After last week being awful, this week ended up being better. A lot better. Got some great news on Tuesday that I'd been eagerly hoping for all month. So much so that I took the next day off work to celebrate. Still some things unresolved that I really hope we get good news on in the next few weeks, but it's a start.

On top of that, we had a sudden spike in views on this story, well above the numbers so far. Just added to the excitement a bit.

Wanted.

Adam looked at the paper again, as he had more than a dozen times in the last hour. His face stared back at him, notably missing a sizable scar across one side. To be fair, he hadn't exactly posed for pictures before they left Orostachys. Instead, it looked like they'd taken a picture from his intake process with the SDC, making him look a little younger and a whole lot less weathered than the young man who lurked in his mirror. Adam barely recognized his reflection nowadays.

Still, if they really wanted people to be on the lookout for him, including the scar on his face would be an obvious detail to include. They hadn't. No altered sketch of his image. No mention in the description. That they left out the detail was telling.

He was a criminal. A violent one, according to the news reports that had been playing softly in the room he'd been given. His alleged crimes were almost all they spoke about. They wouldn't dare focus on his mistreatment or the inhumane punishment he'd received. They didn't want people to know - didn't want them to sympathize with the crazed terrorist. No. They wanted people afraid.

The SDC reports that they have retaken Orostachys and rescued the remaining staff. The incident is still being investigated, but initial reports indicate over twenty bodies were found in a mass grave near the edge of camp.

Yeah, and most of those were faunus, they failed to mention. The way they said it, Adam had personally lined up two dozen innocent men and put a bullet in their heads.

Local authorities are on high alert. Adam Taurus is to be considered armed and highly dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts-

The report went on, flashing the number for a tip line on screen as they detailed a reward for information leading to his arrest. His picture came up yet again. He wondered why they didn't just leave it up instead of flashing it constantly throughout the day. Not like anything else mattered to them right now. Adam had become the most famous face in Mistral all of the sudden.

A full day of knowing he'd topped Mistral's Most Wanted, and he was still getting used to the idea. Jean did say he expected to read about him in the papers someday. Adam had a feeling this wasn't exactly what he'd meant.

Unlike the SDC, the Belladonnas had proven as good as their word. They'd found space for everyone in a mixture of buildings on the island, including several rooms within the Belladonna mansion itself. Adam had been given one of those, though they'd told him he could come and go as he pleased. He'd half expected them to post a guard outside his door, but no one so much as batted an eye when he'd wandered the hall and even stepped outside for some fresh air. He'd have to explore Kuo Kuana fully later. Once his mind had a chance to adjust to his new fame back on the mainland.

And here, it seemed. All of the workers had been invited to eat with the Belladonnas at every meal, but Ghira had asked to speak with him after breakfast…alone. Adam didn't know what to think, worried he'd done something to offend the larger man somehow.

The truth was far simpler. Ghira saw him as the leader of their new arrivals - something Adam tried to dissuade him of. Tried and failed.

"A leader isn't someone who chooses to lead," Ghira said, cutting off Adam's denial. "A leader is someone who others choose to follow."

"No one chose to follow me." They'd done the fighting. They'd earned their freedom. At best, he was a symbol. The spark that ignited the fires of Orostachys.

Ghira laughed. "I've seen the way those men look to you, Adam. Most of them would follow you to the ends of Remnant."

Would they? He knew there'd be no getting rid of Bane. Jakob and most of 3C would probably stick around, especially if he asked. But the rest of them? They barely knew him. He was just another worker. He'd helped start the rebellion that freed them, but a leader? Adam wasn't sure he wanted that and made sure to say so.

Rather than be upset, Ghira only smiled wider. "Some of the greatest leaders in history never wanted it either. They were just men and women who refused to back down when the moment came. Those that lead by example often lead the best."

Adam wasn't one for dancing around a subject. He doubted Ghira had called him here for a history lesson. "So why did you want to see me?"

"Straight to the point. That's fair." Ghira's eyes drifted to the door of his study - the one Adam had come through after leaving his friends behind. "Tell me, Adam. What are your plans now that you are free?"

"Huh?" Plans? What kind of plans could a man with a branded face even have?

"You're more than welcome to stay here and recover, but what will you do then?"

What could he do? Mistral saw him as some sort of homicidal maniac. Atlas would probably think the same, given their ties to the SDC. Half of the world wanted him dead. The other half might soon follow. The people in Vale would probably see the same reports. He couldn't show his face there. He couldn't show his face anywhere. No one would miss the three letters on display

"I…guess I'll go to Vacuo." He didn't love the sound of living in a desert. Sand at a beach was nice. Sand everywhere wasn't. But of all the four Kingdoms, Vacuo would care the least about him. Plus, the books he'd seen of Vacuo often showed people covering their face to block out sandstorms and stuff. He could put something over his face without standing out too much.

"Why not stay here?"

"Menagerie?"

"And why not?" Ghira demanded. "We may not be one of the Kingdoms, but our people live good lives here. Lives free of the discrimination our brothers and sisters on the mainland are sometimes forced to endure."

Because who would attack you for being a faunus when everyone else was one too. "I…I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense!" Ghira's voice boomed through the room. "It's no trouble at all. Life in Menagerie may not be as comfy as the cities, but we make do. Besides, you look like someone unafraid of a little hard work."

"But the White Fang-"

"-do not run the island," Ghira assured him.

"Aren't you in charge of both?"

"Yes…" Ghira dragged the word out awkwardly before his shoulders fell with a sigh. "I'm sorry. Kali and I have been leading the White Fang for years, but lately, there are some who have rejected our calls for peace and demand new leadership. I fear the day may come where I am no longer welcome among them." Ghira looked saddened at the prospect, though he swallowed that grief and pushed on. "I only recently became chieftain after the last one stepped down, but I do not allow the White Fang to dictate life on our island. Only a small portion of our population is even involved with the White Fang."

"They're not?"

"The White Fang has a large presence here, naturally, but Menagerie is not some secret base for the White Fang, nor will I ever let it become one." Someone ought to tell the SDC that. The rare mentions of the island nation on the SDC news reports spoke of struggle and tragedy for the supposed home of the group. "Menagerie welcomes all faunus who wish for a better life, regardless of who they are. You and your men are welcome to settle here, if you wish."

Live on Menagerie? Even if Adam hadn't spent much time outside, he knew he could get used to the tropical setting. It sure beat the walled wasteland of Orostachys. Traveling anywhere else would take forever and he'd be constantly watching over his shoulder, waiting for someone to recognize and report him. What kind of life was that?

Menagerie would be about the only place he'd be free of all that. The Kingdoms might figure out where he'd gone in time, but he doubted Ghira would ever give him or his men up. He hoped it never came to that, but their host didn't strike him as a man that would give in so easily.

"What about anyone who wants to leave?"

"We will provide transport whenever they wish to leave. But I doubt many will take that offer." Ghira enjoyed a chuckle at some silent joke.

"Thank you…for everything." Adam and his men had shown up unannounced with the promise of trouble with the Kingdoms once word got out. No one would've blamed Menagerie chasing them away to avoid conflict, but Ghira had welcomed them in and cared for them without hesitation. Adam hadn't met many men in his life with such generosity. "I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"I might have an idea." Adam tensed, suddenly worried that Ghira might have some ulterior motive. I knew it! No one's ever this nice. Ghira sensed the shift and hastened to say, "It's nothing bad, and you can say no. Think of it more as a request." One from a man who had done so much for them already. The kind of person he wouldn't want to turn down. "But first, I have to ask. Did you mean what you said? To Kali?"

Adam tried to recall exactly what words he'd backed himself into a corner with. Whatever he said, he'd better have meant it. "Yes?"

Ghira snorted lightly, noting his confusion. "About fighting back. That violence is only to be used as a last resort."

That wasn't quite what he'd said. "I don't think you should go around looking for a fight, but if a fight comes to you, you'd better be ready."

Ghira considered the words with a little less enthusiasm. He'd probably been hoping for another pacifist, but Adam knew that would never be enough. There'd always be people looking to cause trouble, meaning there'd always be a need for someone to stand up to them.

Someone like him.

"I suppose that is fair," Ghira conceded. "Better than what some of those imbeciles are pushing for, at least." Adam had no idea who Ghira meant, but he had a feeling it was someone in the White Fang. Someone looking to start fights.

Adam wondered exactly how that played into Ghira's mysterious request. "Why do you ask?" Did he want Adam to talk to the more radical members of his group? Maybe an outside opinion would help calm them down a bit. Adam wasn't sure how persuasive he'd be. His sword had always been sharper than his tongue.

Ghira didn't want a debate partner. His request was for something a little more direct. "Have you considered joining the White Fang?"

The White Fang? "Me? But I…I don't…" Adam didn't really know what to say, mainly because he'd never even considered it. He didn't even really know what the White Fang were. Peaceful protestors waving signs and chanting nonsense? A weak political movement making empty platitudes? Violent terrorists attacking the innocent and causing mayhem? He had a feeling the last one was just SDC propaganda. "Why?"

"Frankly, because I need more people who aren't out for blood," Ghira answered. "Despite what some claim, we are not looking to start a second Faunus War. All we want is to make sure faunus everywhere are treated fairly."

That sounded nice. Naïve, but nice. "So why do you want me to join?" Ghira hadn't asked everyone. He'd asked Adam. Only Adam.

If Ghira felt embarrassed at being called out, he sure hid it well. "Because we could use more men with your talents."

"I thought you didn't want violence."

"Not fighting. Leadership." Ghira rose and walked to the window, looking out over Kuo Kuana. "There's a war brewing - one for the very heart of the White Fang. A war that I'm afraid I'm losing." Ghira pinched the bridge of his nose. "My time as leader of the White Fang is ending. I can't even leave the island without an escort anymore. They practically handed me the chieftain role, hoping I'd stay here and let them run things behind my back. And the worst part is, it's working.

"There are still plenty of good people in the White Fang who want to avoid conflict, but their numbers are growing steadily small. Sienna continues to turn them against me. Even my own daughter!" Adam winced at how difficult that must've felt, to see your own child working to undo everything you believed in and had fought for. "What I need - what the White Fang needs - is someone who can lead that isn't out for blood."

"And you think I'm that person?"

"I think you're the best I can hope for," Ghira admitted, going for direct rather than political. "Your men follow you. Most of them will probably join if you do. You could change things. Help correct the course a bit. That's all I'm asking."

"You want me to be your spy?" That sounded like all sorts of trouble and not something you asked a stranger.

"No. I would never ask that of anyone, even if I'm sure they have ears within my own house." Adam had a feeling Blake fell under that category, but maybe some of the guards wanted a more violent movement. "I'm not asking you to pretend to follow me or my teachings. I'm asking you to help them realize that bloodshed is not the answer. I'm asking you to help me save the White Fang from itself."

Again, it seemed like quite a request of a stranger. What game was Ghira playing? "What if I tell them?"

"Go ahead." Ghira's answer left Adam speechless for a moment. The large man laughed at Adam's stunned expression. "What? You think they don't know? Like I said, I'm sure they have ears in my house, and my daughter is not nearly as quiet as she thinks she is." A sudden gasp sounded outside the door before someone quietly fled the area. "I also want someone to look after my daughter. Blake refuses to listen to us anymore. If things continue as they are now, I'm afraid…I'm worried she'll get hurt. If nothing else, I'd ask that you look after her."

"What makes you think I can help? Just because I have aura-"

"Please. You're a fighter. We both know it. For instance, if I tried to attack you right now-" Adam tensed at the threat, leaning forward in his chair as his hand unconsciously reached for his missing weapon. Rather than be upset, Ghira pointed in glee. "See? There. You know how to fight, and with a weapon no less."

Adam forced himself to relax as he admitted, "I do."

"Then use it in defense of those in need. Protect my family." Ghira's eyes softened as he practically begged, "Protect my daughter."

He was trusting his only child to Adam just because he could fight and said some nice things? Ghira saw him as some benevolent hero - a Huntsman that would always fight for what's right. He deserved to know the truth. "You shouldn't trust me like that."

Ghira tilted his head. "And why not?"

"I'm not a good person."

"Says who?"

"Says me!" Adam snarled. "I'm not some hero swooping in to rescue the damsel in distress. I've killed people."

"Those two guards. Yes, I know."

"Not just them." Ghira didn't know. No one knew. Geryon and Gideon weren't his first kills. "I went to the SDC to escape Mistral…after I killed someone. He tried to rob me. Instead, I cut his throat open and burned the building to cover my tracks." You know what you are Adam. Say it. "I'm not a good man. I'm a monster."

Ghira stroked his beard, considering the words with concern on his face. This was it. This was the point he realized how awful Adam was and banished him from Menagerie before he could kill again. He already had three bodies beneath his feet. How many more would he claim before someone stopped him.

"You protected yourself," Ghira tried slowly, as if testing each word before he uttered it. "Just as you protected your friends at that mining camp."

"I killed people."

"And you regret it," Ghira said confidently. "I can see it in your eyes. You didn't want to kill them." Ghira's large hand came to rest on Adam's shoulder. "I'm not asking you to kill for Blake. I'm asking you to make sure no one dies."

"But mainly her."

"Yes. Mainly her."

It was Adam's turn to laugh. "You realize you're asking me to use violence for your daughter but not for the White Fang, right?"

"I'm a hypocrite. I know." Ghira didn't much care. "Everyone's a hypocrite when it comes to what they value, and Blake means more to her mother and me than anything else in the world." Adam nodded, knowing that was how parents should be. "All I'm asking is that if something happens, you make sure she doesn't get hurt."

As if Adam would stand by and let some innocent girl get hurt. She shouldn't even be anywhere near a fight. "That's fine. No one will hurt her. Not if I have anything to say about it."

Ghira fell back in his chair, clearly relieved. "Good. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her."

There was still one critical flaw in Ghira's plan. "How am I supposed to join the White Fang? The more violent part, that is. If they're spying on you like you say, won't they know you asked me to work against them? What makes you think they'll let me anywhere near them?"

Ghira looked like the cat who swallowed the canary. The really big cat. "Because they were just here last night asking about you." Adam's eyes widened. "It seems someone told them all about how you fought the guards in Orostachys. From what I hear, they're saying you single handedly took on every guard there, then cut your way through a horde of Grimm to get everyone off the island."

Adam's jaw dropped. They were saying what? "I..I didn't. Who…" One name came to mind almost instantly. "Jakob."

Ghira smiled sympathetically. "It doesn't matter. Either way, they want to meet you. Finding someone with aura and training is rare. They'd be idiots not to recruit you."

"And you want me to let them."

"I want you to talk to them," Ghira specified. "I want you to keep them from going too far. Help them before they do something they'll regret."

"And if I can't?"

Ghira's pleading eyes stared directly into Adam's. "Then make sure they don't drag my daughter down with them."

/- - - - - - - - - -/

Menagerie was beautiful.

Adam wandered the streets of Kuo Kuana, enjoying the sea breeze that swept up to meet him. Palm trees waved friendly greetings in the warm evening. From the steps of the Belladonna mansion, Adam could see all the way down main street to the docks he'd come in on. The sparkling sea stretched on forever, molding somewhere in the distance with the horizon. It made Menagerie feel isolated. Alone.

Adam didn't mind that at all.

Besides, the island was hardly empty. Small boats drifted on the waves, hauling in all manner of sea life that made up the vast majority of Menagerie's diet. As Adam made his way further into town, everything seemed so much more lively and inviting than he'd ever imagined.

Faunus everywhere! He'd seen plenty of faunus before, but never in such numbers. And so many different types! Every time he'd thought he'd seen it all, someone else walked by and blew his mind. A rhino horn. Hardened skin. Porcupine quills - he made sure no to get too close. Even an elephant trunk. Erik and Nila would've lost their minds seeing all this.

When he reached the water, he stood in amazement at the market and houses in the shallows. Fins. Gills. Even tails! Genuine mermaids swimming about, carrying on without anyone even batting an eye. It wasn't until one darted away with a reddened face that Adam realized he'd been staring.

And that was another thing. No one was staring. Not at the amazing sights, the unique faunus types, or even at him. He'd gotten plenty of curious glances. After all, he was the new guy. Several gave him pitying looks when they saw his scar. A few looked angry, though Adam had a feeling that had more to do with the letters than who bore them. More of them waved at the newcomer. One lady even handed him the largest mango he'd ever seen, welcoming him to the island before walking back to a table with two energetic children, one with cat ears like hers but the other sporting a wiry monkey tail that waved behind him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Adam asked as he leaned against a rail at the edge of a pier, looking out over the sea.

He wasn't sure when he'd picked up his usual shadow, but Bane couldn't exactly hide how the boards of the pier groaned lightly under his footfalls. His loyal companion stepped up beside him, as lost in the view as he. "It is."

"It's crazy to think a place like this exists." A place untouched by the atrocities of humans. A quiet paradise where faunus lived in peace. Adam wished he'd been born here and never had to suffer through life beyond the calm waves that lapped at the supports below. "What've you been up to?"

"Jakob's been waiting for you." Not really what Adam asked, but he followed Bane's nod back to the town. Adam didn't spot Jakob, but the clusters of tables outside a row of shops looked promising. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." For once, Adam meant it. He let out a contented sigh as he took one last look out over the water and pushed off the railing. "Guess I shouldn't keep Jakob waiting. You coming?"

Bane didn't answer. He didn't have to. Adam knew he'd follow along as he always did. The only reason Bane hadn't been by his side when he left the mansion was because Adam told him to go on ahead, promising he'd venture into town later. Even then, he'd had to practically shove Bane out the door, claiming he needed to speak with Ghira again.

He hadn't. He just needed time to think. He had a feeling he'd need to make a decision sooner rather than later.

They found Jakob easily enough. He waved them over the moment they came close, reminding Adam of his cafeteria days as they joined their friend at a table near the outskirts of a cluster of tables. Jakob was busy sucking down some brightly colored smoothie through a straw and pushed two more across as Bane and Adam sat down.

"Strawberry, pineapple, mango, and orange juice," Jakob said when Bane picked his up and sniffed at the concoction. It sounded good. Tasted even better. Adam's eyes lit up at the first sip. "I know, right? There's this place nearby with, like, a hundred different flavors." Jakob had a habit of exaggerating, as tales of Adam's heroics in Orostachys proved. "Girl there recommended this one. I think I'm in love."

"With the girl or the smoothie?" Adam joked. He half-expected Jakob to answer both. "Don't bother. She's way out of your league."

"How would you know? You haven't even seen her!"

"Yeah, but I've seen you." Jakob squawked in protest, especially when Bane laughed into his straw and caused a small eruption of smoothie across his face. Soon, all three of them were roaring with laughter, earning a few annoyed looks from nearby tables.

How long had it been since they'd laughed like that? Not the forced laughter of Orostachys where they sought out even the tiniest joy to brighten their miserable suffering, but genuine laughter. They carried on far longer than their back-and-forth deserved, more enjoying the actual feeling than the joke itself.

"So, Adam. Already cozying up to our new hosts, I see," Jakob hummed, somehow making a big deal out of nothing. "You sure don't waste time making friends."

"Thanks to you and your stories." Jakob didn't even try to look innocent, all but confirming Adam's suspicions. "Ghira just wanted to talk about what I'll do now that we've escaped."

"Ghira, eh? Already on a first name basis."

"We all are." Adam rolled his eyes at his friend's stupid antics. "They told us to call them Ghira and Kali when we arrived."

Jakob didn't seem to care. "Still, meeting with the big guy alone? I think they like you."

"Or they pity me."

"Nah, it's more than that," Jakob promised before taking a long sip of his smoothie. "They're impressed. And who wouldn't be? After everything you've done?"

This again. "You did more than me. All I did was get branded."

"After killing Gideon and saving Maurice!" Jakob's outburst startled a few people nearby. Someone quickly ushered their child away, likely worried by the excited proclamation of murder. Those that hadn't been listening in before leaned a little closer, more interested in whatever Jakob had to say than their own conversations. "You're the reason we escaped, Adam."

"You all did all the fighting."

"And we never would've fought back if you hadn't shown us how." Bane nodded along to Jakob's assurances. "No wonder Ghira wants to get on your good side. Not sure if he wants you as a guard or part of his White Fang, but if I were him, I'd do anything to get you on my side."

"I'm already on your side."

"Not…I mean you're valuable. How often do you think someone like you shows up on his doorstep?" Hopefully not too often. He hated to think there were others sporting matching scars, though Jakob probably meant his skills more than his suffering. "Wouldn't be surprised if he pushed you and his daughter together."

"What? Ew! No." Adam immediately shut that line of thinking down. "She's, what…twelve at best? Maybe younger."

"She won't be young forever. Plus, have you seen her mom? Yowzah!" Perving on a married woman, especially one whose husband had done so much for them already, should've been a lot more embarrassing, but Jakob always had more confidence than common sense. "Mark my words, that girl of theirs will grow up to be a hottie."

"She's too young," Adam said, eager to shut down whatever lecherous thoughts Jakob might have about their hosts' daughter. "Don't even think-"

"Relax. I'm not about to creep on some preteen." Good. Friend or not, Adam would beat him black and blue if he tried. "I'm just sayin' they'll be looking for ways to get you on their good side. She may be young now, but she's not that much younger than you."

Adam hadn't even left his teen years yet, as much as he didn't feel like a kid anymore. Hadn't in a long time. Even if he did, a few years made a big difference at their age. It was all a matter of percentages. The small gap between them equaled almost half of Blake's life.

Nope. Not thinking about this anymore. Shira wanted Adam as Blake's bodyguard, not her betrothed.

Jakob finally gave up on his latest line of thinking. "Seriously, though. What's the big guy want from you?"

Adam hesitated. Would it be alright to tell them about Ghira's request? More importantly, did he want to involve them? He trusted his friends more than anyone else, but he didn't really want to get them involved in whatever was going on between Ghira and the White Fang. He hardly wanted involved himself. "What are you gonna do…you know, now that we're free?"

Bane's answer came immediately, just as Adam feared it would. "I'm with you." Adam could figure that out later. He was more interested in Jakob's answer.

"I dunno. I guess I haven't really thought about it much." Liar. What else could they think about with Orostachys finally behind them. "Thought I might stick around here for a bit. Maybe settle down, find a nice girl, and enjoy the sweet life."

"You want to stay here?" Was he the only one who hadn't considered that option?

Apparently. "Sure. Why not?" Jakob finished his drink and tossed it at the nearest trash can. It bounced off the edge and tumbled to the ground. Bane gave him a stern look before walking over to correct the error. "I like it here. No mines. No bells." Adam didn't miss those either. "Nothing but faunus as far as the eye can see."

"You won't go home?"

"Home? Never had one." Oh yeah. Adam had forgotten about Jakob's upbringing. "The Kingdoms can rot, for all I care. After everything we've been through, we deserve a vacation. Why not make it permanent?" Jakob leaned back with a content grin. "What about you? You gonna stick around for a bit?"

Did he have a choice? Either that, or he'd be hunted down the moment he set foot in the Kingdoms. What kind of life would that be? Maybe Jakob was right. They deserved some rest. "I think so. Not sure what I'll do, though."

"Guess marrying into wealth is out of the question, then?" Adam glared at Jakob for bringing up Blake again. "Relax. I'm just messin' with ya. We'll figure something out. Not like we haven't worked before."

That was the problem. They'd done nothing but work. "Might be nice to actually get paid for once."

"Exactly!" Jakob chuckled as he leaned forward, lowering his voice a little as he got serious. "But you sure you can settle down like that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" He deserved it just as much as the next guy.

"Just think you're cut out for more than that is all," Jakob answered with a shrug. "Not sure the quiet life is really your thing."

"Guess we'll find out," Adam said, easily spotting the approach of two hooded figures. He would've ignored them if not for two things. First, he vaguely recognized them. It took a moment to place it, but Adam remembered talking to one of them back in Mistral a long time ago. He was at the White Fang rally. They both were, if he remembered correctly.

If that wasn't enough, though, Adam didn't miss how the two were focused on him as they walked up.

"Apologies for interrupting, gentlemen," the one with a tail began, his hands clasped before him. "I was wondering if we might have a moment of your time."

"I understand you three were among our recent arrivals," the other continued without missing a beat, his voice nowhere near as deep as his counterpart's. Instead of a tail, a pair of pointed ears poked through the red hood atop his head. He stood a few inches shorter than the other as well.

"What's with the matching getups?" Jakob asked, looking the two over. Their black jacket over some sort of puffy, white shirt and pants looked out of place given the tropical setting. Most of the men around were wearing shorts and loose shirts. Some of them went topless in the heat. The women weren't much better, though none of them were brave enough to leave it all hanging out - something Adam was grateful for even if he doubted Jakob would complain.

"They are ceremonial," the one with the tail explained.

Jakob looked around for a moment. "Ain't much of a ceremony."

"We are here on business," he continued. "I'm not sure if you recognize me, Adam."

He did, but Adam couldn't quite place the name. "A little. I'm surprised you remember me."

"Wait, you know them?"

"We met in Mistral at a White Fang rally," the man explained, turning his attention back to Adam. "We only spoke briefly, but I had a feeling we would meet again someday. I only wish it could've been under happier circumstances." The man's eyes were locked on his face - on his scar.

"Y-yeah. Me too."

"Pardon my brother," the eared one cut in. Adam wasn't sure if he meant it as family or some quasi-religious brother, but looking at the matching pair, Adam had a feeling both applied. Especially the second one, given how he kept his hands together in front of him. It almost looked like he was praying. "He has always had a sharp memory. I am Fennec Albain, and this is my brother, Corsac."

Adam recognized the name, even if they'd only spoken for a couple minutes at most. It helped that Ghira had warned him about them just that morning. Even showed him pictures. Guess Ghira was right about the White Fang coming after him. For now, he'd play along and see what they wanted. "What can we do for you?"

"It's not what we can do for you, but what we hope we can do for everyone."

Yet again, the pair played off each other as Fennec continued, "What my brother means is that we'd like to talk to you about joining the White Fang."

They sure didn't waste time. He'd expected them to beat around the bush and feel him out a bit. Maybe Ghira was right. Maybe they were desperate to have him join. That didn't mean he wouldn't make them work for it, though. The alleged hero of Orostachys deserved to be wined and dined, didn't he?

The two went into a long spiel about the history of the White Fang, their efforts over the years, recent successes, and a million other things, letting the conversation drift back and forth between the two along the way. Corsac seemed the calm, logical one to Fennec's more eager focus on the present, but Adam had to admit they were good. If he didn't know any better, he'd have signed up then and there, volunteering to lead the charge himself. Jakob certainly looked ready for it, while Bane at least looked interested.

"The SDC and their practices have been a focus of ours as of late," Corsac explained, nodding along to Jakob's snarl, "but we do far more than just push for political change."

Fennec slid in so seamlessly that Adam wondered if they practiced their routine. "We have been supporting a few smaller villages in Mistral and Vale that have fallen under hard times. Villages that are primarily populated by faunus like ourselves."

"Awfully generous of you," Jakob praised. He'd been agreeing with them more and more throughout the chat.

"Someone has to be," Fennec answered. "The surrounding villages are, you could say…less than friendly toward our kind."

Cue Corsac. "Which is why the villages were formed. Most of them were driven from their homes and banded together to set up their own communities. However, the locals have refused to help them, which is why we've had to step in."

Locals not helping? Adam could hardly believe it. Life in the frontier could be difficult at the best of times and downright deadly the rest. Setting up a new village alone would be nearly impossible. It was a rule of thumb that the surrounding villages helped in any way they could. Supplies. Labor. Whatever they could spare to get the new settlement up and running. Without that support, places like Shizukana wouldn't even exist.

"However, our involvement has not gone unnoticed. There have been…incidents with our supply caravans."

"Bandits," Adam growled. It was hard not to hate people like that, especially after working with a merchant caravan so long.

"Yes, but also the local militias." Adam's breath caught at Fennec's words. So the other villages weren't just refusing to help, they were actively trying to make the new settlement fail? What kind of monsters wanted something like that? "We've had a few misunderstandings recently. They've confiscated our supplies in some cases and even tried to arrest us for our aid attempts. Naturally, we resisted, which has led to several of our members being injured."

Adam could see where this was going. "So, what, you want me to come along and fight them?"

"What we want is an end to the hostilities," Corsac hedged, sensing Adam's resistance. "We've been forced to send more guards with each shipment, both to deter attacks and fend off the growing Grimm presence. As I hear it, you have experience with those creatures."

"Some," Adam admitted. He'd fought his fair share of Grimm over the years and felt confident he could keep a caravan safe. That's what Jean had trained him for, after all. It would almost be nostalgic. "Is that all you want?"

This time, it was Fennec that swooped in to reassure him. "Despite what some may claim, we are not looking to start a war. We simply wish to defend ourselves."

Self-defense. So, they'd done their homework. Ghira made it sound like they wanted him to lead a personal war against all of humanity. Could he be wrong? Did they really just want protection? He'd seen firsthand how violent humans could be to faunus. If they just wanted someone to guard them, then that would be fine, right?

"I'd need a weapon," Adam answered, as good as accepting their offer to join.

"We can have one commissioned for you immediately." Fennec could hardly contain his excitement. "Consider it a gift."

"Or an investment," Corsac tried. "It would hardly do for us to risk ourselves unarmed against the Grimm."

"I'm in."

"Jakob…"

"What?" Jakob refused to back down, not that Adam expected him to. He'd been ready to join twenty minutes ago. "They're right. Someone has to help. I can't just sit around and let others suffer like we did. Bane's in too. Aren't ya, big guy?"

"If Adam joins, then so will I." Fennec did his best to keep a straight face, but he couldn't hide the excitement too long. They'd come for Adam and gotten two more as a bonus. Adam wouldn't be surprised if a few more familiar faces joined their ranks soon. Jakob would recruit them all.

"I'll consider it," Adam offered, not wanting to sound too eager.

"That is all we ask," Corsac accepted. "Perhaps you could meet with us tomorrow morning? We would be happy to show you our operations if that would help you with your decision."

"Tomorrow then," Adam agreed. "Where should I meet you?"

"We will come to the Belladonna household to escort you. Thank you for your time, Adam. We expect great things in your future."

Adam snorted in amusement as they left, Jean's words still ringing in his ears. "Me too."

Adam joining the White Fang? Say it ain't so!

So Ghira wants Adam to join the White Fang, convince them to be less violent, and keep an eye on his daughter. I'm sure that will all work out perfectly.

For anyone wondering, the smoothie is the same combination as a Sunrise Sunset from Tropical Smoothie. Worked there for a bit in college. That was one of the best things on the menu. We had a terrible supervisor (got her fired eventually) but the one thing I really liked there was that the employees were welcome to any leftover smoothie in the blender. Basically got to take smoothie shots all day long. Good plan from management, too, since it meant we tried most of the menu and could give honest opinions on each when customers asked.

Next chapter: Adam meets with the White Fang.