"And what of the other nobles? Certainly they're not too fond of the clog flooding port, especially when it causes business delay."
"No, they most certainly aren't." Thorn's voice spoke of more, but Ruby scarcely hoped he'd reveal those concerns directly. He always was the man who chose to fend for himself, unwilling to share even the most miniscule of weakness. "However their concerns are far less outward, especially when the Bounded are knocking at their doors in search of tribute."
"I see... so they've expanded."
"Greatly." Thorn sounded no happier than she was at the mention, but then again, Ruby had already questioned the group's innocence since day one.
With the Embracer being so large and otherworldly as it was, nobody should have been surprised to learn it had a following of its own. While large and magnificent in its outward beauty, those that worshipped the vampiric work of nature were anything but. At first the only thing Ruby found strange about the group's founding back in V's earlier years was their devotion to bloodletting; the act of allowing their crimson rivers to drain was symbolic of the tree's willingness to release its own lifeblood for the good of the surrounding nature.
Much like the tree itself though, this wasn't by choice, and once you were drawn in by the group, you were never let go. Realistically, it was more akin to a cult than that of more widespread beliefs, but even in this category it was still the most prominent religion of Veilroot. Originally, back in her younger years of this time period, Ruby recalled the group being fairly lax in terms of their bloodletting, only asking members to prick their ring fingers with a pin, and allow a single droplet to fall; a reminder of their spiritual marriage.
"What is it they ask for now?" Ruby would guess money, but the Bounded were usually content to live without. Many preferred to syphon the sap of the Embracer for most needs, and living from the least amount of modern commodity they could - modern for this time period anyway.
"One would suspect money, but, it gets a little bit stranger when you ask around. Upon my own personal investigations, I recall being told, and quite brazenly mind you, that they request 'waste'."
"Waste?" Ruby paused a second, only to look upon the twistingly restrained binds of disgust crossing his features every now and then, just barely held back. She really hoped she was wrong with her assumption, and tried to steer the topic away from it. "Are you talking about... say, broken pottery, or-"
"Natural waste."
Yeah... yeah she kind of expected that, but even so, she had hopes she was wrong, hopes which were now dashed as the images popped in her head. Ruby, with a heavy crate of confoundment weighing on the idea, scrubbed her thoughts clean of that sewage, and chose to question Thorn on the Bounded's persuit of everyone else's.
"Can't they just... use their own. No, stop, better question: what do they even want it for?"
"I've been told by some of my associates that they request fresh supplies." Ruby quite physically shivered at the thought, but even so straightened herself again to continue listening. Thorn, ever the sweetie, had paused afterwards, apparently knowing how she'd react to the news - how most normal people would react, realistically speaking. "Disturbing, I know, but it doesn't get much worse... or perhaps it does, depending on how you look upon it."
"I'm scared to ask, but how?"
"From the few who've witnessed it from neighbors and such, they say that those who agree to 'donate' are taken away and lead into one of their shrines, where they... do the deed... or so it's assumed." Another horrid shiver, but much less brutal this time as the shock was less prevalent than before; the only benefit to hearing out such a filthy act, in Ruby's opinion that was.
"Have you questioned those who've agreed to it themselves?" The answer would most likely be just as vile, but she needed to know regardless, especially if they were dealing with the Bounded's questionable acts. Sure, there was the humor of imagining a cocky nobleman opening up his door to a preacher requesting his excrement, knowing he could ring no wrath upon a man of cloth for request alone, but even so, it was still disgusting in Ruby's mind.
"See, that there is what concerns me most. They tell of how the men lead them to the closest shrine, where they are then required to 'relieve themselves' before a chanting crowd."
"They're watched?" Worse and worse by the second it seemed; she was soon to lose the contents of her stomach if this didn't end soon.
"Honestly, that's where my questions lie." Thorn leaned in, his face losing that horror-riddled edge, and morphing into something more concerning; thoughtful even. "You see, I've come upon a bit of a pattern here, and it's one that you may find fairly interesting."
"If you say." Ruby wasn't feeling well, but if Thorn had suspicions about anything, it was usually best to listen; he had a nose for trouble, and she recalled greatly the amount of times he'd stumbled back home from his expeditions, battered, and with a new tale of accidental espionage to tell - much to his son's delighted wonder.
"I've spoken with almost a dozen of them at this point, and while all the stories are similar, almost all of them deviate just the faintest bit with facts. I've noticed these inconsistencies around the third person, and so developed a quaint little tell to see if my guess was true. Each of the shrines have a name, with a different tender to each. This tender always looks after only the one shrine. Now, each of the Embracer's roots have their little variants, and the tenders often carve a symbol into their portion of the holy aspect of their faith. This is where I made my move, I've spoken to three women who went out with the same tender, and after their return, questioned them about the symbol they saw. Imagine my surprise, or lack thereof, when each of them gave me a different one."
"And that would be impossible if the tender brought them all to the one shrine." It didn't sound like the worst idea she'd ever spared the time to hear, but it was a simple one at that. Truthfully, Ruby was a little shocked that it even worked at all, but if her own suspicions were anything to go by, Thorn was probably going to tell her about them next.
"Correct, meaning - at the very least - these women did not go to the same shrine, and that's being generous. Consider this: what self-respecting sir or lady would prostrate themselves in such an ignoble, and dare I say revolting manner, least of all willingly?"
That was true, and Ruby hummed to herself as she ran through the scenario. While many followings could be a little eccentric, and the Bounded were most certainly one of these types, the levels of depravity being spoken of sounded a bit too ridiculous, even for them. Every faith had their followers and traditions: rituals and the like which were symbolic of their beliefs and values.
However the supposed rituals being seen here were unlike anything she recalled the group doing before. From an outward glance one would assume them collecting fresh fertilizer... only, if that were the case, then they'd need to be colleting literal boatloads of waste to have any effect at all on such a massive tree. From what she understood, the Embracer took most of its pull from deep, deep underground, meaning the little bits near the surface were almost entirely untouched, and allowed the smaller flowers and such to bloom close to the trees. The collection of 'fertilizer' for this matter would ultimately be pointless.
"It wouldn't matter." Ruby said, with her eyes shut hard as she tried to reason out an answer. "It would be a waste of time, and just make you appear foolish, or at best gullible."
"Exactly, and so, why do you suppose they say as much?" Thorn had an answer in mind, and Ruby knew he was trying to hoist her towards it. He could just tell her, but the guy always fancied people finding these truths on their own, and she had never once bid he relent; she wasn't about to start now.
No, she could come to the conclusion herself, she just needed to find the link. Something was apparent here, something so utterly wrong and obvious that she really should be able to find it. Anyone who stopped to think for more than twelve seconds would realize the futility of the fertilizer assumption... but, they weren't giving the idea that much time, were they? With such an outlandish request being made at the doors, the very idea doesn't even crop up in most people's minds, does it? They just refuse and go on with their days, as normal people would.
Then what of those who said yes, the people who agreed to such wildly strange bidding? Why would they agree to something that only the dullest idiot would believe? Heck, thinking back to the tenders themselves, Ruby bit down on just how wildly stupid their form of presentation was. They held no respect for their position from the sounds of it, asking people to follow them and shit before a crowd. Speaking realistically, who would even agree to that? It was almost like they were just asking to have the door slammed in their faces... unless...
"What if they... wait..." She looked at his face, and seeing how the corners of his lips etched ever upwards, Ruby confoundingly came to the understanding that she found their answer. "They don't want people agreeing to go, do they?"
"Not at all." She almost wanted to groan with every word he spoke. The more she thought of it, the more ridiculously it fell into place. If the proposal was sensible, people would go, and if it was too extreme, the tenders would most likely end up in prison. No, the idea was just gross enough to dissuade. But that still left the obvious concern, and one Ruby brought up for good measure.
"And of those who said yes?" She crossed her arms as her face became serious again. "If they're weeding out the regular folk, what do they want from the particular few who agree?"
"Well, when contacting certain unsavory individuals for certain needs, do you so often speak directly when they're surrounded by friends?" His face fell plain. "No, you make simple requests to throw those 'out of the know' off the trail of truth. It's similar to spies sent off to other kingdoms."
"Then why do all the knocking, all the requesting of random peoples?" She asked, popping a look. "If they're requesting spies, why consider anyone else?"
"Perhaps they do not know their contacts, and this is merely an unorthodox method of search."
It sounded stupid, but stupid was better than nothing.
"Okay, so what do we do about it? We have suspicious, yes, but no real reason to pay them mind."
"Going through the trouble to gather contacts they don't even personally know... either the tenders don't pay much attention, or there are too many contacts to bond with personally. Whether the truth lies in the former, or latter, is it not concerning for them to be commencing such deceitful acts?"
It was, yes, but did that really mean they were up to no good? Then again, the more Ruby thought it over, the more she began to recall just how little honesty lay within Remnant as a whole; even in her own time long long past, there was plenty of evil stirring about in the shadows. Right now her concerns were the mission, but doing said mission would only become harder with the Bounded in the way; the least she could do was see whether her concerns were founded in reality, or fantasy.
"Fine, if you need it, I will lend my aid." Ruby offered a sceptic's mask. "But why ask this of me? I'm merely a washed up old maid?"
"Ruby, you know well I'm not fool enough to believe that." No, he wasn't, and never had been really, but it was good to know he still recognised her strength. "A mere 'old maid' doesn't have the wit or skill to wield a blade such as you. I do quite remember the days you corrected my boy's stance in training, and every so often, played the target for his aim."
"You never fully fell in with the idea though." She had her fun back then, however in those days, coverings and salves could hide her age.
"I didn't want him to believe all the maids of our estate were so skilled and limber. While tastefully refined, I've no doubt you're handiwork with the sword is as sharp as ever... or, should I say scythe."
"You guess well." Tooting her horn wouldn't win him any favors, but he knew that, and as far as Ruby saw it, this was a sign he still retained his carefree nature. She allowed the niceties to fade across her face, and let sink in the seriousness to come. "However, I would be lying if I said my concerns were none. Tell me, will this little venture of ours involve a physical approach?"
"From the both of us, yes." He leaned in on his arms, eyeing her fully. "We'd, no doubt, need to directly involve ourselves in their game, at least outwardly."
"I've a boy to tend to." She told, turning her head away from the man and towards Pebble who sat over with the other women, apparently playing some sort of table-top game. While she didn't like their provocative appearance, Pebble seemed immersed in whatever the board held too much to lose himself in their appearances. "Speaking of which, does the lady approve of you spending time around those... women of the night?"
"Veronica's far too immersed in the bottle to even notice most days." His tone fell off into a near apathy, only broken up with bitter shards or regret. "It certainly isn't good for her soon-to-be second sprout, but I don't even think she notices most days. She stops sometimes, placing the wines back in the cupboards when she thinks of it, and I've come to suspect that our babe is the only thing keeping her sane; not a perfect fix, but it quells her urges every now and then, and she hums a lull to the seedling."
"Oh... You're having another?" Ruby found herself intrigued, as she believed the pair would not try for a child after V's 'death'.
"The bloodline must carry on, or so she claims." He sighed, his body leaned back as his eyes shifted outward, searching for... something; perhaps meaning, if Ruby were to fancy a guess. "We'd planned for one even so far back as our boy's first ranking, and then again when he was gifted his change. However, each time we toyed with the idea, this... stab of guilt would always ripple through." He chuckled somberly, leaning back in with his eyes set on his closed hands. "She was always harder on him, pushing him to his best. I think she wanted him to prove himself, that he might earn his place in our namesake. She loved him all the same, but here in Veilroot, blood takes precedent over name. She could love him all she wished, but the people here, her family even, they'd always see him as an outsider, and so she pushed him vigorously, in the hopes he would become strong enough to prove his value should her family learn the truth."
"I see. She wanted him powerful to the point her family would accept him, regardless of birthright."
"Yes." Thorn's shoulders slumped a little as he leaned back again; relaxed, and yet still stuck in the mud so to speak. "I never did tell him, you know, and judging by how she took his loss... I don't think she did either. Maybe one of the maids let it slip, but a part of me feels that he went to the grave believing fully that we shared of blood. My dearest, she... I suspect this is what hurts her most: the thought that her son died holding fast to the idea he wasn't good enough, and that she pushed him so hard meaninglessly."
"The lady believes he might resent her?"
"She fears he might have thought her love beyond him, but that couldn't be further from the truth." Another chuckle, this time pale. "She'd always had a soft spot for children, especially those scorned by their parents. Imagine her shock and ire when she found the boy on our bedroom balcony, wrapped tight, with nothing but a name scribbled across the empty parchment in his basket. His silver eyes shone bright as her own, and his dark hair was almost an exact replicant of mine. On first glance one would assume him ours, and so she took it as a sign for his belonging. Of course, you already know this... I apologize. I should not be wasting your time with the memories of an old man."
"I don't believe it so bad." Ruby spoke, gently reaching out and cupping his armored hands with hers, internally restraining a portion of her own guilt. "It's good to get it off your chest, to speak out your sorrows and regrets, with hope that one may listen. I also believe you shouldn't let this consume you. You've a child coming soon, do you not? You should be joyous about this news, so try not to let old hauntings consume you. Vermillion, while he may be gone, would not seek your self-destruction at something so petty, would he?"
"No." Thorn sighed, shaking himself a little. "I suppose he wouldn't, but then again, I've not spent time with my son in such a while, and now I never will."
"Stop that. You know what the boy was like as well as I; he'd not see you both in such disarray if he could help it. Perhaps we should pay your wife a visit after all of this; convince her to see this as well."
"I... I don't suppose it'll hurt to try, but don't go expecting her to fall in right away; that woman's a vice when it comes to stubbornness, and between you and me, that's one of the reasons I love her most." He hummed, collecting himself as his eyes clung to hers. "Then we shall move swiftly, and see this done. It won't be easy, but I assume you'll not shy away from the danger."
"I'm fair for a challenge." Ruby sat back upright as a soft smile crossed her lips. "Although I need to tend to my boy before we do anything yet."
"Then why not allow me." He looked over to the trio, where Ruby saw Pebble bearing a devious grin as he moved his piece; apparently he was winning, or so she guessed. "The women there, despite their lines of work, are not with me for lusts. Both of them are friends, each having dealt with loss before, and so I thought to request their aid in helping my wife and I come to terms. I'm having them spend time with her back at the manner most days, and I'm certain the two wouldn't mind looking after your boy while we're gone."
"And can I trust they'll keep their hands from his trousers?" She irked a brow, to which Thorn laughed lightly, honest and fair; a much better sound than the drowning gruff of before.
"They're not the type, trust me. They prefer caring for the ignored and abandoned young of the streets, giving food and clothes when they can spare. I'm paying them well to spend time with my woman, and I don't believe they'll see the boy as a negative to that time; I'll just add a bit more pay on top."
"You really did throw money around like it was nothing, and it seems that part of you lives on."
He'd always appeared quite the gentleman, at least when he wasn't goofing around. Upon their first meeting many years ago she'd expected the usual noblemen, but no, he treated her respectfully, even with her place as the personal caretaker of his son, all at the recommendation of the queen; as was planned. Ironically, it was due to him she'd been able to re-create her beloved Crescent Rose in this era, a weapon that guided her well these past many years, even though it was scarcely tended to; looking after Vermillion had been more important than a relic beyond the sum of its parts. The man had asked where she came up with such a design though, but she could hardly tell of its origin from a time not yet near, and so chalked it up to a bit of creative wondering; an imagination to match the most curious of children.
Crescent Rose may have been, at best, a little under two decades old in this era, but spiritually, she embraced its company for an endless number of lifetimes - even if the metal kept rusting. Perhaps it would be beneficial to clean that rust away, but it was surface level at best, and given her mission, its withered appearance reminded her of what she'd become soon enough; a stark symbol of her nearing change.
The darkness ever hungers.
"Our goddess offered much to tend her court; even now I struggle to guess when our pools will dry, even with how much I throw out. If it isn't the reserve we built up back in Mobius, we still have my love's own deposits to delve into. I'd say we're set for the next few centuries or so, even if the rest of the population remains ignorant of that fact."
"True." Ruby tossed with a smirk. "I don't suppose any have come close to discerning the identity of the mysterious donors backing the local orphanages.
"You've heard rumors?"
"No, not yet, but you always were predictable, so I just assumed you would have done the same here as you did back in Mobius."
"Hmm... perhaps I should switch it up, and spend my gain buying seats of power."
"And will you?" Ruby shot playfully, to which Thorn smiled like a skipper young lad.
"Never."
"Well then, I suppose we have our answer: you will, as always, remain predictable."
"I suppose I will." She watched as the man stood, his mood heightened a little as he looked to the others, with his eyes falling on Pebble, who appeared to cheer in victory. A true smile embraced his tired visage "I suppose I will."
.
.
"Do you even know how absolutely bonkers that all sounds?!" Roman was losing his cool, which was something I'd never seen him do. His expression fell afterwards, from disappointment to motionless intensity. "By the brothers, what have I gotten myself into?"
"You should consider yourself lucky." Ironwood cast his gaze towards the window behind. "Most people go on knowing none of this; oblivious entirely of how their lives could come to an end at any moment, through no fault of their own."
"And Cinder's a part of all this?" He looked up, and a scarce desperation sat complacently in his eyes, which only seemed to dull as the general turned back and nodded.
"Why she personally chooses to follow Salem could be speculated for days, but unfortunately that guesswork would get us nowhere. I believe it's best we ignore her until she shows herself."
"Good luck with that." Roman's words carried with them a tiny bit of life, reminding all that while he may be shocked, he wasn't immobile. "Whatever drives her needs to be pretty damn stellar, because every time I've laid eyes on her she's singing a cheeky little tune."
"As I'm well aware." Ironwood hummed, rejecting the scowl trying to surface and instead focusing his vision forwards. "However right now she's docile, and worrisome or not, we need to take advantage of this lapse in action."
"And what? You want me to do a little dance while we're at it?" Roman wasn't too happy, but he just whipped out a cigar regardless, lighting it with shaky fingers, only to drop the lighter. With a faint swear he leaned down, and was about to reach for it when he paused, stilling and scowling. He straightened himself upwards before pulling the thing from his lips and sticking it right back in his pocket. "Damn, you sure do know when to pick a timeframe."
"I'm not asking your cooperation freely. Your work shall be properly compensated."
"What good is lien in a dead world?" Roman huffed, and it was at this point I noticed the twist of the general's lips. While he kept it hidden, he seemed to appreciate Roman's decline in mood. The thief appeared to recognise this as well, glaring hard. "This must sound like music to your ears: a criminal like me falling back to the dirt."
"Not entirely, although I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel some thrill in seeing a man of your type brought low. If anything, I'm pleased there are others who realize just how dire of a situation this is, and with the man I see being of a completely different mindset, it gives hope that the people of Remnant aren't all that different, and that even the cruelest can see reason."
"Yeah, well... don't pop too hard of a stiffy, metal-man: if there was even the slightest chance that this 'Salem' wasn't out to take our hides, I'd flock to her in a second."
"I knew you would, but your smarter than that."
"Whatever." Roman crossed his arms, and with it his hatred died off slowly into annoyance. "So what, you want me running around like your little toys out there?"
"Not quite." The general walked over to his desk, and soon enough the lightshow of display before us was gone, and a subtle darkness moved in. He turned back, offering a steady look of control. "I'd much prefer you doing what you're already doing. Keeping an eye on Robyn has not only been immensely helpful, but also rather eye-opening, and I expect a full report before your 'escape'."
"Huh... right." The man offered a sigh, humming a little afterwards. "Good doggies get treats, I see how it goes."
"See it as you will. So long as Salem looms over us, we are allies."
"Right." Roman lunged up a brow. "So am I free to go yet? I'd like to take a quick trip to the cafeteria and pick up something; Robyn's band isn't exactly great when it comes to cooking, plus, I like the look on your guys' faces when they see me just wandering about."
"As you wish. Although, with news of these 'Merry Few', I'd ask that you leave this matter to me." Ironwood stood firm as his view swayed between everyone. "All of you are dismissed, aside from Vermillion." His focus landed on me. "I wish to have a word."
I never bothered to answer, even as everyone filed out. Neo kept pecking at me, but soon enough trailed off with the rest; most certainly off to join Roman with lunch. The general walked over, reaching a hand out as if to place it on my arm, only to pause and pull it back, sticking out his other arm and hand to make contact instead; it was warm. His eyes brightened a little, and soon enough he had me wrapped in his arms, only to pull away shortly after.
"It's been so long since I've seen an old friend... I hope you don't mind the eccentricities." I offered no words, but he didn't appear to mind. "I apologise if the news regarding Salem came off hard, but I cannot hide it from you any longer. Your queen, Salem... while I don't know what she was like back in your time, in this era, she's more beast than woman. I... I know Ozpin told you she was under manipulation, but... that is not the case."
He stopped, studying my face as if to search for any signs of betrayal or other sufferings; he would find none, and from that failed search carried on.
"Try not to hold it against him; he was only trying to look out for you. He spoke of how the two of you were close, and I believe he didn't want to hoist such heavy revelations on you so soon. However, by this point I'm certain you've seen just how far her pawns will go to do her bidding." His eyes grew dark, and a ravenous anger encased the air around him. "She will stop at nothing to annihilate everything we hold dear, and even if she was kind back in her time, I can guarantee she is anything but in this day and age. Salem is a monster, willing to burn away the world at every chance she gets; void of empathy, and at this point, deserving of no mercy."
He stepped back, taking a few breaths to calm himself, and looking over me with a pitiful gaze. The look carried with it a hint of care, and his tone eased off into one of relief.
"I'm... I'm just happy we haven't lost all hope yet." He stopped, his face hardening a little again as he spoke. "But tell me this, are you still the man I remember from those days, do I still speak to Vermillion?"
I stared, as before, and with some time he relented and offered a new approach.
"Perhaps I should put this differently. Are you, Vermillion, willing to keep fighting on the side of Humanity, despite whatever troubles and chaos you've seen?"
I nodded, and he looked to sigh in some form of relief, as if he'd been worried I'd turn against him any second. I would stick to my mission, and soon enough I'd find her, the answer to everything: Salem, my goddess. He seemed to release a breath at this, hidden, as if I'd not catch wind of how calming the simple action of mine had been.
"You've changed... although, I cannot tell whether it's for our benefit, or detriment."
I continued to stare, even as he walked close, nodding towards the door.
"Please, walk with me. I want to tell you a story, one of a foolish young boy, and the mistakes he made in his arrogance."
It was plainly obvious he meant to use this 'story' as a way to draw out pity, or perhaps this was his attempt at bonding, to hopefully pull me from my current state. I was not foolish enough to know I wasn't what they'd consider 'normal' right now, but that hardly mattered. All I cared about was the mission, because Salem was the only chance I had at getting answers, and regardless of how hard anybody else tried, they'd do nothing for me. It was ironic in a sense, how the general hoped to incite my emotions with his supposed tale; a play to my own Humanity.
But how could he embolden the flames of emotion from one who has none?
Author's note
...
Okay, so this didn't focus as much on V as I'm sure you expected... but who's surprised at this point really? It's all par for the course by this point.
We get to see future Ruby again, and with it a new plan is forged, along with some details on Thorn's life so far. The regrets of his wife and he are minor in respect to the mission at hand though, and so the pair seem ready to march off into danger, this time with another cult; original, I know. Yes, I may have a pattern with these things, but with a new kingdom on the horizon, I feel it's only fair to let it shine.
V is... not normal at the moment, and while I'm sure you were all expecting something else in regards to him, this will play out a but differently. We're drawing into the endgame... in like... maybe seventy chapters or so - I can't tell anymore, it'll be done when it's done.
And before anyone brings it up - you have a good track-record of behaving so I don't expect it, but still - no, this is not a jab at people suffering from trauma. V being 'not normal' does not imply people suffering from these things are abnormal; too many people are quick to hop on that train of assumption, so try not to fall down that rabbit-hole.
However, If you yourself are suffering from such things, be they negative thoughts or trauma, please try to do the responsible thing and get the help you need; seeking aid is not a weakness, it's a strength.
Damn... that got heavy for a second, but you can never be too careful. Anyway, as you see, V has been through a lot, but even so, his... let's call it 'change' is a little extreme for such a short amount of time - even he himself appears to recognise it. What does this mean, and why now of all times? You'll just have to wait and see.
Until next time.