Let's go!
Arc 2 -Chapter 26:
The time had come. All parties were now present at the large circular table within the palace walls. Each Kingdom's emissaries sat congregated at their own respective 'end' for lack of a better word. Like a five-pointed star, with several chairs gap between each Kingdom.
Ozpin, the King, and several councilmembers headed the table, including Rosaline Tully, Henry Winchester and Arthur Rainhart.
While they would act as mediators for the discussions, they would also be directly involved in setting the terms and agreements.
Vacuo and Mistral sat adjacent to each other on one side of the table, while Atlas and Menagerie were seated the opposite.
Elite bodyguards for each Kingdom stood several paces behind their leaders, their role more tokenism than anything. It was under mutual understanding that no one would dare be so foolish as to instigate an altercation.
Currently, everyone in attendance was listening as Meg spoke at the table. Her powerful voice demanded attention, though it wasn't hard to discern the disdain oozing off of the Vacuoan emissaries. The Mistralians were slightly better, at least attempting a veneer of politeness. Ozpin highly suspected that was more to appear cultured and amicable to Vale and Atlas than rather out of goodwill for Menagerie.
"Menagerie has long been a land fraught with hardship. It is not strictly a desire to expand our land, but a necessity. Hence, when the first expedition landed on what was previously an uncharted continent, we were hopeful."
She sent a thin-lipped glare towards Emhyr's way. One which he returned with equal disdain through the slit of his hood.
"Alas, this new land which we hoped to settle was home to others which he had not been previously aware. However, instead of attempting diplomacy and opening up avenues for discussion, our people, MY people, were attacked. Murdered, raped, and trafficked away deeper into what you call Vacuo."
No-one spoke a word. She continued with a deep breath, signalling she was only just getting started.
"When a scant handful of survivors returned to us, we were morally obligated to rescue our people. Again, we were met with violence."
Emhyr cut her off.
"Vacuo is a harsh land. There is no ONE ruler. We are a collection of nomadic families and communities. To blame your lack of preparedness on an entire Kingdom is unnecessarily cruel and vindictive."
Meg hissed.
"If you are so scattered, then how come you are the official ruler of these tribes? Surely you would have some oversight and control then? Or are you suggesting I am not speaking to the representative of Vacuo, but a tribal head instead? Because in that case, I see no need for negotiating with your Kingdom then when I could do us all a favour and go back to rid that place of these wandering 'raiders' as you would suggest it."
Emhyr bristled violently.
"And do not talk of absolving an entire Kingdom when Mistral has directly involved itself in our affairs. Harassing us with mercenaries and these Hunters. And for what?"
Javi cleared his throat.
"To protect an investment."
Meg raised an eyebrow, and even the Albain brothers shared sceptical looks with each other at his carefully curated words.
"You mean slaves? Including my people that were actively trafficked into your borders on demand?"
Lemon smirked while Javi shook his head mirthfully.
"Mistral has a defence pact with Vacuo. When their coasts were raided, they asked us for assistance. We were of course obligated to help our allies. Would you not do the same?"
"If our allies were in trouble, we would assist them on merit, not incentive. What exactly did you gain from assisting Vacuo, when it has become quite clear they have nothing of real value to offer?"
That caused an offended murmur of discontent amongst the few Vacuoan representatives, but Emhyr merely raised a hand to stop them from speaking out.
"Vacuo produces hardy candidates willing to serve as enlisted Hunters and even Huntsman in many of the Kingdoms. Their strength and prowess, because of their harsh environment, makes them well sought out," replied Javi with a soft-spoken tone.
"So mercenaries that are highly skilled beyond the norm require immediate assistance from an expeditionary team comprising of families and scholars? I find that hard to believe."
Javi was quick to deflect.
"Let us not concern ourselves with interpretations of events long bygone. What is it that you want?"
Meg scowled at his manoeuvring as she leaned back slightly.
"This is not about what I want, but what Menagerie wants."
Ozpin cleared his throat.
"Then let us hear the terms of all sides. Menagerie, if you would please?"
It was not Meg who spoke, but Fennec.
"Both Vacuo and Mistral have in their possession many of our people. From wartime prisoners, to slaves alike. Often, the two become one."
Corsac continued from his brother.
"We have a list of all the names of our people that were sent and lost. Both in the expedition, and in the resultant conflict. We require that they all be released and returned to us. Any bodies in your possession must also be handed over to us."
Meg cut in firmly.
"This is non-negotiable. Otherwise we will continue to fight."
All eyes were on Javi and Emhyr. These whole talks hinged on them.
Rather than answer, Javi waved his hand, slightly annoyed.
"Your next condition?"
Meg was more than happy to oblige.
"Menagerie has lost much in this war. As such, we seek compensation."
Lemon smirked viciously.
"Funny that. Mistral would also like reparations for the illegal aggression displayed by your people towards us."
Fennec quirked an eyebrow.
"Illegal?"
Corsac expanded.
"Like funding and supplying your own Hunters to act as mercenaries in a foreign Kingdom?"
"Or perhaps using Vacuo as a proxy in an attempt to absolve yourselves of complicity? Rest assured we have not fallen for such trickery, nor will we ever."
If they were hoping for shock from the council or the Mistralians, they were disappointed.
"Well, by that metric we would certainly want to see Menagerie held to account for waging unrestricted warfare on a neutral Kingdom that they had failed to officially declare war against."
Meg looked gobsmacked at Lemon's audacity.
"Neutral…? Mistral does not get to claim neutrality. And let me also correct you, there was no official declaration of war from your side either. Menagerie must, and always has, and shall continue to do so, take any and all measures necessary to protect itself."
Ozpin felt himself cut in before things could get too heated.
"And your other conditions?"
"Reparations. In the sum of what would be the equivalent of 2.5 billion of your Lien. Accepted in supplies and materials only."
That was quite an audacious claim. Clearly everyone else thought so. Arthur Rainhart voiced as much.
"And who would pay for this recompense?"
"Mistral. And Vacuo. However, since Vacuo is clearly destitute, we would be willing to accept their share of compensation instead in land claims for our settlers."
Emhyr leapt to his feet, his voice furious.
"Absolutely not! I will not tolerate my lands being invaded and sullied by a bunch of savages!"
"Calm yourself," instructed General Ironwood.
"I will not be calm!" he snarled back.
Meg was not impressed.
"Ironic. The vagrant accusing us of being savages."
Ozpin shot her a look.
"Let us not debase ourselves with petty insults. We will go nowhere with such animosity. Now, if Menagerie has finished with its terms…" he trailed off, waiting for Meg to object. She didn't, so he continued. "Then we would very much be keen on hearing the conditions Mistral has."
Javi took the floor as Emhyr was forcibly settled down.
"Our conditions are simple. Firstly, we would seek financial recompense for all destroyed properties and assets, including one of our ports. Out of Menagerie's pocket. Secondly, in order for there to be peace, we would actually implore Menagerie to become a member of our inter-kingdom alliance."
That term threw everyone for a loop, and even the faunus emissaries looked visibly surprised.
When asked to elaborate, Javi merely shrugged.
"Mistral has no interest in a prolonged war, especially with a foreign Kingdom. If anything, we abhor the fighting. Peace is always our mission. We merely detest having our affairs disrupted. An alliance would also ensure Menagerie will not ever take up arms against us, purely simple."
"And you against us," finished Meg with narrowed eyes.
Without missing a beat, Javi nodded.
"Precisely. From there, we could look at working the finer details of compensating each other after such a tremendous misunderstanding."
Meg was sceptical, and the table was abuzz as emissaries and nobles alike conferred with each other at such a possibility.
"And what would the conditions of such an alliance be?"
That was the golden question.
"All Kingdoms must disclose a basic summary detailing current standing military strength. Menagerie would also have to be added to our maps to determine territory borders. Rest assured, you would be provided a map of our Kingdoms," he placated as he observed Meg's expression.
"And the final condition is that of a defence pact which would see Menagerie be obligated to render aid to any Kingdom that requests it during states of widespread disaster, or if war were to be declared."
That was a lot to process, and Meg cast a glance to the Albain brothers.
"These terms are… extensive."
Ozpin eyed the Mistralians curiously. Surely they weren't interested in letting bygones be bygones. That would nice to hope for, but he understood that people, especially leaders, were anything if prideful. They wanted something. Something that wasn't being said or immediately obvious. But what?
"You need not agree to them now," said Javi. "But if you cannot, then I am afraid there is little possibility of peace prevailing."
His piece said, he conceded the floor to Vacuo, and Emhyr was more than happy to oblige.
"Our terms are simple. In order for you to have peace, you must leave Vacuo, abolish your army, and subject to a review by a panel of our own council."
"Really," said Meg dryly.
"Our final condition is that any and all leadership involved in invading our Kingdom must be surrendered over to us where they will be tried for their crimes accordingly."
Meg shook her head.
"Your terms are simply unacceptable. We do not agree to them."
"Our terms are more than lenient," spat Emhyr.
"Especially since your kind have been weaponising Grimm against our people."
Instantly, everyone looked shocked.
Ozpin felt his gaze sharpen on both Emhyr, searching for a lie. However, it was hard to get a read on the man, so he switched his gaze to Meg and the other faunus.
It was hard to discern if this was true or not, but their body language implied some level of outrage and discomfort.
"Emhyr, I would caution against hyperbole at these talks," the Valean King warned. Emhyr did not back down.
"I do not lie. How do you think these animals managed to drag out the war for so long?!"
The table was beginning to become rife with discussion.
The King must have sensed the talks were about to break down again. Standing up in a swift motion that seemed surprising for his age, he called out in a commanding voice.
"A recess is in order. Much information has been provided, but decisions cannot, and should not, be made in haste. We will reconvene in two hours. Use this time however you see fit."
Everyone stood up and began to leave, talking in hushed murmurs, others in excited chatter.
James and Sleet began to circle around the table and approach Ozpin, while he cast a glance in Meg's direction.
She was still seated with the Albain brothers, but they were deep in whispered talks. One of them must have caught his gaze, as they all quickly stood up and began to leave.
"Emhyr. You will stay," commanded the King. The warlord was probably miffed, but after waving off his retinue to leave without him, he strode over.
By now, the chamber was nearly empty.
"You will explain yourself. Now," he commanded of the Vacuoan.
"Yes," agreed James. "What was that all about?"
Emhyr sounded offended.
"It is exactly what I said. I am many things, but I am not a liar."
"Oh, well, that is good. Because it sounded an awful lot like you were saying that Menagerie is fielding Grimm," snapped the King.
"This was not detailed in ANY of our reports concerning the conflict," stated James, his voice not impressed.
"Because we had few survivors to bear witness. As such, we lacked in evidence."
At their silence, Emhyr added.
"Why do you think we called on assistance from Mistral? We found ourselves losing warriors with no explanation."
"And yet you just said you have no evidence either," countered James.
"For the longest time, yes. But two months ago, we finally received a report from our scouts. It detailed in-depth descriptions and observations of one of their encampments. Grimm were observed being used as beasts of burden. Once the camp left, numerous tracks were left behind which failed to match that of any known animals. Except for Grimm."
Ozpin's eyes hardened as he listened.
"We took the report, not believing it ourselves, and decided to analyse past battles. The conclusion was concerning. It pointed at certainly a strong possibility for how we were losing. However, it was the next battle where it was proven. Grimm tracks were present in the aftermath. And the wounds inflicted on our dead were similar to those of a wild animal. The aftermath was observed, and the only conclusion we could draw was that our scouts findings were indeed accurate."
Ozpin felt himself fume.
"And the reason you chose to hide this from us?!"
Emhyr scowled.
"We wanted to tell you. We tried! However, it is extremely hard to get a message out of Vacuo when we are embroiled in a war."
"And Mistral?" pressed James.
"They didn't believe us. They are convinced it is only wandering Grimm that have been harassing us. So we have effectively been on our own."
If what he was saying was true, then it was indeed most troubling.
Ozpin pressed.
"You are absolutely certain?"
Emhyr didn't falter under the Headmaster's scrutiny.
"Yes."
The King must have seen Ozpins contemplating look as he was quick to jump in, addressing both him and Emhyr.
"If what you are saying is true, we will need evidence. We will need something tangible."
Emhyr scoffed.
"That's why I called that savage out on it. Her reaction was very telling."
Sleet frowned.
"Insulting an emissary to begin with will give a rather unique reaction. I doubt she was offput by your latest accusation at this stage," he pointed out.
"That's the thing," said Ozpin slowly.
"She didn't say anything. If anything, she looked as if she knew what Emhyr was talking about."
"See?! Even the Headmaster gets it."
Ozpin frowned.
"Do not mistake this for me siding with you. If what you are saying about Grimm being used is true, then we will have a much bigger threat to contend with. And that is something that cannot be permitted."
James glanced back at Emhyr.
"Do you anything as evidence you can supply us with to prove these aren't just random Grimm hordes? You must understand a single testimony is not enough."
Emhyr exhaled in frustration.
"Currently, no."
The King breathed in before exhaling slowly and deeply.
"Then our hands are tied."
Ozpin was quick to add his own piece.
"However, that doesn't mean we won't take your claims without due merit."
The King shot a glare his way, but Ozpin ignored it. Matters of Grimm ALWAYS took precedence.
"Oh? How do you plan on handling this then if you won't intervene?" queried Emhyr with no small amount of sarcasm.
"We can conduct an investigation," proposed Ozpin.
Emhyr scoffed, muttering under his breath. "An investigation? Really?!"
Sleet frowned.
"The war is officially on hold. Even if Menagerie is using Grimm, they won't be deploying them actively now, would they?"
"The same might not be true for their homeland."
"We don't even know where that is?!" countered Sleet.
"Not yet," corrected James before turning back to Ozpin. "You have a plan?"
"Yes. We need these talks to succeed. If Menagerie enters an inter-kingdom alliance with us, we can learn their location. From there, we have assets we can deploy to scout around."
Sleet frowned, uncomfortable.
"And if it turns out there are no Grimm and we've been caught snooping around on a new ally? You would reignite the war. We currently have an opportunity for peace!"
Ironwood grimaced.
"A peace that might not last for long."
Ozpin nodded. "Precisely. However, I'm sure it won't come to that. If there are no Grimm, then we can have peace and focus on the real enemy at hand. If not? Then we at least can be fully prepared for this new threat."
He hoped that wouldn't be the case, however.
Emhyr sounded disgusted.
"So you want us to go along with these talks and forget everything that happened? My people have lost much."
"This is more than just reparations. I shouldn't need to stress how problematic things could become. So for the time being, yes," Ozpin replied.
Emhyr took that as his cue to leave, so he stormed off with a furious expression.
All everyone could do was hope that things would not develop for the worse. No-one needed the war to continue. But no-one certainly wanted such a large threat of controlled Grimm being unleashed upon them….
Ruby stared intently as she observed the Malachite twins spar. She tried to keep up with the flurry of kicks and punches and gleam something from them, but it was nearly impossible. If anything, she was more starstruck with awe for how cool they both looked.
They were back in the same storage room, the door open.
The spar ended with Miltia suddenly twisting under her sister and wrapping her arms under her armpits and over the back of neck while straddling her waist. They both crashed to the ground but Miltia did not let go.
"Ow fuck Mils! That hurts when you do that!"
Miltia chuckled viciously.
"If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen." It was a stark contrast to her normally calm demeanour.
"Argh fuck. Uncle. Uncle!" cried out Melanie as Miltia pushed down harder.
Tony could be heard screaming out a warning from the next room.
"Are you trying to kill your sister Miltia?! Let her go already! You win!"
Miltia's response was to snort as she reluctantly released her grip.
"Pfft. Relax. We have Aura. It's gonna take a lot more than that to kill my dumb brute of a sister."
"Oh fuck you," spat Melanie as she pushed herself off the ground with a sour glare.
Miltia stuck her tongue out at her, and Melanie couldn't help her grumble.
"Smarmy brat. Where do you get off acting like that anyways."
Miltia merely sauntered off with a victorious grin while her sister griped.
"So are you lot supposed to be the ones helping me haul all this shit back?"
Everyone wheeled around to see the source of the newcomer's voice. They weren't disappointed.
"What the-?! Who the hell are you?!" shot Melanie in surprise. Miltia's smirk quickly vanished.
Ruby on the other hand could only furrow her brows as she recognised the source of the voice.
It belonged to the girl back at Miss Maria's. Amber was her name?
Amber was wearing a brown overcoat that was currently unbuttoned to reveal her white singlet and heavy-duty cargo pants.
She casually strolled through the doorway and over to the three girls with an arrogant saunter, though Ruby was quick to suddenly pick up her gait seemed slightly off on one foot. The one Hei mangled?
She shook her head, surprised at how she was able to pick up such a thing.
Miltia's lessons must be paying off.
"Glad you asked! I'm the gal that's supposed to be in charge of you lot hauling all that food you got out the back in the other room."
Melanie was always mistrusting of people, but Miltia straight up went hostile.
"Yeah? On who's authority? And how'd you even get in here?"
Her question was answered as Hei walked in right behind Amber.
"Mine." That instantly shut up the Malachite twins.
"Girls. This is Amber. She works for Maria."
Melanie quirked an eyebrow.
"The old bat that robbed us blind?"
That got a reaction out of Amber, though not necessarily a pleasant one. She bristled.
"Well, that old bat as you put her is being quite generous right now, so maybe be a little more polite?"
That confused Ruby. So, with furrowed brows she spoke.
"Weren't you the crazy lady that tried to threaten us when we just wanted to speak to Miss Maria?"
The tanned girl flushed, and Miltia and Melanie exchanged glances with each other briefly before turning to Hei.
"Wait? Is she the chick you were telling us about that you blew her foot half off?"
"Freaking cheated more like," Amber groused. "Speaking of, I want a rematch."
Hei raised an eyebrow.
"You want me to take off the other foot?" She paled, shaking her head slowly.
"Then I might suggest playing with the twins instead. They're my muscle, so they might offer more of what you're looking for."
A quick glance at the scowling twins told her Hei was speaking the truth, but that she also might want to skip on the offer.
With a scowl of her own, seeing as she wasn't very welcome right now, she brusquely marched forward.
"Let's just get started, yeah?"
The warning glare Hei sent the twins way told them it wasn't up for discussion.
Blowing her hair out her face, Melanie jutted her chin.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes before glancing down at Ruby, speaking a little more gently.
"Training's over kiddo. Go find some chores to do."
Ruby felt dour about that dismissal, and she couldn't help the whine of disappointment that escaped her lips.
"Aw. I could help you guys?" she offered weakly.
Melanie scoffed, but Miltia was more forgiving.
"You think you're able to lift those heavy bags out the back?" she challenged.
Faced with the prospective of slaving under Tony or doing some more physical work, the choice was easy.
"You betcha!" she boasted.
"I can lift five of them at a time! You wait and see how strong I am!"
Miltia chuckled, and even Melanie couldn't help the thin smile form on her lips.
Amber glanced at Ruby and then back at the twins.
"Kid has to come anyways," she shrugged.
"What? Why?" Melanie's eyes narrowed.
Amber looked at her with a strange expression.
"Because she needs to see Maria regarding her appointment? It's that time already."
Melanie instantly backed down, feeling slightly chastised at having jumped to conclusions.
"So soon?" echoed Ruby.
"Yeah. In case you've all forgotten," continued Amber.
"Now, are you going to help me load this stuff into the wagon, or are you going to stand around like headless chickens?"
Ruby couldn't help but blurt.
"What's a chicken?"
Everyone needed gathered into the next room over, a larger storage pantry room. Shelves adorned all of the walls, while crates and benches alike held numerous bags of food. Dried meats, whole vegetables, loaves of bread, and cured cheeses littered the room. Far too much for the pub to handle and sell without it all spoiling.
It was not just a simple matter of loading said bags of vegetables and dried meat onto the wagon that Amber and her crew had brought. About five boys, including Lucas. Tony stood with a piece of paper on hand, hawkish eyes narrowed as he scrutinised everyone present. He refused to let anyone out of his sight.
"Now, seeing as you lot are going to be my labour for the day, there is a specific order of things to be taken and loaded. So you can't just help yourselves to whatever," he lashed out with the clipboard, smacking someone's hand straying for a loaf of bread on a nearby shelf. They recoiled and retracted it immediately.
Lucas raised a hand slowly.
"Why wasn't everything loaded and ready for us to go…?"
Tony didn't waste a breath.
"Because all of this," he gestured to the roomful of food items, "isn't just for you lot. We run a pub, and people buy meals here. Though Melanie can't cook for shit," he muttered under his breath.
Melanie gave an indignant squawk, indicating he was still heard.
"Point is, I have listed an itinerary of what food can be taken and go back to your people, and what stuff needs to stay. If I catch you taking anything outside of these listed items and quantities," he held the clipboard in the air for all to see, "I will personally break each and every one of the offenders fingers. And no, that is not hyperbole. Try me," he glared at them all, making them feel small. Even Amber would admit the teen her age was a little intimidating.
"Well, well. If it isn't Fumbles and the brigade of the lost gullibles. Looking lovely as ever," drawled a sarcastic voice that could only belong to Roman.
He strolled into the room with Neo at his side, his cane under his arm. He was sporting a clean white jacket, with polished black shoes.
Amber's eyes narrowed as she glowered at him.
"You." Roman just smirked at her, his smug expression very punchable right about now.
Neo tugged at his sleeve, and he glanced down at her. She signed something to him, and he very barely supressed a snigger.
"What she say," Amber growled, clearly not liking that she was being talked about.
"Oh nothing," replied Roman as he turned to look at her directly, assessing her from head to toe.
"Neo's just curious whether or not your foot is finished its monthlies so she can have a rematch. She's got a competitive streak, this one."
Amber seethed.
"You people got lucky. That's all."
It was Neo's turn to smirk, though hers harboured a far more dangerous glint.
"Sure sure. You keep telling yourself that," he laughed as he sauntered over to the twins, wrapping an arm around over each of their shoulders as he leaned in.
Miltia was indifferent to it, but Melanie looked revolted. She struggled to pull away, but he held firm.
"And how are you two lovelies doing? You gonna be gone for a while?"
"Nah. Just for half the day. We'll be back before dark," answered Miltia.
He nodded slowly.
"Is see, I see. Welp," he pushed off the two and walked by one Amber's kids, yanking an apple that he was trying to thieve for himself.
"Neo and I will be gone for the next couple days. Try not to cause any trouble while I'm away, alright?"
Melanie cursed him aloud while Miltia looked suddenly indignant.
Tony grimaced.
"I think I'm the one that's supposed to be saying that. Specifically to you."
"Who? Me?" he faux-gasped.
"Never! Now, Red," he called as he twirled around to her.
Ruby straightened up immediately upon hearing her nickname.
"If an opportunity presents itself, remember what I taught you kiddo."
"I don't want to steal!" she cried out in protest.
"Pfft. It's not stealing Red. If someone isn't actively watching it, they clearly don't want it!"
She looked bothered still, so he knelt down and enveloped his arms around her.
"Ah, don't sweat it kid. Just gimme some good luck before I leave, yeah?"
She hugged him back.
"Okay, Uncle Roman," she mumbled.
"Wait? Since when is she calling you uncle?" protested Miltia.
"That's not fair!"
Roman glanced up to Miltia, a smug smirk on his face.
"Since I sneak her in treats," he replied confidently as he pulled away, revealing a couple wrapped confectionaries that Ruby had grabbed from his coat pocket.
Melanie placed a hand on her hip as she appraised him with a doubtful expression.
"Relax Mils. They ain't treats, they're bribes."
"Erk!" Roman looked busted, while Ruby greedily unwrapped the first chocolate and shovelled it into her face.
"What's he trying to keep quiet Ruby?" pleaded Miltia, desperate for something incriminating.
"C'mon!" she begged.
Ruby went wide-eyed, her mouth stuffed full of treats.
"He's not smoking again!" she blurted.
Tony's face darkened suddenly, while Neo burst out into silent laughter.
Roman went wide-eyed and pale before letting out a long groan as he face-palmed.
"Ruby…." He began, voice strained.
"Roman!" snarled Tony, instantly forgoing the clipboard as he stormed over to him with a thunderous expression.
"Erk!" Roman startled, instantly grabbing Neo by the wrist and darting off.
"Gotta go, see ya!" With that, he was gone.
Tony stopped, shaking his head slowly.
"Ruby," he said, scarily calm.
"Did you know?"
She suddenly paled now that she was under scrutiny by the older boy.
"Ah, well… maybe?"
"And you know he's not supposed to be smoking, right?" he pressed, still with that scarily calm voice.
"What? But he's not going to smoke at all," she explained, confused as to why Tony was thinking that.
"Oh? And how do you know that?" he demanded.
Ruby's response was to open up her other hand, revealing the lighter she had pulled off of Roman when he let her take the treats he promised her.
The twins went wide-eyed before bursting out into laughter.
Even Tony couldn't help but feel his face soften as a slight wry smile graced his lips.
"Good girl," he praised.
Without much more to comment on, everyone set to taking the bags of food, under Tony's careful supervision, out to a hand-wagon. More than a few of Amber's people, arguably teens younger than herself, felt themselves get a solid crack on their knuckles as they thought of trying to pull a fast one. Tony was always watching.
Within minutes, the small wagon was loaded and ready to be taken back to Maria. The Malachite twins bundled themselves up as they ushered Ruby with them. Spring or not, the morning was still cold.
As they trundled down the streets, several of Lucas' fellow crewmates hauling the wagon by hand, Amber decided to make some light conversation with the twins. Her arms were stretched behind her head to lean on, and she cast her eyes lazily in their direction as they stood protectively either side of Ruby.
"So, seeing as we're probably going to be dealing with each other a lot from now on, how's about we get to know each other?"
Melanie scowled. "Or we could not?"
Amber tskd.
"Well, maybe you don't have to. But I think we've all gotten off on the wrong foot here. So. I'm Amber. This is Lucas," she gestured to the silent boy at the front of the wagon. He waved at the twins, but was otherwise ignored.
She got no response from the twins.
After a painful silence, she tried again.
"So. You're Ruby right? Mind if I ask why you're seeing Maria? She refused to say anything about it, and I was sorta curious –" Melanie butted in.
"Stop. Don't talk to her. She's not your concern at all, so don't pretend to care or be interested. You're being nosy for the sake of nosy. Fuck off with it."
Amber raised her hands to placate her.
"Relax. I was just asking…."
It was left at that, until she tried again.
"You know, if it's a concern about safety, she could come stay with us. She might even be better off with Maria, as she seems to know what's bothering her and you all."
Melanie seethed, and she couldn't help but lash out.
"I'd argue otherwise, especially since we kicked your asses and Hei blew off your foot. She deserves better than being stuck with a bunch of people that know nothing about her, and don't even care."
Miltia stopped walking to watch her sister with an incredulous expression.
"You couldn't even defend yourselves! How the fuck are you supposed to look after someone else?!"
Amber stiffened, but Melanie wasn't finished her rant.
"The way I see it, we have a purely business relation. Let's keep it that way." She clamped her hands down on Ruby's shoulders and escorted her away from Amber, who suddenly looked solemn and thoughtful.
"You stick to watching your supplies, and we'll stick to taking care of her, alright? Good."
Everyone could only watch as Melanie disappeared with Ruby to walk behind the wagon.
All Miltia could do was think about Melanie, and since when did her sister actually start to care about Ruby.
All Amber could do was clench her hands and try not to act bothered….
Final chapter of Arc 2 Should be out next week. Will probably be a bigger chapter because there is a lot planned to wrap it up. I'm also pretty busy with things this week, so there is a distinct possibility I might not have the chapter fully ready come Monday. As such, I won't have a distinct date, rather a date range to expect it.
Next Chapter : Monday 14th October to Monday 21st October
Expect it to drop in between those days. Hopefully the first Monday. If not, then the second at the absolute latest.
See you then!