Bab 12: The Lady In Red (3)
"Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy.." – Timothy Keller
Chapter 12: The Lady In Red (3)
If someone asked to Sienna Khan what was the one thing that had shocked her the most in her career as part of the Menagerie's militia and rising official of the White Fang, her blunt reply would be two simple words.
John Bukharin.
A young man, just a little younger to her if she had to be honest, that seemed to hold secrets about everything and everyone. A human that defied the concept of humans she had long been having ever since that particular year of her life.
It has been so long and the tiger faunus had expected to have learned everything to know about humans. Monster in civil disguise, ready to pull the pettiest but also most pragmatic of attitudes for the sake of flaunting their innate 'intelligence' compared to Faunus.
When she first saw the terrified, glass-wearing idiot with two children behind him, she had expected some case of trickery, an attempt to slowly coax her to drop the guard and exploit any information he could garner, for the survival of his wards and his own.
Her initial assumptions… proved to be partly correct. Actually she had to admit that what the young man lacked in muscles and brawn was redeemed by his keen mind and careful planning, his boss actually praising the determination of the lone human in that island of Faunus in dealing with the paperwork, ending up to ask for overtimes just to increase a little his wage.
The small house might be small and the current prospect of expanding weren't truly positive in this first few months, but under some heavy questioning John admitted to his grand plan during his stay. Make the house something modest and acceptable to live in with so many people around.
She knew that, albeit still young and naive, the two children would have to get some proper rooms for each other, as to preserve the need of privacy that would rise when they reached an older age.
It was a long-term and ambitious plan she could go around and understand, while also she could see why he would point out the curious economic issue he found during his first days of work.
His reasoning wasn't one of patriotism, which she would have abhorred for the fact he wasn't born from Menagerie and that he had little time spent there, but one relative to the integrity of his job.
He wasn't doing out of passion, but out of duty and, while Sienna would have preferred to have a Faunus point it out for the first motivations, she was still glad this anomaly was caught before harm could truly have been done.
Yet Sienna has to be honest about a very small detail she wouldn't never tell to anyone, not even to her most trusted aide or ally.
While their personalities tended to clash once in a while and their overall mentalities diverged from each other, she couldn't but be glad to have ended up dealing with a human like him.
The relationship wasn't one of friendship, or at least she hoped it wasn't, but if she had to pick a single individual in a group of humans that included John, she would quickly pick him and have around.
A place where to crash? He would offer it to her without demanding anything.
A plate of delicious food even through she would try and fail to politely decline? He would go out of his way to prepare an extra portion.
She was there to keep an eye on him by orders of the Chieftain of Menagerie, and yet John would treat her like part of some family group.
He didn't treat her like he did with the children, but he wouldn't shy away from ask if she was okay or not. It was a behavior which wasn't normal for someone meant to be in some pseudo house-arrests.
It was that peculiar day that brought up the true meaning of their relationship, as he decided to confide what he knew about the world and the 'future' to a group of Hunstmen that were supposed to take in the woman, Raven Branwen, back to Vale to be prosecuted there.
It was odd to know that the dangerous bandit leader had been part of Vale's Hunter Corps, and yet the two men and woman that were there in the living room proved the truthfulness of that fact.
The shocking revelation that he knew about the future of those around him? She was glad the children, both his and the ones that came with the group of hunters, were stuck away from this discussion.
Dumbfounded at this discovery, she didn't reply at first, contemplating if the young man would give some insight about her future. Will she become the leader of the Fang just like she wanted? Will she see Faunus obtain their long-deserved freedom?
There was so much storming within her mind and yet she couldn't formulate anything, not even a small query as the talk diverted to a more teasing and provoking situation regarding the predicament that Raven Branwen was experiencing.
A terrible act that ended up bringing quite the dreadful sight in the form of the criminal latching on John and stealing a kiss out of him.
Now Sienna would have merely scoffed at the scene if she hadn't been around the young human for so long, yet the moment she watched this whole sight unfold, something twisted painfully in her chest as she joined the intervention of the two men to separate the woman from young man, his face forming a shocked expression at the act.
Sudden anger flared at this deceitful act and then, if the injury wasn't enough, the Branwen smugly added the insult to it all. "Mine~."
A low guttural sound started to make way through her throat as Sienna mustered every single particle of killing intent present in her body. It was a claim, one over she was slowly getting soft around, which he wasn't appreciating.
He didn't want it, he didn't ask it and yet she still went ahead with her greedy demands.
It was burned in her head, how this reminded way too much what happened to her back then and-
Red bore into golden slit-eyes.
The smug was vanished, replaced by a challenging glare that was slowly increasing her inner fury, barely held back by her own logical side.
Then she felt her hand taken in a soft hold, a squeeze ceasing her thinking as it comfortably tried to bring her back to reality. The noise in her throat stopped and she looked back to find John staring at her with a confused look, a worried glint visible to her now highly-attentive sight.
The tiger faunus gulped quickly and crouched, starting to help the young man up as he blinked in surprise at what was going on.
"A-Are you alright?"
The question felt hypocritical, especially since the one asking should be her and the one answering should be him!
"I am." She conceded as she knew that bickering over such situation would only get her some headache. "How are you?" Her tone assumed a more demanding note but he still nodded, seemingly ignoring the edge on her words and accepting the helping arm to get him near the kitchen area.
The woman, Summer, walked up to them and asked politely for a glass of water and they shared a moment of quiet recovery, the caped woman glancing first at John and back at her, confusion painted in her face.
Sienna looked away, not for any embarrassment, but for the sake of not giving wrong hints at the quiet human woman that was Summer Rose.
As the three finished, the young man picked two other glasses with water and walked to the two men, Taiyang Xiao Long and Qrow Branwen, offering them the drink.
The blond accepted while the brother of the Bandit declined with a simple 'No'.
Few moments later, they were once more sitting in the living room, the tiger faunus deciding to stick closer to John to avoid… any unnecessary issue once more.
She sighed as she relaxed on the soft back-space of the couch, listening once more as the Bukharin spoke once more.
That was… unexpected.
Ms. Branwen has always been that much brazen with everyone. I guess you have turned out to be her newest victim.
I think I could have gone without it. I mean, I can still taste chocolate and Alcohol- HOW DID SHE EVEN GOT HOLD OF BEER!
The fridge?
I don't have beer in my fridge.
Then the security assigned to her is lacking.
B-but I- You know what? Nope, I'm not dealing with this.
Having trouble, Mr. Bukharin? Or do you prefer your real name-
Can it, Ozma! I don't need empty talks about morals you don't have yourself.
"So… that was-"
"Very awkward." My attention snapped at Taiyang, the man giving an understanding look. "I feel you."
Qrow merely nodded as he continued to slouch on his couch.
"But I have to ask now, what do you want to do with Raven?" Insensible? A little, but I think the funny moments were long gone now and now some seriousness was needed.
The man blinked, humming as he thought about it as the aforementioned woman glanced raptly at him, waiting for him to show any 'weakness' even through, in that little play of his, it was easy to see he was through.
I don't think so. Mr. Xiao Long is still the romantic man that chased after her.
I am certain that your point is missing a very crucial detail that makes him strong enough to break off with her.
Truly? Will you explain-
"I want to have an official divorce and I want her to give up her legal connection to Yang." He nodded, gaining the surprise from both Summer and Qrow.
"I think it's time to be honest and… say that this isn't right. I want Yang to grow with a mom that is here." He looked at Summer. "I want you to be there for her, for them- I want Ruby and Yang to grow together, as sisters."
The older Rose was slowly captured in his arms and hid her head in the embrace, trying to not notice the reaction of her former partner and friend.
Raven was fuming, eyes wide open trying to give the greatest of her hatred but… tears were flowing.
It was an odd sight to see the Branwen crying at that declaration, but I could bring some reason about it. As much as she denied it, she still cared and the searing pain of having someone like her husband finally bringing down the farce she had built upon her 'change of mind'.
If you break a toy, you have to pay it, soon or later and one way or another.
She didn't spoke, there was nothing to say and even Qrow decided to take some distance from her as she continued to sob. Summer was shifting in Taiyang's hold, but the man kept her stuck as he himself had his eyes directed at the caped woman.
Head slowly arching to stare at the ground, Raven tried and failed to bring an end to the reaction she was having over that news and, to be honest, I was being put in a metaphorical dilemma which I wanted to have nothing to do about.
And yet you are fidgeting seeing Raven like this.
Not the moment-
Ladies shouldn't cry, isn't that what this is all about?
…
I might be a 'moron' about saving the world, Mr. Bukharin, but I can recognize the fact you are not liking having someone put in that state, even through you know they warranted it all.
Does that mean we are alike because of that then, Ozma?
That is sadly correct.
I huffed, Sienna being the one noticing that I was certainly not finding this whole situation easy to bear through, eyes narrowing as she poked at me, right on my torso.
Eyes snapping at her, she rolled hers and turned at Raven and I connected the dots. "I-It's not like that." I whispered furiously.
"She isn't worth it." She whispered back.
I sighed and closed my eyes in deep thought. What to do? What to do?
Nothing?
Funny! But we both know that is not what I feel to do!
You are an idiot-
I didn't let my Grimm wife take over the world for a while!
Nevermind, deal with it yourself then.
This wasn't helpful and my conscience was getting pushy. Seriously, help a murderer to recover some familial break up? One that I supported to the fullest for Pete's sake!
But maybe the issue wasn't trying to bring comfort to the one that should have made her mind before dealing with this kind of situations, maybe it was something about the last remains of the conduct she was regretting.
"I am going to regret this but-" I sighed, adjusting myself in my spot in the couch. "Raven."
She ignored my voice, continuing with her sobbing and I knew that this wasn't going to be easy but… it had to be done.
Thus I stood up and walked to her and then proceeded to lift her face. Fingers under her chin, she blinked in surprise as she was slowly pulled to stare at my face as I gave her a bored look.
"Why?"
She blinked again, confusion working very well in making me almost flinch with the puffy eyes and the tear-stricken face. "W-What?" Her voice losing the signs of strength that once made it stern, now a broken note left her lips.
"Why did you leave?" I pressed my argument softly. "What did Ozpin do?"
She twitched in her seat. "I-I can't-"
"Raven, I know that Ozpin is a goddamn bastard." I stated calmly, ignoring the shock and surprise still coming off from the other three members of STRQ. "I don't think I need to prove anything to you after my little explanation about 'Why he is a frigging moron', but I need you to tell me-no, us what forced you to make a run for it."
She fidgeted once more, then nodded. "F-Fine- but t-they wouldn't-"
"I swear to God almighty, I will drop hot fury if you don't answer that stupid question!"
Now I had the entire room's attention on me but I was too focused in what I was trying to pull here.
As much as I disliked Raven, I think that the best choice of action to avoid suicide – Yes, I do believe she would pursue that route without someone giving attention to this – having her face the past to the fullest. It was required because it would deal once for all to any lingering regrets.
"I-It was b-because he wanted- he wanted to send us all to the Grimmlands-"
"When-"
"A-A month after Yang was born!"
… "You mean to tell me-"
"H-He said that I didn't have a-a choice and- and that I would have been branded as a rogue a-and-"
"Ohi, stop-"
"N-No, I-" My hands pinched at her cheeks. "Ahi- wanna twalk!"
"You lost the privilege by hyperventilating this much." I stated quickly. "But I accept your reasoning, while still condemning the fact you should have trusted them more."
"Yeah, you fucked up-"
I snapped a glare at the drunkard. "Not the moment, Qrow."
He shrugged and I returned back to Raven, now turning into… the most docile face I have ever held in my hands- Actually this was the first time I did something like this that wasn't my sist-
Okay, let us not digress unto painful homesickness.
"Look, I don't accept what you pulled by running away, nor how you decided to not face up the fact your team would have covered your back-" She looked down. "BUT!" Red eyes once more lifted up at me. "You haven't lost everything." I turned to Taiyang. "Or at least I hope so as… I have a plan."
The Xiao Long frowned. "Explain."
"Divorce yes but-"
"I'm sorry, I can't just forgive her for that-"
"But that isn't what I am asking you!" I countered his interruption. "My plan is about dealing with Ozpin's manipulation and keeping the whole family safe."
"Sounds complicated." The male Branwen muttered. "But do go ahead, mastermind."
"It's actually very simple, especially since it requires only one thing from Raven that I know she will do after I will say a little detail of the future she will find a good reason to go along with my idea."
The aforementioned woman frowned and I sighed, prepared to deal with the worst outcome I could get with that revelation.
Thus, I started with a brief premise. "Summer, you know that… you are a target to the Queen, right?"
She emerged from the hug she was still involved into with her lover and bobbed a nod. "Silver eyes, yes."
"And you still go in solo missions too, correct?"
She nodded again, this time I noticed the rest of the team connecting dots about my subtle-not-so-subtle questions.
"When." Taiyang demanded, not moving yet as he didn't want Summer to understand what was going on as the woman looked still clueless.
"This year… or the next one."
"Whom?" Qrow pressed on and I felt nervous and worried for my current health.
"Hazel Rainart and I don't know if Tyrian Callows was implied too."
"W-What is going on?" The leader of the former team asked, sweating a little at this.
"It means you are quitting being a huntress and pursuing a career as a teacher." I stated with a tone that left no space for protests. "Raven will be visiting frequently and by 'frequently' I mean daily and for long times."
The bandit leader looked conflicted and I sighed.
"Look, I am trying to get you a chance to redeem yourself and get something back from your past life." I continued. "You may say that this isn't the way of the 'strong' but I think we both know that you don't believe it yourself."
The Branwen twitched and Summer finally recovered from that confusing and odd order. "What do you mean?"
"While she paints herself as a bloodthirsty bandit, that isn't the case." Raven was looking rather crossed at the fact I was ruining her image with this but, it was free points to recover some credibility. "How much did you sell the people you captured?"
She blinked, trying to keep quiet but luckily she caught my idea and spoke. "Several thousands of Lien each person."
"No deaths during your reign?" She nodded. "And no violence of 'that' kind?" She nodded again, this time vigorously.
"Well, she isn't murder, but you are still a thief-" I stated quietly.
"Not breaking news, pal." Qrow interrupted with a small smile, getting Raven to renew a glare at him.
"Well then… what do you all think of the plan?"
The four exchanged some glances, Raven finding little attention much to her dismay.
Taiyang coughed and nodded. "It could be done but..." He turned at his former wife. "I will not accept you back home."
Then he turned at me once more, a smile forming on his face as I dreaded what he was going to say.
"I guess, our good friend John will have to house you somewhere when you need it and-"
"You could've kept screwing the people in your team rather than target the first easy prey outside of it, Mr. Xiao Long."
"JOHN!"
I smiled smugly, seeing both women blush at that inconvenient detail about their team, then I turned to Qrow with the same expression and he frowned.
"Don't you dare."
"I will not..." I conceded smoothly, making him groan at my silent accusation.
"Still, I will… try to get some space for you, I guess?" I said to Raven. "The house is small already. I can't offer anything-"
"I-I understand."
She nodded and I sighed. "Then we are cool?" I looked around before nodding myself. "We cool, okay and..."
The door that led to the room the kids had been playing until now opened to show Yang peeking from it. "Uh.. mom?"
Summer moved to look at the little blonde. "Yes, sweetie."
"Ehr, Ruby is sleeping and..." She adopted a very familiar expression to me, the one a child would put on their face when they wanted to go home and catch some sleep.
"I guess we could go to our room in the hotel?" The woman asked to her lover, Taiyang letting out a yawn pretty much everyone followed with their own.
"It would be good..." He turned at me. "I guess we will continue this tomorrow?"
I hummed. "Could be done by the afternoon? Home is pretty much empty early on and..." I turned at the child, looking quite sleepy. "Yang, right?"
She frowned and nodded, lilac eyes showing curiosity at being called by a stranger like me. "You are Nora's dad?"
I nodded and smiled. "Could you come a little closer? I want you to meet someone."
Eyes were drilling holes on me at what I was trying to do but I still continued as the little girl walked closer, her sight drawn to the woman sitting tied to the chair. "W-Who is she?"
"That is a former teammate to your parents' team-"
"Liar." I froze at her soft voice and frowned.
"What?"
She smiled a little and nodded. "Mama said that I had another mom and..." She moved closer to the red-eyed lady. "She is familiar."
I hummed. "Yep. That is your mom alright." She blinked my direction before giving her full attention to Raven, the woman looking quite unprepared for this situation and then… Yang crawled onto her lap, looking curiously and closer to her newfound parent before smiling.
"Cool!"
...What?
That is a child. She is meant to ignore the complexities of a situation this big, especially since there isn't any heavy situation ongoing for her to perceive. It feels more like an easygoing situation that doesn't require her to ask unnecessary questions.
I feel like I should be worried you are this much interested in children's psychology.
I was the teacher and then the headmaster to a school-
Which students where teenagers, thus making your argument an epic fail.
Well, you are quite childish-
Oh, shut up, Ozma!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone