AN: Here is the last post for this and next week. Why is that so? Because tomorrow I'm going to have a vacation with my family. And I will be too busy with Skiing, Badminton, swimming, maybe some bowling to even try writing.
Welcome to Haven
"The city of Mistral," Qrow said as the gang was walking through a stone hallway that led to the said city.
"Urgh! It's about time," Nora said with a complaint, "Who's idea was it to walk again?"
"The funds we possessed at the start of our journey were insufficient for public transports, other than the boat trip that brought us to this continent," Kos-Mos answered easily in her usual monotone.
"Well, there were no laws about Blades yet," Penny also pointed out the second part. They may have had enough cash to get the five Drivers train tickets, but they would have had to also buy some for their Blades. Aside from Electra being able to get away with a children's ticket, everyone else would have had to buy tickets for all adult looking Blades.
"At least the inns we stayed at had fixed room prices instead of per customer," Electra added in, finding a silver lining.
"And we had some ups and downs," Ren chimed in.
"Monsters, people that tried to murder us, and let's not forget a Grimm that was apparently empowered by Ether," Jaune listed their downs.
"But we also got new friends," Penny said cheerfully as she turned to Rex with a smile.
"Also, only one of us nearly died," Ruby added in with a cheery smile.
"Hey!" Rex protested.
"That was a little tasteless," Azurda chimed in from Rex's helmet, "I have to say, as much as this helmet is hard, it certainly beats swinging in a bag."
Ruby puffed her cheeks at hearing that," Hey! I was fighting, which meant that I had to move!"
"You could have moved more gently, though," Azurda added in, earning several laughs.
"She wasn't used to having you around, so don't complain," Rex said for Ruby.
"Thank you!" Which Ruby appreciated loudly.
"Hmm…that's true," Azurda said with the tiniest of shrugs.
Otohime shook her head at the group's antics before deciding to address Qrow, "How much farther are we from the Academy itself?"
"Not too far," Qrow replied simply, before smiling, "But I thought I would take all of you through the scenic route." After those words, the gang reached large doors which Qrow pushed open.
They were greeted with the sight of the city built upon the mountains with a small waterfall not too far away from them.
Ruby instantly ran to the railing of the walkway that they had come to, marveling at the sight of the natural beauty that Mistral was built upon.
"This. Is. AWESOME!" Ruby cried out happily at the beautiful sights. Roze was smiling at his Driver, but he did agree that this was an awesome sight.
"It is quite beautiful," Otohime chimed in with a satisfied smile at the sights.
"The structural integrity of the buildings built upon the mountains surface are surprisingly solid," Kos-Mos commented on the buildings that were built on the very side of the mountains.
"They really use every inch of these mountains," Jaune also commented.
"It's certainly something," Qrow said, while keeping a close eye on Kasandra who was also marveling at the beautiful sight.
"I've never seen mountains this high," Rex said, eyes wide with wonder.
"…Reminds me of Torna," Mythra muttered in Pyra's head. Earning a small frown from the red headed Aegis, for she knew that reminding the blonde of the Golden Country was a bit of a taboo.
"Oh my gosh! Look at all the weapons!" Ruby squeed at the vendors below, some of which sold weapons. "Whoah!" And then she almost fell over the railing when she leant too far. Thankfully Roze pulled her back.
"That was dangerous, Ruby," Penny said in almost scolding tone.
"Ehhehhee…sorry," Ruby muttered with an embarrassed blush.
"If she had fallen off, I would have just picked her up," Roc said nonchalantly, flapping his wings for emphasis.
"That Marketplace reminds me a little of Argentum," Rex commented as he looked down below.
"Argentum?" Qrow sounded out, "What's that?"
"Argentum Trade Guild," Rex clarified, turning to the veteran huntsman, "A large trading hub attached to a large titan in Alrest, and also where I traded most of the items I've salvaged."
"Right," Qrow muttered, "Just so you know, vendors around here sell just about anything, whether they should or not. And stay out of the lower levels, the higher up you go here the nicer it gets."
"And we are going to the top!" Nora exclaimed happily as she pointed up, with Electra joining her.
"Rex, are you planning to join us or will you go look for your companions now," Ren suddenly asked their salvager.
"Nah, I think I'm going to go with you guys for now," Rex said with a small smile, "I mean, there's no guarantee that they're here and…It's not like I know my way around." That last one was said with mild embarrassment.
Qrow smiled a little at this, "Alright, next stop, Haven Academy." With those words, the group moved on.
It didn't take long until they reached Haven Academy. The Mistralian Architecture truly showed here. While everyone else marveled at the sight, Pyra and Mythra were having a private conversation.
"I think this world has something against me," Mythra thought bitterly inside Pyra's head.
"Why is that?" Pyra whispered discreetly.
"This courtyard reminds me of Sachsum Gardens that was in front of Aureus Palace," Mythra said having flashes of the sand garden in front of the Tornan Capital's palace.
"Is it really that much alike?" Pyra couldn't help asking. Part of her wished she could share at least visions of Mythra's memories, but considering why Mythra created her it was probably for the best that it isn't possible.
"Not so much the place itself but the layout is eerily similar," Mythra muttered, "Can we not talk about this?" If Pyra could see facial expressions, she was pretty sure that Mythra had a frown or a scowl on her face.
During this internal talk everyone else marveled a little at the school itself, except Qrow who was looking around with a frown.
"Hello!" Ruby called out after they got inside the main building and were on their way to the office. They had yet to see anyone here. "Hello!" Ruby tried again when she didn't receive a response.
"Maybe try louder?" Nora suggested.
"How come we've seen no one around here," Rex asked no one in particular. If this place was a school, wouldn't it be filled with students and teachers?
"Well the school isn't really in session right now," Jaune said.
"That is a possibility," Joana agreed, before frowning, "Though we should have seen someone by now."
"No, this isn't right," Qrow muttered with a deep frown, "Come on everyone!" With those words Qrow practically dashed through the hallways with everyone following. Soon enough they reached what they could only assume was the door to the headmaster's office. Qrow drew out Harbinger, "Get ready. There could be trouble." With those words everyone else drew their weapons. Drivers and Blades alike, with Penny and Pyra forming an affinity link with their respective Drivers. Then Qrow kicked the door open to reveal Lionheart looking like he was about to come out.
"Ah!" The man exclaimed.
"AAAH!" The students, with the exception of Penny, cried out with all the ranged Blades firing their weapons on instinct.
Thankfully Lionheart collapsed from shock which made the shots miss him.
"What's going on here!" Another shout demanded from behind the group. All the while Qrow had frozen into the position with one leg up, until he almost fell over, if Kasandra hadn't caught him.
"Qrow!" Lionheart shouted as he recovered from shock with a hand over his heart. "What in the world?! Are you trying to scare me to death!" the headmaster of Haven demanded while trying to breath evenly.
"Mòrag? Brighid?" Rex sounded out having turned to the person who shouted at them.
"Rex?" Mórag sounded back, still gripping Brighid's Whipswords but visibly relaxed, "Well this is a surprise."
"Rex, are these two acquainted with you?" Otohime asked carefully.
Rex was about to answer. "That's my line!" But was cut off by Qrow shouting at Lionheart even as the caped veteran was putting his weapon away, "Why weren't you waiting for us at the entrance?"
The still downed professor took a stopwatch from his pocket, before looking surprised, "Oh. It's already that time? I guess time must have slipped from my mind."
"…You're joking," Qrow wasn't impressed at being worried over time slipping someone's mind.
During this, Mòrag had sheathed her swords and walked calmly to the situation alongside Brighid.
"I would assume the headmaster of a combat academy to be a little more punctual," the Special Inquisitor said with a small amused smile. A rare joke.
"Yes, yes," Lionheart sighed out tiredly, before glancing at who Qrow had brought with him, "And you must be the children Qrow mentioned."
"Professor Lionheart?" Ruby found herself being the first one to ask the important question.
"Yes, of course where are my manners," The professor said in a jovial tone as he stood back up, "Leonardo Lionheart, at your service." The man added a small bow.
"Ruby Rose." Ruby said happily, before motioning to Roze who had put his weapon away along with the other Blades, "And this is my Blade, Roze."
"Greetings." Roze greeted simply.
"Jaune Arc, and this is Joana," Jaune introduced himself and his Blade.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Joana said with a bow of her own.
"Nora Valkyrie, and this is the cutest Blade ever, Electra," Nora introduced herself and Electra happily.
"Hi!" Electra said with a wave at the professor.
"Lie Ren," Ren introduced himself with a bow.
"Otohime, it is a pleasure, headmaster," Otohime introduced herself with a dip of her head and a charming smile.
"Salutations," Penny greeted with her usual happy demeanor, "My name is Penny. It's a pleasure to meet you." At the introduction, Lionheart stiffened a little. But Penny didn't seem to notice, "And this is my Blade, Kos-Mos."
"Kosmos Obey Strategical Multiple Operations System," Kos-Mos cited her full name in monotone, "Nice to meet you."
"Uhh…," Lionheart said with a mildly confused look.
At this point Nora leaned to whisper everyone else, "Is anyone else thinking this isn't going the way I thought it would?"
"No, you're not," Roze admitted with a shake of his head.
"An interesting group you have found yourself in," Mòrag said while glancing at Rex.
"Yeah…stuff happened," Rex said while scratching the back of his head, "So, Mòrag, when did you and Brighid get to Mistral?"
It was Brighid who decided to answer, "Lady Mòrag and I were thrown into the courtyard of this very Academy mere days ago."
"Wait, days?" Pyra questioned with a worried look, "Rex and I have been in this world for weeks."
"Weeks?" Mòrag questioned, "How could that be?"
"The orange haired one theorized that whatever brought us here creates breaches across time," Roc pointed out while pointing at Nora with his clawed thumb.
"That sounds ridiculous," Brighid commented with a frown, "But it does align with the headmaster telling us about the breaches only appearing last year."
As this conversation was happening, Qrow and Lionheart had their own. Or actually, "What do you mean no one's here!? Who's guarding the relic?!"
Lionheart looked appalled, "Qrow! We have people here!"
"I already filled them in," Qrow shot back with an annoyed look.
This made the man look horrified for a moment, before shaking his head. "It's not just the children, it's her too," Lionheart pointed out, motioning towards Mòrag who quirked an eyebrow.
"If she's from Alrest she might be able to help us with this mess," Qrow added in.
"Qrow, she's part of a military there," Lionheart shot back, causing the veteran to turn to the woman in question to give her a once over.
"Is there something you need?" Mòrag asked with a questioning look at the man who seemed to look her over from head to toe.
"Well…that's an issue then," Qrow said with a sigh.
"Mister Branwen," Pyra piped up, "Mòrag can be trusted."
"It's alright, Pyra," Mòrag interjected with a small smile, "If you are about to discuss classified information then I can take my leave until you are done."
"Thank you for your understanding, Special Inquisitor," Lionheart said with a grateful look.
"Special Inquisitor," the Remnan Drivers mouthed out at the slightly impressive sounding title. Qrow on the other hand grumbled something about specialists and being special.
"Wait, we already know about it too, so why can't Mòrag be there," Rex then asked.
"Rex," Roc interjected, placing a hand on his Driver's shoulder, "Mòrag is trustworthy, but there might be some in Ardainian government who would use this for their own selfish wants. And she is obligated to report any new findings to them, whether it's the army's generals or the emperor himself."
At this point the Drivers of Remnant were surprised at someone that high up who apparently reports to an emperor directly being here among them.
"Roc is not wrong," Mòrag admitted with a small frown, before giving an understanding look, "However, if you already know about this and talk further with them, I will not ask anything."
Rex frowned at this, but accepted the reasoning with his usual smile, "Alright, we'll see you later then." With those words Rex and his Blades exchanged farewells with the Ardainian and her Blade before turning to Lionheart who ushered them all inside his office.
Once they had gotten inside, Lionheart was told about Qrow telling Ruby and the others about the Maidens and the relics. And of course, about how a Nuckelavee had been mutated by an Ether source appearing on the tunnel it was nesting at. And of course, they had to explain how Penny was with them, stunning the professor on the fact that the girl had basically run away from home.
"This is…unbelievable," Lionheart said with a sigh, "And telling these kids was incredibly reckless even for you." That last part was said with an accusing tone.
"No, reckless is leaving one of the relics completely unguarded," Qrow argued back, "And not checking in on Oz for ages!"
"There was nothing to check in about," Lionheart argued back firmly, "Not before what happened at Vale, but since then Mistral has been in chaos!" At the last part, Lionheart stood up. "Vale wasn't the only kingdom to suffer that night. Every household saw Atlas' attempt to create a robot that could blend in with humans. Grimm attacking the city, Atlesian droids attacking the citizen. Then nothing."
Penny had a guilty look at the mention of her mechanical parts showing back then. Which earned the mechanical girl a one-armed hug from Ruby.
"You can imagine what happened with all the negativity that drew the Grimm in," Lionheart then said while directing an apologetic look to Penny, "Just so we are clear, Miss Polendina, I'm not blaming you for any of this, because it's not your fault." The words seemed to have the intended effect as Penny seemed to smile a little. "Mistral's territory is the largest of all the Kingdoms, which makes it infinetly harder to protect, we lost many good huntsmen that day. Professors from this very establishment." Lionheart had a sad look at the last part. "And the Council are now at odds with the representatives from Atlas. First the Dust embargo, then closing the borders. I'm not sure what happened to James at Vale, but it seems to have incited his more…unfortunate tendencies. On top of everything, we still don't know where the Spring maiden is."
"All the more reason we need huntsmen and huntresses here," Qrow said in annoyance.
"Okay, okay!" Ruby called out, sensing tensions building, "Things look bad, but we'll figure this out. Why is the Spring Maiden so important?"
At Ruby's latter question, Lionheart gave Qrow a questioning look, "I thought you filled them in."
"Mostly," Qrow said as he reached to his pocket to get his flask, "Look there's a lot to cover and explain. I quit teaching for a rea-Kasandra!" Qrow shouted the last part as he realized his Blade had once again managed to snatch the flask from his pocket.
"No!" Kasandra said firmly, keeping the alcohol container away from Qrow.
If the situation wasn't so serious, Lionheart would find someone having the guts to deny Qrow his alcohol funny. But instead he turned to those who weren't aware and started explaining. "The Four Maidens are the only individuals capable of using magic without Dust. And they also are the only ones who can approach the relics," Lionheart explained as Qrow was desperately trying to get his flask back from Kasandra who was hellbent on not letting her Driver have it.
"What does that mean?" Ren was the first to ask.
At this point, Qrow had finally gotten his flask back but had to keep it over his head to prevent Kasandra from snatching it again. "Each of the relics are in a chamber that can only be unlocked by a specific Maiden. Winter for Creation, Spring for Knowledge, Summer for Destruction and Fall for Choice," Qrow took over.
"So, they are living keys to the relics, that can also defend themselves should someone try to 'steal' them," Otohime deduced with narrowed eyes.
The description seemed to visibly infuriate Jaune.
"…I suppose that's a very apt description," Lionheart said with a sigh, "Unfortunately, the Spring Maiden is now gone."
"What happened to her?" Nora asked in some concern.
"Ten years ago, the girl who inherited the Spring's power ran away," Lionheart explained, "She was eager at first, but then the responsibility and the duty proved too much for her so she abandoned her training and disappeared. No one has seen her since."
"I might have an idea where she is," Qrow said, having managed to convince Kasandra that he would put his flask away and not take a sip. The dark-haired Blade with red eyes accepted this, but none the less gave a look that promised she would be watching like a hawk.
"You do?!" Lionheart asked with a look of disbelief.
"But it's not exactly good news," Qrow added with a sigh.
"What are you talking about?! This is wonderful!" Lionheart moved to grasp Qrow's shoulder's, clearly overjoyed. "So? Where is she?" Lionheart asked eagerly.
"…After Spring ran away, she was picked up by a bandit tribe," Qrow explained, earning worried looks out of everyone, especially Rex. "Specifically, the Branwen tribe."
"Raven," Lionheart said his heart sinking.
"Wait! Raven?" Rex questioned, earning surprised looks from everyone that wasn't Qrow. "Red clad woman? Carries a sword and wears a Grimm mask?"
"The very same," Qrow confirmed.
"Rex have you met her?" Ruby asked out of curiosity.
"Yeah, she was the bandit leader Pyra, Roc and I fought off," Rex revealed earning a shocked look from Lionheart. And a surprised one from Ruby and Jaune.
"You- what?!" Lionheart couldn't believe it, "Listen boy, Raven Branwen's skills are equal to Qrow here. There is no way you could have done that."
"It's true," Pyra added in with a firm look, "She was strong for sure, but Rex and I were able to have her retreat before the Grimm arrived at Shion, the village we were staying at."
"But…how," Lionheart just couldn't bring himself to believe it.
"That red haired Blade is something that's called the Aegis, the most powerful Blade in that other world," Qrow explained, earning a more surprised look from Lionheart.
"…Well, that might explain it then." It seemed like Rex being the Driver of the Aegis made it easier to believe the fact that a young boy beat a former member of STRQ who were one of the best teams of their generation.
"Now that we're on the subject, kid," Qrow then said as he turned to Rex, "Did you see anyone among Raven's bandits who could have used magic?"
Rex looked thoughtful for a moment, "…Does firing ice from palms and creating what looked like an ice sword count?"
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Qrow asked hopefully, "Can you describe the person, was it a woman? Did you get a name?" The only reason Qrow asked about the gender was because there was also a possibility that it was someone with Dust infused clothing.
"Yeah, it was Raven herself," Rex said, causing the atmosphere to dip at that fact. "…What?" Rex asked as he could feel the tension.
"Are you sure it was Raven who did those?" Ruby asked with a worried look, which was shared by Roze.
"Pretty sure she was the one to encase me in that ice she fired from her palm," Roc explained with a mildly annoyed tone.
"You gotta be kidding me," Qrow groaned as he moved to a wall and punched it, "Dammit!"
"What's wrong?" Rex asked, wondering what was going on.
"Raven Branwen was a graduate at Beacon Academy in the continent of Sanus," Lionheart explained as he returned to his seat with a defeated look.
"But if the Spring Maiden was here then that means," Jaune trailed off as the realization hit him.
"Raven Branwen killed the Spring Maiden to gain her power," Penny said with a worried look.
"This is horrible," Lionheart said while burying his face into his hands, "Not only did Spring fall into the hands of a bandit tribe, but to Raven herself!"
"That bitch!" Qrow shouted out, punching the wall.
"Qrow," Kasandra sounded out in worry.
"It's fine," the veteran huntsman said, managing to calm down, "But this just became far more troublesome."
"Can't we just gather as many huntsmen as we can and take down the tribe," Roc then asked, earning surprised looks out of everyone. "If we manage to get enough people and catch them by surprise, we can strike before they even realize we're there. If we are very, very lucky, we might even capture Raven."
Everyone looked at the Avian Blade with a stunned look at his idea. Although some of them, mainly Ruby, had apprehensive looks about this idea.
"That's…you're not wrong," Lionheart said, gaining a more confident look, "Qrow, do you know where they are right now?"
The veteran grumbled before. moving to the desk and putting his Scroll on it, which showed a holographic map of Anima, which zoomed in on a particular spot. "This is where Raven and her tribe fall back to after every raid."
"This is good information Qrow," Lionheart said, regaining his smile, "With these coordinates we can mount a retrieval team in a few weeks."
"Few weeks?" Qrow asked with an incredulous look, "Leo, I don't think you heard. My sister IS the current Spring Maiden and I know where she is. We need to get her as soon as possible!" At the last shout, Qrow swiped a few papers and other stuff on the table to the floor in anger.
Lionheart responded with a firm glare. "And perhaps you didn't hear me." the headmaster of Haven said, putting emphasis on "me", "This Kingdom is in shambles. As soon as possible doesn't mean tomorrow, it means as soon as I can convince the rest of the Council that I need huntsmen more than they do. Unfortunately, bandits aren't very high on their to do list. No offense, but I don't think these students and I can take down an entire tribe. Especially if your sister indeed has become the Spring Maiden, and has no doubt had time to hone her abilities." After that explanation, Rex, Pyra and Roc looked a little surprised at hearing Qrow and Raven being siblings.
"Wait! She's your sister?" Pyra asked, earning everyone's attention, "Can't you just…talk to her."
Qrow gave the red headed Aegis a dry look. "I wouldn't be so pissed if that was an option," the veteran said, keeping as much anger out of his voice as he could, "My sister and I never saw eye to eye, and she's too stubborn to be reasoned with. Unfortunately, this is our only option." At the last part, Qrow turned away from everyone, clenching his hands into fists.
"And if we fail then Raven and her tribe will scatter across Anima," Lionheart added in, "We only have one shot at this, and it needs to be perfect."
Qrow grumbled at this, but accepted the reasoning. "Fine…let's go kids," Qrow then let out before moving out, Kasandra hot on his heel.
"It was nice meeting you professor," Ruby said politely before following Qrow along with her friends and their Blades.
However, Jaune had something to ask, "What about Cinder, Emerald and Mercury? They claimed to have come from Haven."
"We pulled up their files after what happened to Vale. Nothing but forgeries and lies," Lionheart said with a look of shame.
"Can't say this entire meeting was very pleasant," Qrow said with a sigh, stopping momentarily.
"Indeed," Lionheart agreed before giving them all a firm look, "But I will do everything in my power to help."
"We'll be staying in the city for the time being," Qrow then informed, "Local comms are still working. Keep in touch." With those words, the gang exited the office.
"I will," Lionheart said after them with smallest of smiles. As soon as they all left, Lionheart pressed a button on the desk with a frown.
"We got to work on your acting, Leo." Came the condescending voice of Watts from the call.
As the gang moved at the end of the hallway, discussing about what to do now, they spot Mòrag leaning against the far wall with Brighid standing beside her. The two were clearly waiting for them.
"I take it the meeting didn't go as you had hoped," Mòrag deduced from the looks on everyone's faces.
"None of your damn business," Qrow said rudely before turning towards the kids. "You kids get back into the house with Kasandra. I need to clear my head." By clearing his head, Qrow meant that he needed a drink. But if he had said that aloud, Kasandra would definitely tag along and do all she can to deprive him of that.
"He seems pleasant," Brighid said with a frown.
"I fear I must agree with you," Otohime said, catching onto the real meaning behind the female fire Blade's words easily.
"Oh, he's really nice when you get to know him," Kasandra said with a happy smile.
"To my understanding, Qrow isn't fan of any kind of military due to the Kingdom of Atlas," Roze explained to the Ardainian Blade and Driver.
"I see," Mòrag muttered with smallest of frowns.
"Hey! Why don't you join us at the house we rented," Nora then suggested with a grin.
"Nora," Ren started with a sigh.
"Oh come on," Nora complained, "She's friends with Rexy here! How bad can she possibly be?" At the latter part, the orangette pointed at Rex who looked a little embarrassed at being called "Rexy".
"Speaking from personal experience, Miss Mòrag here has been a good influence on Rex," Azurda piped up from Rex's helmet, vouching for the Special Inquisitor.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rex didn't like the tone the small Titan he calls Gramps used. It was the kind that parents use when they're about to say something to embarrass their kid.
"Nothing in particular," Azurda replied with a knowing look. This didn't exactly calm Rex's growing unease.
During this brief exchange, Jaune had piped up, "You can join us at the house if you want. Does anyone have a problem with that?"
The universal answer to that was "No." or some variation of it.
"I appreciate the offer, though the headmaster has permitted me the use of one of the dorms that is currently not in use," Mòrag said with a soft look, "Never the less, if you would have me for a few hours just to allow me to exchange stories with Rex, then I would be happy to join you. Or what do you say Brighid?" That last one was directed to the Blade in question.
"I don't mind, Lady Mòrag," Brighid replied with a charming smile, "I would be very grateful if you had us."
"The pleasure is ours," Ren said with a small bow.
"Alright everyone! To the house!" Ruby then called out happily. Which prompted the Alrestians and Remnans to get to the house Qrow had rented for them. Speaking of the veteran, Kasandra was pondering if she should go to wherever Qrow went instead. But ultimately, the self-proclaimed lucky Blade went with Ruby and the others.
Although, as they moved past the front hall, Otohime turned towards a large statue of some kind of goddess that was between two sets of stairs. The water Blade brought her tendrils to the front and noticed them both twitching erratically. "Curious." Otohime thought, she might have to ask about this later.
"Otohime, are you coming?" Ren called out, having noticed that his Blade had stopped.
"I am," Otohime replied simply before having the tendrils curl over her head and down her back again before following her Driver. Although she was wondering if that statue was built over an Ether Font. Or did one appear recently?
In a refill station far from Mistral, the station's sole clerk stared at a young woman with a curious look. "Aren't you a little young to be drinking," the clerk asked.
Yang took off her aviators with a smile, "A water, please."
"Oh," the clerk said with an understanding look before ducking under the counter to reach for the said drink.
Then a rather unkempt man laughed from few seats away, "You? Too young to drink? You look like a regular huntress."
"I'm good," Yang said patiently, knowing that she was being hit on.
"And look at you," the guy said with a toothy grin as he approached Yang. All the while ignoring a growling Dragunov who stood behind Yang while giving a heated glare at the soon to be offender. "Not too lean, not too bulky. You're-" "Juuust right," Yang finished for the guy with a roll of her eyes before glancing at the lanky creep, "I said I'm good." With those words Yang turned away again.
But the guy wasn't fazed by Yang's response, "And your hair." Now the guy was reaching with his grubby hands to the prized mane.
Dragunov was about to grab the guys wrist when Yang beat him to it. Now directing a red eyed glare at the surprised looking guy. This made Dragunov smirk before the fire Blade took a step back and watched the fireworks. The said fireworks came in the form of Yang punching the guy in the face with her unoccupied hand, sending the guy actually bouncing from the wall to floor in a zig-zag. All the way out of the door, with Dragunov following the amusing movement with his eyes.
"Nice one," Dragunov then commented with a grin at his Driver.
"Thanks Drag," Yang said as she let out a calming breath, which allowed her eyes to bleed back to lilac.
"This one's on the house," said the clerk who had come back up and put a water bottle on the counter, "He's been harassing me for weeks."
"At least he was amusing for an instant," Dragunov joked before he noticed Yang's hands shaking a little. But the blonde caught her right wrist to stop the shaking.
"I shouldn't feel like this," Yang thought to herself, willing it to stop. Which it thankfully did. Then Yang opened the bottle and took a swig of the refreshing water.
"So, what are you doing all the way out here," the clerk asked Yang who put one finger up to signal for "One moment."
But Dragunov wasn't keen on waiting and answered for the both of them, "We're looking for a certain someone." This earned him a side glare from Yang who was still downing the bottle.
"Well, not many people come to these parts," the clerk said after a moment of thought. "The only one worth noting is-" "Raven Branwen," Yang interrupted, having finished the water.
"Yes, but how did you know?" the clerk asked in mild confusion, before the realization hit him, "Now wait, missy! You can't go mess with the bandits! They're bad news!"
With those words, Yang walked out of the store with Dragunov following. She had mostly stopped to fill Bumblebee, but decided to get a drink too.
"So I've been told," Yang said nonchalantly, before stepping out of the door.
"For the record," Dragunov said as he paused and gave the clerk a mock defeated look, "I'm not happy about this either, but she's too stubborn to argue with." And then the fire Blade followed his Driver.
With those words, Yang and Dragunov had mounted Bumblebee and were about to drive off.
"Hey! Girlie!" the guy Yang punched called out as he was getting up.
"Really? We're not done yet?" the blonde Driver complained as she gave the creep an exasperated look.
The guy smirked as he got back up, "I heard you were looking for someone."
"And you know where that someone is?" Dragunov asked with a skeptical look, "Right, and I'm a Schnee." Yang resisted a snort.
"I happen to be a member of the Branwen tribe," the guy said with a creepy grin, "Name's Shay."
"…Drag scoot over," Yang told her Blade after a moment of thought.
"That's it?" the Blade in question had a disbelieving look, "You're gonna believe him just like that?"
"No problem to me if you don't believe me," Shay said with a shrug.
"Drag, scoot over," Yang said again more firmly. This time the Blade reluctantly scooted a little backwards to allow Shay to get on. Which the man did while eyeing Yang's back.
Then the bandit felt a tap on his head, causing him to stare Dragunov into his yellow eyes with vertical slits for pupils. "Just so you know, try something funny and it'll be my fist you will be introduced to next," the fire Blade threatened.
"Whatever," Shay grumbled before facing forward. Only to cry out as Dragunov grabbed him by his head and yanked it backwards, forcing the bandit to stare the fire Blade in the eyes with an upside-down view of it.
"My fist." Dragunov shook the fist of his unoccupied hand as he explained slowly like he was talking to a mentally disabled. "Will meet." The fire Blade made a motion of the fist moving. "Your face." Then he finished with a tap on the same cheek Yang hit, which made Shay wince.
"Okay, I get it. Ow! I get it, I get it!" Shay had to cry out the second part because Dragunov tightened his grip on the poor guy's head on the first answer.
"Good." Dragunov said with a satisfied smirk, "Take us there, Yang." With a roll of her eyes, Yang revved the engine before speeding off and Shay started giving directions. All the while Dragunov watched the bandit like a hawk, while also trying to ignore the fact that the guy doesn't know the meaning of hygiene judging by the bandit's personal aroma.
An Atlesian Airship was about to arrive to Anima. Inside was some special cargo.
"Home stretch now," the pilot said to one of the "special cargos" on board, "No more stops before Mistral."
"Excellent," Aizen said with a smile from the doorway that led out of the cockpit.
"Sorry for the long trip," the pilot then said, turning a little to see the Blade in question, as well as his new Driver leaning against a doorframe.
"It's okay, I just hope I haven't been a burden," Weiss said back, causing the pilot to chuckle.
"You, your Blades and your money are more than welcome on this ship, kid," the pilot said with a smile. Then he frowned as he heard some static on the radio. Deciding to check what it is, the pilot started fiddling with the frequencies.
"Is everything okay?" Weiss asked in worry.
"I don't know," the pilot said as he fiddled with the radio some more, "We're still over Lake Matsu. Shouldn't be picking any broadcasts this far from Mistral."
"Mayday! Mayday! We're a small passenger flight and our huntress is down! We aren't equipped to deal with this!" the three then heard what must be a distress call. Earning a horrified look from Weiss, while Aizen had a frown.
"How unfortunate," the Blade, who Weiss learned was water element, said without any care in his voice.
All the while the pilot started turning the ship even as the distress call continued. "The Grimm hit us 400 klicks north of the southern shoreline! Please if anyone can hear this!" Then there were sounds of explosion coming off of it.
"We…are going to help them, right?" Weiss said unsurely.
"What? No! I'm trying to avoid them," the pilot then said.
"But they'll die!" Weiss argued back with a pit forming in her stomach.
"Even if we did go now, what makes you think we can do anymore to help," Aizen spoke with cold logic.
Something that made Weiss truly regret taking him with her. As it turned out, Aizen's friendly demeanor truly was nothing but an act. "You sound like my father," Weiss said with an angry look.
"Regrettable," Aizen replied simply, "But what exactly do you expect me to do about the similarities that I sadly share with him?"
"Look kid," The pilot piped up to Weiss who by now was glaring at Aizen, "If we heard their distress call then there's a chance that someone else did too."
"Unlikely," Aizen supplied unhelpfully, earning another glare from Weiss.
"When I want your coldhearted opinion, Aizen," Weiss almost hissed at her new Blade, tempted to stab him with Myrtenaster, "I. Will. Ask for it."
Aizen seemed unaffected by his Driver's demeanor. "Fair enough." But complied none the less. At that moment, Dahlia came out of the cargo hold to see the situation.
"Is everything okay here?" Dahlia asked as soon as she saw Weiss' sour look.
"Other than Aizen sounding like my father, yes," Weiss said in a small fit of anger.
"Do not," Aizen said with a hard look, "Compare me to that old fool."
"Struck a nerve, did I?" Weiss took petty satisfaction at that.
"…Your delight in seeing me uncomfortable makes me see a resemblance between you and your father when he heard detailed reports of faunus dying in great agony in his mines," Aizen shot back with a smile, earning a look of shocked horror from Weiss and Dahlia. "Perhaps you are more like him than you realize." The Blade said with a look that said he had won.
Weiss reached for Myrtenaster with a furious look, but then thought different from it. "If I seem like my father, then why did you become my Blade?" She even gave an overly sweet smile at the last part.
"I find myself wondering that," Aizen said with a more amused smile, before taking a more serious expression, "Tell you what, miss Schnee, you stop comparing me to Jacques and I will do the same for you. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes," Weiss said, dropping her smile. This earned the former heiress a nod of acknowledgement from Aizen. With those words the nobleman like Blade moved to another part of the ship.
All the while the pilot was praying that this family drama was the worst thing that would happen to him today. Right before he pulled his focus back on flying.
AN: Here we go, Rex and Mòrag have met up, Yang and Dragunov are on their way to Raven and Aizen is making Weiss have regrets.
Now, as I said before, I will be inactive from this saturday to the next week. So don't expect an update on anything during that time.
