A/N: Chapter 74 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 and aunt as well.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.


Chapter 74: A Hidden Agenda

Inside the Schnee Mansion...

The sounds of heels clicking against the marbled flooring echoed down the long hallways as Weiss walked around the lonely mansion. She held her left arm with her right, as she descends down the grandiose stairwell, barely turning her head as she passed the statue of intertwining snakes. The young heiress even avoided going towards the garden, falling back to observing the beautiful flowers from atop her balcony. Her single reason was to avoid her mother who refused to speak and only found her solitude with alcohol. She had long since given up on trying to find reason to get through to her mother, and didn't bother wasting her time and energy.

It wasn't that she didn't love her mother, sometimes she would spend time to imagine a perfect life where her mother didn't drink; a perfect life where Weiss and her siblings didn't have to worry about attacks from the White Fang. But she knew that she should dwell too much on things that couldn't be altered. Even Whitley made sure to irritate her every chance he got, demeaning her and spouting some issues he have with those who decide to take the path of a huntsman or huntress. The slightly older sister did her best to tune him out and go about her own business but she did make some mental notes to mull over later; after all, there could be a chance she'll have to convince Whitley to side with her and Winter when the time comes. If not then, and she really didn't want things to turn out in this scenario, then she'll have to fight against her brother.

As she approached her father's office – Klein was kind enough to remind her that she had been summoned while she was having her cup of tea – her ears picked up the sound of an upset voice that definitely wasn't from the ruling patriarch. Listening closely her eyes widened in recognition that General Ironwood was the unsuspecting guest now bantering with her father. Forgetting good form for a good minute, she hustled towards the door and leaned forward to listen in, brows furrowed in concentration.

"I'm not talking about the good of my company, I'm talking about the good of Atlas! Our entire kingdom for God's sake!" Her father's muffled voice reached her ears, and her eyes widened briefly before narrowing slightly as she continued listening in. She was well aware of her father's business practice, and her fingers slowly dug deep into her palm.

"That's a load of garbage and you know it."

"I beg your pardon?!" Jacques' enraged voice came at full blast as Weiss opened the door as quietly as possible. She could see her father bristling while Ironwood was sitting on the sofa.

"Jacques, will you please hear me out?"

"You are a trusted friend and ally to this family, James." said Jacques as he placed his drink down on the table, promptly folding one leg over the other and drumming his fingers together in a slow manner. "But what you're suggesting is absurd and will not work."

"And you're blowing it out of proportion."

"The council will never agree to it!" The patriarch of the Schnee family stood up abruptly with his eyebrows furrowed, scowling at the general. He was bristling, and everyone within his vicinity could notice from a mile away. "You may hold two seats but I for one know that you need everyone's agreement before a plan can be executed! Not to mention...your Dust embargo has already cost me millions. And I do not wish to lose anymore."

"So, this problem IS about you?" Ironwood quirked an eyebrow, challenging Jacques and waiting for the male to deny the accusation.

"Everything that requires even a sliver of my attention I have to be given information first hand. You let me know when a problem does not require my attention, I'd really appreciate it."

"Just so you know an executive order to close the borders of Atlas has already been set in motion for the next week; the other members of the Council and myself had put it to an anonymous vote. No one comes in and no one gets out, and I will have my soldiers do their routine checks. Yes, doing this will definitely cut ties and communication until the CCT towers are restored, but I cannot put Atlas through the horrors that Vale had to go through."

"As to be expected from the head master of Atlas for making such a...difficult but wise decision. To each his own kingdom as they say." Jacques drawled, not at all sympathetic at what happened in Vale.

"Ahem." Weiss cleared her throat loudly, announcing herself to the two bickering adults. She slipped in and stood awkwardly, the door already closed behind her. The other two turned their heads at the sound, Ironwood looking a bit guilty while Jacques merely frowned in response. Weiss didn't expect much from her father anyway. "You...requested for my appearance, Father?"

"Oh so I did. How could I have forgotten such a thing." Jacques stated, rubbing his temple with his fingers. "Getting into heated debates warrents to not keeping track of time."

"Miss Schnee! It's...uh...nice to see you safe and sound after that atrocious attack in Vale." The heiress merely nodded her head to acknowledge the general's presence, her eyes finding solace and comfort anywhere except her father's cold and calculative gaze. "I had been worried about your well-being...as well as the well-beings of all the other students and civilians of course." James turned his attention back toward Jacques and added, in a gravely tone, "We'll continue this matter for another time Jacques."

"Very well then General, I look forward to it." There was a tired drawl in Jacques' voice, almost as if he was tired of the entire conversation. He merely inclined his head towards the exit and added, "Klein can show you out."

"Don't worry, I've been here well enough to know my way around." Ironwood merely frowns at Jacques who had a devilish smirk hidden by the mustache. Turning on his heels with a straightened spine, the general walked out, pausing to put a reassuring hand on Weiss' shoulder before removing it. "Just so you know, you'll always have a home at Atlas Academy should you choose to stay. We'll be back in session before you know it."

"Thank you General. I'll keep that in mind." The heiress replied and he nodded in response. She watched him go, the sound of the door closing reaching her ears, and the distant clicks of the general's boots resonating off the walls.

"Now then...Weiss!" Jacques barked, getting his daughter's attention. She turns to see him drumming his fingers together as if he was conjuring up his next nefarious scheme. The corners of his mustache twitched only slightly. "Did you forget your manners while you were away at that inferior school? I thought we have already been through this."

"No, Father. I'm sorry." Weiss spoke after reigning back her emotions. Deep down she wanted to stand up to him and tell him off, but she knew it just wasn't the right time. She had to play it cool and innocent, feeding him misguided words and acting as though she had seen the errors of her ways. "You have my undivided attention."

"Mmmmm. Good, it seems like you haven't forgotten. And here I was thinking I should increase your training just a bit more." Jacques walked back to his desk and promptly sat down. He drummed his fingers against the wooden surface in thought. "Can you believe there are still people in the world that blames Atlas for what happened to Beacon? To Vale?"

"Well, they weren't there." Weiss took the opportunity to walk closer, keeping her appearance prim and proper and as elegantly like a Schnee would. There was no slouching in Jacques' presence. "They could spout out whatever claims and accusations they want without suffering any kind of consequences."

"Hmmmm...It's a wonder Ironwood wasn't stripped of his rank! He was the highest ranking person there so most of the responsibilities should've been on his shoulders!" Turning around in his chair, the patriarch of the family mused to himself, his eyes narrowed and gleaming, "I suppose the council trusts him despite my own misgivings at time. For better or worse I better prepare when that old fool decides to strip his sheep's clothing."

"I trust him." Weiss looks off to the side when she said what was on her mind, avoiding the quizzical look her father was giving her.

"Of course you do, it's not surprising. However, thanks to him, Atlas is forbidden from exporting Dust to other kingdoms!" He sighs dramatically, leaning against a propped up elbow and continues, "'A precautionary measure' as he puts it until we're absolutely certain no one is going to declare war. How anyone could possibly find that to be sound logic baffles me."

Declaring war? In this time where Vale is extremely vulnerable they wouldn't stand a chance. I mean sure there's still huntsmen and huntresses around...but would it be enough? Weiss was so entranced with her thoughts that she tuned her father out. And who would the war be against? How do we know the other kingdoms wouldn't back out? What if...if Father is willing to put the entire company at the stake...no no no, that's completely bogus and nonsensical.

"In the meantime, I propose that the Schnee Dust Company hold a charity concert in the coming weeks."

Wait, what? Excuse me? Weiss blinked a couple of times and looked at Jacques as if he grew a second head.

"We need to show the people of Remnant that we are on their side. That we are all victims of the Fall of Beacon." The way her father was acting as if he was deeply hurt and traumatized by the events disgusted Weiss to her core. She kept the bile down when it rose, hoping that her facial expression wasn't betraying how she actually felt about his plan. "What do you think?"

"I think that's...wonderful news!" She puts on a smile – one that she has been practicing out of the public eye – and acted like she was on board with the idea.

"I know. And I think it would make a lot of people happy if you performed at the event."

"...why?" asked Weiss, her one eyebrow raised in question.

"Why you say? Well isn't that a preposterous question!" Jacques slammed a hand down upon the desk, and Weiss couldn't help but jump a little. "Many forget that you were there. My own daughter – a Schnee – on the grounds defending another kingdom! We need to remind them and we need to show them that the Schnee family is just as strong as before."

"You think the public would just grovel in submission through a lyrical ballad? Wouldn't a public speech be enough to persuade them instead?"

"Did I stutter?"

"...no Father...you didn't." Weiss conceded and looked away, not wanted to look at the man sitting before her any longer. "So, are you asking me if I'd love to sing...or telling me?"

"I think it would make a lot of people happy." Jacques folded his hands with glee, his eyes having none of the warmth for his second child. "Remember. We have a reputation to uphold. One small mistake and it's already a fatal wound."

"I'll...I'll start practicing."

"That's my girl. And since I wouldn't want you to mess up your performance, I'll cut back a few things in your training regiment. Klein will give you the details once I'm done, and you will follow them exactly. No excuses." Lowering her head Weiss promptly left his office, hand lingering just a minute longer on the knob. Releasing a sigh from her lips and letting go, she turned in the direction of her room only to run into Klein as he stood nearby.

"Hot coffee, Miss Schnee?" The family butler asked, a fresh cup on a tray already in hand. "I always find he keeps his study dreadfully cold."

"Thank you, Klein." Weiss smiles briefly as she held the cup in her hand. However it didn't stay long and Klein noticed the dampened mood.

"You know what I think?" Getting her attention, Klein raised the tray so she couldn't see his face. When he lowered it, the normally brown eyes had turned a molten red. His normally soothing voice came out ragged and growl-like. "I think it's to balance out all his hot air!"

"Klein! He could've heard you if you aren't careful!" Weiss glances over her shoulders, but she did laugh as Klein reverted back to his usual self; she laughs even more as the butler let loose another personality, one that had him sneezing a lot. This is what Weiss loved about Klein, he harbors various personalities that suit any and all occasions.

"Ah, there's my happy little snowflake!" He says, his brown eyes brightened when he sees the genuine smile on her face. "You radiate better when you smile."

"Thank you, Klein. I really mean it."


Somewhere in Atlas...

"Oh my gosh, you wouldn't BELIEVE what I just heard from the metaphorical grapevine! I'm in shock I tell you! Well, not nearly as shocked as I should be...but I'm elated no less!" Neon announces as she roller-skated to where Flynt and Timber were working, her tail waving around in excitement. The two males were busy hauling game and firewood from the forest, and they had been quite fruitful in reaping the rewards. The faunus came to a halt, her cheeks slightly pink from the wind. "Flynt, it is almost that time of the year! The citizens of Atlas are in for a TREAT!"

"Hmmmm?" The jazz player thought about it before a look of knowing crossed his face, and he dipped his head in agreement. "Ooh, yeah. Is it that time? No wonder I've been seeing a lot more people roaming around the streets dressing all fancy."

"They do stick out like sore thumbs don't they...amongst the common students from the Academy. Honestly how can they not be shivering in their boots?"

"I'm...a bit confused. What's the news about?" Timber questions after wiping off the glistening sweat that appeared on his skin. He folded the object around the back of his neck as he looked back and forth between them. "Why is this such a big deal?"

"A big deal? Oh buddy, it's more than just a big deal! It's this charity event the Schnees are hosting, and this time it's a concert! And well, nearly everyone in Atlas has heard of these rare charity events that the Schnee family have going on, it's like one of those once in a lifetime opportunities. It's okay if you haven't heard of these kind of things." Neon informs him as her tail twitches back and forth nonchalantly behind her. "However, it's only for those rich enough or extended family and friends to attend. Not for us...uhhh, commoners or people who have no business being over there."

"Not like we'd want to go and join anyway." Flynt added, not at all disappointed by the fact. Even the smirk on his face states otherwise that he was all the more comfortable with the idea. "I mean, Neon and I have our fun regardless if it's a Schnee pow-wow. We don't miss much."

"Although if it's Weiss and only Weiss that's hoisting events down the line in the future, I'm sure we'll definitely go because we're like only the best of friends." Neon laughs as her tail twitched about behind her, "I mean, Weiss has a lovely singing voice...probably. I've never heard her sing...before or personally."

"For a Schnee, she's all right. I believe we already established that after our match during the tournament." Flynt agreed before turning to Timber and added, "Frankly, Neon really wants to have another round with Weiss and Yang ever since the event ended, but after Atlas has been closed out to the general public...well, it's been awfully boring. We try to make do what we can, and I am feeling the same way."

"We can always go to the pub and play music, I can wait however long it takes." Neon assures him, holding her hands behind her back and smiled. "Besides, life such as ours can be quite fulfilling even without fighting Grimm and running from danger. If fact, settling down doesn't sound too bad."

"You know...when Weiss was taken away she didn't look so happy. You think her relationship at home isn't good?" asked Timber, crossing his arms over his chest. "I know she barely says anything about her family, but I have this feeling like she doesn't even want to be here. I gotta do something about it."

"Hate to break it to ya, but you've seen how heavily guarded that mansion is. My guess is that once all the distinguished patrons have arrived, that entire place would be on total lock-down." Neon's tail twitched around with anticipation, and she continued speaking, "You gotta be in there before that time comes, otherwise you won't have another chance of sneaking in."

"Then would you two mind lending me a hand in crashing a party?" He asks them, seeing smirks taking shape on their faces and already knew their answers.


Outlands of Kuo Kuana...

"Seeing the environment that we live in for the first time must have startled you, I understand that emotion completely. It's how I acted when I brought my siblings with me to this place." Sen said, arms folded over the table as she looked at her guest. Two cups of warm water sat in front of them, the trail of steam raising up in wisps. In the next room over, they could hear the sound of two children playing. "The faunus here don't have very good, uh, relationships when it comes to going to small towns such a Kuo Kuana. Most of the interactions always end up in violence...and some of our neighbors never return home."

"How did this place come to be?" asked Kairos as she wrapped her hands around her cup, feeling the warmth against her skin. "I mean...how did faunus come to live out here in the first place?"

"This place has always existed, but if you're wondering how faunus like us were shoved into it...well, that I cannot really say when that began. When I came with my family, there were already others living here, so I had to claim a spot as quickly as I could. As you may have known shelter and food here are completely scarce, which is why some dare to venture out to raid the more fortunate."

"And not once did you think of leaving?"

"Where would we escape to?" Sen asked back, her voice sincere and tender. "We couldn't possibly think of leaving the country, we just don't have enough money for travel; not to mention we've heard terrible stories of the outside world. We couldn't possibly return back to the place we were pushed from either. But...I just know that at some point there would be an opportunity for faunus like us."

"...and here I thought Menagerie was a haven for all Faunus."

"That's what I thought as well, until the appearance of Faunus with two sets of characteristics were getting discriminated against those who were considered normal. Soon those with the extra appendages were forced to flee, pushed into the Outlands to remain there starving and ill." Sen sighed a bit, swirling her drink around absentmindedly. "It's not the ideal environment for the little ones, I know that."

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for, it was just meant to be. But it doesn't matter what happens to me," Sen's ears twitched and swiveled towards where the voices in the other room filtered through. For a good minute she listened to the voices and a smile appeared on her face. "all that matters is that my siblings grow and become stronger so that they can perhaps make a living for themselves. I'd do anything for them."

Even in these conditions Sen's willing to lay her life down for her family... Kairos thought as she took a sip of her drink, taking a moment to actually look at the girl in front of her. Other than having the same Faunus condition, she couldn't help but be pulled in by the eyes. Somehow I'm under the impression that Pyrrha would say the same thing if there was someone she cherished the most... Haven't asked him yet but I felt she was extremely close to Jaune in particular...perhaps she had developed feelings...

"...is something wrong? Or is there something on my face?" Sen asks curiously since she knew she was being stared at. Her voice seemed to have worked its magic and the other faunus blinked a little. She chuckled and commented, "You seem a little perplexed by what I said. And when you didn't respond I thought you were zoning out."

"Sorry I was lost in my own things, but I get what you're saying. It's just that, well...your eyes...they just remind me of someone I knew. The same shade of emerald green..." The huntress sighed, looking down into her cup to see her own sad reflection staring back at her. She hadn't thought of Pyrrha in awhile, but it felt like forever since the Fall of Beacon. "I heard that she was...killed during the attack, I don't know how...nor do I want to know. I can't say that I have had a personal relationship with her, but I still consider her one of my best friends."

"It must be hard losing someone close to you, especially a friend you've been with throughout your school year. I can't fathom the thought of becoming what you are, the idea of losing friends and teammates the very next day. It's almost as if I wouldn't want to get too attached to anyone."

"I mean these emotions are what makes you human. I wouldn't want to be without them."

"Roiled emotions can lead to a very clouded judgment." Sen says gently, one of her ears twitched as if she heard something in the next room. "If you were in war and given a difficult choice, then you best be sure you would be taking on a bigger loss if you rely on emotions rather than thinking things through logically."

"You make it sound as if you have experienced these sort of things." Kairos took a moment to look at Sen and noticed how the faunus looked away, avoiding eye contact. "Am I right in saying that?"

"...when you wake up in the dead of nights, hearing your siblings cry themselves to sleep because they've been living in this hell...I nearly collapsed as well. I hated myself because I couldn't do any more to make their lives any better, no matter how hard I tried. That feeling of uncertainty, feeling of fear...I loathe it all. To greet others with a false smile on my face, it hurts worse than venom coursing through my veins. Don't you have those moments where you just want to lash out at everything? To curse those who are enjoying their freedom and privilege of not growing up in the Outlands?"

"Honestly, some days I do feel exactly as you described. However, I'd still want to retain what makes me who I am even if I harbor those thoughts of wanting to bring harm to others. Should there come a moment when I lose absolutely everything, I'd feel like a monster trapped underneath a meat skin."

"What makes you think you aren't one since the day of your birth?" asked Sen, keeping her gaze steady as she looked at the faunus sitting before her. Kairos stared back, a look of shock on her face. She hadn't thought of that, and the gears within her mind were turning. Her? A monster? That's impossible. The other faunus let out a small exhale of air before saying, "Kairos, who is your most important person?"

"Hmmm? My most...important? But everyone I care about is important to me..." The faunus took a minute to think before looking up, a shinning light in the depths of her eyes. "Then the most important would be my leader no doubt. She's special no doubt."

"And she's human isn't she." There's wasn't any malice undertone, rather it just sounded like a normal statement.

"Yeah. She is."

"Do you love her?" The silence that followed was deafening, but Sen already knew the answer just by expression alone. She merely took a sip of her drink before continuing, "I see. And you'd be willing to lay your life down for her, that's just how deep your love runs. However, the idea or even a shred of conscious thought that a faunus and a human going beyond just a friendly relationship and getting intimate...things won't go smoothly as things currently stands."

"...but it could still work out..." Is this how Velvet and Coco's relationship like? ...is this what they have to deal with? Keeping their relationship hush hush? Or keeping up the appearance of being partners and nothing more? Kairos shook her head trying to throw away her delusional thoughts. No...it can't be like that...

"But it'll definitely take time, for how long I'm not sure; showing the bond between two species whose ideologies conflict with each other may be way over our heads. In fact...I'm not entirely sure if the hate stemmed from the Faunus Revolution." Sen sighed, rubbing her temple with a hand. "It's unfortunate that the faunus are represented by someone who's ideals are borderline psychopath and corrupt."

"You know who the person in charge is?"

"Well, the one who currently sits on the throne is a woman known as Sienna Khan – we call her High Leader. The smaller sub-group of the White Fang is led by Adam Tauros, everyone here on Menagerie knows who he is, what his tendencies are, and perhaps his ideologies on the relationship between humans and faunus. However, who he was before he became who he is now... only a few individuals know. Blake Belladonna is a primary suspect."

"Weren't they mentor and student? Blake mentioned it before once." asked Kairos as she remembered the conversation back at Mountain Glenn.

"...you could say that. I know through small rumors through the street that they used to date, she becoming smitten with him. But that's just rumors as I said, it hasn't been confirmed to my knowledge. My guess is that because she was taking under his wing she quickly rose through the ranks and became his right-hand woman. Adam, delighted by her skills, took her on a lot of missions so they were often seen together...almost like a couple."

"Do you know what kind of missions they went on?"

"You'd have to ask Blake herself for that kind of information, from what I heard Blake witnessed something on one of their missions that rubbed her the wrong way. You know, I've been meaning to ask you something..." The huntress looks over, seeing a bewildered expression on Sen's face. "Were you originally born with your tail or not with your tail?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Answer me honestly. Where you born with a tail or not?"

"...yes, I was born with it..." Kairos said earnestly, her eyes never leaving the prying emeralds of the other faunus. "I had muffs that I kept on my head to keep my faunus ears hidden. However, the tail was another issue all together. I mean I'm okay with having a hole cut out in my pants for it to hang out, but back then I had to figure out a way to tuck it away. My younger sister thought it was uncomfortable that I had to go through such a hassle, and so she made a gift specifically for me; the muffs were infused with her Aura that had a special kick to it. Basically my tail is still attached to me, but thanks to her gift, it gives off an illusion to others that I never had a tail to begin with."

"So it was like a thin veil blanketing the appendage. Interesting." Sen mused as she took a sip of her drink. "I've never heard of anyone capable of such a feat. To mask one's own appearance...Has she ever shown this ability in a fight?"

"She's never used it during a fight, or even if she did I wasn't around to witness it; my knowledge about her fighting style is a bit limited since I went to Beacon. All I know is that her opponents never last long enough in a fight with her, so I felt as though she never felt a need."

"She's that good?"

"I learned a few moves myself when I first started using a sword, but..." Kairos glanced down at her leg with a frown, "guess this wound will continue to serve as a reminder that I shouldn't have underestimated her."

"Mmmmmm. Anyways, please continue, sorry to have disrupted your train of thought."

"I was ecstatic when I received the gift, and I wore it all the time; I've lost count of how many times I've watched my tail 'disappear' out of sight in front of my own eyes. But after an incident involving the arrest of Roman Torchwick, and learning about the existence of the White Fang...I spent days contemplating whether or not I should continue to wear the muffs. I realized through time that it isn't healthy to hide who I am...and it probably doesn't matter to anyone because there are more prominent issues to deal with. I lost those muffs – rather, they were destroyed by the very creator who made them – during the tournament. I am stuck with this appearance, but it shouldn't sway the choices I made and the choices I will make down the line."

"I see." Sen took a deep breath, letting it back out in a quiet huff. She smiled and added, "Thanks for your answer."

"Why did you ask that question?"

"Just out of curiosity. But also because I think it's important to know if a faunus has their parts given at birth. It sounds a bit farfetched but I was juggling the idea about the creation of artificial appendages, much like prosthetic limbs. To my knowledge Atlas has the technology, wouldn't be too out of bound if they are able to do that sort of thing." Sen laughs, waving an arm in dismissal. "Ahhhhh, forget it, it was just my thoughts getting the best of me."

What a strange question, to have artificial appendages...there's probably something more then she lets on but isn't willing to share... "Well...I guess now would be a good time for me to get going, it's getting late after all. The others are probably worried about me." Kairos all but stood up, pushing the chair back so quickly that its legs scratched along the floor. She felt as though she was suffocating just being standing and sharing the same air. She wanted to escape. "Thanks for having me."

"Awww! Do you have to leave so soon?" Nev pouted as she appeared, watching as the huntress made her way to the door. She clung to her sister's arm while making sad eyes at their retreating guest. "You could stay for just tonight, no one would give you any trouble unless provoked. You'll feel incredibly safe here."

"Drop it, Nev. If she doesn't want to stay then it's not our place to hold her back." The three of them turned to see a young male leaning against the door, his tail twitching back and forth with apprehension. His mouth was curled in a frown, almost a disapproval of his guest. "Besides, we have no place for an interloper...an interloper who is in love with a human whose entire race is inferior to faunus. The humans are nothing but scum."

"Volug, watch your mouth! That's incredibly disrespectful of you to say...and I don't know where you came up with that statement." Sen frowned at her brother's use of language, her brows furrowed in disappointment. She turned to the huntress with her head lowered, hands folded in front. "My apologies, he says whatever he wants without thinking about the consequences of his words. Don't take what he says to heart."

"What are you talking about, Sen? Of course I mean what I said, and you don't have to apologize! We can't house a faunus who loves our sworn enemy!" The boy argued back, his fingers curled into trembling fists. "Humans are the reason we're here in the first place! The other 'normal' faunus were only runner-ups that enforce the law! They don't care if we die, no one will cry at our gravestones!"

"Humans?" Kairos looked at Sen who seemed to be biting her bottom lip. "But you said–"

"There was no reason to lie, Sis. Everyone who has lived in the Outlands harbor deep vendettas against humans, it's nothing new. I'd be surprised if their hatred will start to spread to the other faunus who live 'the good life'." Volug said before Sen had a chance to open her mouth to explain. Then he turned to address Kairos directly and added, "This is only a one time deal, I don't want you to taint my sisters with your twisted ways. So just get out of here...and don't bother coming back." Turning on his heels sharply, he disappeared. Nev, looking back and forth, silently scurried after her brother to make sure he didn't hurt himself or do something he'd regret later.

So basically I don't belong with any group here...I see how it is. Kairos kept her mouth shut and her expression stoic, but the boy's words did hurt. She thought she knew where she belonged, and Menagerie just wasn't it. Thinking back to her fight with Ingrid who sabotaged her match in the tournament, she wondered if her supposed younger sister had harbored hatred against her for a long time as well. That's just a question I'll have to ask her when I see her again.

"Kairos?" The faunus blinked and looked over at Sen who stood up as well, an apologetic expression on her face. "I'm sorry for what was said. Really and truly I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I guess I needed to hear those words at some point. I mean, he's not wrong...I've never experienced these discriminatory acts against faunus when I was in Vale. Hell, I didn't know Menagerie existed until now." The huntress told her, her ears laying back almost in shame. "I was raised by humans at a young age, while retaining my faunus traits from my real parents. I only remembered my real mother's name, everything else was just a blur."

"Have you...have you been able to come into contact with your mother at all?" asked Sen as she walked with her to the door. Once she stepped out, the stench of death was just as strong. The huntress scrunched up her nose out of reflex, walking down the worn out stairs until she stood on solid ground.

"With the communications down I have no idea where she is or how to reach her." She responded, turning around so she could look at her hostess. "I also don't know if she remembers me... after so long..."

"I'm sure your mother will remember you, a mother never forgets her children." Sen smiles to reassure her. It was a very sad smile that Kairos makes note, but she didn't want to delve too much into Sen's past. "Regardless I do hope you'll come to visit, I promise Volug is a good kid. He's just honest and speaks what's on his mind. You've been kind to Nev, she'll miss you the most if you don't show up once in awhile."

"I'll keep that in mind..." Kairos dipped her head slightly. Turning on her heels, she lifts a hand in farewell gesture, "See you later, Sen."

"I hope we'll meet again." Sen said in a soft reply, knowing the departing huntress could hear her. The trek back through the brambles went by a little faster, or at least that's what it felt like to the huntress. She had a lot on her mind, and she couldn't help but feel slightly confused. If she knew that faunus like herself were being shoved into an environment that wasn't in living conditions, then how come the Chieftain isn't doing anything? What does that mean for her being a guest to the country? She personally felt as though she had been out of the loop for so long.

….I'll figure it out in the morning, it's been a long day. Kairos released a sigh, lifting her head as she neared the Belladonna household. She squinted her eyes a bit when the luminous light from the many torches were a bit much. Slowly adjusting she crept her way around, looking for a good approach to get in without disrupting the occupants.

"Welcome back, dear." Kairos' ear twitched at the sound of Kali's voice. The older faunus stood near the doorway, an expression of relief on her face. She motioned with a hand for Kairos to come closer, pulling her into a hug; the latter was surprised for a good minute before returning the gesture. "I was getting a little worried."

She's warm...as a mother should be. Blake is very lucky to have her...The younger of the two felt safe and secure in the mother's embrace, the feeling just tugging on her heart strings. Her eyes began to well up with tears, but she held them back and slightly tightened her grip in response. "...sorry for making you worry."

"You must be hungry for being out so long. The other two are already resting in their designated rooms so you don't have to worry about them." Kali pulled back and led her in, closing the door behind them. Wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulder, the older faunus guided her to the table. "Now then, why don't you tell me little stories about yourself. Sun has already told me a whole bunch, but he only said small things about your team. Hopefully you'd be able to fill in the holes."

"I'd love to." Kairos replied.


Elsewhere in Menagerie...

"An interesting development, wouldn't you agree?" Fennec spoke in a hushed voice, glancing over to the side to where Corsac stood. Both of them had their hands placed together as if they were praying, standing before an oil painting of what appeared to be a White Fang member hidden underneath a hood. "Who knew the Chieftain's daughter would make her way back home...so soon."

"It was interesting, indeed. Brother. Honestly, even I couldn't have foreseen this coming." Corsac replies, smirking at his brother while the faint candle lights conjured up dancing shadows. "However, the other two students that arrived along with her...I have a strange feeling about them."

"How so, dear Brother?"

"It's hard to explain, but I know that we'll probably face nasty roadblocks in our plans moving foreward." He shook his head before asking, "Shall we go ahead inform Brother Adam? We can't leave him hanging, we all know just how impatient he has become..."

"We shall, but first I believe something else requires our precedence." His ears twitched to the side, and he led his brother along. The sounds of their feet reverberating against the walls indicated just how big the building was. Coming up to one furthest down the hall, both brothers waiting till the door opened. The room was dimly lit by candle light as well, with the similar kind of oil painting placed in the middle.

A person knelt in the middle, her long brown hair tied back into a high ponytail. She had on a black, sleeveless stealth suit, covered with navy blue belts with gold buckles; a pair of simple black boots covering her feet and a single black glove for her right hand. A Grimm mask with small horns akin to that of a chameleon's lay silently by her side, but when the brothers entered the room she picked it up and placed it over her eyes.

"Sister Ilia, I believe it's time for you to pay an old friend a visit." Fennec spoke as he addressed the young woman before him, a small smirk present on his face. "I'm fairly certain she'll be real happy to see you."