Been sick all week. Think I spent more time in bed than out of it. Finally started feeling better yesterday, thankfully, but still really congested and tired. Thankfully, this chapter was planned to be pretty short, so I took the extra time to rest rather than start writing early...only to change my plan and end up splitting this chapter in two. Pretty sure it's an established law now. The less time I have to write, the longer the chapter becomes.
Won't need to travel this month, as it's been delayed to sometime in January. However, after the bumpy start to December and with a rather full plate in 2024, I've decided to take the week of Christmas off this year. All that means is that there'll be no chapter on 29 December, but we'll be back to normal the following week. Will also be a good chance for me to plot out a few upcoming ideas for missions and such.
Adam woke with the sun but wished he hadn't, laying in bed in the vain hope that sleep would reclaim him. Half an hour later he gave up, dragging himself out of bed to face the day and whatever drama awaited him.
One day. That's all he wanted. But no, Sienna had plans, and for whatever reason, Adam seemed to be a part of them. She wanted to talk, which normally didn't sound so bad unless it came from the girl you liked. Adam held no such feelings for the scheming woman, so why did this feel even more foreboding?
Maybe because she was finally planning exactly what Ghira had warned him was coming. She'd always been less than supportive of Ghira as leader, but that had always been in private. Now, she'd as good as told Ghira to his face that she wanted to replace him. You didn't deliver a threat like that and not follow through. The fact that she wanted to talk to him so soon meant whatever plans she had involved Adam in some way.
Was he some sort of magnet for political drama?
The worst part was, Adam still wasn't sure what to do when the time came. Sienna obviously wanted his support, though mostly because she'd set him up as a sort of symbol to the rank and file. His word carried weight, and if it came down to some sort of vote like Kali had mentioned, his decision might very well determine the future of the White Fang. Which left him with one very big question.
Who did he support?
Ghira was a good man, even if Adam didn't agree with his apathetic approach to fighting back. It was hard to stay mad at the man who had welcomed him and his friends to Kuo Kuana in their hour of need, taken care of them, and even given Adam a home. Ghira and Kali had done a lot for faunus rights, but they'd hit a wall and refused to push past it, leaving the White Fang floundering in stagnation. Leaving him in charge would be the safe bet. The easy way.
On the other hand, Adam found himself agreeing with Sienna more and more. She led from the front rather than hiding in an office. More than that, she understood the reality of the fight they faced and was prepared to do what was necessary. Her methods were risky, but they got results. She didn't criticize or talk down to him when everything went to crap and he had to get his hands dirty. She saw the world for the messed up place that it was. With her in charge, he might actually be able to make a difference, even if it meant going up against impossible odds.
So, experience or determination. Which one was right for the White Fang?
He'd have to figure it out, and soon, because hiding in his bedroom wouldn't solve anything. Begrudgingly, he prepared himself for whatever horrors the day held for him and headed for the one place he'd rather not be - the White Fang headquarters.
He'd barely made it in the door when Sienna's two favorite henchmen ambushed him.
"Ah, Brother Adam."
"Sister Sienna wishes to speak with you."
Corsac and Fennec. Two people with one mind and an unfaltering loyalty to Sienna. He'd gotten so used to hearing the back and forth way they spoke that he practically saw them as a single person now. "Any idea what I'm in for?"
Corsac's knowing smile answered better than his words. "It is not our place to say."
"But I think you know."
At least Fennec didn't bother playing dumb. Adam doubted Sienna just wanted to chat. Things had been set in motion and she planned to ride that momentum straight to the top. "I'll go see her," Adam relented, receiving a pair of synchronized bows before the duo hurried off, likely to spread the seeds of Sienna's ambitions. Those two were always up to something, which had Adam on guard anytime they appeared.
Waiting wouldn't change anything, so Adam made his way to Sienna's office. The moment his fist struck the door, she beckoned him inside.
"Ah, Adam! Take a seat." Sienna practically buzzed with excitement as he claimed his spot opposite her. "I was hoping we could talk a bit this morning."
"About Ghira?" He really didn't feel like dragging things out. They both knew what she was up to, so why waste time pretending otherwise.
Sienna only grinned at his bluntness. "Yes. Him and the future of the White Fang."
"You want to replace him, don't you?"
"Straight to the point as always," Sienna hummed, not at all put off by Adam's jumping the gun. "I do. Ghira has done much for the White Fang, but his feet are squarely planted in the past. I'm more interested in the future." Adam couldn't really disagree with that, but what sort of future would Sienna bring? Well, if she wanted to sell him on her vision, then he'd let her give it a try. "I want to reform the White Fang. Make it relevant again. But I can't do it alone."
"Because of the vote."
"I see Ghira's already spoken to you."
"Kali, actually." Ghira probably assumed he was already on Sienna's side at this point and wouldn't waste his time. Funnily enough, if he'd wanted to have an honest conversation, Adam would've been happy to hear him out. Instead, he'd locked himself away and avoided the problem, which was the whole reason they were in this mess.
"And what, exactly, did she say?"
"Only that she'd respect the wishes of the White Fang." Even if that meant she and her husband lost their positions.
"Hm. I wonder if Ghira will." As if that would matter. The worst he'd do is complain or make a speech. He never really fought for anything, did he? "Anyways, Kali's right. The only way for someone to replace Ghira would be through a vote. Every member of the White Fang would have an equal say." Including all the recent additions from Adam's missions. People that would look up to Adam. It wasn't enough to outright win, but if every single one of them voted the same, it would make up a pretty significant chunk of the vote.
Which meant Sienna wanted him to publicly support her and sway the vote.
"So tell me, Adam. If it was up to you, who would you want in charge? Me or Ghira?"
And that was the million lien question, wasn't it? Majority vote or not, his might be the deciding voice in the future of the White Fang. As much as he hated being involved at all, there was no getting around just how consequential his answer could prove. Supporting Ghira might mean nothing ever got done. Could he sit idly by and watch others suffer when he knew he could do something about it? But on the other hand, Sienna might very well lead them into open conflict with Mistral and Atlas. A vote for Sienna could have him facing off against Atlas' Specialists again.
Ghira the pacifist or Sienna the warmonger? In the end, only one of them could lead, and it was up to him to decide which one. Knowing full well that his decision would ripple through the White Fang for years to come, Adam gave the only answer he could honestly support.
"I don't know."
Why was it up to him? He was just a kid from nowhere who life had dealt the worst hand possible to. Adam had pushed through each calamity, only to be rewarded by even more suffering. No one would've blamed him for giving up, but he'd kept moving, defying fate itself as he defied the odds again and again. At his age, he should've been applying for a Huntsman Academy or applying for a job to make some extra lien before he moved out on his own, not sat in an office singlehandedly deciding the future of the White Fang.
So when the time came, he had no idea what to do.
"I don't know," he repeated a little louder. "Ghira's been good to me, but you've always had my back too. Maybe I'm not always satisfied with how he does things, but what if you replace him and I wind up saying the same thing about you? What, do we just vote you out next? Keep trying until something sticks or we just give up and go back to Ghira?"
"We wouldn't-"
"And why does it have to be me?" Adam demanded, ignoring Sienna's attempt to answer. "Why is it always me? Hm? I haven't even been here that long, and you're asking me to choose whether or not to remove the guy who's been doing this longer than I even knew the White Fang existed?!"
"Nobody's asking you to-"
Once the floodgates had opened, there was no stopping Adam's torrent of words. "They are. You are! You set me up as some sort of leader, and now you want me to convince everyone to vote for you so you can take over." More politics and games, with him caught in the middle. Well this pawn had had enough. "I never asked for this. I never wanted this kind of responsibility. I just wanted to help people in need." And who needed more than faunus? How did his dream of being a hero land him in the middle of a political spat? "So I don't know. You. Ghira. It doesn't matter. All I want to do is help people."
Sienna didn't make the mistake of trying to answer right away this time. Instead, she took time to consider his words carefully, even if she was probably just looking for a way to take advantage of the situation. Still, the momentary silence proved a welcome relief as Adam's chest heaved from the outburst.
Finally, carefully, Sienna dared to speak. "You're right. It's not fair." Her words caught his attention. "Maybe I've asked too much of you, but in all honesty, I do care about your decision, and not just because of how it might affect the vote."
"Go on."
Sienna sighed. "Believe it or not, I want your approval more than your vote."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Maybe," she admitted with a shrug, "but you could vote for me just out of spite for Ghira. Or just because you want to try something new. Not everyone who votes for me actually approves of what I do." Okay, that made sense. She might just be their lesser of two evils. "I want your vote. I'll make no secret of that. And yes, I do expect some may choose their position solely on who you support. Like you said, your support might be the very thing I need to win." If she was hoping to calm Adam down, she was failing in spectacular fashion. "But your support is far more important to me than the outcome of some vote.
"You're exactly what the White Fang is meant to be," Sienna continued, her voice lacking the usual edge he'd come to expect from her. "All you care about is saving faunus, be it from the claws of the Grimm or the oppression of the SDC. You offered yourself up to protect us at Shidekobushi and even took on the might of Atlas just to get our men out safely. From what I've heard, you even risked your life to save an old man in Orostachys. At every turn, all you've done is exactly what I want the White Fang to do - look out for each other. I hope that together we can remind the White Fang what that means. Honestly, I'd almost rather it be you in charge."
"I don't want that." His place was in the field making the tough calls on the fly, not sitting back and risking everyone else if his plan failed. The only lives he ever wanted to put at risk were his own and anyone who dared stand against him.
"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about," Sienna insisted, sitting back in her chair. "You're always interested in the best for us, regardless of what it means for you. You'd only support the person you thought would be best for all of us." True. Even if Ghira had gotten on his nerves lately, Adam wouldn't remove him for something so petty. "Which is why I won't call for a vote unless I know you're on board."
"What?" Was she seriously saying she'd call the whole thing off if he refused to support her? Pragmatically, she probably wouldn't win if he voted for Ghira, but that wasn't a guarantee. Then again, he didn't have to support her to vote for her. "Even if I promised to vote for you?"
"Even then," she confirmed with a slow nod. "I don't want to replace Ghira simply so I can claim his title. The leader role isn't some trophy I plan to hang on my wall. I want to lead because I think I'll be good for the White Fang. Otherwise, what's the point? And I figure, if you think I could do a good job, then maybe I am the right woman for the job."
So no pressure, but still all the pressure. Nothing really changed. If anything, this made it worse. With a single word against her, she'd cancel her plans and keep Ghira in power. Instead of possibly swaying the vote, he now controlled one of the candidacies entirely. At what point was this supposed to make him feel better?
Fine. If she wanted his support, then she'd have to earn it. "So what makes you think you're right for the job?" It felt weird interviewing Sienna for the position, especially with him sat on the wrong side of the desk, but he'd given up long ago on making sense of life.
Sienna didn't seem to mind it either. "I think it's time we unmuzzle the White Fang. Remind people that we still have fangs."
"You want violence?" Ghira certainly wouldn't be surprised.
"When it's called for," Sienna answered. "I'm not saying we should march to war, but we shouldn't be afraid to fight back either. Words alone won't change anything. Maybe they did, once upon a time, but the world turned a deaf ear to our suffering long ago. If they won't listen, then maybe we need to be a little louder." And actions spoke louder than words. They'd certainly taken notice of Adam after he went loud.
"So you want us to defend ourselves," Adam summarized.
Incorrectly, it seemed. "I want us to push back," Sienna specified. "Reacting to every attack on faunus isn't good enough. We need to be actively seeking out opportunities to strike back at those that would do us harm, like with the raid at the refinery. We'll hit them where it hurts the most - the pocketbook."
"How?"
"Raids on the SDC, mostly. We'll take their dust and lien, then use it to support faunus communities all across Remnant." That didn't sound too bad, as long as it wasn't too heavily guarded. Convoys and shipments, especially outside of Atlas, would be their best bet. "Mining camps, too. If they're even half as bad as Orostachys, then the workers there need us. With how remote most of them are, we can sneak in, clear the place out, and be gone long before anyone can mount a response."
Now she was speaking Adam's language. He and the others at Orostachys had often dreamed of being rescued, but no one ever came. They'd had to fight for their own freedom and paid dearly for it. What if someone like Sienna had been in charge back then? Would she have led a team to breach the walls and rescue them from the atrocities of the SDC? Could they have prevented him losing his eye, or maybe even arrived before the cave-in? He could only imagine how many lives would've been saved from a single attack.
"And you'll never have to worry about me criticizing you for doing what's necessary. You'll have my complete support on any decisions you make in the field, as long as you do it to protect our men." Not getting lectured every time he so much as brandished his sword would be nice. "I'll coordinate with you on where our efforts would be most effective, but I'd like you to be in charge of the actual missions."
In charge? "As in…"
"I want you to be my second-in-command," Sienna abruptly announced. "You'd be in charge of everything related to our missions outside the island, especially when it comes to any of our more…" Sienna tried to think of a good way to phrase it, "active missions." In other words, the ones Ghira wouldn't approve of.
"You're offering me a promotion?" He wondered if that came with a pay raise. Either way, it didn't sound too different from what he was already doing. The only real difference would be that he had more authority and support than before.
Sienna held up a hand. "Before you answer, there's more." There was always a catch, wasn't there? "I told you once that I wanted to make you a symbol for the White Fang. Someone others could look to for inspiration."
"I remember."
"Now I want that symbol to be a little more visible." Uh oh. He didn't like the sound of that. "If I'm going to make you my right hand man, then I need people to recognize you as such. You need to stand out from the rank and file. Be bigger than life, so to speak."
"Meaning?"
Sienna grinned sheepishly as she finally admitted her plan. "I want to make you our Huntsman."
"A Huntsman?!" Had she lost her mind? "I can't be a Huntsman!"
"Not officially, no, but-"
"Huntsmen go through the academies. Academies located in capital cities." Atlas, Mistral, Vale, and Vacuo. Not exactly places he'd be welcomed. Even Vacuo would probably turn him in. "Sure, I'll get right on that. Maybe I'll apply to Atlas Academy. It's the last place they'd ever expect me to show up."
Sienna waited to see if he had any more sarcastic remarks before continuing. "Not an official Huntsman. Just…ours." That made things as clear as mud. "I want you to be the official protector of the White Fang. A Huntsman in all but name. Flashy moves. Flashier attire. I want to make you the most well-known faunus in all of Remnant."
"Pretty sure I already claim that title." Regular news broadcasts. Wanted posters. Bounty hunters. The only person who even came close in recognition would be Leonardo Lionheart, the Headmaster of Haven Academy.
"Maybe, but it's not enough." Not enough? What more could she ask for? Every idiot with a gun was already out looking for him, eager to claim a king's ransom in lien for his capture despite the constant warnings to avoid him. "I want every faunus on Remnant to see you as their hero. They'll tell stories about you. Probably even make you into a comic book or something. And every human who even thinks about oppressing one of our kind will look over their shoulder, terrified that the notorious Adam Taurus might appear and stop them."
How ridiculous. She wanted to turn him into something like the Silver Wolf - an old folktale about a faunus warrior from Mistral who would one day come back and bring about a new Kingdom of faunus. He'd loved those stories as a kid - mainly all the fight scenes about the man they'd based the legend around - but they were just stories. Now Sienna wanted him to be both hero and boogeyman in one.
"So, what do you think?"
"I think you need to lay off whatever you've been drinking," Adam replied.
"I'm serious!" Seriously off her rocker. "Fine, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but I do intend to make you the symbol you were meant to be. Adam, the faunus who took on Atlas."
"And blew himself up before running away," Adam added, injecting a little reality before Sienna could get carried away again.
"And lived to tell about it," Sienna said, ignoring the part about him leaving a crater in Mantle on his way out. "All I'm asking is that you let me make you a little more visible."
That shouldn't have sounded so bad, but how much more visible could the most wanted man on Remnant get? He had a feeling he'd regret asking. "You're going to do it anyway, aren't you?"
"Probably." There was the Sienna he knew. Blunt and tactless as always. Honest, though. He wasn't so naïve to think she'd never lied to him, but so far, it had never come back to bite him in the butt. "Look, we can discuss the details later. Perhaps after my victory party?"
"Isn't it a little early to be celebrating?" She hadn't even called for a vote yet.
"Not if I have your support."
"Which I haven't given yet." He had to admit it felt good to take the wind out of her sails a bit. "I've listened to your pitch. Only fair I let Ghira have his shot."
Sienna looked disappointed. "Very well. I shall trust you to make the right decision. However, I will need your decision within three days. You can tell Ghira that's when I plan to call for his replacement."
"You want me to warn him?" That seemed unusually generous of her.
Sienna didn't think it such a big deal. "He knows this is coming. The exact timing matters little. Let him take those days to rally his support, as I will be rallying my own. Call it a show of good faith. Whatever happens, when the dust settles, I hope we can all continue working toward a brighter future."
That raised an important question that Adam hadn't thought of. "What happens to Ghira and Kali if you win?" He didn't think for a second that she'd try anything underhanded, but would the recently ousted leaders even be welcome in the White Fang? Would Sienna force them to leave entirely? And how would that affect Blake?
"I'd welcome their support in the days ahead. I might even go to them for advice from time to time. After all, even if I don't agree with how Ghira handles things, those two have more experience than practically anyone else around here." Adam let out a relieved sigh. So, they'd just be regular members then. No banishment, exile, or some other terrible idea that might split the White Fang into factions. Good. "He will also retain his position as Chieftain of Menagerie. Perhaps the lightened load will do him good."
"Thank you, Sienna." For being open with him, her promise to Ghira, and a million other things that would take too long to tell her. Adam rose to leave, relieved their meeting hadn't been a complete waste of time. "I'll talk to Ghira tonight."
"As you wish. And Adam?" Adam paused to hear her parting words. "Whatever your decision, I'm glad you're on our side."
Now the only question was whose side that would be in three days. Ghira's or Sienna's.
/- - - - - - - - - -/
Talking to Ghira was meant to be the easier option. Adam already knew the man, both the good and the bad. He knew what Ghira wanted and how he'd go about accomplishing it. He even knew the man didn't approve of his methods, even when they worked. Ghira would criticize and push back on Adam's more violent results, but he'd never gone too far. Even when they were at their worst, Adam was still a guest in Ghira's house. At the end of the day, they could put their differences aside and still work toward a common goal. He was a reasonable man with admirable goals, even if he wasn't always willing to do what needed to be done.
So why did Adam keep stalling?
He'd bumped into Ghira briefly after coming home - as in literally collided with the man in the hall as he rapidly flipped through some papers and muttered to himself. Ghira apologized for being so distracted and even asked how Adam was doing. Instead of asking to talk, Adam escaped the first chance he got and hid in his room, trying to come up with a game plan. Maybe he could ask to chat after dinner. They could retire to Ghira's office and go over everything like adults. Yeah, that could work. Just a pleasant chat on full stomachs. Perfect.
Dinner flew by, but when Ghira excused himself to his office, Adam froze. He watched as Ghira stood, kissed the top of his wife's head, and slowly left, all while Adam sat there in silence.
Idiot! Adam could've slammed his head on the table if it wouldn't have smashed his plate and upset Kali. He'd let the perfect opportunity walk right by him without a word. They could've adjourned to Ghira's study like adults, but now he'd have to go there on his own like a child reporting to the principal's office. Or he could wait until morning. Catch Ghira at breakfast and talk then. What was one night longer? It would be a lot less annoying that way. Plus, Blake was expecting him in the den tonight. He couldn't just stand her up like that. Tomorrow would work better.
Adam marched himself to Ghira's office not ten minutes later. Blake would have to wait. If he put it off tonight, he'd just find another excuse in the morning. Ghira deserved to know what was coming so he could prepare, and Adam wouldn't rob him of that chance.
"Come in," Ghira called in response to Adam's knock. With a deep breath that did little to calm his nerves, Adam slid the door open. "Adam?" Who else would it be? Kali sneaking in for a late-
Nope! Not going there!
"Hey, Ghira." Smooth. "Can we talk?"
"Always. Take a seat." For the second time that day, Adam found himself sitting across a desk from one of the leaders of the White Fang, though this chair was a lot more comfy than the last. "What's on your mind?"
"How do I start?" Sienna thinks you're weak and wants to replace you as leader to reform the White Fang into something more open to crime and violence with me as her second-in-command leading raids and attacks against the SDC, Atlas, and anyone else she has a grudge against. Yeah, that about summed it up.
"Is this about Sienna?" Ghira guessed easily enough. He sighed as Adam nodded. "So, this is it then. How long do I have?"
"She plans to call for a vote in three days," Adam said, relaying the information Sienna had given him. Everything from her plans to actively raid SDC shipments and camps to her promise to keep Ghira around and even seek advice from him. Only the last part seemed to surprise him in the slightest.
"And she's asked for your support?" Another nod. "Of course she has. She'd be a fool not to."
"I haven't given it," Adam assured him. "Not yet."
"Oh? And why not?"
Adam shrugged. "I wanted to give you a chance to convince me not to." And to support Ghira in turn. Adam hadn't mentioned Sienna's willingness to abandon her plan if that happened, though. No one but him and Sienna needed to know that.
"And how am I meant to convince you?" Ghira asked, knowing he'd have an uphill battle ahead of him. "You already know I don't approve of how you handle things. That won't change." Even if it cost him the vote. Even if Adam didn't agree, he had to respect the man's willingness to stand by his convictions. "I suspect Sienna would be much more in favor of your performance."
"She told me she'd support any decisions I made on missions." She'd already cheered him cutting off a sheriff's hand and blowing up a refinery. She probably wouldn't bat an eye if Adam cut down a dozen men just to complete a mission. The ends always justified the means with her.
"Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind, then."
That was it? Adam wished he could say he was surprised, but he wasn't. Of course Ghira wouldn't fight. He never fought for anything! "So you're just going to give up? You're not even going to try?"
"No. I'm going to do everything I can to remind people that violence is never the answer." Adam couldn't help the bitter laugh that slipped past his lips at Ghira's idealism. "Tell me, Adam. Were you in my shoes, what would you do?"
The answer came immediately. "I'd fight. I'd do anything I could to win."
"Anything?" Ghira hummed the word. "Even if that meant someone got hurt?"
"No, I'd-"
"Then you wouldn't do anything to win." Such a direct, logical argument for a tiny technicality. Ghira gloated in his small victory. "I'm glad there are some limitations, at least. But I'm less interested in what you wouldn't do than what you would."
If he was Ghira and believed as the man did? "I'd go public. Condemn Sienna for her actions and demand she stop. I'd make everyone scared to follow her and convince them she'd destroy the White Fang if she won." Fear could be a strong motivator. People would do anything to avoid something they were scared of. He'd proven that easily enough in Novus.
"And afterwards?" After? What did that matter? All that mattered was winning. "If you won, no one would trust her ever again. She and her followers would be driven from the White Fang. Or worse. If she won, you'd have burned every bridge possible. How could she trust you after something like that? She'd have no choice but to remove you entirely, which would only play into the fear you generated and scare all of your supporters away. No matter who wins, the White Fang loses."
"So, what, you'd want me to just sit there and let her take over?" Inaction wasn't exactly his forte.
"I didn't say that. I'm not going to roll over and let her destroy everything my family has worked for all these years." Okay. This was starting to sound promising. "There are many who still think as I do. I already have them meeting with some holdouts, reminding them of all the good we've accomplished without bloodshed. I'll be speaking to them personally in the coming days as well, right up until the moment the last vote is cast. I'll fight, but I'll do it in my own way.
"Some call us terrorists. Animals. Monsters. I have to remind the people that we're better than that. That we can rise above those that stand against us and show the world a better way. Together, we'll unite the world in the pursuit of equality and march hand in hand to a brighter tomorrow." Adam had a feeling Ghira had rehearsed that line. It was just a little too poetic to be natural, as was the next part. "But not if our hands are drenched in blood. If we lower ourselves and become the very things they call us, then the fight will never end."
It would, but only when one side was completely defeated. "They're already fighting us. Blood has already been shed."
"And will shedding more undo the sins of the past, or will it just lead to more and more until the whole world drowns?" A gruesome thought, but that was the kind of thing Ghira would need if he hoped to convince anyone. "Someone has to end the cycle and be the better man. All I'm saying is give peace a chance."
Peace? That sounded nice and all, but Adam wasn't sure that was still an option. Not when there were places like Orostachys abusing and even murdering faunus for no reason. Turning the other cheek was easier when you weren't the one with a brand on the first one. Ghira's words sounded nice and would likely win him some support, but Adam didn't know if he could believe them.
They continued talking for over an hour. Adam let Ghira do his best to sell his ideals, but in the end, Adam walked away unconvinced. Ghira hadn't won him to his side, but that didn't mean Adam was ready to fully support Sienna either. After everything was said, he was no closer to a decision than before.
Maybe things would make more sense in the morning. He still had time to make his decision. Fully supporting Ghira was out, but if he was being honest, he knew that was never an option. It really boiled down to whether he could support Sienna taking over or not. Did he really want to hand the reins over to her, or could he continue as they were now. To be fair, he was still getting things done, just with the growing disapproval of Ghira. Would having a supportive leader really make that much of a difference, or would removing the only thing holding her back get them in over their heads?
He was so lost in thought on his way to his room that he didn't even notice the pair of feline ears tracking him as he passed through the den.
"How'd your chat go?"
Adam stumbled at Blake's unexpected interruption. "You're still up?"
"Still up," she confirmed, not even bothering to look up from the book she was reading. "So, are you Team Ghira now?"
"Not quite." And he probably never would be. Not fully, at least. Ghira would always have his respect, even if Adam could never seem to earn his approval. Eager for a distraction before bed, Adam claimed his usual spot on the couch as Blake instinctively slid over to make room.
"You think he can win?"
"Do you want him to?" Maybe he could get Blake to help him decide.
Blake saw the trap coming a mile away. "Not really up to me, is it?"
Dang it, Blake! He really couldn't catch a break lately. "You'll get to vote like everyone else." At least, he assumed so. Did the White Fang have age requirements for voting? They'd let her join, though. Was that enough?
Apparently so. "But my vote doesn't carry the same weight."
It did, but he knew what she meant. He had the power to drastically sway the vote simply by supporting one side or the other. Blake might even be one of the ones waiting to see which way he leaned. Father or not, she didn't see eye to eye with Ghira's policies.
"What do I do?"
"Coming to a preteen for help?" She finally lowered her book, a mocking smile on her lips. "My, how the mighty have fallen."
"Seriously." He needed advice, and as young as Blake was, she had a good head on her shoulders. Maybe talking to her about it would help.
Adam laid out his concerns for both of them. Blake listened quietly as he described both meetings, highlighting both the good and the bad of his two options. He even told her about Sienna's promise not to call the vote if Adam didn't side with her.
"Sienna wants me to publicly support her, but I'm just not sure if I should."
"Why not?"
"Because that means going against your dad." Which most people would've been offended by. Blake just shrugged. "I know he and I don't always get along, but he really does care." About Blake, the White Fang, and even Adam. Why else did he let Adam keep living in his house? No one else had been given such a luxury. "Sienna's right. We need to do more, but I'm just worried how far she might push it." Would she stop at self-defense, like she claimed, or would she start to push for more? He could never really tell with her. "What we really need is someone in the middle of those two." Someone unafraid to act when necessary, but only when necessary. He wished he could combine the two into a single, balanced leader. Then they wouldn't need this stupid vote.
"Then why not you?"
Not this again. Bad enough Sienna floated the idea, but now Blake? "I don't want it."
"I think you'd make a great leader." He could admit to feeling a little pride at her vote of confidence. Not enough to ever want to take the top spot, of course, but it meant a lot coming from her. Blake wasn't someone to sugarcoat her opinions, which he appreciated. "But if you don't want it, why not push for change on your own?"
"What do you mean?"
"Convince Dad to lighten up a bit." Fat chance of that ever happening. "Or help Sienna win and be the limiter yourself." That…actually sounded more reasonable. "You said she wants to make you her right hand man, right?"
"She wants me to be in charge of all our missions." The new freedom to do as he pleased sounded nice.
"Then do it."
"Just like that?" She made it sound so easy.
"Why not? If Sienna wins, you'll have a lot more control. Why not use it to keep things in the middle?" Be the limiter if Sienna goes too far. She needed him if she wanted to get anything done. Other than herself, she didn't have anyone capable of crossing that line and surviving. She'd already said she'd let him make the field decisions. Maybe he could keep things in check.
Ghira would probably laugh at such a suggestion, but between him and Sienna, Adam was probably the more reasonable one. He wasn't infallible, though. No man was. What happened if he failed to hold her back enough? Whatever authority she gave him, she was still the leader. Having someone with more power holding her back would be more effective. And what if she ended up pushing for more and more? What if he started letting things slip and didn't even notice until it was too late? If he was keeping an eye on Sienna, who would be watching him?
"I'll think about it, but only if you promise me something."
"Me?" Blake tilted her head in confusion. "What can I do?"
"Keep an eye on me," Adam requested. "Even if Ghira wins, I need someone to keep me grounded. Someone to let me know if I ever go too far." Someone who wasn't afraid to tell him to his face that he was wrong. Blake seemed like she'd excel at that role. "If I'm going to hold Sienna back, then I need someone doing the same for me."
"And you want me to be that someone?"
"I wouldn't trust anyone else." Bane, maybe, but that would require him to actually speak. Jakob certainly couldn't do it. Maurice, maybe, but he'd settled into a quiet life fishing and would just be a mini Ghira. Adam needed someone who could keep him straight in the moment. Someone who could someday go on missions and keep up with him. Blake wasn't quite there yet, but she was closer than anyone else he knew. Give it a year and Blake would likely be in the field alongside him. "Of course, you'd have to train even harder so you could come on missions with me. Hard to keep an eye on me if you're not in the field." He knew he had her now.
Blake's eyes widened for a moment before she excitedly promised, "I'll do it."
"That doesn't mean you get to tell me I'm wrong all the time."
"Too late. We already agreed." Yep. He was gonna regret that. Still, it would be good to have someone to rely on, even if he'd have to put up with her lording it over him for years to come.
Maybe Sienna being in charge wouldn't be so bad after all. It would mean a lot of work for him, but he'd never been one to shy away from doing what had to be done. If it meant he'd get to help more people, it might be worth it. At the very least, he wasn't as opposed to the idea of replacing Ghira as he was an hour ago.
But that meant he had to address Sienna's other request. She wanted to turn him into a spectacle. Some wannabe Huntsman. She'd already set him apart by not having him wear a uniform, and his weapons were just unique enough that they could pass for something like a Huntsman's. His scabbard even mecha-shifted! He'd probably have to wear his mask more, but that wouldn't be a problem. He needed more practice with it on if he was going to wear it in the field. He had a feeling Sienna would insist on that detail.
But she'd want more. She hadn't told him that condition just for him to stay the same. She needed someone that would stand out. A symbol that no one would miss.
A symbol…
Adam had a sudden idea. "Hey Blake, mind if I take a look at some of your sketches?"
/- - - - - - - - - -/
"Brothers and sisters of the White Fang!"
Sienna's voice boomed through speakers set up behind the White Fang headquarters. There were always a bunch of people training or just hanging out near the training fields, but today a small crowd had gathered solely to hear what Sienna had to say.
"Ghira Belladonna has done much for us over the years, but he's spent too long appeasing the humans that he's lost the will to fight." A few people nodded along to her words as more gathered to listen. "He hides in his mansion while we go out and seek justice, only to criticize us when we are faced with the injustices of humanity. A leader cannot truly lead from the rear."
A smattering of voices rose up to agree - possibly plants from Sienna to bolster her words.
"All Ghira offers are words, but the humans stopped listening long ago. While he talks of a better tomorrow, faunus across Remnant wonder if there will even be a tomorrow for them. Some are forced to leave their homes. Others wind up serving the SDC in one of those death traps they call mines. And if they dare to dream - to even hope for that brighter future that Ghira talks about, they are beaten, starved, or even killed for nothing more than being a faunus.
"I know, because I've seen these atrocities with my own eyes. More than that, I know someone who's faced the cruelty of mankind head on and suffered for it." That was his cue. Adam slowly began making his way to the front, deliberately taking his time as Sienna continued speaking. "He fought back, saving countless others at great cost to himself. We welcomed him as one of our own, but what was our response? Did we demand justice for his suffering? Track down those responsible and make them pay? No. We issued a press release. Words. Words that the SDC and those that empower them ignored.
Adam reached her small stage just in time, every eye fixed on his back as he climbed the trio of steps and walked over to join Sienna. He knew what they were staring at. Kaito had helped him find someone to change his blazer. The result turned out better than he could've imagined.
Emblazoned across his back was his new emblem - a vibrant, red rose straight from one of Blake's sketches. The stem was sharp and jagged, cruelly bent by life but refusing to bow. Petals rose like fire, burning brightly against a world that had tried to snuff him out.
"Adam Taurus and I believe the White Fang is capable of more than words. We are out there fighting to protect faunus everywhere. Some of you are here today thanks to him, but Ghira has condemned the very efforts that saved you! When your lives were on the line, he asked us to do nothing, but we refused. We refused to stand by and watch our fellow faunus suffer when we could help. We refused to let mankind oppress our brothers and sisters when we could stop it. We refused to accept their cruelty any longer!"
Adam made a perfect punctuation to her call, stood beside her with his scar visible - proof of the very cruelty she sought to end. More than that, he was proof they could fight back. Proof that the action of one could save the lives of many. He'd done it not by word or protest, but by fighting back. Message delivered and with a nod to Sienna, Adam affixed his mask, completing his new look. The mask was the same, but he'd let Blake have at it with some paint she'd borrowed from her mom. Reddened vines wove their way across the bottom and sides of his mask, a single thorn cutting across each eye slit as they accentuated what looked like a pair of animalistic eyes glowing in the middle. Red eyes. Grimm eyes.
"Today, and with a heavy heart, I call for a vote to replace Ghira and his apathetic words with a new leader. Here and now, I announce my intention to replace him and help the White Fang rise to new heights! Together, we can show the world that their hatred and oppression of our kind will not be tolerated. We will remind them of their forgotten promise of equality. Let us once again sharpen our fangs, brothers and sisters, and prove to them, once and for all, that we are to be taken seriously. For faunus everywhere, and for the White Fang!"
"For the faunus!"
"For the White Fang!"
"For Sienna!"
Their cheers rang out across the island, heralding the dawn of a new era.
And so, Sienna makes her move with Adam's support, all because Blake convinced him to. Enjoying making Blake more involved in his backstory, from his support of Sienna to even having her design his emblem and mask. Makes her eventual abandonment even more painful for him. His whole identity bears her marks. On the flipside, Blake won't be able to look at him without remembering her involvement. A monster of her own creation (not really, but she seems to feel some of that guilt in canon).
To be clear, the vote hasn't taken place yet. That will be next chapter, but with Adam backing her (and knowledge of canon events), you can probably guess the outcome. Meanwhile, we've got Adam showing off his new look. It's not his final form, since we haven't added the white to his blazer yet, but it's close. Actually love how the design changes as he progresses, going from some detached thorns and a single rose to intricate vines and more by the end. At least until they ditched it for a new design in the end that didn't have any of those markings. Sad, but also kind of fit, as he got rid of what I'm going with as Blake's design, signifying his shift from pursuing her to wanting to destroy everything around her. Also works with the Beauty and the Beast idea of the last petal falling, except in Adam's story he fully becomes the beast instead of being saved.
Also, yes, in the middle of all that, I slipped in a John Lennon reference. Didn't even realize it was the anniversary of him being murdered today until I went to upload. Just a weird coincidence.
Next chapter: The White Fang votes for leader.