AN: It's past 1:00 here in Finland, which means it's Christmas Eve. So already I will wish Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I will most likely be too busy with my folks for the next two days to do any writing.
To Tantal
In one of the rather luxurious rooms of the Inner Sanctum that Amalthus had reserved for the gang. Dragunov had shown the picture of the crew he was with 500 years ago.
"Yes, that looks about right," Mythra admitted with a melancholic look.
"And you're sure this…Fan la Norne was Haze," Dragunov said with his hands clenched into fists. He just couldn't bring himself to believe that the Jin that was mentioned in the journal would destroy his Driver's second Blade.
"Same abilities, same appearance…The only difference was the shape of the Core Crystal. And even that looked more like there was a piece missing rather than it simply being different," Mythra said with a deep scowl.
"If what you say is true then…where is the missing piece?" Dragunov then asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Mythra said as she looked at a particular pair on the picture with a sad look.
Dragunov noticed the look and hazarded a guess, "You miss Addam?"
"What?" Mythra looked confused.
"The way you were looking at him," Dragunov clarified.
"I wasn't looking at him you idiot," Mythra said with an angry huff.
"Oh, sure, because-" "Keep talking and I will vaporize you," Mythra warned angrily before storming off. Not wanting to risk losing her temper and actually doing that.
Dragunov looked a little confused at Mythra getting that upset over a joke. Then he took a look at the picture on the side Addam was at. If she wasn't looking at Addam, then who was she looking at. Then his eyes fell on the two kids, Milton and Mikhail. According to the journal, Mikhail was a boy who was sold as a slave in Porton Village that was destroyed by Malos. But afterwards, Lora took him in and the kid had been travelling with them ever since. Though Thauron was far happier that Addam offered Lora to be his companion as a form of protection from the "crime" of stealing Jin's Core Crystal from the palace 17 years ago. Of course, Lora was ten when the theft happened so it wasn't her. Besides, the Journal explained that it was a man named Gort who stole it and Lora happened to awaken Jin from it.
Anyway, there was also Milton who had been Addam's "retainer" for a while and according to Thauron's view, the two were like squabbling siblings. And then it hit Dragunov, "Could that be it?" Mythra was sad about Milton. "I wonder what happened," Dragunov wondered. Did Mythra miss Milton because he was long gone? Or did something happen to him before Addam sealed her and Pyra away? Well... no use for him to think about it, considering the little brat was a pain in the ass for him, if the journal is to be believed. Come to think of it, maybe that was why Mythra liked the boy.
At the entrance to the room where team RWBY was staying at, Dahlia had stopped to wonder where Mythra walked to in such an annoyed state. Thought that line of thought ended the moment she saw Aizen walking up the stairs with a neatly packed bundle under one arm.
"Is that it?" Dahlia asked with a curious look.
"Yes." Aizen replied easily, "It cost me the remaining money I was granted but the quality is assured."
"You did follow our agreement, right?" Dahlia then asked one more time.
"I used the same notes we both agreed upon so, yes." Aizen said, "So how was Miss Schnee's day?"
"She was curious about the choir so she stayed and listened," Dahlia explained, "I think she may have been a little inspired by them."
"Interesting, I might ask if she could sing again," Aizen then said with a smile.
"…Do you like Weiss' singing?" Dahlia asked in almost a teasing tone.
"Her voice is beautiful to listen to, and the songs I have heard carry her very soul," Aizen said with an almost fond look, "Truly art that I can appreciate, but I expect more than that out of her."
"And how has she been so far?" Dahlia then asked while crossing her arms under her bust.
Aizen looked very thoughtful as he pondered for a while. "…Adequate." Was the word he finally used.
"It almost sounds like you don't want to acknowledge her efforts," Dahlia then said with a frown.
"Oh? Well then, we have a different definition of 'effort'. Because the way I see it, my power isn't rising fast enough. Sadly, my own growth is something I cannot accelerate," Aizen said with a deep frown.
"Or perhaps you don't like what you need to do to do that," Dahlia pointed out, "You would have to revert back to that mask you wore around her father to do that."
Aizen chuckled at hearing that, "It seems that there might be some legitimacy about Ice and Wind being associated with Truth."
"Maybe," Dahlia agreed before looking thoughtful, "Although I fail to see how someone like you is associated with Bravery."
"The Fire and Water association," Aizen said with a chuckle, "Anyway do you think we should surprise miss Schnee now or tomorrow morning?"
"I think tomorrow morning would be better." Dahlia said with a warm smile, "I hope she likes it."
"Indeed," Aizen said before looking thoughtful, "I will stash this into the room we share and bring it down to her the next morning."
"Sounds like a plan," Dahlia said, and the two moved to the room they shared with the rest of RWBY Blades.
In the room team RWBY stayed at, Yang decided to ask an important question.
"Hey, Blake, what did you find out about the refugees?" The blonde asked from her bed in orange tank top and short shorts. She was prepared for bed.
"Well…they seemed fine, all things considered," Blake replied from her bed under the covers. She was also getting some reading on Beauty and Beast, but the reason she had covers on was because the clothes she had packed when she left Menagerie didn't include sleep wear. So she was basically in her underwear.
"Do you think the refugees and the Indoline ever have…problems with each other," Yang then asked, "I mean, the Indoline have proper houses while the refugees live in tents."
"I hope no one looks down on them for it," Weiss, who was also preparing for bed said wondering if Indol is like Atlas in that regard. As with the other two, Weiss also had her night gown on and had already taken her hair down.
"Well I asked around and there was one Indoline who complained about the plaza being beautiful until the refugees were housed there," Blake said, earning surprised looks at her saying that almost casually.
"You don't sound…mad about it," Ruby then said, looking a little surprised to hear that. She was wearing a thin black tank top and the same white pajama pants with hearts on it. They were small so they fit in with her other belongings whenever she and team JNPR managed to sleep in an inn.
"Well he followed it up by saying that if the Titan had more land they could work on, they could at least build proper houses for them," Blake followed up, "So he didn't hate the refugees themselves, but the situation that comes with their state of living."
"I guess that's fair," Weiss said with a small smile. That was more than can be said from many of the rich people of Atlas. "But we saw the Titan, this is the only city on it." True to her words, there were no other cities on the Indol Titan and this one covered a lot of its back.
"…I'm starting to really get why Alrest's biggest problem is land," Ruby muttered. Having ground to be on was something she had taken for granted on Remnant. Although there was the presence of Grimm that limited the amount that could be used. Here, it was limited to just the Great Titans. "…I really hope that Elysium is real," Ruby then said, "Then maybe Alrest's problems might be solved."
"Some of them anyway," Blake agreed with a shrug, "I mean, if it was the Architect that brought us here then maybe it does exist."
"We're not even sure it was done by the Architect," Weiss retorted in worry as she flopped down to her own bed.
"Well I think Salem would have brought us straight to her and in the middle of endless horde of Grimm," Yang pointed out.
"Yang's got a point," Ruby agreed with her sister, "Besides…maybe the Architect wants an explanation on why our worlds are suddenly connected."
"Maybe, but if he's a god, then wouldn't he be able to hear this conversation?" Yang also pointed out before a thought occurred to her, "Do you think he's been peeping on us changing?"
This caused three pairs of eyes to turn to the blonde one.
"…Really Yang?" Weiss said with a sigh.
"Do you want us to be unable to sleep?" Blake added in with a glare, ears folding flat against her scalp while bringing the covers all the way to her chin.
"…I wanna sleep with Roze now." Ruby then said in slight fear. The last time she had Roze covering her when Qrow joined them after facing Tyrian made Ruby feel a lot safer so…
"What?!" Came out of WBY who didn't think they would hear something like that out of their lovable dork of a leader.
"No, you're not!" Yang said, getting up from bed and grabbing Ruby by her waist, locking her arms in place for good measure.
"Yang! What are you doing?!" Ruby protested as she struggled in her sister's iron grip. Kicking her legs uselessly as she did.
"If you're too scared to sleep, you always got me for that. But I am NOT letting you sleep with a guy," Yang said as she moved to the bed, taking her sister under the covers with her despite the smaller girl's protests.
"Yang! I'm not a little kid!" Ruby protested as she squirmed and pushed, but she couldn't get out of Yang's grip. "Weiss, Blake. Help me!" Ruby then called for help.
The black and white members of RWBY shared a glance. "Ignore them?" Weiss asked, she just wanted to get some sleep.
"Ignore them." Blake said and with that, Weiss got onto her bed and Blake put the book down to the night stand next to the bed and prepared to sleep. Both of them totally ignoring their struggling leader who was having a serious case of overprotective big sis.
"Ruby, calm down already and get to sleep," Yang said as she wrapped her legs around Ruby's to keep her pinned. Something that greatly embarrassed the little red reaper.
But seeing as the traitors who dare call themselves her team mates refused to help, Ruby could do nothing but try to sleep in the shackles that were Yang's arms and legs.
The following morning, a scream was heard near the rooms the gang was staying at.
In team RWBY's room, the four girls woke up with a start.
"What the heck was that?!" Yang was the first to exclaim as she sat up in her bed. Then she looked to her side to see Ruby still in her grip. Somehow the blonde brawler managed to keep her grip on her sister through the night, aside from her legs untangling from Ruby's.
"We gotta check it out." Ruby immediately said before breaking free of Yang's now loose grip. Then with a burst of her semblance, she was out.
"Ruby, wait!" Weiss shouted out as she saw that Ruby didn't take Crescent Rose with her. "Urgh." Weiss groaned before picking up Myrtenaster from the side of her bed and ran after the overly eager girl. Yang following suit with Ember Celica.
Only Blake stayed behind, still under her covers while rummaging through her bag she had at the side of her own bed. Emergency it may be, but she didn't want anyone to see her in just her underwear.
Outside the room, Ruby had run out to the sight of the Alrest crew, minus the guys standing with a mildly baffled look. But their eyes were on Mythra who returned to the room the Alrest ladies occupied. The blonde haired Aegis slammed the door shut behind her.
"What happened?!" Ruby asked frantically from Nia, Mòrag, Brighid, and Pandoria.
Before any of them could answer, Dromarch came from the guy's room wearing a night cap with two pom-poms on his head. Why the white tiger Blade had that was beyond Ruby.
That line of thought was cut when Nia spoke with an annoyed look, "Well?"
"She did it again, my lady," Dromarch replied with a sigh, earning a face-palm from the Gormotti.
"Okay, how does she even do that," Nia couldn't help asking just when Weiss and Yang came out of the RWBY room.
"Who and what?" Ruby asked, looking between Nia and Dromarch as team JNPR also came out of their room to see the commotion. Nora in a black t-shirt with pink short shorts and Ren with just his pants on. Jaune fortunately for everyone had ditched his onesie long time ago and was now out in just his pants like Ren.
"Mythra sleepwalked into the guys' room," Nia explained.
"What?" Was the universal reaction among the Remnans.
"And to Rex's bed no less," Dromarch added in.
"What?!" Was the louder exclamation.
"I didn't know they were together-together," Nora piped up just when the door to the guy's room slammed open with a red-faced Rex running out.
"Hey, Rex what-" Ruby tried to ask, but the salvager ran down the stairs like he had a Grimm horde after him.
"Oh, come on, chum. No need to be so serious," Zeke piped up from the door, fully dressed. But Rex was long gone.
"Zeke…what did you say to him?" Mòrag asked, figuring that the Tantalese Driver must have done something stupid.
"Oh nothing, just asked how he enjoyed the night with the Aegis," Zeke replied with a shit-eating grin.
"That's messed up," Yang said with an approving look.
And then the Blades came up the stairs, their rooms being on the lower floor.
"Okay, why was Rex running like his butt was on fire," Dragunov was the first to ask.
"Oh, he and Mythra slept together," Yang said nonchalantly.
"Yang!" Was the universal shout to that from her team.
All the Blades had a surprised look to hear that. Though none of them noticed Zeke making room for Roc who jumped out of the large glassless windows. No doubt going to where Rex ran off to.
"So, Rex basically got the taste of divinity that is the Aegis?" Dragunov asked with a grin.
This earned him a scowl from Dahlia, Mòrag, Brighid, and Weiss. Others like Aizen and Nia just rolled their eyes.
And then there was Yang who had a grin of her own," Yeah, probably resting her head on two of the softest pillows there are."
"Huh?" Came out of Dragunov before he got the joke." Oh, yeah! How about-" "Dragunov, if Mythra hears about this conversation, I doubt that she will hesitate in vaporizing you like she has threatened so many times in the past." Brighid interrupted, remembering several entries of her past self witnessing Mythra threatening to vaporize Dragunov to shut him up.
"Well she's not here, and I'm not the one who slept with my Driver." Dragunov shot back.
"I heard that!" Came out of the Alrest girl's room.
And then Dragunov realized he was screwed. Before glaring at the female Alrestians, "Why didn't you warn me?"
"And miss you talking yourself into trouble? No way," Pandoria said with a smug smile.
"I like the way you think," came out of Aizen.
"Ditto." Weiss agreed.
"You brought this on yourself," Mòrag decided to add in with a small smile.
"And don't think you're off the hook Yang!" Mythra added in from behind the door.
"What?! Why me?!" Yang complained.
"You started it," Blake, who had come out of RWBY room in her top and pants but barefooted, pointed out. Just when Qrow decided to arrive with Oscar, Dagas and Wulfric, and Kasandra.
"Okay, what did Yang do this time?" Qrow asked with a small sigh, having heard the tail end of this conversation.
"Nothing important," Weiss said while giving everyone else a pointed look.
"We should get breakfast now," Mòrag said before starting to move out, deciding to be done with this non-sense.
"…I'll go get dressed," Weiss then said as she returned to RWBY's room to get dressed.
"Actually Weiss, could you delay that?" Dahlia then said suddenly.
"Huh?" Weiss sounded out as Aizen had a look of realization before moving off.
It didn't take long until most of the gang had moved to have breakfast, leaving Weiss behind for whatever Dahlia and Aizen had in mind. They had moved to the same spot that Ruby, Yang, Rex, Penny and Tora had eaten at. Of course, everyone ordered different foods for themselves.
"You know, the Praetor could have given us breakfast service," Qrow muttered before shoveling a good helping of his food into his mouth.
"Excluding Mòrag and I none of us are very important," Zeke replied simply.
"Besides, thanks to Dragunov, we still have plenty of money left." Pandoria added in.
"Speaking of which," Yang piped up as she looked to her Blade, "Did you manage to make anything out of what we got from Mor Ardain?"
"Not really," Dragunov admitted with a sigh, "Besides, some of them were already gems in interesting shapes so no real way to make anything of them."
"Well, can't always succeed I suppose," Roc commented from his spot next to Rex. The salvager boy still looked embarrassed because of what happened. Which was probably why Pyra was the one out right now, and she warned that Mythra didn't want to talk to anyone. Least of all Yang and Dragunov. Of course, everyone also had the healthy assumption that the incident should not be talked about, lest the light of judgement descend upon them.
"At least the food in Alrest is great," Nora then said, once again finding that the food in Alrest is at least edible. Something that the Remnans were worried about at the start of their first breakfast in Alrest, but then they remembered that the Alrestians could easily eat Remnant food so why wouldn't the opposite be true.
Speaking of food, everyone turned their gazes at Kos-Mos who was eating with them. It was still surprising for them that the android Blade was capable of consuming food.
"How is it?" Penny asked with a curiously excited look. She may not be able to eat herself, but she was curious about how her Blade might describe the food.
"…The taste is pleasant to my taste receptors, and I feel something that by definition can only be 'satisfaction'." Kos-Mos explained in her usual monotone.
"You can just say it's delicious," Nia said with a small snicker.
"Yeah! No need for fancy talk," Nora agreed before returning to her own food.
Ruby also nodded rapidly in agreement.
During this, Tora took a break in his own eating to have a thoughtful look. Poppi noticed her Driver's behavior, "Is the food bad, masterpon?"
"No, why Poppi ask?" Tora replied.
"Because masterpon not inhaling food like usual is abnormal," Poppi replied easily.
"Mehmeh?!"
"Ladies and gentlemen," came the announcement like declaration from Aizen from behind the group's table. The gang all turned to the water Blade who looked satisfied about something. Dahlia was also standing next to him very closely.
"We would like to introduce you to…the new and improved Weiss Schnee." Dahlia finished and the two moved aside to reveal Weiss in new clothes. A white and light blue top with a white shrug over it that has silvery ornate armor plates on the shoulders that extend halfway down her forearm. On her hands she now wore icy blue long gloves. For her bottoms she wore a long white tulle skirt that splits at the front with more ornate silvery metal plates at the sides to guard her hips and outer thighs. She also wears two white belts around her waist with two white pouches on each side. Finally, she wore two light blue wedge-heeled long boots with silvery shin guards and toes (Think of her vol. 7 outfit, but with a touch of Indoline warrior monks). In addition, her hair was done in an off-sided large braid, similar to Dahlia's ear.
Weiss did a twirl to show off her new outfit, the armored skirt glistening in the sunlight. "How do I look?" Weiss asked with a happy look.
"Wow." Jaune let out in disbelief, "You look amazing."
"Weiss looks combat ready," Penny said with a salute.
"Wow, Ice Queen, warrior princess edition," Yang commented with a grin, earning a small scowl from the said girl.
Zeke, Pandoria, Nora and Electra were holding signs that red 10 which they pulled from…somewhere.
"See Mòrag? You could look something like this too," Zeke then pointed out.
"And you would look terrible as a burnt corpse." The Special Inquisitor replied in dead-pan tone. A comment which earned a smile from Brighid.
"How did you guys get clothes like these?" Blake couldn't help asking.
"I have been designing this outfit for a while now," Aizen admitted, "Because her previous clothes were more suited for a ball rather than combat."
"But since Aizen was only able to view the outfit purely for function, he asked me to give it a feminine touch," Dahlia added in, "It took some arguing, but we finally settled for this."
Then Aizen took over again, "After that it was the matter of finding the right clothing store to make this. I received a recommendation back in Mor Ardain to ask a tailor here in Indol to make this outfit. It was costly, but I was assured of the quality."
All the while Weiss was basking in the attention that came with her new outfit. "My two belts can also hold Aizen's swords, or Dahlia's bitball so that I don't have to ask them to hand them over all the time.
"That sounds handy," Ruby commented as she was thinking of how to carry Roze's scythe all the time. But she already had Crescent Rose at her back and wasn't sure if she could make room for Roze's weapon. Then again, Roze's scythe turns into a small baton when it's not in use so maybe a simple small holster would do.
"Now you're thinking like a Driver," Brighid nodded in approval of Weiss' explanation. Although Myrtenaster was still at Weiss' side, but there should still be room for either of the Blade weapons.
"Thank you," Weiss beamed with happiness, which was soon ruined by a loud rumble.
"…Weiss-Weiss hungry?" Tora asked, noting that the noise came from Weiss who probably hasn't eaten yet.
"…Yes," Weiss said in embarrassment, "And don't call me Weiss-Weiss."
This earned a round of laughter from almost everyone, much to Weiss' further embarrassment.
Regardless, she joined the table and Dahlia was kind enough to fetch her something to eat. With that, the breakfast continued mostly uninterrupted. Although Nora learned a valuable lesson, if you didn't get to eat enough, don't steal Nox's food. The ninja Blade didn't appreciate a hand getting too close to his Ruska Noodle Goulash, so he retaliated by biting the offending limb. And that was how everyone who wasn't in the know yet found out about the monstrous maw that Nox hides behind his mask.
Which was why when they were informed that the ship was ready, Nora was hiding behind Ren when Nox was around. Especially when Nora could swear that she saw him staring at her with his pupil in diamond shape.
"Nox, stop staring. Nora is not…food," Blake said as they all walked down the stairs, feeling a rush of heat around her face at having to say that.
"What?" Came out of Ruby, Weiss, Yang and Jaune.
"Please tell me you jest," Otohime said while giving a wary look to the ninja Blade.
"I wish I was," Blake said in an exasperated tone.
"So…Nox is literally bloodthirsty?" Yang asked with an apprehensive look.
"Yes."
"So…why hasn't he tried to eat any of us?" Rex asked the question which brought various scary thoughts.
This time, it was Nox who unrolled his scroll to answer, "My lady would be very upset if I ate any of you. Especially her team mates."
"That's an understatement," Blake added in with a small scowl.
"Did Nora taste good?" Roze then asked out of nowhere.
Nox was about to roll more of his scroll when Blake shouted out, "Don't answer that!" Nox obeyed and put his scroll away. The group had just reached the bottom of the stairs when Rex stopped and looked at a particular spot.
"What is it, Rex?" Pyra asked her Driver.
The Aegis Driver turned to Poppi, "Poppi, do you sense any anomalies?"
Poppi tilted her head before replying, "No. Poppi not sense anything out of the ordinary."
"Great! That means nothing's gonna stop us this time," Rex said with a smile.
That was when Zeke realized what was going on, "Oh. You were worried that Salem might try again?"
And then the Remnans realized it too. "Was this where you were snatched?" Jaune asked first.
"Yup. The breach opened right over there and sucked us in," Nia replied as she pointed to a particular spot.
"And then those Grimm arms came and tried to grab Mythra," Mòrag added in.
"Now that you mention it," Brighid said in a thinking pose, "I wonder why Salem hasn't tried to open another Breach to get to us?"
"Better yet," Pandoria added in, "Why hasn't she tried to open a breach on Remnant to get to Rex."
"That's…a good question," Qrow said now looking thoughtful. "If Salem was able to target you guys before then why not do it now?"
"Maybe she can't," Pyra said, earning everyone's attention, "Poppi, you said you saw a person beyond the Breach that brought us to Remnant right?"
"Yes. Poppi see a person beyond the breach." Poppi replied with a raised hand.
"So…wouldn't that have meant that the Breach was supposed to bring us to Salem directly?" Pyra then asked earning surprised looks.
"Of course!" Weiss exclaimed, "She must have tried to bring you to her, but... maybe something went wrong?" That last part was presented like a question.
Then Mòrag remembered something, "His Majesty told me about reports that claim the Breach disappeared with an explosion."
"An explosion?" Ruby let out, "All the Breaches we saw just closed after a while."
"That might mean that something went wrong…or at least differently," Blake then said with a thoughtful look.
"Maybe the Architect interfered back then too," Zeke pointed out, "I mean…maybe he finally decided to get off his arse when Mythra was being snatched."
"That…actually makes sense," Qrow said before frowning again.
"But that doesn't explain why Salem isn't trying again," Dromarch added in, "But if we assume that the Architect himself did something to keep us from her, maybe he is preventing her from opening another one."
"But if the Architect could do that before, then why not do it the moment the first Breach opened," Dragunov asked in confusion.
"Maybe he wasn't sure why they were happening," Oscar then suggested, earning the group's attention again, "I mean…here was a time lag in Alrest and…" the farmboy trailed off, with increasing feeling of pressure."
After few moments, Rex spoke again, "Well…regardless, I think we can think that Salem either can't open a Breach or maybe this…time lag thing is a factor."
"That makes sense to me," Roze shrugged.
"We still don't have proof of either," Ren pointed out, "I think we should still stay cautious."
"I agree," Mòrag spoke up, "It would do well for us not to become complacent until we know for certain."
That earned various signs of agreement from everyone, before they moved onto the ship.
In the Monoceros, specifically on the deck, Salem was looking at a rather…worrying sight. A Beowolf she had brought here through a breach was writhing in agony in this so-called Cloud Sea. Shortly after, the monster dissolved.
The Grimm Witch frowned at this. "Interesting," Salem commented on one of her minions being destroyed by the thing that she heard Titans swim in or walk upon. Then she looked to the towering tree where the Architect supposedly lives in. The place where that thing in her visions most likely is. But what worried her the most was that it felt like creating Breaches from Remnant to Alrest seemed easier than the other way around.
"Hey! You should come inside." came the voice of Mikhail who had come outside, "We're about to go under again."
Salem rolled her eyes a little at this human giving orders to her. "Very well." But she complied none the less and the two moved inside. "I do hope my subordinates are treated well." Salem said as she got inside and Mikhail closed the heavy metal door.
"Sorry, but we still don't trust you guys, which is why we can only allow two of you to move out at the time." Mikhail said with a slightly apologetic tone, "I hope you understand."
"Oh, I do understand," Salem replied with a smile, "I wouldn't trust someone so easily as to let them move around my place without supervision."
"Nice to hear miss," Mikhail said with a smile of his own before moving down the hallway alongside the Witch. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?"
"I told you, someone who hates gods," Salem replied.
"I didn't ask who you are. I asked what you are," Mikhail clarified, "Or do you have some kind of skin condition? Not that I have a problem but unless that's a natural look for you then I'm interested in knowing what caused that?"
Salem chuckled a little, part of that almost sounded like flirting. "How long has it been." Salem couldn't help thinking forlornly before getting back to the matter at hand. "My appearance is of no consequence to you. What is of consequence is that I wish to visit this Elysium."
"Yeah, well let's hope your claims of helping us with those guys is true, otherwise Jin will cut you to pieces." Mikhail said with a slight lament, "Assuming Malos doesn't erase her from existence once he regains his true power." The blonde ladies' man thought in his head.
Salem chuckled, finding the threat amusing, "Your hopes are noted. Now, would you be a dear and escort me to my quarters?"
"Gladly," Mikhail said with a smile before moving on.
On another part of the ship, Emerald who was trying to keep her eyes open for anything useful was being escorted by Patroka to her quarters that she shared with Salem. All the men were put in the brig, and Salem gave them explicit orders to behave.
"Stop staring around," Patroka said, poking Emerald's butt with her single edged energy spear with seven colored points along the metallic blade that was inside the energy blade.
"Ow!" Emerald winced as she covered her stung rear. The mint haired thief so wanted to give this woman a beating, but she took down Hazel which isn't exactly an easy feat.
Soon enough they reached a door to the quarters she shared with Salem, much to Emerald's discomfort. And Mikhail was standing guard outside of it.
"Ahh, Patroka. Did she have a nice tour?" Mikhail asked while giving Emerald a charming smile.
"Yes, now let's put her in," Patroka replied in annoyance.
"Yes, ma'am," Mikhail said before unlocking the door and Emerald was shuffled inside. The room was bare and metallic. Only having two rows of bunk beds and night stands.
And on one of the beds was Salem sitting with a small smile, "Tell me Emerald, did you spot anything useful?"
Emerald looked afraid to answer, because she couldn't spot anything of value. And after her last failure, she was truly afraid of Salem hurting her.
"Speak up." Salem said slightly more firmly as she squinted her black and red eyes upon the girl.
"I'm sorry, I didn't spot anything of value. They wouldn't let me see anything important. Please-" "Hush, now." Salem said calmly, interrupting Emerald's ramble, "That was to be expected. They don't trust us yet. But no matter, we don't need them to trust us fully."
"Umm... Can I ask something?" Emerald asked apprehensively.
"You just did," Salem joked with a small chuckle, "But yes, you may."
This served to ease some of Emerald's tension. "I just... I don't understand why we can't just conquer this ship and go to this Elysium place ourselves. It's not like anything can stop you."
"Maybe not," Salem said before looking thoughtful, "But if what little they have shared with us is true then getting there is not that simple. Besides, I remember telling you to not underestimate the usefulness of others. Speaking of which, I haven't forgotten your little failure." At the last part, Salem had a deep frown that made Emerald have goosebumps as flashes of what Salem could do to her entered her mind. Tying her up and feeding to Beowolves. Hanging her up and letting a Beringel use her as a punching bag. Or have her pinned to the ground and have Nevermores feed on her. "Consider that a learning experience," Salem said with a neutral look, "Since I haven't trained you for as long as I have trained Cinder, I will forgive you that incident. So long as you learn from it. I admit, trying to use Raven and seeing through her deception was good, but you disregarded the superior numbers the enemy had even without their Blades. I hope you will not make such a foolish mistake again. Do you understand?"
Emerald could barely look Salem in the eye so she could answer. "Y-yes. I understand," Emerald stuttered out.
"Good," Salem then said with an almost tender smile, "In the meantime, I suggest you rest for a while. After all, we might soon have to pull our own weight once their plans are fully set in motion."
"Understood." Emerald said, feeling like she dodged a bullet when Salem merely lectured her. But next time, she probably won't be so lucky.
In the Circular room which held the block of ice, Jin and Malos had their own conversation about their new…guests.
"Do you really think they will help us?" Jin asked Malos who was leaning against the wall next to the door having given Jin some privacy with the woman in the ice.
"Of course not," Malos said simply, "They will probably try to double-cross us the moment we reach Elysium."
"…Do you think she was telling the truth about trying to open a Breach to the Aegis," Jin then asked instead.
"If she was then she's either a good actor or really doesn't know that she actually succeeded," Malos said with a grin as he placed his hand over the chest plate that covered his Core Crystal. "If the latter is the case, then I should be able to regain my power before she suspects a thing. And when that happens, I can destroy her." At the last part, Malos had a malicious smirk.
"…Is that what you want?" Jin asked as he turned from the sculpture to fully face Malos, "To destroy her?"
"Not really," Malos said with a frown, "But I will when she turns on us. And then…maybe I'll wipe out this Remnant too."
"…If you are sure," Jin said with a downcast look as he turned back to stare at the ice block again.
AN: And there we go. The gang had an... interesting morning, and Weiss got herself a new outfit. Also, Torna and Salem's group now have an uneasy alliance... Or would truce be a better term? Anyway, as I said before, I will be spending my time with my folks during Christmas Eve and Day. But depending on my whims, I might get a new chapter out around New Years, but no promises.
Anyway, once again, Happy Holidays.