It took Cinder two more days to recover enough to be discharged from the hospital. They wanted to keep her in for another day, but Cinder was adamant, and Dr. Oakheart saw it better to let her leave rather than argue with her.
The two days were rather dull for Jaune since he had decided to stay near Cinder to keep her supervised. She was not great fan of this. It was easier to guard her while she was unconscious, but now it was rather difficult. The mutual distrust and dislike had created a tense feeling in the hospital room. There were a few attempts from his part to get more information out of her, but she quickly had shut him down constantly. Uneasy silence reigned in the room for the better part of the first day until Cinder had enough and ordered Jaune out the room, claiming that she needed rest, and she couldn't do it with him in the room. At first, he didn't want to comply for obvious reasons, but she had threatened him that she will have the nurse to throw him out. Jaune had reluctantly fulfilled her request and take a seat outside on the corridor next to the room's door.
The chairs were made of cheap plastic which made them to be incredibly uncomfortable after a certain period of time – not like he could have slept; he was still tried to process what she had said to him. When the information had settled in his mind, he wanted to call up his friends to inform them about this, but when the scroll was in his hand, he remembered that he had turned it off on the ship before he reached Searock.
He still didn't want to turn it back on. He had an unrealistic fear that even this far from Vacuo he would have received all those messages and missed calls. He had wondered what those messages would contain. He tried to imagine them, but he was a bit unsure how accurate his memories were about his friends. How many things that he had forgotten about them? These thoughts had kept him haunted, but fortunately Cinder release and mayor request for meeting had kept him distracted.
Besides, with the destruction of the CCT, he was unable to reach them by scroll.
He wondered what the mayor wanted from them. He had made a report to the militia's captain about the incident in the forest after he returned to the town. Maybe she wanted to hear it from Cinder's view, hopefully.
It was noon when the two of them could left the hospital. They didn't say a word to one another from her room to the hospital's entrance.
During her stay she wore the usual hospital gown, but now she sported a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt which covered most of her neck, they were given to her by the nurse from the lost and found items since her clothes were cut off from her by the doctors. She looked a little unease in them, maybe the colours were too far cry from her usual black and red theme or just the style bothered her. Her black hair reached down to her shoulders and were styled in a way which covered her scar on her face. For Jaune, she looked almost normal, like any other person he could see in the town or how she had looked like in Beacon but with a bit shorter hair. He shook his head. ''Are you ready?''
She regarded him for a moment with a neutral face and gave him a nod.
The town hall, where the mayor's office was located, was a few streets away from the hospital – according to a nurse. The walk to there was as quiet as the last few days. They kept respectful distance between them and tried to pretend that they weren't keeping an eye on the other.
After a five-minute walk, they reached Antlers' main square. It was nothing special, downright generic for Jaune taste. It was a quintessential example of small-town simplicity. The square itself was a modest open area paved with worn cobblestones, residential buildings and a handful of cafes dominated much of the square which obviously had lived better days with their worn signs. In the centre stood a modest statue of a bearded man made from marble – most likely Antlers' founder. Around the statue, a few weathered wooden benches provided seating for the town's residents which now were empty.
Dominating one side of the square was the town hall, an unremarkable two-story building. Its architecture was plain and functional, with tall-framed windows and a single door marked the building's name in peeling gold letters. A simple flagpole stood in front of the building, flying the flag of Antlers below Vale's twin axes. A subtle reminder for the people where their loyalty should lie.
Sparse trees dotted the perimeter of the square, their leaves providing dappled shade in the summer months for those who choose rest below them on the grass.
The overall atmosphere was unassuming and unremarkable. This square could have been the definition of a place where life was predictable, and every day was the same as the previous one, a place where time stood still. It was the same feeling he had in Ansel, a feeling that if he had stayed, he would have gotten stuck there forever.
''Are you coming or not?'' asked Cinder irritated.
The question stirred Jaune out of his stupor. The Fall Maiden looked at him with annoyance a few meters from him.
''Yeah, I'm coming.''
''Fantastic.'' said Cinder with a flat tone.
Finding the mayor's office was not a difficult task, within minutes the found themselves in front the mayor's door on the upper floor which was slightly open. Jaune was about to knock on the door when Cinder grabbed his hand stopping him from knocking. A woman's voice was heard from the room.
''… yes, I'm sure. No, it won't be necessary. I don't want to involve the OSC, it will be easier if we deal with it personally.''
''William, you too were speaking with them when they arrived, don't tell me that you trust them. You know it well the safety of this town is only secondary for them. No matter what that Powell guy said, I know his kind, he would rather use this as an opportunity for himself rather than help us. We keep this in the house and forget that this ever happened.''
What did she want to keep in the house?
''Rumours or not I do not want to see them here ever again. Yes, this is whole thing is weird but I'm going to solve it out. You always say that sometimes you have to roll the hard six, whatever it means. It'll be fine, don't worry. I need to go, Jenny said that they're on their way. See you soon.'' finished the call the mayor.
Neither of them moved as they tried to make sense of what they had heard. What Jaune managed to put together that the mayor had a strong dislike towards this OSC. He looked at Cinder who was still in her thoughts. He couldn't ask her because the open door, instead he waited until she let go of his hand then she knocked on the door a few moments later.
''Come in.''
Jaune followed Cinder in. The office was about the same size as his old dorm in Beacon, on the two opposite sides of the room were bookshelves full of thick tomes, in the centre of the room a little coffee table with a pair of sofas facing each other. Beyond that were a big table in front of a window with two empty chairs where the Mayor of Antlers sat.
A woman in her late fifties greeted them, her auburn hair had started to turn grey at its roots, around her eyes crow's feet. She offered them a welcoming smile, a smile which didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes held a calculating gaze which were busy to move from Jaune to Cinder and back to him, and if he noticed this, then he was sure Cinder did it too. Was she assessing them?
''Welcome Mr. Arc and Ms. Ella.'' she greeted them kindly. ''Please take a seat.'' After they took a seat at the table she continued, ''My name is Lauren Roslyn, Mayor of Antlers, thank you for coming.''
''Thank you for the invitation.'' His mother had always said that being polite is a half victory. The previous phone call was discouraging at best for them. Being on her good side could be beneficial for them.
''Why did you want to speak with us?'' But appeared Cinder viewed this differently. Her voice was full mistrust, and her eye was narrowed on the woman on the other side who for some reason didn't take Cinder's harsh tone as an insult.
''I wished to speak with the two of you about what happened on that mission.''
''I already made a report about that a few days ago.'' responded Jaune. ''There is nothing else that I could add.''
''Yes, you did, Mr Arc, but I have a few questions. Just to see things clear. I don't think it would be too problematic.'' Her voice indicated that it was not really a request. She looked down to what looked like his report where he saw a few highlighted lines and sticky notes next to them. ''I wish to start at the beginning. Mr. Arc, you said that Miss Ella is your partner.''
He moved his eyes briefly to Cinder then back to Roslyn. ''Yes.''
''Then why our records shows that your partner's name is Pyrrha Nikos?''
The mention of her name gave him a pause. Roslyn did some research on him which could lead this questioning into a potential catastrophic situation, given who was sitting next to him. ''Because our… partnership is recent. We didn't have the opportunity to change it in the registry.''
''I see.'' She looked up from her notes and linked her hands on the table. ''I spoke with the guards who were on duty at the gates when you two arrived. They claimed that you Miss Ella arrived with the refugees, hours earlier than Mr. Arc that day.'' She questioned Cinder this time. Jaune was curios what she will say.
''Yes. We split up when we saw them in the woods, Ar- Jaune helped out at the rear, holding up some Grimms, giving me some time to help those who were slower than the main group.'' she lied. It was a believable story, but it would fail if the mayor or someone ask around in the camp.
''Hmm. That's odd, as far as I'm aware there're only two Hunters with the refugee group.'' she looked down to her notes then back, ''A married couple from one of the attacked villages. I believe you've met them, Mr. Arc. They have a daughter who they had lost in the flight and who was later found by you a few hours later after your arrival.''
Cinder gave him a side eye, she was visibly tense, just like Jaune himself. Their story was falling into dust by the seconds.
''But this isn't the only strange thing for me. On the next day Mr. Arc goes to the Huntsmen Office to take on a job which is interesting because his partner already took the only one which was under her name alone according to the contract and left on the previous day. Also, you didn't correct me, Miss Ella, when I said that you came with the refugees because the contract was claimed a day before their arrival.'' she pointed out calmly.
At this point he knew they were toasted. His eyes wandered to Cinder to see how she was taking all this, she was looking rigidly at Mayor Roslyn, her fingers turning white as she gripped the arm of the wooden chair.
''The story doesn't quite add up when you put it all together, does it? Personally, I don't know much about being Huntsman, but they do sometimes show up in this town, and they don't seem to leave without their partner to take on a job that takes them to the other side of the kingdom.''
She was right. No one would do that, especially not with an escort job where the numbers really mattered.
''So, when your story didn't make sense to me, I decided to do some digging. Since I didn't find anything about Cinder Ella – like she doesn't even exist – I chose to go after Jaune Arc. Lucky for me, he had more to his name than a few dates. This mainly thanks to your previous partner, Mr. Arc. She was a famous tournament fighter and because of this some sites and gossip magazines reported about everything that happened with her, including her untimely demise. Imagine my surprise when I saw a picture about the person who allegedly responsible for her death.'' she said her last sentence to Cinder who was still in her previous position.
''What do you want?'' asked Cinder after a few moments in a harsh voice.
Roslyn stood up from her chair and turned her back on them to look out the window behind her which faced the town's main square. A few seconds later she spoke in a hard tone, ''I want you to leave. Both of you.'' She turned around. Her face lost its kindness that welcomed them a couple of minutes ago. ''Wherever either of you show up that place suffers major loses.''
''That's not entirely –'' tried Jaune.
''Vale, Haven Academy, Argus, Atlas and Mantle.'' listed Roslyn. ''The luckier ones only suffered heavy property damage but Vale and especially Atlas and Mantle were not so fortunate. Tens of thousands of dead, two of the greatest cities of the planet are nothing more than a pile of rubble. Argus attacked by a Leviathan-class Grimm.''
''I have nothing –''
''I'm not finished, Miss Fall.'' If Roslyn knew who Cinder was then shutting her up like this was brave from her, or foolish, ''Haven Academy lost its entire staff - rendering the school inactive and making Shade the only functioning academy in whole of Remnant when we need more Huntsman than ever. And Vale, where all this began. If it true what I read about that, then you two have personal history, the kind where you should be ripping each other's throat out, not posing as partners.''
''Your point is?'' snapped Cinder. Jaune feared that she would attack Roslyn.
''Why don't you? Why all this charade?''
Neither of them gave her immediately answer. She was right, they should be at each other's throat, not playing this farce. Even after she had left Salem, she was still responsible for all her crimes, known or unknown. He was a Huntsman; he was supposed to protect the people from her not helping her. This would be true in a simple world, but this was not one. She was more than your everyday villain, and now she tried to not be one which begged for a question.
Did she deserve the chance?
They gave it to Emerald, and it seemed that it worked out, but Cinder was not Emerald. Cinder was… well, her. Denying it from her meant that he had to fight with her which was suicidal at best. This was acceptable for Jaune, but he was unwilling put other in dangers doing so. Besides the whole Maiden business put this debate into another level.
For the moment, he knew where the Fall Maiden was. Fighting with her guaranteed that he would lose her for a long time, whether he won or not. He didn't think Cinder was eager to go back to Salem or that she would welcome her back, but the next host was an unknown which was risky.
What mattered the most was that the enemy didn't know her where about, and the best way to ensuring this was to keep her close and keeping her out of enemy hands.
''Things've changed'' answered Jaune finally.
''Changed? How?'' probed Roslyn.
''That's none of your concern!'' hissed Cinder. She barely gave an answer to him, she was never going to give one to Roslyn.
''It is when my home is at stake!''
Cinder was about to retort when Jaune intervened, ''It's not, I promise.'' He tried to defuse the situation. ''Antlers is safe.''
''Then what happened those villages? Hmm? And why I get reports about fairy tale creatures from the survivors?''
''What creatures are you talking about'' asked Jaune.
Roslyn let out a sigh, ''White shadows. Some survivors claim that they saw white shadows in the distant on the nights of the attacks. None of them had a good look at them given the situation but they are certain that something else were there on those nights besides the Grimm.'' With one hand, she massaged her temple.
''Malaluxes'' whispered Jaune. The name of the creatures which that man was talking about in the inn at Ember Mountain. Could it have been more than the ramblings of a madman?
''Yes, some of them called them that. As far as I know these creatures are from folklore tales in the south, on the Grasslands.''
''I've heard about them not long ago. They're others too who saw them, they said the same things as you.''
''And it wouldn't be the first tale which came true.'' The mayor glanced at Cinder for a moment. Yeah, now whole Remnant knew about the Seasonal Maidens.
''But it doesn't matter. I still want you both to leave. I have enough problems already; I don't want to deal with the OSC again because of you.''
''The OSC? What's that?'' asked Cinder.
''They are one of the results of your little stunt at the Vytal Festival. They have become more active in past month thanks to these attacks, at least we see them more in the outer settlements. The big city is finally showing a little care towards us but dealing with spooks still a nightmare. Anyway, I ask you to leave by tomorrow.''
''And if I don't?'' asked Cinder.
''Then you don't. But sooner or later OSC will show up and they're not so lenient as me. Make no mistake, Miss Fall, the reason why I don't have the militia to arrest you because you are the Fall Maiden. I've looked up every story that remotely mentioning the Seasonal Maidens and if even half of it is true those stories, then we can do very little to stop you. You can control the elements and since half of the town is made of wood, you can burn Antlers down to the ground. I don't want this to happen. This why asking you to leave before OSC shows up.'' explained Roslyn. ''You can even continue your job that you have taken.''
''What do you mean? The grimms almost killed everyone.'' said Cinder.
''Yes, almost. But Miss Keres is still alive, and she has to go to Vale, so your contract is still active despite your… setback in the woods.''
''What about her relatives, I mean won't they raise an issue about this, after what happened?'' asked Jaune.
''They certainly would, if she had any.''
Cinder looked at the mayor strangely. The anger was now replaced by something he couldn't define.
''You mean she's an…?'' began Jaune.
''She's an orphan. She's from the same village where those married Huntsmen lived. There was an orphanage there. According to reports, she was the only child to survive the attack.'' she sighed, ''Poor girl.''
''So, you would entrust me with an orphan girl despite what you know about me?'' asked Cinder in her disbelief.
''Goodness no.'' said the mayor, ''But since Mr. Arc acts civilly with you, I guess he intends to travel alongside with you, and after what I read about him, I trust him that he will finish the job if you bail on them. That's why I added him to the contract and put him in charge of its fundings.'' she reviled. This meant that the liens that every hunter gets on this kind of job to buy supplies and equipment were added to his account, so Cinder wouldn't get a lien if she abandoned them. Cinder face was unreadably blank for him as she focused on Roslyn, but he could imagine she was happy.
''But if she an orphan, why does she have to go to Vale?'' asked Jaune. Antlers was one of the farthest towns from the capital. If there was no orphanage here, then surely there was a closer one somewhere in the region.
''Because this is the law.'' Jaune was confused. What kind of law said this?
''Explain.'' demanded Cinder.
''Every orphan above five must be send to Vale if it possible.'' said Roslyn.
''Why?'' asked Cinder with suspicion.
''The official reason is that the increased Grimm activity makes the countryside more dangerous and only Vale is safe enough.'' Roslyn rolled her eyes. ''That since these children doesn't have any parent to protect them, it is the state's duty to be their parent.''
''And the unofficial reason?'' questioned Jaune.
''Vale population was hit noticeably by the attack, tens of thousands died. That kind of numbers makes themselves aware in the economy. They have to fill those empty spots up before the kingdom weakens and the towns and villages like us far away start to ask why they aren't helping us and start to break away from their control. Since forcing people to move in the city from villages is too difficult, they chose to bring in those who has no one. Parentless children. They can teach them, train them for any role the city needs them to be when they reach adulthood.'' Roslyn sighed, ''Not a bad life considering everything, surely a better one than they could have out here, but for many this leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.''
Roslyn's answer agitated Cinder more because a small trail of smoke started to raise where she gripped the chair's wooden arm.
''How did the Council manage to pass this? The people would be in uproar, economy or not.'' In Atlas Jaune paid more attention to the politics than back home because how closely he had worked for Ironwood and how much time he had spent in Mantle. He had seen how one decision can affect the people and how they had reacted to it.
The woman next to him clenched her jaw, her breathing was visible as her shoulders moved up and down, and her amber eye looked like lava from where he sat.
''It was an executive order from the President." Roslyn revealed.
''President? We don't have a president.'' stated Jaune. Since the Last King the council was who made the laws, Vale never had a president.
''I mentioned before that one of the results of Miss Fall's action in Vale was the creation of the Office of Strategic Coordination, the other was a more centralised government structure.'' said Roslyn, ''During the attack, the council was unable to lead an effective response to defend the city. None of them stood up and coordinate the police, the defence forces, or the Atlasian army. The latter was particularly embarrassing because they had to take the lead to manage the defence, for the people this looked as the total failure of the council as a governing body. The resentment was so strong that the council members were forced to step down after an assassination attempt. The new council has decided to restructure the government body. The most crucial changes were establishing a clear hierarchy and defining responsibilities, as these were seen by the people as the main reasons why the attack was so severe.''
Roslyn was interrupted by her phone on the table which started ringing. She picked it up immediately then put it back and checked the time on her wrist. ''I'm sorry but looks like we're going to have to stop our conversation here.'' she looked into their eyes, ''As I said, leave as soon as possible. Now go, please.''
Cinder briefly regarded him before they stood up and walked to the office's door.
''Mr. Arc, Miss Fall.'' Roslyn called out and they turned back. ''Before your departure, visit the Huntsman Office for the paperwork. Goodbye.''
The main square was as silent and empty when they had entered the town hall, but he didn't feel the same boredom as before. Roslyn gave them a time limit. Tomorrow morning. This was not direct threat, but a highly strong suggestion. A suggestion that he was going to follow before things took bad turns. The longer they were staying the certainty of trouble was growing. One way or another someone was going to recognise the infamous Fall Maiden, there was no way one of these people hadn't seen a picture of her.
As Jaune stood there and mused, the said Maiden stepped next his left side. The knight noticed how her hand clenched in a fist, her lips in a tight thin line, the amber eye which was focused on the square's statue held such an intense glare that could ablaze the marble statue. Distracting her might help on the statue.
''We should go. If we hurry, we can take care of the paperwork and get the supplies before sundown.''
But before he could start walking, she replied, ''That's all you have to say?''
''About what?'' He turned to her.
''About all of this!'' she exclaimed, ''Aren't you supposed to be a goody-two-shoes Huntsman? Don't tell me you're okay with this!''
''The law? I admit it's a little strange but ultimately not a bad thing. They get a stable life.''
''Ugh, you don't see it, do you?'' she said frustrated.
''See what?''
''Do you truly believe that they get a choice? That they will be able to walk away whenever they wish? No! Vale wouldn't let them leave, not after they've invested in them, because that's how they'll see them. An investment. They'll force them to stay there and do what the rich and powerful want. They will be nothing more than slaves!'' she said hotly.
''You see more into it than what's in it. No one will force them to do anything.'' Jaune said dismissively, ''Even if someone would try, the people wouldn't stand for it.''
Cinder stepped closer to him, a murderous glare in her eye. "You don't know anything, Arc. They don't care about anyone until something goes wrong which affects them. They won't take a second look at an orphan girl who needs their help." she growled.
''Since when do you care about others, let alone an orphan girl?'' he retorted. He didn't know what she wanted from this argument. This law's existence was her fault to begin with, she could only blame herself. If she was looking for some kind of validation from him, then she would have to wait an eternity for it.
She stepped back a few steps from him, maintaining the eye contact. ''None of your business.'' She turned away. ''Let's get going.''
In the Huntsman Office the same woman greeted them when Jaune was here a few days ago.
''Oh, Miss Ella and Mr. Arc, Mayor Roslyn told me to expect you and there are some changes in the mission's contract.'' she said with a kind smile. ''Everything is pretty much finished; the only missing thing is Mr. Arc's licence number to finalize it.'' She pulled out a grey, flat rectangle device which was barely bigger than his palm and put it on the counter that separated them from her. ''Touch your scroll to it and we are done.''
Jaune pulled out his scroll from his pocket, a flash of fear appeared in his mind that when he turned it on, he would be flooded with messages and unanswered calls, but he told himself that since the CCT had been down for years, he wouldn't get any notification.
''Are you alright, sir?'' asked the women behind the counter with concern.
''Uh yes, yes, I'm good, just zoned out a little bit.'' replied Jaune quickly. From the corner of his eye, he saw that Cinder briefly moved her head towards him on his left side. He chose to pretend that he didn't notice it.
He turned on his scroll and typed in his password to boot it up. Jaune opened his licence then tapped the scroll to the terminal. The terminal made short, high-pitched sound, indicating that it had received the signal.
''And done. Your contract is updated, and the money is transferred to your account.''
''Thank –''
Ping
Huh?
Ping-Ping
Ping, Ping, Ping.
What the?
He looked down at his scroll which was furiously beeping and vibrated in his hand. The screen was lit up. His chest tightened at what he saw.
53 missed calls
128 unread messages
Oh no.
How was this possible!? There was no CCT connection, only the local network worked.
"That's a hell of a lot of messages you've got there. I wonder who sent them." He didn't need to look to see her malicious grin; he could practically hear it in her sickly-sweet voice. But when Jaune looked up at her, the image in his head and the reality were an almost perfect match. Her amber eye held a cruel mirth that told Jaune Cinder knew exactly how panicked he was. "Are you going to answer them? It would be rude not to." She was pushing his buttons masterfully, and sadly, it was working. He needed a distraction before he did something stupid.
''H-how can I have CCT signal? The network is destroyed?''
''It's not CCT. It's Vale own network, called Relay Bridge Network. It was brought online over a year ago. First around the capital and the closer towns. We only have connection for seven months, I think.'' she said with a shrug, ''Most of the time spotty though, they say the weather often interference the data stream or something.'' she explained.
''But if it's Vale only, then how can I receive messages from Vacuo?''
She only shrugged.
''This has been very informative and all, but we have to go to prepare for the trip. Bye.'' said Cinder then left the office. Where was she going?
''Uh yeah, thanks for the speed up. Goodbye!'' said Jaune and quickly went after Cinder.
He caught up to her outside of the office as walked towards the direction of the eastern gate. ''Where are you going?'' demanded Jaune.
''To the camp, obviously, to talk to Thana. I highly doubt Roslyn sent someone to inform her about all of this.'' she said without stopping. Jaune grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
''Don't touch me!'' she hissed and shoved his hand away. Jaune could see that her iris turned a bit brighter and felt how the heat was radiating from her. She had been in a bad mood since their conversation with Roslyn, but he needed answers.
''Why do you care about her so much?''
''Because you obviously don't. Otherwise, you wouldn't act like a good little Huntsman and deliver her to Vale.''
He sighed. ''Is this still about that? Look, she will be safer there than here, especially now with all these Grimm attack. And why did you take this job if you are so against this?'' he asked.
''I didn't know about this. Her caretaker didn't mention anything. I thought she was her mother who thought it would be safer in Vale than out here. I didn't ask around the group why they were going to Vale and risking that someone to recognise me.''
''Well, it doesn't matter anyway. You said that you wanted the reward money to start again. You won't get a penny without coming to Vale with us.''
''I know!'' she exclaimed, ''But it doesn't change on the fact that they won't give her a choice.''
''And what choice did my partner get from you?'' he said hotly, ''Or the people in Atlas and Mantle?'' He let out a humourless chuckle. ''Your hypocrisy is truly outstanding. Preaching about free choice after everything you have done.''
He stepped into her personal space. He liked to imagine himself a patient person – especially after how long he had waited in the Ever After, but a few hours with her managed to push him over the edge.
''You are ten times worse than those who you're talking about. They at least give something in exchange. But you?'' He jabbed a finger into her shoulder. ''You just try to take everything you want and leave nothing behind but death and destruction once it's clear you've failed.''
His words seemed to successfully try her patience as well, because her eye was on fire – literally, but only for a few moments. It was a stroke of luck that no one saw them.
''Be careful, Arc. Be careful.'' she warned him in a low tone.
''Or what?'' he challenged her.
There was no reply from her, just her usual murderous glare. He wore a similar expression too.
''That's what I thought too. Don't act high and mighty, not with me. Go and speak with Thana until I buy what we need, I'm going to meet you there. We're going to leave at seven in the morning.'' Then he left without another word.
The air was chilly and crisp, the orange rays of the sunlight filtered through among the tree leaves. The brilliant blue sky was cloudless which meant that Remnant's shattered moon had a sovereign rule over the skies.
The citizens of Antlers were just beginning to wake up and start their morning routines. Some were going to work, some were going home, some were just doing their errands early. Jaune thought him and his two companions belonged into the last one.
The group of three were at the settlement's eastern gate where the guards were preparing to open the gate for them. The previous day was a long one and he was sure this one was going to be an exhausting one too. He wished he could have slept for more than a few hours, but the nightmares wouldn't let him, which was responsible for the dark circles under his eyes.
His two companions didn't have this problem which only made him look like even more tired. Despite what had happened less than a week before, Thana didn't seem frightened, perhaps a little uncertain which was totally understandable.
His other companion who was now his unofficial… partner for this journey looked as ready as him. They had calmed down since yesterday, but Jaune expected more arguments which held the chance to turn violent since neither of them have to worry to blow their cover story.
Thana wore a grey hoodie over a yellow t-shirt, paired with faded blue jeans and black sneakers with pink laces. Her dark hair was tied in a ponytail, and a small navy backpack hung from her shoulder. Cinder looked mostly the same as yesterday, but she had changed her white shirt to a red one and was now wearing a black choker around her neck.
After they had passed, the gate closed behind them with a heavy thud. The path was well-trodden, stretching far into the distance before disappearing into the dense forest. Jaune took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of fatigue, and glanced at his companions. It was truly strange how things could change in such a short time, and in such unexpected ways. He wanted to believe that things would go smoothly, but he kept his expectations low. Cinder and he were neither friends nor allies, but at the moment, their interests aligned, which might be enough for a time.
TheSlySage: please get out of my head :)