Let's go!
Arc 1 – Chapter 7
After wolfing down breakfast, the first thing Ruby did was get introduced to the residents. The first one she was to meet was an older teen by the name of Tony.
"Ruby, this is Tony," introduced Hei, gesturing to the lanky adolescent with a stony expression and chiselled face. He had well-defined jawline and cheekbones.
They were in cellar underneath the kitchen, where Tony was currently writing something on a scrap parchment under candlelight.
Tony looked up and, seeing Hei, inclined his head respectfully.
"Boss."
Hei looked down at Ruby.
"Tony catalogues all of our supplies, such as food and clothing. That way we know if we have any shortages and if we need anything. He also acts as my right hand. When I'm not around, he's in charge, so if you find yourself looking for something to do or need help and can't find me, head straight to him."
Hei led Ruby out of the cellar and back into the kitchen. He gestured to the back door and led Ruby through.
Stepping outside into the snowy courtyard revealed five children and a couple of older teenagers working around a well with several racks for drying clothes and material to hang.
"Jess! Tommen!" The two adolescents in question turned their heads to face Hei.
"I want you to come meet our latest addition," he gestured to Ruby who shyly tried to hide behind Hei's leg. Hei was having none of it however, and with a gentle push, forced Ruby out into the open.
"You can't hide away Ruby. Besides, they're friendly enough."
Ruby thought otherwise, but had no other choice than to cede.
The two teens approached Hei and Ruby. They were tightly wrapped in multiple layers of clothes and fur-skin jackets to keep warm outside.
Jess had long brown hair with freckled features and green eyes that were warm and comforting. Tommen appeared slightly younger, with his chubbier and more youthful face. Short, messy hair clung to his scalp.
"This is Ruby," Hei gestured to her, and Tommen instantly stuck his hand out for her to shake.
"Hey Ruby! Nice to meetcha! I'm Tommen."
Ruby didn't reciprocate, however, so Jess shoved Tommen aside.
"Idiot. You can't just walk right up to her like that and expect her to be buddy-buddy with you. She's scared."
Jess knelt down in front of Ruby, adopting a warm smile.
"Hi Ruby," she said, much more softly compared Tommen who was nursing his shoulder in quiet disgruntlement.
"My name's Jess. I must admit, that's a very pretty name you've got."
Ruby looked at Jess, then towards Hei uncertainly, before glancing back to Jess.
"Really? You think so?"
"Absolutely," nodded Jess.
Ruby started to break out of her shell a little.
"My mom gave it to me! She's… um… she was the best," she finished dejectedly.
Jess glanced at Hei, who was quick to intervene.
"Her mother's a sore point. Try not to bring it up if you can. At least not now." He held a hand up before Jess or Tommen could speak.
"I'll explain later. For now, I want you two to get Ruby here started on some of the chores the others do. I've shown her around and introduced her to some of the other's, but once you're done, if you could introduce her to the rest that'd be great."
"Sure thing boss," nodded Tommen.
Hie paused, glancing around suddenly.
"By chance, have you seen the Malachite Twins around?" he queried.
"Oh, I saw Miltia head out with Larry and Lauren half an hour ago," supplied Jess. "They were headed to the town square I think?"
Hei frowned.
"And where's Melanie? I need to speak to them about some things."
Jess shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe Roman will know?"
"Roman and Neo took off to bring some Lien in," groused Hei, clearly unhappy.
Tommen smirked.
"Yeah leave it up to Torchwick to bring the goodies."
Hei levelled a disapproving stare at Tommen who wilted under the gaze.
"It's not exactly something I like him having to do. And no, that doesn't mean you get to have any forays like that either. I'm well aware of what happened when you tried to pull a fast one on that store owner two weeks back."
Tommen suddenly found the ground more interesting to look at.
"S'not my fault the bastard is so stingy," he muttered meekly.
"It is when you get caught red-handed. You're lucky it was only a paddling you got from him, and not the attention of someone like Benny or Garrison."
"Yes sir," he mumbled. "I promise it won't happen again."
Hei pulled a hand down his face as he sighed.
"I'm not trying to scare you, kid. Look, I understand that sometimes you have to liberate people's goods from them, especially with all the mouths to feed here," Ruby glanced up at him, a surprised look on her face as she began to realise what he was implying.
"But I also don't need you taking unnecessary risks. Besides. I thought I taught you to be better than that. The guy was what, seventy years old? What'd you do, literally pocket it right in front of him?!"
Tommen now looked embarrassed. Jess laughed good-naturedly at his expense.
"You guys steal?!" demanded Ruby, a horrified look on her face.
Hei glanced down before responding matter-of-factly.
"Kid, you're going to realise and come to terms with it pretty soon, but the quick rundown is this is an orphanage for kids that civilisation is more than happy rejecting. We try offering work to townspeople and passers-by, but the simple fact of the matter is no-one is eager to trust a street-rat. Especially in what is the slums of a backwater town."
He glanced sadly at the small children working at the well, their soft chatter and childish arguments faintly overheard.
"And with the prospect of starvation looming over us all, especially during the winter, well… Sometimes you have to get creative."
"That's not right though," protested Ruby.
"Stealing is wrong! Mom and dad…" she froze, before mustering up the nerve to continue.
"They said so!"
Hei frowned.
"Well, out here, the world works much differently to what you were taught. It's much harsher and crueller. Think of those bad men that came to you."
Ruby stilled.
Hei realised his blunder.
Good one Hei. She's barely five and you're already bringing up bad memories from not even two nights ago.
He grimaced.
"I don't mean to upset you," he knelt down, resting a hand on her uninjured shoulder. It engulfed it entirely, that's how small she was.
"But it's the sad truth we have to face. Life is full of hardships. And many times, there is no easy solution. And sometimes when there is? We have to face the fact that it is a rather unpleasant one. In this case, we have to steal. Otherwise, people will starve and die. Children your age."
In reality, he cared little about the townspeople having their goods stolen. He had been thieving in his younger years and was relatively desensitised to it. What he cared about was when his people, the children and family he had adopted under his care, were caught and harmed because of their inexperience.
However, he was also experienced enough to know that Ruby was still relatively naïve, so introducing the topic in a more benevolent light was likely to endear to her morality.
He wanted to laugh at that.
A Grimm-Whisperer having greater humanity and morals than half of the people in this shitty town.
Clearly her mother was of similar constitution, if Ruby was to be believed. And she was likely a Grimm-Whisperer too.
That's two to the whole of humanity that I know in terms of compassion and morals, Hei internally chuckled.
What a real shitshow I've gotten my life into…
"So, you steal things to help people, then? Is that what you're saying?"
Hei couldn't help but chuckle aloud at Ruby's soft tone and inquiry.
"Yes, that's exactly it, Ruby. Granted, I don't necessarily like it myself, albeit for slightly different reasons. But that is correct. We steal when we have to in order to survive."
Ruby looked thoughtful.
"But what about the Hunters? Aren't they supposed to stop people from stealing?"
Hei was about to question where she heard that, but then realised she had overheard his conversation with Roman, likely, including when the Hunters' were name-dropped.
"They're…" began Hei, trailing off.
"Liars?" Suggested Jess.
"A pain in the ass?" offered Tommen.
"I'd say hypocrites personally, but we'll go with what Jess said."
"Hippocrits?" Ruby was definitely inquisitive.
"It means they say one thing, but then do the exact opposite. Sorta like Jess said. They can be liars, in a round-about way. But that's not the issue."
Hei stood up.
"Hunters are supposed to protect the people from the Grimm. They also keep the peace in settlements, because of their training and skills. However, some Hunters, like the Garrison currently operating in the town, decide to abuse their authority and training and take matters of what's right and wrong into their own hands."
Ruby looked at Hei, now curious.
"They only act when it benefits them, or if they want to, instead of because of duty. That's why I called them hypocrites."
Ruby mouthed an 'O' as she learnt something new.
"That's why it's imperative you never get caught by them, or do anything to attract their attention. Their attitudes are… fickle."
"And they are the last people that need to know my secret," nodded Ruby in understanding.
Hei wanted to face-palm as Jess and Tommen looked at him with curiosity.
"Ruby. What did I just say earlier?"
It took her a second to clue in, but when she did, her eyes widened to comical proportions and she clamped a tiny hand over her mouth.
"Eep! I'm sorry!"
Hei just shook his head in disappointment.
"Forget what you heard for now," he stated to Tommen and Jess, their interest now piqued.
"I'll explain later when time permits."
The two shared a glance before nodding unsurely to Hei.
"Now," he began.
"If you have no more questions, I need to go track down the twins. I'll leave you with Jess and Tommen. And remember what I said," he intoned warningly.
Ruby mimed zipping her mouth shut.
"I promise I won't do anything or say anything at all."
Hei wanted to cringe at her subtlety.
"Just, do as they say and… maybe you can make some friends," he offered.
"Anyway, I need to go. I'll be back soon."
He turned to face the two adolescents.
"Tony is in charge until I get back. He's just cataloguing all our food down in the cellar if you need him."
"Gotcha boss," nodded Jess while Tommen threw a sloppy salute, or what he felt passed for one.
As soon as Hei was gone, Tommen spoke.
"Well, Ruby, want to help out?"
She looked to where he was pointing at the well.
Hei did say she needed to do something to help out, so it was probably a good idea to do just that. At least, that was what her childlike thought-process suggested.
"Okay," she nodded slowly, venturing forward with the aid of Jess' guiding hand.
When she arrived at the well, she was greeted by the sight of five children roughly her age or a couple years older at most. Including the green-haired girl from the other night.
"Emerald!" Ruby squeaked out in surprise.
Emerald turned to her, dismay plastered across her face.
"Ew, no. This is too much."
"Emerald, be nice," tutted Jess as she walked over.
"I see you two have met?"
Ruby nodded her head vigorously.
"Mmm-hmmm."
"Good. Then this'll make things easier. Emerald, you're going to be paired up with Ruby to teach her the washing."
Emerald shot Jess a sour look.
"Aren't you supposed to be the adult? Hardly seems fair I have to do all the work."
Jess snorted while Tommen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Emerald, Neo caught you skulking around trying to avoid your chores. If anything, you're an hour late to work."
"Yeah," added Tommen. "That doesn't sound like you working at all," he laughed.
His laughter was cut short as she quickly marched forward and kicked him hard in the shin.
"OW!" he tumbled over, clutching his leg.
"Emerald! What have we told you about that," snapped Jess with a disapproving glare.
Emerald shrugged nonchalantly in response as she returned to wringing out the clothes to hang.
"And Tommen, quit overreacting," she frowned at him.
"Oh shove it," he bit back, barely withholding tears. "Who taught her to kick like that?!"
"If I were to guess? Either one of the twins, or Neo. Now quit whinging."
Tommen slowly fixed his posture as the pain subsided, levelling a narrow-eyed glare at Emerald.
"I'm watching you," he muttered.
Emerald's response was to flip him off.
"And where the hell'd you learn that!?" He cried out in astonishment.
"The adults," she sassed sarcastically.
Jess groaned.
"Enough fighting, the two of you. Tommen, help me pull this bucket up from the well. Emerald. Start showing Ruby what to do."
Tommen growled in discontent while Emerald rolled her eyes.
"Aren't I going to be introduced to the others?" questioned Ruby as she sat down next to Emerald.
"God, you talk too much."
Ruby frowned.
"You're not being very nice."
"Ugh. Fine." Emerald wheeled around and pointed with her fingers to each of the other children.
"That's Laura," she pointed to a small blonde-haired girl with a gentle expression, probably seven years old currently folding clothes into a basket.
"That's Grover," she gestured to a meatier-looking six-year old boy with hair given a very crude buzz cut and freckles. He was currently moving a bunch of wet clothes to a rack.
"That's Timothy," she gestured to a lanky eight-year old with crudely fashioned glasses and a nerdy expression on his face.
"And that's… oh no…" Emerald couldn't help but groan.
"Hiya!" Came an enthusiastic voice from a boy no older than eight.
The boy approaching them had a very naïve aura about him, eager eyes and a wide-mouthed smile as he looked at the two in excitement.
"I'm Duck!" he thrust a hand forward for Ruby.
"And this is Duck," sighed Emerald in dismay, her upper lip curling in distaste.
Duck was short for his age, only somewhat taller than Ruby. Freckles dotted his face, and short-cropped brown hair protruded from his head, refusing to stay down.
He kept his hand up eagerly, waiting for Ruby to shake it.
"Don't entertain him," warned Emerald pleadingly.
Ignoring her, Ruby ventured forth and grasped his hand to shake. She did not expect him to shake it so vigorously.
"It's a real pleasure to meet ya! I'm Duck."
"We know," sneered Emerald.
"Hi Duck? I'm Ruby."
"Nice to meet you Ruby! I'm Duck!"
Ruby glanced at Emerald uncertainly.
Emerald could only shake her head in defeat.
"It's a Duck thing," she offered weakly.
Ruby slowly turned to face Duck.
"Soooo," she began slowly. "Why are you called Duck?"
"You know my name! That's awesome! I'm Duck! And I want to become a Duck," he began enthusiastically before his voice dropped to a mysterious whisper and he hunched over, as if trying to be stealthy like a ninja.
"But not just any Duck," he began conspiratorially. Ruby suddenly felt nervous and way out of her depth. Emerald couldn't help but face-palm as she watched the scene unfold before her.
"The darkest of Ducks. A Duck so brave and mysterious, that he'll chase off all the baddies and become… SUPERDUCK!" He let out a mighty roar, and Ruby stumbled back in surprise.
All of the other children and older teens nearby turned their heads in surprise to face Duck, before realising it was just Duck and went back to what they were doing.
"That's why he's called Duck. Because he's a ducking moron," spat Emerald.
"Oi, what was that Emerald!" called Tommen warningly.
"Oh shove it, I said duck, not fuck," she shot back.
"Such a potty mouth. Is she giving you grief, Tommen," called a familiar voice.
"Mr Roman!" squealed Ruby.
Roman came sauntering into the courtyard through the gate with a wooden walking stick under one arm, a cigar in the other hand, and Neo by his side.
"Now that's how you greet someone. By their first name with a proper title," smiled Roman approvingly.
Neo nodded her head sagely.
"Oh looky, Torchwick's back," sniped Emerald.
"Ah. Mint," smiled Roman with a sickeningly sweet fake smile.
"Finally decided to do your chores? Or did Neo have to go find you again?"
Emerald grumbled something under her breath, clearly not getting the reaction she wanted out of Roman.
"Roman! Are you smoking?!" came an astonished Jess.
"Nice, Roman," grinned Tommen.
"I knew you'd approve," smirked Roman, inclining his head towards Tommen.
"Hei's gonna smoke your ass if he catches wind of you smoking," warned Jess.
"Eh. Who cares. I've got a style I'm leaning for."
"I thought you left," interjected Ruby.
"I did," nodded Roman.
"But you were only gone for what…?"
"It was only fifteen minutes Red. Er, I think? I'm approximating since don't have one of those fancy clocks."
Emerald snorted.
"As if you'd know what a clock is. Only rich people have them."
"You'd be surprised what I know about," grinned Roman.
He didn't fail to notice the way Emerald started to slowly skulk around him.
"Back on track, Red, the whole idea of going out there," he gestured to the slums ahead, "is to be quick and efficient. In and out. The less time you spend, the less people will notice you."
"So you were stealing," frowned Ruby.
Roman opened his palms out for her to see.
"Guilty," he admitted without any remorse.
He caught movement on his right just behind him, and without missing he lashed out with his newly acquired cane.
The shaft landed squarely on Emerald's head, and she hit the ground with a loud 'ow'.
"You're a hundred years too young to be pulling a fast one on me, Mint," he smirked in satisfaction before fishing out what she was attempting to pinch underneath his fur jacket.
A gold lighter, with a snarling Grimm carved in to where the flame would be emitted.
"I'm a professional kiddo," he continued, rubbing it into the angry little green-haired girl who was glaring daggers at him.
He ignored, taking in the scene before him before his eyes settled on Duck, and then Ruby.
"I see you've met Duck," he inclined his head.
Ruby nodded meekly. "Yep."
Duck quickly interjected.
"Torchwick, you're back!"
Roman's eye ticked at how innocently he said it.
"Very astute of you Duck."
"I'm gonna become SuperDuck one day," he began excitedly.
"I'm sure you will," smiled Roman thinly.
"And what are you two doing," he gestured to Emerald and Ruby, the latter of whom piped up.
"Emerald was going to show me some work to do."
"Really?" Roman cocked an eyebrow.
"Well that explains why nothing is being done. If she's you're teacher you're bound to pick up bad habits kiddo. My advice, stay clear of her."
Emerald skulked past him.
"Oh please, and what work have you been doing exactly," she snapped sarcastically.
"Well," began Roman, bowing theatrically. "I've been busy bringing in some money and supplies for you ungrateful miscreants!"
Jess was quick to speak up sardonically.
"Stealing cigars and lighters for yourself to smoke isn't exactly contributing to our welfare Roman."
He merely waved off her concerns. "Oh ye of little faith."
"What's this I hear about Roman smoking," came Tony's stern voice as he marched into the courtyard from the kitchen.
"Shit!" Roman startled and was quick to drop the cigar into the snow and extinguish it underfoot. It did little to help him as Emerald all too eager to tattle on him.
As Tony tore into Roman and the others chuckled and laughed, Ruby felt a small smile work its way onto her face, and for the first time in two days, she let loose a small laugh.
Perhaps things would be alright. These people, despite their rough exteriors, seemed nice. They were like a new family for Ruby since she lost her first, and for the first time, she was eager to see what the future would hold…
A steady crunch of dead foliage and snow could be faintly heard as a figure moved through the forest and up a hill.
When they finally reached the summit, they glanced behind themselves to ensure they weren't being followed.
Nothing except a vast wilderness expanse as far as the eye could be seen behind them.
So, they continued their journey until a small clearing could be seen up ahead, where mostly dead branches, dried leaves and dirt, alongside a few scattered logs could be seen.
Resting on one of the logs was a cloaked, bloodied and bandaged figure being supported by two shadowy figures clad in black.
They too looked as if they had been wrung through the ringer, sporting tears and dried blood on their robes.
"Were you followed?" Rumbled a deep voice belonging to a tall, imposing figure leaning against a tree.
"Ah, Hazel. Good to see you too. And no, I wasn't."
Tyrian strode up to the burly man before plopping himself down on top of a nearby log.
Hazel breathed a sigh of relief, one which was shared by the two cloaked figures standing.
"That's… that's good. That battle was much too close for my liking."
"Hrng. Your… liking?" Gritted out a voice from the resting cloaked figure.
"That bitch nearly killed me! And all… argh…. You can say… is it was too close for your liking?! Fuck. You!"
Hazel turned his head slowly to regard Jax.
"You are alive. That is all that matters," he stated.
"Alive?! You fucker, I can't even feel my legs!"
"The damage is extensive, your highness," added one of the cloaked figures, his face obscured by a black cloth.
"Until we can get you to a doctor, we won't know the extent of your injuries. And the longer we leave them, the more grave they may become," he glanced at Hazel.
"See," coughed Jax.
"That bitch might have removed my ability to ever walk again! What was she?! I thought you said that we wouldn't have to worry about Hunters!"
Hazel pursed his lips as he leaned off the tree, standing tall.
"That woman wasn't a Hunter. She was a Huntress."
"The fucking difference!?" shot Jax, instantly regretting his outburst as he was sent into a coughing fit.
Hazel shot Jax an irritated look, beginning to tire of his whining.
"A Hunter is reliant on Aura Shards to fuel their Semblance and Arcane arts. A Huntsman or, in the case of the woman, a Huntress is able to naturally generate Aura without needing an external source like a Shard."
"Bullshit!" Spat Jax.
"Aura can't just be generated like that?! Otherwise everyone could!"
Hazel frowned.
"There are many truths in this world that you, like the overwhelming majority of people, are ignorant to."
Tyrian's eyes darted between Hazel and Jax with maniac fervour as his tail flicked and swished around behind him.
Jax looked furious and was about to argue, before he relented and instead moved on with a different question.
"Assuming you're telling the truth, that doesn't explain how one woman was able to decimate most of my men, all of whom have Hunter training!"
Tyrian giggled while Hazel scoffed.
"Your men do not have Hunter training. At best they are a step up above regular Men at Arms or town Militia. A team of trained Hunters would have been able to tear apart your forces with ease. And a Huntress has training vastly superior to a Hunter. As such, it is no surprise that your men were so quickly killed."
Jax scowled.
"Then how is it you two were able to survive, let alone drive her off?"
Hazel held his massive right arm out in a gentle flex, allowing a golden shimmer of light to briefly envelope it.
"She is not the only one with Huntsman training, nor is she alone in her ability to generate Aura."
Hazel ignored the look Jax was giving him, instead turning to address Tyrian.
"What happened with the Huntress anyway, Tyrian?"
Tyrian giggled as he hopped off of the log.
"Oh, once we split up I went to finish off the man. She took exception and tried to kill me!"
He almost seemed happy at the prospect.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Alas, she is not the one destined to end my life. She tried to use the cover of the Grimm spawned to flee with her friend. I chased them down. We fought. I gave her a good thrashing, but she also managed to show some skill," he revealed his right arm, and a massive laceration could be seen travelling down its length.
Despite the obvious pain and lack of function, Tyrian waved it around without a care.
"And then she decided to use her portal to flee first chance she got!"
Now he sounded disappointed.
"I didn't even get a chance to fully repay her!" He gestured to his arm.
Hazel rubbed a thumb under his chin.
"So she has fled. And there was no-one left to follow us."
Tyrian screwed his face up.
"Doubtful."
"Good," nodded Hazel.
"Then we continue as planned. Heal your wound Tyrian. We don't need anything slowing us down."
Tyrian snarled at the insinuation.
"Nothing would hinder me from accomplishing our Goddess' will."
There was a red flash of light on Tyrian's arm before it started to knit up slowly.
Jax could only stare at him wide-eyed as Tyrian regained function in his arm, leaving only a dried bloodstain left.
His two loyalist men could be heard whispering in shock.
"Without a crystal?!"
Jax was in disbelief.
"How did you do that!"
Tyrian rolled his shoulders and could be heard cracking his neck.
Hazel regarded Jax with a sideways glance.
"Like I said. She is not the only one capable of generating and manipulating Aura. Now Tyrian. Did the child survive?"
Tyrian groused a reply.
"Most inevitably. She ran before I could finish her off."
"Then we have our new objective. As much as it pains me to have to kill a child, the risk she poses is too great to leave up to chance deciding whether or not she survived."
"Well, I'm glad we see eye to eye on that, Hazel," grinned Tyrian.
"Where are you going?" demanded Jax.
"Our primary mission is to remove any Grimm-Whisperers we find so they cannot become a hindrance to our master's plans. Despite the arrival of this Huntress, that mission has not changed. We must find and eliminate the girl. And we must do so quickly."
"I'm in no state to be hunting down anyone right now!" Jax was furious.
"No," frowned Hazel. "It would seem not. That won't be a problem, however, as you won't need to come. Your abilities won't be needed to deal with this child."
Jax's eyes began to widen.
"You can't just leave me here?! I'm the King of Vacuo! And I have been injured, because you failed to protect me! I order you to accompany me and get me to a doctor. Immediately!"
His eyes began to glow, but before he could do anything, Hazel's massive hand gripped his throat and hoisted him up in the air. Jax's two bodyguards were batted aside in an instant by Hazel as if they didn't even exist, and a cold look was etched in Hazel's hardened face.
"BOY! Do not ever think of using your Semblance on me ever again! You are not the King of Vacuo, and you are not entitled to order me around on a whim! You are but a foolish and naïve child with dreams of grandeur, yet no skill, leadership nor backing to see them brought to fruition. You came to us first and foremost for aid. And we have delivered in exchange for using your Semblance when we require it."
He tightened his grip and his eyes narrowed as he locked eyes with a petrified Jax who was desperately clutching Hazel's wrist in a vain attempt to dislodge him.
"Do not test me, boy."
There was a tense second of struggling from Jax as Tyrian watched on with amusement, until Hazel slowly released Jax back onto the ground.
Without any power in his legs, he crumpled onto his side, gasping and wheezing for air greedily.
Hazel ignored him and turned to face Jax's two subordinates.
"Take him back to your main encampment. We will meet up with him once we are done conducting our business here."
The two loyalists quickly rushed to Jax's side and fussed over him, helping him upright and trying to tend to him.
"Tyrian, let's go."
Tyrian smiled ferally as he hopped alongside to match Hazel's pace.
"Which way did the girl head?" questioned Hazel.
"She was fleeing eastward from the main encampment. Would have killed her if not for her blasphemous abominations interfering," he spat out.
"Then we must exert caution when we do find her. We cannot give her the chance to use her abilities."
"Oh, that won't be a problem," chuckled Tyrian.
"Of that, I can promise you."
Oh no! He introduced OC's when he clearly specified there wouldn't be any!? And he wants us to become attached?! Right on the heels of Tyrian and Hazel deciding to finish up business?! That's not a red flag at all. Promise!
Next Chapter: 18th September
