A/N: Chapter 71 of REKT. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or teams of RWBY, they belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. What I do own are the characters and teams of my OCs: REKT, GTSY, KACE and DAZE. I also claim Ingrid, Teo, Reina's parents, aunt, and the Inui siblings.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 71: Oppressed Outlands
Inside Blake's home...
"When we heard the horrific news about what had happened at school, there wasn't enough time for us to do anything. Frankly the tournament was a golden opportunity for the enemy to strike, and they executed it well. The fall of Beacon was such a terrifying event, none of those kids should have gone through such trauma." Kali was saying as the Belladonna family sat around the table, coming full circle as they are now whole again. Sun and Kairos sat at the table as well since they were extended guests, two cups of hot tea placed before them courtesy of the doting mother. The kids had told them some things here and there about what had happened, getting the parent's attention. "On the topic of the White Fang...we had no idea they were going play a part. Granted, the communication towers did go down, so ultimately we were left in the dark."
"Those scoundrels...I thought Sienna would have kept a closer eye on them." Ghira growls in annoyance, arms laying on both knees as he listened to his wife. On the outside he kept up the image of a level-headed leader, but deep down he was undeniably angry. "Perhaps I should write her a very strong letter in controlling her subordinates..."
"We'll deal with that together at a later time," Kali assures him before focusing back on the kids, "The Kingdom of Vale wasn't always perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve that. Blake, believe me when I say this, but both of us were extremely worried."
"Oh please, I knew she'd be fine!" The larger male laughs, most likely to cover up how he actually felt. "And she's sitting here in front of us, so that's all the proof we needed!"
"That isn't the least bit true, and you know it. Don't be such a liar, you were more worried than I was." His wife admonished him, her scolding did nothing for him as he continues to chuckle and shrug his shoulders. Then she grins and says, "You kids should've seen him, nearly made a streak mark on the carpet with how fast he was pacing. It was the most frantic I've ever seen him."
"You guys had nothing to worry about, your daughter has some pretty sick moves!" Sun blurts out without thinking, adding his voice into the conversation. "I've seen them first hand myself when we're in action, they're very hot!" At the end he did a double finger-bang hand gesture, accompanied with a smirk aimed at Blake. The feline faunus in question had sat up straighter, her eyes widened with horror at the wording. She nearly spat out her drink as well, so she just settled for glaring at Sun in return.
"Oh my." Kali had a hand over her mouth, her ears standing straight up on her head which added to her shock factor. Kairos didn't pay him any attention, but the way her tail twitched erratically back and forth indicated that she was trying her damnest not to laugh at Blake's expense.
"And what exactly do you mean by those words, Mr. Wukong?" Ghira, anything but pleased, narrowed his eyes like daggers at the other male in the room. This was the first time somebody, a male in particular, said something about his precious kitten in a way that could be misunderstood.
"Oh...uhhh...well, you see...she's a great fighter! An intimidating one as well!" Sun says as he tries to make his case, his tail twitching back and forth anxiously behind him. "As a, uh, fellow fighter myself, I have utmost respect for her. And I-I mean, not to say she isn't good-looking, she's by far one of the most badass, charming woman I've ever had the chance of fighting alongside!"
"Pfffffffftttt!" Kairos accidentally coughs on her drink, and hastily wiped away the liquid dribbling down her jaw.
"So tell me again, how did you end up with two guests?" Kali whispers to Blake while the two males talked it out, a slight smile on her face. "Last time I checked, you were a shy introvert who wanted nothing more than to delve into your books."
"They just...followed me here without me knowing until the last minute." Her daughter replies nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. "They ended up being two stowaways on the ship. Sure surprised me when they showed themselves on the way here."
"Still...two of them at once." One sleek eyebrow arched in a teasing manner, and Blake frowned at her mother's playful demeanor. Sometimes she wonders why she bothers telling her mother anything about her relationships. "When did you turn into a frisky cat?"
"Mooooom...please don't tease." Blake whines at her, the feline ears twitching twice. Kali smiles softly, reaching over to hold her daughter's hand within her own. The huntress smiles in appreciation before they then turned their attention to the boys who were still locked in their talk.
"Like I was saying, I have massive respect for your daughter! In terms of her fighting and her looks, because she definitely is above average in those two departments. I-I mean, who wouldn't notice her on sight? I'd kill to have her as my wing-woman...and, uh..." Clearing his throat as he got a couple of looks, Sun proceeded to pouring himself another cup. "I mean...this tea is very good. Definitely packs a punch."
"Kairos, dear, aren't you a little hot underneath that cloak?" Kali asks to rid the atmosphere of awkwardness, getting the faunus' attention. She was in the middle of taking a sip of her drink, but she waited for the older woman to continue speaking. "Why don't you remove it? I'm sure it'll make you feel better."
"Mom!" Blake hisses under her breath, ears lying flat against her skull. She had a hunch why her friend didn't want to take it off, but she never suspected her mother to ask. "Why are you–"
"Blake, it's okay. Your mother means no harm with asking. Besides, I was feeling a bit warm." Kairos interrupts after putting down her cup. Standing up, she removes the cloak, letting the article of clothing drop unceremoniously to the ground. Gasps from both parents were heard when they saw what the faunus was covering up. "The subject would have been brought up one way or another. I can't get around that."
"...Did you get that from the tournament? Or after?" This time Ghira was the one asking the questions, getting a death glare from his daughter. Seeing the smoldering golden eyes, he adds, "If you are uncomfortable answering, I understand completely."
"From the tournament. I got it from my one-on-one fight of the semi-finals."
"And...was it from someone close to you?"
"Yeah, my sister dealt me this wound. I wasn't prepared for her to drop in...nor was I prepared for her to come after me. She surprised me."
"Wouldn't you two have like, a close-knit relationship with one another?" Kali questions in wonder, tilting her head to the side. "I mean, you two are sisters. Sure you might have some sibling rivalry, but it shouldn't have led to dismemberment."
"We were close like any regular pair of sisters should be...at least that is what I originally thought." The huntress sighed softly, taking the time to sit down and carefully crossed her legs. "But it seems I misjudged her. Thus, after she slaughtered my opponent, I tried to talk some sense into her. It was all for not and you could see the result."
"Mooooom! Daaaad!" Blake all but looked at both of them in shock, embarrassing heat rising underneath her skin like molten lava. She nearly wanted to apologize on the spot. "How could you ask such things?!"
"Honey, you know the connections between Menagerie and the other places are not that strong." Kali looks at her daughter, hands pressed together. "Please forgive us for trying to fill in the missing pieces, we don't mean to be insensitive."
"Your mother is right." Ghira spoke up to defend his wife, inwardly wincing when he noticed his daughter's hurt expression. "As chieftain of this island, I must uphold the responsibilities of one and make sure unapproved guests step foot on the island. Not that you two aren't since you're my daughter's guests..."
"Not a problem, sir!" Sun says brightly, his tail waving back and forth with excitement. "Glad to have tagged along!"
"...I have serious doubts about you, Mr. Wukong..."
"If you wanted us to leave then I have no problems doing so." Kairos stated without hesitation, getting various expressions from those around her. She wasn't perturbed and adds, "Seriously, I could hop on the boat and sail back. No big deal."
"Where would you go if you were to walk out of the door?" The monarch of the Belladonna family questions her. "Your school's in ruin and infested with Grimm."
"Just because the school is off limits doesn't mean I don't have a place I can go to." Kairos replies with confidence. "Even when my sister took my leg, I lived with an adopted family until I was old enough to apply to Beacon. That's how I arrived in Vale. It's been awhile since I last saw them, wouldn't hurt to drop in once in awhile."
"Speaking of dropping in, we've got a couple of unwanted visitors of our own coming by the island at...unconventional times."
"What do you mean?" Blake asks with interest, giving her father her undivided attention. Sun and Kairos also leaned in with concern in their expressions. "The island is a haven for faunus kind, who'd want to visit us?"
"Well, while you were off in school we've had a couple of unauthorized ships dock on our ports. At first we assumed they were just merchant ships looking to do some trade before sailing off. But they kept coming every few weeks until it became normal to see them. What's strange is that there were logos of the White Fang painted on the helms, so we know that everyone on board are most likely faunus." The older male strokes his beard in thought. "I have a few guards patrolling around the area to monitor their moves, so it's only a matter of time before something happens."
"The White Fang?!" All three students exclaimed at the same time.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three distinctive knocks on the door alerted the occupants of guests, ears and in some cases tails all raised in alert. Everyone glanced at one another, and based on Ghira's expression it would be best to assume he wasn't expecting any more guests. Then his eyes lit up and he was hit with realization when something popped into his head.
"Oh! Shoot, I forgot about the meeting." He says, almost as if he really didn't want to deal with it. "What terrible...or rather, impeccable, timing."
"Ghira..." Kali says softly, and he sighs. His hands, which had been curled into fists on top of his lap, carefully opened up.
"Yeah, give me a few minutes...shouldn't take long." Rising to his feet, he ambled towards the door to answer it.
"What exactly...is going on here?" Blake asks, noticing the expression on her mother's face. Sun and Kairos noticed as well, looking at the older faunus with concern. "You don't seem enthusiastic about this."
"Yes, dear, just poor timing as your father mentioned. He can always reschedule whenever is convenient." Kali takes the time to slip on her cup of tea, before continuing speaking, "It's just been hard dealing with them lately.
"Deal with whom?"
"Well, you know why your father brought up the topic of unauthorized ships? Our persistent guests are a part of the White Fang." At that, all three students jumped to their feet with hardened expressions – Kairos was a bit slower to avoid falling over and crashing to the floor. Kali looked at them with a concern expression of her own. "You three..."
"Come on." Blake hisses, turning on her heels towards the door with her friends by her side. When she saw her father's broad back, she could also see the guests standing outside.
One was a male wearing a red hood held together by buttons and strings. Two holes were cut out to reveal large fox ears on top of his head, exposing his faunus trait. A black tunic covered his front, while white sleeves were bounded at the mid-bicep and wrists. His hands were covered by black gloves attached around the middle fingers. White, pleated pants can be seen for his bottoms, along with black open-toed sandals. The other was a taller male who were similar clothing as his companion, but he had a grayish-brown tail streaming out behind him instead of ears. Their eyes lit up with glee when Ghira answered their summons.
"Greetings, Chieftain. We are extremely humbled by your presence, and are thrilled that you are at home." The shorter of the two had been the first to speak. "Following our last meeting, we are here to give you an update of sorts."
"Dad!" Blake approaches them with a confident stride, narrowing her eyes at the guests. Because her parents already made remarks about the White Fang twice during their conversation, it wasn't hard for her to feel incredibly angry. She thought she could run away and take a breather, but it seems as though fate had a cruel hand. "What have you been talking about to these...guests?"
"My humblest apologies, neither I nor my brother had any knowledge of your return." The shorter one bows his head to her, his taller companion following suit a second later. "Welcome home, Ms. Belladonna."
"Don't get all polite with us, you psychos!" Sun blurts out angrily, pointing a threatening finger at them. "Being here in Menagerie can only mean trouble!"
"Young man, I don't know what kind of false accusations have been bestowed upon you, but rest assured we aren't as bad as you think we are." The shorter one responds, "Don't group us together with a general unit. Not all White Fang factions are bad."
"Dad." Blake turns her attention to Ghira, amber eyes glaring at him. "Care to explain this?"
"Before you go on thinking the worse, I guess an introduction is in order. It's civic manners after all." Ghira gestures to the gentleman, from the shortest to the tallest. "This is Fennac Albain, and his brother, Corsac Albain. They represent the White Fang faction here on Menagerie."
"That's the problem." Blake growls in response, ears flattening against her head. "They're a part of the White Fang, the fact they're here is what's wrong...I don't care of the others, I know what the Fang is all about. Or have you forgotten what my friends and I have spoken of at the table involving the group? The White Fang is the reason why Beacon is what it is now..." The organization is the reason why I have lost much...my friends...my teammates...my everything.
"Sir, what is she talking about?" Fennac asks, putting on a face of innocence. "White Fang in Beacon?"
"My daughter and her friends tells me that the White Fang had done heinous deeds at their school." Ghira speaks gruffly, gazing at both brothers with piercing amber eyes. "Unleashing the Grimm for an invasion, attacking students – most of which were humans...how do you explain that? I doubt Sienna gave orders, but do enlighten me."
"But of course, that is why we're here, Your Grace." Corsac speaks up before Fennac could open his mouth, his voice rumbling within his chest. "We're here to tell you that the High Leader didn't give out that order. She wasn't aware of Adam's intentions until the damage had been dealt. When news were relay by messengers, she was...deeply upset."
"Neither of us have ever seen High Leader Khan fly into a rage before. Such a scary moment of our time." Fennac added after his brother. "It has been a blessing that her adviser, Sister Klain, was there to squash that temper."
Sister Klain? They can't be referring to...no...it'd be too much of a coincidence... Kairos lifts her head in disbelief at the sound of her last name, but held her tongue. Why is it that I am the one with so few memories? ...Mom... Blake spared a quick glance at her friend as well, but turns her attention back to the Albain brothers when they spoke.
"Rest assured that High Leader Khan...does not approve of the splinter faction under Adam Taurus' control." Corsac says, shaking his head for added effect of dismay. "It's apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang no longer operates the way the main branch wishes. We are currently looking into and investigating Adam Taurus' whereabouts. I believe it is safe to say that the actions and activities have become incredibly violent since you stepped down from High Leader, and became the Chieftain."
"We have been getting reports from the council, as they are incredibly concerned with the actions of our defective. We look toward the days we can apprehend Brother Taurus and his followers, making sure they'll never bring chaos and harm to the public." Fennec tells them, before stating, "We also collected ample amounts of notes from the council meetings we have attended, as well as logs from the meetings with the High Leader should you wish to go over in your spare time."
"I sure would appreciate that, but perhaps another day." Ghira drapes an arm on Blake's shoulder, getting a subtle smile from the huntress. "I would like to reconnect with my daughter. It's been so long since we've seen her."
"Understandable, Your Grace." replies Corsac, sparing the family a semi-friendly smile. "You have a lot to think about as well, we wouldn't want to apply any more burden than necessary."
"Then, it's time for us to bid you farewell...oh, and sorry about your leg." Fennac says, directing the last part of his statement to Kairos when he looked at her. She stares back at him evenly, although a look of surprise flashed behind her eyes. "Don't be so alarmed. We heard what happened during the meetings up in Mistral, that place is always filled with monitors broadcasting the latest events, and it pains my brother and I whenever family members turn on one another. It is indeed tragic."
"The commentary wasn't needed...but thanks for your concern." She says stiffly, no hints of kindness in her voice. "My sister made her choice when we stood in the arena on opposite ends. It was just misfortune on my end."
"Of course. I apologize for over-stepping the boundary with such a touchy subject. Rest assured it won't happen again."
"Indeed. Until next time I believe. Have a wonderful evening." With that the brothers walked away, and Ghira closes the door. Collectively they all released a sigh, not knowing that they had been holding their breath for some reason. The only ones who looked disturbed from the meeting were Blake and Kairos, the latter more so on the fact that the brothers mentioned her last name while the former was mad that she couldn't get rid of her past.
Even with these unanswered holes in my mind...there's no doubt. But what if I'm wrong? What if there's another one with the same last name? What if I had another blood relative? These thoughts were swirling around Kairos' mind, and she absolutely hated it. They couldn't have been referring to Ingrid, she's my adopted enemy of a sister. And my father...I don't even know what happened to him...whose to say this is all just one big coincidence? My head fucking hurts, but I can't shake it off the feeling...I'll be sure to pay attention the next time we meet.
"Dad! You can't be serious!" Blake says to break the silence, looking pointedly at Ghira. "Having meetings with them, even after everything the White Fang has done... I understand that you're Chieftain, but..."
"Blake...I can't deny that the White Fang have done a lot of questionable things, but remember that they too, are faunus." He says, knowing that it pains him to not take his daughter's stance in the matter. "I can't turn my back on them, it'll look bad in the public eye."
"I know...I just...I mean...ugh!" Stomping her feet with irritation and frustration of not being able to collect her thoughts, the faunus storms off towards her bedroom and disappears. It was hard on all of them, and to be blinded with the White Fang also having a presence in Menagerie just might have been the last straw to break the camel's back.
"I understand she's upset...but..." Sun folded his arms behind his head, his brows furrowed with worry. "If she continues to fight this matter alone, then she'll seriously dig herself an early grave." Then he turns to her parents and adds, "N-Not that I'm implying that she's gonna..I mean...with Kairos and I here, we'll definitely lend anything and everything to help her out."
"...I still stand by my thoughts of not liking you..." Ghira states firmly.
"Sun, I think it's time we should go. Better get that little job done when there's still light outside." Kairos speaks up, getting his attention and gestures with a head tilt towards the door. A look of realization along with a smile crossed his face a minute later, and he brightens immediately; there was only so much he could handle with Ghira literally trying to burn a hole through his head. Bidding farewell to the Belladonnas, the two of them open the door and walked out.
"Will you two be back in time for dinner?" Kali asks as she sends them off, watching as her daughter's friends pause mid-way down the stairs. "It's almost night time after all, and you two must be starving from your trip."
"We'll see, Mrs. B! I'll...err...send Blake a message when we're on our way back!" Sun says, giving her his trademark grin. "See ya later!"
At the bazaar...
The sky slowly turns a beautiful shade of sunset purple as the two students made their way towards the last location Kairos ran into the child. Most of the stores were closed up for the day, but there was no way the female faunus could mistaken the exact spot. She hones in around the shop in question, glancing around to spot clues. Some of the residents that were meandering around would whisper to one another or throw a glance their way. It wasn't hard to spot a foreigner, and in their case, the enhance sense of smell was the deciding factor.
"You'd think they'd be cooperate and throw us a bone or something. But all they're doing is staring and talk about us behind our backs." Sun grumbles, spotting a couple who hastily turned away when he made eye contact. He frowned, "I just don't understand at all."
"Don't get so upset, we're minding our own business and they can mind theirs." Kairos says in response. Then she thinks it over, before saying, "Although, if our roles were reversed and they were visiting either Vale or Mistral...anyone over there would be doing the same thing. Just standing around and being bystanders."
"You think so? I for one would step in and help if I can."
"But that's you. Not everyone is the same or shares the same ideals."
"Doesn't matter. I know there's some good within everyone, regardless of class status and whatnot." He argues back, planting both hands on his hips. The two of them stood there mere inches from each other with nostrils flared, and to anyone who wanted to take a peek, they would assume it was just a couple's spat.
"Answer me this, Sun, why are we even here? And don't tell me it's to keep an eye on Blake." Kairos says, folding her arms across her chest. "If Menagerie was given to the faunus so they have a place to live in the corners of the world, wouldn't it be a more practical solution to stay out of world affairs?"
"What...What do you mean?"
"If these faunus want to just stay here without lifting a hand to help, then they don't feel any urgency with what is happening in the world...and we shouldn't try to force them into doing things; it won't make us any better than humans or the White Fang. Blake is wasting her time...and we're equally guilty of this as well. There's only so much we as outsiders can do in persuading the public mass."
"Okay...but let's say that we are wasting our time by coming here. If we didn't take a boat down to Menagerie, then where would we be?"
"...Mistral." Kairos says with confidence in her voice, almost as if she knew exactly what the scenario would entail. "You'd be helping Blake make her way to Mistral. I would follow Reina no matter how much she complains."
"Why is it that she didn't want you to go with her?" Sun asks her, one of his eyebrows raised into a perfect arc. "Did she ever answer that question?"
"She did answer...well, not in great detail. She just says that the place she was going to, is a place I would not survive in."
Scuttle~ Scuttle~ Scuttle~
"Hmm?" Ears honing in on the pattering of feet – the feet of a small child in particular – Kairos turns her head to see a familiar looking cloak disappearing around the corner. "You think you could get away from me..."
"What the– Hey! How can you just run off?! Let me in on the action!" Sun rushes after her, keeping light on his feet. They ran at full throttle, keeping their eyes on the fleeting shape. The little bugger was fast, attempting to shake off its chasers. A couple of faunus yelled in shock as the blurs rushed past them. A eureka moment happened when the blurred shape made its way towards an area where there were a lot more faunus; that maneuver caught Kairos' attention and there was no way she'll miss this opportunity.
"I'm not letting you go so easily..." Increasing the amount of her Aura, the faunus increased in her speed while leaving a couple of shoe-sized indention on the ground. To anyone they'd see it as just a bump in the road, and meander on about their lives. Her senses were on high alert, and her vision became tunnel-like, a honing beacon latching onto one particular target.
"Huh?!" Sun blinked and he came to a crouch on a nearby rooftop. He was following the two to the best of his abilities when the boosted speed threw him off; when he looked back both were gone. His gaze swept over the crowd in a frantic manner, and he frowned. "How the hell did I lose sight of them? Damn it..." Shaking his head, he tried to catch the fleeting tail-end before the scent was lost.
"So you actually followed me all the way out here..." Kairos turns her head to see the person she was looking for, hugging onto a tree like a koala. The bazaar had flashed past like a blur, and before she knew it she found herself standing on a boarder between civilization and a dense forest. Sun was no where to be found. "I thought it had to be you...but I wasn't interested in bringing attention to ourselves in the same place twice..."
Hmmm, so she actually planned on leading me out here...out of sight from other bystanders. The huntress kept her face as straight as possible, her thoughts whirling around her head. Cleaver, cleaver. Something I wouldn't expect from this child...
"Thanks for not letting that merchant catch me that day. I couldn't properly give you my thanks..." The kid chirped in response. "So, thank you."
"I'll accept your apology when you return it." The older of the two spoke flatly, fixing her gaze on the younger. She didn't want to beat around the bush, the forest was creepy as it was. "I know you know exactly what I'm referring to. You were cunning, but it took me awhile to figure out what you have done."
"I couldn't go home empty handed..." The child says, which caught the huntress' attention. There was just something suspicious about that statement that stroked her curiosity. "I don't have it on me...but I know where it is."
"Lead me there."
"Just a fair warning, the place I'm guiding you to...well, it's nothing like Kuo Kuana." The little girl says as she shimmies down the tree, landing lightly on her feet. "So prepare yourself."
"What do you mean by that?" The huntress asks her, her brows furrowed with suspicion reason.
"I believe it's better for me just to show you." The child twirls on her heels and heads off through the forest. "As they say, nothing beats first hand experience."
Back in the Belladonna Residence...
The lanterns hung outside to illuminate a few dark patches, acting as a honing beacon for Sun and Kairos' return; in reality, the Belladonnas use the lanterns to reduce the amount of possible hiding spaces from potential enemies. Kali herself stood on the balcony, her eyes scouring the foliage and the dust path for the two faunus. It was late, and the nights of Menagerie can be a bit much if one didn't reside within a well insulated structure.
"Were you waiting for me, Mrs. B?" Sun's voice reached her ears, and the Belladonna turns to see the monkey faunus land softly a few feet to the right. "That's awfully kind of you!"
"Blake told me she received a message from you and says that you were heading back...alone. Kairos wasn't by your side?" She asks him with a worried expression, one of her ears angled to the side. She even leaned to the side just in case to see if the other faunus was hidden by the male's shadow. "Did you lose her on your walk?"
"Er, yeah, I kinda lost sight of her...a lot of things were happening and the moment I blinked she was gone. We were following a suspect, so...I'm not sure exactly where she's gone." He mumbles before adding, making sure he didn't worry the mother any further. "B-B-But no worries, she'll come back on her own when she finishes her business! I got a message saying that she'll be fine and that I should head back on my own! I have lots of faith in my friend!"
"Do you have a clue as to where she could have gone?"
"Umm, she didn't say..." He quickly fumbles through his scroll, his eyes darting as he read through his mail, before shaking his head. "Yeah, she didn't say where she was going?"
"Then, shall we continue to wait for her return?"
"It's hard to predict when she'll come back, Mrs. B. Don't fret, she'll find her way home." He assures her with the goofy smile on his face, folding his arms over his head. "We don't have to wait up on her."
"If you say so...I'll leave some food out for her if she gets hungry. I saved a portion for you if you would like to eat now."
"I would! Thank you!" He follows after her, and waits patiently as she disappeared into the kitchen. He didn't want to pass up the opportunity of being fed, saves him time and energy scavenging on his own. His eyes lit up when Kali returned with a tray of food, and his nose could smell what is presumably tuna buns. "I really can't thank you enough! Wow, this looks amazing!"
"I steamed them myself~" She tells him, feeling proud that a guest was excited to try her food. "Hope you enjoy!"
"You know I will!" He grinned, rubbing his hands together with glee. He could feel his mouth salivating at the though of sinking his teeth into the food.
"Sun."
"Oh, hey Blake!" The monkey faunus turns to see the daughter of the chieftain walking in from the other side. With a scowl on her face, she stormed over and pulled him away from the table. "Uh – hey! What gives! My meal!"
"Blake!" Kali says sharply, bringing her daughter to a stop; she had disappeared into the kitchen to grab something when she heard the commotion. Her hands were firmly planted on her hips, clearly upset with her daughter's behavior. "Where are you taking him?! He was just about to eat!"
"I need to talk to him in private. His food can wait." She replies stiffly, keeping her grip tight on his wrist. "This matter, however, cannot."
"Mrs. B! Throw me two of those buns, please!" Sun turns as the cat mother did as told, using his tail to catch one and shoving it into his unoccupied hand before catching the other. "Thank you! I'll be back to finish the rest!"
Outlands of Kuo Kuana...
Kairos followed the girl in silence, weaving through the brambles and shrubs of the low hanging trees. Her guide didn't have to worry about any of that, she was short enough to avoid them. The bugs weren't as bad as she figured, and she noticed some fireflies fluttering in the distance. It's always mesmerizing to see, and she came to a halt just to enjoy the view.
"Come on. The place isn't far now." She felt two tugs on her hand, and her feet began to walk forward again. The two of them continued to trek through the growth, before it melted away to reveal the vast sky and the desert. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but piles and piles of sand. The arid temperature was unnatural, a definite change from the very tropical feeling she felt when she was at the beach.
Urk, what's with this putrid stench? Kairos frowned when something unwanted attacked her nose. Not at all subtle in hiding her disgust, she quickly lifts an arm to block out the smell. Smells like death...
"This is the Outlands, a shoddy place that served as a dump for both those of Kuo Kuana and the wild animals of the desert." Her guide informed her, keeping an eye on the expression on the older girl's face. "The faunus who reside in this place are considered outcast. Basically the bottom feeders of society. We try to do what we can with what we have, but life has been harsh. Some, if not most of us, have turned into scavengers just to get through the day."
"...how come none of the others on the island know about this?"
"They know. They just choose not to care." was the response. The two of them made their way down to what anyone else would have assumed to be a garbage landfill. There were huts that were in really bad condition, no doubt offering minimal shelter to the inhabitants that stayed out of sight for some strange reason. Kairos couldn't tear her eyes away from the horror even if she tried, she just couldn't.
This was something beyond the normal discrimination of the faunus race, there was even discrimination within the race itself. And those who were on the receiving end of both, apparently ended up being forced into the Outlands. It was heartbreaking to see withered carcasses of both adults and children laying on the ground, rotten or dried up and at the complete mercy of the elements.
"We're here, this is the place me and my sister and brother live in." The huntress turns her gaze towards the guide, watching as the child hops up the steps to one of the huts near the end. Raising a hand, she knocks on the paint-peeling door three times. "Sis? It's me! Are you home?"
"Nev? What did I say about going out this late? What would have happened if you were kidnapped?" Another voice filtered out from inside, and the door opens up as another faunus steps out. She was draped in only a white cloth, small bags underneath her eyes that were astoundingly emerald in color. It took Kairos a minute to recover for the color reminded her of Pyrrha. "Oh? And you brought a guest with you?"
"Sis, this is the person I mentioned to you about when I came home. The one who didn't rat me out to the merchant." The little child says as she rushes up to her older sibling. "We met again and I brought her here...err, to show her that Menagerie isn't as great as it claims to be."
"Seriously...what am I to do with you?" The faunus sighs, ruffling the child's hair with a hand before turning her attention to Kairos. "My dearest apologies for whatever trouble my sister have caused, she should have known better. My name is Sen Inui. This little trouble maker is Nev, my little sister."
"Kairos Klain." Kairos introduced herself as well, and a hint of recognition crossed Sen's face.
"Oh! You're that huntress from Beacon who lost her leg...we may not have our own form of entertainment, but information spreads like wildfire. The wound you received was painted in the light as an attack from a human on a faunus in our opinion." She whispers, her emerald eyes looking the other over once with a hint of admiration. When she noticed the different leg, her expression turned into that of sadness. "What brings you all the way out here? Perhaps...were you born here on Menagerie?"
"With the fall of Beacon, I would've followed my leader. However, that wasn't the option. So I ended up escorting a friend back home, her parents are extremely important."
"Her friend's the feline faunus with amber eyes, and a scar running down the side of her stomach." Nev spoke up, clinging onto her sister's arm with all the love and care. "The chieftain's daughter."
"Blake Belladonna?"
"The very one."
"Your faunus traits..." Kairos then takes notice of the pair of ears on top of their heads, along with an accompanying tails. Unlike Nev's floppy ears which looked like a newborn puppy's, Sen's were full developed like an adult wolf's. "Just like me...you two have ears and tails. I've never...met any other faunus quite like myself."
"That's why I figured of bringing you here and separating you from that other guy, so you could be among your own kind." Nev chirped in response, feeling very pleased with herself. "There's no way the 'normal' faunus would appreciate your presence. They'll see you as a freak or a mutant, pick your poison."
"Nev, that's enough. Go inside and get some water boiling for our guest, have Volug assist you as well." Sen gently pushes her sister back into the house, watching to make sure she did as told. She turns back to the huntress. "My apologies, Nev is an amazing sister and I love her to bits...sometimes she just says whatever without thinking."
"It must be hard...having both ears and a tail." Kairos tells her once it was just the two of them. "When I was in Vale, I never noticed because I had them hidden thanks to my sister's gift. Only when I fight did I allow my faunus traits to show. But now that I can't do the hiding, I am forced to display everything. I may never experience the suffering you and your family are going through, but..."
"Don't feel bad, it makes my heart warm knowing that you feel something from people like us. Well then, allow me to welcome you to our humble home." Sen steps to the side, gesturing with a hand with a weary smile on her face. "I'm sure you have questions, and I will do the best I can to answer them."
