Chapter Text
As her foot stepped onto the cold sand, she felt an odd sense of liberation, a weight dropping off her shoulders. The Huntress was no longer shackled by her ambition, her duty, leaving it in more capable, more deserving hands. Although, she can't exactly be called a huntress anymore, considering she shed the title herself, opting to leave that senseless world alongside her unlikely allies.
-Oh, joy, not only did we get thrust into this hole of all places, now I got sand in my boots. - The man beside her bemusedly grumbled, shaking the sand off of his boots, trying to maintain their clean state. Certainly, the criminal mastermind cared as much about the success of his neverending schemes as his appearance, which he would, without a doubt, call fabulous. - So, Red, up for a vacation in Vacuo?
Vacuo. Of all places the Blacksmith could have warped them to, it just had to be here. There is no doubt that the remainder of ORNJ was stationed in the city and confrontation with her old friends is the last thing she wants to do, but, considering she doesn't really have any other option to stay the night, the only path open for her is towards the city.
-Mhm. - She hummed, responding to Roman as she now let her gaze wander toward the city.
It was a breathtaking view. Amidst the scorching sands of the desert, on a continent the nature of which was most hostile, the soil infertile and the grimm devastating, despite it all there stood a city. The city of Vacuo, that lives in spite of the countless dangers of the land, ever tenacious. In a way, this city was exactly what she once aspired to be.
However, her eyes weren't busy appreciating the fine architecture, but rather the fleet of airships hovering above the city, their designs differing from each other, each bearing a crest their nations.
They heard her message. They came.
The portal behind the two closed once Ruby’s third companion left that magical world behind, a certain mute who took a moment longer to leave as she now stood closer to Roman, her posture relaxed and nonchalant, already busy with searching the most inconspicuous route towards the city. It shouldn't be that hard to enter as the dark of the night provided plenty of cover below the walls.
-I can tell you're about as thrilled as I am to stay here, so don't worry, once I'll find us a way, we'll leave this dump and go somewhere nicer. How does Vale sound? - Torchwick asked as the trio now began their stride towards the city, making sure to use the natural cover that the sand hills provided them with. - Back to where it all began, what do you say?
Neo nodded in agreement which Ruby mirrored, finding the thought comforting - back to the place she could, more or less, comfortably call her home. The streets were familiar, the surroundings known and the climate merciful - while her clothes provided sufficient warmth to combat Atlas’ cold, the young woman could still remember herself shivering during her team’s missions outside the city.
The former huntress saw movement ahead of them - something black slithering through the sand, using it as cover, occasionally peeking out its head to observe its surroundings. Grimm. Ruby already reached her hand towards her stowed weapon, but she soon felt the handle of Roman’s cane wrap itself around her forearm, stopping her.
-Now, now, I know, you're eager to let out some steam, but work with me here. It's the middle of the night, dead silent and not a figure out here in sight. - Torchwick spoke, letting go of Ruby’s now lowered hand. - The moment you begin swinging that gardening tool around, someone on the walls will undoubtedly hear the commotion outside and go and check and I doubt being discovered is something you'd like to happen, so, relax, and just keep walking.
The redhead follows the man’s words and continues to simply follow the duo behind, the three of them steering clear of the beast. Listening to Roman’s orders wasn't something she'd thought she'd ever end up doing, but, oh well - first time for everything.
Besides, it felt nice not being in the lead for once.
.
-And who's bright idea was it to gather refugees in Vacuo of all places? - The man laughed to himself as the group walked through the streets of the city, in search of a specific house Roman ensured was safe to stay at, saying that he wouldn't call himself a criminal mastermind if he didn't lay a hand on the barren continent’s capital and get himself a safehouse should he ever end up here. - Did that person even have a grad schooler’s education? Va-cu-o, a dump most famous for being the exact opposite of the word “hospitality” in every sense of that word.
The hooded girl remained quiet, while the mute gave her a knowing stare, but decided to remain silent and let the girl have some dignity. She’s already perfectly aware of her failures as she is.
It was fairly dark outside, in the streets, but the lamps and the lights from the various windows the trio were passing by shed enough light for a passerby to recognize the group, which was why the three of them were now walking in completely unremarkable attires, reminiscent of atlesian refugees, as well as donning new faces, courtesy of Neo’s semblance.
-Now then, the place should be somewhere nearby and I very much hope that my keys still fit, and if they don't, our friend here will be more than happy to help. - Roman spoke as he inspected every house he was passing, tirelessly searching for a specific insignia etched on the stone of the wall. - And once we're inside, we eat, rest, preferably take a shower if this dump has hot water and finally go to sleep. You two will fill me in on what I missed tomorrow morning and I bet I missed quite a story, especially with Neo suddenly deciding to invite you with us.
Ruby merely nodded as her feet carried her forward, yet again choosing silence over words as she could not find energy within herself to speak anything - she was still going off of what little stamina she has left after waking up in the Paper Pleasers’ village in the Ever After and the quiet groans and complaining of her exhausted mind and body finally let themselves be known, now that all of them are in the relative clear. Right now, she was just silently begging whatever forces were at play that Roman finally finds their safehouse so she can plop down onto a bed or a couch, close her eyes and drift away into sleep. And as luck would have it, her prayers were heard and answered.
-Ah, there it is! Just as I remember it, if not a little dusty. - The man spoke as he stopped before an ordinary looking house that looked abandoned. It’s a miracle it wasn’t taken by the refugees yet, but perhaps, it was still legally owned under a name, which was why it wasn’t touched after all this time. - Come on in, don’t just stand there and look suspicious.
.
She… Did not know what to expect of their hideout.
A fairly uncared for bunch of empty rooms? Stacks of crates with ammo, supplies and whatnot, maps over the walls, boards with plans and a small living quarter? Maybe something like that.
Ruby just did not expect it to look so… Normal.
Perhaps, she was wrong to assume that the flamboyant criminal mastermind was flamboyant in every possible regard, even to his living space.
-Make yourself comfortable, I’ll go hit the shower. - Roman spoke as he moved to one of the corridors, not before saying - Oh, and Neo, show our guest around and where she’ll be staying, would you? - Before finally vanishing, the sound of running water faintly audible through the doors.
And so, there they stood, both fully geared, both terribly exhausted, both not really knowing what to say to one another and both not really caring either. The mute pointed at the couch with her parasol, directing Ruby towards it, letting her know that this will be where she’ll sleep through the night - the two didn’t really account for a possible ally being with them should they need that safehouse all that time ago.
The cloaked figure obeyed, striding towards the couch before collapsing onto it, barely able to move her limbs as she laid on it, relishing in the feeling of softness below her body - all that’s missing is a blanket.
Her silver eyes lazily looked around, everything surrounding her turning into a haze: Neo was nowhere to be seen, but Ruby heard the fridge being opened in what she assumed to be the kitchen the next room over, heard a plate of something being set down on the table. She’d find herself something to eat later - right now she needs to lay down and let some energy flow back into her body.
But just remaining down felt so alluring…
The comfort of her cloak covering her body, letting her remain warm, hidden from the world, the softness of the couch below, the protection of the four walls surrounding her and, surprisingly, the presence of the two figures she once thought of as her enemies in the house. Ruby didn’t want to get up. Didn’t want to open her eyes.
Didn’t want to fall asleep, and yet, was pulled into it anyway.
Moments later, Roman found Ruby having her first relatively peaceful sleep in a long, long while.
.
-... She’s been here. - Says one of the four figures, standing amidst the sands, the visage of the last bastion of humanity before them. - Yang, she’s been here.
-And she wasn’t alone. - One of the two blondes of the team replied, the sister, as she knelt on the sand and observed what remained of the footsteps in the sand, three pairs faintly visible, slowly swept by the cool, gentle winds. Yang felt a pang in her chest as her lilac eyes trailed the footsteps towards the city, the trio never parting and the smaller set of boots with heels standing particularly close to her younger sister’s footsteps. - We can still find her, can still bring her back.