Adam had been chastised by both his professors and colleagues more than once for keeping his hand at the ready to draw his sword while in public. They had told him that it was off-putting, incredibly rude, and potentially dangerous if the people around him interpreted his preparedness as an initiation of hostility instead. Even so, the young faunus had continued to let his hand linger near the hilt of his katana whenever he was in a crowd, the condemnations of his allies be damned. As he followed Qrow, Bartholomew, and Taiyang through the crowds of Vacuo, Adam noticed something that finally made him feel vindicated for keeping his habit going.
Nearly everyone milling about the spaces between the residential and market districts had a weapon either drawn or at the ready. Huntsmen and huntresses for hire had more sophisticated arms not unlike those carried by the students of Beacon, while other, less legitimate mercenaries carried weapons made from scrap or stone. Drawn daggers and shields permanently affixed to arms were a common sight, as were pairs of claws or studded wraps around the knuckles. As expected, no one really seemed bothered by the culture of carrying their weaponry so openly, and that blasé attitude carried over to the merchants manning the stalls on the way to the museum.
After all, they, too, were visibly armed.
"And we're sure we're headed the right way?" Qrow asked, sounding less and less convinced by the second as the group began to walk.
"No," Bartholomew said simply as he kept his nose buried in the large folded paper that the group had purchased from a nearby vendor. "No, we are not. There's a reason we weren't allowed to see the map before buying it."
"And that reason is?" Taiyang inquired as he leaned over his friend's shoulder. He was totally unsurprised to see that the "map" of the city of Vacuo consisted of only two concentric rings and a series of misshapen rectangles denoting important buildings, totally devoid of any labels. "Yeah, that looks about right."
"Is everyone here simply looking to screw over everyone else?" Adam spat as he rolled his eye. He had made a habit of occasionally turning around to cover the group's flank, though so far as he could tell, no one had yet tried to pickpocket him or any of his friends. "I understand the philosophy of doing what it takes to survive better than most, but it's almost like these people are looking for an excuse."
"These people don't need one," Bartholomew corrected. "While I share your irritation… it is somewhat understandable. Vacuo had plentiful resources, at one point long ago. Many of those were strip-mined by entrepreneurs in ages past and sold to the highest bidder. Those same individuals then left the desert, settling elsewhere in more favorable conditions than scorching heat and shifting sands."
"Places like Solitas," Adam finished. "In certain mansions."
Bartholomew merely nodded, refusing to lift his gaze from the map.
"Yeah, well, nobody's clean," Qrow said with a shrug. "As long as we stay on our toes and make sure we're better at defending ourselves than any would-be thieves are at their jobs, we'll be fine. Live and let live… until an opportunity arises, anyway."
"Is it really so different from Sanus?" Taiyang asked. "I mean, sure, thievery is more common, but it's not like it doesn't exist back home."
"The only difference is that the thieves here aren't the heads of corporations," Adam remarked. "Is that not the museum?"
The other three boys paused their advance to look where Adam was pointing- midway through the market was a massive building that sat between it and the residential district. Isolated and massive, the imposing structure towered over most others around it and featured three distinct rows of windows inlaid with dark blue glass arranged atop each other. Long, deep green banners with a spiral shell pattern in gold hung from the rooftops, fluttering gently against the side of the building. A massive throng of people was gathered outside, all standing along the walls and wrapped around the corner to the side of the building.
"…it's certainly a good possibility," Bartholomew admitted while he glanced at the map once again. "And there it is- a large square on its own, between the districts. Perhaps we weren't being swindled- it was merely assumed that we would know of the most important structures."
"Maybe," Taiyang agreed. "But either way- keep your guard up. Let's see if we can't find the end of the line and get inside. Even if it's not the museum, I'd be curious to know what we're looking at."
"With our luck, it'll be a coliseum," Qrow muttered. "Then again, maybe that wouldn't be so bad…"
"Oh, underground fighting rings are absolutely present here," Bartholomew acknowledged. "We could find you one, if you'd like to make some lien."
"…hold that thought, but I'm not saying no," Qrow replied as he moved to lead the group toward the corner of the building. "This way."
The other boys fell into step in short order, winding their way back around the side of the building. As Adam walked, he noticed that quite a few of the people standing in the seemingly endless line were dressed inconsistently with the pedestrians in the market. Though some of the patrons to the building did seem clad in light Vacuan cloth, many others wore more muted colors in styles that looked all too familiar.
"Tourists," Adam commented as he moved to walk at Taiyang's shoulder. "This has to be it."
"Yeah," Taiyang agreed. "Tourists, just like us. Understandable, though, given that."
Adam looked up in the direction that Taiyang was nodding. A navy blue banner hung horizontally between its much longer green brothers. Looping golden text advertised a new exhibit in letters almost as tall as the faunus himself. NEW EXHIBIT- RELICS OF THE LANDS OF DARKNESS was prominently displayed, near a picture of what appeared to be a half-melted spear, the blade warped and deformed with blackened splotches running the length of it. Just below the photo of the weaponry was something that Adam found even more interesting- a subtitle reading See the faces of the Gods.
"…the faces of the gods?" Adam asked. "What do you suppose that means?"
"Perhaps it is the reason that so many have come to this place," Bartholomew answered. "I suppose something has finally been found that directly depicts them. Such a find would be incredibly historic and warrant a crowd such as this. Perhaps even bring Vacuo some well-deserved acclaim."
"Gotta admit, looking at all this, it has a charm to it," Qrow mused as the line moved slowly forward. "Society remaining even somewhat functional out in a place like this is an accomplishment, and from what little we've seen of Shade… there seems to be a lot of secrets to uncover out here."
"Wonder if we'll find any," Taiyang considered. "Assuming we survive the line."
"Yes, well," Bartholomew began as he swept his hair back. His hand was damp with sweat as he pulled it away let out a sigh. "At least we're shielded from the sun, now. And so, the waiting game begins…"
"Well, we've got each other for entertainment, right?" Taiyang asked as he pulled his scroll out of his pocket to check the time. "And it's still early. It's only…"
"It's only…?" Qrow asked, trying to lead his friend to finish the thought as Taiyang stared at his scroll with wide eyes.
Taiyang swallowed a lump in his throat as he read the message on his screen. It was a simple question, and one that he knew was crucial to answer correctly. The trouble was that he had no idea how to even begin.
Raves, 1:29 PM
Am I too uptight?
"Raven?" Adam asked. "The panic on your face says it all."
Taiyang looked up and over the device into his friend's eye. He knew that the faunus had no malicious intent, and that only curiosity had fueled the question. Even so, the knowledge did little to make him feel any better.
"Yeah," Taiyang answered. "Yeah, she's… uh, she's asking me a question that I don't know how to answer."
"Perhaps we could assist?" Bartholomew asked.
"I'm not sure I want to know," Qrow warned as he folded his arms across his chest and took a step forward along with the rest of the line. "She's my sister. If it's about anything you two have been doing…"
"It's not like that!" Taiyang replied hurriedly. "It's just… she wants to know if I think she's… uptight."
Qrow couldn't help but chuckle as he gave his friend an expectant look.
"And?"
"I… I don't know!"
"Yes, you do," Adam denied. "Everyone thinks Raven's too high-strung, and she knows it."
"So why is she asking me!?" Taiyang asked as he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't want to hurt her feelings!"
"So, lie," Qrow said nonchalantly. "She's fishing for reassurance. Something must have happened. Maybe Kali grabbed her ass."
"Or you could be an adult, and answer honestly," Bartholomew suggested.
"And start a fight," Qrow added.
"Not necessarily," Bartholomew said with a roll of his eyes. "If she is indeed fishing for reassurance, she's likely feeling vulnerable right now, or regretful about not taking an opportunity that was offered by the other girls. Perhaps asking her why she feels the way she does or offering to talk about it would be the better move."
"I don't like this," Taiyang muttered. "The fact that we're not face-to-face means I'm left guessing, and I don't want to blow her off until later. She sent this over an hour ago. I guess I just didn't feel it go off in my pocket..."
Qrow sucked in a breath through his teeth and visibly cringed.
"…yeah, Raven doesn't like to be left waiting. It all comes down to this. Can Taiyang Xiao Long save his budding relationship, or will he fuck it up by saying something stupid? The audience waits with bated breath."
"Don't be an asshole," Taiyang spat as he narrowed his eyes and brought his scroll back up into view. "I actually care about her, you know. You should give a shit, yourself. She's your sister, and you know more than anyone else what she's had to deal with up to this point. I'm going to get this right, one way or another. This isn't some summer fling."
Qrow shifted his stance ever so slightly as he pulled a face, well aware that both Adam and Bartholomew were looking at him expectantly. It didn't take much for his façade to crumple, and so, the Branwen boy walked forward and put a hand on Taiyang's shoulder to catch his attention.
"…hey. You're a good guy, and I know I've said it before, but if I have to watch my sister date someone, I'm glad it's you. Don't forget that, and don't take it lightly. She has been through a lot, and if you want my advice? Do what Barty said and ask her why she feels the way she does. After that, tell her you'll talk in person tonight."
"…but when we talk in person, I know exactly what she's feeling," Taiyang protested.
"Which isn't the same as knowing why," Qrow pointed out as he let his hand slip from Taiyang's shoulder. "Besides- you know she hates when you 'read' her with your semblance. If you just put it off until later, that sends a signal that you plan on relying on it and coddling her. She'll be annoyed, and probably won't open up at all. Raven hates being babied and treated like other people have figured her out. If you want to have a shot at moving things forward, this is a good one- maybe she's more comfortable with text. Not everybody wants others to just guess at what they're thinking."
Taiyang nodded slowly and got to work typing out a reply.
"…that was quite insightful," Bartholomew praised. "Between indulging Roman this morning and that just now, perhaps you do have a heart after all."
"Yeah, maybe," Qrow said with a shrug as he turned around to progress with the line. "With my semblance, though, maybe he'll run out of battery before he can send it."
"Already sent," Taiyang replied before putting his scroll back into his pocket. "I just hope I made the right call."
A little, yes, but we all have our faults. We can work on it together. Why do you ask?
Author's Note:
Will Raven appreciate the honesty? Will Adam see something he's not ready for, assuming they ever get into the museum? Will the people who run the museum be insanely important on a level that no one will quite understand until something like two years from now?
Find out soon.
-RD
