RWBY: A New World pt.3

An airship steadily soared through the sky above the woodlands bound for Vale. A Faunus man stood at the line of windows in his office, looking down at the world with his hands behind his back, his thumb and middle finger of his right hand counting the deep red beads of the rosary wrapped around his hand. He stood there barefoot clad in a tan robe with golden sash across his shoulders, exposing a hardened stomach, a red rope-like belt keeping a pair of brown, loose-fitting slacks around his waist.

The door to his office opened yet he didn’t turn to see who entered. He knew who it was.

“Yes, Vel?”

Velvet Scarlatina stood at the door, a modest brown dress wrapped around her slender frame and a yellow petticoat hiding her shoulders. Her hair was cut short and a pair of rectangular glasses rested upon her nose.

“I know I don’t need to tell you,” she began, seating herself in one of the armchairs before the desk that separated them, “But we’ll be arriving in Vale ahead of schedule. Another hour at tops.”

She watched the man’s golden hair appear over his collar as a long, equally golden tail curled up from under his robe. “It’s been seventeen years since you or I were in Vale.” He said, a pang of regret in his voice. “I have never really known a place that I would call ‘home’, well, not back then at least. Tell me, how does it feel to be returning to your home town after all this time?”

Velvet watched the man’s back, in the past he would have never bothered with such questions, never too keen on the subject of ‘home’. She smiled to herself, thinking about how much this man had changed from when they first met.

“The colonies are my home now,” she answered, “and they always will be, Master Wukong.”

Sun turned where he stood, deep lines worn into his face, a line of thick, golden hair along his jaw and a playful light in his eyes that Velvet had never seen falter.

“Come now, Vel,” Sun shrugged, “There’s no formalities between old friends, especially old war buddies.”

Velvet shook her head. “Of course,” she said, “I forgot.”

In truth, she hadn’t forgotten. She watched as Sun pulled out his chair with his tail, wrapping his rosary around his arm as he seated himself. True, he is a bit wild at times and can get a little carried away with his drink but there was no man in this world that Velvet respected nor admired more.

“Today marks a very important day.” Sun said, slouching in his seat with his hands propped on the table.

Velvet looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “Seventeen years.” She mused. “So much time has passed since then. It almost doesn’t feel real.”

“The war?”

The woman shook her head. “The days before it. Those peaceful days where my only concerns were my studies and how to avoid the bullies in my day to day routine.” Her expression darkened. “I never thought that I would be on the front lines of an actual war.”

“You and your fellow students trained to fight Grimm.” Sun began, leaning forward. “I know the thought of fighting other people, human and Faunus alike, must have never occurred to you nor anyone else.”

“Everyone except for Ozpin.”

Sun paused at the remark, he knew the memory was like a fresh wound to his ambassador and friend. Many people would never forgive the headmaster of Beacon for what he did. Sun didn’t know the man very well thus he found it hard to hate or blame him like the others even so long after his death.

Sun’s hand went to the rosary around his arm. “Velvet.” The woman looked up, hearing him speak her full name told her he was being very serious. “I’ve said this a number of times and I know you must be getting tired of hearing it but you need to let go. You can continue to blame a man for his decisions until his dying days, or yours for that matter, but it won’t undo what has been done.” He looked away from her gaze. “Though perhaps I am in no position to lecture.” He ran a thumb over one of the beads. “I count the lives we have lost and the ones we have taken each day, hoping, praying for a lasting peace. I try to convince myself that what I do is for the sake of remembrance but maybe I too can not let go.”

Velvet shook her head vigorously. “That’s not true.” She stated. “I know that you’re right and that you say what you do because you worry about me. For that I’m very grateful and very, very happy.” She again looked down at her hands. “I will try to forgive and forget, to follow your lead, like always.”

Sun stared at her for a moment, giving her words time to sink in. As he opened his mouth to speak again he stopped when the woman reached up and slapped her cheeks with her palms. As she lowered her hands he noticed the change in her eyes.

“That’s enough with the depressing talk.” She said, “Today is an important day; the day the war came to an end and the day the Faunus Colonies were established.”

Sun smiled at her. “As well as the day we and Vale became sworn allies against the White Fang and Cinder’s forces.” He nodded and grunted as if giving his approval to something. “Today is good day.” He stood up and turned back to the window behind his desk. Stretching his arms out wide he clenched his fists, “Today,” he spoke in commanding tone, “Is a good day!”

* * * *

Ruby seated herself at one of the outdoor tables of the cafe not far from the memorial. The establishment itself was small but the outdoor patio added extra seating, giving it’s patrons the opportunity to enjoy the splendors of the park and the warm change in the weather. Among the tranquility of the trees this quiet little business seemed right at home.

“This is nice.” Ruby commented as she looked about her.

“I was opposed to it at first,” Weiss began, lowering herself into a chair, “I felt a cafe had no place here.”

“What changed your mind?” Blake asked.

“Ren did.” Weiss replied. “This is more than a place of remembrance, he said, it’s a place of relaxation for everyone.” She set her elbow on the table, placing her chin in her palm. “After much convincing I placed my vote as well.”

“Changing your mind must have been quite the undertaking.” Yang teased.

“Ren has become a very popular politician in the senate.” Weiss continued, ignoring the remark. “His word often carries more weight than mine.” She straightened. “You’ll get to see him later at the ceremony.”

“That’s right,” Ruby said, “That’s today, isn’t it?”

Weiss looked at her friend with a mixture of concern and perplexity. “I was about to ask if you were serious but I know better.”

Yang removed her coat and draped it over her chair, removing her fingerless gloves and tossing them on the table. “You guys talk politics,” she said, “I’ll get us some drinks.” She looked to Weiss. “What’ll you have.”

“Jasmine tea, please.”

“Ruby?”

“Iced coffee for me, sis.”

“Blake?”

“Milk tea.”

“Alright, I’ll be right back.”

Yang broke off from the group, turning to the building behind Blake. Weiss looked up at the woman as she left, the myriad of scars on her back had not faded over the years and some extras had been added.

“Speaking of the senate,” Blake began, taking her seat, “Word down the grape vine is that you’ve been at odds with some of your fellow politicians.”

Weiss wasn’t about to ask how she knew this, the woman’s knack for information was still impressive despite the fact she had spent the better part of the last two years out at sea. “Its politics.” She replied. “You’ll always have people you don’t get along with.”

“Wait, what?” Ruby asked. “What’s going on?”

“From what I hear some people want you out of office.” Blake added.

Weiss sighed. “It’s about the StarBright system.”

“The Pennys, then.” Blake rationalized.

“Correct.” Weiss said. “Some people believe that I’m using them as more than just assistants and work aids. Some have gone so far as accuse me of weaponizing them.”

“You wouldn’t do that.” Ruby blurted. “Penny hated being treated like a weapon more than anything, you know this like the rest of us. Even if they aren’t the real Penny I know you wouldn’t turn them into weapons.”

Weiss smiled at her friend. “We may know that but there are some who question otherwise.” She said. “There are exactly one hundred and thirteen Pennys in the city doing everything from moderating military communications to receptionists and even airship pilots. They’re a stable workforce that we needed in order to get this city back on track.”

“But to accuse you of such a thing.” Ruby began but her words trailed off.

“Calm down.” Blake said to her. “As Weiss said that’s just politics, politicians throw one another under the bus all the time. They’re an underhanded and despicable lot.” To Weiss. “No offense.”

Weiss raised a hand. “None taken, it’s true.”

Yang approached their table, a tray laden with glasses and a tray of sweets. “I’m feeling a lot of negativity from our table.” She said. “Do I wanna know?”

Weiss leaned back, intertwining her fingers as Yang set the tray down. “Yang,” She said, “How would like to pay a few people a visit?”

Yang caught the tone in her voice and played along, giving her a mischievous grin. “Same plan as last time?” She asked.

“Don’t kill them.” Weiss said cooly, drawing a concerned look from Ruby. “Just make them hurt.”

Yang stood straight, raising her hands and curling them into fists. “Oh, I can do that.”

Ruby planted her hands on the table and stood quickly. “You’re joking.” She looked from her sister to Weiss. “You’re joking. Right?”

Weiss gave a cold chuckle. “Don’t worry, Ruby.” She said. “It’s only politics.”

Ruby continued to look on at her comrades with a look of worry and disbelief as Blake retrieved her cup from the tray. With saucer in hand she raised the cup to her lips and sipped the light brown liquid.

“You guys know how to put on an act.” She said.