyrian despite his utter devotion to Salem could not march endlessly. Since passing the nearby village, the two had realized Ruby's party had stopped briefly. They had nearly followed inside before locating fresh tracks of the party leading away, removing any need for it and allowed them to continue the pursuit.
"Ever the night watchman," the jittery fighter remarked. Ember had chosen to stand watch most of the days they were forced to rest and disappeared until morning. "Do you not need as much sleep as us mere mortals?"
"Not as much," the armored knight muttered. "I will scout further out, rest easy."
Tyrian seemed to take his request to heart as he leaned back, placing his hands behind his head like a pillow. Ember knew better, his traveling companion could hear a twig snap half a mile off. He may appear to have let his guard down but he had mastered vigilance even while at rest.
Ember ventured away from their camp, since departing Shion village they had been steadily catching up to the unaware huntsman and huntresses. It was evident they were in no great rush while Salem's hunters pushed themselves. The only reason Tyrian had even agreed to one final rest was due to how quickly they would overtake them at the current pace and it would be best to face them refreshed.
I thought I'd never get another chance.
Once appropriately far from the campsite, Ember ducked behind a tree, removing his helmet so his voice did not reverberate. Very gently, he reached into a pouch, producing one of the items Cinder had provided him during their final embrace at the keep. It was a small orb that fit in the palm of his hand. It appeared to be made of glass, but he knew better. It was the same that adorned the top of the Seer Grimm which Salem used to communicate over vast distances; how Cinder had procured a smaller version was a mystery to him.
With a sharp intake of breath, he rubbed the sphere the way she had previously shown him, staring into its depths to await a reply. He did not have to wait long, after only a few seconds the vision of beauty that was Cinder Fall appeared looking back at him.
"Hi," he started simply. "I missed you."
Cinder made gestures with her right hand. He could see the rings under her eye, it was clear she still could not sleep soundly. The young man had taken many days to learn the one-handed form of sign language Cinder was currently utilizing from Emerald. He watched every contour of her hand to ensure he understood what she was saying perfectly.
"No," he chuckled as she finished her question. "I have not killed Tyrian yet though he seems to be asking for it. We are on the trail of Ruby and the others now; we should overtake them shortly.
Cinder motioned again.
"Some bandits saw them pass through a destroyed village, matched her description perfectly. Would you believe they let them pass because they thought they looked intimidating from a distance?"
His Maiden almost seemed to smile but restrained herself before asking another question.
No need to mention the bandits further, he sighed. Tyrian had wished to have his fun with each and every member of that band; fortunately a few well-chosen words of delaying Salem's command had him on the road once more. Ember supplied the incentive to dissuade future acts from the group for fear he'd return with his traveling companion otherwise. They could think about the sins of their past as the broken bones healed slowly.
"At least four, maybe five from the tracks, I have a few ideas of who they might be. With any luck she will come quietly without a fight." She didn't even need to sign, the Fall Maiden simply glared at him as if to ask how naïve he could possibly be. "It's a chance," he asserted before she could raise a finger. "One I am willing to take, have you thought on my request yet?"
Cinder glanced away from the sphere, gritting her teeth.
"You…look lovely," Ember remarked, both telling the truth while changing the subject upon realizing she had not yet decided. He could not help but notice her hair was slowly yet surely growing back. Already it was almost down to her shoulders.
Cinder continued to look away, only acknowledging his statement with a subtle flattening of her hair and a nod.
"Wh-when I return and this is over, I can finally get around to that banquet I promised. Do you remember?"
Salem's Realm, months ago…
"I know it hurts, but you have to eat," Horatio insisted. He offered Cinder another spoonful of soup, one of the few things she could keep down. Feeding normally fell into Emerald's jurisdiction since she had awoken, but Salem insisted on using her and Mercury for missions while Cinder was incapacitated.
If looks could kill Horatio would have been dead a dozen times over and then some. Cinder's remaining amber eye stared more than daggers into him. He and Emerald were rotating shifts caring for her and she was improving, slowly but surely. She was sitting up now which was an improvement though had almost no energy. The bandages on her face had been removed by Emerald before she left to let the skin breathe and it was obvious she was hiding it from him. The rest of her was covered in a black patient gown with an elastic sleeve pulled snugly onto the stump of her left arm covering the damage. Dr. Watts assured them that Salem and Merlot were working on a replacement. Horatio was quite surprised to hear after the defeat on the island he had entered Salem's service. His current location was a well-kept secret.
Cinder was still unable to speak other than whispered groans and even that caused her great pain. Horatio had a notepad and scroll on the nearby desk but she never used them, the only rationale he could think of was she didn't want to be seen fumbling for them with a single hand. He tried to stick to yes and no questions while relying on her blinks, one for yes, and two for no.
He blew on the spoon several more times before offering it to her. After a few tense moments she slurped it up, her face contorting in pain as she swallowed.
"Another?"
A single angry blink.
"See, I have been improving. The kitchens in this place are pretty decent. A bit more time and I'll have a feast ready when you are feeling better. Not just soup, oh no, somehow they get fish here." He blew on another spoonful, raising it to her lips. "I even found the special reserve, how do you feel about an old Mistral red? I remember you saying how fond you were of it."
Cinder slowly took the sip, her eye still burning into his.
"I'm sorry," he replied, his voice growing somber. "I know you hate this but just bear with me for now. If it will make you feel better you can break all the bones in my body and nurse ME back to health when you are feeling better."
Cinder smirked deviously at that suggestion. Horatio could only hope she was smiling at the nursing back to health part rather than the prospect of breaking all his bones.
"It'll be great, you won't have to rely on a peon like me anymore," he allowed himself a quick laugh. "You'll probably feel better getting out of those rags, maybe a nice hair trim…" Horatio reached over without thinking, brushing aside the hair that Cinder had meticulously molded to perfectly cover the left side of her face. He smiled serenely at the sight of seeing her entire face.
Cinder swung her hand; catching the tray he was holding before attempting to brush the hair back into place. Her swing was not very strong but it was unexpected, the bowl of soup flipped, sending its contents splashing against the stony floor. Horatio jumped to his feet, narrowly avoiding the bulk of the hot liquid.
"You don't have to be so stubborn!" He shouted louder than he should have in frustration, Cinder looked away and stared off into nothing, still trying to flatten the hair over her missing eye. "I'm sorry, you…you don't have to hide from me!" She refused to acknowledge him. "But, if you prefer Emerald she will be back in a few hours, I…I can take a walk. I need to get a towel first." He motioned towards the spilled soup. "Be right back."
Horatio wiped his hands on his pants as he walked out of the room without looking back. He was fuming inside, she was just so….so….
It had been over a month since the battle at Beacon, or so he thought, time was hard to gauge in Salem's Domain. He had been given no information other than the fact the school belonged to the Grimm. How many people had died? Did his team or friends make it out? He was sure they did, someone had to have. So many had fought and died there, and here he was, in the belly of the beast who had orchestrated the entire event.
Nothing I can do, he kept telling himself to no avail. I could fight certainly, might even do some damage until Salem showed up, then that'd be the end of it. The look of pure hatred on Jaune's face for Cinder remained locked in his mind and he couldn't blame him after her fight with Pyrrha. Despite all she had done, Horatio just couldn't hate her, it wasn't in him anymore.
Rounding a corner he nearly ran into someone else coming from the opposite path. The mountain of muscle that was Hazel Rainart blocked his path. Horatio had seen the intimidating man around the Keep but hadn't spoken with him yet.
"Has she recovered?" he asked in his usual deep gnarled voice, not even acknowledging their near collision.
"She's…improving," Horatio sighed as he retrieved a towel from the nearby closet, "her taste in my cooking notwithstanding."
Hazel raised an eyebrow, completely unaffected by his attempt at humor.
"Weather sure is funny here," he continued, trying to attempt small talk again. "I don't think I've seen a single cloud since my arrival."
Or the sun for that matter.
"The seasons have not visited here in a long time, time being what she needs now to heal," Hazel finally spoke after an awkward silence. "Be there when she needs it…or you will regret it later when there is none left." With that he walked around him, continuing down his previous path.
Is everyone who works for Salem an absolute dichotomy of expectations?
Horatio made his way back to the room thinking over what Hazel had said. His face seemed so somber, it was doubtful he was serving Salem out of loyalty or believing in her cause of destruction. Perhaps he could talk to him later…
Horatio knocked twice before opening the door, looking around it hesitantly as there was no easy way for Cinder to warn him NOT to come in. She was still decent and sitting upright in the bed, the spilled soup slowly pooling out from where it had landed. Horatio approached the bed and knelt, dabbing up the mess.
"I…can try adding seasoning or something next time," he started to break the silence. "There has to be something in there that is mild on the throat, maybe a nice dash of sage or honey…"
Cinder's remaining arm snapped towards him, gripping just below the shoulder. Horatio glanced up in surprise, she looked miserable; all attempts to flatten her hair once more had failed. The mangled skin around her eye could now clearly be seen; her lid closed tight to hide that nothing now lay behind it. Horatio could even see that her left ear was shriveled, appearing more degraded than the right. His eyes instinctively followed the trail, realizing the scar tissue continued down the left side of her face, disappearing into her gown. The former huntsman in-training hadn't looked too closely when bandaging her arm and eye after the battle, there was so much blood covering her at the time. Despite Cinder's normally stoic nature, he could feel the vibrations through her arm.
She was trembling.
"Cinder I-," he whispered the beginning of his apology, leaning closer so that she did not have to reach so far. Once he was in range her arm jumped around his neck, dragging him in as she held him, her whole body was shaking.
Horatio kept his hands up for several seconds for fear of reprisal of any movement, but after a time realized his concern was unfounded. Tenderly he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tight. Cinder froze at his embrace but eventually relaxed, pressing her face deeper into his chest. How long had she been acting strong through the pain since regaining consciousness? Without Emerald, and to an extent Mercury, he doubted she trusted anyone else in Salem's Keep.
Despite all she's done, I just can't hate her, it's not like a few scars would change that fact. It was her defending my body that caused her to be so…maimed. I will make sure she NEVER regrets letting me in.
Horatio only squeezed tighter as her shakes slowly subsided, softly stroking her hair soothingly while whispering to her. They just held the embrace until a shocked Emerald eventually walked in on them hours later, the white towel discolored beneath the bed in the long forgotten puddle of soup.
Present Day…
"Has…everything been okay while I've been gone?" Ember asked, voicing his greatest concern at having been sent away. Cinder nodded, but the slight glance away betrayed her deceit. "What has Salem been doing?" He squeezed his free hand tight in frustration out of sight of the sphere. Cinder motioned again, spelling out a single word.
'Training'
I need to get back as quickly as possible.
"I'll be coming home soon, I swear," he assured her. "Just don't let her change you again." Gently he kissed his middle and forefinger, pressing them up against the glass sphere in his hand. For the first time since he could recall, she reciprocated the gesture as her image faded and the orb became clear again.
I'll give Tyrian a few hours then we head out again. If he is as dedicated as he acts, he won't need much sleep.
The hunters near their prey, families are reunited in Menagerie as souls are tempered at Patch. The tale of our divided heroes continues next time. As always, I hope you Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D