Ch 6: It Takes Two

Jangri sighed sitting there once both girls were asleep, brushing bangs from Autumn's sweat sheened face, thumb grazing the skin to comfort and test to be sure she wasn't getting a fever again as she pulled out her scroll, a knee coming up to lean against as she dialed and held it to her human ear. When the ringing finished, a calm voice answered, "Curious… I wasn't expecting you to call until after we met with the recruit today."

She chuckled lightly, "Yes well, you should know one of the girls has come down with something but she should be alright in a day or two. We unfortunately were caught in the mess today."

A female voice cut in, growling, "Azure isn't giving you any trouble is she? Has she been running off?!"

Jangri glanced over, nibbling her lip. Until she knew more, she didn't think mentioning the wolf's scent was a good idea, "Come now, these girls are cooped up! Give her a break mate. It can't be comfortable to be stuck with me all day everyday. She isn't being too difficult but she is definitely restless. Might be time to take them to new places to stretch their legs a bit once the little flower is better."

She could hear Mao's annoyed growl and Bao hushing her, a low rumble coming from him as well, clearly forcing kindness, "Well, if you insist but don't let her walk all over you now. She can be… hard to deal with if you just roll over all the time."

"I'll keep that in mind," Jangri said sweetly but firmly, ending that conversation where it stood.

She was sure Azure was just as frustrated with these alpha cats as they were with her. Jangri didn't have siblings but she was around enough people who had them often enough to notice such things. Her Voice sharpened to a more serious tone as she changed the subject, "Now, on more serious matters."

She heard him switch to speaker, not something she was ok with considering the sensitive nature of the conversation but if it meant they both heard her then so be it, "So, you two are meeting with one of the group's most devoted and loyal recruiters today. It would be smart to watch what you say but try to be as honest as you can. The group no doubt will know more about you than you know about yourselves after this first meeting, so best not to get caught in any lies. It will ruin everything right from the start. Plus, I hear she's really good at telling the difference. She's highly trained and very capable. So avoid irritating her as well. She will drop you from their radar so fast I'll be scrounging for weeks to fix things."

Mao tisked but Bao growled at her, making her go quiet. Jangri frowned. These twins were sometimes more difficult than these girls hands down but they had the skills she needed and were capable of the infiltration so she swallowed down her distaste, "Best to give her your actual names. Don't bother with last names. She won't give you hers and it'll intrigue her if you meet her with the same energy. Far as I know she's not an alpha but if you flex on her she will easily turn on you. The group has some issues with alphas who try to push their beasts for favor. Not really sure why, haven't figured it out yet but I imagine someone in charge was burned by one once. Your first meeting is the most important. She needs to feel like you care about the cause. Best to appeal to the notions of these faunus."

"Meaning?" Bao asked smoothly.

"Mao has an alpha for a girlfriend right? Use that. They firmly believe in eradicating the old ways of faunus thinking. Most their members have been on the raw end of it and will be more likely to take a chance on you and show interest if they believe you are like them. You need her to believe you are looking for somewhere for you two to belong. As for Bao, well it isn't abnormal for siblings to follow along out of closeness. Also, be mindful that the recruiters never are alone even if they smell like they are. Every recruiter comes partnered with an equally capable scout and your recruiter will cry wolf if you cause trouble and that scout will come running."

"As if I'm worried!" Mao chimed in, finally drawing irritation into Jangri's voice.

"You should be mate! He's a force to be reckoned with! And those swords are no joke! Now focus! Don't let your pride blind you. This is important! You wanna see your girlfriend again!?"

The silence on the other end outside the low growl allowed the mood to relax, Bao reaching for her before he spoke calmly, "I'll handle her. She's just a bit wound up right now. I'll fix it before tonight. We will call after with an update. And Jangri?"

"Hmm?"

"Watch yourself. Don't overstep just because you are in charge. Raise your voice like that again and you will have trouble," his voice was smooth but she could hear the threat clearly.

She said nothing, hanging up and rubbing through her hair. Alphas annoyed her. She could easily see the appeal of Ouroboros and why so many joined. In fact she was certain so much had gone wrong so far because of the alphas involved all the time but they always tended to be the stronger students so that's what kept getting sent to her. As a true neutral faunus with no ability to push or pull her inner beast energy, there always seemed to be this annoying streak in alphas that felt the need to push her.

Mumbling to herself, she got off the bed going to clean up the cards on the table, "Ouroboros would really be amazing if they weren't all causing trouble…"

—-

Lux slipped past a few people, making his way to the dinning hall before River could look for him. When it was time to head out, he slipped out his jacket and back into the black hooded coat that hid most of him, pushing two berrets into his bangs to keep them from his eyes. Her knock distracted him as he was holding his jacket to his face, breathing deeply. All he really wanted was to be with Azure. He didn't care about this meeting right now but there was little to be done about his responsibilities.

The wolf slipped from his room, staring at vibrant teal eyes as if he could even see them, ears flicking, "I'm ready…"

She nodded, her nose twitching some but he was quick to move past her, heading for the exit, "Who are you meeting today?"

She tucked her arms behind her head, playing off things like normal as she watched him, "A couple of cats. Same ones I was supposed to meet a few nights ago when you spotted that damn rabbit."

He nodded. Jangri had become well known to all of them and it had become expected practice to bail on anything if someone spotted her. It was a hassle when they didn't know who she was working for or where she might turn up but the fact there were much more of them than a single faunus was helping greatly, "Where are we meeting them?"

As the exit doors slid open, she shrugged, "I figured the shady tavern across from the shop that faunus pup runs would do. You know the guy, the one who won't take sides, the one covered in scars with the tail and ears?"

Lux sighed. He hated getting that guy involved. He was a super nice gentle faunus who just wanted the best for everyone and had clearly suffered enough to be constantly being around all their dealings. But he was a good cover. He never told anyone about any of them but also refused to help them with any information as well, giving the only truly neutral ground in all of the area, "Do we have to keep involving him? It doesn't seem fair…"

Her huff made him bite his lip and silence himself. River got tired of hearing Lux's complaints on that subject. It was the safest place for everyone involved to go and he knew that but still it felt wrong to risk his safety when all he ever was to anyone was kind. She never really gave an answer but he could tell by her behavior what that answer was and let the subject drop. When they got close to the meet point, Lux went over and knocked at the shop door while River found the table across the street at the tavern to wait.

The closed shop door cracked and a kind voice whimpered, "I'm closed Lux. Please…"

Lux pushed on the door lightly but firmly and the heeler let it open with a sigh, letting Lux in, "Just… please don't scare the birds this time, ok? It was a disaster calming them down last time…"

Lux just nodded, watching the dog head to the back where he knew there was a studio apartment like set up he stayed in. He let his mind wonder how hard it must be to be such a faunus that people judged by his looks before getting to know his heart leading to the man having to live in his own shop. Glancing down at his own form, he knew how that fear might feel, hand on his own chest and gripping the shirt before ears twitched at a sound returning and a very soft voice, the man bringing Lux a chair and blanket to stay warm, "You have a slightly familiar smell about you today. Reminds me of an old friend but it's a little different than hers was."

The chair was set down by the window facing the tavern and the blanket was held out, "A rather feisty dragon she was but she and her cousin were amazing people. I miss them sometimes these days."

Lux whispered his thanks as he took the blanket, settling into the chair and letting his eyes shimmer to blue as he cracked the window and began to let the street take form with his hearing in his vision. The heeler returned with coffee and handed over the steaming cup, another soft thanks exchanged as Lux took it. "You know… whoever she is… I'm sure she wouldn't care if you told her the truth the way her smell is practically painted all over you. I once held myself back because I worried about things like identity and looks but he never actually minded once I stopped being afraid."

when the young wolf just huffed and sipped the hot soothing cup of coffee, the man gave a weary smile, "Alright… I see when you are busy. Please lock it on your way out and remember to keep the trouble outside my door please. I'll be heading to bed now. Goodnight young pup."

Lux gave a wave, watching as two figures with pointed ears slipped into the tavern. He lost sight of them once they entered but something about their scent was different but familiar to Azure's. It perked him up instantly, wishing he could tell more from here but instead stood his position and kept watch on the building.

—-

The twins slid into seats across from River calmly though River instantly was intrigued. Their scent was obviously similar to the one Lux had around him and they were cats. She mumbled under her breath, "his kitten…"

The pair frowned, oblivious to the true meaning and feeling a tad insulted. River was quick to recover, folding her hands on the table, a display to show she was not primed to attack, "Now now. Relax. A simple observation. We are here to chat."

When she was quiet, eyeing their forms, the two caught on and placed their hands into view, Bao folding his in his own arms and leaning back in his chair as Mao flattened hers on the tabletop. Both took turns taking fast glances to take in the pub, trying to see if the scout was hiding among them. It was mildly unsettling when they couldn't spot him especially knowing he had to be somewhere around. Her chuckle drew their eyes to her full attention, "Expecting someone else?"

That made it clear to them to stop looking. It was an obvious warning that she knew they were searching. Bao shrugged, giving a faint smile, "Just taking in the company. This is a risk after all."

Her eyes felt like they were boring into him as she locked with his, but there was enough truth that she didn't question it, nodding, "Fair enough. So, tell me, what made you reach out to us?"

Bao glanced over at his sister, gesturing forward with his fingers still tucked into his arm. She wasn't fully sure she wanted to talk about Amethyst with the very woman that may be involved with holding her captive. The mere thought both angered and saddened her as her face struggled with the dueling emotions. River remained patient. She could wait for several hours in this tavern for an answer without worry of any rush and the longer the cat took to answer the easier she would become to read. The blonde's nails scratched at the table, staring at its surface as her irritated voice came out, a bit more desperate than she meant to feel, "I… love someone that the world says I shouldn't… Last I saw her… I couldn't even give her my neck because of it… now I just wish I could fix it. Make it alright and not regret or worry what might happen or what someone might say… But that can never happen without you…"

River locked eyes with her and her grin softened as the truth leaked from those crimson orbs, the pain so palpable she couldn't help reaching across and placing her hand upon Mao's, patting lightly before pulling away. She took Mao's growl and grit teeth as irritation of her admittance not as irritation at being touched by the hands holding her beloved captive. Eyes turned to Bao, "And you?"

He shrugged, "where she goes I go. That's never even a question. We have been together since the womb. Not about to stop now."

River nodded, "Very well. I'll consider all this and we will talk again soon. For now, I'll leave you. You are to remain here for exactly another hour once I leave, no less. It is simply the way we do things. I'll know if you break this request and you will not hear from us again. Should the leader think you are welcome, I'll be in touch."

They waited silently as she left. River made no indication to Lux, not giving him away as she left. He would follow once the hour passed and the cats left themselves as was the procedure. She was already taking her notes into her scroll and making contacts with the right organization members to begin the deep dives on the cats for all the rest of anything they might want to know about them.

Bao waited until he was sure she was gone before turning his eyes from the window to his sister, "You know you don't need all that to be with her right?"

She didn't respond, still scratching at the table. For a moment, he worried this might all blow up on them with her feelings but said nothing. He knew this was hard for her and she had painful regrets. She didn't need him to be a burden as well. The wait was so frustrating it was almost impossible but when the hour was finally up, a waitress came over, dropping a piece of paper with the symbol of the group on it, then walking away. It must have been their cue to leave. Mao stood first, sighing as she pulled up her hood, "I don't need acceptance for me. Amethyst's parents disowned her after I marked her. I want it for her."

Bao said nothing as she walked past him to the door, making it clear she wanted nothing more of the conversation. Slowly, he rose from his chair and swiped up the slip of paper, following her out. Or at least he thought he was until he ran into her outside, about to ask why when his nose also noticed what hers was sniffing. Both pairs of ruby colored eyes stared straight for the shadowed figure through the cracked window across the street. They couldn't tell who it was from here with the light snowfall but all they could smell was Azure and both of them growled.

He didn't miss them locking onto him, scrambling from the chair and dropping the blanket, darting from the shop fast, slipping out the door and making a rapid dash for the alleyways he easily knew much better than them as they gave chase, shouting at him as if he were Azure. They had not seen yet what attire Jangri had gotten her after all and his hood was pulled up. He took a roll through some thick snow trying to clear some of her scent before dashing through a few corners, dipping under into a few basements then back up over a roof, all the turns and twists easily losing the twins. Mao growled deeply with bared teeth as Bao kicked up some snow, his sister punching through some ice, "She's so fucking dead!"

When Lux got back into the shelter of the group, he was panting like his life depended on it, gripping his chest, trembling. River was waiting for him but her grin turned to a frown, "You ok?"

He shook his head, tossing off his coat quickly, desperate for air, "N-no…"

She caught up with him as he was heading for his room, "What happened? Lux what happened?"

He shook his head, refusing to answer. In truth, he really wasn't fully sure, "I think they saw me. I don't think they knew what I was doing there but I think they just thought I was spying on them. I got away without them seeing my face but fuck they were fast!"

Her eyes widened but no amount of questions got any further answers before he locked himself in his room. Quickly, he curled in his hammock, clinging to the jacket covered in Azure's scent, feeling his body calm rapidly at her smell, whimpering lightly. He wished she was here to comfort him and make him feel safe. The two cats had gotten close several times to catching him and it was too close for comfort.

—-

"Ma'am…" River spoke, interrupting Lyra as she was with Rena, trying to pick from the cells for another person to question with her new methods.

Amethyst peered over from her cell, trying not to seem like she was listening. Lyra turned, "Yes go ahead."

River nodded, "The two I met tonight were twins. Cats. They smelled strange, like something I've smelled before on Lux ma'am. His kitten might know them maybe? They chased him when they left but he thinks they felt he was spying on them. Everything they said was genuine so I have no reason to believe they were spies."

Her lips curled into a dangerous grin at the news, fangs flexing as she opened her mouth, glancing around and selecting a young huntsman from a cell, "Very interesting. River, see what you can't learn about them and schedule another meeting after you report back to me. Rena, let's take this one."

When they left, the young huntsman struggling, Amethyst gripped the bars, gnashing her teeth in worry, "dammit!"

She kicked her cell bars, frustrated and worried, "She's going to get herself hurt…"

—-

When they got back to the inn, Mao was pissed but Bao just grabbed her shoulder, calling the rabbit. When Jangri answered, she was playing solitaire to pass the time, "How'd it g…"

"Where the hell is she!?" Mao shouted, trying to shove past her brother.

A furrowed brow was given in confusion and Bao shoved Mao away, "Dammit Mao stop! Let me handle this! Jangri, is Azure with you?"

Azure was awake in her sheets but had not made that known, the commotion having woken her but her curiosity had her faking like she wasn't, listening carefully. Jangri glanced over with a frown, she had a bad feeling about this, "She's been here since we last spoke mate. Why?"

It was quiet for a while before Bao spoke again, "We just smelled her out there and saw someone running away watching us that smelled of her…"

There were no words for a long while before Jangri tried to smooth it over, "Nothing I can say on that mate. She hasn't moved an inch. Sorry but maybe you were mistaken in all the snow and spooked someone? More importantly, how did the meet go?"

She could hear his low rumble as he was thinking carefully before he spoke, "She seems to believe us so far. Now we wait for next contact."

Her eyes narrowed. She wasn't happy with how vague he was being but it was clear he knew she was doing the same. Rather than play this cat and mouse game with him, she accepted things as they were, "Alright. Speak again soon."

She was quick to hang up on him, refusing to give him any satisfaction, grumbling, "Fucking alphas."

In her bed, Azure curled tighter slowly, nibbling her lip. She was smart enough to know Luz must have been at this meet again. He must not have had time because of her to wash or change and her siblings had pinned him for her scent. For the first time since running into him here, the fact of their opposing sides became so painfully real. Her face felt wet and she turned it into her pillow, biting back any sounds. This was never going to be fair. Even if she finally connected with him, she would lose him eventually to the truth. He was on the wrong side of the law and he would have to be taken away from her. None of it felt right. He didn't even seem like a bad person and his reasons made sense to her, even seemed like a good cause really.

Rabbit ears twitched and Jangri turned to her, tilting her head. As she walked over, Azure held her breath and closed her eyes, doing her best to be still. Before Jangri could reach for her to check, Autumn let out a deep sickly cough and sneezed, her breaths ragged and congested and the rabbit shifted gears quickly to take care of her, Azure letting out a slow breath of relief.

Jangri got more medicine into Autumn and sighed, glancing over at Azure, fully aware she was awake but let it go in favor of taking care of the ill girl who needed help instead, crawling into her own bed where she had set Autumn, tucking her into the blankets and grabbing a spare for herself, snuggling close with blankets between them and a hand on Autumn's forehead to keep an eye on her while she rested next to her, "Alright little flower you're ok. I gotcha mate. Just sleep."

—-

"I don't believe we just smelled wrong Bao," she said, annoyed and pacing.

Her brother was standing there in thought, watching the snow outside and frowning, "Hmmm… but she has been mostly staying put. None of this makes sense. Could it just be left over from the battle before?"

She rolled her eyes, "What so he just didn't bathe and has been wearing unwashed clothes for days?"

He shrugged, "We don't know what goes on there. Suppose it's possible. She was practically laying on him after Prophecy broke that night. Same coat too. Until we know more it's probably best we try not to assume anything and stay focused."

She growled but his stern face made her sigh in annoyance and flop into the bed, "Fine! Whatever but I swear if I find out she has been doing anything stupid I'm going to fucking wring her damn neck! This isn't a fucking game Bao."

He bared his teeth. As if he didn't know that but she was in a mood so there was no sense fighting about it. He pulled out his scroll, smirking, "Well… either way it's time to let our parents know how much of a hassle the two have been don't you think?"

Mao raised her head with a wicked grin and he sent off a message before heading to bed as well, snickering, "This will be entertaining. I just wish we got to see it."