"Seriously, when the weekend comes around, I'm taking you out to this place I know." Yang began as the pair of partners walked along the outdoor pathway between the library building and the first-year student dorms, hands interlocked behind her head as she looked up at the sky while strolling forward in a blindly confident manner. "I would offer to make it a team outing but… well, Ruby's too young and Weiss would just be her wet blanket, 'proper lady' self and ruin everyone's time."
While Yang seemed inclined towards hyping herself up with her plans for the weekend, Blake herself rubbed her bare left arm more out of nerves then chill. What Yang was suggesting sounded an awful lot like a date. Yes, her reasons for Ruby and Weiss not coming along to a club made perfect sense since Ruby was still underage and Weiss… honestly, she didn't know how Weiss would react to being in a club, but no matter the outcome it would be deafening loud.
The discovery that Weiss made noises at a pitch higher than what baseline humans could hear when truly distressed had been something that Blake hadn't shared with the Heiress. At first it was because doing so would reveal the fact that she was a faunus, but after that became known to the rest of the team it just became awkward to try and broach the subject. How did you tell someone that you and just about every other faunus in the general area (and to a lesser extent, dogs) knew she was in trouble because of the headache inducing noise she was making?
Refocusing on the conversation through, Blake gulped quietly to herself as she quickly tried to come up with a socially acceptable reason to turn Yang's offer down without hurting her feelings or having to reveal more about her past then she needed to. Her eyes widened slightly as Ruby and Weiss provided her such an excuse! "You know, that wouldn't be fair to Ruby or Weiss. I mean, we are a team. Maybe instead of ditching them, we could instead find something that we could all do together?"
A sigh escaped from Yang's mouth as her head lowered, returning her gaze closer to earth as she started saying "Yeah, I guess we should talk to the- "in a somewhat resigned tone before she blinked in surprise as she noticed something. "-What's happening over there?" The resignation in her voice disappeared as she gestured towards a path that split off from the way to the dorm and out towards the grounds of Beacon proper.
Following Yang's pointed hand, Blake couldn't help but blink slightly in surprise at the fact that the path had been decorated in the time since she had travelled to aid her partner with her homework. When she had passed by earlier, there hadn't been the collection of stars and moons planted in the ground or dangling from what seemed to be any surface or structure that could support such things. They had a homemade look to them, like something that would be crafted by low-income households that still wanted to do something special for a holiday or just a special occasion in general.
The path in question disappeared around a corner behind a couple of bushes, through from a glow that seemed to be coming from that direction there was light source around there. The orange flickering suggested it was being lit by flame rather than electronic light.
Blake had to admit that her curiosity was peaked… through not verbally. Somehow, despite Yang's love of puns and word play, they had managed to get this far without her saying 'Curiosity killed the cat' and the God of Animals willing she never would. Walking towards this decorated path, Blake beckoned for Yang to join her.
It wasn't a long path to walk before they came across the firepit, or the cloth lean-to that had been set up beside the building facing the fire with additional homemade stars as decoration dangling from it. But what drew the eye seemed to be the owner of the makeshift location in the form of the hooded person sitting down on what was admittingly a rather comfortable looking combination of home-made floor pillows and pelts.
The figure themselves was largely hidden under their cloak, with only what appeared to be a long, black beak sticking out from the hood. In truth, it took Blake a few moments to figure out that they were, in fact, wearing a cloak at all and not just sitting in a pile of autumn leaves. The design was honestly rather interesting, starting as a bright red up at the top and as the 'leaf' pattern trailed downwards, the colours grew darker until they were a rather pleasant black.
As the bird faunus turned their head towards the newly arrived pair, the hood slid slightly in order to reveal a somewhat appropriately bird like face to go with his beak. The wrinkles and laugh lines betrayed an elderly man way past his prime, but despite that there seemed to be a spark in his squinted, hazy eyes as he offered the girls a smile. With a click of his beak, he crowed warmly "Ahh, Blake Belladona and Yang Xiao-Long. Part of the quartet that will help shape the future of this world…so the cards showed me, once. Many lifetimes ago. (Or has that yet to be?)" The old man seemed distracted by the out loud thought for a moment before refocusing his attention.
There was a silence in the air, even as the elderly man gestured at a pair of empty floor pillows as both Blake and Yang stared at him. Of the pair, Yang seemed the more comfortable with the idea of some random person knowing her name because… well, she tended to put her name out there for people to learn so they can respect and fear it as it was due. However, there was something about the familiarly in which this stranger spoke their names that was… unsettling.
Despite the friendly aura in which the strange bird man gave off, neither of the pair moved closer as Yang asked "Okay. Knowing my name, I completely understand. I mean, not to brag or anything but I've only been here less then a year and most people in Vale know of me in one form or another. But who are you? Because all this?" She gestured at the decorations "Would be amazing from someone I've been dating who wanted to do something romantic for me. From some guy I've never met before… kind of creepy. Like, punch them several times and let the police handle the remains creepy."
Blake couldn't help but notice the thoughtful expression that appeared on the older man's face. For a few moments he was quiet with introspection, before he let out a soft sigh. "You know, you make a reasonable point. That wasn't the kind of impression I intended to make, but sometimes it is easy to forget how others view the world. You can call me Clauneck. Please do sit though. I am merely here because now is the time for the cards to share their insights with you. "
There was something about the manner in Clauneck spoke that… well, spoke to something within Blake and caused her to tentatively step forward and take a seat on one of the surprising comfortable pillows. Beckoning Yang to take the other, she teased "You said so yourself Yang… if he tries anything you can punch him a lot." The tease got a snort and a smirk from the blonde, but it got Yang to sit down and join her.
Once both had made themselves comfortable, they turned to Clauneck with some degree of interest. It was Blake who spoke up first as she asked, "So what was this about cards?"
With the air no longer filled with the tension of a possible savage beating, Clauneck chuckled softly as he placed down what appeared to be a beautifully decorated, if somewhat old set of tarot cards down on the pelt in-between himself and the pair of huntresses in training. Despite his advanced age, he reached out and placed a hand on top of the deck before he began the process of shuffling it one handed with a speed and style that would have made most card sharks beg to be taught by a master. In the corner of her vision, Blake couldn't help but feel like Yang was considering asking how to do that… or at least offer to trade notes on the subject.
"Don't worry Miss Xiao-Long. Next time we meet, I promise I will teach you how to treat a deck of cards with due respect. We will have more time then." Clauneck offered with a playful little chuckle, before he stopped the shuffle and placed the deck back on the pelt and slid it to the side, fanning the cards out upside down and making it easy for the pair to have access to them. "Please. Select three cards each and leave them face down in front of you."
There was a moment where Yang and Blake's eyes met. A silent discussion on who should select first, before Yang took the lead as she often did. There was a brief period in which Yang looked over the many options, but three cards were picked in relatively short order. Blake's on selection took a little longer. Even if it was pure randomness, she couldn't help but try to listen to her instincts and let them pull her towards which cards she should take.
In the end, there were six cards remaining. Three in front of Yang, three in front of Blake. The rest were gathered up and lovingly put to the side as Clauneck seemed to consider something for a moment before turning to Yang. Reaching out, he placed a hand on the first card as he explained "First, a glimpse into the past. A reflection of where you have been." Before turning the card over.
It took Blake a moment to recognize just what the artwork on the card was showing. It was a beautiful painting of a candle in the background, but the focus was clearly drawn to the shadow that the light was casting. It looked like the painting had been done by hand, rather then something done on a computer or printed off… but when she looked at Yang Blake's eyes widened at just how… intensely she was focusing on that card. Like she was seeing something else entirely.
"The Shadow. The sign of one who has tried to live up to the ideals of those who came before, often to the point that it starts to take a toll on oneself." Clauneck explained, before with complete and utter sympathy offered "I never met Summer Rose, but I know that she brightened the world considerably during the time she was here. It is a harsh thing for a child to have to try and fill the void left after her mother was gone in order to ensure that her little sister grew up properly and loved. For what it is worth, I believe you played the hand you were dealt wonderfully. Ruby is going to make both you and your mother proud."
Blake… didn't know what to expect from Yang. Somehow, her starting to softly cry as she continued to stare at a card of a candle casting a shadow was not on the list. However, after a few moments Yang made herself look away from the card before reaching up to wipe the tears from her eyes and offering a surprisingly timid "Thank you."
Once Yang was ready, the second card with turned over. Much like the first, light seemed to be a running theme, but this time the painted bonfire that took up the card almost seemed to glow in the dark. "The bonfire. When the darkness comes and the cold starts to seep in, you are the one upon which your friends and allies rally around for warmth, safety and comfort while those that mean them harm will naturally shy away. Be warned through, for while most foes will naturally try to flee from your light, those too stupid to know they are outmatched and those who know full well that they outmatch you will proudly saunter up to you regardless. Which is which often proving difficult to tell until afterwards."
Blake noticed the intense stare that Yang had for the first card had returned, but unlike the sorrow she saw there before there was a more familiar look of excitement that only really came up when the Blonde found something worth fighting. No words were said as Clauneck for the third card… but rather then flip it over, he gave it to Yang. "The future is often in motion as forces beyond our knowledge and understanding churn and muddy the waters. As such, this is merely something that might be. You may share what it is if you desire, but that choice is yours to make, Miss Xiao-Long."
Blake watched as Yang accepted the card and turned it over to gaze upon it. There was a part of Blake that wanted to lean over and see just what it was that Yang had received but… there was an instinct not too. A deep-seated feeling that whatever Yang saw was deeply personal and to intrude upon it without permission would be a deep violation of trust.
Even as Yang focused on her final card, Clauneck turned to Blake before reaching down and selecting and flipping the first card. A pair of hearts facing each other… but the name on it was upside down, facing Clauneck rather than her. "Aww, the Lovers. Normally a sign of love and passion but inverted like this suggests a rather… rocky kind of love and misplaced passions."
For a moment Blake had to admit that the card did seem to capture a bit of her past, but she didn't really see why it had absorbed Yang so deeply when she had seen her cards. At least, until she looked closer at one of the hearts and saw the wilted rose emblem on it. It felt like her blood froze as the shadows of memories began their terrible dance before her eyes. Rejecting her parents because she believed they had given up the fight. Her time training under various teachers in the White Fang until Adam became her whole world.
Watching as the dream slowly turned into a nightmare as Adam became more distant. Less inclined to listen to her and angrier and more spiteful at everything around him. Of her attempts to try and pull him away from the dark route he was taking and, when she failed, abandoning both him, her comrades and the life she had known since she was a child on a dust train.
With was with a start that she returned to the pillow she had been seated on, staring at an upside-down card with hearts on it… and warmth running down her face as Clauneck offered her something she didn't expect to hear "You were not the only woman in his life Miss Belladonna. Not in a romantic or physical sense. Behind the scenes there was a woman who was tugging at his strings, feeding his pain and hate until it proved to much for you to try and counter. Alas, it is easier to destroy then it is to build something up."
That was… something to think about. But even as she opened her mouth to ask the first question that came to mind, Clauneck shook his head. "I cannot tell you who she is. There are forces in this world that cloud vision and she is close enough to one of them that I cannot tell you more than that she exists and her influence over Adam." Her mouth closed, but that answer left her… frustrated? Angry? Sad? Blake didn't know right now.
Without another word, the second card was flipped. It revealed an image of three…humans? Or at the least humanoid. The painting depicted them in different colours but didn't really go into actual detail on the figures. But each one of them stood at a corner of a triangle, each one pointing a weapon at the other two.
"The Stalemate. Representative of a conflict that has raged for far longer than anyone really knows anymore. A conflict that I am afraid that you are going to grow very familiar with soon enough Miss Belladonna." It was a rather short description for the card, but as Blake looked over each figure, she felt a similar sensation as when she gazed on the first card. Focusing on the 'people' at conflict, she slowly started to see… more details.
The first was a woman. Rather shapely in form to be sure, but even though she seemed to have white mixed into her coloration, it was mixed with black and radiated a deep wrongness. A malice that formed an aura that blanketed all around her.
Looking away, she turned to the second figure. A man this time… or at least it was a man. Its shape seemed to… change every few seconds. Child, Man, Elder. Male, Female. Human, Faunus. The only thing that remained consistent was the dim, if difficult to look directly at white light that it let off.
The last of the trio was the most interesting to her physically because it was clearly a faunus in shape and consistently so. Even more so… he seemed to have horns. A red glow spilled out of this one, but unlike the other two it offered a surprisingly comfortable warmth to it.
"Clauneck, we've had discussions of you setting up camp on Beacon's grounds before." The surprise male voice snapped Blake out of her musings, turning her head towards Headmaster Ozpin as he gazed at the old Faunus with a slightly narrowed almost glare in his eyes. Considering how lax and laid-back Ozpin tended to be, hearing any kind of disapproval with actual emotion behind it was honesty like having an ice cube slipped down your back. It seemed that it had a similar effect to Yang as she returned to the waking world as well.
"P-Professor! When did you…" Yang started with surprise before the headmaster opened his non-cane holding hand to signal her to calm down.
"It is alright. Even though I have personally talked to Clauneck on the matter of him camping on school grounds several times before, I am familiar enough with him to know he means no harm. I am also familiar with the fact that it is incredibly easy to lose track of time when talking to him, hence why I suspect you both are out here after curfew on a school night."
Blake's eyes widened as she checked her scroll and, intend, found the hour to be much later then she remembered it being. Ozpin offered the pair of them a soft smile as he said "If anyone asks, I held you up… provided you head straight to your dorm room. It seems I am overdue with another chat with our wayward guest through, so I will wish both of you girls a good night."
Blake glanced at Yang, who looked at her in return… but the two did stand up. Yang offered Clauneck a small smile and a wave while saying "Thanks for the reading. And I'll hold you to that promise about card shuffling." While Blake offered a more subdued but respectful bow.
For his part, Clauneck was silent, but he offered both girls a respectful bow of his head from his seated position before Ozpin made a small gesture with his hand to encourage the girls to get back to their dorm as soon as possible.
Aware of the leniency that was being shown to them despite being caught out after curfew, Blake and Yang were quick to take it. Ozpin might have been lax, but if Professor Goodwitch caught them all hell was going to break loose. Thankfully, they got back to their dorm without future incident.
It was as she was preparing for bed that Blake discovered a card in her pocket that hadn't been there before. A tarot card in design, she turned it around to see which one it was when she blinked in surprise.
It wasn't a tarot card. It was a logo for a soup kitchen.
In Vale.
Author's Notes:
The mystery deepens.
I don't own Cult of the Lamb or Rwby. Through if you ask the fan community of Rwby, anyone who can save the show from Rooster Teeth might be viewed as a hero.