8-3: Mills

"Now... where exactly did he run off to?"

The maiden grumbled, more to herself than anyone else, her brow furrowed as she made her way to the city gates. Part of her had considered retrieving her horse, but her companion needed the rest, and it wasn't like a single person could really cover enough distance to justify his help, right?

Then again, huntsmen weren't exactly people who followed conventional expectations—she understood that fact more than most—and Amber knew next to nothing about the man named Mills. For all she knew, he had some ridiculous movement Semblance or something, and had already left for who-knows-where. Coupled with the fact that he was apparently the huntsman most familiar with the area, and that she most certainly was not, the maiden couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of worry to the prospects of her success.

Her eyes settled on the wilderness beyond the safety of the walls, the worry on her face deepening as she stared into the distance, her lips curling downward as she took in her surroundings. A forest to the north, rolling hills to the east, crags and coastal cliffs to the south... Her supposed guide could've wandered to any of these directions, and the woman simply had no way to figure out where. With a frustrated sigh, the woman turned her attention back to her Scroll, trying to find some sort of hint in the device as she retrieved the map of the surrounding area.

Oh, at least she was connected to the CCT again. That's one good thing that's happened to her so far.

... A contemplative look came over the woman's mind as she processed that again. Now that she thought about it, since she had access to the CCT again, she could very well find some sort of hint from her Scroll. Not from the vague map, of course, but from her contacts.

Specifically, Ozpin.

As the Headmaster of Beacon, wouldn't he logically know about all the huntsmen and huntresses operating in Vale's immediate area? And just because Everblue Port was a bit more independent than your usual town, the fact remains that the settlement was within the Kingdom's borders. Yeah... The more Amber thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea; Rarely did Ozpin busy himself with tasks, as he often delegated jobs to his subordinates. Surely, he had time to search for a single huntsman.

Affirming her thoughts with one last nod, the woman quickly turned her attention to the device in her hand, typing up a quick request for the old man to be proactive for once. Really, Amber couldn't help but feel that she was doing the man a favour; just because he had a great deal of influence didn't mean he was exempt from the more menial tasks in his job. All things considered, this was just one of her duties as a subordinate to the headmaster.

"... Excuse me, ma'am?"

A man's voice broke Amber from her thoughts, and as she looked up from her Scroll, she spotted one of the many soldiers that manned the city's walls. Except, the man in question was probably more important than the usual soldiers, as his armour bore a distinctive red hue, in contrast to the white plates worn by the others on duty... An officer, then? If that was the case, why was he approaching her?

"For your safety, I'm going to have to ask you to return to the city. These walls are no place for a civilian, and with the local grimm suddenly growing in activity, the Garrison cannot guarantee your safety should an emergency arise. So, unless you have business here..."

Amber paused, her eyes growing wide as realization came to her. Of course! Just because she had no idea where the huntsman went didn't mean she couldn't ask.

She immediately put her Scroll away, slipping it into her cloak as she pulled out the note she had received from the mayor. With the handwritten parchment in hand, she turned to face the Guardsman proper, clearing her throat before finally speaking out. "Actually, I'm a huntsman operating in the area with the approval of the mayor. I wanted to inquire about something."

"Is that so?" The Guardsman leaned forward, taking the note from her hand as he read over the parchment. After a few moments, his expression softened as he returned the paper to Amber, a sympathetic look in his eyes. "That's definitely the mayor's handwriting. On behalf of our city, I would like to formally apologize for his illiterate scribbles. With that out of the way, what did you need?"

"Well..." Amber quickly took back the parchment, slipping it into her cloak as she settled her eyes on the rest of the garrison, taking in the sight of the militia and weapon emplacements. "I was wondering if you or your peers have spotted the huntsman named Mills. For the purposes of my mission, Mayor Arum recommended him to me as a guide for the area, and I believe he came by this way."

"I see..." There was a brief bout of silence as the Guardsman gave her a stare, his eyes narrowing at her words. After a few moments, however, the man released a sigh, turning away from her as he pointed towards the south. "Well, you're not wrong. I saw him pass by a few minutes ago. Probably retiring for the day, since he was heading down to the cliffs."

"Retiring for the day...?"

"Yeah, he makes his home south of the city." The man's voice was completely serious as he spoke, and his expression mirrored that tone as he slowly turned back to face the maiden. "One of the caves there, if you can believe it."

"The caves...?"

Her voice trailed off as she turned away from the man, her brow raised in confusion as she stared at the coastal cliffs in the distance. Of all the responses she had expected, that certainly wasn't it. Did that mean that the Maiden was actually right about Mills and the whole hermit thing? Silence lingered in the air as Amber tried to come up with... something. A solution? An answer? Some logical explanation for why the huntsman lived in a-

"You mind if I ask why you're looking for him?" The Guardsman's voice broke her from her thoughts, and the woman immediately turned to face him. "You said something about a mission, right?"

"Well... it's true that I need Mr. Mills for my mission, but my current reason for finding him is to assuage the worries of three children." And that much was true. She was in no rush to fulfill Ozpin's odd search, and the maiden was more worried about the huntsman's state of mind rather than anything else. "You see, he was in the middle of teaching... homework, I believe? When he suddenly had to leave. The children grew worried, and asked me to ensure that he was okay."

"Oh, you mean the Gale Kids? Why didn't you say so?"

And just like that, the Guardsman's expression brighten considerably, his previous expression soon replaced by a light smile as he stared at her. Really, the people in this city made no effort to hide their emotions, and the maiden was a bit surprised to witness the change in mood. Still, the man's smile immediately fell, his brow suddenly furrowed in worry as he spoke once more. "With that said, those kids are pretty sharp. If they're worried about him, then maybe something's up. Mind if I tag along?"

That was unexpected. The Maiden couldn't help but give the Guardsman a curious look, shooting a single glance to the city gates before settling her eyes back on the man. "... Don't you have a post to man?"

"Eh." The shrug he gave was not all that convincing. "I'll just leave it up to my second-in-command. She's practically running the place anyways. C'mon, let's go."

"Oh... Okay" Amber didn't know what else to say at this point, her eyes focusing on the man's armour, finally realizing the significance of the outfit's colouration. So, instead, she remained quiet, releasing a single awkward cough as she began following the man, their steps slowly taking them to the southern cliffs.

The old man frowned.

And unfortunately, that particular expression was one that he had grown used to as of late, given the state of affairs. It seemed that, despite his best efforts, every piece of good news that fell onto his desk was accompanied by an unsettling amount of bad news.

One of the clearest examples of this was his latest acquisition. Throughout the past few months, Ozpin had been in contact with some of the more... resourceful individuals of the City of Vale. And while it had been a costly exchange, both in time and general expenditure, the Headmaster of Beacon had eventually secured a reliable network of communications through his new "associates".

Some might call his dealings unsavoury, but Ozpin preferred to view it as simple sponsorship.

While it was clear that his new contacts had a more flexible set of standards than most, what made Ozpin seek them out was that the criminal pair in question still had standards... Well, that and necessity, given the worrying amount of silence that he had received with regards to the Stranger that Qrow had encountered months ago. Really, making use of Vale's underground was his best bet at this point, and while his chosen beneficiaries did not necessarily hold the most sway over the seedier sides of Vale, it was clear from his dealings with them that that was by choice.

Yet, as fortuitous as that acquisition had been, Ozpin's luck had quickly soured, his newest subordinates almost immediately thrown into public eye due to events none foresaw.

Mere days after they had been hired, his agents within Vale were caught up in a public demonstration of Faunus Rights. And unfortunately, with the increasing influence of the White Fang seeping into the Kingdoms, the demonstration was more than a simple rally.

Even now, the headmaster wasn't quite sure who had initiated the conflict. However, what he did know was that, during the public demonstration, an incident quickly rose up between one of his agents and a hidden group of White Fang supporters, who he surmised had instigated the rally. Tension quickly gave way to violence, and the ensuing firefight drew the attention of the city's local enforcement groups. So, while his subordinate had ultimately escaped custody, the damage had been done, and the entire incident was reported on the CCT news outlets.

And since a fair number of the White Fang instigators had shown, at the very least, competency in the manipulation of aura, Vale's councilors were quick to point to Beacon.

... But, at least he now knew why.

Ozpin's face was impassive as he reviewed Qrow's report, more of a collection of texts than anything formal. However, that suited the Headmaster of Beacon just fine, as he trusted the red-eyed huntsman's evaluations implicitly, especially over matters involving espionage. The shorter messages ensured that their communications were as secure as possible, and the fact that Ozpin had worked with Qrow for so long meant that nothing was lost during communications.

And with the latest report, Ozpin was all the more thankful for those assurances. He still wasn't entirely clear on the nature of Rhinestone Industry's intimate link to Vale's political parties, but the headmaster couldn't help but frown at the implications. What he had first assumed to be a casual relationship, perhaps one linked by greed and nepotism, quickly revealed itself to be so much more. To find that one of the major voices of Vale was so closely linked to Rhinestone was simply... worrying. Even without the context of the company's latest discoveries.

WIth those discoveries? Well... Ozpin's frown deepened.

Had this report come from anyone other than Qrow, the headmaster would've taken it with a wide breadth of doubt. Even now, he found himself questioning the legitimacy of the claim, and had to force himself to push those thoughts aside. But was it really that surprising that he was so doubtful? The mysterious artifact that Rhinestone had found, now dubbed the Obelisk, was something completely unheard of by the Headmaster of Beacon. Not only could the Obelisk apparently attune its ownership to Aura—a rare feat in and of itself—the was capable of enhancing Dust to an exceptional degree. When the artifact wasn't attuned, no less.

He had hoped that the private researchers of the company had been mistaken about this discovery, of course... But Ozpin also knew that to simply hope without preparation was foolish endeavor by itself. And unfortunately, the headmaster had few options when it came to preparation.

His only reasonable option was currently out of the city, exploring parts unknown for fleeting rumours, all in an attempt to find the one thing capable of shedding light into this growing mystery. With a sigh, Ozpin turned his attention away from his Scroll, closing and removing Qrow's latest report, his thoughts heavy as he-

... Oh? A message from Amber?

That was rare. Amber usually kept communication to herself, which meant that any such messages were always important in nature. So, Ozpin quickly accessed it, skimming through the hastily written words and obvious typos.

By the time he was done, the headmaster's grimace grew.

After all... He knew of no huntsman by the name of Mills. Especially not one in that region.

Nox snapped his attention away from his workbench. His gaze lingered on the steel table for only a few moments, reluctant to pull himself away the desiccated remains of some local's transforming weapon. However, despite his own desires, the Xelor simply had no choice in the matter.

His Noxines had spotted two familiar faces, and he had to deal with them.

With a sigh, the man wrenched himself away from his workbench, deactivating the primitive tools before slotting them into the cumbersome cabinet. He frowned as he did so, never quite getting used to the inefficient layouts of this world's customs when it came to mechanics. However, it was one more thing that the Xelor had to tolerate, so he pushed those particular thoughts out of his mind.

Instead, he stepped out from the rocky alcove where he stored workshop, deactivating some of the Dust lanterns as he did so, before making his way to the main cavern room of his unorthodox dwelling. Nox spent a few moments examining the primary room, reviewing each of the useless trinkets and unwieldy props that the Xelor had been forced set up in his abode, all to ensure that things were adequately presented. However, his irritation only grew as his focus shifted from item to pointless item.

Flimsy wooden support structures, seating units, Dust-powered cooking implements... even decorative flora containers! Each of these objects served no practical purpose to the Xelor, and yet, in order to maintain his subterfuge, their fabrication had been necessary. Not only that, but the more intricate items that Nox needed for his cover had required him to craft them directly... Not through his usual methods of construction, but through the inefficient, primitive techniques that the locals enjoyed.

Hand-carved wooden totems, bone effigies from hunted game... So many fragments of pointless effort, all staring back at him to remind the man of his wasted time. Really, the more Nox exposed himself to it, the more he realized how utterly pointless this antechamber was.

"...nd he's really good at it, too!"

Fortunately for his position, the locals disagreed. Still, the Xelor held no small amount of irritation as he heard the head of the local militia approach, his words no longer perceptible by Noxines alone as the red-armoured man approached Nox's abode. The militia's visits, unfortunately, were becoming an increasingly common phenomenon, and while they were never hostile in nature, the Xelor wasn't quite sure what to think of them.

"Seriously, I still can't believe all he's done to turn that cave into some place half-way decent. You have to see for yourse- Oh. We're here!"

Indeed, they were.

As usual, Nox identified the militia's arrival before the man himself did, and the Xelor wasted no time as he made his way to the cavern entrance, reviewing his Huntsman costume one final time as he did so. Slowly, the Xelor approached the barricaded wall, yet another wasteful concession that was necessary for his ruse, and began the arduous task of unlocking the many bolts and hinges.

It took him a full two minutes to remove the restraints, a tediously involved process that wore away at his patience, but also an apparent requirement for people who lived in the outskirts, where the land was populated by Shadow Beasts.

Yes, Shadow Beasts. The nomenclature of "grimm" was both completely useless in conveying information, and utterly ridiculous in general.

But, regardless of unconventional naming standards, the man finally pulled the door aside. Shifting his tone, Nox turned his attention towards the opening, his voice completely cordial as he addressed his two uninvited, and completely unwanted guests.

"Ah, Captain Stone. And... Miss Amber, was it? What an unexpected surprise." The Xelor's words rang out, truly a testament to his mastery of the local language as he kept a friendly tone. Really, that had been the hardest part of his assimilation of the local culture—the mannerisms he portrayed towards his subordinates in the World of Twelve, while appropriate for those bumbling morons, were hardly the best for his goals in this new world. So, with a completely genuine tone, Nox tilted his head to the side, a visual tic that served to outline his genuine confusion. "Was there... something you needed?"

"Hey Mills, good to see you!" Captain Solas Stone, one of the first militia Guardsman that Nox had met at the Settlement, was first to speak, wearing an annoyingly pronounced grin on his face as he waved at the Xelor. "Sorry to bother you. I know how you feel whenever we drop by unannounced... but hey! We've got a good reason to this time. Especially since you just confirmed that you actually know this Huntress here."

Ah, so the purpose of his visit was merely to act as an escort. That was one concern the Xelor no longer needed to worry about, at least. After all, the last time the Guardsman had visited... Well, that was an ordeal in and of itself. "I see. Well, at the very least, I am thankful that you are not here to repeat the events of last week."

"E-er, yeah! Yeah..." The Guardsman's grin faded at that statement, the man giving an awkward cough as he immediately turned his attention else where. "A-ahem. So, anyways... It sounds like you've got business with- err... Amber? Anyways, you're busy, so I'll just leave and leave you to it and yeah. Bye."

And thus, one annoyance removed itself, as short-lived as it had been when it first arrived. However, that brought the Xelor no real closure, and his attention quickly turned back towards huntress woman in question, standing silent as he waited for her explanation. And silent he stood for nearly a minute longer, as the woman seemed more intent on watching the Guardsman flee than addressing the Xelor directly.

"... Miss Amber?"

"Oh, right. My apologies." At least she was prompt when addressed. Still, Nox stood silent, his posture still as he began contemplating the reasons why she was here. Logically, it was likely related to her aforementioned task and the recommendation by the local settlement's political figure... But she had already demonstrated that such a task was not time sensitive. Certainly not a reason to seek him out...

Unless that had been a ruse.

After all, as he had found out during his time at the Settlement, his previous base had been destroyed by none other than local adventurers affiliated with local governments. While it was unlikely that his true identity had been uncovered, the Xelor knew full well that the possibility remained. Which meant that he had to be prepared for anything that this woman mig-

"I'm actually on behalf of those kids you were helping earlier."

What? Nox's train of thought stopped. He certainly wasn't expecting that particular reason. Yet, if he looked at it logically... would those children truly request that a complete stranger visit him? To the Xelor, it seemed... Well, he didn't know. He did not necessarily have mastery over the local customs, so Nox merely stood silent as he asked his next question. "...What do you mean?"

"What do you mean what do I mean?" The woman's response was immediate, her eyes staring at him with confusion as she spoke, her tone carried through with confusion of her own. "I'm here because they were worried about you, of course."

"Worried...?" He repeated her words, unsure of its meaning in this context. After all, those... children... knew full well his capabilities as a combatant. Not only that, but he had maintained routine communication with them, assisting them with their studies while he learned alongside them rather than hiding away in his cavernous workshop, away from them for weeks on end, as he studied the-

...The Xelor straightened himself, his shoulders shifting as he readjusted his posture, before finally turning his attention back towards the woman. "... If I may ask, what were they worried about?"

She remained quiet for a few short moments, staring at him before finally speaking out, her eyes fixed on his visage. "They were worried about the thing you just did."

"Pardon?" Nox was caught off-guard by that particular statement, and his posture showed, a twitch as he slackened for just a moment, before attempting to resettle himself back to his previous stance. "I do not believe I understand what you are talking about. What 'thing'?"

The woman stared back at him. "Mills? Are you okay?"

Of course he was okay. He was merely trying to make sense of what she was saying. The Xelor looked back at the woman, staring at her brown eyes, full of concern for just a moment before suddenly turning away. Instead, his gaze focused on one of the props in his room, some generic flower that was indigenous to this world.

This world, completely foreign and divorced from the place he had left behind.

"Yes- A-hem." Nox cleared his throat, dry for some curious reason as he slowly settled his gaze on the brown-haired stranger. "... Apologies. But yes, I am fine. For now, I believe I merely require some rest. May I ask you to return to the Town, so that you may inform the-"

Then, he stopped.

His vision was no longer here, settled in the familiar solitude of his abode. Instead, his vision was northward and eastward, gazing through the eyes of his Noxines as he a flood. No, not a flood, but merely a herd, moving and churning as though it were pitch-black water.

"...children..."

Nox's voice followed immediately afterwards, his previous thoughts lost, overturned by the sight of distant Shadow Beasts as they marched through forest and mountain. The two disjointed fragments, the word and the image, linked together for one brief moment, and the Xelor was completely silent.

"Mills?"

The woman's voice snapped him from his thoughts, and the Xelor was silent no longer. Instead, he was conflicted, feeling an odd desire to act rather than observe. It was... curious. Hadn't he already settled his position on the issue? The whole reason he was here now was because he had intended to distance himself from the local settlement, right?

To revive his production, to continue his research... He hadn't even seen how the Shadow Beast's smoke reacted to the Powder Fuel of this universe, let alone examined its similarities to raw Stasis. And what of the Dust itself? Did it hold the same properties as the elements back in the World of Twelve? To say nothing of this newly discovered 'aura' phenomenon that he had learned from the... children.

... As he saw the looming tide engulf the land, flooding the land in a growing pool of black, the Xelor was conflicted.

"... What were you saying about the children?"

No. As much as he would've liked to say otherwise... Noximilien Coxen wasn't conflicted at all. He turned his attention back to his guest, his tone words completely solemn as he spoke through his mask.

"Miss Amber. I believe we should both return to the settlement."