Interlude - The Poison
Fifteen-year-old Victarine Peach saw the roof of her home appear over the top of the cornfield forest and finally let go of the breath she'd been holding. They'd made it home well in time.
Dawn had just barely cracked the dark sky, offering barely enough light for Victarine and her sister to find the path home. Getting back had felt like it would take forever, and even now Victarine was sure they'd gotten lost somewhere along the way, lamenting the fact that they might have been home far sooner. Still, Daddy wouldn't be up for a couple of hours, so they were in the clear. Provided her slow older sister reached the house before the peak of the afternoon.
Joy came ambling up the path, heaving for breath, her dress a little dirty from a fall, her knees raw. She looked scared out of her mind, which was more than understandable in this case, but then her sister was a worrywart over even the tiniest things. No bones in her. Always had to obey the rules, do the right thing, obey their father, and all that good girl nonsense. Still, Victarine was surprised Joy had agreed to come to the party, even knowing how much trouble they'd get in if they got caught. It would have been the "right" thing just to tell on her to Daddy. Admittedly, Victarine was relieved she hadn't. Now that they'd gotten home in time, Joy couldn't tell on her no matter what or they'd both be punished.
"We… never should have gone." heaved Joy, scrubbing the tears out of her eyes like some little girl that was trying to keep from bawling. Victarine only frowned back. Why did she have to be such a prude? It was hard to believe they were at all related. "You know what Father'll do when he finds out!"
Victarine took her sister by the upper arm and dragged her on. "He won't find out. Not unless you tell on me again."
Joy pouted. "You shouldn't give people a reason to tell on you."
"Lisa and Justine's parents don't know a thing about the stuff they do. Lisa's been smoking for months and her Mom doesn't have a clue. You know, because they don't fucking snitch."
"So you believe whatever Lisa says? She tells you to smoke and you don't even think about it. You sure know how to pick your role models."
They crept through the field, keeping low, circling around to the side of the house amongst the shadows. They couldn't go through the back door since Daddy locked all the doors himself every night and he kept the one key to the house. That left their windows, which he'd had sealed shut, but last month Vick had managed to break it open when her father was out of town. Hard to believe he hadn't noticed it, but even a paranoid man like him couldn't have an eye on everything all the time. Once they reached the window to her bedroom, Victarine slowly, carefully began to push it open, cringing at the weak hissing sound as though even that could wake her father.
Once it was open, she turned to her sister and hissed, "Better than being like you."
Joy blinked. "What's that mean?"
"You always have to do what Daddy says. Always. He's not right about everything you know."
"I'm not saying he is, but you're not helping yourself by disobeying all the time. I can only guess you like getting whooped."
"I'll take a whooping for this," Victarine said defiantly, even if she wasn't very confident in that claim. She frowned. "When's the last time we got to do something fun? Ain't like Daddy lets us go anywhere."
Joy sighed, but didn't refute that. "I saw you run off with Henry."
Victarine swallowed. All night Joy had been on her like a hound with a scent, refusing to let her go anywhere alone or with anyone else. For a short while, she'd managed to slip away while Joy was distracted, and it hadn't been for very long. To think Joy had even noticed that. She really was their Daddy's daughter. "Just to talk. Henry said he likes me. We… kissed. That's all."
Joy had this way of looking at Victarine that she didn't like. A pitying look. Like seeing a child lie about breaking a vase despite the overwhelming evidence against them. Joy knew she was lying, Victarine knew that Joy knew. The only thing that mattered was what she'd say. Or rather, who she'd say it to. "I know you're not pure no more."
Victarine huffed. "So what?"
"If Father ever found out, he'd be furious. He'll have you living at the church, then. Was it even worth it?"
Vick grumbled. It hadn't been, at least not for the act itself. All that time wanting to have Henry to herself and it hadn't lasted long. He'd said he knew what he was doing, and so had she, but they'd both been lying. In the end, nothing had come of it but awkward touching, and smelling each other's musk, and overblown expectations withering like grapes in the sun. "He kissed good, in my opinion." Then again she'd only ever kissed one other boy and that had been a dare back in middle school. "Least I got a kiss anyhow. Thought you might be happy for me."
"I ain't saying I'm not. But you can't just do what you want and think nothing bad'll happen. Ain't you been punished enough? Ain't the both of us? I just want to get to eighteen so I can get out of here."
Victarine pointed a thumb at herself. "Get us out of here you mean."
"Yeah, us. That's what I meant. But I don't need you getting us in trouble in the meantime. So don't do this again. Please, Vick."
Victarine had to concede to that a little. Joy was only a year away from being old enough to leave home, and they'd talked many times about her plans. Once she was eighteen, they'd leave home together and go live in the city. No more of this empty country where nothing ever happened. No more farm or church, no more adults prattling about God and virtue every second of every day and night. They'd be free. Free and happy. Only one year away. She supposed the least she could do was stay on her sister's good side. Or rather, she just wouldn't invite her coward of a sister.
"Alright, I won't sneak out any more. Are you happy now?"
Joy took a step toward her, a serious look on her face. "You swear?"
"On my life."
And Joy folded her arms around Victarine, pulling her into a tight hug. Always the emotional one. Victarine decided to return the gesture, if only to reassure her sister, who definitely needed it more than she did. She hugged her as tight and close as she could, even found that her lip trembled. For all the things she hated about Joy, she could deny that holding her felt like being supported by a pillar of stone.
"One more year," promised Joy.
Victarine nodded into her shoulder. "One more year," she whispered back.
After parting, Vick climbed through the window first. She took care to watch the ill so she didn't trip and crash onto the floor, then pulled Joy inside. Her room was dark since the sun was still barely over the horizon, but everything looked exactly as she remembered it. They waited a moment, listening for any sound, but nothing came. Safe,
"See?" said Victarine, smiling at Joy, "Told you there was nothing to worry about."
That's when the lights came on, and neither of them had touched a switch. Victarine's eyes were drawn like a magnet to the only chair in her room. An old brown chair that was only ever used by one person, when he'd read verses of scripture to his children every night. No one else used that chair.
Victarine's Daddy stared right back at them with a flat, unreadable expression on his naked face, like a scientist numb to the results of his experiment. Maybe that was an off comparison—since according to her father, science was the invention of the demons. A pathetic attempt to disprove the unquestionable existence of God. Vick couldn't say for sure if God was real, but his agents certainly were. And as a result, they were much easier to fear.
He stared at them for a good while, his dark blue eyes seeming not to even blink, square jaw set into a surly frown. Victarine wondered if somehow he could see through them. Did he know what they'd done, what she'd done? Her eyes were drawn to his lap. More importantly, the belt lying across it. Folded once so he could hold both ends in one hand. She couldn't stop looking at it. She could never stop looking once she saw it. Who could, when you knew what it was for?
"I-i…" stuttered Joy, voice petering to a squeak like a mouse caught in a trap. At least she could get her voice out. Victarine was too busy shaking. "Father, we—"
Their father's voice came out heavy and deep. Almost like a drunkard. But it wasn't alcohol he was drunk on, and never was it. Victarine began to think him being an alcoholic might be the better choice. Never of man of many words, he asked quite simply, "Where were you?"
On instinct, Victarine looked at her sister. She always did when it came to situations like this, and it wasn't difficult to figure out why. She was Daddy's favorite. Whether that was a good thing or not she still didn't know. But she did know that Joy had spared her a handful of whoopings over the years. Surely she could save her again. Surely.
Joy looked down, closing her eyes and swallowing hard. "I can explain—"
"Look at me. Now."
His every word sent shivers up Victarine's back. Words which could never be disobeyed. They looked at him, and he had already secured the ends of the belt in his fist, fingers twisting and tightening around them like a tiger waiting for the right moment to strike. "Where did you go? I will have no lies."
Joy's voice trembled as she whimpered, "Henry Hobbs' parents went out of town. He threw a party."
A moment of silence. "I assume… unsupervised?"
Joy's eyes were wet already. "Yes, Father."
Vick's Daddy's eyes turned on her, the daughter that was not his favorite. Though whether that was a bad or good thing she still wasn't sure. "And what did you do at this unsupervised party?"
"We just danced." Victarine blurted, then diverted her eyes. "Just hung out with some friends. That's all, Daddy. I mean… Father."
"And that's what you stole away for in the night? To dance?"
Victarine nodded vehemently. Knowing damn well her father didn't buy it, but hoping like hell that this would be a rare case of him being too tired to punish them. Joy, however, said nothing, and she was the one Daddy was looking at now.
"Joy," he said in a low, commanding tone. "My love, my pride. Does your sister speak the truth?"
Joy did not look at Vick at all. It made her wonder what she was thinking. What she might say. "No, Daddy."
Victarine might have been upset that Joy hadn't sided with her, but she knew her father would never have believed her. He never did. Now certainly Joy would tell and Victarine would get the whooping of her life. She wanted to sob just thinking about it.
"It's my fault, Father," said Joy.
Vick looked up at her in shock.
Father's eyes narrowed. "Is it?"
"I made Vick come with me. It's my fault. She told me not to. I didn't listen."
"And what was so important that you defied the laws of this house?" He leaned forward. "My Joy, are you still pure?"
Only then did Joy's eye flick over to meet Victarine's. A short look, but it said a lot. Anger for causing all of this. Fear for what would happen. Regret for what she was about to do. "Vick is."
Their father stood up. Not in a hurry or in sudden outrage. He never showed his anger like that. All his faces and emotions amounted to the same thing. Cold calculation. Heartless confrontation. He held the belt at his side, and it dangled like a pendulum blade above the neck of a helpless victim.
"My poor girl. Led astray. Seduced by the temptations of the flesh." He looked disgusted, revolted. Hurt even. Like she'd committed a heinous crime against him personally. "Do you realize what you've done, dear girl? Do you spit in the face of our Lord?"
Joy lowered her head. "I'm so sorry, Father."
"The Lord forgives all who repent," said Daddy. "So long as one repents of all lies." He came up to them, big and burly and looming over them like a tree. "You have shown your sister an unsavory path. The rot is in you both. It must be expunged. Do you understand? Heaven can only be for the righteous."
"It was just me, Father. Vick didn't do anything."
"No. But her eyes have bore witnesses to temptation, and the lessons of God must be reinstated in you both." He took the other end of his belt in his other hand, setting his gaze on Joy like he regretted what he had to do. "Through righteous punishment, the Brother of the Light will save you. Come to the living room."
Joy let out a small whimper as she followed her father out of Victarine's room. She tried to shut the door behind her, but didn't pull it hard enough and left a crack. Maybe she had meant to try and spare them both the embarrassment of their cries being heard, but it wouldn't have mattered. The walls of their house had always been thin.
So Victarine cried as she heard the crack of the belt, as she heard the sobs of her sister, as she waited in anticipating horror for her turn.
Just one more year of this, she tried to tell herself.
One more year and they'd be free.
It was early morning now. The sun was watery and bright, and would have ignited the entire sky, if not for the curtain of dark clouds obscuring most of it. It reminded Peach of home. And thinking of home made her feel sick. She dug bitterly in her coat and started on her first cigarette of the day.
They were outside the city today—Qrow and her, that was. Outer Vale Cemetery. Qrow had ambled up the hill to visit a few friends of his that had been buried there, giving Peach a rare moment alone. A bittersweet relief. Peach had considered joining Qrow, but thought better of it. Those in the organization called this place the Hunters Grave, since it was where many Hunters were buried. A few of them were some she'd known for years. There was time to, since they would be here a while, but still Peach did not move from her station. Hazel would arrive soon enough.
She leaned against the hood of her car, stuck the burning cigarette in her mouth, and took a deep drag. It was like tasting fire—little hot coals in her throat. Few experienced smokers would claim the appeal of it came from the taste, since it was a little better than swallowing ash. Oftentimes, it was the pleasurable rush or the warm relaxation that made it so addicting. Smoke it fast and it pops that burst of dopamine which was so incredibly hard to say no to. But, done slowly, it could settle one's tortured nerves. A solace where, if only for a few minutes, you could forget about all your problems. In those few minutes, she was not a Heart Hunter, or a teacher, or a psychologist. She wasn't even an aunt. She was just Victarine Peach. A southern woman from the boonies. A daughter. A sister. A career woman. Never married. Drove an old car.
Of course, shortly thereafter, the veil would lift. The truth would come flooding back in, and with it an unshakable reality. She was a Heart Hunter, one of the very best or very worst, depending on who was asking. She was a teacher and a psychologist, even if sometimes she wondered why. At one point they'd been intense passions, then they'd become realistic career options, then they'd become effective cover for her real job as a Hunter. She was an aunt to seven nieces she did not give two shits about. The one thing that didn't change no matter her state of mind was the certainty of who she was. Still Victarine Peach. A southern girl from the boonies. Daughter, sister, career woman. Never married. Drove an old car.
Had a son she'd given up before he was even born.
But what was Victarine Peach? Was she a good woman or a bad one? Was she a saint or a sinner? Was she lovable or hateable? Could she change? Did she want to change? A million and one questions spun around in her head as she took another drag to push the thoughts to the back of her mind. Gone, but not for long. Never for long.
She looked up to see Qrow coming down the hill toward her. He looked better lately. Almost to the point where he seemed like a different person. Years of being off the force had seen him replace lean muscle with a beer gut, but he'd very quickly reversed that after only a month of training. His hair was just a little unruly now, a touch of that rebellious side still in him, eyes straight and focused, walking with a straight back and confident strides. He wore a simple white dress shirt and tie, black slacks, and dress shoes. He might have looked like one of the organization's same-faced agents, if not for the fact that he wasn't much for coats or glasses.
Peach did not miss the way his eye drifted to the cigarette in her mouth, then back to her. He didn't say anything, but they both knew what that look meant. Qrow had been the one to convince her out of the habit. He'd hounded her about quitting for years, like a dog that never stopped barking. Nothing was really stopping him from doing so again, but it's tough to criticize someone else's vice when yours are still in question. So Peach met that look evenly, silently challenging him to chastise her, knowing full well he couldn't and wouldn't.
Qrow shoved his hands in his pockets and said, "How long are we waiting for this friend of yours?"
Peach turned her head to look down the empty road, half expecting to see Hazel strutting toward them right then. But there was nothing but black concrete stretching into the plain distance. "He'll be along. Do you remember the plan, Qrow?"
"Hard thing to forget." he said, "You really think he'll start something?"
No, she didn't. In fact, Peach knew Hazel to not resort to violent measures until push came to shove. Besides, he had no real reason to kill her. She had made herself far more useful to him alive, though the jury was out on whether that decision was a boon or a blunder. No, Peach was more concerned that what he might ask could be too much to deliver on, thus she might have to resort to dragging him into her heart world to kill him. Or try to. Peach touched her watch—her father's watch—heard the tiny clicks as she twisted it around her wrist.
If it came to a fight, under no circumstance could she let him drag them into the Public Domain. She wouldn't be able to Overshadow Hazel in any situation, so the next best thing was fighting him where she had access to all her power. Even then, it likely wouldn't be enough. That was why Qrow was here. New as he was to this world, he'd taken to it like a natural and learned faster even than Peach had. While he was still in the Virtues tier, his semblance and Curse-typing would be useful in more situations than not. These were slim odds to play, but that was always the case when fighting someone who had once been the Vicar. A person who'd heard the Truth and not been driven mad.
"You sure you want to be here, Qrow?" asked Peach.
"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
"He could kill you, if it comes we have to fight. He'll likely kill us both."
"Guess we'll have to kill him first, then. That or you play nice and do what he wants."
Peach chuckled a little. She put out the cigarette in her palm, then flicked it away. "You've gone through enough. There's no need to put your life on the line for me."
"You sure as hell weren't saying that when you told me about all this crazy shit," Qrow shrugged. "But I'm getting clean. And it's about damn time. Couldn't have done that without you, Vick."
"Yes, you could have."
"But I didn't, and there it is. I'm not gonna get emotional on you, you old bird. Let's just keep each other alive, eh? For some reason my family still wants me around, so I'd better do what they say."
Peach nodded. "Fair enough."
Silence for a moment. Cars passed on occasion, but that was all that disturbed the quiet.
"So, what are you gonna do about Jaune's situation?" asked Qrow. "You said he can't be sure they'll keep quiet, right? Won't that be a problem?"
Peach let out a breath through her nose. "Oobleck already has the girls registered in Organization's low order records. Angels, like Tai and Yang. Aware of the organization's existence, but under a legal obligation to remain silent. All Jaune needs to do is keep an eye on them. I wouldn't worry about that, not when we have bigger things to focus on."
"Alright, then how about this Hazel guy? What do you think he wants? Think it might have anything to do with Ruby?"
Peach narrowed her eyes in thought. "I can't be certain. But Ruby's powers tickle the interest of the Superior far more."
"Why?"
"If I knew, I'd have told you. Perhaps Hazel knows. He worked closely with the Superior once upon a time."
"What made him defect?"
"Probably the fact that he worked closely with the Superior, so more than anyone, he would know what that man is truly after." Peach straightened up as she saw a head poke over the edge of the street hill. "Well, here he is."
Hazel was approaching them now, and even from that distance, it was not hard to get the size of him. He was a giant even from far away. He looked older somehow, even though the last time she'd seen him was only a couple years ago. Some hair had gone gray at his temples, and while his eyes were as hard and dedicated as ever, there was a touch of weariness to him. Like that of a veteran who'd seen all the atrocious acts of war and now flinched at nothing. Perhaps that comparison was a little too on the nose. Especially since Peach felt the same.
She stepped around so she could face him, with Qrow standing at her side a few steps behind. Hazel stopped a few paces before them and all was quiet for a moment. Just the three of them on that lonely country road, three Hunters beside a graveyard. It was the perfect location, really. If things went south, at least one of them would be buried here.
Hazel glanced at Qrow, then at Peach. "This is the first time you've brought company."
Peach was in no mood to entertain preferences. "He is an apprentice of mine. Loyal to me and me alone."
"Why bring him here, then?"
Peach took a brief moment to frown. "My reasons are none of your concern. The terms of our past dealings apply even now. You've nothing to be concerned about."
Hazel stared her down for a moment, then turned his dark eyes on Qrow. He in turn did not even flinch, staring back evenly with that hard look that men of their type had. Those who'd seen much, suffered much, and done things they could never forgive themselves for. Looking at them, it was hard to say who'd had it worse. Or who had turned out worse.
Then Hazel turned back to her. "I encountered your son in the Public Domain."
Peach bit her tongue. Thankfully, she'd already explained the true nature of her relationship to Jaune to Qrow so that saved her a ton of explaining. Still, how had Hazel found out about it? Sure, they'd worked together for years and he likely had heard about her pregnancy, but she hadn't seen or talked to him for years after Jaune was born. "He told me."
"We didn't hurt him, if you're at all concerned about that."
"I gleaned that much. What is it you want this time, Hazel? Information?"
Hazel shook his head, dark hair swaying. "There is nothing left to learn. There is only the final battle, and the ashes left behind."
"Then what could you want from me? I'm not with the Whispers anymore. They don't tell me a damn thing. I've been in the dark for years. I'm practically retired."
"That is unfortunate," A pause. "I spared your son, so I'm sure you will be willing to oblige my request. I need to know the identity of the new Vicar."
Peach had suspected that much. "The Superior keeps his best cards closer even more now than before. I may be a useful asset to him, but that's as far as my usefulness extends. He shares no secrets with me anymore. Even Oobleck is in the dark these days."
Hazel showed no reaction to that. Mostly because he probably knew why. His war with the Superior had been long and bloody and it would soon be reaching its end. It was no wonder the Superior was being so outrageously careful these days. The man knew that he was on the clock. Both of them did. The organization seemed strong, for it put on the airs well enough, but they had been losing for a long time. It was hard to say how it would all turn out. But then, it wasn't Peach's problem. Whether the organization fell today or in a couple of years made no difference. That part of her life was over. All she cared about now was saving her son.
Still, she had to take his request. The last thing she needed was Hazel suspecting her of siding with the Superior. It had taken a long time to convince him she was out of the big game, and while Hazel could be merciful, even he was not merciful enough to let Peach off. If she was a threat to him, he would have to kill her, it simply made sense to. It wasn't even a personal thing.
"Give me some time. I'll try to reopen some old connections. But I likely won't get much without having to give back, and on that front, you'll have to provide."
He nodded. "Fair enough."
Peach stared at her old teammate for a moment. "I suppose you'll kill the Vicar, then?"
It looked like Hazel might hesitate, but it didn't last long. "I suppose it depends. If the Vicar is more powerful than me, then I will have no choice. If not, then perhaps they can be convinced to bite their master's hand. Neither scenario will be any of your concern, so long as you remain neutral."
"The shallow end is the safest space."
Hazel looked off into the distance. A flock of ducks was flying south, their distant honking like an annoying siren on the world below. "How did things turn out this way, Victarine?"
"We were young fools and the Superior said the right words. He always says the right words. I suppose that's why he's the Superior."
"Hm. And you brought your boy into this world. Why?"
Peach pursed her lips, wanting to come up with a lie, but then what would be the point? Hazel knowing made no difference and he was probably one of the few people she could be honest with. Best get it off her chest in case this was the last time she saw him. "For the same reason you brought your sister in. I believed in the lie the Superior fed us. That we were trying to help people overcome their demons. I thought we could turn that lie into something real. Then, it wouldn't feel like I've been a puppet for all these years. Maybe I could save the people I love."
She saw Hazel's eyes soften just a little. That look of understanding. That look of knowing the truth had been said and nothing could deny it. "Save your boy, Victarine. You will leave this world an evil woman, but die having done right by one person you love."
Peach said nothing to that. All she could do was give a curt nod.
And with that, Hazel turned and talked off back down the road. He did not glance back, he did not offer any last words of deep friendship or whatever. A man who had surrendered to his goals and sought only the accomplishment of that, no matter where it took him.
Qrow let out a sigh once he was gone. "Do all Heart Hunters take themselves this seriously?"
Peach was beginning to wonder about herself. "That went about like I expected it. Let's get home.
Qrow didn't budge yet. "This Vicar… Hazel plans to kill them?"
"It's better that you don't think about it."
Qrow was not deterred. "And you're gonna let him? Even though you know what he's gonna do?"
Peach was silent for a moment. "It's that or let him kill us."
"Could get him arrested. We could set him up, then the cops can—"
Peach resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Qrow, there's nothing the police can do. The organization has influence everywhere. Especially in law enforcement. I could name you a dozen officers and higher-ups in your precinct alone who are in the Organization or on their payroll. Even if somehow you got the backing to arrest Hazel, you wouldn't succeed. He can access the Public Domain and can pull anyone he wants into it. In the real world, he's practically unkillable."
He adopted a sour frown. "Alright, I hear ya."
"Then come on, let's get back to the kids."
He followed her into the car and they drove off. It was silent for a while, until Qrow voiced another question. "Have you killed for them? The organization? This Superior guy?"
Peach pursed her lips. "I was an informant and spy in a subdivision of Cherubim. We were called Those That Whisper into the Ear of God. Whispers. I never pulled the trigger on anyone… but then, not all murderers pull the trigger themselves. I found who the organization wanted to find… and my colleagues handled the rest."
She could tell that bothered him. "Any innocents?"
"We only target those that are a threat to public safety. At least, that was the case when I was there. You should know that saving people sometimes requires killing others. Corrupt officials and law enforcement, rogue operatives, and whistleblowers. All I can promise you is that those I targeted had blood on their hands."
Qrow glanced across at her, as if judging her face to catch any lies. He would find none. She would have no qualms lying to anyone normally, but the fact was she needed Qrow. And that was not an easy thing to admit after having been trying to save his heart. But he was all the adult help she could get now. After that whole debacle in Qrow's heart, she would not be able to pull a favor from the Superior without paying a steep price. And that included even old colleagues like Oobleck. She had no allies to rely on. Months ago that hadn't seemed to be a problem, and the plan to save Jaune's heart had seemed simple enough and well within her control.
The ruined face of the Orphan pierced her mind and made her heart tremble. She shook even to think about it. She could not beat that thing. Not alone. Maybe no one could.
"I get it. I can't really say I'm pissed you kept all this such a secret. Think I would've preferred never knowing at all."
"Same."
"So long as everything you've told me is the truth."
"I've told you everything I know. Everything I've ever been told. The organization's business has nothing to do with us, and they will never know about Ruby so long as we protect her. All I need from you Qrow is to help me help Jaune."
Qrow nodded slowly. "It's the least I could do for him."
Peach looked across at him. "You did everything you could have. I don't think Jaune would blame you, even if he could remember." Why would he? Peach feared he already had someone better to blame for his mother's death.
"You should tell him, Vick. He should know."
Peach did not give him a real answer, mostly because she was afraid of what answer she might give. She settled for, "One battle at a time, my friend."
And they rode off in silence back to the city of Vale.
Black clouds hung as still as corpses in the pink sky. Clouds that had never been there before, if Peach's memory wasn't failing her. The pale blue moon was barely visible tonight due to the sudden obstruction, and the only evidence that it was still there was the occasional pulse of white light that crept through the clouds, only to be swallowed up once more. Peach could only stare at it. Not a thought in her head. No emotion of any kind. Stared at it like the eyes of a dead woman that had yet to close. Her hand reached for the sky independent of her will, and the weak moonlight pulsed in response. Her fingers twitched with desire and the weak moonlight pulsed in response. My baby, she thought.
The weak moonlight pulsed in response… then…
"Miss Peach?"
She blinked, lowered her arm, and turned to face Ruby. The girl had taken a step toward her, giving her this worried look like she was a kicked puppy. Peach couldn't even be bothered to feel offended at the blatant pity, even though all her life she'd sought never to be. Everyone looked at her like that now. Qrow, Ruby, Neptune. She was the one who'd built this damn group, who was leading them, and yet they pitied her like they saw the cracks forming and feared the day she broke for good. Maybe it wasn't far away.
Peach cleared her throat and tried to muster up some control. "What's wrong? Did you have a question about the training?"
Ruby glanced downward. "Well, yeah. I guess. Like, not really a question, but… okay, I guess it is a question. Sorry. I just—"
Peach held her hand up to stop her. "Ruby. It's fine. Ask me anything."
"Okay…" Ruby glanced up at her. "What's the point?"
"In what? The training?"
Ruby nodded.
Peach sighed. "I know you don't need me to explain it again, so just tell me what you really mean. Is the training too hard? I can tone it down if you wish."
"No, that's not it." Ruby said, "I mean, is this the only way to help Jaune?"
It was the fastest way, which mattered quite significantly. Peach had never seen Silver Eyes before, and moreover had never seen Despair quite literally burned out of an Alter. Ruby had done in a few seconds what Peach could only accomplish a portion of after years of working on a mark. Not only was it the fastest, but it was also the most optimal. Ruby could already use the Silver Eyes on command, even if it was not quite as strong as it had been in her family's conjoined heart. And while they had no one to test it on, Peach was certain that if it carried the same effect, then Ruby did not need to master it in order to save Jaune's heart. One good and strong flare would do the job. Then Peach could finally…
Do what? Send him home? That was the task, was it not? Joseph had begged her to help Jaune face and overcome his trauma and she'd agreed. And when the job was done, certainly Joseph would want his boy back. Certainly, Jaune would want to go back to his real family. Certainly.
Peach tried not to sound condescending when she asked, "What other method would you suggest?"
Ruby looked away again. "I mean, well… therapy. Like, normal therapy."
Peach nearly burst into sick laughter. It was the kind of statement that was so obvious and yet so flabbergasting at the same time that she wondered if Ruby was joking. But the girl looked dead serious. Meaning she truly believed that normal therapy would be enough to heal her boyfriend's tortured heart. She truly was an idealist. Joy and Summer had been idealists, too. Look only at what became of them. Peach took in a breath, then let it go, choosing to word herself as carefully as she could so as to not hurt Ruby's feelings. "Honey, believe me when I say I thought of that. I tried regular sessions with Jaune and they didn't work. He isn't comfortable in those settings. You know him. He does not like being helped."
Ruby pursed her lip as if that bit of information soured her day. "Yeah, I know."
"Then you understand that the only option we have is to purify his Alter."
"But… doesn't that sound like it's… skipping a few steps?"
Peach blinked. "What?"
Ruby rubbed her head like it was Peach who wasn't making sense. "People don't get over things quickly, is what I mean. Especially when it's something really, really bad. It takes time. I want to help Jaune. Really." Ruby glanced up at Peach finally. "But just hitting him with this super anti-depression beam? It feels like cheating. Like we're just slapping a band-aid on the problem. Doesn't it?"
Peach had started grinding her teeth, but she managed to hide it by lowering her head and putting her hands on her hips, hoping that image would encourage Ruby to see her idea for what it was. Foolish. "Ruby, in time you'll come to understand that how you get better doesn't matter as much as getting better at all. There is no concrete system that can fathom the infinite complexity of the human mind. Even trained professionals sometimes have to use unorthodox methods for their patients, depending on their personality and judgment. Heart Hunting at its core is truly no different. Do you understand? We have to be willing to use a method that we know for sure will work, rather than wasting time, hoping that Jaune will eventually work it out himself. Do you understand now, Ruby?"
"But he wouldn't have to work it out himself!" said Ruby. "He has all of us to help him. He seems a lot happier now than a few months ago."
Yes, it seems. Peach wanted to say it, but she didn't want to hurt the girl. Her being in high spirits was good for Jaune and would keep the Despair in his heart from spreading too quickly. But a relationship, even with a good soul like Ruby, was not nearly enough to staunch Jaune's wounds. Ruby could not save him. Her power could. "Jaune is like his mother, Joy. He hates being seen as weak or needing help. He's full of pride and won't be convinced out of his decisions. The only way to help him is with your power, Ruby. That's all we can do. Alright?"
Ruby didn't respond for a moment, then offered a slow nod. Peach hardly found that response reassuring and thought to weed out the remaining doubts in Ruby's head, but thought better of it. It didn't matter what doubts she had. Jaune was her first love and with that being the only frame of reference she had to pretend at true love, she was incredibly attached to him. Honestly, that applied to them both. Ruby clearly wanted Jaune to get better, so Peach just had to keep her motivated until the job was done. Hopefully, they would not wait very long.
There was a sudden flash of light, soundless and sudden. Peach knew where to find it. She turned her head to one of the distant towers. Too far to get a clear look at anything, but she knew who was on top of it. She could see lightning crawling in the clouds, snaking and coiling like they planned upon a scene of epic destruction. Meaning Neptune was hard at work training his semblance. The air began to smell of salt and even felt slightly damper, as the familiar pressure of a looming thunderstorm began to envelop everything around them.
Neptune had been different since the mission to Qrow's heart. Far more… committed. Peach had to admit to being surprised. The boy had not seemed made for this kind of work, even if she had taken him into her tutelage. Though she certainly hadn't picked him for his talent and drive. He was simply Jaune's first friend and one he had grown very attached to. And that meant he was perfect for getting to know Jaune and hopefully finding his key. With recent events, no progress had been made on that front. But then, maybe it wasn't necessary anymore.
So long as Ruby and Jaune were still together, then likely their heart worlds would stay connected. Meaning through Ruby's heart, they could enter Jaune's world and confront the Alter. Hopefully. It was the more dangerous route, for sure. But it was a guaranteed one. There were better chances of success there than looking for Jaune's key.
Peach watched the lighting grow brighter. Saw it began to flash and snake around the top of the tower. All at the young man's command. What drove him to train so hard now? Nearly being killed by the organization? Wanting to save his friend's heart? Feelings of inadequacy? Could be all of them or none. Peach didn't care. So long as it forwarded her goals.
Ruby had sat down now, staring at her distant friend as he manipulated the lightning, as a feeble rain began to come down. Then she looked at Peach again. "What made you want to become a Heart Hunter, Miss Peach?"
Peach paused for a moment, then said, "My sister, Jaune's mother, was mentally ill. She'd been that way for years. She was only getting worse. One day a man told me there was a way to save her from her torments and I believed him. So, here I am."
Ruby looked down. "She was mentally ill?"
Peach nodded. "She's passed now. Died when Jaune was very young. Don't tell him. He won't believe you, first of all. But on the rare chance he does… you just don't want to see that."
"Oh…" Ruby's shoulders sank. "Well, were you able to help her, before well…"
"I did help her, yes." Many times, in fact. And each attempt was more difficult. In the end, it was never enough. It could never have been enough. "She got better and she was happier." For a time.
"And all her… all the things she dealt with. Because you saved her Alter. All those problems just went away? Just like that?"
Peach frowned. "It may sound simple, Ruby. But I assure you it is anything but."
"I-I didn't mean that, it's just…" Ruby rubbed her arm. "Nevermind."
Indeed, never mind. Honestly, Peach pitied the poor girl. She was out of her depth when it came to this world and the harsh truth of reality. Neptune and she had gone through terrible things, no doubt, but theirs were common, tangible sufferings. Ruby knew well what it was like to lose her mother too early, but she could never fathom how it had to feel to blame yourself for her death. Were Ruby not so blessed with great power, Peach wouldn't have pulled her into this business.
But the fact was she needed every tool and resource she could get. Whatever it took to save her son, she had to do it.
Hazel was right. She would leave this world an evil person, who'd hurt and betrayed and destroyed everything in her life. But if she could right one wrong and save her son's heart, then she could leave this world happy. That would be enough.
It would have to be.
Well this chapter took forever. I would say its due to life, but I just had a hard time putting this one together. Its a bit of a mess so I'll clean it up later. Anyway, hope yall still enjoy it!