Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Chapter 14: Lighting the Fuse-2
The sounds of the gulls filled the air throughout the kingdom of Mistral, emphasizing the ambiance of enthusiasm of her citizens. Much time had passed for the realm of Remnant, fueling the smiles of those who traversed the mountain domain, and why wouldn't they feel this way? After the Battle at Beacon, things quickly returned to normal. The Grimm were kept in check and many of the White Fangs' activities had diminished dramatically since then.
The same couldn't be said for Haven Academy, however.
Her doors were open to many displaced students, allowing a mass inclusion of young wards to enter the roster. Atlas and Shade Academy would both follow suit shortly after. Such diversity created a chaotic start, at first, but over time, the ranks would come to accept one another. Leonardo Lionheart saw to it that things would remain stable as best he could, surprisingly managing to keep his worrisome mind in check.
It'd been so long since he'd been in contact with Salem's party and words couldn't begin to describe the comfort he felt with each passing day. He wondered if he'd been forgotten about after all of this time. With only his positions as Headmaster and a member of the council, the lion faunus spent his days gleefully filling out paperwork in his office with a jolly hum.
"Professor Lionheart?" a feminine voice ripped through his bubble of serenity, forcing a gasp from the male as he fell onto the floor. A young woman stuck her head through the door, her face wearing deep concern like a delicate garment. "Forgive me sir, but you have a guest."
"I have no time for guests!" He barked at the woman while dusting himself off. Collecting himself, Lionheart mustered as much courage as he could. "Between exams, a council meeting, and the upcoming Vytal Festival, I have no time to entertain!"
"Not even for an old friend?"
Leonardo's eyes widened in shock... or horror to any who could read him. As the door opened, a familiar face peeked inside. His heart softened a bit as he walked in, standing with a regal air to him. By now, the clean-shaven appearance had given way to a full beard but nothing else appeared to change.
"James? What are you doing here?" he squinted at the man's appearance. "After news of the embargo, you're the last person I expected to find at my front door!"
"I'm here on business with the council and decided to drop by and visit an old friend."
Leo smiled warmly and rose to embrace his ally. Ironwood returned the gesture with equal vigor before the two parted.
"Had I known you were arriving, I would've had this place cleaned up, at least. Would you like some coffee or tea? Nancy, please fetch General Ironwood some fresh coffee, if you would!"
Before the woman could turn to leave, the regal man raised his hand to stop her.
"That won't be necessary, Leo. We won't be here long..."
Lionheart attempted to hide it, but the gloomy tone of the conversation brought back unwelcome feelings. Fear and anxiety started to creep in, a feeling that he thought was long gone. It had been months since the event at Beacon Academy, but the thought of his potential involvement being revealed remained at the back of his mind.
Had he been found out?
Very well..." He cleared his throat before taking his seat, pushing down the looming sensations enough to form a coherent sentence. "What did you want to discuss, old friend? If you had to break your own rules about the Dust embargo, it must be important."
Ironwood chuckled at the half-witted joke, easing his friend's nerves if only a little. He was a busy man who was well aware of the lengths taken to ensure Atlas' safety. However, even he wasn't completely stuck in his work to resist a little fun being poked at him, especially from a trusted supporter such as Lionheart.
"I will admit, that wasn't my best work, Leo. Such extremes put me in a bind with the people of Mantle and Atlas..."
"...Not to mention all of Remnant," Lionheart sighed playfully. "Mistral's Dust vendors suffered greatly as a result of such actions, James. But, I too am glad that horrible period is beginning to lighten up, if your presence is any indication. Still, you were just doing what you thought was best for the Kingdom; such risks can't be taken lightly and I believe that what you did was best at that time."
"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me," Ironwood bowed his head. "Thankfully, I'm here on a more pleasant note. While I'm certain you'll hear about it with the council, I'm here to propose another festival similar to the traditions and I wanted to discuss some important details with you."
"Such as?"
"Atlas would be holding the event, should things be approved. I want to get input from every kingdom so that we don't have a repeat of the last event. I'll be heading to Beacon last to give Glynda the memo."
Lionheart raised a brow as Ironwood continued to explain his proposal, paying close attention to the man's approach. At first, nothing was alarming about anything the general proposed. Security would be headed by some of his elite operatives while the crowds will be invited to the kingdom to partake in the occasion, albeit in a limited capacity. From the sound of things, everything would be a standard matter except for one significant component.
"You want to what?!"
"I'm proposing that the tournament be held in a neutral location far from the four kingdoms. It's merely a contingency to avoid dealing with a potential cyber threat should our defenses falter. It's a good idea."
"Have you considered the possibility that this will trigger more talks and doubt of our grip on things, James? Such drastic measures shouldn't be considered except in the case of potential emergencies. We don't want to draw in the Grimm with our kingdoms at risk. Not to mention there's the White Fang still skulking about! Have you stopped to consider that, perhaps, this will do more harm than good?"
James let out an exasperated sigh as he leaned forward, meeting the furious gaze of the faunus who was reprimanding him for what he considered to be careless behavior. Lionheart tended to act on his feelings, even when he was trying to make a valid argument. However, Ironwood appreciated this approach as it worked to his advantage.
"I am well aware of things, Leo, which is why I already have a cover story for our doing so," He announced, with a coy smile... distressing the lion even more. A plot was being put in motion and James needed everyone to play their part. "With the bitter cold and talks of injustice going on down at Mantle, we're looking to kill two birds with one stone. The fights will happen at an arena similar to those of the past. Powered by gravity Dust that we've stored up over the few years, we'll transport the fighters to a neutral location that won't be revealed to the public until travel is confirmed."
"And how does this put everyone at ease?"
"Simple. The harsh weather has grown increasingly dangerous and we want to protect all students and guests. It's a P.R. dream if you would see things from my point of view."
To say that Lionheart was baffled would be an understatement. While most of what his friend was saying made perfect sense, Leo didn't like the sounds of things. He wished James had come to just shoot the breeze at this point, but, even he couldn't worry about the past now. If this was to placate him, it was half and half at best as he leaned back in his chair.
"Putting that aside for now, what of the tournament? Will you be changing that too?"
"Now that you mentioned it, I plan on keeping that as simple as possible with one minor detail. Each team will have a professor assigned to chaperone them during the tournament if nothing else to afford us some added security. If there aren't enough professors, then the teams would have to have a sponsor either through the kingdom's council or through an approved personal affiliate. We're also considering a qualifier as a means to test things out in a smaller capacity, allowing us time for extensive background checks into each participant without raising suspicion."
For the first time, the faunus found comfort in their discussion. Every detail would go over well with the Mistralian council, nearly reducing the headache of security and trust issues between the kingdoms. When Ironwood passed him a draft of his goals, there was no doubt that things would have a high chance of going back to normal.
Normal...
As the feline faunus heard the word, he couldn't help but feel its newfound significance. His smile trembled slightly under his beard. Maybe this was the answer to his future, a chance to make up for his past mistakes that led to the downfall of his former friend and ally. If only Ozpin had been more transparent and trustworthy, things could have turned out differently. Unfortunately, everything that happened after joining Ozpin's crusade was a complete disaster, leaving the faunus with a desperate urge to escape a complete disaster, leaving the faunus with a desperate urge to escape.
That's where Salem came in...
Leo cursed his cowardly nature, wishing he'd remained as a lowly member of the council. For someone with the appearance of a courageous symbol, he was far from that. His encounter with Salem and her associates was thought to be the final nail in the coffin for him. Now? Now he had a chance to not only end his inner turmoil but to lead a new era for this nation...
Freedom! Sweet freedom is within my grasp!
"This doesn't sound like a bad idea, actually..." Leo rubbed his beard thoughtfully, that ominous sensation finally beginning to wear off. "I have a couple of teams that could benefit from this, although, most of our Huntsmen are currently out on important missions and others would be needed to protect Mistral from any potential threats. Would it be alright if Atlas provided a couple of teachers to take on this role?"
"Of course! I'll look into some candidates and send them over as soon as I can."
"Thank you, James. I only have one more question."
"Go ahead..."
"Are you certain this is the way to do things? With them lurking around, it's only a matter of time before she strikes again."
"I'm well aware of that, Leonardo," James chuckled to himself. "She's the main reason I came up with contingencies. I won't reveal everything here, but I will inform the councils of their specific roles and what they can do to increase our odds of making sure this proposal, as well as the Vytal Tournament, goes off without a hitch."
Lionheart eyed the man intensely, mustering as much of his prowess as he could, meeting the man's confident stare. There was more to the Atlesian than he was letting on, but there was no way that he would reveal his cards before he was ready. It was pointless to pry, and Leo didn't have the time to do it either. Their silent war would continue until a knock broke their concentration.
"Excuse me, sir..." Nancy stuck her head in. "You have an urgent call."
"That's quite alright. I must be on my way if I hope to run things by Vacuo and Vale before week's end." Ironwood stood to his feet, his tone calm and lacking any edge whatsoever. Only when he turned to the headmaster did any form of tension return. "It was good to see you again, old friend. I hope things will continue to improve when next we meet."
"As do I..."
The general took his leave, accompanied by his loyal officer. Neither spoke a word until they made it out to the courtyard. Winter was curious, but the general would quell that once they returned to the ship. Of course, his conversation with the headmaster of Haven was a ruse, tactical warfare to garner information, yet Winter was still interested to learn of any results.
"Winter..."
"General, sir. What's our next move?"
"We'll be heading back to Atlas immediately," he pulled out his scroll, sifting through the options until his fingers traced over the messaging app. "I'm informing the council of my findings before we tackle the embargo. I have a meeting with your father about the embargo as well, so I want you to take some time off until I get more data. The last thing I want is to compromise you."
"I... I don't follow, sir," she looked away, uncertain what the man was implying. "I'm more than capable of handling his attitude and-"
"It's alright, Winter. Ever since we returned from Vale, you've been itching to speak with Operative Sango. While I commend your professionalism, I advise you to practice the art of balance. All work and no play can make one's senses dull."
Winter didn't deny the man's words, or rather... She couldn't deny the truth behind his claim. After hearing about the attack on Beacon, and the choice given to the panther faunus, she was relieved to hear that he would stay. Sure, he'd been on missions with Elm and the other Ace Ops, but it was made clear that this was temporary.
"Are you still planning on bringing him into the fold, sir?"
"Of course!" the man released a peaceful chuckle. "I'm a man of my word and Sango has more than earned his place in the inner circle. Once you get some rest, we'll make it official and you two can begin working together. I trust that is to your liking?"
Though it was played for entertainment, Winter loathed how such an inquiry could elicit the searing heat dancing on her cheeks.
"I was curious, I'll admit, err... Operative Sango and I..."
"You both held a special bond, Winter. With the chemistry you three developed during your academy days, it's no surprise that you'd feel nervous after hearing this decision. But, now that everything's settled, understand that you must maintain professionalism during work hours, not that you need reminding."
Winter bowed her head, forcing down the whirlwind of emotions that raged inside of her. She bit her lip, stifling the tiny bit of joy at reuniting with her best friend once again. It was one of the few joys she possessed given their profession, leading her to believe that the general was correct. However, she'd cross that bridge when they arrived.
For now, they still had plans to carry out.
Their reasons, while painted in a certain light still held many mysteries that Winter desired answers to.
"So, this festival?"
"Is nothing more than a ruse to keep the masses off our backs while we investigated Haven. I learned that the masterminds of the attack were from Haven, having joined just before the Vytal Festival. The only one who'd have direct authorization for such oversight would be Lionheart."
"What do we do now?"
"As mentioned before, I have to report this to the council and deal with Jacque first. For now, we secure our borders and update all security. I have a feeling we weren't the only ears in that building."
Atlas' skies were bright and quiet, while the city itself was bustling with peaceful acts along the crowded streets. Extravagant displays and shows drew the upper echelon to the snares of entertainment and arrogance, leaving the wealthy with no need for care regarding the truth that waited below her floating majesty. They did not need to concern themselves with the reality of the world as long as they weren't directly affected.
The same couldn't be said about Mantle.
"Another one..."
Willow Schnee whispered to the barkeep, her tone just loud enough for them to hear. She downed the drink without hesitation once it was brought to her; Devil's Claw wine. This was the way of the original kingdom, as their inventory lacked the luxuries that she knew in the floating city... An outsider of sorts, the aristocrat was appreciative that there were few customers today.
"You sure about that, ma'am? That's your sixth Devil's Claw!" the barkeep turned to her with a worried scowl.
While she was intoxicated, the true keeper of the Schnee name knew better than to allow herself to be noticed by the common man. Anyone down here would salivate at the opportunity of meeting a Schnee, for better or for worse. Even now, her signature tundra-shaded hair was tucked into a messy bun. The elegant clothing she would've been known for was replaced with that of the common folk. This granted her some respite, even if she still found herself being heckled by some of the male patrons from time to time.
Willow eyed the dirty shot glass through hazy vision, a defiant grin dancing on her lips. That morphed into a groan before throwing her head back, allowing the remains of the spicy flavor to trickle down her throat. She wasn't drunk by any means, but even her tolerance for liquor was being put to the test.
Going for lucky number seven?"
"What's it to you?" she scoffed, returning her eyes to the now-empty glass.
"Just looking out for you, lady. Even I'm not hasty enough to take that many shots of the stuff."
"Maybe you're just a..." Willow sat up only to clutch her now swimming head, rocking gently on her stool. "...you're probably a lightweight..."
"And you've likely hit your limit..."
The young man attempted to assist her stumbling form by placing his hand on her back, but she slapped his hand away in resentment. Despite her belief in her independence, her difficulties in walking and speaking revealed her vulnerability to those around her. Although some patrons took notice, they quickly returned to minding their affairs.
The man shook his head and shifted his concentration to the woman behind the counter.
"One Saguaro tea, Stella?"
"Would that be for here or to go, buddy?"
Once outside, the Schnee matriarch couldn't shake off the subtle chill that flowed within. After leaving the bar, Willow tried to focus on anything that would distract her from the buzzkill earlier. Her mind was jumbled as she staggered around, not caring who saw her in such a state. All that mattered was that she was far away from that guy.
However, she needed another distraction.
While Mantle wasn't the safest place compared to Atlas, Willow was willing to find anything to avoid having to be at that hollow palace she once called home. While her hobby was considered depressing, nothing could challenge the bitterness that permeated the manor. Aside from Klein and the wine cellar, there wasn't much for her to speak of.
Winter was gone.
Whitley wanted nothing to do with her, spending all of his time with Jacque...
...and Weiss?
Of all her children, Weiss was the one she could never predict. If her eldest was considered the rebellious one for joining Atlas Academy, and her youngest was willing to follow her husband without fail, was she a wild card?
She did commit a 180 upon her return.
Such an observation only triggered a severe headache, leaving her to wish she'd never left the bar. Drowning her sorrows in liquor was an excellent way to forget one's troubles, even if it was temporary. Her current condition was the embodiment of an internal tempest designed to absolve her of the decisions that led her to this point.
The glaring error was getting married to Jacque. Her misery was only increased by giving birth to three children for him to shape in his perverse image as well as finding out, on her daughter's 10th birthday no less, that the monster had never loved her, only her right to the company that her father established. In her mind, there was zero doubt that her offspring thought very little of her, and she couldn't blame them. She used to be a distinguished huntress with boundless potential, but she had been diminished to a shell that hid her humiliation in every bottle she drank.
Even that wasn't enough to hide from her deepest regret, one that haunted her since the day she and Jacque said those two cursed words at the altar.
"The hell is wrong with me?!" she hissed, feeling the stinging of an impending hangover pounding bursting through her skull.
"You showed up on the wrong side of town, gorgeous..." Willow felt her blood run cold courtesy of the hissing voice. She dared not turn around for fear of time restarting and sealing her fate. "And look, you came bearing gifts. Talk about a 'kind soul'. Now hand them over, and we won't have to hurt you."
Still, Willow couldn't summon the ability to move a single muscle. The thugs stalked closer, causing the hand of dread to tighten around her throat. Due to her identity being hidden, they hadn't realized who she was. She couldn't even thank the brothers for that as one grabbed her arm, threatening to rip it out of the socket while demanding her purse once again.
"Please...!" she eked out, tears threatening to break free.
Once they had the bag, the burglars ignored her appeal, clamping a palm over her lips. Her neck was warmed by his hot breath. The alcohol on his breath made her want to puke. As she moaned, her stomach wrenched. What were they going to do with her?
"Take her behind that corner!" she heard the boss of the group order with a devilish smile that pierced the dimly lit alley. "She's paying for dinner and a show after all."
Even with her protests, Willow screamed as loud as humanly possible, to no avail. The men found it enticing to their perverted senses. Now, the salty streams shattered through their ocular prison as no amount of struggling could save her from the dark fate awaiting her.
"I have a better idea..." Another voice attracted everyone's attention as though time had stopped. "...How about you give the nice lady her belongings back and let her go?"
One by one, when they all turned to face the apparition, they would all be struck down with incredible speed. The threat had already dissipated by the time they could respond. The gang's leader yelled a command, but it was ignored as the others scampered away. Dealing with someone capable of incapacitating someone before they could even blink was far beyond the capabilities of the usual small-time crook.
"What the hell is going on?!" the leader roared; his voice now a fusion of anger and desperation.
"I'm the person who'll rip out your throat if you don't do as I say..."
The thug grabbed a revolver and raced over to capture the woman as if following a script. He may gain some advantage over the wraith if he held her prisoner. A horrific action caused the man to hold his breath as something sharp tore through his abdomen. His legs suddenly gave out as he let out a final quiet scream, leaving the strange man standing tall and Willow in ruins.
It was all she could do to contain her nausea after seeing the man's eyes roll back. She slid to her knees, spitting the foul liquid that was scorching her throat out. Her mind was racing and her eyes were filled with desperation and worry.
"Oh, Brothers!" she finally coughed out before being consumed by the urge to remove more of the putrid fluid.
"Please, drink this, Mrs. Schnee!"
Unlike before, the eerie voice was replaced with one filled with concern. Willow was still on her guard but allowed herself to open a cautious eye. What she found was a simple styrofoam cup set next to her.
"What...?"
"Saguaro tea. It's good for hangovers and other ailments," the male chuckled from underneath his hood.
Willow raised a weakened brow at the person, her silent demand for answers overriding anything else. He pulled down the hood to reveal silver eyes that complimented mahogany skin. His bright smile was matched only by his happily swaying feline tail, leaving her with an acquainted stare that eradicated the fear she'd just endured.
"It's you..."
"My apologies," he extended a hand that she graciously took. "I'm not supposed to be here but I wanted to ensure that you were safe, Mrs. Schnee."
The notion caused pale blue pools to blink absently, but she was more shocked to recognize the young faunus from all those years ago in front of her. He wasn't dressed in the typical Atlas uniform, but rather a black gunner coat that concealed his features well enough. He was dressed in what appeared to be a tight-fitting protective compression shirt and very snug black slacks below it all.
"T-Thank you... Um..."
"Operative Sango Bagheera, at your service, ma'am."
That young faunus that stood up for Winter all of those years ago had managed to do the same for her. No wonder she's infatuated with you... she inwardly purred.
"I'm grateful for your aid, young man!"
Sango bowed out of courtesy before urging her to take a sip of the drink. She complied, savoring the subtle blend of sweet and spicy flavor that graced her tongue. It was a far cry from the strong stuff she was used to, but she welcomed it nonetheless. After a few more seconds, she could feel the fuzz in her head begin to melt away. Only then did Sango decide to lead her back to the airship docks where he accompanied her until she was safely at the manor. When she inquired about his ability to reach her, he didn't say much about it, giving her a coy smirk:
"I couldn't have one of my favorite students being without her mother."
Willow did her best to avoid overtly acknowledging the panther after that, but she couldn't help but slip up a few times, not that he complained. It was just the order of things when you lived in Atlas. Despite her current reputation, she was still a Schnee and, aside from her eldest daughter, most faunus either steered clear of them or were in service to them.
"I must apologize for being a burden," she smiled once they departed the large vessel. "I could talk to the general if it would help keep you out of trouble."
"That won't be a problem, ma'am! I'm just happy I was able to protect you from danger, Mrs. Schnee. I doubt Weiss would be happy if she lost you; Winter either!"
Hearing this, what little bit of comfort Willow had felt diminished along with her smile.
"I fear that your faith is misplaced. To think that either of them would care so much about my whereabouts would be nothing short of a fantasy, like those I... I used to read to them" She wiped a stray tear before forcing another smile. "My issues aside, I'm happy to see that my investment in your future came full circle. You've grown into a fine young man!"
Sango wasn't known for expressing his emotions with many, but this was a good exception. Like Winter, the older woman had a certain charm that afforded a sense of freedom that was uncommon within the kingdom.
"I can't begin to repay you for helping me turn my life around. Eternal gratitude can't begin to describe how thankful I am for you and General Ironwood."
"Well, I hope you never lose sight of your purpose, Sango. Don't waste your potential as I did..."
Willow turned to head inside. It was like staring at the gates of hell itself, but maybe she could face the devil inside without losing herself again. It was unlikely, but at least she could dream, right?
"Mrs. Schnee!" she abruptly ceased her advance, pivoting to find the young faunus jogging toward her.
"Yes?"
"I... I might be out of line, but I disagree with you!"
"Excuse me?"
"Whether you believe it or not, your daughters speak highly of you!" he admitted with vigor and sincerity coating each word. "We both know that Winter isn't one for showing her softer side, but I know that she still cares for you. As for Weiss, I'm sure she only wishes to see you meet the potential that you're referring to. You were a great huntress, one of the best in Atlas Academy history!"
Willow bit her lip and averted her gaze.
"That... was a long time ago. I was a much different person than who you see before you now."
"True. But, just as I embraced the second chance given to me, I believe you can do the same. The time might not come today or tomorrow, but if you're patient and willing to put in the work, I know you could exceed even your expectations. Your daughters are just a glimpse of the greatness you possess."
Willow swallowed the lump in her throat before giggling to herself. Even Ironwood struggled to hold a conversation with her about... Well, it was rare to have anyone who even noticed her long enough to spark a conversation. Her chest swelled with a warmth she hadn't felt since the birth of her children. Even those moments paled to the moment in time that radiated the same essence of hope and optimism felt.
"You're an interesting one, Sango..."
"I... Um, thank you. I apologize if I was out of line, ma'am."
"Nonsense!" she giggled softly, fully from her heart. "If anything, your words were a wake-up call of sorts. I haven't had someone encourage me like that since..."
As her voice trailed off, the front door to the manor opened to reveal a balding man wearing a dapper vest and a thick brown mustache calling out to her. She signaled that she was coming in soon but found her conversation cut short when her eyes fell on the shrinking back of the faunus. She recalled his earlier claim that he wasn't supposed to be noticed, so the former huntress didn't take offense to the sudden departure. However, before she could depart, she noticed his swinging tail, except something was different.
For a few seconds, the pitch-black tail appeared to have orange and white stripes added to the hue before reverting to its original hue. Willow wouldn't make a fuss about this, heading inside the massive house with the faintest of smiles.
"Shall I fetch a bottle from your private reserve, ma'am?"
Willow paused for a moment but shook her head, taking the portly man by surprise.
"Actually, Klein?"
"Yes, Madame?"
"Would you be so kind as to fetch Solstice for me?"
The man flinched at the mention of her weapon as if he'd misheard her request. She couldn't blame the man. It'd been years since she had him lock it away, such a symbol of a past she had tried to wash away. Now that she wanted to see such an item after the long passage of time, she couldn't help but smile amusingly at the notion of revisiting an old friend as Klein left to retrieve the arm.
An old friend... she mused on her way to her private room.
Team RNJR (or JNNR, if you prefer) were checking into an inn in Higanbana, grateful that their night wouldn't be spent in the rain. A red-eyed guy was observing them from across the street, unbeknownst to them. The torrential downpour matched the setting as he sat dejectedly at his table, confident that the four would be sheltered from the severe storm. He needed some respite between that and the Grimm he'd been slaying along the way.
That calm came in the form of a shot glass being placed on the table as he watched them check in with the innkeeper. Looking up, he observed the young and lovely waitress who had placed the drink on the table.
"Uh, I didn't-"
"From the woman upstairs; Red eyes. Said you wouldn't mind bottom shelf." the woman pointed.
She moved her gaze, signaling toward the upper level, considering the physical attribute stated by the gorgeous lady serving him. He had a decent notion of who the individual was, and he wasn't pleased about it. That didn't mean he wouldn't take the offer, even if it was for cheap alcohol.
"Thanks..." he blankly stared at the wooden table.
Interestingly, the woman leaned in closer to Qrow, her smile growing more and more alluring as she neared him.
"But, I went ahead and gave you top," she winked before finally resuming her duties. "Lucky you."
He followed the young woman until she went behind the counter to serve other customers, intending to 'thank' her for her charity. Unfortunately, he needed to attend to business first. His tiny grin disappeared as he headed over to the stairwell, anticipating the impending encounter. Add to it the fact that Ruby and her pals were no longer in sight, and he had little to look forward to.
As he ventured upward, his eyes rested on the last person he thought would ever appear before him at this point.
The already dimly lit area became increasingly gloomy with his ascent, heightening the eerie atmosphere. A pale-skinned woman sat at the farthest table, her lips curved into a smug grin. Qrow Branwen recognized her by her long black hair and ruby eyes.
"Hello, brother."
"Raven..."
He was about to sit down when he noticed the Grimm-like mask in the center of the table. Raven Branwen grumbled and rolled her eyes as she moved it to the side. Her twin brother could be petty at times.
"So, what do you want?"
"A girl can't just catch up with her family?"
"She can... But, you're not. How about we get on with it unless you plan on keeping these coming."
Raven wanted to puke after seeing her sibling rattle the glass, but she'd cease if it meant she'd get what she wanted. She'd tolerate the horrible sensation in her tummy for the time being if entertaining the drunken bore that outcome.
"Does she have it?"
"Did you know Yang lost her arm?"
"That's not...!"
"Rhetorical question; I know you know..." he cut her off. "It's just obnoxious that you bring up family, yet you carry on like your own daughter doesn't exist."
Hearing the judgment in his tone, Raven quickly sought to counter the accusation.
"I saved her!"
"Once..." he held up a digit, clearly not falling for her desperate attempt at self-defense. "...because that was your rule. Right? A real mom of the year material, sis."
You self-righteous, arrogant, asshole...! her mind yelled.
Her expression, however, would not dare to mirror her inner sentiments. That didn't mean she'd let him call her poker face, though. Grabbing his wrist, she glared daggers, pools of blood latched onto each other, each fighting a quiet battle that began when they were teens.
"I told you Beacon would fall, and it did. I told you Ozpin would fail, and he has. Now you tell me, does Salem have it?"
"I thought you weren't interested in all of that?"
By now, Raven wanted nothing more than to bite her lip off as the frustration began to surface.
"I just want to know what we're up against..."
Not one to be fooled, Qrow flashed a ghost of a grin at his sister. "And which we are you referring to?"
Raven recognized where the conversation was going, and she didn't want to be a part of it. Thankfully, Qrow was able to divert their conversation to the amusing prospect of her returning to battle Salem with him. She thought it hilarious when he spoke survival and rescuing the planet; oh, how she wanted she could help him see the light.
She merely countered by bringing up his own form of betrayal.
"You're the one who left. The tribe raised us and you turned your back on them."
"They were killers and thieves..." he replied nonchalantly.
"They were your family!"
Family. A term with such heft that it seemed more like a burden than anything else. Because they both had their own definition of the term, neither could acquire a competitive edge when utilizing it. Tai was considered family by Qrow, Ruby, and Yang, as well as his brother-in-law. Even Raven, as annoying as she may be, was his sister, and hence his family. But what about the Branwen Tribe?
That was a bit much...
"You have a very skewed perception of that word..."
That was the trigger that forced Raven to rise from her seat in both defiance and superiority.
"I lead our people now..." she proudly proclaimed. "And as I leader, I will do everything in my power to ensure our survival."
"I saw... The people of Shion saw too."
"The weak die and the strong live. Those are the rules."
A bitterness began to fill Qrow's mouth, combatting the sweet taste of his drink. No doubt, that mantra was one of the reasons he'd leave to join Ozpin and become a huntsman. He frowned softly toward his kin.
"Well, you certainly got someone strong on your side. I've seen the damage..."
"We couldn't have known the Grimm would set in as quickly as they did," she turned away, feigning ignorance.
"I'm not talking about the Grimm," her eyes widened suddenly, unsure of where this was going. "...and I'm not talking about you either."
Raven had had enough at this time. If this was merely a waste of her time, she ought to move on before things become more redundant or, worse, personal. She scowled condescendingly at her brother, reaching for her mask.
"If you don't know where the relic is, then we have nothing left to talk about."
"I don't know where the spring maiden is either." he slammed his hand on the Grimm-like face. "If you do, I need you to tell me."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because without her, we're all going to die..."
This, however, didn't deter Raven from her desire to leave as she ripped the helmet back.
"And which 'we' are you referring to?"
That was the conclusion of their brief conversation, or so it should have been. Interestingly, Qrow permitted the grimmest of smirks to grace his face while looking at the table. In the meantime, Raven used her blade to open a whirling crimson and black gateway only to halt when he grasped her wrist.
"You met him didn't you?"
"What are you talking-"
"I know that you ran into him in that town" his eyes darkened with a knowing that made the hairs on her neck stand. "What did you think when you saw him?"
"..."
"Are you still trying to convince yourself that he didn't exist? Well, he does and he's all grown up now. Can you live with yourself knowing that another one has returned to haunt you? Does he scare you that much?"
"What the hell are you-?"
"How does it feel, Raven? How does it feel, knowing that you were given a second chance only to fail her?"
If it weren't for the helmet shielding her features, Qrow would've seen the look of rage and horror that washed over the woman's face. He didn't need to see it though; he felt it the moment he uttered the words. When she looked back, he could feel the turmoil flaring through the eye holes before she ripped away from him and exited through the gateway, leaving him to stare at the dark wall.
Qrow let out a soft sigh before hearing glass shattering behind him. He turned to find the same woman who gave him the drink staring back with a frightful gaze; first at the spot where his sister once stood, then back at him.
Just my luck... he growled internally while grabbing the shot glass. "Make this one a double."