The dusty dock they'd taken to was - as they always are - lively with workers and civilians alike. Ruby kept Pebble close as they trekked past the work slaves loading and taking cargo from some of the other airships. Despite his hood Ruby didn't want to risk anyone catching onto the boy's Faunus origins, both in fear of potential 'buyers' as well as the slaves resentment.
While chained and sold on the regular Ruby knew that when buttered up and bribed the slaves could be a valuable asset for gathering information, but that becomes immensely more difficult should they catch her with what they believe a slave herself. What also didn't help in matters was Pebble himself. Being a young boy many would assume her the mother, but if they saw he was Faunus they'd change that perception to the belief she was using him as a bed-warmer. While this would mostly get a few devious smirks from the more noble women and scoffs from the men it would severely hinder her relationship with the slaves themselves.
At best being new they would look at her in a neutral light, and she intended to fully take advantage of this and gain a more positive reputation with them as soon as possible.
"C'mon you two, no reason to be so slow."
Ruby rolled her eyes as she saw the woman smirking her way just ahead. The pirate from before, who she'd come to know was nicknamed 'Prim' supposedly due to her lack of proper manners, was just some paces ahead with a dagger in hand. She twirled it, seemingly playing with the blade as Ruby stopped before her.
"Crowded cities make for the best targets when it comes to theft." Ruby stated with a hint of amusement in her voice. "And I'd like to keep my pouch intact if it isn't too much trouble."
The woman retorted with her own level of teasing. "Dolly you and I both know ain't any one of these half-corked kegs got the means or skills to catch you off guard."
"No, but I'd rather not have the guards after me yet, at least not until I've dealt with this issue you've presented me." Ruby didn't hold back her tone on just how annoyed with the whole situation she was.
"Aye, I s'pose we should get moving then." Prim didn't seem even the least bit nervous about playing her games on what equated to a walking bomb, and despite Ruby's irritation at Prim teasing her fuse she knew it would be useless to off the woman for such a petty reason.
Holding tight to Pebble's hand Ruby followed after the far-too-jolly pirate; nearly dragging her feet the whole way.
.
.
"We've lost contact with them sir."
Adam felt a small tingle of irritation at the words.
"And we're unable to get any response from Fennec?"
"Nothing."
Saw's less than stellar report was not what Adam wanted to hear, but in the end it was expected. When they had lost contact with Menagerie for the first time it had been when Sienna had apparently discovered their ousting of her as head of the White Fang, and like the overly enthusiastic man that Fennec was he made a big show of it. Adam was more surprised that the arrogant idiot managed to last as long as he did against her. This did of course pose a problem however: if they'd lost all contact with their allies on Menagerie then the transport of Weiss Schnee couldn't be guaranteed.
He had to assume Sienna had regained some control, and most likely possession of Weiss.
"Sir... Adam... there is the possibility that the Schnee might not be alive."
Hatred burned across Adam's skin. He quelled it for the time being.
"No."
"No?"
"If we've lost contact with Fennec then we have to assume Sienna's regained command to an extent, and if she has then she wouldn't have killed Weiss."
"And how can you be so sure?" Saw asked, and while his tone was Blunt Adam could still pick out the concern in his voice. His friend thought him senselessly hopeful, but Adam knew she was alive.
"She wasn't alone remember. When Fennec reported her capture he stated that Blake had been taken along with her, and Sienna wouldn't dare harm Ghira's daughter; she respects him too much for that. Meaning that if she has control she most likely has Blake helping her. Blake has taken a liking to Weiss, and would never willingly allow anyone to harm her."
"And what if Sienna took control on her own without Blake?"
"She isn't strong enough for that." Saw looked like he was about to retort, and yet he held his tongue. Adam had a sense of respect for Sienna despite their opposing views; she was powerful, and incredibly deadly when she was set on something. However she had become passive, and due to this he had taken it upon himself to restore their drive.
Sienna never saw it that way however, which was precisely why he took control from her.
However that was when Vermillion had shown up, and the way he managed to get into their organization so quickly was not only impressive, but had also reminded Adam why he fought so hard to begin with. He laughed a little to himself; Sienna had changed so drastically as she grew up, to the point she was almost unrecognizable. Long gone were the days of fighting off her bullies and scrounging for extra scraps in the mines.
"LET HER GO!"
He scowled.
"WHA-AGH!"
"GET THAT LITTLE SHIT!"
His teeth grit.
"I WON"T LET YOU TOUCH HER!"
"ADAM!"
"I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FUCK WITH ME!"
His rage bubbled.
"NO!"
Adam shook himself, his hand only a breaths width from his mask. His fingers curled into a fist as he allowed his arm to lower. It was not the time nor place to be digging up foul memories.
"Shall we send a squad to investigate Menagerie?" Saw asked. Adam shook his head.
"There's no reason. Even if she had it back in her control there's no way for her to make any overt moves against us, not right yet anyway. Keep focus on our plans; we can deal with Sienna later if we have to."
"Right." Saw spoke as he gave a nod. "Then I shall see to the soldiers. They will be ready when the time comes."
"Good, I'm counting on that."
Adam watched as Saw walked out before resting back in his seat.
Sienna... not even you will be allowed to get in my way this time.
.
.
The first thing Ruby noticed when they walked in was just how run down the place looked. Yang whistled as they'd stepped past a smashed chair.
"Huh, wasn't expecting this kind of décor." She reached down and took one of the broken off legs. "Looks like we missed the party."
"Yang!" Ruby let out a hushed call.
"Oh come on Rubes this place is a dump. Who really cares about a hunk of wood anyway." Ruby and the rest cringed at that, and Yang let a flat look fall across her face. "She's right behind me isn't she?"
"Perception isn't one of your strong suits, is it girl." Yang stepped away from the voice, dropping the chair leg in the process as she did so. The relatively modest looking woman took it back up and appeared to observe it closely. "This used to be a rather fine piece. As you can see however it's finer details are much less flattering in this state."
"We noticed." Stated Qrow as his eyes lumbered over the disarray throughout the room. "That's part of what we're here to talk about."
"If you're asking about remaining pieces then I'm sorry to inform you I'll not have any ready for some months." Her eyes narrowed. "But if you're here for other business... then I suppose I could do worse."
Qrow smirked, and yet Ruby could see him tense. "You were expecting someone?"
"More or less... but I can already tell you aren't them. Which begs the question: who are you, and what do you want with me?" The properly dressed woman was tense like Qrow, but her tone and stance was different; much more relaxed than that of greying alcoholic.
"Call me Qrow, but that's not really important for either of us. What is important is what happened here." Qrow's eyes shifted again as he took in the scene of shredded furniture and scattered shards of porcelain. "Rumor has it you were struck, and I've got to say they did a number."
"You're not from Mistral are you?"
"It's that obvious huh?" The woman smirked as Qrow sighed.
"Most know exactly what's been going on, but from the way you word it I assume you have no idea how this happened, do you?"
Qrow raised his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty, as charged." They lowered as he took on a serious expression. "We need to know the gist of what's going on in Mistral, and who better to talk to then one who's got a first-hand experience with the trouble?"
"Interesting..." Her gaze was piercing. "And why should I tell you anything? What have I to gain."
"Heh, typical Mistralite. Always out for the cash."
"Nothing is free hunter, especially in Mistral." Her lips curled as she eyed him over. "Everything has a price, but you already know that, don't you?" Qrow's brow ruffled, and then both shot up before ultimately his face took on a sly appearance.
"I know I'm probably going to regret this... Ruby, Yang, give me some space."
"Aaaaaand that's the signal." Yang clapped her hands. "Right, let's go."
"What?" Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha echoed in perfect unity as the blond brawler left in a seamless stride. Ruby rubbed at the back of her neck as she looked to the others.
"I'll explain when we get out."
In a heap of confusion they one by one marched behind Ruby as they went outside. Pyrrha was the last and had shut the door upon their exit, and seeing Yang off a little ways in the distance they walked up to her.
"Okay... so what just happened?" Jaune asked as Yang faced them.
"Well..." She twidled her fingers a little as they crossed. "He's making his move."
"His what?" Ren asked.
"It's what he just does sometimes. An uncle Qrow plan." Ruby said.
"Wha?" Nora let out as Pyrrha looked to Yang.
"Can we have a little more clarity please." Yang nodded to Pyrrha.
"Basically he's either about to do something brilliantly amazing... or incredibly stupid."
"That... does not fill me with confidence."
"Easy Pyre, it's not that bad." Yang's scroll dinged, and she checked it. "Never mind it's that bad."
"Huh, wait why?" Yang showed the message to Jaune who held his curious look. "I don't get it."
Pyrrha leaned over to take a peek herself.
'Head back to the room kids, I'll be back in a couple hours. Managed to work out a deal that won't take long. Try not to get into trouble while I'm gone.'
Pyrrha felt her cheeks heat slightly as she pulled back and coughed into her hand. "Well then, it seems that we should leave him to his deal."
"Yeah." Yang agreed. "And we should probably clear a space for him to rest when he gets back."
"Why?" Jaune asked as Yang smirked.
"Well... according to a few women back home uncle Qrow has more bark than bite."
"What? I don't remember hearing about that." Ruby stated with a puzzled look as Yang waved her off.
"Don't worry about it."
.
.
In a way watching the morning sun rise brought about a sense of stability. Much like when I first arrived I had people glancing my way as they strolled along, and yet the air was different.
Their eyes were less of curiosity and more of a relaxed acknowledgement of my presence; a few even saw fit to wave to me, which I returned tiredly. They moved around as usual going about their daily business, with not a care in the world for anything other than their morning routine. They were peacefully relaxed and simple in their activities, and several children would wander around in groups causing all sorts of innocent mischief.
They had no idea of the death just hours prior, nor the humans enslaved underneath their very noses.
I sighed as my eyes fell out of focus into a glazed struggle as I failed to retain attention of anything at all. I couldn't blame any of them for not knowing about what was happening, no matter how much it bugged me. They were bystanders just trying to make a living in their homes; it wasn't their fault the White Fang took control of all their news. Most still openly wore the Fang symbol on articles of clothing near the corners; a sign of support for who they believed a caring and just group.
The symbol was different however: a stark white with a much more relaxed expression then the claw-scarred howl of rage I'd seen the actual Fang soldiers wear. The smaller detail didn't really matter to me, but I did find some humor in how different it felt.
"Did you do this often?" The voice drew my attention and I was greeted with the sight of that girl with Blake yesterday.
"Not in particular no." I felt my voice drop against my will. "Just a little tired."
"Yeah, I feel you there." She leaned against the railing much like I had. "Still, it's nice that some things never really change though, even when things never seem to work out. I'm Ilia by the way."
"Vermillion."
"I've heard." Her tone almost matched mine entirely. "Sienna told me about you, but then again you were the talk of the town when you first arrived."
"She did huh?" It stung, and immediately I was reminded of why sleep seemed to evade me at every turn. Her face flashed across my mind, with parted lips that wept a feint trail of crimson down the corners of her chin.
"Yeah." Ilia's head dropped a tad. "She seemed to see something in you, although she never said what." Her eyes slid and met with my own. "You don't mind if I ask you something, do you?"
"No. What is it?"
"What would you say the relationship between you two was like?" Her tone was mellowed, and yet I detected a hint of edge lingering within.
"Allies." Both my words and tone were blunt, much like my attitude towards the question itself. "We worked together to stop Adam; nothing more, nothing less."
"Really... and there was nothing else?" Het tone was flat; mine had stolen her edge.
"No. Now are there any more senseless questions?"
"No." Her softer tone hardly dulled my own irritation. "I suppose there isn't. Take care then."
She walked off back inside, and I was left to stew in my thoughts.
.
.
He never lied, but he certainly never told the full truth. Ilia felt something prick at the back of her mind; not rage or anger, but this slight... 'discontent' towards Vermillion's attitude and apparent stance. She had asked him about Sienna because of how much the woman had spoke of him, and how much he seemed to be on her mind.
Ilia did feel a hint of anger towards just how much he seemed to disregard her entirely with his words, as if he never cared in the first place, and yet the day before proved that an obvious lie. He clearly cared enough to cry for her, and yet there he was shoving off the topic as if she were nothing special, very defensively might she add.
Sienna was special damnit, even if he wanted to think otherwise! Ilia bit back a shout, knowing it wouldn't do anything. As much as Sienna's loss hurt her Ilia never expected it to be as bad as it was. After the few years of Sienna's leadership Ilia had lost many close friends, and each and every time it hurt. She would always think she'd get used to it, and yet she never did.
Every death, every loss, it tore at Ilia just as painfully as the last. She knew that death was not only a possibility, but an almost inevitable fate for all of them. While everyone would eventually die, both hunters and soldiers almost always met a brutally bloody end.
Fate, as it were, was a cruel mistress, and no matter how much they fought it seemed unrelenting in it's approach. Yet the fate of not only them, but of all Faunus had changed with the Fang. For the first time they had collectively stood up to the Humans, and when Sienna took charge Ilia had witness the first taste of Humans fearing the Faunus; not the other way around. She was no longer afraid, and Sienna had made it clear that she wouldn't allow Humanity to trample over them any longer.
But she was gone.
Ilia felt her heart sink, and with it her hatred skyrocket. The Fang, Adam, all the death and suffering; at the heart of it all lay Humans. They had been the ones to enslave and inspire hatred, they had been the ones to torture and maim, and they were the ones to look down on them and spit with a level of arrogance that boiled her very blood.
Maybe it was only right that they were wiped out.
Ilia sighed as she let the anger subside. Sienna never wanted that, Sienna never wanted any of it. Her attacks and choices had always been targeted at those who actively wronged the Faunus, and even then the 'punishments' had always been tailored to the crime. Sienna never wanted to harm innocents, even as many cried for her death.
Ilia heard a small mumble and halted her walk; only then noticing how she wandered about while in her head. Her eyes caught a stray glance through the cracked door of a particular room, one with a pale haired woman curled against her blond companion in bed. A small smile crossed her features as she passed by; intent to leave the two be.
Weiss Schnee, that had been it. The Schnee had been the one Sienna had noticed, and it was due to her that Ilia was able to fully witness just what type of person her leader truly was. The woman had been in the perfect position for either Sienna or her to take advantage of and kill. Yet Sienna had talked instead, and with that they both saw how the Schnee cared for the others captured.
Sienna had seen something in Weiss, and Ilia couldn't blame her...
She saw it too.
Weiss had shown care for the Faunus, a Schnee had chosen to care about the Faunus; that alone had been believed by many to be impossible. Yet the impossible stared them in the eyes and begged them to save the others, to save Blake.
If a Schnee could muster up a heart, then what excuse did the rest of them have?
Author's note
...
On time this... time.
Bad puns aside we have a chapter that actually made it on schedule; a rarity in these parts. As you can see this time we mellow out with more of a focus on rest. Time to cool off for a moment before everything picks back up again.
Not much to say this time so I'll end it here.
Catch you later.