A/N Drachen's Castle part 3
Alt title: New Arrivals, Old Faces
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Dreamer Of The Infinite: I'm trying to fix that, it's because I edited the chapter to retcon a minor thing, but editing on FFN SUCKS!
GideonBlackthorn: Cyril is, alright. He's good at bullshitting and using context clues to help him, but like with Lord Eisen, he was 100% talking out of his ass.
Emp781: I didn't know that. I thought Dattebayo meant Believe It.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
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-Wood's Island, Drachen's Castle, North Eastern Vale, 11/25, 3:35am-
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Cyril Leon POV
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"Are you alright?" I ask as I crouch down to help the server up off the porcelain tiled floors. He grabs my hand and pulls himself up on his feet and proceeds to dust himself off, before turning to Blake with a sneer.
"Yeah, no thanks to her." The tuxedo wearing man spits out as he straightens his jacket.
"Me?" Blake says with a furrow of her brows. "You tried to bump into me. I stepped away from you."
"Why on Remnant would he fall on his own, dear?" Berilly asks, sounding genuinely confused. "Surely
'And with that, you've convinced me this is your fault.' I think to myself.
"Because he was trying to make a scene?" Blake says firmly.
"Please, why would anyone want such a thing?" A random man with blonde hair and icy blue eyes scoffs. "We're here for a civilized-"
"I'm sorry." I turn to the man wearing a dark red suit with bright gold embroidery on the shoulders and chest, marking him as a bachelor. Standing half a head taller than me and with an angular face. "Who are you?"
That strikes, several cords in him. Reeling back as though he was actually slapped. Wide eyed and disbelieving.
"I beg your pardon?" He says with a strained laugh.
"And I demand an answer." I say with a glare. Intentionally drawing attention to myself. And away from Blake. "Are you this server's brother? Their uncle, cousin, employer, friend?"
"Well, I hardly-" He gives a small nervous laugh, blinking as he comes up with an answer.
"Then this doesn't concern you. Does it?" I say with a sickly sweet smile.
"I'm merely doing my duty and seeing to the adherence of keeping the party in polite company." He turns his haze to Blake. Looking at her as though she just farted.
"Then what are you still doing here?" I shoot back. Silencing the people around us.
"I beg your-" He starts.
"Again?" I cut him off. "We've not been discussing for more than two minutes and already you've begged me twice. I'm starting to get the impression you want something from me." I smirk as I watch his face go red.
Using my semblance, I quickly scan the room. Berilly seems to be enjoying the exchange. Blake is behind me so I can't see her. And several others at the party seem to be taking in the display with no small amount of interest.
"You, I demand to know what you are implying." He huffs.
"I will answer your question, as soon as you answer mine." I say as I step closer to him. "I asked first after all."
"I have nothing to answer you for." He says, not backing down as he puffs up his chest.
I want to give a mental image here. Imagine if you will, me, who is three inches short of six feet and with a body like Steve Rogers from the rigorous training that Beacon demands. And him, his nose being level with my eyes, and his neck barely thicker than my wrist.
I'm biting my tongue, trying not to laugh.
"So you're nobody, got it." I step away and turn back to address Blake.
"I am Purrot Licht my good sir. And I demand some respect for-" I start ignoring him before my ears commit suicide and render me deaf to save me the pain.
I'm snarky when I'm upset.
"Come on, let's find Weiss and Ruby." I tell Blake and nod towards the exit.
"I think that'd be best." Blake says as she steps around the server.
"Sir Cyril, I believe it would best for you to stay and remedy this occurrence." Berilly says to me as I start to walk.
Time to play a game of some petty politics.
"Miss Eisen." I smile at her and give a worried look. "As I said before, I am unaccustomed to these environments. So, I am must deferring to your guidance in this manner." I smile and look to mister Purple, Parot or whatever his name was. "You did promise."
She wants something from me. Don't know what, but getting on my bad side will only hurt her. Otherwise she wouldn't have been so nice. And did offer assistance. So if she denies she either A, goes back on her word, or B, claims she never said that and devolves this into a game of he said she said.
Am I being manipulative? Oh fuck yes. These shits want to play dirty? They'll learn why I have a reputation for it.
"I feel it's a bit late for that Sir Cyril, seeing as you already engaged on your own." She smiles back. "It would be in poor taste for me to intervene on another's behalf, when the situation is of greater concern to parties other than myself."
'Shit.' I curse my luck. 'She's actually smart.'
Translation, you got yourself into this. Don't think you can bail yourself out by hiding behind me.
"Cyril!" Weiss comes out from the crowd with Ruby in tow. Saving me from losing my temper.
"Weiss." I turn to her with a smile. "I'm glad you could find us."
"Find you?" She hisses softly as she gets close to me. "There's not a person in the party who isn't coming to see what's happening. And for that matter, what is happening?"
I lean in and dart my eyes towards the red faced man in a red suit.
"Someone is framing Blake for tripping a server." I whisper quietly before addressing Berilly more openly. "I was just discussing with Miss Eisen here, and an incident occurred where this man seems deadset on making a spectacle of what is clearly an accident."
The man, noble guy, whatever. He takes a breath and gives Weiss a strained smile, followed by a quick bow.
"Miss Schnee, a pleasure to meet your acauintance here this morning." He rises from his bow. "Purrut Licht, second child of Rouge Licht. You may the name by the RDL Limited Liability Company."
"Quite." Weiss says curtly. "Seeing as you are already aware of who I am, allow us to attend to the matter at hand immediately. For what purpose do you seek to vilify one of the guests attending?"
If he took any offense to Weiss's curt reply, it doesn't show.
"I'm sorry, but if you would just ask the server here you'll learn the truth." He says with a smug look as he turns to the man. "Miss Schnee, I'm sure you can understand my interest in keeping the party civil. I encourage you, just ask."
"I will." Weiss says as she turns the server as well. Now looking more and more nervous as more eyes are set upon him.
"Yes." I say, earning a side eye from Weiss as I turn to the server. "Please, tell us exactly what happened. I'm sure that you want to put an end to this debacle as much as the rest of us." I give the server a glare, one that only he and Blake can see from where we're standing. "So please, put the matter to rest for us so we can stop bickering over a silly accident, and go back to enjoying the soiree."
Am I being a dick? Yes. Do I care? Not as much as I desire to be done with this.
"I-I apologize, I must have tripped on my own. I'm sorry for making a scene." He bows low. "I'll go get someone to clean this up, post haste!"
And he takes off as I turn to the man. A sour look on his face that he cools into a flat expression. While I smile sweetly.
"See?" I gesture behind me. "A mere case of two left feet."
"It would seem so." He straightens his jacket. "I'm glad we could put this to rest."
"Please, don't flatter yourself." I smile. "You only complicated it."
His face goes red as he takes a deep breath and turns around. Walking back into the crowd as, fuck I don't even care at this point. Longer I'm here, the more likely I am to royally piss someone off.
"I'm sorry about that Weiss." I smile at the glaring girl. "I was merely trying to uncomplicate the situation and keep the issue from expanding."
"As long as the situation is resolved, I suppose." She says softly as she turns to Berilly and gives a curtsy. "Miss Eisen. I trust you've been in good health?"
"Miss Schnee." She returns the curtsy. "Aside from the little, inconsequential spat you bore witness to. There's truly been no issues. Sir Cyril is remarkably agreeable and well spoken."
"I'd expect nothing less." Weiss smiles. "Though, I feel I need to warn you that I did leave Platina on her own to address this situation."
"Oh dear." Berilly sighs and puts a hand to her cheek. "I thank you for the warning Miss Schnee. And on that note, I believe I must attend to that particular issue before the fallout becomes too, drastic."
"My apologies in advance." Weiss bows as Berilly turns to leave.
"Oh, and Cyril." She stops and turns to me with a smile. "Should you get lost again, don't hesitate to find me. I assure you, I know my way around."
'Note to self, avoid her.' I think to myself as she turns back away and starts walking. Once a significant distance away. Weiss turns to me and drops her smile.
"I just, lord above I don't believe this." She sighs deeply. "urgh!"
"Something wrong?" I ask, immediately regretting my words as soon as they leave my mouth.
"The only reason I insisted we come is because you had a personal invite from Lord Brand himself." Weiss says as she reopens her eyes. "And because of the nature of this event. It's supposed to mostly be researchers and inventors alongside their patrons. Innovators and the like. People willing to hold genuine, intelligent conversation. Not, various nobles who got in solely on connection alone and are playing petty politics."
"Yeah, about that. Have you ever been to this event, Weiss?" Blake asks. Causing Weiss to go quiet, before looking away guiltily.
"Oh." Ruby groans.
I kinda figured that, honestly. The way Weiss was going on and on about it. It implied a lack of, what's the term? Desensitization. She never experienced it, so she obsessed over the chance.
Or something like that. It's the entire reason I agreed to show. And the reason I'm still hear after that. We still have two hours left. I can deal.
Not saying I'm putting up with this. Absolutely not. The only thing that stopped me from going all prodigy on them and smacking a bitch up, is aura.
These bitches, don't have it.
"You know, if it's petty politics you want." I start to suggest. My mind already playing through a cinematic reel of various tactics.
Asking bad faith questions, leading statements. Vague and backhanded insults. Hell, from Weiss's statement I can piss off a few people just by asking why they're here and insulting them on the fact they're not smart enough to be invited on merit alone.
"No, Cyril just, no." Weiss says tiredly.
So much for that idea.
"This was supposed to be an event full of intellectuals." Weiss mutters softly.
"Supposed to, yes." I turn around at the familiar voice. Finding myself face to face with the Arthur Watts. Hands behind his back, dressed in his usual attire. Accompanied behind him is Penny and Nikel, who I swear is Mercury with slicked back hair. "Unfortunately in recent years, it has ceased to be such the case as time goes on."
"Head Researcher Watts." Weiss turns around and gives the man a bow.
"Please, don't." He holds a hand up and smiles. "I've enough of the formalities to last me the next month."
"Um, do you know him?" Ruby walks next to me and asks quietly.
"Watts is the head of research and development for Atlas's military." I explain carefully. "He's, working on a joint project with Weiss's father."
"Please Cyril, call me Arthur when among friends." He says with a smile. "And yes, a project. One that is to be maintained in the utmost discretion." Watts says in a low tone as he eyes me and Weiss. "Which begs the question, which of you are the invited, and which is the guest."
He's trying to see how we got in. Because there's only two ways you seem to get an invite, connections or achievement. And since Weiss is the only one with connections.
"Yes, there's a leak." I come out and say it. Surprising the mustached man. Wide eyes condensing into a frown as he rubs his chin and looks to the floor.
"Hmm, concerning to say the least. Though not entirely unexpected." He mutters before looking up. "You clearly know what I'm referring to, so I assume you've done your due diligence in ascertaining any potentials?"
"I've reached out to my father on the matter, but have yet to hear back." Weiss says.
"Moving on." I say as I look to Penny and her teammate. "Penny, Nikel."
"Salutations friend Cyril who is a boy!" She salutes.
"This again?" I sigh.
"Friend Nikel has informed me that friends often engage in an activity known as, teasing, wherein the two often perform minor acts to irritate the other as a sign of personal vulnerability!" She explains. "Are we not close enough for this act, friend Cyril?"
'No, we are not.' Is what I would say if not for the scorching glare I can see from Ruby to my side.
"You're fine, Penny." I say curtly. "Just making sure there wasn't a misunderstanding." I look to Nikel. "Is the rest of Penny's team here, or?"
"Just me." He says with a small nod. "I'm her partner so she extended her plus one to me."
"Which she got from me." Watts says as another server passes us and he grabs a glass of wine, before sniffing the air. "Perhaps we should move our venue here, it's starting to smell like a tavern in one of Mistral's extension districts."
The spilt wine is starting to smell.
"Lead the way Lord, Arthur." Weiss says, earning a smile and nod from Watts as he turns and leads us to the other end of the ball room.
"Ah, Arthur, pleasure to see you here this year." A man says as he stops him and shakes his hand.
"Lord Munze, a pleasure." He takes his hand and shakes it. "I'd love to discuss your proposal later this event, but I feel we'll fail to get any decent discussion with the current timing."
"Understandable my friend." The blonde man nods and turns back to his group.
"Miss Schnee, a surprise to see you here." Says an older woman with greying blonde hair, wearing a sandy dress with bright gold embroidery accenting her bust and hips. "Are you here on behalf of your, father perhaps?"
"Lady Holz, a pleasure to see you here as well." Weiss bows as Arthur stops a bit away, keeping us in his sights as he talks with another. "I am here for myself actually. And I'd love to catch up with you, but I must keep this brief as Lord Watts has a proposal he wants me to hear and pass along to my father."
"I see." She sighs as she crosses an arm under her chest and pushes her chest up. "Well, far be it from me to keep you from any engagements." She then looks up to me and smiles. "I can keep your guests company if you like."
'Think fast you god blessed idiot!' I think as I notice the same glint in her eye as I notice Weiss gets when she's, frisky.
"As favorable as that sounds, I'm afraid my inclinations may disagree with any discussion we may have." I give a sad smile.
"A shame then." She gives a pout. "I was looking forward to a, potentially promising exchange." She then walks off after a farewell to Weiss.
"You do realize you just told her you're not into women." Weiss hisses under her breath as we meet back up with Watts.
"No, I said I wasn't into her." I whisper back. "How she takes it is up to her."
"You're aware she'll likely spread rumors." Weiss says.
"I hope she does." I say as I adjust my lapels. "At least then I'll be left alone."
"Why did I let you guys convince me to come here?" Blake groans quietly behind us.
"They didn't." Ruby says. "They just asked if we wanted to go. Cyril even warned us."
"Yeah, well, I thought it'd be better than this." She says as Watts leads us to a corner of the ballroom where we're relatively alone.
"What in Julianos's name made you think that?" I ask, turning to her.
"The fact that you and Weiss seem fine enough." Blake says. "I thought that I was being overly critical with humans and Atlesians."
"Unfortunately, stereotypes are in place for a reason." Watts says derisively.
"Oh yeah, what about faunus heat cycles?" Blake challenges.
"Retroactive justification for the sexual exploitation of faunus women." Watts answers immediately. "Slavers downplayed their abuses by claiming it was for their victims own good and that they wanted it. Insist on that being truth for long enough, and enough people will believe it to convince more of its validity."
That is, not something I would have considered. If anything, I would've just assumed it was another way to dehumanize faunus.
"That's horrible." Ruby wilts under the information. And I go to pat her head and comfort her, before Weiss stops me and shakes her head.
"I said they exist for reasons, I never said all the reasons were sound or in good conscience of mere misunderstanding. Some are, unfortunately, made with very malicious intent." Watts defends his statement. "I originally studied sociology before I got into the technological fields of science."
"Huh, that's actually impressive." I comment.
"Hardly." He rolls his eyes as he takes a glass from a server. "Anyone can learn a field if they merely apply themselves with the right resources. But that's neither here nor there."
"Um, why are we here?" Ruby asks.
"One of life's great mysteries, isn't it?" I remark. and have to keep myself from smiling.
"What?" Ruby asks.
"Nothing." I shake my head.
"I was under the impression we were collectively avoiding the collective headaches that is the attendees present." Watts says as he sips his wine.
"If you have such a disdain for the event, why show up?" Blake asks the same question I was about to raise.
"Because last time I declined an invite, rumors of my competency reached the council and I was forced into an government audit and was on probation as it happened." He sneers at the wall. "It seemed many of the guests believed I thought myself above them and the event meant to celebrate genius. Hurt a feelings I imagine."
"Seriously?" I ask. "
"Yes." He says firmly. "The Sun's Rise Soiree is meant to be an attendance of the brightest of minds and potential investors. But in recent years it has come to be more of a social call. Completely inept and unrelated nobles started weaseling their way into the event through their connections for the privilege of claiming they're among the best and brightest. Striving to advance Atlas into greater heights." He scoffs and rolls his eyes as he mutters into his drink. "Half these imbecilic nobles wouldn't know a pancreas from a pancake." He takes a gulp. "And the other half are here as their guests."
"That's, sadly making a lot of sense." I sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Funnily enough, that applies to Weiss. She's only here, because she's my guest. And therefore, only here due to connections.
"Then, why has my father never attended?" Weiss asks with a furrowed brow. "If that's true, then why has he not leveraged any influence to attend?"
"Because your father actually respects the tradition of the event." Watts says. "He merely obtains a list of the invited individuals and contacts them later."
Weiss hums in thought at that. Ruby goes to say something, but the soft ringing of a bell silences the room. Causing us all to look toward the stairs as a dark skinned woman with long green hair in a long single braid takes the center of the landing where the U-shape stairs meet. Wearing a slim black dress. She's too far for me to make out any real detail, but the color scheme makes me think of Emerald from canon. However, she's, not the right proportions.
She's flanked by two servers in the same black tuxedos and white domino masks. Each holding a platter with a goblet on them. One gold, one purple.
From what Weiss told me. The purple goblet is for Drachen, the host. And the yellow goblet is for whomever he determines to be the brightest inventor or researcher at the party. And they keep the goblet as a sort of award.
I will most likely be pulled aside at some point. Considering I was personally invited.
"Greetings everyone." She says smoothly, revealing a deeper voice that is not Emerald. "I hope you've all enjoyed yourself to the amenities provided to you by the Brand estate so far, but it is without further delay that I am honored to announce the curator of the Sun's Rise Soiree." She holds a hand out, gesturing to the third floor railing right above us.
Being in the corner, right next to the wall, we don't get to see what she's gesturing to. Though we all clap nonetheless as I assume she's gesturing to Drachen Brand.
When he does come around the far end. I'm not sure what I expected to see. But a stocky, well built, broad shouldered man with red hair in a colonial ponytail. Looking as though he stepped out of an eighteenth century novel. In a black celtic doublet with deep red embroidery. He screams victorian era playwright villain.
As he walks, I notice he's walking arm in arm with a tall blonde woman in a black dress with dark red embroidery. Despite the dull shades of their outfits, it's clear that they're both extremely expensive. Even from a distance.
He turns onto the landing of the stairs and says something to the green haired woman. Who steps aside and past him, the woman on his arm stepping back as well so that he can take the center stage.
He holds a hand up and the crowd silences as he smiles.
"Greetings." He speaks in a deep, silken voice that commands attention. Similar to Chris Guerrero. "Many of you know me, but for those who may be here for the first time. I, am Lord Drachen Brand, host of the Sun's Rise Soiree. In truth the Brand family has been hosting the Soiree for the last hundred and fifty years or so, nearly since its inception. And it has been hosted here on Wood's Island for the last seventy three years. Since my great grandfather, Stark Brand, a veteran and medical technician from the Great War, had decided that the Sun's Rise Soiree is to celebrate the scientific accomplishments of the world, not just Atlas. To invite the best and brightest to further the betterment of society and celebrate their accomplishments. And, perhaps expand on their ideas by creating an event for the like minded to meet." He takes a pause as he looks out around the room, his smile falling just a moment. "As is tradition, the Sun's Rise Soiree is to take place before, during, and just after the longest day in Atlas." As he says that, the window on the highest floor level of the ballroom all open along with their curtains. Revealing the still darkened sky outside.
I didn't notice before because, well, they were covered.
"And so, as the sun rises and gives us our brightest and longest day, let it symbolize a long lasting and bright future. For as it is your honor to attend here, so too is it my honor to host the brightest of those among us, and keep this rich tradition alive." He raises a hand to signal everyone that he's done talking. Initiating another round of applause.
"That was, less than I was expecting." I hum in thought.
"And what were you expecting, might I ask?" Watts asks with a scrutinizing look.
"I guess I'm just used to, longer speeches." I shrug.
"While the address was rather curt, I don't feel it was particularly short." Weiss says.
"Agreed, it's not like he was giving a citywide public elections debate." Blake says as she crosses her arms. "Those drag on forever."
"I know, I never get past the fifth minute with those." Ruby whines.
"Friend Ruby, you should always pay attention to the electoral debates." Penny says as she leans slightly forward with a worried look. "How else will you know for whom aligns your political beliefs and should be your chosen representative."
"Ugh!" Ruby groans as she slumps forward. "You sound like Weiss."
"Because she's right." Weiss says. "And stand up straight! People are watching."
"Hrmm." Ruby grumbles as she does so.
"Truthfully, most politicians are utter imbeciles in my book." Watts says as he looks out over the crowd.
"The role of a nation's leader is to lead the people so well, that he doesn't get any credit for the nation's fortune." I quote, someone. I know I heard that somewhere before, just can't recall where.
"What?" Blake says with a confused look.
"Huh, that actually makes a weird bit of sense." Nikel says thoughtfully.
"In what way?" Weiss asks curiously.
"Yeah I don't get it." Ruby says.
"I believe it is a statement of competency." Watts says. "A leader's job is to do, not showboat and brag about things they will do. Where is that from if I may ask?"
"I honestly couldn't tell you." I shrug. "Someone from my home's history."
"And now they're lost to time." Watts clicks his tongue as he looks to the painting on the wall. "A shame."
"I am still unaware of the context of the situation." Penny says. "Friend Cyril, could you please elaborate on this saying?"
"Can we not discuss politics?" Blake asks with a tired sigh.
"Of all the people I know, I'd expect you to have the strongest feelings in this regard." I remark.
Blake just looks straight ahead with a furrowed brow. Tilts her head in confusion, then looks to me.
"Why, I feel like you just insulted me." She accuses.
"What, me? No." I say as I look away in total innocence.
"While I appreciate the banter, and the reprieve, I'm afraid my social obligations call." Watts sighs as he looks out towards the crowd of people and starts walking away.
"We thank you for your time, Arthur." Weiss gives a small bow.
"See ya." I wave.
"Bye!" Ruby says cheerfully.
Weiss nudges us both with elbows. Chastising us over our manners and etiquette.
"I hope you have an uneventful evening." He turns and gives a brief nod.
That might be the most genuine thing I've heard anyone say tonight.
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Drachen Brand POV
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"Yes, I felt it was time to redo the furnishings on the east wing." I say to Lord Eisen. "The brown cushions were just, becoming rather dull to my eyes."
"I fully understand the sentiment." He nods with a smile. "Why just recently-"
"I must ask that we cut this short, Lord Eisen." I hold up a hand to cut off the portly middle aged man. "As enjoyable as topics of the mundane are, I have my duties to attend to."
He goes slightly red in the face at being cut off. But hides it quickly enough as I merely offer a condescending smile.
"I understand." He nods reluctantly. Realizing he's not going to have any sway over me, he turns and leaves. Revealing one of the people I actually invited on merit.
A thin, pale faunus man of Mistralian descent. Long brown hair slicked back and tied in a traditional Steppe Mistralian scorpion tail braid. Sharp, gold eyes and a thin, almost manic smile.
Dressed in a white long coat, pale pink dress shirt, and black slacks. His tail wrapped around his waist, looking like a stylized belt to any who are unaware.
"Doctor Callows." I smile at the brilliant man as I hold my hand out. "A pleasure to see you here this year."
"Pleasure to be here, Drachen." He gives a wide grin as he accepts my hand in his.
"Please Tyrian, you don't need to lie to me." I smile at the eccentric man.
"Oh but I'm not!" He insists with his ever present grin. "I've seen quite the spectacle or two occur already. The comedy is worth the headache in my opinion. A decent balance of stress and relief."
"Considering I've yet to hear demands for your removal, I'm to assume this catharsis is by proxy?" I give a knowing grin as we let go of each other's hand.
"You and that sharp mind of yours." He says and leans in as though he's about to poke my head.
But he knows better, and stops just short of touching me.
"You know me too well." He says in a calmer tone. "No, rather the little band from Beacon you invited."
"I invited them?" I say coyly.
There are two types of people here. Those my wife, Valentia, had extended invites to due to political pressuring. And those I invited in the spirit of the event. To celebrate innovation.
"Don't be coy with me Drachy boy." His shoulders shake as he suppresses a laugh. "I've attended to the Rose's and Schnee's as patients. I'm well aware they're not the kind to force themselves into this event. Well, most of them. Not every apple lands near the roots after all."
He's refering to Jacques's wife, Willow. A far cry from the accomplishment her father was to Atlas. I can only pray that Nicholas's greatness merely skipped a generation, and didn't die out in that alcoholic.
"Ugh, please do not remind me of that woman." I groan as I recall my interactions with Willow. "The day that woman is sober and tolerable is the day the sun stops rising across the world."
"No no no no no." Tyrian chuckles while wagging a finger at me. "You don't get to do that with me, Drachen. I'm not all there, but I'm not so deluded to fall for your diversions."
I offer a smile.
"This group is here for a reason." He leans in to say more quietly. "But which of them is it? The Schnee? The Rose? The Belladonna? Or, could it be the unknown boy?"
"You know of the Belladonna?" I ask curiously.
"The current Billi chief's runaway?" He straightens up and puts on a more professional veneer as he holds a hand behind his back. "Of course. As a traveling surgeon it does well for me to keep up to date with political climates around the world, no matter how removed or private the matter comes off as."
I simply can't bring myself to believe the man. He goes where he wants, when he wants. National status and politics be damned. He likely had dealings with the Belladonna's, or was in Menagerie when Blake was disavowed of the chieftain position.
But that means he's covering.
"So, will you tell your poor, little old friend Tyrian?" He leans in and asks. "Or am I to find the answers myself?"
"I'd ask that you refrain from causing any scenes Doctor Callows." I give him a measured look with a raise of my brow. "We're in polite company after all."
"Hmm." His face drops as he understands I do not want any disruptions involving the boy. "Very well, I'll find something else to occupy my time." He rolls his eyes and turns away.
I turn my gaze to the side, and spot Arthur talking to another. He meets my gaze and shifts his stance slightly.
Turning to the further corner of the room. I look over, and spot the group in question. Smiling, I look over to Mint near one of the hallway arches. Discussing with a no name noble, likely the son of one of the others here.
I give a soft nod and turn back towards the stairs to take my place on the stage.
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-4:27am-
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Cyril Leon POV
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"And as the primary responsible party, I believe the amenities should be awarded to me for my effort's compensation." Weiss argues.
"If it is by virtue of effort, then I feel I should mention it was my invitation that allotted us this venture and opportunity in the first place." I counter her argument.
"I feel the argument should not be, um, compensation of effort." Ruby says. "But rather… compensation of burden, yes that's it. By which I would argue that the rights are mine."
"By your argument, then of anyone here I am to be given priority." Blake says. "For reasons I feel do not even require mention."
"But which I feel I should remind the party congregated here that I not only diffused the situation by which you are referring. I also argued for your absence from this event." I cut in with a self assured smile.
"I diffused the issue." Weiss glares. "You nearly escalated it beyond acceptable means."
"Heads up, we got someone watching us." Blake says as she gives a small nod over towards the archway the dark skinned woman is guarding.
Speaking of, a closer look practically confirmed to me that she's not Emerald. Not unless Emerald was born ten years earlier than she's supposed to be and has purple eyes.
"Do you know who?" I ask.
Thankfully the party has been uneventful, since Arthur left us be. Though it didn't stop the stares and gossip as we pretended to talk about important things.
Mostly we were arguing over who gets the first shower. And making a game of turning it into sounding like a political debate.
"It's two people. Now it's three." Blake says. "They're hiding in the hallway the girl you were checking out is guarding."
"I wasn't checking her out." I hiss at Blake. "Stop saying that."
"Cyril, it's okay if you want to look at other girls." Ruby says with a slight strain in her voice. "Just, don't make it so obvious."
"Please." Weiss deadpans.
"I wasn't che-" I start to say before I'm cut off by the sound of a soft bell chime once more. Drawing my attention back to the U shaped stairs and where Drachen is once more standing.
"Didn't he just give an address?" I ask while everyone quiets down.
"Yes but he now has to direct us to the sun room where we may observe the sunrise." Weiss whispers. "Now hush."
"Ladies and gentlemen." Drachen calls out. "It is my deepest apologies that I could not greet all of my guests before the main event of the morn, it would seem that there are more and more people that attend every year. And it becomes difficult to meet with you all." He lets a small silence hang in the air as he scans the crowd. "But without further delay, if you would all please follow my consultant." He gestures to the green haired woman who bows.
I flinch in place as I feel something grab my butt. Quickly turning around, I see Weiss with a massive blush that she fails miserably to repress.
"I was fixing your pants." She says defiantly and walks past me. "Hurry up, I'll not be delegated to the back of the groping-grouping." She corrects herself.
"I'll show you a groping." I mutter quietly as we follow the group.
"Can you three at least wait until we're back at Beacon for this?" Blake sighs.
"I didn't do anything." Ruby whines.
"Yet." Blake grumbles.
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Emerald Sustrai POV
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"Alright, you know what to do?" I ask the two eight year old twins as we watch from the far end of the hallway as the guests start filing in.
They both nod with eager smiles. Their short blonde hair bobbing before they unfurl their wings and fly up. Sapphire finding the hidden air vent in the side wall and crawling in as Pearl takes off towards the far end of the hall and rounding the corner, disappearing from sight.
Similarly, I step to the side and slide behind a curtain. The curtains in the hall being thick and fifteen feet tall. They easily hide me as the group of noble dickheads, mom's words not mine, pass by.
I peek out from behind the curtain in time to watch as one trips into another. The rug underneath them having shifted as they walked. Causing two or three to fall into each other like dominoes.
I smile as they start immediately arguing with one another.
"Watch where you are going you uncoordinated, ugh I don't even have the words." A thin man in a grey suit grumbles. "Just help me up already!"
"I fail to see how you're blaming this occurrence on me when you're the one to fall." A shorter man with grey hair says.
Back and forth they go. If even one of them looked over, they might see the thin fishing string on the wall leading up to the vent.
As soon as I'm sure I won't be seen stepping out. I walk out from the curtain behind the group. Walking up and cutting through the distracted group. Grabbing wallets and scrolls as I pass. Stepping away after having nabbed four of them. I walk with the group as the idiots sort themselves out and keep moving.
Walking slower, and slower as I hang back. Rounding the corner. One of the armored stands knocks over and gains the crowd's attention. Allowing me to calmly walk away and into a side room with my spoils.
Slipping into the room, I slowly close the door and-
"Hrm!" I hold in a shriek as a hand grabs the edge of the door and pushes it open. Revealing the pouty face of a shorter, silver eyed and black haired faunus.
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Cyril Leon POV
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Looking back, I feel a pit form in my gut.
"Where's Ruby?" I ask, causing Weiss and Blake to snap their heads towards the back where Ruby was.
"What do you mean where's, what the dickens?" Weiss says softly as she scans the area behind while the assembly keeps moving.
"How in the name of, what happened?" Blake looks back and finds the same lack of a wolf faunus.
"Blake, I thought you were keeping track of our attentions." I say, referring to her passive and its near borderline extrasensory sense.
"Well I'm sorry." She hisses as she looks to me with a glare. "But do you see how many people are here? It gets difficult to distinguish everyone apart."
"Stop." Weiss says firmly. "Both of you. Cyril, you and Blake go look for Ruby. I'll stay here and cover for any suspicions."
"Why do we-" Blake starts to say.
"Because the only other options are to send you alone, send Cyril alone, or have one or both of you stay with the nobles while I assist in finding Ruby." Weiss snaps in a hushed voice.
That, unfortunately makes sense. Either we leave Blake here with the nobles. Hard No. Leave me here with the nobles. Again, no. Or send one of us to look for the runaway. Which, no.
"Fuck." Blake rubs her face in frustration. "Okay fine. Cyril, come on."
"If we run into anyone, leave the talking to me." I say as we start to head off.
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Pearl POV
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Crawling through the vent, I keep my wings tucked tight against my back. Making it to the vent grate in the room I heard Emmy flee to after taking the dumb adult's stuff.
They're so stupid. Aunt Mint always goes on and on about how dumb they are, and aunt Valentia has nothing nice to say about them either. Dad is nicer about it, but it's obvious he doesn't like having them over.
I get to the vent and feel my eyes nearly bug out of my head as I see Emmy. Confronted by a black haired girl with dog ears.
"Crud." I let out a wince. And cover my mouth as I notice the girl's ears twitch and she looks towards me.
Emmy does a thing and distracts the girl. Grabbing her attention as I slowly scoot back and turn around and start crawling back. Not looking to get busted a third time this week. I crawl back through the vents until I get to a T bend where I meet Sapphire right across from me.
"What are you still doing here?" She whispers to me.
"Emerald got caught!" I whisper back.
"What?" She asks with wide eyes. "Oh no, dad is gonna kill us!"
"Only if he finds out we're involved." I say with a glare.
"Oh, he's going to find out." Our eyes widen as we slowly turn our gazes to the sound. Right in the bend of the T section, the bald, dark skinned man in a black suit. A splash of discolored white across his face in the form of a birthmark. Grinning like the cat that caught the canary.
"Girls." Mr. Mosaic gives a little wave. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Mr. Mosaic!" I give a smile to the head butler. "You know these vents could really use a cleaning. I mean, my dress is all dusty!"
"Hmm." He smiles. "Well, perhaps that might be due to the fact that, you're not supposed to be here!"
Ooh, he's mad.
I should've lead with Emerald made us do it.
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Ruby Rose POV
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I force the door back open as I catch up to the thief.
"Oh, um, hi there!" The green haired girl stutters nervously. "You must be one of the guests for the Sun's Rise Soiree, I'm sorry but the-"
"Yeah, nice try." I stop as I step forward. "I saw what you did there."
"What do you mean?" She asks with an innocent smile.
"Crud!" I hear a high pitched voice from up and to my right.
Looking over to-
"You know." I flinch as the taller girl grabs my cheek and forces me to look at her as she lowers her voice. "You're rather cute~"
"I be by you, I w-whah?" My brain does a brain thing and stops braining as my face burns.
"What can I say?" She says as she pushes me against the door. One arm next to my head like in the Mistralian comics. "I have a thing for black haired faunus."
'Oh my god.' My eyes widen as she gives me smoldering bedroom eyes. 'In the land full of racists, I met the one opposite of a racist. A fetishist!'
BLAKE SAVE ME!
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Bonus
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Remnant History: Rise of the Atlesian Nobility part 2: Trade with Mistral and the First War of Freedom.
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When Seclus had declared bankruptcy and defaulted on their trade agreement, Mantle took their machines back. However, this would prove to be a disastrous ordeal.
As the first wave of repossessions went underway, Mantle aimed for the smaller machines as they prepared to mobilize larger transports. Mantle's aim in garnering the smaller devices first, was to allow the government and people to prepare. To let them know they were serious about repossessing the machines. Mantle had known of Seclus's growing instability and failing infrastructure, but severely underestimated the sheer severity of the nation's crisis. And so, the repossession of machines, would turn out to be far more taxing on Mantle than the lending of them had been.
This had a score of effects.
Mass fear and uncertainty had left Seclus a hot bed of instability. The slave trade had led much of the Faunus population to turn hostile or flee alongside several humans. Slavery was never truly an issue in Seclus before the dealings with Mantle. Slavery in Seclus was a way of paying off debts or atoning for crimes. And the enslaved was able to buy back their freedom. Much different from our modern context of Mantle's slave trade. Over all, Seclus lost an estimated twenty percent of its overall population due to emigration stemming directly from this.
The mass fear and uncertainty led to an increase in Grimm hordes. Whereas before in decades prior, Seclus would have a single, annual Grimm horde move through the desert, not including the occasional roaming band of Grimm. This was fairly manageable with the cooperation of the local Tarakian Tribesmen who know the desert better than any. They would work with Seclus's Defense Administration and People's Protection Department to report the horde path and move villages to safety as the horde passed.
This, was in good years. By the start of The Great Vacuum, which had started with the repossession of machines, when instability and mass exodus had left the government a shell of itself and the economy at a third of its manpower, the annual horde, had become the seasonal horde. And with the soured, now hostile relations with the Tarakian people. Entire villages and settlements were wiped out. Leading to a further eighteen percent loss in the population, and large groups of people being displaced with no resources.
When Mantle came and repossessed the first wave of machines. It was chaos. Rather than prepare to assist Mantle in the next wave of repossessions, the people fled, destroyed the machines, disassembled and looted them, or hid them away and sold them on the black market. Furthering the increase in instability.
So it was then that Mantle returned for the larger machines, fully expecting cooperation from the locals as they had in the past. Only to find none. The Seclus had less than half its original population that it sported from just seven years prior. Two thirds of the government was operational, the Seclusian government could scarcely afford to maintain public water systems in the main city, the manual labor force was down to a fifth, and the skilled labor force was down to a tenth. The rest having fled, died, or descended into crime to make a living.
One Mantilian Arbitrator even said, "It's been ten years since last I had set foot on those hot sands. I was greeted with wary eyes and a cold indifference then. Now, the streets were barren save for those looking to pilfer my wealth through means of violence or coercion. Had I not my retinue with me, I fear I may not have returned unmolested of my person. If I returned at all."
All of this is to say, that due to the rise in fear, anger, uncertainty and lack of government coordination. The second wave of repossession, saw a sixty percent failing to acquire. And of the repossessed machines, only thirty percent made it back to Mantle. Put in perspective, across the entire loan, only fifteen total machines were returned in one piece. The rest were either damaged, stolen, disassembled, or lost in transit due to bandits and the increased Grimm presence.
Seclus held a third of the Mantilian machines. Without them, the economy took a hit. All the resources put into them was lost. The repossession ended up costing Mantle the government's profit of the last five years combined. Both in the machines lost, the ships lost or damaged, and the loss of life.
So, Mantle and Seclus would part on sour terms. And Mantle, eager and desperate to at least break even with their losses, turned to Mistral.
While Mstral did agree to handle the debt in exchange for priority on foreign shipping with Seclus. With Seclus's failed economy, Mistral refused to hear Mantle out on the grounds that since Seclus had failed to uphold their end of the agreement, that their own end of the deal was null and void. And they were right.
Still, Mantle would persist. Under the rule of King Alamet the first (Later known as Alamet the Final), Mantle would engage in a new slave trade agreement. Mantle had little in the way of art, music, food or textiles. The entire kingdom had focused their resources on their military and technological advancement. Mistral, was the opposite. Being the oldest living government, Mistral has had a long time to develop its culture. But, Mistral was rife with organizes crime syndicates. From a thriving black market that exists to this day, to extortion rings in the city and bandit clans that roam the continent.
The Queen of Mistral, Procura, had seen what happened with Seclus and wanted nothing to do with Mantle. However, despite being an absolute monarch, Procura's court was filled with officials with ties to the crime families of Anima. And she was pressured into extending an offer of trade. One that went well at first, Art for technology.
By this time, King Alamet figure that with the loss of tech in Seclus, it was only a matter of time before the people on the continent of Sanus reverse engineered the technology. And so, he felt it best to spearhead the issue by ceding lower, more outdated technology to the Mistralians.
King Alamet foresaw a coming arms race, and hoped to build up an ally that would act as buffer or savior in the event that it did happen.
The feudal lords and ladies of Mantle, were not happy. They saw this as a stain on their national pride. That their king had more loyalty for the world than he did his own people. Technology, was their one valuable asset. And their king was ceding it for, art.
At this time, Mantilian culture was entirely utilitarian. Not much of this age survived to modern day, because their was nothing to survive. No monuments, no religious institutes, no commons quarters. Nothing.
However, while they openly decried the king for his weakness in allowing foreign influence to taint their way of life. The lords and ladies kept a secret. They had become infatuated with art. And actively, if privately, engaged in the trade.
As technology flowed into Mistral, it went straight into the hands of the crime families. Who made quick work of putting their newfound tools to use. Expandin Mistral and claiming more territory, officially it was for the city. But the truth is that many of these additions to the city still maintain a primary connection to a crime family first, and the Mistralian monarchy second.
This had a snowballing effect on the Mistralian economy and infrastructure. As the crime families grew in power, so too did their greed and ambition. No longer content with their current wealth, they sought more, inhumane means of acquiring more. Slavery in Mistral was a, controversial affair. Slavery in Mistral, while not as small as Seclus's slave culture, and certainly more objectified, was still a smaller part of the economy. Primarily due to the cost of housing, maintaining, and caring for people. It is impossible to determine the actual percentage, but slave labor made up roughly between eight, to fourteen percent of the of the labor and economy.
But that changed with the new technology that made, compliance and care, easier.
Officially, it was legal for people to be enslaved to pay off debt. However, it was possible for a child to inherit a parent's debt. Also, anyone convicted of crimes against the state, could be sentence to permanent slavery for both themselves, and their descendants depending on the court ruling.
It was under these laws, that the crime families of Mistral would send out excursions of soldiers and slavers as "cartographers and trade route examiners" to capture faunus in large mass and force them into slaver on false charges of interfering with the map makers and road workers.
In twelve years, the slave economy of Mistral had grown to encompass thirty percent. Mistral had taken tech from Atlas, and used it to expand their own slave economy. Plantations, city expansions, brothels, soon Mistral was overcapacity. And so they sought to send their slaves to Mantle for a profit. And the upper class of Mantle was ecstatic to begin trade agreements.
But, King Alamet was not. The entire point of trading with Mistral was to build them up and form an ally. After the fall of Seclus, King Alamet believed that the kingdoms would soon fall on hard times, possibly due to the people of the desert in Sanus and Vale declaring war. Possibly for the slaves. Possibly for revenge of the Seclusian people.
The whole point, was to not repeat the mistake trading slaves with Seclus had caused. Not only did it lead to the death of a nation, but the new slaves from Sanus were inciting rebellions. So, he outright refused to hear any talks of trading in slaves.
This, did not sit well with his court. And thus, King Alamet would soon earn his title, Alamet the Final.
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A/N
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Holz- German for Wood (yes it's a pun on her being promiscuous)
Munze – German for coin
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Drachens three lovers are
Valentia Brand, formerly Tenger. Age 39. An arranged marriage where they eventually grew to deeply love each other. Though they both admit they wouldn't have if they weren't forced to.
(Tenger is Hungarian for sea, Valentia means brave. Essential her name means Brave Seas.)
In their twenty three years of marriage, Valentia has yet to have a child. And not for lack of trying. Valentia wants a child of her own more than anything.
Mint Sustrai, age 36. A traveling merchant he met in Vacuo while on holiday. One thing led to another, and they've been with each other since. Became pregnant with Emerald when she pushed Valentia off of Drachen mid orgasm and took her place as a joke. (Valentia claims Emerald is her stolen child.)
Mint didn't want kids, but had Emerald because Valentia threatened to kill her if she got rid of Emerald.
Mira, age 24, an orphaned faunus girl who broke into Drachen's home in Atlas to steal food. Drachen caught her, and she tried to prostitute herself in exchange for leniency. Instead, he gave her a job as a maid. Four years later, she's sleeping in the same bed as him.
And sometimes Valentia.
Pearl and Saphire are not Drachen's biological children. Mira was taken advantage of and left on the streets to take care of her daughters and herself on her own.
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Mr. Mosiac along with the twin girls Pear and Sappire, are a Suite Life of Zack and Cody reference.
… I feel old.
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More comments! I want them all! Every one of them! Especially speculation, I love speculative comments.
Fuel me my NOOBIANS!
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Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro