Chapter 9
"I can understand you two traveling together," Ren said, nodding to Yang and Jaune. He turned to the criminals. "But why are these two with you?"
"The blondes and us have gone in joint adventure," Roman grinned.
Jaune coughed. "What he means is that we've arrested him, and now he needs a cage."
"Details, details." Roman waved a hand in dismissal, Neo mimicking him.
"I have somewhere for him," Ren said. "And the girl."
"She has a name." Roman frowned.
"Somewhere, at least, until I can get in contact with higher ups." Ren finished, speaking to Yang and Jaune.
"Higher ups?" Jaune furrowed his eyebrows.
"The people who have been coordinating attacks on the Knights, and the CCT towers." Ren turned around. "We'll go to my home, first."
Ren led the quartet to a shack assembled from pieces of metal scavenged from nearby wreckage.
"Don't you live below ground by everyone else?" Yang asked.
"It's quieter up here," Ren supplied, opening the door for them. Though he actually picked up an aluminum sheet, and slid it to the side.
The five settled in. Jaune immediately pulled Ren aside and had a hushed conversation with him.
Yang, too tired to think about eavesdropping, lay on the ground.
"Gotta say, blondie," Roman tipped his hat towards her, "thanks for distracting the Knights for Neo and I the other day."
"Didn't any of them go after you?"
"Oddly enough, none," Roman pulled a cigarette from within his coat. Popping a worn lighter, he inhaled deeply. Smoke trickled between his lips. "I needed that…" he whispered.
"Then you're welcome for our acting the bait." Yang rolled her eyes, and got comfortable against the wall.
Silence emerged, kept at bay by Ren and Jaune's muffled conversation. Yang turned to Roman from her spot on the floor. "You know, Roman, I'd have listened to you if you were a singer."
"Xaio Long, I'm flattered." The orange haired man dropped the cigarette butt and stomped on it. "I think you're an okay person when not trying to kill, too."
"Aw, Roman, are we bonding?" Yang smirked.
Neo looked up and pouted. Roman rolled his eyes. "I hate getting left with the kids."
The moment of levity would be short lived.
Ren and Jaune rejoined the trio, both avoiding eye contact. Ren cleared his throat, and said, "Roman, Neo, I'm going to need to restrain you until I get you somewhere secure."
"You don't trust us?" Roman blurted, aghast.
"No." Ren said it as if it were one of life's simple truths.
"Smart choice." Roman stood up straight, and dusted off his coat. "Now, I have one teensie little problem with that."
"Oh?" Jaune said with a roll of his eyes.
"The part where we get restrained. Not my kind of party," Roman shrugged. "Ain't that right, Neo?"
Yang and Jaune both came to the same revelation at the same time. Her semblance.
Jaune jumped forward, trying to grab Roman.
Yang made no move.
Glass shattered as Jaune collided with where the duo had once stood.
The brawler could almost hear Roman's laugh.
