Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Chapter 34: Elysium: Fractured Domain-3
The city of Garneta was abuzz with crowds from all over Remnant. After the 10-year war, it was honored to be a diplomatic locale within Mistral. Translation: It was a neutral haven for humans and Faunus alike. The streets were bustling with harmonious balance as the two races appeared capable of getting along with one another.
Her atmosphere was eerie around this time of evening, with the wind howling through the deserted streets and the clouds looming overhead. The darkness seemed to be closing in on Pyrrha as she wandered alone, her footsteps echoing ominously against the pavement. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her from the shadows, waiting to pounce. The silence was deafening and every rustle of the leaves sent shivers down her spine.
There wasn't much time for Pyrrha to think about the dark state of her home country, especially when there were immediate matters to handle. Emerald gems rested on a large group of people, many with cameras and microphones, ready to bombard the young woman with an unhealthy amount of unnecessary questions. Had she been imagining things this entire time?
Pyrrha wouldn't admit it, but if anything could make her nervous, it was unwanted celebrity status. As if reading her mind, Cardin squeezed her hand. She tore herself from an anxiety-inducing scene to a more troublesome sight in the icy stare of the boy.
"Just smile and don't say anything that'll embarrass me, understand?" She bowed her head silently for fear that her voice would betray her.
While she was a warrior at heart, here, Pyrrha was nothing more than an extension of whomever she was with. Upon her arrival to Mistral earlier, she was simply the daughter of Valentin Nikos, king of the port kingdom, Argus. Now, she was just Cardin Winchester's plus one; Pyrrha Nikos was reduced to someone's arm candy for pictures and media attention.
As the coach came to a stop, the driver rushed to open the door, causing chaos as flashes from cameras erupted alongside a barrage of questions.
"Miss Nikos!" one of the photographers yelled out, snapping several shots at the visibly uncomfortable young woman as she was led inside by her date for the evening.
She could still make out a few random questions as they neared the door but, the rest was a blur until she heard the large door slam shut, sealing her inside with possibly the only thing worse than paparazzi. She often wondered why she was fated to be born in a world like this. A nation dedicated to gender and social status rather than a person's ability. Vale and Vacuo would've made better accommodations for her, yet she was forced to endure this.
Social aristocracy.
Dark alleyways were decorated with the poor and oppressed, many of whom would sooner harm a heedless person than assist them. This was the small world that only those with greed and lust knew about within the city's walls.
It was the perfect contrast to the bright lights of the city's upper districts: Garneta's underworld district. Even as nightfall had blanketed the area with a serene and clear night, it did little to amend the dark and cryptic nature of this part of the so-called roadstead. While it was still considered neutral territory regarding the rights of Faunus and humans alike, Garneta was still not without its shady elements.
One such example rested behind one of the shady clubs, a popular spot known for its charm and drinks.
"Come on, sweetheart, just give me what I paid for..." a skinny young man with a faded blond mohawk hiccuped, showing that he was inebriated. His attention was directed toward a young girl backing away. He was wearing a matching yellow suit that came off as gaudy rather than classy. "Isn't that what you get paid for? Showing us a good time?"
"Please, I don't want any trouble..." the girl pleaded, her eyes trembling slightly.
"Shut up!" the male slurred hungrily. His mouth stretched into a twisted lecherous smirk, made even more discomforting when his tongue flicked over his lips. "I paid good money for you tonight, and I intend to get my just due."
"That's not what we do here!" she finally shouted only to be grabbed by her neck and shoved into the wall.
She cried from the jarring blow as the other two grabbed her arms, preventing her from fighting back. Helpless, the dancer was forced to her knees as she watched as the punk-wannabe began to unzip his pants. "P-Please! Don't do this..." she began to tear up.
"Your kind need to be reminded of runs things around here, darling. We're the masters and you're our little whores to do with how we please," he stopped his fiddling to clutch at her chin, dragging her face closer to his own. She could smell the cheap bourbon on his breath. Her eyes watered from the disgusting blend of their loud cologne and low-quality liquor that hit her like a brick to the guts. "Now, be a good little bitch and serve your masters."
"That's not very polite..." All eyes turned toward the direction of the voice.
A pair of steps caused the party to freeze as footsteps reverberated against the many walls surrounding them. Dark violet eyes were spotted next, cold and demonic irritation fuming behind them. The two boys that held the girl released their grip as they stared at the only passageway.
"Who the hell are you?!" the blueish-grey-haired male yelled over the muffled sounds from the club. "Come out here and ack!"
His attempt at bravado was cut short as the mysterious figure lunged from the shadows. A heavy fist dug deep into the young man's gut, driving the air from his lungs. Gasping for any scrap of oxygen, he crumpled to his knees. His assailant stood over him, smoldering fury pointed at his vulnerable form.
Though his vision was blurred from tears, the cocky boy would find a startling revelation. The attacker had vulpine ears and... a tail. He wasn't imagining this as his buddies noticed the same thing, morphing their fear into anger.
Two traits?
"Sky!" the hazel brown-haired male yelled to his ally before turning his attention to the faunus between them. "You'll pay for that, bastard!"
The faunus peered over his shoulder, watching the prejudice burning behind those gateways. He'd seen it all too often to care, but he would remain alert. Slits for eyes hardened as the one who threatened him charged in, roaring a battle cry that would make a child giggle rather than strike fear.
Swipes of his sword missed no matter what direction the blows came from. His attacks were far too sloppy and sluggish, unbecoming of a so-called fighter. Every attempt gave the vulpine plenty of time to dodge. Rather than engaging him directly, the fox stuck his foot out, plunging his opponent into a row of trash cans headfirst.
While the young girl watched in astonishment at the events unfolding, the human aggressor dragged himself from the smelly tomb. Whether it was humiliation or trepidation, his goal was clear. His buddies had just witnessed his embarrassment, never mind the fact that he was beaten up in less than a minute, and by a faunus no less.
This is unacceptable! No faunus could stand up to a human! We're the superior race!
"You...!" the male yelped at the harsh growl. His frigid stare froze him into place, along with his friends. "What's your name?"
"W-What?! How dare... dare you speak that way to...?"
"Spit it out!" the faunus turned to his prey, his snarl growing fiercer by the second. He snatched the trash-ridden male by his shirt collar. "Or should I beat the piss out of you instead?"
"P-Please don't... don't hurt me!"
"Name!"
"Ah! R-Russel Thrush...!"
Their contrasting gazes held up until the faunus' nose picked up a weird stench. Looking down, he noticed a large wet spot in the middle of Russel's pants. In less than a few minutes, the cocky asshole had been reduced to a sniveling wreck. Try as he may, Russel couldn't stop himself from peeing himself. A chuckle replaced the ire for a moment before he dropped the poor excuse of a man into a puddle of his own making.
"Get the hell out of here."
"You're letting us... us go?"
"NOW!"
The trio didn't have to be told again, each one scrambling over the other to escape further pain and humiliation. The one who was defeated couldn't do much except limp away alongside his friends until they were no longer in sight. After a few more minutes of tense silence, the girl had finally begun to shift. She was still dumbfounded at all that'd occurred but, compared to the previous encounters, this guy was her savior and infinitely better company.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes..." she replied cautiously. "Thanks."
Her protector read her body language, making sure that he didn't come on too strong. Normally, he would've rushed to the side of someone in need, instead, he'd simply kneel next to her as she inhaled deeply. He made sure to keep a noticeable distance between them as the music continued to blare from the building. The shadows of various people dancing and laughing soon pulled the girl's gaze, forcing her to swallow the lump that had formed in her windpipe.
"Do you work here?"
She nodded silently.
"Are you going back inside?"
The girl didn't budge.
"Do you want to go back inside?"
The brunette just stared at the opened backdoor, her eyes narrowing in concentration as the sea of forms began to blur in front of her. Limbs began to shiver as she steadily recalled the events of the night that led to her current position. Her face began to heat up as she clenched her eyes tightly in an attempt to block out the images of those three boys harassing her. She felt dirty. Having them touch her without her consent haunted her, especially when all she wanted to do was make her money and go home.
The turn of events had a profound impact, one that would shut down anyone in such a position. But a part of her wouldn't allow that to happen; she was strong enough to make her own decisions even with the trauma affecting her. She took a few deep breaths, quieting her nerves while she tried to stand. To her surprise, the canine faunus took her hand with a soft smile while she steadied herself.
"I'm going home..." she remarked, tearing her palm from his own. "I'm sure my friends are worried about me."
"Then I'll walk with you."
"I'll be fine. It's not too far from here," she bowed her head politely. "I wouldn't feel right if I forced a stranger to become my bodyguard and-"
"Aganju."
"Excuse me?" frowned softly, raising an eyebrow at the canine.
"My name..." he replied, arms crossed over his chest. "It's Aganju."
"Well, Aganju... I appreciate what you've done for me, but, it's not necessary."
She hugged her body closely while passing the faunus. While he was kind, she wasn't sure if she could trust him. Gone was the demonic snarl, replaced by a gentle smile when he turned to her. She wouldn't be so naive as to ignore his earlier position though. Still, she found herself mentally cursing at the effect that his kindness was having on her, sparing a glance at his curious gaze.
"Hey! I don't mind. I'm looking for someone in town, maybe you've heard of her, umm...?"
"I-Ilia..." she murmured rapidly, soon cursing such recklessness. She hadn't meant to expose her identity so simply; It was just the sympathetic quality of her savior that drove the outburst, right? Maybe it was his violet orbs that comforted her? Whatever the case, the damage had been done.
The fox blinked several times, showing his astonishment.
"Ilia... That's a pretty name," he chuckled softly. "Well, Ilia, how about I escort you home as thanks for your name?"
"What about the person you're looking for?"
"Right. I believe her name was..."
[Banquet Hall]
"Raven Branwen!" a boisterous voice called out from the crowd of the A-list partygoers. "Fancy meeting you here."
The woman in question tensed upon hearing her name being called with such vigor, turning to reveal a pale-skinned woman. Her jet-black mane hung down to the small of her back, perfectly accentuating her rose-colored dress. Her blood-red eyes flashed with veiled disgust as her caller approached her.
"Valentin..." she replied curtly, a forced smile threatening to split her face. "It's good to see you again."
"What has it been? six years?" he asked with a thunderous laugh.
Not long enough... she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Seven, to be exact. How has Argus been lately?"
"Things have been rather quiet after the war," Valentin said, sighing softly as if reminiscing of the old days while taking a sip of his wine. "I'm more interested in what you've been doing after all of these years. The Branwen family has been rather silent ever since we entered this era of peace and prosperity. I wondered if you just ran off and got hitched to some random guy and disappeared?"
Raven observed the large man with vexation as he spoke in an accusatory tone. She noticed a glint in his eyes as he took a sip of his drink, indicating that he was not completely sober. She restrained herself from snarling, not wanting to create a scene. She disliked attending such events, and Valentin was one of the main reasons for it. The reason for their tension was not known to many, except that there had been some conflict between the Nikos and Branwen families, leading to the end of the decade-long campaigns.
"I've chosen to live a simpler life since the war ended. My family was known for gathering information and committing assassinations that would help turn the tide of in Mistral's favor," she replied politely. "I doubt that my exploits would prove interesting to one who's been involved in major, and dare I say, controversial decisions throughout this time."
Valentin brushed his hands through his red hair, his smile never falling.
"Perhaps you're right. You were always known for your secrecy and fire. Some may not like my decisions but, even you can't deny that Mistral has benefited from the tough decisions made thus far. Our economy is stabilized and even the council agrees that conflict within our borders has diminished significantly ever since we enacted those 'controversial' laws."
Raven wasn't sure if he was baiting her or truly believing in his words, but she didn't care to find out either. She was only here out of obligation due to her family name, after all. There was no reason to engage in a trivial spat if it wasn't necessary.
"Well, while I'd love to debate with you about such scintillating issues, I believe I must be going. My guest for the evening won't be too pleased with me if I continue to neglect them," she turned to leave, flashing a look of defiance. "I'd say it was a pleasure catching up, but I'm not one for lying."
Valentin's left eye twitched as he saw the woman turning away from him. She had a smug grin on her lips which he hated, but at the same time, it intrigued him. Despite his respect for her, he couldn't let her go without giving her something to remember him by.
"If you happen to know where your coward of a brother is..." Raven stopped dead in her tracks. Her stomach twisted in knots as she struggled to quell the war raging in her core. "...be sure to give my regards to that spineless turncoat."
He never saw the fury behind her eyes; he didn't have to.
As Valentin left the room, a sense of anticipation filled the air. It was clear that he had won this round, but what would happen next was anyone's guess. The aristocrats and cowards that surrounded him made her stomach churn, but she knew that her time would come soon enough. She made her way to the balcony overlooking the city and gazed out into the distance, wondering what the future would hold. A single tear threatened to fall, but she quickly brushed it away with a determined look in her eye. She couldn't afford to dwell on her brother's fate, not when her own business was finally beginning to take off. The future was uncertain, but she was ready to face it head-on, whatever it might bring.
"Did you get it?" she asked, ruby crystals never looking away from the brightly lit town.
"Of course," the feminine yet rowdy voice replied. Raven could practically feel the confident smirk pointed at her. "That Winchester boy was hardly a challenge once I flashed a little skin. The willpower of boys can be considered laughable if not pitiful."
Raven had noticed a brown-haired boy earlier when she arrived. He was seen with the daughter of a man she had once respected. If the son of one of the biggest faunus profiteers could be easily influenced, Raven couldn't deny her prideful claim. Although she felt sorry for the poor girl, the success of her mission was more important. She finally turned to her informant, a girl who looked so much like her with golden locks instead of the dark strands that adorned Raven's head. Even the cowlick was almost identical.
"Good work, Yang. I apologize for you having to endure that..."
"No problem, Mom," she smirked enthusiastically. "But, there is more to report."
This piqued Raven's curiosity as her daughter approached, carefully checking for any guests wandering around. When she was certain that they were alone, Yang exhaled softly. Her lilac eyes cut sharply and the grin soon gave way to a more serious expression.
"While Cardin is here, I noticed that his cronies were nowhere around despite being high-ranking members in the faunus slave business."
"This troubles you?" Raven scoffed at such trivial information.
"Not at first, but I admit that it was something worth keeping in mind. Just before coming here, I received word that they were seen leaving the club downtown where Ilia works. From the looks of things, they'd been roughed up a bit. After doing some digging I found out that it was a guy, a faunus, who was the reason and he's been looking for you..."
"Well..." Raven sighed softly after contemplating this information. After hearing this, the woman nodded in understanding before stepping past Yang. If he was looking for her, then she'd grant him an audience. "If what you say is true, then we shouldn't keep our company waiting, should we?"
"Keep your hands where we can see them!" the warning cry rang in the foxes' ears, his hands high above him. Looking around, Aganju realized that he was surrounded by several figures, each wielding weapons that were trained on him. "State your business, now."
Calm violet eyes cut toward a fair-skinned girl wearing sunglasses and a black beret pointing what appeared to be a small Gatling gun at his chest. He then fixed his gaze on a sympathetic Ilia who tried to call off the young group.
"Coco! He helped me at the club!" she stomped.
"Sure, and you thought it best to bring him here just because he did one good deed?"
Ilia was desperately trying to plead with a group of individuals, but it seemed like her words were falling on deaf ears. One of the members, who was wearing a beret, turned her head towards another member of the group, a young man with red hair and dark skin. The most noticeable thing about him was that he was blind. Despite his lack of sight, he didn't seem to be affected by it as he approached Ilia, giving her a stern look that indicated she should stay still while his comrade searched her.
Aganju found himself in a precarious situation, being watched by several individuals. One of them was a young man with blond hair and a monkey's tail, while another was a young woman with amber eyes who was crouched low, ready to pounce if he made any sudden moves. The third person was a young woman with short brown hair and icy blue eyes, all of whom were highly skilled and made Aganju feel trapped in his current position.
After several pat-downs, the blind male began retrieving several items from every place he could find them.
"A sack of lien. Some medicinal herbs. Headphones and..." he pulled out a rather large object from underneath Aganju's raggedy jacket. He pressed a button on the weapon triggering the item's transformation into a long arched bladed staff. "...a scythe?"
"I knew it!" Coco snarled. Aganju could feel the dangerous glare, even with her eyes shielded by shades. "You're a scout looking for your next score aren't you?!"
"A guy can't protect himself?" he rolled his eyes, his mockery only adding fuel to the fire. "It's dangerous for me to walk around without something to keep me safe. Wouldn't you agree?"
"It wouldn't be wise to piss Coco off..." Everyone turned to the mature voice approaching from behind them. The backdoor of the homestead was wide open exposing a pale-skinned woman with black hair standing next to a slightly shorter blond girl. Her face was unreadable, only cementing the potential threat she posed as she stared at the vulpine. "...doing so could be hazardous for your health."
"Madame!" Coco put her weapon down to acknowledge the woman. "Welcome back. We were just about to interrogate this intruder."
Aganju gazed at the older woman's crimson eyes coolly. Though he was not intimidated, he could sense that her presence commanded respect. He wondered if she was the person he had been searching for and if not, he feared for his safety. No good deed goes unpunished, he recited to himself as the woman approached him. He observed as she raised her hand, motioning for the group to step back.
"I heard that you've been looking for me?"
"I have..." his answer was to the point, devoid of any ambiguity.
"I also heard that you protected Ilia against some unruly company, correct?" Seeing him bow his head in agreement, the matron tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Care to explain?"
"With all due respect, it'd be better if Ilia did so. I'm an outsider, so you'd have no reason to believe a single word I say. But, if you heard the story from her, you'd see that I didn't come with ill intent."
Raven fixed a sharp gaze on the young man, her patience already wearing thin. With a wave of her hand, she summoned the topic of discussion and the man stood poised, hands still raised in the air. Despite Ilia's muttering and whispers, Raven listened intently as every detail of the story was laid out. Not a single aspect was overlooked as she kept a watchful eye on the fox boy. Only when Ilia finally finished her explanation did Raven return her undivided attention to the young man.
"What is your name?"
"I was given the name Aganju. I have no last name."
"So..." she encouraged him to lower his hands. "From what I've been told, you took on three humans who were about to assault our Ilia? Do you know who those three were?"
"Should I care?"
"Only if you're seeking to pick a fight with the Winchester Family," she chuckled softly, completely missing the spark in his eye. "I must say though, Ilia thinks highly of you after what you've done for her. However, I still don't know why you've been seeking me out."
Aganju paused for a moment, scanning the many faces around him. Some looked curious while others waited patiently to see his fate. But the only gaze that mattered to him was Ilia's. Her support had led him to find Raven, a circumstance he was grateful for. With that in mind, he took a deep breath and prepared to move forward.
"I've been searching for you because I wanted to follow you."
"Very well. I'm sure that we can find room for you to work in the city-"
"That's not what I meant..." he interrupted. "I meant that wanted to join your organization."
Raven turned to Ilia and the others, her eyes demanding answers for which none of them obtained. She breathed a sigh of frustration and placed her hands on her hips. She wasn't happy, but there would be time for her to express that later. "What do you know of my 'organization'?"
"In the city of Shion, its underworld spoke of a savior with eyes as red as blood, skin white like snow, and hair as black as the night. They said she was known for targeting small Faunus ranches and slaying corrupt bureaucrats; a human taught by a reaper of souls. Only Garneta is known for housing such souls so I sought you out here."
Raven was impressed. Though she felt there was more to the story, she chose not to pry into affairs for the time being. For now, all she could do was nod approvingly at the young fox.
"Very well. It appears that you've done your research on me. For that, I couldn't possibly turn you away after all that you've gone through to find me. Congratulations. You're a fledgling member of the Branwen Family. Behind me are your superiors, higher-ranking members of our dogma; All are created equal. Remember this as you work your way up, understand. Should you pass our initiation, you'll officially be a member of our group."
Aganju watched as each member stepped forward to introduce themselves.
"I'm Sun Wukong!" the blond monkey Faunus exclaimed with a big smile. "Welcome to the fold!"
"Relax, Sunny boy!" Another blond giggled, shoving him to the side playfully. "I'm Yang Branwen. Raven's daughter and unfortunate girlfriend of the aforementioned knucklehead."
"Blake Belladonna..." the black-haired girl bowed respectfully, her bow suddenly wiggling, much to the foxes' shock. "I'm a Faunus too, as well as Sun & Yang's other girlfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Coco Adel," the beret-donning girl floated casually, as she tucked her gun into a suitcase.
"Vernal Branwen."
"Fox Alistair; an honor."
"The honor is mine. I look forward to proving myself very soon," his tail wagged happily, earning a few laughs from the gang. He exchanged a handshake with Fox before the blind male returned his compacted weapon to him. All that was left was the one who started this. "Ilia...?"
"...Amitola. Thank you again for your help earlier. I don't want to know what could've happened if you hadn't shown up."
"I'm just glad that I arrived in time to stop it," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "The fact that you're safe is safe enough."
"Now, let's get inside. Aganju, you'll be residing in the living room for the night. Only after your initiation will you be given your place to stay."
"Understood."
As Raven dismissed the small group, everyone started making their way towards their respective paths. Aganju and Ilia exchanged a secret grin before stepping into the homestead. The living room was grand and elegant, unlike anything Aganju had seen before. The walls were adorned with pictures of Raven and her daughters, Yang and Vernal.
The antique weapons, swords, and axes that decorated the walls added an air of mystery and intrigue to the room. Aganju couldn't help but notice the polished wood floors that felt smooth against his bare feet after he removed his boots. As he looked around, he saw a couch and loveseat set up near an expensive oak table. The table held beautiful vases full of flowers that added a pop of color to the room.
Aganju took a moment to consider his sleeping situation and decided to rest against the end of a comfy seat instead of risking dirtying the material. As he got comfortable, he felt the exhaustion of his travels begin to take over his senses. Despite the challenges he faced during his journey, he had finally achieved his goal and now all that mattered was proving that he deserved to be there. However, he would have to wait until he woke up to do so. His eyes finally shut for the night, and he drifted off to sleep.
Cardin was not happy...
As he woke up, his eyes were filled with irritation, reminding him of the consequences of one too many drinks he had at the party. He groaned and tried to recall the evening, but only bits and pieces of the banquet remained scattered in his mind, obscuring the bigger picture. He remembered that he was there to escort the Nikos girl as part of a business deal between their fathers, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it. As he struggled to remember, a few moments flashed before his eyes, contributing to his frustration. Can you relate to waking up with a headache and trying to piece together a hazy memory?
The evening was going well until he decided to escort his "date" for the night. Suddenly, the media and other members of the upper echelon became overly curious, bombarding him with questions and speculations about their plans, even though it was only their first date. It was frustrating, to say the least, but he was relieved that the stunning redhead he was with seemed unfazed by the attention and was busy socializing with other guests. One of them caught his eye - the only son of the Arc household, Jaune.
It didn't matter much to him though.
As he rode down the numerous streets and avenues, his head was filled with a multitude of issues. One such concern was the unfavorable deal that his family was hoping to strike for the establishment of a merger. Another was his future as the heir of the Winchester Faunus Ranches. The mere sight of Garneta, a place where humans and Faunus coexisted, made his stomach turn. However, there was one thing in particular that kept bothering him.
"That damn animal..." he growled under his breath. Eyes flickered with fury as he recalled the humiliating experience.
"Is something wrong, Cardin?"
As he turned his head, the princess of the Nikos clan reminded him of everything he despised about her - her soft demeanor, her advocacy for diplomacy, and her undeserved privilege. In his eyes, Pyrrha was nothing more than a spoiled young girl who couldn't handle the responsibilities that came with her family's power. He knew his place in the world, and he was confident that his toughness and ruthlessness made him superior to her. It was only a matter of time before the reality of her incompetence would catch up to her.
"Don't bother with him, Pyrrha," another voice chimed in. "He's a brute. Of all the things in Cardin's mastery, empathy isn't one of them."
Speaking of privilege...
The knight shifted his annoyed gaze over to a girl with snow-white hair that was tied into a side ponytail. His glare was met by a challenging gaze that just reeked of amusement.
"Why are you here again, Weiss? Don't you have a musical to practice for or something?" he groaned, his head weighing down on his open palm. "I would think the Schnee Dust Heiress would have better things to do than to be traveling to a faunus ranch."
"I'm here at my father's behest," she replied in a pompous tone. "I'd rather be anywhere else than hanging around a cruel sadist if that makes you feel better."
The amount of fury inside of the military man boiled over as he attempted to lunge at the girl. Unfortunately, the combination of the small coach and Pyrrha's arm stretching out in front of him was enough to prevent such actions. If nothing else, Cardin begrudgingly appreciated the girl's attempt to defuse the situation. The last thing he wanted was to jeopardize his future by assaulting a Schnee.
"They continued to travel, both Cardin & Weiss bickering. Pyrrha Nikos could feel her stomach stirring from the truth of where they were going. She always differed from her father's views of the world and detested the state of the faunus.
This was never more evident as the coach began to slow down, prompting Pyrrha from her thoughts. There was a massive metal gate that greeted the trio, foreboding and ominous in its appearance. Things were off to a poor start for both of the girls as they observed the surrounding area from their seats. An equally large fence covered the perimeter of the ranch, further strengthening the girl's uneasiness.
"We're here, Captain Winchester," she overheard someone announce with gusto. "As per your father's orders, you are to meet with Admiral Nikos to discuss further arrangements."
"Understood... Just be sure that my lieutenant is present as well, got it?"
The armored man bowed respectfully before retreating within the facility. The carriage soon followed, finally exposing both Pyrrha and Weiss to a clear view of the 'ranch'. It was just as they both suspected; nothing more than a prison facility. Her eyes fell on the destitute faces of the Faunus, many wearing nothing more than rags just large enough to cover themselves.
"They look so... broken," the Atlesian heiress noted solemnly.
"That's the point! These animals have to be tamed before they're sent off to be sold. It's kind of like de-fanging a snake or removing the claws on a cat so they don't scratch up your furniture." Cardin then let out a boisterous laugh, one filled with disgusting pride and glee as they passed by many of the faunus hard at work.
Digging holes.
Gathering water.
Heavy lifting.
It was all just to keep them busy while they awaited the day they'd be sent off to serve whichever human was willing to purchase them, fearing the unknown. Their actions were more robotic, seemingly on autopilot as they completed their tasks for the day while under the watchful eyes of the guards who oversaw them. It was all so overwhelming to witness. Pyrrha figured that conditions in these facilities were bad, but, she would truly get a taste of the extent of such a cruel environment.
The aristocrats were escorted inside the main building by their coach. The place was blinding and pristine, but the off-white walls and tiled floors made them cringe. They found the tidiness to be a ruse to trick any would-be buyers into believing that this was a righteous place.
One such noise nearly caused the girls to freeze dead in their tracks.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
Suddenly, a loud and terrifying scream echoed through the empty passages. Weiss, who was not one to hide her feelings, turned around in shock to see what could have caused such a horrific sound. Pyrrha, on the other hand, remained frozen in place, seemingly paralyzed by fear. The screams were soon joined by the sound of something whipping and striking, which only made the situation more terrifying. The relentless assault continued, causing the Amazon warrior to shiver in fear.
"Don't mind that. Probably some dumb animal getting put back in its place..."
As the two girls huddled together, the eerie sounds in the distance made their skin crawl. The young man's calm demeanor only added to the unsettling atmosphere. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't shake off the bone-chilling noises reverberating around them. As they tried to distract themselves, their minds wandered to the unfortunate fate of Cardin Winchester - the only thing that could truly take their minds off the spine-tingling sounds.
She knew that he was obnoxious and an arrogant spoiled brat, but, Pyrrha never fully realized how little compassion he possessed.
It is evident that the girl is having doubts regarding the boy's character, and she's wondering if he possesses any redeeming qualities. Her father's high praise may be based on the boy's ranking under his supervision, but it's unclear whether it's their shared cruelty towards the faunus that makes the boy stand out in his eyes. Before she arrived in Garneta, the girl was left with a single question, to which the answer may cause more anxiety than comfort.
What was her father planning?
A girl with auburn hair and golden eyes appeared, making Pyrrha and Weiss wary. She led them inside where Valentin and Jacques sat at the table. Jacques was unhappy about Weiss' off-center ponytail.
"Ah, Cardin! Glad you and our guests could finally make it." Everyone shifted their gaze to a rather slender male with slicked-back brown hair and thin-rimmed glasses. His blue eyes oozed with lust for power notwithstanding his serene attitude. "Please, have a seat and we may begin."
Cardin didn't so much as say a word, alternatively nodding in compliance as he led Pyrrha and Weiss to the other side of the table. The atmosphere was suffocating as green eyes inspected the parties within the room.
This is going to be a long day...