I couldn't help but blink in surprise as the words left her lips.
Only to blink again and I look at her, taking in the dead serious expression etched on her face despite the absurdity of her request.
Without thinking twice, I open the company app and quickly change Sienna's status to "familiar."
Why would I do that?
Because I need to make sure that she is making this request of her own free will, and not because the stamp is clouding her judgment with horny thoughts.
I lean closer, resting my elbows on my desk as I take a deep breath. "I trust you wouldn't ask me something like this without a valid reason or trying to waste my time playing a poorly thought prank on me, Sienna. So please, explain."
It doesn't take long for the effects of the status change to take hold. Sienna's serious expression melts away as her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Her amber eyes dart down to her knees, and her ears flatten against her head.
It's an unexpectedly adorable sight, seeing someone as formidable as Sienna Khan reduced to a blushing, flustered state. Despite the urge to laugh, I maintain my composure, out of respect and consideration, as I don't want to embarrass her further.
She eventually regains her composure and clears her throat. "I-I could have phrased it better," she stammers, trying to force a smile that only comes out strained, the blush on her cheeks refusing to fade.
I simply gesture for her to continue with her explanation.
"An heir, a successor, Adam," Sienna begins, "You need one so the coalition can rally behind him in case something ever happens to you."
I furrow my brows, my metallic finger tapping the desk in a rhythmic pattern. "Explain."
Sienna visibly relaxes, her earlier tension dissipating as she takes a couple of calming breaths, straightening her posture. "As I mentioned before, our government structure relies entirely on a single, yet powerful leader, a monarchy of sorts, even in our decentralized state. Everything falls on your shoulders."
Her words ring true, particularly concerning the White Fang. Decentralization poses a challenge, with each faction wielding some influence that could hinder progress. I needed to sell every idea and project to develop as a military project. That doesn't mean I have done nothing to consolidate power. Centralization is a necessity. They might stand with me, rally around me, but I do not control them. I've been delegating domestic affairs since the start, but the scarcity of city administrators is concerning. Fortunately, Kali shares my concerns and has been grooming promising individuals to fill these roles. With any luck, in a few months, they'll be prepared to assume positions of authority, alleviating our burdens and indirectly weakening factionalism.
Of course, the simplest solution would be to start stamping every person in power, but that only makes them loyal, not obedient. Blind loyalty can be dangerous, particularly when it's fueled by extremist ideologies. It could lead an entire platoon to decide to become martyrs or start extermination in my name. I refuse to grant any power or advantage to any of them.
"Adam," Sienna's voice cuts through my thoughts, drawing me back to the present. "I'm sure you noticed that when Ghira passed away, the White Fang didn't crumble or fracture in their scramble for control of the coalition. But after your death and Blake's disappearance, they were quick to turn on each other's throats in less than a week. Why do you think that is?"
I lean back, mulling over her question carefully before responding. "Because we were Ghira's successors, even if we were too young to take the mantle."
The dark-skinned woman nods, her expression somber yet resolute. "Correct. You were next in line for succession. Everything landed on yours and Blake's shoulders. As long as you two were around, the White Fang was content to wait while you gained more experience and became stronger before assuming the mantle. They even hoped to mold you with their ideals and visions."
"That's why they didn't try to challenge your ascension as High Leader or Kali becoming the chieftainess," I comment, recalling the weight of those expectations. Everyone had high hopes for us; those positions didn't matter to them because they believed we would eventually assume them and lead like Ghira once did.
"And then everything went to shit," Sienna scowls, her voice thick with frustration. "With no successor, our leadership collapsed. And many saw themselves as fit to impose their rule over the rest. No matter what I tried, I simply couldn't hold them back or dissuade them, and you know what happened to the rest."
Kali stepping down and Sienna taking over as chieftainess was a desperate move to centralize power and protect Kali. But instead of helping, it only enraged the dissenters and alienated the few sympathetic to her, escalating the chaos.
"And you think a successor will fix this problem?" I ask, skepticism lacing my words.
"I don't think, Adam. I know it will," she states matter-of-factly, showing me once more that she is dead serious about this plan.
"Alright, I can see some twisted logic in your words. A lifeline of sorts to maintain order and stability in Menagerie," I say, rubbing my temples with one hand. "Okay, fine. Let's pretend we go along with your plan. Why should I even consider you as a choice for this?"
She flinches at my harsh tone, but I need to be firm to test her resolve.
"You witnessed it firsthand, the crumbling of everything around you during my absence, the blatant disregard the White Fang has shown towards you, bordering on insurgency. This idea will only cause more issues rather than offer any solutions."
The political landscape is a treacherous one, where loyalty is a scarce commodity and paranoia will constantly gnaw at me. Yet it is a game I have to play for everyone's sake.
Yet, the tiger woman before me appears to waver, her lips pressed together into a thin line. However, that moment of doubt quickly evaporates, replaced by a steely resolve that is reflected in her amber eyes as she addresses me. "Then have a child with Kali."
Silence.
Deep, cold silence fills the room the second those words leave her mouth.
I realize my jaw is hanging open in sheer shock at her proposition, and how firm she is about it.
In a surge of frustration, my hand clenches into a fist, striking the desk with a resounding thud. "She's my mother, even if not by blood. I refuse to dishonor my father's memory!"
The gall...no, the sheer audacity of this woman!
Yet, she remains steadfast in the face of my outburst, merely shaking her head in response.
"Adam, we're running out of options. Ideally, a child between you and Blake would have been the solution everyone anticipated - but that's impossible now. And you absolutely cannot pick a woman from any faction; you'll cause a purge in our ranks if you do."
The anger that had consumed me ebbs away gradually, replaced by a weary sigh as I run a hand across my face. With a resigned gesture, I push back from my chair and retreat to the nearby wall, fixing my gaze upon it - trying to escape this conversation, if only for a fleeting moment.
Alas, that respite doesn't last long as I hear her footsteps closing in.
"I know this might sound outrageous, but I'm not trying to deceive you. It's either me or Kali Belladonna."
What about Ilia?
The thought flashes through my mind, but I immediately shake my head, banishing those dangerous thoughts. I wouldn't dare to do something like that to her, or dare to go as far to force her.
But even as I dismiss the idea, I can't shake the realization that I'm contemplating parenthood far sooner than I ever imagined. And worse yet, I'm actually considering Sienna's offer. Because buried beneath her proposition lies a grim truth: if I were to vanish unexpectedly, Menagerie would plunge into chaos without a successor ready to lead in my stead. Unless I consolidate power immediately—either by eliminating all faction leaders and absorbing their forces, or by installing obedient puppets in their place—there's no guarantee of stability.
Sure, the more moderate factions might yield to my authority, given their flexibility in their ideals. But the radicals branches? They'll never bow without a fight and try to rally everyone against my rule.
I grunt in frustration, my mind spinning with a myriad concerns. "There's too much at stake right now, and I'm too young to be thinking about children, Sienna. Especially with the countless enemies lurking beyond our borders."
Bringing a child into the world would only create a vulnerable spot against us, one that our enemies would try to exploit as soon as they discover it. Unless they remain within the safety of my Sweet Home—the only sanctuary in all of Remnant free of any danger.
"You won't have to worry about the child; I assure you. I've already arranged for caretakers whom I trust implicitly, and I've allocated funds to ensure your successor receives the best upbringing possible. I've even spoken to Kali-"
"You told Kali?!" My body reacts instinctively, whirling around and catching Sienna off guard as she takes a step back. How could she think it was a good idea to involve her in this?!
"A long time ago!" She blurts out, raising her hands in surrender. "Back when times were better, I talked with her about the possibility, and she'd be happy to help me raise a kid."
I maintain my glare, but eventually, I relent. Because I can see that she isn't lying.
"Don't breathe a word of this to Kali," I growl, jabbing a finger in her direction. "This stays between us, and only us, for now."
It's the last thing Kali needs to worry about, and I know this would hurt her.
The bengal tigress frowns but nods. "You'll only need to focus on leading Menagerie, I promise you." Her tone softens. "I only brought it up now because I believe it's a decision you need to take seriously, Adam. Our future, and the future of Menagerie, depends on it."
I sigh heavily, frustration evident in every line of my body. "I know you're not just making this up. You've thought it through. But it's... it's a lot to process. I never imagined myself in this position, especially not at this stage of my life."
Yet, for the sake of my home stability, I'm willing to entertain the idea. And if Sienna's assurances hold true, maybe this decision isn't as reckless as it seems at first.
Besides, now I'm certain that this isn't some result of the Company stamp influence or some twisted hentai logic. It's merely a political maneuver, devoid of any genuine emotion. And it isn't like I'm entirely opposed to the idea, but it would be a waste of her talent and potential to turn her into a mindless sex slave that can only think about sex.
So, from now on, I'll keep her status as a familiar, to prevent any future surprises like this one.
So I go back to think about her offer as I take a long, appreciative look at Sienna Khan, really taking in everything she has to offer.
Her rich, dark skin, adorned with black stripes that perfectly complement her hair, catches my attention. Despite her petite stature, she possesses proportions that leave little to be desired. And, of course, I can't overlook the pair of ears perched atop her head. Currently, she's dressed in a form-fitting, sleeveless dark gray top with white trim, the large diamond cutout on the back, exposing most of her smooth skin.
There's no denying that Sienna Khan is stunningly attractive. Meeting every of my preferences.
Almost as if sensing my thoughts, or perhaps noticing my lingering gaze, Sienna starts to fidget, a blush creeping across her cheeks before she averts her eyes. I raise an eyebrow in mild surprise at her reaction.
Sienna is older than me - possibly even old enough to be my mother. And yet she's acting like a blushing virgin? A hardened revolutionary leader? Her?
A devious smirk plays across my lips as a mischievous idea takes form. Slowly, deliberately, my hand reaches out to gently grasp her chin, guiding her gaze to meet my own and lean closer to her ear to whisper. "I accept."
Her amber eyes widen in surprise, cheeks flushing pink again. But then she blinks, the spell broken, and pulls away from my grip with a fierce glare. "Don't get cheeky with me, Adam."
I suppress a chuckle at her reaction and settle back into my chair, motioning for her to do the same. "But not right now. I have too much work to focus on and complete. Especially the main projects needed to lay a solid foundation for Menagerie's development. If I'm going to have a child, I want to ensure they lack nothing."
With that said, I gesture for her to return to her seat as well, a gesture she follows after nodding.
"Moving on to other matters, I'm already in the process of staging the construction of a real port and harbor for Menagerie. It will open up opportunities for smuggling operations or even trading, as well as enable larger-scale fishing since we can't effectively cultivate farmlands on this island."
"It's always been a challenge for us," she remarks, crossing her arms. "There were discussions about seizing Mistral coastal villages for that purpose years ago, but we dismissed the idea, knowing it would only incur the wrath of Mistral's families or worse, Atlas' punitive force."
It makes sense, Atlas would take that as the perfect caucus belli to attack us without any sort of opposition.
"So I considered setting up hydroponics farms as a potential solution, but we simply lack the capacity to do so. We don't have the qualified personnel or the equipment needed to even begin" I explain.
"Hydroponics?" Sienna's ears perk up, and she tilts her head. "What's that?"
"You know, those big buildings where vegetables are grown vertically instead of horizontally, using little soil and lots of light," I attempt to clarify, drawing on my limited knowledge of the subject.
However, my explanation seems to only confuse her further, prompting a sigh from me. Clearly, I'm not the best person to explain this concept. Fortunately, there's someone who can. I quickly send a message to our flying robot assistant and wait for him to arrive.
It isn't long before Pod comes flying in through the window.
"POD REPORTING FOR DUTY, COMMANDER TAURUS," he announces, as he hovers by my side.
I clear my throat before addressing him. "Pod, could you explain hydroponic farming to Sienna? Just the basics to help her understand."
"UNDERSTOOD," Pod responds, projecting holographic images to aid in his explanation. "Hydroponic farming is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are cultivated in a nutrient-rich water solution, allowing their roots to directly absorb the essential nutrients required for growth. This method typically involves containers or systems to hold the plants and nutrient solution, along with mechanisms to provide oxygen and support to the plants' roots. Hydroponic farming can be conducted indoors or outdoors and often results in faster plant growth and higher yields compared to traditional soil-based farming."
His explanation is concise and informative.
"What?" Sienna's confusion remains evident.
"ADJUSTING EXPLANATION," Pod responds, and his holographic displays flicker, now showing a water bottle with a sprout. "Hydroponic farming is like growing plants in water instead of soil. We provide all the necessary nutrients in the water, and the plants grow healthy without needing soil."
Is Pod intentionally simplifying the explanations like that to mock Sienna's ignorance? I dismiss the thought and focus on the holographic display, which depicts lettuce growing in a bottle. It's a far cry from what I understand about hydroponics.
"Wait, aren't hydroponic farms supposed to be equipped with high-tech gear, UV lights, and well-trained personnel to operate efficiently? Or at the very least, a functional water irrigation system?" I inquire, puzzled by the discrepancy.
Pod shuts down his holographic display before turning around. "WHAT COMMANDER TAURUS IS REFERRING TO IS VERTICAL FARMING. HYDROPONIC FARMS DO NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT OR PERSONNEL TO OPERATE AT FULL CAPACITY OR PRODUCE ABOVE-AVERAGE YIELDS, UNLESS THE GOAL IS TO CULTIVATE FRUIT-BEARING CROPS OR IMPLEMENT A SPECIFIC, MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUE."
So, that means...
"I'm an idiot…" I groan, rubbing my temples in frustration.
I've been overcomplicating things when the solution was so simple. I could easily set up a hydroponic farm, train a small team, and have them produce a steady source of food. And with Pod's vast library of knowledge, the crop yields could be significantly increased.
Seriously, Pod is a walking encyclopedia! Why haven't I tapped into his expertise on food production before?!
"CORRECT-."
"What was that?!"
"CORRECTION, COMMANDER TAURUS IS NOT AN IDIOT."
Tch, smartass.
I glance over at Sienna and notice her covering her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle.
Et tu, Sienna?
-9S, VALE-
Understanding humanity as a whole was challenging; too many things didn't make logical sense or couldn't find a proper explanation for certain behaviors.
Yet, this never hindered her. Instead, it fueled her curiosity even more. Now, she had the chance to explore an entirely different humanity. She eagerly seized this opportunity to learn with Miss Belladonna, finding it fascinating, especially when drawing the differences and similarities between Earth humanity and Remnant humanity.
One striking similarity was the famous indomitable human spirit she read so much about. Despite everything that had happened or the enemies they faced, humanity never gave up and continued to fight for survival and everything to overcome. Earth battled the endless machine army, while Remnant resisted the relentless tide of Grimm. Another was the ancient cultural resemblance, Mistral being the most obvious one.
However, the main difference lay in the existence of Aura and Dust in Remnant, which had caused some technological stagnation. Using Atlas as the base comparison, she observed that these two elements had both helped and hindered humanity's pursuit of technological marvels. The level of technology Atlas showcased should have been sufficient for a space program or even a fully functional space station, but none of that was real.
Due to Dust as the main energy source, Remnant humanity couldn't even exit their world's atmosphere.
But that didn't make them any less interesting to her. In fact, it made them even more fascinating.
However, one of the things she couldn't quite grasp was the complete disinterest people seemed to show toward the beautiful landscape while traveling.
Everyone preferred to read, play games, or sleep, completely ignoring the breathtaking scenery passing by!
It was an incredible sight, and she couldn't miss a second of it, taking recordings and pictures because she knew how invaluable those would be for later study and comparing it with the database of the old Earth.
People were weird. Fascinating, but weird.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into Vale Intercontinental Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure that your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright positions. We thank you for choosing to fly with Mistral Airlines and look forward to welcoming you on board again soon."
As soon as that announcement was made, the airship started its gradual descent, giving her a panoramic view of Vale from above. The city sprawled out beneath her, a stunning tapestry of buildings, parks, and waterways. She couldn't resist taking a picture of the sight of a human city, or the giant blocky buildings which should be called Megablock.
She watched the entire landing sequence intently, her eyes fixed on the landscape below as the airship lowered. When the airship finally stopped and docked correctly, the seatbelt sign turned off and the rest of the passengers unfastened their seatbelts and began to gather their belongings.
But 9S didn't have to worry about any of that. With her newly implemented portal function, there was no need to carry any luggage; she could simply open a portal once she arrived at her destination to retrieve her things.
Eventually, they received the signal to exit, and everyone slowly disembarked in an orderly fashion.
She couldn't help but draw comparisons to ancient airports: the giant tunnel that carried humans toward the main building. However, instead of planes, it was an airship equipped with defensive capabilities in the case of Grimm attacks, which, thankfully, hadn't occurred during her flight.
As she exited the tunnel, she paused to absorb her new surroundings. Vale's Intercontinental Airport was vast, far larger than Mistral's. The architecture was sleek and modern, with high ceilings and expansive windows that let in ample natural light. It was slightly reminiscent of the Bunker, albeit more welcoming and bustling with life. There were massive crowds moving around, and flying TV screens showcased promotional advertisements for various products and services. In the distance, she could see towering sign boards for fast food joints, their colorful logos beckoning travelers.
This was another perfect opportunity to take more pictures, and of course, she didn't waste it.
There was so much to learn, after all.
But she eventually had to move with the crowd as she heard another announcement indicating boarding for the next flight. She left the area and ventured into the airport, heading mostly toward the lounge that offered plenty of restaurants and cafeterias to pass the time.
She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the prices displayed. A single cup of coffee cost as much as a day's salary back in Menagerie. It was just like Miss Belladonna had warned her: the price discrepancy and cost of living were vastly different here.
That meant Atlas must be even more expensive.
Even then, she had limited stipend and wouldn't spend it on miscellaneous things that offered no real benefits, so she moved on, resuming her walk and exploration of the airport. Although there wasn't much difference between terminals, perhaps one extra row of seats or the terminal number.
She looked up and caught sight of another flying screen, this one showing an advertisement for a recycled shake. If her memory served her right, that should be a milkshake.
It was something she noticed pretty early in her journey: the prevalence of low-end food for those whose buying power was lacking. Recycled food, promising to taste the same as real food, was a significantly cheaper alternative to starvation.
Nines shook her head and kept walking; she had somewhere to be. It wasn't a long walk before she found the place where all Beacon's candidates were gathering. The large crowd of young people and the line leading to a different area made it easy to spot. Also, a not so small detail like a banner boldly declared "Beacon Academy" above the entrance.
She observed the crowd, noting the excitement and anticipation in the air. Each person seemed to carry a mix of nervous energy and determination. Nines couldn't help but share some of that excitement too.
Therefore, she approached the crowd and formed a line, patiently waiting her turn to pass. It seemed to be the first checkpoint, with a gate where attendees needed to show their invitation and ID. With both documents in hand, she calmly presented them to the employee, who allowed her entry without any issue and flashing a smile.
Stepping inside, she was immediately struck by the bustling atmosphere. Future students gathered in groups or simply loitered around. To avoid obstructing the path, she sidestepped and resumed taking pictures.
The variety of stores caught her eye. It wasn't just fast-food joints, but also weapons and ammunition centers, clothing brands, scrolls, and music shops. It resembled a miniature mall, specifically catered to Hunter trainees.
Glancing around at the candidates, she noticed a good number of them openly carrying their mecha-shift weapons. The rest seemed to prefer a more discreet approach, likely keeping their weapons stored in hand carriers or concealed under their clothes.
It was fascinating to analyze their weapons. A great-sword that could transform into a whip. A rifle capable of shifting into a spear. And even more interesting, a seemingly ordinary musical instrument at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it revealed itself to be a switch-axe.
Certainly more complex than her own arsenal, which were simple blades, small or big. They were just swords.
The best comparison she could conjure was her Flight unit, capable of shifting between assault mode and flight mode. A sigh escaped her as she remembered that she didn't have Pod with her. His input was always welcomed during investigations. However, he had to stay behind to assist the commander. Though she had permission to recall him if necessary, a stroll across an airport hardly qualified as such.
Another glance revealed that some potential students sported cybernetic attachments of some sort, akin to the commander's, yet far more advanced. It was like comparing the commander's arm to the simple and rudimentary machine contraption, while everyone else boasted YoRHa augmentations.
It was a significant discovery for her: the disparity in technological prowess. If this was the level of technology accessible to the general populace, what marvels might the military possess?
Certainly, something that required in-depth research.
Realizing she had been standing around for too long, she swiftly moved toward the remaining empty seats, preferring to blend into the background. However, it seemed her attempt to go unnoticed had failed, as curious stares and murmurs followed her every step. It was an uncomfortable sensation, but she chose to ignore it. And rightly so, as the interest in her quickly waned once she found her place.
She checked the time again, then glanced at her ticket for boarding the airship toward the academy. With two hours left, she adjusted to a more comfortable position and began to analyze all the pictures she had taken so far, jotting down notes. There was a lot to go through.
"Ahem, excuse me!" A new voice interrupted her thoughts, and she looked at the source, freezing in surprise.
Turning to her left, she found herself face to face with a petite girl. The girl had pale skin that contrasted sharply with her long, flowing white hair, which was pulled back into an off-center ponytail. Her attire, a pristine white dress, exuded an air of elegance and refinement. Despite her petite stature, there was a sense of authority in her demeanor.
9S glanced around at the empty surroundings before pointing at herself. "Me?"
The girl cleared her throat. "Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as rude. I just wanted to talk to you and ask a few questions, if you don't mind."
That sounded like an interesting way to pass the time. "Eh, sure. Miss…"
Weiss Schnee. The name finished in her mind.
Her appearance matched all the marks of the Schnee heiress, so it had to be her. However, as she had been instructed, she needed to maintain a facade of ignorance if she happened to meet her.
Her deliberate ignorance seemed to work, as Weiss's eyebrow twitched in clear annoyance. "Weiss..."
Noting Weiss's reluctance to provide her full name, she realized that the heiress likely wanted to avoid drawing attention to herself. Yet, if she wanted to remain incognito, she should have worn a disguise at the very least.
For now, 9S nodded and offered a smile. "Okay, Miss Weiss!"
"Hmph, don't call me miss. I'm not old," Weiss retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "And tone it down, would you? I don't want everyone to hear us."
Another nod. "Sure! So, how may I help you?"
Weiss Schnee's frown prompted her to glance around her surroundings once more. This time, she noticed a couple of students looking their way. Their gazes quickly averted as soon as they realized they had been noticed.
"I would prefer to have this conversation somewhere less public," Weiss stated firmly, casting another glance around before releasing a sigh. "Unfortunately, this seems to be the only available space, as the bathrooms are currently occupied."
Taking a deep breath, Weiss addressed her properly this time. "May I ask your name first?"
"Nines. Just Nines." It was to be her name, a gesture of kindness from the commander, one she appreciated.
"Nines?" The heiress tilted her head, puzzled.
"The orphanage in Mistral assigned us numbers as names. Only those who were adopted received proper names," she replied with a shrug, sticking to her cover story.
"That's… sad." Weiss looked apologetic, evidently believing her story.
Returning the heiress's sympathetic gaze, she offered a sad smile. "That's how it was."
However, the heiress shook her head, refocusing on the matter at hand. "Look, I know this sounds sudden and forward, but I have some suspicions about family-related matters, and I require your assistance to clarify these doubts. I promise to make up for your time."
"Okay," Nines agreed, curious about where this would lead.
"First, could you take off your blindfold?"
"It's not a blindfold, it's a visor. But sure, I can." She reached for the knot behind her head, slowly undoing it and removing her visor, revealing her pale blue eyes.
They happened to be the same color as Weiss Schnee's, who widened her eyes in revelation and took a step back. Clearly, she was thinking they were related due to the physical similarities, just as the Commander and his second-in-command had predicted and explained to her, so she needed to lead Weiss around with that wrong assumption.
"I apologize in advance, but you don't know anything about your parents or family, correct?" Weiss asked.
"None." She shook her head, putting her visor back around her eyes. "The only story I was told about my origin was that I came from a village that was razed to the ground by the Hisui family."
The heiress was taken aback, visibly disturbed, which transformed into pity. "I see. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
"It's okay."
As the tension eased slightly, Weiss took a moment to compose herself before continuing.
"I understand this may be difficult to discuss," Weiss began, her tone gentle yet determined, "but I believe there might be more to your story than you've been told. My family has a complicated history, to say the least."
Nines kept her silence, urging the heiress to continue with a curious tilt of her head.
"And after finding you here, I..." Weiss abruptly trailed off, her eyes narrowing dangerously as they focused on something else to her right. "Excuse me for a moment."
Without another word, the petite student stomped towards a mysterious solitary figure draped in layers of clothing that concealed most of their body. A cascade of long black hair tumbled down their back, with a large black ribbon curiously adorning the top of her head like a bow.
"You," Weiss seethed, planting her heel forcefully as she stopped in front of her target. Each word dripped with venom. "Get. Out."
The mysterious person slowly lifted their gaze to meet Weiss's icy glare. Nines was careful and silent to get up from her seat to get a better view, and every second she was finding striking similarities.
"E-Excuse me?" A feminine voice tinged with apprehension stammered.
With a deft flick of her wrist, Weiss snatched the ribbon, yanking it away to unveil... a pair of feline ears twitching atop of the girl's head.
Blake Belladonna. Nines recognized the faunus girl instantly, a strange feeling setting inside her.
The deserter yelped in surprise, hands flying up to cover her newly exposed ears. But it was too late - the murmurs and scandalized whispers had already rippled through the crowd like wildfire.
Weiss's eyes glinted with a mixture of accusation and smug satisfaction. Blake's amber eyes, meanwhile, darted around in panic, her breath coming in sharp gasps as her lips parted, but no words came out.
"How did she pass?"
"The security here is terrible."
"Ugh, no wonder it smelled bad."
"Shameful."
The heiress showed no signs of relenting. Her steely gaze locked on her target. "Well?" Weiss's tone cut through the tense silence like a whip crack as she discarded the ribbon. "Don't you have something to say for yourself?"
Blake flinched as if struck, her amber eyes squeezing shut briefly but never said a word.
"Get. Out."
"I…I…'' Blake's strained whisper was little more than an aborted plea as it dissolved on her tongue. Her shoulders slumped in resignation as her desperate gaze swept across the array of impassive faces, searching in vain for any hint of sympathy or support.
But there was none to be found, Nines realized with a strange feeling in her gut. Because this room had no faunus but Blake, leaving the deserter utterly alone.
The heiress seemed to draw strength from her dominance, squaring her shoulders as she jabbed an imperious finger toward the exit. "Leave. Now. Before I have security remove you themselves, faunus."
That name struck like a final lash, and Blake visibly crumpled under its weight. Her lips parted, but instead of words, only a strangled, soundless breath escaped as the reality solidified around her.
For a moment, she seemed frozen in place as the heiress sneer twisted with impatience. "Are you deaf? I said leave!"
When Blake Belladonna failed to immediately comply, Weiss's hand lashed out with sickening speed, her open palm connecting with Blake's cheek in a resounding slap. The sharp crack reverberated through the hushed room as the faunus crumpled to her knees in shock.
A stunned hush lingered for the space of a heartbeat before the dam burst - a torrent of derisive laughter and jeering voices flooded forth from the crowd, egged on by the intoxicating display of dominance.
The cacophony of hateful approval seemed to spur Weiss on further. Towering over the kneeling Blake, she curled her lip in a contemptuous sneer. "Are you deaf and dumb? I'll not repeat myself again."
Nines stood frozen, a new but strange sense of helplessness weighing her down as the hateful display unfolded in front. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. That same strange sensation with an overwhelming urge to intervene, to put a stop to Weiss's actions. But her orders were explicit to never intervene and draw attention to herself. She was not to involve herself, no matter what unfolded before her eyes, only to record and investigate.
Because this was also humanity. Beautifully flawed.
"I'm sorry...s-sorry..." Blake's words were little more than a rasping whimper, the desperate apology dissolving on her trembling lips.
Yet, Nines's calculating gaze caught the way Weiss's lip curled with disdain at the faunus's pitiful apology. She rapidly analyzed the heiress's micro-expressions, and she still felt wronged as Blake failed to comply with her first demand. An assumption that proved correct a split-second later as Weiss Schnee raised her hand high, preparing to strike at the helpless faunus once more.
Only this time, the sharp sound never came to be. Weiss's wrist was caught in a vise-like grip, the force of the behind her swing making her whole arm jerk backward with the jarring halt of momentum. She whipped around with a furious glare, alabaster ponytail swinging.
The newcomer who stopped her had a striking tone of orange hair, and her emerald eyes were glaring daggers at her, a murderous gaze boring into the heiress who remained defiant in the face of the aggression.
Nines quickly analyzed the girl, searching her database as she looked at the clothes. The black sleeveless vest with a collar. Under it, a white sleeveless t-shirt with a heart-shaped cutout accompanied by a pair of white detached sleeves on each arm, and light pink fingerless gloves. Finally, a short pink skirt.
The answer soon revealed itself. Nora Valkyrie.
"What are you doing?" Weiss demanded, the words dripping with indignant venom as she fruitlessly tried to yank her entrapped arm free. Yet Nora didn't budge an inch, her boots seeming to bore into the floor itself.
"And don't you dare lay a hand on me without my express permission!" Weiss finally yanked her arm free.
However, the ginger girl didn't say a thing and kept her murderous gaze on Weiss as she slowly circled around her and positioned herself between Weiss and Blake, protecting Blake from any further harm.
And Nora wasn't alone. A slender girl with long raven locks and a vivid magenta streak slashing across her left side arrived at the scene. Her dark green vest with Earth Asian influences hugged her lithe frame as she swiftly knelt beside the fallen cat faunus. Casting a worried glance at where she has been fit before, she gently helped the girl to her feet, looping a supportive arm around her waist.
Nines felt an inexplicable wave of relief wash over her.
"Well?! aren't you going to apologize?" the Schnee demanded.
Nines snapped back to attention, focusing on the confrontation. She carefully analyzed the standoff, noticing that neither side seemed willing to escalate by throwing the first punch. Yet, both appeared too stubborn to back down, creating a volatile atmosphere.
By this point, the entire room had gathered around them, eyes wide with anticipation. The onlookers seemed to be hoping for the standoff to erupt into a real fight, having completely forgotten that their initial target had been Blake Belladonna.
Thankfully, Nora took a step back, those green eyes briefly meeting hers before she turned to her partner. Together, they left, supporting the faunus girl between them.
"Hey, don't leave until I give you permission!" the Schnee shouted, frustration lacing her words as she watched them retreat, failing to maintain control.
Nines quickly extended an arm, blocking Weiss from pursuing the departing group. It was a direct intervention, but she didn't want an unnecessary fight to break out and hinder her mission objectives. This was for the mission's sake, so she wasn't technically overstepping her orders.
"What are you doing?" Weiss hissed, rounding on Nines with a furious glare.
The hungry crowd started booing and jeering, disappointed their hoped-for show of violence had been denied.
"Please, don't escalate this further," Nines pleaded in a low tone. "You said yourself you didn't want to draw unwanted attention here."
Her words seemed to penetrate Weiss' anger, the heiress' eyes going wide before she took a few deep breaths and let out a frustrated sigh, covering her face with one hand briefly. "You're... right. I apologize for my outburst. But those two were so infuriatingly insolent! How dare they interfere and aid that... that cur?! There are rules for a reason!"
Nines remained stone-faced but glanced again in the direction the trio had departed, already long gone from the waiting room.
She had an official report to compile regarding this incident, which certainly set an ominous precedent for the rest of her undercover mission. Nines didn't know quite how to process these events or what other surprises and complications awaited her at Beacon.
AN: Okay, this failed the schedule and by a long margin, dammit.
On my defense, I had two very busy weeks, so I could barely scrape together a single chapter for another story. Still sorry for the delay. Now this should be put back on track though and I need to update MWMJ next.
Anyway, just a little sneak peek at our resident cat girl due popular demand and she obviously isn't having a good time. Or Weiss being more orthodox/strict in her beliefs aka a bitch. Or Lie Ren being yeeted by the gender swap ray, Universal calibration strikes once again and along with Nora, who refuses to be indifferent to social problems for reason that are yet to be revealed.
