A/N: A big thank you to Dominic Silverstein for proofreading this and helping work out all the kinks.
The relationship between the Silver Eyed Warrior and the False Maiden had been a well kept secret ever since their first kiss in a Mistrali hotel. Rendezvous both meticulously planned and desperately passion driven moments. Whether it was in a hotel room or a Bull Head's pilot compartment A ship's cramped hold. A night under the stars. Expensive "malfunctions" of the prison cell's surveillance system.
Moments were carved out whenever and wherever they could.. The wish for those precious moments to never end, always accompanied by a timer ticking in the back of their minds.
Now, time was no longer a concern. The women took it all. Reacquainting themselves with the softness of lips, rugged scars, warm skin and breathless gasps. From a dishevelled bed and heaps of clothes on the floor they made their way to the couch and Cinder spent the rest of the day lounging around with… well she supposed Ruby was technically her lover, wasn't she?
The title evoked an odd mixture of excitement and dread which was rather disorientating. Enough so that the woman decided to shelve that discourse along with her box of belongings. She moved what clothes she did have to… Ruby's closet? Their closet? After which they had ordered some take out and put on one movie or another. Cinder couldn't remember ever wasting so much time, being this completely… relaxed. Not long after, night fell. Cinder found herself in the kitchen, tending to the dishes while Ruby showered in the room above. Scorching Caress could make short work of the drying. But why rush? She had all the time in the world after all. So the woman took up a kitchen towel as an excuse to linger in the breeze as it rustled past the curtains. The distant sound of gushing water washed tension from the woman's shoulders, finally released with a satisfied sigh as she closed the last cabinet door and hung up the cloth.
"Cinder."
Her blood ran cold. Ice in her chest. She knew the sound of that voice. Would have, even if it's owner had been merely a story told around campfires, with the hope of keeping disobedient children at bay. Still, she had to turn around to be sure. Sitting in a posture of statuesque regality, black and red melding around and tracing over stark white. Her saviour, her mentor and queen.
Salem.
While Cinder had a million thoughts running through her mind, faster than even the beat of her heart, the woman smiled coyly while sipping at a cup of tea. Almost as if time itself was still in her presence. As if she was untouched, their efforts all for naught. It was infuriating. The gall. The arrogance! Cinder's teeth clenched, and she felt her fingernails biting into her palms as her hands tightened into fists.
"When you are quite done… sit.".
Cinder's attention snapped to the shuffle of a chair over a blood red carpet. Waiting in front of her, a cup of tea. Like she would under the spell of the Witch's magic, Cinder made her way to the table, palms around the steaming cup that had no warmth. The woman's words came of their own accord, shakey and unsure.
"You're… you're not supposed to be here."
It was infuriating, being at the mercy of what she couldn't place. Still, Salem, like always, was willing to indulge her.
"Perhaps not. And yet, we could say the same about you."
"I've earned my freedom." She spat back with as much venom as she could muster. But Salem remained unphased.
"Is that so?" The upward tilt of her eyebrow and shift in her tone. It was all too familiar. "And since when were you one to wait to be given what you deserved.?" A sinking sensation settled in Cinder's chest. Salem took another sip of her tea, unhurried and gazing into the distance. Wandering down memory lane. "I remember a young girl who once came to me, filled with anger towards the world, and swore that she would take whatever she believed she deserved. What she had been denied for so long." Cinder dropped her gaze. Her shame at the image of her younger self was as clear as she was quick to drown it, knocking back the cup. Anything to block out the Witch's disquisition. "She was gifted with the drive and desire I had sought in a future Maiden. Unfortunately her past had broken her sense of self, but sensing her potential I took to rebuilding her direction-"
A viscous crack rang out. Porcelain shattered between Cinder's palms. "And how exactly did this story end?" Anger swelled in Cinder's voice, filling up her chest until she was leaning towards the other, her eye narrowed to a slit. "With you defeated. By your Fall Maiden no less." She forced a laugh, purely for the sake of spitting in the woman's face and lording her victory over her. "How ironic."
But more than her rightful desire to be petty, Cinder wanted the woman to be just as volatile. Salem wouldn't give her that satisfaction. She knew how to keep her wanting. Any relinquished victory was made hollow.
"You played the game well." She almost sounded… proud.
Almost.
More than anything else, Salem acted unconcerned, more occupied with flagging down the blurry-faced 'Help' to take her empty cup. Twin slices of strawberry cake were placed before them.
The conversation seemed to drag on forever, but Cinder knew that all she had to do was bear it. Indulge the Witch's whims. Eventually she would be released back to her daily chores.
"But you can only deceive Ruby for so long." Cinder froze, mind reeling. Deceive… Ruby? She looked towards Salem, wordlessly demanding an explanation. "You have shaped your disciples well. As I once shaped you.
Cinder was growing tired of meaningless conversation, bland as the taste in her mouth. She had all the intent of blocking out the words. Words meant only to plant seeds of doubt. "And your purpose has always been to take the strength of others for my gain, and to an extent, your own." But that was easier said than done. For silence spoke of complacency and blind faith, something Cinder refused to do.
"I would never do that to her!"
In the wake of her rage and rebuttal, Cinder had forgotten how heavy silence weighed in Salem's company. How in the absence of that gilded tone, that rang sirens against the walls, an eternity of unspoken moments and experience that went far beyond what any human would come crashing on the shoulders of the Witch's company.
"No, you wouldn't."
When she finally spoke, it was with a softness that one could almost mistake for melancholy. She gazed into the distance, as if she had spotted some unknown truth amongst the jovial patrons and bustling staff. "Not purposefully. But she would come to realise in due time, now that you have no more bars to hide behind. Realise that anything past what I have given you is long gone. Dead and beyond repair."
Cinder shook her head. Even if that were true, she knew Ruby. They'd had many similar conversations before, she knew her response.
"That wouldn't stop her."
"Of course not."
Even when she agreed, Salem offered no comfort with her reassurance. "But you know as well as I. Shards of glass can only cut that which touches it." The Witch met her eye and a sharp stabbing pain slid down Cinder's throat with a metallic tang. Her body wracked with a vicious cough, each one felt like a knife to her windpipe as she struggled more and more to breathe.
Looking down at the cup in her hands, Cinder found a mess of blood and glass. She jerked upright, dropping the cup as it splattered on the concrete floor of the storage room.
The crimson pool dragged dark splotches, that echoed of a struggle and dragging footsteps. At the end of the trail stood what should have been a dead man. Blood dripped from his mouth, onto the faded gold, silver and purple of his clothing. Bearing no visible injuries to speak of, he loomed over her as if she were still a child.
Despite the sudden sense of fear that shivered down her spine, she couldn't help but call out, fearing that her shaking steps would not reach him in time. Pain ripped through her vocal cords, her voice, a wheezing gust of air.
"Rh..odes?"
"You're still running, Cinder."
Cinder awoke with a startled gasp, eye blazing with fire and darting to find any sign of danger, but all she found was a cosy bedroom. Moments passed. With each calming breath, she became more aware of the presence next to her. With a delicate sleeping face, dusted with strands of red hair. Ruby was fast asleep. Her expression, devoid of its bright and crinkled cheer. Calm in a way that showed the rare moment where the Huntress would slow down and take a breath. Hoping to preserve this side of Ruby, Cinder pulled her hand away from where it had been, Inches from her lover's cheek. Swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, her attention drifted to the band of hard light Dust around her ankle. After a moment of pause the woman got up and quietly made her way downstairs where the dim morning light peeked through the curtains.
Grabbing a cup of coffee and heating it up on her way to the balcony, Cinder sat down to the sight of the sun peering over the mountain top. Wrapped in a chilly morning fog, ears picking up the slightest rustle in the leaves. Birds chirped. It wasn't difficult for Cinder to feel at ease. As if they were on another mission yet again. She stood watch as Ruby slept in a cave, tent or abandoned building.
It was… nice. If oddly bittersweet.
One would think that she would be glad to have this moment without the fatigue, muck and grime. And yet, Cinder felt a tad… disjointed among the new and unfamiliar terrain.
But then again, the unexplored was nothing new to Huntsmen. Cinder paused for a moment before she touched the cup to her lips. Could she consider herself a Huntress? The cup tipped over, warm liquid draining by the millimetre. No. At their core Hunters strove to be the selfless protectors of humanity. A lofty ambition, even if many fell short of it. An ideal far above what she considered her capacity to uphold.
Cinder… she was merely doing it as a means to atone for her crimes. To be put to use. In many ways it was a means to spend time with Ruby, the only person who she could be close to. Cinder could never be a true Huntress. Not after… after everything. With one swig she drained the last of her coffee, feeling a tad more awake and oddly contemplative. Not being a true Huntress. She could make peace with that. In the end of the day, all that really mattered was that they got results.
"Goooood morning Cinder!"
On cue, the woman thought with a twitch of her lips. She was all too used to the morning sneak attack of rose petals as it wrapped around her neck and pressed against her cheek. Silver eyes shone in the morning light, smiling, brimming with excitement. But when the younger woman didn't get the same excitable reaction, but rather a patient sip at an empty coffee cup, Ruby prompted her with a light nudge. "Soooo are you ready?"
Cinder quirked a brow. Her voice, laden with morning-monotony. "For?"
Ruby gasped in if she had offered Cinder a mug of hot chocolate, and Cinder hadn't known what the beverage was. Again..
But shock was replaced with excitable cheer, which was much too loud for the hour. "Your first mission as a Huntress!" Not that Cinder would ever voice such complaints. Especially with how it was able to thaw her out of her melancholic stupor. Straightening in her seat with a sigh and a stretch, Cinder placed her coffee cup on the ground. The Huntress' trained eye caught the opening in an instant. Not a moment later Ruby was sitting in her lap, facing her with a cheeky grin while swinging her legs back and forth. From afar you would think Cinder to be completely disinterested, but her silent stare held nothing but captivation. Drawn to the other's absentminded picking at the hem of her nightgown. Some new clothes would be in order, the woman thought idly. "Now that you're no longer Remant's most wanted I bet we'll get to do a ton of new and exciting missions together."
More exciting than what they have already experienced? If anyone was capable of such a feat then it would be Ruby.
Cinder watched as Ruby pulled out her scroll, opened the Huntsman Mission Roster and typed in: 'Cinder Fall, Ruby Rose.' A menial task that had no right to make her heart flutter as it did.
"Which one should we do? Recon? Search and rescue? Search and destroy? What about some subterfuge? You seem like you'd be good at that."
The woman snorted.
"And you are a distraction to pull it all off."
Ruby, beet-red and flustered a reaction Cinder never tires of and enjoys evoking at every possible turn. What's more amusing, was how the young Huntress would try to find her proverbial footing, with the grace of newly-birthed Beowolf.
"Wha- are you, Cinder Fall, my partner, saying I wouldn't be good at a spy mission?"
"With an exuberant personality such as yours? Unlikely." Ruby opened her mouth. Only to close it moments later. Cinder would accept that victory. "Besides, all of these missions would take a few days at best. And as I recall… It's a school night."
"I'm an adult!"
"An adult who would rather forfeit her title of 'Weapon Specialist' for a few mindless Grimm and a rendezvous at a less than reputable hotel room?" Cinder's dallying drawl split the white of her teeth across upturned lips. A chuckle built up in her chest as Ruby floundered for a response, gesturing haplessly. "I we- you were there too!"
"As I so vividly remember."
Once calmed down Ruby leaned back a tad, head tilted to the side and combing through Cinder's unusually messy hair.
"You have to let me come along, it's your first mission! It's special."
Cinder fought the urge to roll her eyes. Ruby, always one to cling to these arbitrary 'firsts' and 'anniversaries'. Useless for anything except to convince yourself that something is more special than it really was . "This isn't the first nor will it be the last." But why tell that to the only person who can make it feel worthwhile? "But if it makes you feel any better, I can have you pick the mission."
"Yess!" And with that, Ruby descended down the rabbit-hole of mission assignments. "How abooooouuut…. clearing out a nest of Taiju in the Emerald Forest?"
"I thought you said this mission was supposed to be exciting?"
"Okay okay… Search and rescue in the Steelpoint Peaks?"
Cinder glanced at the details. Her tone, deadpan. "You want a group of dehydrated, starving and terrified tourists to be assured, by Remnant's most wanted, that they are being rescued?"
"Previously, most wanted. But okay let's not take that chance…" In the moments of silence Cinder noticed the way Ruby softly bit her tongue between her front teeth. Looks like she was putting some thought into this one, Cinder mused. "A group of Bandits have been seen en route to Saeville Village, located on the southern coast of Vale, a ways from the Rockmount Isles. The mayor wants a Huntsman to protect the town in case anything happens. At least until they can get their town's defences back online after a recent thunderstorm."
A small coastal town at the edge of Vale where no one is likely to know about or recognize her?
"Sounds worthwhile."
"Alright!" Where does she get the energy, Cinder wondered. "Cinder Fall, your first official Huntsman mission as a fully fledged and free citizen of Vale starts...now!"
A jarring sound buzzed through the scroll. Cinder dared to look.
'Processing Error: Suspended Licence.'
Their disbelief, unanimous.
"What?"
White hot rage surged in Cinder's chest but Ruby's touch was quick to temper it. "Hang on. I'm gonna sort this out." Her tone, unwavering and impatient. With a few quick swipes, the Huntress pressed a number on her scroll and held it against her ear.
"Hello, Mrs. Burgundy. It's Ruby." Sweet and bright a mere moment later. Cinder didn't know whether to be unnerved or impressed. "Although you probably already knew that." Or amused. "I'd like to speak to…I know but that's why I called. It's important." The moment dragged on for much too long. "Okay, thank you! Byeeee." Ruby flashed her a smile which settled relief on her that didn't take away from the fact that the real challenge still lay ahead of them.
Convincing the Council.
Cinder knew that she was already at a disadvantage and that going in blind meant that she might as well turn herself back in. While the hours ticked away until their meeting, Ruby shared what she knew of each of the five members, their likes, dislikes, principles and vices. While these first person accounts would come in useful, Cinder knew that Ruby was naturally only sharing what she deemed as important while in truth she needed to know everything she could get her hands on. They had the 'Vale News Network' blaring in the background while Cinder read through news articles and tabloids online with each council member as a keyword.
After a quick lunch Ruby eventually dragged Cinder away from her research. While Cinder could see the logic in needing a break it did nothing but add to her anxiety in the five minutes they waited in front of the monitor screen for four 'o clock to roll around.
Councilman Hyssop, the first to join the call, was a short man with an admittedly fine walrus moustache. Unfortunate for him that it clashed with his pudgy face and receding hairline. He spoke first, but sounded cautious. Uncertainty, plastered over with surprise and hollow bravado. "Miss Rose. How...unprecedented. I didn't expect a call this soon." He reminded Cinder of an old lion she once saw.
"I hope this means you have taken the time to think about our offe-"
"Why did you suspend Cinder's Huntsman licence?"
It was clear from Ruby's tone that out of her seemingly endless amounts of patience, she had the least for the Council members. Having no qualms about interrupting the Councilman. Then again, it might have been some history between them. Cinder made a mental note to find out later.
"Well you see Miss Rose, this… issue… is much more complicated than it seems."
Cinder had Hyssop picked apart after a single newspaper article, detailing how he had been the single member to vote against the use of Dust as part of approved of an experimental medical was no doubt due to the fact that the injection of raw Dust could have hallucinogenic effects in certain circumstances. This she had come to observe from one Hazel Rainhart all those years ago. The rest only cemented the fact that Hyssop was only there to cement the status of a conservative status quo for as long as for the Maiden it meant that conflating her disbarred Huntress License and the status of Huntsmen as the bedrock of society would be in her favour.
"And that's why we're here. For you to tell us why Cinder's huntsman licence is suddenly so complicated."
"Huntsman licence?" Another voice spat. Councilman White, cold and unfeeling as the snow his name called to mind.. "I don't recall… prisoners… being eligible for such amenities." The man bit back some more explicit terms. Visibly. Cinder clenched her jaw, teeth grinding together in her attempt to keep her temper at bay. That gleam in his eye, so undoubtedly Atlesian, was taunting her. Daring her to speak up.
But rushing to anything in this situation would do nothing but hurt might have some leeway in that regard but every passing second means that the Maiden was threatening on thinner and thinner ice.
Hyssop was their easiest way to a three-two majority, but if his decision is somehow influenced by White, who was arguably the public's favoured candidate as somehow how did the most in addressing how the fallout of the war affected the public, even if it meant having Hunters as a scapegoat. It is for that reason that Cinder doubted that Hyssop and White were in each others' good graces. No, the best course of action was to have the other pieces approach the board and hope for any kind of disagreement she could use to her advantage.
Ruby must've been aware of Cinder's inner turmoil or the meaning behind a cold and calculating stare. In a much needed gesture of comfort, Ruby took her hand, holding it so tight that the woman had no choice but to divert her attention and energy to applying the same pressure.
"Cinder has had her licence since she has been allowed to go on missions with me as part of her community service."
"Community service ends upon a completed sentence. If you wanted to keep your hunting dog, then you shouldn't have cut the leash."
Thank the Brothers above that Ruby beat Cinder to it. Her anger and frustration, unlike anything the woman had seen outside the battlefield.
"She's a S class Huntress with over fifty completed missions! Cinder saved my life and the lives of many others over and over again! She has never given any of you a reason to doubt her skills or her intentions."
A moment of stunned silence.
Councilman Hyssop cleared his throat. "Miss Fall, your thoughts?" Cinder was convinced that they would continue to act as if she didn't exist, but the change wasn't necessarily a welcome one. For all the woman knew they wanted her to slip up. To lose her temper. It's almost as if they had forgotten how she could make Council members and generals crumble with a few words and pieces of well-placed glass. A nightmare or a premonition? There was only one way to find out.
"You expect more generosity than what you have so undeservingly received?"
Cinder had no qualms with walking over Councilman White and she swiftly moved along. Her words, pointed as equally as her stare.
"I expect you to know that by revoking my licence you have reduced my services to mere slavery. And while such a thing has never been uncommon, I'm sure the other Kingdoms would be very interested to find out that Vale's prison population has been reduced to slave labour."
"Is that a threat?"
Cinder quirked her brow. "That depends on your actions."
The silence seemed to drag on for an eternity, until:
"Prisoners have always had the opportunity to better themselves by having the chance to pursue a degree or a career. Qualifications which are meant to aid in their transition towards becoming fully functional members of society. It is no different than with Miss Fall."
Councilwoman Caraway, so glad to have you join us, the woman thought sarcastically.
"I don't recall any other mass-murder being released after a mere four years and some community service." White, clearly not pleased by their newest member.
As the youngest member of Vale's ruling body, with bright green eyes and a 'fresh out of college' appearance, Caraway still had that optimistic drive to change the Kingdom for the better. While her views and intentions would come in Cinder's favour, the fact that Caraway's opinion was at the lowest end of the totem pole, could make her association a liability.
"However. While prisoners are tasked to find these jobs on their own, Miss Fall has been relying on the support of Miss Rose to reintegrate into society. Therefore I propose-"
"Good day everyone."
So Cinder would much rather turn to the more realistic view of Councilmember Cashel, even if she didn't care much for Beacon's new headteacher, they were among the very few Cinder would trust, even if tentatively.
"I wanted to thank you all for your patience, but it looks like everything is right underway." As a Centrist candidate, Headteacher Cashel knew how to move towards the betterment of the kingdom while staying under the guise of being on the side of the elder three members. Ruby disliked them for it, as stemming from her belief that clear and pointed disagreement would sway things in favour of those like Caraway. The Huntress believed that progress would be quicker, and that might have been true only, people like her, like Ruby, were in the minority and stood no chance unless employing the tactics of their opponents. Cinder believed that Ruby's dislike stemmed from Cashel's likeness to Ozpin. But ideology and execution were not the same and execution is where Ozpin lacked.
"It's referred to as punctuality."
Cinder knew some of Cashel's tactics well, everything from an invisible string of guilt and deceit veiled by false ignorance. The Maiden's… tutelage brought her into the unique position of hating politicians, while simultaneously drawing all of the satisfaction that came with using their own schemes against them. Prison gave very few opportunities to outwit and underhand corrupt politicians. Being 'rusty' in the art of manipulation would be an understatement. Luckily, Councilmember Cashel was providing an introductory course.
"Courtesy." And doing it with the tone that one would expect to be reserved for delinquent students. "To wait for any absent members for at least ten minutes before starting a meeting. Especially one that has been called under such short notice."
"If we could stop wasting time, I'd like for us to move along." Councilwoman Gale interjected with a heavy sigh, all while rubbing a temple that was no doubt thrumming with an incoming headache. How Gale managed to avoid any attention with such runway-ready attire and a face that screamed of enhancements, plastic surgery and the like, the Maiden couldn't fathom.
Like Cinder, Gale has been quietly observing the situation, and weighing the risks and outcomes of this meeting like any person would have done with such business acumen. While not running any of them, Gale has multiple businesses under her name. The fact that she has avoided any scrutiny with regards to a conflict of interest, spoke of a deep knowledge of the law or expertly employed connections and blackmail. Perhaps both. Gale's sole interest is always on the end result and how it affects the bottom line. It makes her the easiest to understand.
It also meant that Cinder trusted her the least.
"Miss Rose, you need to think of the consequences that would come with appointing Miss Fall as a Huntress." Cinder fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Once the public realises who we have allowed into a Huntress rank, I can't imagine anyone would put any kind of trust into the Academies of Huntsmen and Huntresses as a whole. What more of the possible panic and all of the panic and all of the Grimm it would bring to our doorstep-."
"You didn't seem concerned about the public when you first appointed me to do your dirty work." Cinder snapped, rendering the man stuttering and struggling in the spotlight, before she continued with a cool and seemingly detached persona. "But if it's the Hunters you're so concerned for. What do you think revoking Huntsman licences with no apparent reason or warning would lead to? Is that a precedent you wish to set?"
Practised to perfection, Cinder thought, as she watched Hyssop squirm and White grit his teeth.
Caraway, quick to jump in with a solution.
"If it's public opinion, and the Hunter's institution, that you're worried about then why not give them time to adjust to Miss Fall's service and release. Give her time to find a job. Then maintain it for three months. Not only will this prove that she is able to reintegrate into society without the help of Miss Rose, but that she, like everyone else, is beholden to the law and needs to go through the same procedure as any other released convict."
Cinder did not like the idea of doing any kind of menial work as a way to prove her subservience, but at the very least, Gale and Hyssop seemed to be more inclined. "Councilmember Cashel has the experience and insight into what qualities are integral to any Huntsmen or Huntress. Therefore, I propose that how Cinder Fall maintains or achieves a fully fledged licence should be for them to decide."
Cinder could find it in herself to acknowledge the sentiment. But Caraway's attempt at fairness and compromise would mean nothing until the girl learnt that politicians needed to be treated like they were made of glass. All while making them believe that they were unbreakable.
The chaos that ensued was nothing of a surprise.
"Now wait just a minute-"
"No one would agree to that."
"You'd have us vote to turn this democracy into a dictatorship?"
"A little hyperbolic, don't you think?"
As White and Caraway continued their already-tired back and forth, Cinder could already feel herself receding further and further in her mind. Yet, she couldn't muster the will to feign interest or any semblance that she cared for the outcome. It was difficult to have hope that it would be anything different than what she has been subjected to, save for the privilege of being imprisoned outside of her cell.
"Huntsmen already have far too much power and freedom within the law and over other citizens. You would have us give such responsibilities to a murderer?"
"What's the point of putting those who have committed a crime, through years of correction and rehabilitation, if we don't treat them like fully formed citizens once they have been released from such institutions?"
Governments, they were all the same. Smoke and mirrors, words and promises that never means anything past temporarily appeasing the masses.
"Because hardly any one of them has learnt anything besides how to put on an act that would keep them out of a prison cell."
"So why don't you reform the prison system?"
"I think you have 'reformed' it, quite enough."
It was quite ironic. This group of people did the bare minimum for the people they served. Yet, the lives of those people would so easily fall into shambles, if those in power were removed. Did that prove her wrong? Were governments for the good of the people? Or were the masses simply too weak to stand on their own when there could be someone blindly pointing them in a direction to follow. How easily it could be undone. Sure, there would be some security, law enforcement and such. But a flaming falchion and all the power of a Maiden behind her would make plunging the world back into chaos laughably easy. One would think the Vale Council to take these things into consideration. After all, they asked her to help them bring the perpetual danger caused by Grimm, under control. All of it, under the guise as being part of her sentence, of course.
Ruby seemed to have developed a sense for Cinder's wandering thoughts. The Huntress spoke with renewed vigour and conviction. Steel glinted in her eyes, pointed to the headmaster, who knowingly waited for her to speak.
"Councilmember Cashel, what in your view as headmaster at Beacon, would convince you that Cinder is worthy of a Huntsman licence? That it would be a disservice to the public if she weren't out there protecting them?"
"A tall order, Miss Rose."
It certainly was.
It was also a request Cashel seemed to want to fulfil, as they tapped on a glowing blue screen, outside the visible frame.
Cinder prepared herself for another citation of her list of crimes, instead; "Miss Fall, looking over your mission record, I have no doubt that your skills are what is required of a seasoned Huntsman. But as you know, physical prowess, does not a Hunter make."
Obviously.
Otherwise they would have the need to be here.
"As for what will convince me? Now that remains to be seen. Take my suggestion as a first step towards my support. Not only does obtaining and keeping a job position prove to us that you will be able to reintegrate back into society as a fully functioning member, but it also proves that being a Huntress means more to you than a taste of freedom."
"You can go wherever you want. Do whatever you want."
"And, if you are feeling proactive and truly wish to become a Huntress for the sake of others, tell me why. All aspiring applicants are required to write a piece that delves into why they want to become a Huntress, and what the position means to them. Perhaps it would provide some clarity to the both of us."
The Maiden knew that she was at least being given some direction towards her path as a Huntress and not just being run in circles. But the way forward only made her feel all the more uneasy.
The reason was not one she wanted to uncover.
"Once we have received a satisfactory employment record, I propose that the Council reconvene to be more… inclined towards Miss Fall's position. Even if it is just toward finding another means of continuing to use her abilities for the betterment of mankind. All in favour?"
Cashel must have kept an eye on the time, because as soon as it struck five o ' clock a few seconds later, the Council suddenly seemed anxious to leave. Why else would Cinder have gotten three disgruntled agreements, followed by instant black screens and Hyssop's last words. Not a warning or threat towards Cinder, but a vague greeting towards Ruby.
"We will be expecting your next call with much anticipation."
Silence settles.
Ruby held her hands in her lap, fighting against a grimace with a trembling lip. Cinder held a warm palm over Ruby's, patiently waiting for her to speak.
"I'm sorry."
Cinder frowned, biting back the urge to chastise Ruby for the selflessness which had the habit of hurting her in the end.
"I can't imagine there being anything you should be sorry for."
The Huntress sighed and slumped back against the couch. A glimmer of the weight she had been carrying shone through.
"I just- things shouldn't be this hard."
"No, but I doubt that is going to stop either of us."
Cinder was trying to keep a level head. For Ruby's sake. She was after all the one that got her this far in the first place. That didn't make it any less unexpected, or out of character, if the Huntress' laugh was anything to go by.
"You're the one who's supposed to be mad at them, not me."
It was a rare reversal of role that only lasted for a moment before Cinder's tone dragged into that of dry and disinterested. Her gaze shifted. She picked at the glove worm on her left arm.
"Being angry would mean that I expected more of a few figureheads who never wanted to do anything for me." Among those sombre thoughts, the woman looked up with an unusual sense of optimism, veiled behind cautious monotony. "I knew they would try to make this difficult. But I also know that you have a tendency to do the opposite."
Of course, as Cinder expected, Ruby took to it in an instant. The young woman hopped on Cinder's lap and fiddled with her collar as she spoke with mischievous cadence.
"I didn't know Cinder Fall would ever get this soft on me."
"The unfortunate effects of imprisonment and your company."
Ruby responded with an assuring hug and kiss on the cheek, nuzzling into the side of Cinder's neck.
"At least we have a place to start. You just focus on getting a job and we'll be back doing missions together in no time!" With the rise in energy had Ruby jumping up from the couch, oblivious to Cinder's displeased grunt. The Huntress paced around the room with what Cinder knew was a mind buzzing with future plans and ideas.
"But first. We need to get you every-day-Vale-citizen-looking-for-work ready!"
A faint sense of trepidation lingered in the woman's chest.
"Dare I ask?"