Ashsoei: Ember has taken her…so how will it affect Horatio… ;)
Eytan: I am so glad you liked it so much! Thank you :D
Lelouch of Zero: At least she was able to muster the will to fight some to help her Uncle. I am glad you liked the design. The idea was the most iconic knight weapon there is…
Azrae1: Indeed, she was tricked into leaving Ruby alone, fortunately the shot was a dud…
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
"How could you just leave her?" Qrow screamed as he searched the obvious paths. Despite Ember's considerable size in the armor he saw no obvious tracks. There were no broken branches, smell to go by or even an obvious nearby route. He was simply gone.
"I-I," Nora started, feeling her blood turn to ice at the realization that Ruby had been taken. She couldn't come up with an answer. "He said he could help her poison and I…I hesitated…"
"Get the others up and start looking!" He ordered as the grizzled huntsman started a running leap out of the village.
To Nora and Olivia's amazement, Ruby's uncle suddenly vanished to be replaced by a black crow with red eyes. The transformed avian took flight after his only lead, the fleeing scorpion faunus as he kept watch on the area as far as he could see. With the thick tree cover, he could not see nearly as much as he wished.
"He…did he just...?" Nora looked amazed. No semblance known could completely change a person's appearance and shape like that.
Olivia wasn't listening, instead helping Ren to his feet while Jaune stumbled over, somehow his aura had lasted albeit barely. They had more to worry about than the old man's magic trick.
Well that was embarrassing.
"Shut up," she growled, only Ren realizing who she was talking to. "We have to get up, get out there and…"
Wander aimlessly in the woods? Even if you split up could any one of you even do anything about it if you ran across him at random?
We can't just sit here and do nothing.
Never said we should, but you need to think…carefully.
Olivia breathed in and out, finally letting herself calm down. Actually listening to the dark voice in her head, she started thinking out all they knew as fast as she could.
"He can't be going too far," she said aloud for everyone to hear. "Ruby was poisoned, badly. If he wanted her dead he could have just left her and run. That means he has to stop at some point to administer aid."
"But he could do that anywhere," Jaune pointed out. Even with more people it could take days to search everywhere."
"We'll need to pick the most likely places and start from there," Ren offered. If Mr. Branwen…flew off the way we came, we must look forward."
And unless you have the luck of fairy tales you'll never pick right. Come on boss, let me breathe again just a little.
Olivia bit her tongue as she fell to her knees, propping herself up into a meditative pose. She hadn't tried it since tracking Horatio down on Merlot's island, but it was their only option. She focused intently, Ren keeping the others from interrupting her with questions. She opened her powers just a touch, reaching out for the familiar bubbly feeling of Ruby…
"That way!" She pointed off towards the mountain.
"But how do you know?" Nora asked.
"Long story," she quickly answered. It would take time to explain how she could sense distant thoughts of people she knew. Thankfully Ruby wasn't too far to prevent feeling her basic direction. "I'll explain on the way, but we need to hurry! Can you walk?"
"I have to," Ren agreed to a nodding Jaune. Nora was ever the boundless well of energy. "Lead the way; we will keep pace as best we can."
Olivia did not need told twice, bounding into the trees with the others following her. As long as they didn't get too far she could keep tabs on them, he wouldn't get away.
See boss, these "unsavory" powers you have can be turned to good, give me a few hours at the reigns and you wouldn't believe what we are capable of.
Atlas…
"Unbelievable!" Jacques repeated for the dozenth time pacing in Weiss' room as his daughter sat on her bed watching him out of the corner of her eye with her head downturned as was expected. "Absolutely unbelievable! Do you have any idea what your stunt cost us?"
"I-"
"And don't think I'm talking about lien here!" He interrupted with a finger shoved in her face, his previous question rhetorical though he wouldn't have cared to hear her answer anyway. "Our reputation! Our…our…" He couldn't even finish his statement, the head of the Schnee Dust Company just sighed heavily with a hand on the back of his head as if the thoughts brought him discomfort.
He never cared even the slightest about what happened at Beacon, just another means to make himself look better. How could I ever think he could change?
At those thoughts, the words of both Penny and Flynt came back to her mind. She couldn't do anything here, fundraisers and kind words over the turmoil happening elsewhere…that is all she would accomplish in that place. In that moment, her mind was made up.
"I want to leave."
"I beg your pardon?" Jacques snapped out of his self-pitying at the unexpected words of his daughter.
"I said," Weiss repeated as she finally raised her head high to look him in the eyes. "I want to leave! I don't want to stay here anymore; I don't want to stay in Atlas anymore!"
"Young lady, I don't give a damn about what YOU want! This isn't about you! This is about the Schnee family name and your apparent insistence on dragging it through the mud!"
How dare you! She thought as the frustration from the party returned in full force. With how the world already thinks of our family, you did that long ago!
"I have done NOTHING but fight to uphold the honor of MY family name!" Weiss stood from the bed, taking a step towards her father until they were as close as possible despite the height disparity. "A name that YOU married into!"
Jacques' face contorted in anger at her defiance; in a flash he raised his open-palm high…
A loud knock interrupted him mid-swing, the door sliding open a crack and forcing the man to lower his intended slap to hide his intentions…but Weiss saw what he had planned, her eyes widened in shock.
"Klein," Jacques narrowed on his head butler with cold eyes. "I said NO interruptions…"
"Unless they were business related sir, and they are. Mr. Coal has a business proposal that he INSISTS must be…"
"Just…" Jacques sighed again clearly frustrated. "Just give him a room in the guest wing until I can meet with him. Inform the man that my daughter is unwell and needs my full attention. I've spoken to him before and…"
"My apologies sir, but the head of the Dust Coalition was forced to depart for some trouble at their head office. He has left his son to finalize discussions in his stead."
Flynt?
"Then give HIM the guest quarters," Jacques rushed to remove his butler from the room.
Klein's face met Weiss', seeing the aftermath of her realization at how unchanged and uncaring her father had remained since she left for Beacon. She looked so defeated, was it not for his duties as a butler…
"At once," he acquiesced. "Would the Ms. Schnee require any refresh…"
"She will not," he silenced the gentleman's attempts at raising her mood. "Leave us."
Klein nodded without a word, throwing a heart wrenching apologetic gaze to Weiss before slowly closing the door.
"Your recent behavior has been QUITE unacceptable," he continued once they were alone again, straightening his tie. "You have no idea the lengths I've gone to in order to keep this family where it is. If you think running off like your sister is going to make the Schnee name stronger, you're wrong. Siding with her only divides us."
"I'm not SIDING with anyone, I'm doing what I feel is right and that does not include wasting my time up here with these clueless people in Atlas." Jacques turned to pace the room, clearly rolling his eyes at her words as he did. "The Schnee family legacy isn't yours to leave…it's mine, and I'll do it as a huntress."
There was a moment of silence as her father breathed in deep again, spinning with a renewed look of somber determination.
"No, you won't. You are not leaving Atlas or the manor grounds unless I specifically allow it." He advanced on her in the slow, threatening pace he had mastered over the years in an attempt to intimidate her. "You are going to remain here out of sight and out of trouble until you and I come to an…agreement on your future."
"What?" Weiss' strong expression collapsed at his words.
"Your presumption that you can simply have whatever you want is a clear sign of our failure as parents. But from now on I'll be giving you the FULL attention you require, starting by keeping you where I can see you."
"You…you can't just keep me from leaving!"
"I can, and the staff here will make sure of it."
"So now I'm just your prisoner?" It had always been that way to an extent before she left for Beacon, but now her father had just dropped all pretense to the contrary.
"You are my daughter," he replied as if it was the most normal conversation in the world. "You're a child, and children are grounded when they misbehave. I believe it is also customary to take away one's toys as well during such a time."
Only then did Weiss realize the suitcase containing her weapon Myrtenaster was not on her dresser where she kept it. Glancing around the room almost frantically she could not locate it in any of the obvious places. He must have had it removed before they returned from the party.
"That…that was mine!" She stepped forward, daring to go on the offensive at such an action. Unfortunately, Jacques did not budge. "I made it, I…"
"You designed it," he corrected. "If memory serves, I believe it was made using Schnee company resources, that makes it an asset of the company. Do not worry, once we come to our agreement you may have it back."
"This…this is only going to make this worse father!" Weiss was fuming, pointing out every detrimental effect his actions would have. "People are going to ask questions, want to know why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company is suddenly nowhere to be found!"
"Which is why you are no longer the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company."
Weiss looked on as her heart dropped into her stomach at those words and only managed to sink lower as he explained his plans for the future that wouldn't involve her at the head of the company. Instead the name would be continued by the one person as indistinguishable from her father as possible…her younger brother Whitley.
Menagerie…
"I still feel awful," Kali Belladonna asserted once more. "What things must have been like without anyone knowing your secret. Oh how you and Blake could have been such friends growing up."
"You shouldn't Mrs. Belladonna," Esmerelda tried to placate her guilt. "It wasn't you that made my grandmother worry so much. The tea is delicious by the way."
"Please, call me Kali."
The two were sharing a meal with Sun for the evening. Ghira had withdrawn to his study to go over the new information involving Adam Taurus and his wayward followers performing attacks around the world. They had been quite troubling as the splinter group was more ruthless than even Sienna's worst tactics. Blake had stepped out and none knew where she'd withdrawn to. Kali seemingly had heard no word of her daughter since she fled and was eager for any information they could give. Sun couldn't stop regaling her with tales of team RWBY during their year at Beacon before the fall.
"Ezzy here even helped out your daughter and I once Mrs. B," Sun continued his tale. Fought some White Fang bad guys the first day I met them."
"I wish we had known about these attacks for certain beforehand," the motherly faunus looked truly concerned despite the fact they clearly made it through the event unscathed.
The cheerful monkey-faunus had gotten off on a poor foot with Blake's father Ghira, complimenting her 'moves' without specifying what kind. It was clear that the imposing older man didn't like him, though Kali felt otherwise. If only he knew how much the young man had been trying to help Blake and her turmoil. They lost track of time to the point the moon was already rising outside, Ezzy stood to bid farewell.
"So soon?" Kali asked with a disappointed look, her ears shirking down. "At least let one of our guardsmen escort you to Odette's."
"Thank you, but I remember the way," she smiled back at the kind woman. "Perhaps I could visit again tomorrow."
If I get a chance.
"Of course, our doors are always open. Please think of this house as a second home."
"Ezzy!" Sun caught up to her closer to the door. "Be careful out there."
"I'll be fine Sun; it's not far to…"
"Seriously," Sun asserted, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Blake mentioned earlier that White Fang members in Menagerie don't wear masks but I saw one during our scuffle with those jerks at the docks."
Esmerelda perked up her ears. "Did you notice anything else?"
"Small build, would guess a girl based on the hair…nothing else really. She disappeared into the crowd when she caught me looking. Maybe you should stay here tonight."
"If I see anything dangerous I'll come back," she assured him. "I left my bag at my grandmother's. We did sort of just rush out on her."
"Fine," the monkey-faunus slumped his shoulders in defeat. "I'm going to find Blake; she needs to know about this too."
"If…I may ask," Ezzy could not resist asking. "Why DID you follow Blake? Was it really just on the off chance she was going to fight the White Fang?" Her gaze drilled into Sun's, a minor threat if he wanted to hide the truth.
"That obvious huh?" He chuckled like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"You and Roland have that in common…you're terrible liars."
So was Horatio…
"Blake," he started, trying to choose his words carefully. "She has a lot on her shoulders ya know? Seems to think that because she helped out the White Fang for a few years that she is responsible for stopping them. She just needs a friend to help her out…be there when she needs it the most."
"I'm just a friend," Esmerelda pointed out. "Are you as well?"
Sun just threw his arms up in the air as if in defeat. "I have to be, it'd be pretty tactless for me to try and be anything else while she's healing."
He IS sharper than he lets on…hopefully she notices that too.
Later…
Esmerelda slipped into her old home, based on the silence her grandmother had already gone to bed. Thankfully she'd left her bag sitting untouched on the seat where Esmerelda had left it. She quickly retrieved it to be safe while deciding it would be best not to wake her and apologize in the morning, with any luck her old room hadn't been turned into storage.
To her shock, as the door slid open, she realized that had been far from the case. There was no bed, a change for the best as she doubted she could squeeze into the one she'd slept in at age ten, but the rest was untouched. She poked at a lone wooden soldier, the paint chipped away and flaking with age. Beneath it, dressers formerly filled with her clothes were still in place; her books on modern legends were still on the shelf. Without thinking she pulled on her favorite, blowing off a generous layer of dust.
'Man Up with Port: How to Survive in the Wilds of Remnant,' the young girl must have read it a hundred times. She flipped through a few pages while contemplating Sun and Blake's presence on the island.
He's helping her come to terms…but with what? She ran off after the battle without a word despite the state of her team. No one knew where she had gone. Was it simply to run away? Sun thinks she feels responsible for the White Fang, yet she goes out of her way to avoid them. Would Blake really do that? Was it to get away from those she cares about so they wouldn't get hurt like Yang? If so then why come home…her parents were kind people and she surely loves them too. It wasn't adding up. I should have told them…
"Hi Esmé."
Esmerelda dropped her bag, spinning around with a hand on the hilt of her weapon. She had been so distracted she hadn't spotted a shape obscured in the shadows near the window. He stood tall, any details of the intruder obscured, yet the use of that name removed any doubt as to their identity once her moment of shock had passed.
"Yummy?"
The shape moved into the moonlight, revealing a young man in a full black body suit though the sleeves were cut short for the warm climate. He had spiky brown hair that went down to his neck with a tuft at his chin as a short goatee. Slowly, a pair of black bat wings matching his attire unfolded though it was a natural movement and nothing nefarious.
"Think I'm a little old for that name," he answered with a relaxed expression. "I…heard you were around."
"Yuma…" Esmerelda stepped forward as he did the same, meeting in the middle of the room with a powerful embrace. "I didn't know if you'd still be here, it's been so many years…"
Years Earlier…
Esmerelda finished setting up the new soldiers for their 'battalion,' unlike the sticks and rocks from when she'd been little; they were now adequately-made wood figurines. Yuma was skilled with his hands. The hidden area behind the crawlspace had grown over the last five years since she'd met the young boy who stumbled on her place of solitude. In addition to full platoons of wooden soldiers, they had transformed their sanctuary into a base of operations. Surely with their combined cunning and resources they could repel any assault, or at least such were the thoughts running through an eleven-year old's mind.
Yuma had been true to his word, since their first meeting he only ever come alone when she was able to get away. The two ruled as the commanders of their troops, sending them off on dangerous missions from which they were always victorious thanks to their fool-proof strategies. For those years, she almost felt normal despite continuing to be homeschooled and watched over like a hawk by her caring yet overly suspicious grandmother. At long last, she had a true friend, someone with whom she could feel...normal. They'd even made nicknames for each other
And one day that all came crashing down.
Esmerelda stood up as she surveyed her work; their forces were ready for their next outing. Perhaps they would be assaulting a warlord's stronghold or the castle of the Grimm Queen keeping the world under her heel…
Esmerelda turned as she heard the loose beams slide open, Yuma must have finally arrived, she had wondered why he was so late. The young boy had gotten taller over the years yet always retained his love of dark colors, even his wings had grown in though he was far from being able to fly on his own and the tufts of what could one day become a beard had grown in. Despite her joy at his arrival, the young girl's blood turned to ice as she beheld him. Yuma was covered in bruises, his lip swollen and blood running down his mouth. He was panting heavily as if he'd been sprinting all the way while his eyes were wide in terror.
"You have to go NOW!"
"Yuma, what happened to…?"
"They'll be here any second, please just go!"
He rushed forward, throwing to her the form-obscuring hoodie and gripping her wrist, pulling his friend towards their back exit they had excavated years ago yet rarely used. He held her arm so tightly it hurt. Esmerelda barely had time to grab one of the wooden soldiers tight in her fist.
"Let me look at those, we have some bandages over by…"
"No time, please, he'll be here any minute!" A loud bang echoed from the entrance, Yuma had wedged it shut on his way in but it wouldn't hold long. "I…had an argument with dad," Yuma admitted as they moved to open the rear exit. "He'd a bit too much in the morning and went on one of his rants."
Yuma had admitted to her the previous summer how his father would get when he drank too much. How he'd blame everything on humans from their current state to his wife's weakening health from the move to Menagerie, the same that claimed her life giving birth to her son. She had guessed his father had done more than simply rant, yet never before had she seen Yuma in such a state. He groaned with every movement from the pain of his injuries.
"I just couldn't take it anymore, I argued back and things got heated. He said there were no examples of humans being anything other than monsters and I…I said I had proof he was wrong."
Oh no, you didn't.
"I thought, if he just met you, see how kind and sweet you are that he might see humans differently. I was so wrong, I'm sorry Esmé."
Another pounding blow on the door as it bent inward.
"I beat him here, but he and a few of his buddies are looking for you. Don't worry; he flipped out before I could give your name or anything. Once you are clear you should be safe."
"Come with me!" Esmerelda grabbed his arm in-turn. "We can both get out!"
"No," the fledgling bat-faunus refuted. "I'll just draw him right to you. You go; I'll keep him busy here long enough for you to get home."
"Yum…"
Yuma ducked in, planting his lips on hers. It was clumsy and quick as he had thought of it yet never attempted. With how things were looking it was his last chance he saw so he took it. At last he shoved her through the tube, barricading it from the inside with a heavy log that blended into the wall.
Esmerelda could only hear the rest echo through the pipe leading out beyond the abandoned complex. She heard Yuma's assertions that no one else was there in such a way it sounded like he was hiding her in the very room. She sniffled back tears as she heard the smack of flesh on flesh as he punished his son for hiding the human girl. Her tears didn't dry all the way home still clutching the wooden soldier.
Her grandmother learned everything when she arrived; finding Esmerelda hiding under her bed, face flushed and puffy. Her secret rendezvous, Yuma's friendship and what had happened that day. She would have found it out regardless as Yuma's father had been quite vocal on the presence of humans on the island. Despite no proof, he had rallied a mob bent on searching the city for her. Where there was one human, others were surely close by. Odette never blamed her granddaughter, only herself for her choice in husband though she'd loved him dearly. She resolved that it was no longer safe for Esmerelda, not only for protection from the mob, but for how much she'd gotten away with under her very nose. She knew full well she could never keep her hidden for long.
A few favors, the cover of night and a pack to make it look like she had a pair of swan wings of her own. That was all it had taken to book passage for Esmerelda to the mainland. Huntsman training academies took everyone who was willing to fight the Grimm and her little cygnet had voiced an interest in joining their order someday more than once.
And thus it was Esmerelda set sail as the mob, against the orders of their Chieftain started scouring the city, torches in hand. Their search would be in vain, as Odette was long gone with her granddaughter aboard the ship to Vale…to the training academy know as Bastion.
Present Day…
"Why are you here?" The huntress of team HERO asked as she pulled away from the hug with her old friend. She couldn't help but notice Yuma looked more ragged than he had as a boy, like he hadn't been sleeping well. It almost made him look older than he was.
"I…heard you were back in town," he murmured. "Why are you here? I didn't think you'd ever return."
"With the fall of Beacon and the Grimm spreading…" she hesitated to choose her words. "I wanted to check on my grandmother, I am surprised you remained, I thought you hated it on the island."
"I did, if it weren't for Trifa I probably would have left long ago. She helped out after my dad…well," he sighed heavily. "That doesn't matter right now. It's so good to have you ba…"
Yuma had knelt to pick up Esmerelda's bag she had dropped in surprise at seeing him but suddenly froze in his tracks. The contents had spilled out from the fall including her scroll, toiletries and other supplies such as spare clothes….and her Atlas Specialist uniform.
"Yuma…" Esmerelda started, watching the anger practically seep onto his face. "It's not what you think, I'm helping to…"
"Shut…up," he whispered low and harshly. With a single frustrated blow, he punched the floor, denting the wooden beams. "I-I actually felt bad, that I had betrayed you…that I gave them your name…"
"What?"
"But you…you joined THEM? The kingdom most known for treating our people like animals!" Esmerelda grew afraid as a twisted, almost sadistic smile spread across his features for a moment merging with the anger. She had never seen such a foul look on him before.
What happened to you?
"Yuma, please, I don't do that. The Grimm are the threat, we are fighting them after the Vytal Festival! I would never…"
"WHY did you come back here?" Her silence told him all he needed, she was hiding something. His wings unfolded, forcing the Specialist-in training to dive and avoid being struck by them. With an apt roll she had her weapon ready yet refused to draw it.
Not against him...
"Please Yuma!" She begged again. "Don't make me do this!"
"It's already done," he threatened, advancing on her in a sudden motion.
Before the bat-faunus could reach her, a flash of light caught him in the side, blasting him into the wall harshly as his aura took the brunt yet held. Odette Mustra was standing at the entrance to the room silhouetted by the hallway light. She was wearing a white nightgown and slippers, her cane tilted upward still smoking from the hidden barrel at the bottom. She had a pair of thick reading glasses, her eyes narrowed towards Yuma.
"In my day it was customary to meet the family before rendezvousing at night," she cocked the weapon again threateningly. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Yuma growled, turning he dashed for the window, narrowly avoiding a second shotgun shell from the angry swan. In a flash he dove through it, disappearing into the night.
"Come back!" Esmerelda shouted, jumping up on the window sill to give chase. "Thank you nana but that was Yuma! I have to talk to him!" With that last word she followed behind and was gone.
Odette rushed forward but was too late; her granddaughter had vanished from sight with no sign of where she had disappeared to. When in need, the two were experts at stealth.
"There goes my peaceful retirement," the aging woman grumbled as she tightened the sash around her waist. Quickly she hurried inside to get dressed, the night air was quite chilly, how her granddaughter could wear such a revealing outfit in it was beyond her.
Deep in the Forests of Anima…
The knight in black armor kneeled down; he hadn't seen any sign of pursuit and hoped for a few minutes to work. He had been running non-stop since the battle and wasn't quite as far as he wished to be, but had no choice, if he was interrupted she wouldn't last. Since fleeing the village he had kept under tree cover every step of the way, even using his semblance to cancel out much of the kinetic force of his footsteps to both prevent prints and muffle sound. He could then convert it into energy to keep going, if Qrow Branwen missed him, or better yet went after Tyrian who was oblivious of his success; it would buy time and distance while tiring out the auraless huntsman.
Ruby was laid out flat on the ground sweating profusely, he had shredded the top of her outfit to reveal her bare shoulder still turning a putrid purple where the stinger had punctured her skin.
"Don't you dare die Ruby," Ember commanded despite no chance of her hearing him. "I swore no one else around me is going to die and I meant it!"
He reached into his pouch, pulling out the second item that the love of his life had gifted him before his departure. It was a vial filled with a golden liquid, the only anti-venom that gave Tyrian's poison some pause. The insane faunus had been unaware, but his stinger was one of the most dangerous weapons against Ember as it required very little pressure to puncture skin. Cinder realized it could bypass the Guardian's semblance and thus had thought ahead to ensure his protection, acquiring the precious liquid for his travels.
I doubt she imagined I'd be using it on Ruby…or that she'll be very pleased if she finds out.
With an accompanying syringe, he injected the contents into the point of entry of the stinger. His old classmate had a small body, even with it there was no guarantee she could outlast the venom, he'd have to find someplace they could lay low until the worst of it passed. She'd be weak for days, more than enough time to get to an airship back to Salem's domain. Quickly, he looked over the map he had of the region.
With Shion village destroyed the nearest airship will be closer to Haven. Maybe there is somewhere around the mountain I can…
Ruby groaned, causing him to jump in worry that she had awoken, thankfully it seemed that she was tossing and turning randomly, no doubt from bad dreams the fever likely brought out.
"I-sorry," she groaned. "Don't hate me…"
Ember's stoic shell cracked like an egg at those words, he just slumped to his knees, half wishing she could hear him.
"…I couldn't Ruby; I'm the one you should hate."
Months Ago…
The familiar double knocks signaled Horatio announcing his desire to enter. Cinder took a nearby oak cane they had provided her and slammed it once on the ground, he could come in.
"More reading material," he announced, hefting in another stack of books. Since the fall of Beacon, the school was completely under the control of Salem's forces. As a result, they had been moving his belongings to the Keep little by little. Seeing as Horatio rarely slept in his own room, he was quickly filling up the bookshelf in Cinder's with his personal collection. He also used the opportunity to preserve as much of his team's belongings as he could by claiming they were his.
If she sees Roland's figurines I may need to have an excuse ready, I wonder if she'd believe me if I said it was a hobby...
Horatio's appearance had changed in the time since arriving at the intimidating keep, having let his normally buzzed short brown hair grow out and it was starting to become unruly. He had spent so much time away from his room that he had neglected himself and now sported a rather impressive beard though it was still growing in certain places. He didn't mind it too much but had yet to ask Cinder's opinion on it.
The room was finally showing some life, it had been near empty when Cinder was first moved in and Horatio worked to quickly rectify that oversight. The Bookshelf was now about half full and he previously moved it closer to the bed for easier access. A world map of Remnant was placed along the wall over the headboard. No plants could flourish in Salem's domain without the sun so the only option he had were a few fake ferns that once decorated Beacon's halls. The false foliage was nothing special but served their purpose.
Cinder looked up from her bed, closing the book she had been reading on the genealogy of Remnant's Kings and Empresses. He didn't see how she could actually enjoy such a dull read but they kept her sane he supposed. She still could not speak, but her strength was returning, enough at least he was sure she could give him a good caning if she cared to. Thankfully she never did, instead allowing herself a soft welcoming smile for half a heartbeat as he came in.
"I found something you might like," from behind the door he produced a portrait, turning it so that Cinder could see it.
He had been ecstatic to discover his team portrait of her and the others had survived the battle, the frame was scorched somewhat but otherwise untouched. He had yet to locate the personal painting he'd done for her by the cliffside in the supplies brought from Beacon. Cinder hesitantly accepted the gift, looking it up and down. Horatio did not notice the stump of her left arm raise slightly, attempting to feel the side of her face before remembering it was no longer there.
"I can replace the frame; I only made the one copy so Mercury and Emerald will need to go without…"
Cinder turned, shaking her at his offer, she wanted it as it was. Carefully she placed it on the nearby desk turned slightly just enough so she could see it.
"I could…make another one of you if you wanted," he started hesitantly. "They brought in most of my art supplies last week, maybe…"
A chill breeze passed through the room causing Horatio's muscles to tense up. He had been in the keep long enough to know what that meant. He inhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself.
She is here…
"How is our Fall Maiden doing today?" Salem asked, having seemingly materialized in the doorway.
"She is recovering well," he reported, standing to his full height like a soldier. "I do not believe she should yet be placed under any undue strain, but she is improving."
"Watts said the same."
Salem glided into the room, her gaze ran over all of the additions with a look of dull amusement, scrutinizing all until she saw the portrait now resting on the desk. Horatio immediately regretted having brought it in.
"Such a beauty you were," she mused out loud, picking it up and stroking Cinder's image softly. "So much taken by that girl with the silver eyes…"
Don't listen to her Cinder, he screamed in his head yet dared say nothing out loud. Don't let the hate fester, it will eat you from the inside out. Was this how Salem talked to her before she went to Beacon?
"Her beauty was untarnished by the battle your Grace," Horatio proclaimed in absolute honesty. "A diamond cut into a different shape is still a diamond." Even Cinder had to restrain herself from gagging at that line, genuine though the meaning may be.
"Of course, and you, loyal Guardian," Salem set the portrait down and turned her attention to him. "You have tended to her so faithfully these many weeks despite your previous allegiances. Ask anything of me, if I can grant it I shall."
Call off your war on Remnant? Let Cinder and I leave for good without repercussions? He doubted any of his true requests would be honored. He hoped to duck the question and remain as vague as possible.
"I only wish to be able to serve further…"
"You WILL serve further," Salem's red eyes grew brighter for an instant as her stern voice burned through him. "That is no reward, ask…and you shall receive."
Horatio glanced over to Cinder, her look equally nervous while awaiting his answer. Finally settling on something he opened his mouth.
"Well, Dr. Watts feels Cinder may be able to stand in a few days. Fresh air always does a person good for healing. Perhaps we may be given leave to walk the grounds when that time comes?"
As close as this place can have to 'fresh air.'
Salem pondered his request, her eyes still looking into him; he knew he would never get used to it. "Done," she replied at last with a thin smile. "From this day forth, I shall ensure none of my Grimm do you harm outside these walls while still within my domain."
"Thank you, your Grace," he replied, bowing low before her.
"Your heart is still soft," Salem whispered as she moved past him to leave. "As it stands you are but embers playing house trailing behind an inferno. If you wish to truly stand by her side in all things, harden your soul for what is to come. After Cinder can fend for herself…you shall join me."
Horatio had no words of retort as Salem left the room, warmth finally returning.
"Would…that be ok?" He finally asked, realizing he had not approached Cinder about traveling outside the walls before.
Cinder looked down at her lap, her fist noticeably clenching and face contorting into a scowl for a moment, however with a headshake she looked up, the slightest hint of a smile now in place. She nodded, sliding her hand up and down her own chin and mouth while glaring at him, her message all too clear.
You need a shave.
Present Day…
Guilt shot through Ember but he pushed away Ruby's words as best he could upon returning to the map, looking for the nearest town s he worked to bandage the still-bleeding cut on his face from Nora's swing. His eyes shot wide as he saw the name 'Kuroyuri' was still listed, perhaps the map was outdated. The name rolled around in his mind, he hadn't heard it in years. That damned village, the same place…
The same place dad died, why would that be the closest of all places?
Folding up the map he strengthened his resolve, the buildings should still be standing and he could hunker down inside until Ruby was no longer at deaths door…if she could fight it of course. He picked up the beaten huntress carefully, carrying her as one would a bride while silently praying Cinder would never know. The thought of his Maiden brought a terrifying question to darken his thoughts.
What if she hasn't changed her mind, what would I be taking Ruby to? She needs to face Ruby to move past that night…but how will she handle seeing the woman responsible for taking her arm and eye, and most of all...her unshakable confidence?
Cinder's knight heads for a town that plagued his family for years with his Maiden's target in hand. In Menagerie, Esmerelda grapples with the roots of her past as Sun helps Blake through her own. As Always, Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D