Chapter 27
Three weeks after the White Fang Insurrection...
Lonelywood, A town three days away from the edge of the Kingdom of Vale
"Have a good day!"
"Thanks, you too." The door chimed as Arthur stepped out of the grocery store, stuffing more supplies into his satchel. Rations and canned goods, the kind that they could eat on the move, were typically what he had been purchasing these past few days. Lonelywood was a quaint little town, surrounded by staggered wooden spikes in lieu of actual walls to protect from invaders, be they Grimm or man. The forest beyond provided much in the way of lumber and hunting, but Lonelywood was named such because it was so far removed from other settlements. The Kingdom offered Huntsman contracting out this far, but unfortunately the Kingdom's territory didn't extend to the small town. That made it a perfect stop for Arthur and Sienna.
Because of the Schnee Mansion Incident and other violent acts committed by the White Fang, Sienna had a large price on her head and was well known to most governments. Arthur had flown to Mistral to help her escape the White Fang, but now they were taking the long way back. Any airport terminal they took off from or landed at could have facial recognition technology or some dedicated security personnel. Arthur had been particularly irritated by the long haul, but Sienna had simply said that were they in Atlas or Mantle, they would have never escaped at all.
The former Supreme Leader of the White Fang was healing at a subdued pace. Her body was free of the scorpion venom Tyrian had hit her with, and for the most part had recovered from its effects. She still tired more quickly than she used to and it had hindered her exercise, but Arthur had never seen her so...quiet. Sienna Khan had been fighting to end racism and unfair business practices against her people for over twenty years, and now that she had been cast out of the White Fang and nearly killed, her motivation had crumpled. Everything she had ever worked for and accomplished had been taken away by Adam's ambition, and instead of getting angry about it or planning her next move, Sienna had simply stopped fighting. It nearly broke Arthur's heart to see his once vibrant and spirited friend simply sitting alone in the inn room they had reserved for the night, sitting in a bed and staring at the wall listlessly.
The gunslinger sighed heavily as the rumble of thunder echoed overhead, and he could see dark clouds to the northwest, precisely the direction they were headed. The city of Vale was so close, but they would be riding through rain once more, it looked like. Another damper on their mood, but the chances of any bounty hunters picking up their trail was lower because of it. He trotted through the town's few buildings, heading for the inn that he shared with Sienna. He hoped that getting to Vale and talking to Summer and maybe Ozpin about the White Fang situation would be enough to pull Sienna out of her funk, but somehow he doubted it. She had nothing left to fight for.
Arthur shouldered through the inn door, nodding a greeting to the attendant that stood behind the counter. The young blonde waved back at him, then went back to sorting the keys that she had behind the counter. Small towns like Lonelywood often didn't have access to the technology you saw in the major cities of Remnant, so things were a little closer to what Arthur was used to. Dusty old cattle towns like Valentine and Rhodes had a lot of the same charm.
Up the stairs and down the hall, Arthur put the key in the lock and turned it, opening the door and stepping in quickly. He kept their scrolls turned off and avoided more populated areas to keep them from picking up a tail, but there was always room for more caution until they got Sienna's bounty straightened out. The room they had rented for the evening was spartan, with only a dresser, a bed, and a bathroom to the right of the door. Everything they needed, and nothing they didn't. They'd spent the night tossing and turning, Sienna still restless from her brush with death and Arthur checking the door for intruders every now and then. A window opposite the door provided a view of the town below, and Sienna was looking out it with the same expressionless list she had worn for the past week. She didn't wear the same regal garments that she had when she was leading the White Fang, but rather a simple red robe that parted on one side to allow her some movement. Her face bore a still healing scar from Tyrian's blade, an angry red line at crossed her right eye diagonally upward toward her nose. Sienna's hood was always back unless they went out in public in a crowded area, and the fact that she did so without complaint bothered Arthur. Not because he wanted an argument, but because the proud Sienna Khan was acting so meek.
"Brought some food, if you're hungry. I got beans, chicken soup, some jerky for the road..." Arthur trailed off when Sienna didn't respond. "...tuna?" The tiger Faunus turned and gave him a flat look at that, and he chuckled. At least it was a reaction. Arthur walked over to the bed and pulled their luggage from underneath the bed. He'd bought a pair of backpacks and some larger saddlebags to hold their belongings, as well as some new clothes for Sienna. Everything she had owned was at White Fang Headquarters, most likely being pilfered and distributed among the rest of the Fang in the aftermath of her 'betrayal'. That was if they didn't just throw it all in the trash. He hadn't found a hat that he liked either. Arthur stowed the food he had bought in one of the saddlebags, then pushed it all back underneath the bed.
"No one seems to be following us, at least." Arthur continued. "Hopefully Ozpin can take care of this bounty. I don't think it'll help with the folks that blame you for what the White Fang has done, but it's a start." The gunslinger winced at the mention of Beacon's Headmaster. He had delivered the Relic of Choice to Ozpin and just barely squeezed out of the man's influence. Owing him a favor after that wasn't going to be comfortable, but he'd do it if it meant Sienna could have some peace from bounty hunters. He'd lived that life for long enough to not wish it on her or anyone he cared for.
"Hm." Was her only reply. It had taken Sienna almost ten full days to recover from Tyrian's venom, but she had been so quiet that Arthur was certain something else was wrong. Two separate doctors had given her a clean bill of health, and she was still walking and eating as usual, but something about her just felt broken. The outlaw knew it was the White Fang, something she had poured blood, sweat, and tears into only for it to turn on her. He just didn't know how to get her over it.
"There's a storm heading this direction, and it's coming from where we need to go." Arthur informed, pointed at the edge of the window. Just over the building across the street, dark clouds could be seen in the already overcast sky. Sienna's eyes followed his finger, but she made no further comment. She only nodded to show that she had seen what he meant.
"We can go now and get wet sooner, or wait and see if it's a short storm. But somebody could find us in the meantime." Arthur put his hands on his hips, stepping back a pace to give her room. "Which one do you wanna do?" He waited a few moments in silence as she stared ahead, hoping she was just thinking things over. A few more moments passed in silence. "Sienna?"
She started when he said her name, as if she were focused on something else. When she realized that he was waiting on an answer, her ears drooped slightly as she looked at the rain.
"Might as well get it over with." She murmured, the first sentence she'd said all day. Arthur grinned slightly at the sign of life, then rubbed the top of his head.
"We should probably get some decent hats if we're gonna be sloggin' through the rain, to keep the water off of our heads?" He still had a little Lien to spare, and he could probably get a grin or two out of her if he played it right. Sienna gave another despairing look at the oncoming storm, and he knew by her suffering sigh that she had agreed. Arthur led the way out of the room, pausing only briefly to check that no one was in the hallway watching them. His Faunus friend followed close behind and closed the door, and together they walked down the stairs to the main floor. The inn of Lonelywood was situated on the town's main street, and a general store sat next to the post office on the same street. A few of the locals were talking and wandering around, but many had already sought shelter in preparation for the coming storm. Famine was tied off to a support beam under the cover of the Inn's porch, his ears laid back as he too anticipated rain and thunder.
The pair made their way into the general store, and Arthur gave the blonde teenage girl behind the counter a respectful nod as he looked around. Most of the wares on display were food, tools, and novelties to entertain children, but there remained a small section in the back with racks of clothing. Near those circular racks, there was a small selection of hats on display. Sienna followed him into the back, her eyes scanning the head wear listlessly. She clearly didn't care which ones he chose, and was restless for the trip to Vale. Arthur picked up one of them and examined it, a more modern boonie hat that was a bit too flimsy for his taste. The earthy brown color didn't really match Sienna's clothes either. He picked up a darker gambler hat similar to what he'd seen the trapper make.
"Well, what do you think? A little different in style, but it'll keep the rain off your head." He held it out to her, and the Faunus took it after a moment's hesitation.
"I'd rather go with a hood, to be honest." She replied quietly, putting the hat on with some trepidation. It fit a little loosely, but it complimented her dusky skin tone and shielded her face when she tilted the brim downward. A curled brim brown hat similar to his alligator gambler sat next to it, and Arthur tried it on after he gave her an appreciative look over.
"Hoods don't keep you warm or dry, and I think it suits you. Just needs a little doctorin' is all." He turned and offered a cheeky grin with his new hat on. "How do I look?" Sienna snorted and slapped his chest, spinning the hat she had tried on her finger.
"Like some homeless gunslinger, so its a terrible disguise." Arthur clutched his chest with feigned wounded pride as Sienna examined the inner lining, drawing her finger over the comfortable felt lining inside. Surely there was a smaller size or a way to tighten it, and she'd need to amend it to allow for her ears. Still...
"Alright, this will do I suppose." Sienna looked around the store for anything that might be of use. Nothing jumped out at her outside of food, and Arthur had enough for the trip and then some. Another distant rumble told of the coming storm, and she tugged on Arthur's vest. "Let's go already."
Arthur grinned a little, glad that he had finally gotten some words out of his taciturn friend. Hopefully, she'd heal from the betrayal of Adam and the White Fang, or at least be willing to talk about it. His good cheer withered, however, when he came face to face with the clerk. The little blonde teenager was gone, replaced by a balding man with a gray mustache and an apron. He wore an expression that mirrored the stormy weather outside, and his bushy eyebrows looked like thunderheads.
"Didn't you read the sign?" The question was rhetorical, his tone rough and irritated. "We don't serve your kind here." Arthur was so used to living the life of an outlaw that he thought the man was talking to him at first, but a quick glance to his right showed that the man's real target was Sienna. The Faunus scowled at his words, but she didn't shirk from the man's gaze.
"Uh, look friend, we're just in here to get a couple hats and we'll be on our way. How much for the two of them?" She didn't like it, but Arthur placed himself between the two as he fished out his Lien.
"No sale. Those damned White Fang robbed the caravan that had supplies for this town. We don't appreciate Faunus in our store." The man reaffirmed, finally turning muddy brown eyes to Arthur. The outlaw met his gaze with a level stare, though he did reach back and grab Sienna's hand to try and keep her calm. Given her passion for her work and the still raw wound of losing the White Fang, a conversation like this was the last thing she needed.
"Look friend, we're not here to cause trouble. She may be a Faunus, but we ran afoul of them White Fang folks not too long ago. It's half the reason we need the gear." He gestured toward the hats he had set on the counter. "Just let us pay your price, which is very fair I might add, and we'll get out of your hair." He made the offer as clean as he could, without backing down at the same time.
"I don't give a damn!" The man's hand slammed into the counter, the sound reverberating throughout the store. Arthur looked down at the splayed out hand, then back up at the store owner. Sienna remained silent. "Those damned animals attacked the caravan and killed my wife! And for what, some timber and medicine?! I'll rot in the grave before I serve another one of their wretched kind!" The man snarled, his eyes white and wild. Behind him and around the corner toward the rear of the shop, Arthur could hear the young girl that was behind the counter earlier crying. The man's daughter, no doubt. Judging by how quickly he had become enraged, the man's wife had been killed quite recently.
"I'm sorry for your loss. I really am." The shopkeeper scoffed even as Arthur held up his hands. "But taking out your anger on every Faunus is just like the White Fang attacking humans for the hell of it. Acting just like them won't bring yer wife back, sir." At the mention of his wife, the shopkeeper gritted his teeth and swept the counter bare, sending a few stray coupons flying with his arm.
"You don't get to walk into my shop with one of them and lecture me! Get the hell out of my store!" Sienna stepped forward to say something, and Arthur tried to step between them once more. This time he was soundly shoved out of the way.
"I am sorry for what you've suffered." Sienna apologized quietly. She sounded sincere, but it was the first person she'd spoken to besides Arthur since her recovery. "I truly am. But treating us like this won't make things any better. Just take the Lien and we'll never trouble you again. Please." Arthur gave her a look, but ultimately stepped back and ceded the discussion to her. A few Lien cards appeared at her shoulder, and she placed them gently on the counter. The shopkeeper straightened slightly, but he never took his eyes off of Sienna. The two stared each other down for a few moments, and Arthur was worried that things would turn physical. The last thing they needed was attention from the law with Sienna's bounty still up, but he wasn't willing to kill a shopkeeper and and his daughter either.
Finally, the balding man turned his head and swept the money off of the counter. He didn't look at either of them, but he tossed his thumb to the door.
"Get out. Your business isn't welcome here." He stepped away from the counter, going back to comfort his daughter in the back as she continued to weep. Arthur and Sienna traded sympathetic looks, then headed out the door, heading toward the hotel. Arthur had his hat adjusted before they reached the hotel, and he took a few moments to tighten Sienna's when they reached the room. He made some minor cuts to test the fit for her ears, and angled the adjustments to where they slid in freely when she donned the hat. The tiger Faunus twisted her hat to better fit her head, and she hummed at his attempt. For some simple knife work, it was more comfortable than she expected.
"When we get to a bigger town, I'll get a new liner for you so that won't be so roughshod. That should do for now though." Arthur spun his own on a finger before placing it back on his head, happy to finally have one again after he lost his in the Nuckelavee fight. With their rest done and the storm approaching, there was nothing else to do besides pack up and head out. He retrieved their luggage from underneath the bed and shouldered it, gesturing for Sienna to lead the way out. She huffed slightly and turned the knob, but paused when she felt Arthur's hand on her shoulder.
"Hey. You okay?" She tensed at his touch, but Arthur was firm. "Don't feel back about that business back there. You did real good." The former Supreme Leader avoided his eyes, glancing down at the doorknob she still held. He was about to say more, but she cursed softly.
"Dammit Arthur." Sienna muttered, closing the door once more and facing him. The outlaw was surprised to see tears welling up in her eyes. "How can I be so horrible?" Seeing the once proud tiger on the verge of tears was enough to make him stutter, but Arthur couldn't go without saying anything.
"No, no don't feel bad about that back there. You handled it right. Hell, I was about to tell him to shove it before you stepped in." He reassured her, but was only rewarded with a sniffle in return. Sienna rubbed her eyes, and Arthur felt like he was hold a lit stick of dynamite. Everything that had been building up while she had been on the mend had been bottled up, and today's incident was enough to open that bottle like an angry genie.
"No, he was right. He was absolutely right. Had he said that to me a month ago, I would have ordered the White Fang to seize the store, to be repurposed for the good of the Faunus." The tears began to run down her face, and she hissed as the salty track crossed her scar. "How could I be so foolish? I condemned Adam for hating the humans, but in the end I was no better. And now that bastard is using my people to cause countless more atrocities in our name!" Her voice rose quickly, and Arthur let the saddlebags fall from his shoulder as he guided her back over to the bed, but he had to exert some strength to get her to sit down.
"He wasn't right and you know it. That man was grieving, and freshly widowed from the way he talked." Arthur reasoned. "When people are hurting like that, they say all kinds of things and hope it makes the pain go away. Or at least make you feel as rotten as you do. He would have said that to Kali as easily as he said it to you, and you know she would never harm anyone." He sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she fought the tears, torn between her pride and the betrayal she had suffered.
"It doesn't matter, Arthur! I was their leader! Whether they make the choice or not, their actions are my responsibility, and I unleashed them on these people!" Sienna paused, taking a shuddering breath. "That man's wife was killed by my men, and there are no doubt dozens more like her. How has that helped the Faunus?"
"It ain't helping right now, that's for sure. I know for a fact that things were getting better while you were running things. I..." Arthur swallowed, not sure quite how to break it to her gently. "I just ain't so sure how long its been since the White Fang was yours to run." Adam's betrayal hadn't been a spur of the moment thing. He'd obviously been doing things behind Sienna's back for some time, and they had enjoyed several days notice for the attack itself. That was a long time for a foul plot to fester, and all the more likely that the White Fang had quite a few members in on it. An even worse sign was the absence of support once things kicked off.
"He was right under my nose, Arthur! I should have seen this coming! How can I possibly sit here and not feel responsible for the White Fang?! I took it away from Ghira, I took in the Outlanders, and I was responsible for Adam!" She tried to escape his grasp, but her attempt was halfhearted at best. She wasn't wrong about the responsibility; far from it. But from Arthur's perspective, it was just as foolish for her to believe she had control over the events that had occurred as it would be for her to deny them. The White Fang had evolved both under her influence and outside of it, but convincing her of that was another matter entirely.
"If you had meant for half of that to really happen, you wouldn't be as torn up as you are right now. Ya gotta forgive yerself, Sienna. Adam stabbed you in the back and twisted it as hard as he could, so don't hold yerself accountable for what he's done. Hell, I went along with Dutch's shit for way too long. I don't deny that what I did was wrong." Sienna turned away from him as the tears continued to fall, but Arthur get down in front of her to hold her gaze. "But I decided to help y'all in Vale. I helped folks all over the place when I was sick because I wanted to make things right. You didn't do those things to be selfish; ya tried to help your people."
To this, Sienna said nothing. She simply sobbed into her hands, the guilt and revulsion at her situation reaching a boiling point.
Arthur wasn't really sure how to comfort her beyond his words, playing the role of a bandit for most of his life had taught contempt for people's feelings, not appreciation. Even turning over a new leaf failed to provide him with the wisdom he needed to comfort Sienna, though he was still trying. As she continued to cry, he moved back up onto the bed and wrapped her up in a sideways hug, rocking gently as she unleashed her frustration in a pitiful display of streaking tears and runny snot.
For the next few minutes at least, they weren't going anywhere.
Qrow massaged the back of his head as he stowed his flask, sending Summer an irritated look as her hand withdrew. Clearly his coping habit wasn't the best, but did she have to keep hitting him? And in public, no less? What tattered dregs of his reputation remained would go down the drain if people saw him getting swatted like a disobedient teenager. Ruby and Yang, however, thought it was just hilarious. The two Huntress hopefuls darted from store to store, torn between looking at new weapons and new video games. It had been common ground between the girls and their alcoholic uncle, and now Summer was learning just how far the three of them had delved into that particular hobby.
At least Tai hasn't told her how expensive they can get. The bird thought to himself grimly. Summer had been frugal before her disappearance, and living on her own for as long as she claimed wouldn't have suddenly made her a careless spender. He'd caught enough flak for interrupting her personal time with Taiyang.
The family was prowling the Vale markets and stores as they commonly did on weekends, though Tai was the primary guardian for the girls. Qrow and Summer had another, more serious reason to be in Vale.
Ozpin wanted to speak to them.
After Arthur had refused to help them, Oz had given Summer some time to reconnect with her family, and Qrow was confident that Amber was safe enough to risk some time off. The old man calling for both of them indicated that either something had happened, or there was something he needed them to do. Making the excuse of work was easy enough, but Ruby had been especially clingy. Not that Summer hadn't felt the same, but she could tell that the little reaper still wasn't over her disappearance.
She spent some time shopping with Ruby and Yang, but ultimately she and Qrow found themselves standing in front of a local coffee shop, wondering exactly why Ozpin would want to meet here of all places. Some thought that Oz had a coffee addiction, but she had it on good authority that his ever-present mug was full of hot chocolate. The shop only had six tables, but it was still busy enough to be an unsuspecting meeting place. The front of the shop was taken up by a large window, providing a clear view of the street outside. A bar along the opposite wall provided some more seating, and the walls were covered with displayed weapons and pictures of Huntsmen and Huntresses, typically teams in different poses and locations. The shop's icon was that of a belt of bullets wrapped around a coffee cup, proudly displayed on the door and above the counter. That explained the choice of venue a little better; Ozpin had chosen a Huntsmen hangout to have their meeting.
"Hello there, welcome to Grounds and Rounds!" A perky teenager greeted them, wearing a green apron and a brown polo shirt as she waved them in. A green cap with the shop's icon covered her dark blue hair, though her curled horns were on clear display.
"Hello." Summer greeted with a polite smile. "We're looking for the headmaster, I believe. Gray hair, glasses, addiction to steaming beverages?" Qrow smirked at her description, and the Faunus giggled at her description as well.
"He's our number one customer! You should find him over by the window with Miss Goodwitch. Can I interest either of you in something to drink?" Summer's eyes roamed the menu over the back counter briefly, then nodded.
"I'll have a medium cappuccino, with extra whipped cream and some chocolate chips." Ruby came by her sweet tooth honestly. Qrow took a little bit longer to make his choice.
"I guess I'll have a medium mocha. No cream, thanks." The teen nodded eagerly and jotted down their orders, then gestured toward the table where they could see Ozpin and Glynda waiting.
"I'll get those drinks started and bring them out to you. Let me know if there's anything else you need!" She turned and all but skipped to the counter with their orders, allowing the two to walk toward the table.
"Well, she's got some pep in her step." Qrow commented dryly, and Summer slapped his shoulder in good-natured reproach. The two weaved through the somewhat cramped setting and pulled up the other two chairs, Summer sitting next to Glynda while Qrow leaned his chair backward by Ozpin. If Beacon's headmaster took exception to Qrow's uncouth behavior he didn't show it, sipping from his mug calmly.
"Good to see you two. Sorry to call you away so quickly, but there are some things we need to speak about that cannot be discussed via scroll. Most important among them is the upcoming semester and the Vytal Festival. I understand that Miss Xiao Long will be enrolling this coming year?" Summer nodded while Qrow dug a pinkie into his ear, earning a scoff of irritation from Goodwitch. With the absence of a certain Schnee, Glynda became his favorite target.
"She's really excited to be joining Beacon, but Ruby feels like she's missing out. And she's so much stronger than I ever imagined she would be at this age. I..." Summer trailed off, realizing just how much her 'death' had affected her daughter. The young reaper had big shoes to fill, and a somewhat unrealistic view of Summer. "Anyway, I'm not asking for any favors, but I may suggest she be put forward for advancement early." Ozpin nodded easily, sipping from his cup and saying nothing. Beside him, Glynda scrunched up her nose.
"That is high praise coming from you, Summer. I'm sure you are aware that she will require the same qualifications as any other early starter. Favoritism shall not be tolerated." Behind Qrow, the spunky assistant returned to the table with Summer and Qrow's drinks. They both accepted them with a thanks, Summer sipping from hers gently while Qrow upended his own despite its temperature.
"Ah." Qrow set his cup down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You know as well as I do that Summer wouldn't recommend that without thinking that Ruby was ready. What do you think I've been doing with her, playing video games?" Qrow asked incredulously.
"Yes." Glynda's response was immediate and somewhat smug, earning a sideways glance from Ozpin before he returned his attention to the other two.
"We'll discuss miss Rose's enrollment later, though I'm glad to hear that she is doing so well. In the meantime, we must discuss what you two will be doing with the coming events. Summer, I understand that you were wanting to stay closer to home after your incident?" The woman swallowed nervously and nodded. After all that he had done and taught her, denying him one of his best agents felt selfish. But when Taiyang had told her how shattered the girls had been by her disappearance, she wanted to never spend another night away from home again. Her family had gone through enough.
"That's right. I spent too much time away as it stands; my daughters will never wonder where I am again." Summer spoke softly, but with conviction. Oz nodded in understanding and sipped from his cup, humming in satisfaction.
"I had thought as much, and I do not begrudge you the desire to have a life with your family. You've been gone for some time so I am afraid your credentials will need some clarification. I know you spent some time as a teacher at Signal, so I'm sure Beacon can find a place for such a capable Huntress." Glynda nodded as well, happy to have someone to talk to in the faculty besides Port and Oobleck. Both were good men, there was no doubting that, but they just wouldn't shut up.
"I'd appreciate that, Headmaster. I'll help out however I can." Summer drained her cup with a happy sigh and set it down on it accompanied saucer. Beside her, Qrow downed the rest of his beverage in one go, stifling a belch for Summer's sake as he leaned his chair back.
"Where do you need me this time, Oz? Mistral again, or do I have to go get sandy in Vacuo?" The resignation in his voice showed that he expected a tedious assignment, and could have been seen as disrespectful if they weren't already used to his character.
"Hardly." Ozpin shook his head. "Amber hasn't been checking in like I asked of her, and I need you to go remind her of our agreement. The last thing we need is a Maiden going missing so close to the Vytal Festival." The former bandit frowned and leaned forward, bringing the airborne legs of his chair down gently as he did so.
"Not to be a pessimist, but you're pitting me up against a girl with magic powers and a rebellious streak, Oz. It's gonna be kinda hard to back up whatever you're threatening her with." Qrow was an accomplished Huntsman and no one could deny it, but the Fall Maiden represented far more than just skill. The sheer power at her fingertips did well to overcome any application of Semblance and experience.
"If you need time to prepare, that's fine. But I need at least an update on her whereabouts." Ozpin glanced around at the cafe, then steepled his fingers ominously. "She has been making moves recently, and I fear that Amber is unprotected."
He wasn't budging. That meant that it was serious. Qrow sighed heavily and motioned to the hostess for another coffee.
"I'll see what I can do. Give me a few days and I'll head out to where she was last seen. Most people will notice someone like her, no matter how hard she tries to hide." The grizzled man shrugged nonchalantly. "Am I going alone like usual?"
"Most likely. I've requested a few unofficial resources from James given the coming Vytal Festival, but I doubt any help will be here before you leave. You usually work better on your own, do you not?"
Qrow winced at the rhetorical question. Yeah, he did work better solo, though that wasn't by choice. But there weren't many others in Vale that could move through the wilderness like he could and not be missed. The only other one that he'd want to watch his back would be Morgan, and who knew where that cowboy was?
"That's really all I had to ask, besides the obvious that we haven't spoken much these past few weeks. How are things at home?"
Summer welcomed the change in topic and was glad to share how the girls were doing, as well as Taiyang's happiness with her return. But throughout it all, Summer could shake the feeling that Ozpin was far more tense than usual. What was going on inside his head?
By the time they entered the next town, Sienna was more or less back to her old self. There were still a few moments when she would go quiet and contemplate, but Arthur did his best to break up those spells with small talk. Even though she stayed on the back of the saddle, he could always tell what she was thinking about by how her nails dug into his side on reflex. She was grateful for his interruptions, but it would take a little more time before the former Supreme Leader came to terms with herself. But she was a damn sight better than that crying mess he had held together back in Lonelywood.
When they found the next town, the night watch had already taken over. He made their entry into the town easy with a show of his bounty hunter credentials, thanking Ozpin once again for the boon. Now that Sienna was acting more like her old self, he didn't feel so bad leaving her with Famine while he arranged for some lodging for the night. Unfortunately the inn of Grimm's Fall only had single bed rooms, so it looked like he would be facing the door again.
Arthur hoisted the luggage up the stairs of the inn quickly, used to the endeavor after their trip. Behind him, Sienna had swapped her hat for her hood once more, her amber eyes glancing around at their surroundings. She slipped by him easily and unlocked their assigned room, allowing the outlaw to muscle his way in and drop their things on the bed. Unlike the previous inns they had stayed in, this one actually had an en suite bathroom and shower, a significant step up from where he was concerned. Having their own washing room meant one less opportunity for bounty hunters to ruin their night. That being said, they'd been getting fewer and fewer looks the deeper they got into Vale, so Arthur doubted it would be an issue for much longer.
"It's a little early to turn in for the night." Sienna commented, stretching her arms above her head and arching her back like a cat. "There's a tavern across the way if you feel like getting a drink?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Arthur agreed. "Might wanna stay away from the top shelf, though. I'm already gonna need to take a job when we get to Vale as it is." Sienna gave him a coy smirk and held her hands together, pantomiming that she her wrists were tied.
"You'd have all the Lien in the world if you turned me in. I hear the SDC has put quite a price on my head." Arthur chuckled and swatted her hands away.
"I've gone toe to toe with you enough to know that whatever they are offering ain't worth the hassle. You're a little too fierce for me to bring in, tiger." Sienna accepted the compliment with a satisfied nod and dropped her traveling cloak onto the bed, baring her shoulders and the outfit she'd changed into. Instead of her black and white robes from her time as Supreme Leader, she'd elected to wear a padded sleeveless shirt with a deep cut, showing off her white undershirt and a small amount of cleavage. Instead of her half pants and shin guards, she wore a tight pair of leather pants and boots. The whole outfit was done in brown and tan, and her battle chain stayed wrapped around her right forearm.
The two left their room and walked across the street to the tavern, a large building bearing the a sign with a dancing Beowulf standing on a table, a beer in its caricatured hand. The Tipsy Wolf was busy considering it was a Friday night, and there wasn't much else to do in the town. Nearly every table had a patron seated, and the bar took up half of the main room. There were some stairs going up to a few private rooms, not that Arthur was interested in those services. Somehow he knew that Sienna would object to that.
The patrons were all having a good time, parties of three and four scattered about. The beer flowed freely, and half of the seats at the bar were taken by customers pounding the harder stuff. In the corner a band of three men were playing requests coming from the patrons. The floor was somewhat cleared away in front of the band for patrons to dance as well. It was a familiar setting for Arthur, and judging by how casually Sienna led the way to a table, she wasn't out of her element either. Keeping her table choice in mind, Arthur went up to the bar and ordered a couple of beers. They were a brand he was somewhat familiar with, and he started making his way back to the table when he stopped.
In the corner where she could observe anyone coming in through the front door, Sienna was seated with her legs crossed and leaning on her fist. Standing in front of her were two larger men, both a hair bigger than Arthur himself, and clearly travelers by their clothes. They also looked severely inebriated, both of them swaying in a nonexistent wind as Sienna regarded them with barely restrained contempt.
Shit. Arthur cursed to himself with a frown and began moving closer, shifting the beer in his right hand to the crook of his left elbow. Judging by their demeanor, they wouldn't be hard to take down if push came to shove, but Arthur didn't feel like causing an unnecessary scene.
"C'mon, sweetheart. We're real good for it. Come have some fun with us for a while." The one on the left said with a predatory smile, his eyes roaming her form unabashed. His colleague just chuckled lewdly, taking another generous pull from the glass in his hand. Both of them were out of their league, but neither seemed to realize it. Sienna was about to put them down in a truly scathing remark, but her golden eyes settled on Arthur behind them.
"Sorry boys, but you're in between me and a real man." She waved them off dismissively. "Over here, Arthur!" The two drunks scowled at her rebuttal, and the two nearly headbutted each other turning to see Arthur approaching. She offered a lazy wave and sat up straight, her smile far too saccharine to be real.
"Sienna. These boys giving you trouble?" Arthur asked gruffly, his eyes flinty as he approached. The two drunks puffed up, likely ready to turn this discussion into a fight. The one that wasn't holding a drink gave Arthur a closer look, and he let Dead Eye take effect for just a moment. When the drunk saw his eyes glow gold, he stiffened immediately and grabbed the arm of his friend.
"Earl, what the hell?" His boisterous friend complained, eager to turn Arthur's face into a crater without realizing exactly who he was tangling with.
"He's a Huntsman, Berg. Leave it be." He looked behind him at Sienna and her cheeky grin. "We'll be going now, sorry to bother." Earl looked ready to offer some last insult, but his friend pulled him out of the way before his sluggish mind could put the words together. With the pair out of the way, Arthur set Sienna's bottle down and took a seat across from her, allowing the former White Fang leader to watch the room from around his back.
"Sorry about the hassle. Leave it to the drunks to harass a beautiful woman." Arthur apologized, uncapping his bottle and taking a swig. Sienna's superior expression softened, and she couldn't help but tease him.
"So, I'm a beautiful woman, hmm? Are you always so sweet like this, mister Morgan?" Sienna asked slyly. Arthur realized what he had said and coughed, narrowly avoiding a drowning as he pulled the beer to one side.
"I wasn't-uh, I mean..." Realizing that she had gotten him, Arthur just chuckled and cleared his throat. "I call 'em as I see 'em, I guess. I'm not one to lie these days." Sienna sipped the beer he'd gotten her and sighed contentedly, her eyes roaming the tavern. It had been her idea to come out and unwind, but as she sat there and observed the people drinking and enjoying themselves, it only just occurred to her how little time she had taken for herself in the White Fang. Outside of Kuo Kuana, everything had been work, work, work. Once she earned the title of Supreme Leader, her workload had tripled. Every meeting was a chore, every communication laden with intrigue and authority. The White Fang had depended on her for years, and she'd given her all to help her people.
"Everything okay?" Sienna blinked, drawn from her musings by Arthur's question. She looked back up at him, leaning forward and nursing his beer with a concerned look on his face. When she realized that he was waiting on an answer, she had the decency to blush.
"Yeah, sorry. It's just sad really, that it takes betrayal and exile for me to actually take a break. Maybe I owe Taurus a favor for usurping me." The bottle in her hand creaked in distress, and Arthur said nothing as he continued to watch her. The Faunus knocked her beer back in one go and sat the bottle down on the table, leaning back in some false attempt at appearing at ease. Her scar near her eye creased, and the fake smile waned slightly.
"Yeah. You're the picture of relaxation, alright." Arthur commented dryly, swigging his own beer with a bit more control. "Now tell me another tall tale." Sienna's smile faded completely after that, and she stared pensively down at her empty bottle. As always, he'd seen through the charade. At this point, she didn't know whether to attribute it to his natural perceptiveness or his familiarity with her. He was essentially her closest friend, not counting Kali and Ghira. If that wasn't sad, she didn't know what was.
"Alright then. Here's to the tale of Sienna Khan, savior of the Faunus and adjudicator against the injustices her people have suffered. She gave her all, and there was finally peace on Remnant between Faunus and humans. The Grimm were eradicated and she retired to live out her life as an adventurer. The end." She delivered the faux biography with such a deadpan voice and expression that Arthur almost snorted. He looked down at his half empty beer and her drained bottle, then stood up once more.
"I can see we're gonna need a few more beers. Excuse me for one second." Sienna waved him off with a roll of her eyes, too caught up in her own troubles to watch him head back to the bar. The Faunus slumped backward with a sigh, wriggling in her seat to get comfortable. Her new outfit wasn't uncomfortable, but she still needed to get used to it.
A few moments later, Arthur was back with an armful of beer, setting them down and portioning them out to split the lot. He popped the top on one and handed it to her, then finished off his first bottle. Sienna sipped hers a little more slowly this time, but her mood didn't improve. She did, however, notice another guy slip from the stairs and sit down behind the band, where apparently a piano had been situated. A soft melody began to float over the room, its slow tempo a marked change from the upbeat tunes played previously. Sienna nodded her head along the music, swaying gently as she picked up another bottle.
Around the tavern, a few couples stood from their tables and approached the cleared out space in front of the band. They began to dance slowly, swaying back and forth in comfortable embraces as the piano continued to play. Arthur watched from the corner of his eye for some time, then turned and faced his friend. She was leaned back in her chair, sipping her beer and watching the couples dance with a detached sigh. To anyone else, she would have seemed uninterested in the lovers and couples and content to simply watch. To Arthur, she simply looked... lonely. He realized not for the first time that despite surrounding herself with her comrades, she had always seemed alone.
The scrape of his chair attracted her attention, and Sienna's gaze flicked to his own.
"Arthur?" He walked around to her side of the table and offered a hand, a knowing smirk on his face. She blinked in confusion, not quite understanding what he was doing.
"I know the great Sienna Khan isn't going to sit back and watch people dance. Come on, you need some time off." Arthur quipped, and Sienna's eyes widened in disbelief. He had been badgering her about taking care of herself ever since they met in Vacuo, and here she was worrying over the White Fang and her fall from grace. As he stood there with her hand outstretched, she couldn't help but think about how foolish she had been. And at the same time...
"Don't make an offer if you can't follow through." She cautioned snidely, taking his hand and standing from the table. They left the remaining beers behind and joined the other dancers on the floor. Arthur didn't release her hand, and Sienna smiled slightly. She couldn't find it in her to be upset about that fact. When they reached a comfortable area, the outlaw turned toward her and placed his hand underneath her arm, keeping it at a respectful height on her back. The other grasped her hand and held it just to the side, pulling her in to a comfortable proximity. The band behind him began to play along with the piano.
(I'll Follow You by Shinedown)
"Feeling silly yet?" Arthur asked quietly, swaying them side to side to the music and keeping an eye on the room. Just because they were close to Vale didn't mean that the head hunters weren't nearby. Sienna watched his eyes flit around the room behind her for a bit, and she couldn't help but snicker.
"Not quite. I assumed the cowboy would avoid the dance floor as a point of pride. Or are you just looking for an excuse to put your hands on me?" Arthur smirked at her attempt to fluster him and fluttered his fingers at her back, causing her to blush slightly. She hadn't expected him to offer a rebuttal, much less be comfortable with the proximity. Of course, she hadn't expected him to drag her onto the dance floor, either.
"Maybe I am. Mission accomplished, I suppose. I'm not hearing any complaints." True enough, she couldn't argue that. Nor could she deny that she ran an arm across his back and pulled him just a bit closer. The music picked up, giving their words some privacy as the guitar and drums picked up with the piano, and the man at the microphone began to sing.
"No, no you are not." She replied softly, swaying side to side with him. She'd never considered scrutinizing the outlaw, but staring up at him slightly in this roadside inn showed her just how hard Arthur had fought in his life. The lines in his face, the scar on his cheek, all of it spoke of a hard way of living. His eyes, however, were soft and kind as he gazed back down at her. A man cut so roughly from his struggles, and yet he had nothing but kindness for her since the day they met.
Sienna would be the first person to scoff at the mention of fate, but she knew as well that their first meeting had been violent and informal. She had doubted that she would ever see him again after he helped Cain and Tukson to the doctor back in Vacuo, yet here he was; her lone supporter after everything else had fallen away. Arthur had truly cared for her through thick and thin, and she might have even done the same. She couldn't deny the worry she'd felt when he'd been capture by the Branwen tribe, or the guilt when Adam's machinations had cast the outlaw from the White Fang.
The warmth growing in her chest became too much, and Sienna broke the gaze they shared, instead leaning forward and resting her cheek on his chest. Arthur grunted quietly, but his only other reaction was to reach up from her hip to across her back, holding her to him gently. With her ear pressed against his chest, she could hear the steady thrum of his heart beating, its echo found in many of the notes that wafted in the air. Where the song maintained a slow pace however, Arthur's had quickened. Having her this close was affecting him, of that there was no doubt.
The Faunus lifted her head to look at him once more, her hair and ears tickling the beginnings of a beard. She remembered the gazes he had drawn at the celebratory ball in Kuo Kuana, and Kali's less than subtle comments. The flares of jealousy and worry when he had left to go save the Marstons, and her relief when he had called. Hell, even Blake had reported meeting him in Atlas, and the first thing he had asked had about had been her. She had been pleased.
I guess I've been like this for longer than I realized. She thought to herself with a chuckle. Arthur gave her a look, but she simply shook her head and lifted her hand. Her nails – at times hardened and used as claws – gently caressed the back of his head and snaked underneath his hat for a good grip. He resisted slightly at first, eyes clouded with confusion, but he finally relented when he saw her lidded 'come hither' stare.
Sienna Khan took what she wanted, and she knew exactly what it was she desired.
"If I could find assurance to leave you behind, I know my better half would fade. I'll follow you...down."
As the song ended and the small crowd began to applaud, their lips met. Though he had been hesitant at first, she found no disagreement as he deepened the kiss, both of them exploring each other for the first time. Her hands were wrapped in his hair and his vest, while his rested on her back and her hip. When they finally parted, Sienna couldn't help but smile. She had enjoyed that, and the small grin Arthur showed that he had as well.
"Well now, Miss Khan." Arthur broke the silence with a husky whisper. "It feels like you were waiting a while to do that."
"Maybe." She hedged, her grin turning playful. "I'm not hearing any complaints." Arthur's hold on her did not fall away, and it was his turn to chuckle.
"No ma'am, you are not." And they kissed again.
Kali's leg bounced nervously as she attempted a call for the fifth time. When Ghira had told her that Sienna was no longer the leader of the White Fang, she'd been beside herself with worry. According to her husband, Sienna had been removed from power during an altercation with Adam, and Arthur Morgan had been present as well. On top of that, Blake had stopped answering her scroll as well. Kali knew that her daughter was shrewd, and hoped that she had simply destroyed the device to keep from being followed. Still, it did not keep her from worrying about her daughter and her best friend.
Sienna had told her about Adam's involvement in Cain's death some time ago, but the limited information Ghira had received indicated that their rift went far deeper than just Sienna and Adam. From the whispers that her husband had heard as well as the White Fang's generally unwillingness to answer the Chieftain of Kuo Kuana, it was sounding more and more like Adam had led a full on uprising against Sienna.
"Come on, girl. Answer me already." She hadn't been able to sleep because of her anxious thoughts, and the Belladonna woman found herself sitting on the couch in front of an empty cup of tea, consistently dialing Sienna's scroll over and over again. She was just about to give up and march into the White Fang stronghold herself to demand answers when the line finally picked up.
"Sienna! Sienna, is that you?" Kali cried out in relief. The room the scroll picked up in was dimly lit, with sunlight streaking in from a single window. There were clothes strewn about the floor and she could see a bed as someone groggily attempted to pick up the scroll. And was that a cowboy hat?
"Ugh...hello?" The sleep addled voice of Arthur Morgan came over her speakers, and Kali's grew red. The camera swept over him briefly before focusing on his face, though it looked like he had just sat it up from a bedside table. The man looked rough and disheveled, and there were several dark marks and scratches running down his neck and exposed collarbone. He was completely shirtless.
"Um, hello Arthur. Is Sienna nearby? I've been trying to reach her for forever!" Kali asked sweetly, though her scandalous thoughts were running a mile a minute at the fact that he had answered Sienna's scroll looking like he'd lost a fight with a cougar. Or in this case, a tiger.
"Right. She's right here." The camera shifted as he moved the scroll to the other side of the bed, inadvertently showing the deep red furrows that ran down his naked back as he reached across another figure in the bed, her form clothed by the bed sheets. Kali recognized her friend's striped shoulders and nearly squealed as the scroll set down next to her on the pillow. Sienna's eyelids fluttered at the introduction of the foreign device, and she drowsily looked at the screen.
"Kali?" The tiger Faunus yawned and blinked blearily, and was drawn backward a bit as a large forearm wrapped around her front. The Belladonna matriarch could hardly control herself; it was just TOO CUTE!
"Hey there Sienna. Ghira had some troubling news and I just wanted to check in on you, but I can see you're in good hands! Call me later, bye!" Sienna muttered some sort of halfhearted agreement and closed the scroll, allowing Kali to let out a scandalous squeal in peace.
"I knew it, knew it, KNEW IT! You go girl, mark your territory!" Kali cheered for her friend, bouncing up from the couch in a complete change from her earlier anxiety. The door behind her opened to reveal her husband, the immense Chieftain bearing a worried look at hearing his wife's cries.
"Kali, is everything alright?" He asked, bags under his eyes from his interrupted slumber. They widened frantically when Kali all but tackled him, talking animatedly about how she won some bet or other such nonsense at a pace that his sleep addled brain couldn't quite follow. Still the dutiful husband, Ghira lifted his giggling mess of a wife up from where she hung from his neck and carried her gently to bed, where he was sure he would be sacrificing even more sleep to find out what had made her so excited.
A/N: About damn time, right Kali? It may seem a bit rushed for the setting, but I wanted this development to happen prior to their return to Vale. Now that our power couple are somewhat officially an item, we can move forward and hopefully get Arthur better situated in Remnant. Not only that, but Sienna needed a good break as well. The poor woman has had to eat shit sandwich after shit sandwich ever since things kicked off, so hopefully they can glean a little bit of happiness from each other.