Summary: As Team RWBY delves deeper into Lelouch's Mantle, their presence hasn't gone unnoticed. Powerful figures and factions, each with their own agendas, start to pull them in different directions—seeing them not just as newcomers but as potential catalysts for change.

The truck lurched forward, its wheels screeching against the pavement, the vehicle's engine roaring to life. With Ren and Nora joining Blake and Yang, the other truck consisted of Weiss, Jaune, Ruby, Lelouch, Roane, and Bianca.

Dropping into the cabin, the door slammed shut and sealed tight; a loud, mechanical whirring filled the space as the airlock activated, a series of lights flashing red then green. The vehicle rumbled to life, its engines roaring as it began to move.

Inside the armored truck was a small area where everyone had seated themselves, Roane and Bianca sitting on the bench behind the driver while Ruby and Jaune sat across from Lelouch and Weiss; the pair of teens staring intently at the colonel, who was focused on his scroll.

"Hey uh, Colonel," Ruby spoke up, breaking the silence that had settled over the group. Her silver orbs stared intently at the masked man sitting across from her, "What are we gonna be doing today?"

Lelouch looked up from his device, his helmet tilting slightly towards the girl. "I'm speaking at a rally for Jacques' election,"

"Wait. My Father's election?" Weiss blinked, surprised. "Is he..." She bit her tongue, thinking over her next words carefully. "...Going to be there, with you?"

Shaking his head, Lelouch sighed. "He was originally supposed to, but apparently something of greater importance caught his attention," he explained with a dismissive wave, his tone flat yet firm, "So, he'll not be joining us."

Lelouch could see the relief in the girl's eyes. Her shoulders relaxed, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips.

"I take it you're not a fan of him?" He questioned.

Weiss stiffened. "I-I mean... Well, not exactly..." She stammered, trying to choose her words wisely, not wanting to offend him by speaking negatively of her father in front of someone who had connections to the Schnee patriarch.

Raising a calming hand, the colonel chuckled, "I'm not looking to get you in trouble, I simply want to better understand you," he said. "My relationship with Jacques has been strictly professional and mutually beneficial, but I wouldn't consider us close by any means."

Jaune leaned forward in his seat. "Really?" The blonde knight asked curiously, his blue eyes wide. "You don't like him?"

Lelouch paused for a moment before answering. "Let's just say, his ambition outweighs his moral compass, and his greed and selfishness make him an unsavory ally at best..."

Roane and Bianca shared a look, the pair of girls snorting to themselves in amusement. They were well aware of Lelouch's true feelings toward the man; after all, they knew the truth behind his partnership with Jacques and what was in store for the greedy businessman.

Weiss nodded slowly. "...That sounds about right..."

"I didn't know you felt so strongly, Colonel," Ruby admitted, staring at him with curiosity in her gaze. "Why do you work with him then? Aren't there other people who are more deserving or capable?"

Lelouch chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Unfortunately, the world of politics is a complicated beast," he stated, his voice soft yet firm. "And sometimes, to do what needs to be done, you must make concessions and compromises."

The red-hooded huntress furrowed her brow in confusion; compromises were something she didn't consider, always believing that there were always options that didn't require sacrifice or hard decisions.

Sensing her uncertainty, the masked colonel turned to face her. "It may seem counter-intuitive, but it's the only way to achieve results," he explained. "If you're too rigid, too inflexible, then you'll never get anywhere,"

Ruby frowned, biting her lower lip. She didn't like the idea that the ends justified the means, or that you sometimes had to make deals with bad people for the greater good. But then again, she had never really thought of things from the perspective of a politician before...

"Is that what you're doing?" Weiss questioned, her gaze piercing through the visor, her eyes searching for an answer that wasn't forthcoming.

The Colonel's head tilted towards her, and he nodded. "I've always believed you can't change the world without getting your hands dirty."

Jaune frowned at the response, the phrasing of such a thing sounding ominous and foreboding.

"That seems a bit harsh, don't ya think?" Ruby asked tentatively, not wanting to offend him.

Lelouch's shoulders shrugged lightly. "Perhaps, but the truth is often more brutal than we'd care to believe." He stated matter-of-factly. "In this world, life is backed into a corner, and there are no easy choices. We're all just trying to do what we can, and hope for a brighter tomorrow."

"That's why we're helping Mantle." Roane chimed in, the young girl's red eyes meeting everyone's gazes. "To make that tomorrow a little easier for the people who live here."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement with Roane's statement, though they remained silent, pondering the implications of the colonel's words; they knew they were true, but it was difficult to accept nonetheless.

Clapping his hands, Lelouch drew their attention. "But for now, we can avoid any unnecessary complications," He said, turning to face the former heiress. "Your job is just providing additional security at the event," he informed her, "However if being at a rally that supports your Father's campaign makes you uncomfortable..." He trailed off, waiting for her reply. "...You could always stay in the truck. I wouldn't hold it against you..."

Weiss opened her mouth to respond, only to pause, considering his offer carefully before shaking her head. "I'm fine, Colonel. Really, I am." She assured him.

Nodding slowly, the man looked back down at his scroll, his fingers typing away quickly, a soft ping coming from the device. Looking back up at the teens, he nodded again. "Very well then, still perhaps backstage would be a better place for you to stand guard." He suggested.

"That's probably a good idea," Weiss agreed, nodding her head once more. "Thank you,"

"Not a problem, Miss Schnee," Lelouch said, smiling beneath his mask, his gaze turning back towards his device, the soft glow illuminating his helmet.

So Winter wasn't the only one with daddy issues. He mused silently. A few new avenues of manipulation and potential exploitation had just opened up.

"You done yet?" Yang grunted as she held up a metal beam, the weight of the metal pressing down on her shoulders. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breathing heavy. She had been holding it up for a while, and her arms were beginning to ache.

"Just a moment, I'm almost done!" A worker replied as he hurried to secure the metal in place.

The blonde rolled her eyes, but she remained silent, focusing on her task. Around her, the construction site was bustling with activity, workers hurrying back and forth, carrying tools, supplies, and building materials. The sound of saws, hammers, and drills filled the air, a constant hum of noise and activity.

Feeling the metal shifting, she glanced up, watching as the workers secured the beam in place, her grip loosening as they finished.

"Thanks." The man grinned, throwing a thumbs up, before climbing back down the ladder.

Yang let out a breath, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "No problem," she muttered, her tone gruff. She stretched, her joints popping as she worked out the kinks in her muscles. Her eyes scanned the site, and she watched as the other workers went about their business, their movements efficient and practiced. It seemed like everyone knew what to do without any directions or instructions. The work was grueling, but they didn't seem bothered or slowed in the slightest.

"Hey, Yang!" Blake's voice called out, drawing the blonde's attention. Glancing over, she spotted the dark-haired Faunus walking towards her, a small smile on her lips.

"Yo," She greeted, raising a hand in greeting. "How was the patrol?"

"Uneventful," the Faunus replied, shrugging. "Nora's still got a lot of energy left, though. She's been going non-stop since we started,"

"Well, that sounds like her." Yang chuckled, shaking her head. "She's always had too much energy for her own good,"

Blake nodded, her gaze turning to the construction site. "How are things here?" she asked, gesturing towards Ren and a group of workers hauling up more materials.

"Eh, it's going alright," Yang answered with a shrug. "They've made some progress, I think,"

Nodding, Blake stepped closer, looking around the area. "Yeah...It's a lot different from how I imagined it would look,"

"How did you imagine it?"

"More like the SDC factories..." she murmured, her expression somber. "Cold, sterile, and lifeless..."

Yang frowned slightly at her friend's words. She could understand why she felt that way. The Schnee name was synonymous with oppression, greed, and exploitation, but this place didn't have any of that feeling to it...

"Yeah... It's definitely not like that..." she agreed.

The two fell silent, watching the workers as they worked, their bodies moving in unison, each person focused on their task. After a few minutes, Blake spoke again. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this..."

"What, that the colonel is the 'Good Guy'?" Yang asked, her voice low.

"Yeah, exactly." She said, nodding. Her golden eyes stared out across the busy Mantle street. "It doesn't feel right..."

"I get what you're saying, it's too good to be true..." the Blonde trailed off, "But, I don't know, maybe he really is trying to help," She offered with a shrug.

Blake shook her head, her brow furrowing in thought. "Maybe the rugs been pulled out from under us so much, that now that someone's offering their hand, we're afraid to accept it,"

"Yeah, maybe..." Yang muttered, staring up at the sky. "Maybe we're just being paranoid,"

"But I think that's okay," The Faunus added, looking at her friend. "With everything that's happened to us recently, with Lionheart, Beacon Academy, and Raven, I don't blame any of us for not trusting Lelouch or Ironwood."

Yang nodded her head in agreement, her gaze shifting back down to meet Blake's. "Well, either way, we'll keep an eye out," she promised firmly. "If he's got good intentions, then great; if not, we'll figure something out," She smiled softly. "We always do,"

Blake smiled back at her friend, the corners of her mouth turning upward. "Yeah, we do,"

"Hey, girls!" The two huntresses turned to see Ivy waving at them, a wide grin on her face as she jogged over to where they stood. "We're taking a break," she informed them cheerfully. "Feel free to take a stroll around the city, but stay on the radio!"

Both Yang and Blake nodded their heads in acknowledgment, the pair exchanging glances before walking off together, leaving the construction site behind.

"Any place you wanna hit?" Yang asked her partner, "I heard they got a pretty nice diner near here,"

"You read my mind," Blake replied, a small smile gracing her features. Her stomach grumbled loudly, causing the pair to laugh. "Let's go."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Lelouch finished his speech, the noise almost deafening in its intensity. He waved to them before stepping away from the podium, his eyes scanning the audience. They were all standing now, many of them holding signs and banners that read 'Vote Schnee!' or 'Jacques For The People'. Some had even brought their children, who sat atop their parent's shoulders, staring up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. Others were chanting, their voices rising above the din, the words lost in the cacophony of noise.

Walking behind a curtain and down a flight of stairs, the masked military officer sighed, a sense of accomplishment filling him. His plan was moving forward, Jacques' position and power were growing, and his support base was widening; soon, he would be ready for the final stages.

Finding Jaune peering behind another set of curtains, his gaze fixed on the cheering masses, the masked man walked up beside him placing a hand on the blonde knight's shoulder. "It's a wonderful sight, isn't it?" He asked, his voice low.

Jaune flinched slightly at the touch, the boy's blue eyes darting toward Lelouch before returning to the crowd. "Yeah... It's amazing," he said quietly. "All those people..."

"They've been struggling for years now," The Colonel stated softly. "Finally seeing someone step up and do something about their problems... well, you can imagine how they feel..."

"I think so..." Jaune murmured, nodding slowly. He turned his head and looked at Lelouch, a small smile forming on his lips. "Thank you,"

"For what?" the older male inquired curiously.

The teen shrugged, his gaze returning to the sea of faces. "I guess just for being here," He replied simply. "For helping them,"

Lelouch chuckled softly and patted the boy on the back. "No thanks necessary." He replied sincerely, before walking past him. "I was merely doing what anyone else would have done,"

"Yeah..." Jaune whispered under his breath, watching as the Colonel descended the stairs. His gaze lingered on the man's back, a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, a worry that he couldn't quite explain.

"Jaune!" Turning his head, Jaune saw Ruby running towards him, her eyes shining brightly. "That speech was awesome!" she cheered, a wide grin plastered on her face.

Smiling sheepishly, Jaune scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess..." he admitted bashfully. "It was pretty cool, wasn't it?"

"So cool!" the redhead agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "I mean, who knew the colonel was such an inspirational speaker?"

"I didn't," Jaune admitted with a shrug. "But then again, there's a lot we don't know about him."

Her smile faded somewhat, and Ruby frowned slightly. "Why do you say that?" she asked.

"I... Nothing." the blonde murmured, his brow furrowed in thought. He turned and stared at the space where the Colonel had once stood, his mind racing. "He's definitely got the people on his side..."

Weiss sighed as she watched the crowd slowly disperse from backstage. She had been standing in the same spot for what seemed like hours now, watching the Colonel deliver his speech and the subsequent reaction of the people. The sheer amount of enthusiasm and hope that flooded the area was overwhelming. Even more so was how genuine Lelouch's promises for Mantle were.

And it made Weiss feel sick...

The thought of such honesty coming from someone who was working with her Father, that two seemingly opposing forces could be aligned on a single goal, was utterly mind-boggling. It didn't make sense, it didn't make any sense!

So lost in her thoughts, the former heiress didn't hear someone approaching from behind until they were right beside her, her body tensing as a hand came to rest on her shoulder, causing her to jump in surprise. Spinning around quickly, her eyes widened at the sight of the colonel standing next to her, his masked visage peering down at her. She relaxed slightly, her shoulders slumping.

"Colonel." she breathed, her voice soft.

Lelouch looked down at Weiss, his head tilting slightly to the side. "You seem distracted," he observed, removing his hand from her shoulder and placing it on his hip. "Everything alright?"

Weiss hesitated for a moment, her mouth opening before closing again, the words stuck in her throat.

"It's... nothing..." she finally muttered, shaking her head, she turned to look away from him. "I'm fine..."

"I see," he replied, nodding slowly. "Well, I hope my speech involving your father's election didn't upset you,"

"No... Not at all," she said, forcing a smile onto her face, her eyes meeting his. "It was quite inspiring actually,"

"I'm glad," he said, smiling beneath his helmet. "The people need all the hope they can get these days,"

Weiss bit her lip and looked away from him, her gaze drifting to the crowd that was beginning to disperse. The way he spoke of her Father's campaign sounded so... genuine. She wanted to believe him, but there was just something about it all that rubbed her wrong.

"You think he's the best person for Mantle?" She asked after a moment of silence, her voice soft and uncertain, her gaze returning to him.

Lelouch tilted his head, regarding the girl in front of him. He knew what she meant. She wasn't asking if Jacques was the best man for the job; no, she was questioning why her father, a man who had a long history of mistreatment and abuse and who would sell his soul to make a profit, could be trusted.

He chuckled, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "Well, I'd like to think I know what I'm doing," he stated simply. "Jacques Schnee is a businessman first and foremost. He sees opportunities where others see problems."

Weiss frowned at his words, her brow furrowing as she studied his helmeted figure. She wasn't sure what to make of his statement, but it didn't sit right with her...

"Colonel... you... don't trust my father, do you?" She questioned hesitantly.

Lelouch paused for a moment, considering her question carefully. "To an extent..." he began, his tone serious. "I trust that he will follow through with his end of our bargain, and that's enough for me,"

Our bargain...

"Then... why work with him?" Weiss asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes searching for an answer the helmet refused to give. "...You said yourself that he's selfish and greedy." her gaze fell away from him. "...And that's putting it mildly..."

"Miss Schnee..." Lelouch stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders and leaning down slightly so that he could look into her blue eyes. "Politics is about compromise. Since I've taken the torch of Mantle's future, I've made countless deals and agreements that will benefit my city." He explained softly. "And your father is no exception," His grip tightened slightly. "He may not be the ideal partner, but he has the resources I need to make things better here."

Looking up at him, she met his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. "...But... what does that mean exactly?" She asked slowly. "That you'll use him just like he uses everyone else?"

Lelouch chuckled, a soft, humorless sound. "Is that what you think?" he questioned his tone light, almost teasing. "That I would stoop to such levels? Do you believe I'm no better than your Father?"

"N-no! Of course not!" Weiss exclaimed quickly, shaking her head vehemently. "It's just..."

"You don't know me," Lelouch interrupted, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "You've only heard stories about me, and those aren't always reliable. People exaggerate things, embellish them to suit their own purposes." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "So how do you know what kind of man I am?"

Weiss stared at him, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the right words to say, her eyes darting around, searching for an answer she couldn't find.

"I suppose you're right..." She muttered quietly after a few seconds, her shoulders slumping slightly. "...I don't know anything about you, Colonel."

"And that's perfectly fine," Lelouch assured her. "It's understandable, even. After all, you haven't had much opportunity to get to know me,"

Weiss nodded slowly, her gaze falling away from him again. "Yeah..."

"If I'm honest, I wish the Schnee I was dealing with was you," Lelouch admitted bluntly, causing Weiss to snap her head back up.

"Me?" She blinked owlishly at him.

"Yes." He responded simply. "You were once the heiress to the largest dust company in the world, and despite the actions of your father, you still managed to maintain a sense of morality and duty to the people of Remnant."

Her cheeks flushed a light shade of red at his unexpected compliment. "...I-I don't know what to say..." She stammered nervously. "Thank you, I guess..."

"It's a shame you and your father had a falling out," Lelouch continued, seemingly unaware of the girl's flustered state. "I imagine if things were different, maybe our partnership would have been something greater. A true force of change, rather than the halfhearted alliance that exists between myself and Jacques."

Weiss remained silent for several moments, trying to collect herself. Finally, she took a deep breath and looked up at the masked figure standing before her. "...What... exactly do you see in me, Colonel?"

"Potential," he replied without hesitation. "And a willingness to do what's right, no matter the cost,"

She felt her heart flutter slightly at his words. She had never been complimented so sincerely before, especially not from someone like him.

"I haven't done anything yet..." she muttered shyly.

"Yet..." Lelouch repeated, nodding. "That's true," He admitted, standing straight and looking out at the crowd that had mostly disappeared. "But there's still time, and I believe that you could be a great leader one day."

Weiss smiled softly, her eyes meeting his once more. "...Thank you, Colonel."

Lelouch nodded, "I think I have an idea, Miss Schnee," His tone lightened considerably, and taking a step back from Weiss, he clapped his hands, drawing her attention. "A way to help you see I'm not some evil man, manipulating the system. I'd like to think we're a lot alike,"

"...What are you talking about?" Weiss questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"I plan on visiting Jacques in his home in a few days," he explained, his gaze shifting to the girl. "I'm sure you haven't seen your mother or brother in a while, so how about a homecoming?"

"Wait, what?" She blinked rapidly, her mouth hanging open slightly. "Y-You mean, like... go back to the manor?"

"Exactly," Lelouch stated firmly. "It's a private affair, but, since your family is involved. It's only right to offer."

"But... I can't!" She exclaimed. "My Father... He'd..."

"He'd have to deal with me if he tried anything," The Colonel replied sternly. "Since Team BRIR are my bodyguards, they'll be coming along as well, we'll make sure nothing happens to you."

Weiss hesitated for a moment, considering the offer. Her father would never dare touch her with the colonel there, she knew that. She wouldn't even have to face him if she didn't want to; she missed Klein dearly, her mother, even Whitley... And the idea of visiting her old home was appealing. If she could just see her family again...

"I don't know..." she trailed off uncertainly, her gaze shifting downward.

"Think about it," Lelouch suggested kindly. "There's no rush, I know it's a big decision. But you'll be able to see just how different I am from Jacques Schnee."

Looking back up at the masked figure, Weiss nodded slowly. "Alright, Colonel." She agreed. "...I'll consider it..."

"Good!" he exclaimed cheerfully, clapping his hands together once more. "Now then, we should get going. We have a long day ahead of us!"

Taking a seat on the curb of a street corner, Yang and Blake sat, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in their hands, watching the city around them, the sun shining down on them.

The Faunus had a thoughtful expression on her face as she watched the crowds of people walking past, a few giving the duo curious glances, but most seemed to ignore the two girls. She took a sip of her drink, enjoying the sweet flavor of the cocoa.

"Hey, Blake," Yang called out, causing the dark-haired girl to turn her attention back to her partner. "You ever think about what you want to do after this?"

Blake paused, tilting her head slightly to the side. "After this?" she questioned curiously.

"Yeah," Yang continued, gesturing to the air around them. "After... well, everything,"

"Can't say I have." She shrugged lightly, her amber eyes looking up at the sky above them. "It's been a lot of moving from one thing to the next."

"I get that..." Yang murmured, her gaze falling to her cup of hot cocoa, a distant look in her eyes. She took a slow sip of the warm liquid, letting it run down her throat, before speaking again. "...Do you think there will be an after-though?" she asked hesitantly. "I mean, do you think this whole... thing... with Salem and Ozpin will ever end?"

Blake hummed softly, considering her partner's words; the pair was silent for a moment before she responded. "Not sure," She admitted, a slight frown crossing her features. "...It's hard to imagine an end to something so big."

Yang nodded, staring off into space. The blonde remained quiet, her mind lost in thought, her brows knitting together in concentration.

"But..." Blake added after a moment, drawing the other girl's attention. "If there is, I know we'll still be together,"

Yang felt her heart skip a beat at her partner's words, a warmth spreading through her body at the thought. "Really?" she breathed, her voice soft and hesitant, a hint of hopefulness in her tone.

Blake looked at her, her amber eyes shining with emotion. She gave a small nod, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah," She murmured, leaning forward. "I promised I wouldn't run anymore, didn't I?" She placed her cup on the ground, her hand coming up to rest on the brawler's shoulder.

Yang blinked, her cheeks flushed, a light pink dusting her cheeks. "Oh..." she said softly, her gaze shifting to the side, avoiding Blake's gaze. "Then I hope the colonel is right, that there's a way out of this mess." She murmured, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup. "Maybe he can help us figure it all out..."

"I wouldn't count on it." A voice interjected, causing both girls to jump slightly. Spinning around, Yang and Blake found themselves face to face with a blue-haired huntress, the woman's arms crossed over her chest, her hazel eyes staring intently at the pair. "Sorry to eavesdrop, but it was a little hard not to overhear." She chuckled lightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

"Who are you?" Yang asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at the stranger.

The woman raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Hey now, no need for hostility!" she laughed softly. "I'm just here to talk."

"Talk? What about?" Blake questioned warily, her ears flattening against her head.

The huntress sighed and shook her head, uncrossing her arms and placing her hands on her hips. "Look, I don't want any trouble. The name's May. I'm a member of the Happy Huntresses, and we're not exactly the biggest fans of the colonel," she explained.

Yang and Blake shared a look, before turning back to May. "...Why?" Yang asked tentatively. "Isn't he helping Mantle?"

May scoffed. "He is..." she began, her eyes narrowing as she regarded the two teens. "...And that's what bothers us," She paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment, her gaze locked onto the pair. "Mantle has been struggling since the great war, constantly being ignored by the government, and now suddenly, after one man in Atlas shows up, things get done?" she spat. "Things are fixed? Please... It's a pile of shit,"

Yang and Blake exchanged another glance. They'd had their doubts about the man as well, and it seemed like they weren't alone in that regard. But accepting what May was saying without evidence was dangerous. Ruby and the rest of their friends seemed to trust him.

"What proof do you have?" Blake questioned, her gaze returning to the older huntress.

May shrugged. "This so-called 'miracle' he's performed, he's done a great job of covering his tracks, but this city has eyes and ears everywhere," she explained. "We've heard rumors of shady deals, secret agreements, and back-alley trades." her hazel eyes hardened. "And we know he's not above-using force to get his way. There's darkness in this city, and he's at the center of it."

The Faunus remained silent, her brow furrowing as she considered the implications of what May had just told them.

"Actual proof though?" Yang pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly at the older woman. "Not just rumors and hearsay,"

May sighed and shook her head once more. "You guys are new here, right? Haven't been around long enough to see the full picture," She chuckled dryly, her lips twisting into a scowl. "It's not something you can just pull out and show, it's a feeling, a sensation, a sense of something being off. That's the kind of evidence that isn't tangible, but is still real,"

"You're going to need more than a gut feeling to convince me he's up to no good." The blonde replied flatly, her tone firm.

May raised an eyebrow, her lips pressing together tightly. "...That's fair..." she muttered after a moment's pause. "Of course, I can't exactly trust two strangers with the inner workings of the Happy Huntresses, and if you are working with the colonel, that would be even worse," She sighed. "But if there's a chance that you aren't in his pocket, I thought a little warning couldn't hurt. He's not what he seems, and sooner or later, that facade of his will crack."

Yang frowned at the woman's words. She had no idea what was true anymore, this whole situation had become a tangled mess of half-truths and lies, and she didn't know who or what to believe. "We'll keep an eye out." She replied tersely.

The blue-haired huntress smirked and nodded. "That's all I'm asking for," She stated, before spotting Ivy heading towards them. "Looks like my time's up," She chuckled, taking a step back. "Remember what I said, and watch yourselves. Don't let yourselves get too comfortable around him,"

With that, May turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of pedestrians.

As the woman left, Yang and Blake watched her go, their expressions thoughtful as they mulled over everything that had been said. After a few moments, Yang turned to look at her partner, her gaze questioning.

"You think she was telling the truth?" the brawler questioned, her voice low and hesitant. "About him?"

"I don't know," Blake admitted, sighing softly. "But one thing is for certain, there's more going on than meets the eye."

Reaching the pair of girls, Ivy spotted the back of May retreating into the crowds. Her eyes narrowed and her hand gripped her cane. "You okay?" she asked slowly, her attention on the blue-haired girl. "She didn't give you any trouble did she?"

Shaking her head slightly, Yang turned towards the cane-wielding huntress. "Nah, she didn't do anything. Just had a friendly little chat." She replied, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

Ivy eyed the woman skeptically but didn't press further. "...Alright," She said after a moment. "We've got to get going, the workday isn't over just yet,"

"Right..." Blake murmured, rising from her seat, her expression thoughtful. "Let's go..."

The two girls finished their drinks and moved walked past Ivy, Lelouch's bodyguard taking one last look at the retreating Happy Huntress before following after the pair.