An air horn sounds loudly. The black screen cuts to an offramp being lowered on the ship bearing Blake Belladonna, Leon, Trifa, Ilia Amitola, and Sun Wukong to allow passengers to disembark. The town has many small buildings and homes set among dunes and palm trees. The town bell that has been ringing is shown in its belfry.
Sun and BLIT make their way from the deck to the offramp. They all proceeds without pause while Sun stops to look at the town. Leon, however, was just as interested.
Leon: "Huh."
Several Faunus in summer wear meander casually at the dock, some waiting for friends or family among the new arrivals. The dock is also a commercial area, with mobile kiosks selling food and other wares. It is a relaxed atmosphere on a sunny day.
Sun is looking around while he and BLIT disembark and walk through the market area together.
Sun: I've never seen so many Faunus in one place!
Blake: This is the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are.
Sun: Wow, sure is, uh, crowded, huh?
Ilia: "Yes. Yes, it is."
Trifa: "One of the reasons is due to the amount of danger that has appeared around the town. Thankfully, someone used some wires black spikes and pierced them. Now...they are expanding more than ever."
Sun was interested, and than spoke out to them.
"Was it always so... cramped?"
Before Blake could answer, Trifa answers the question before her.
Trifa: "Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an island that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped. Thankfully, we will expanded soon."
Sun: "What! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!"
Blake: "It's not like the desert in Vacuo, Sun. The wildlife here is more dangerous than most other regions."
Sun: "So, they give us a terrible island, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up."
Ilia: "That's a pretty good summary, yeah."
Leon: "I guess we could say that the people who did this deserves getting beaten."
Sun: "Huh. Jerks."
Blake: "We try to make the best of things."
The group pause in their walk to look at the view of the town the road affords. The road they are on goes downhill and to the side, bordered by palm trees and homes that have either canvas or wood roofs. The vista of palm trees spreads out to the edge of mountainous dunes in the distance. Right in the middle of all this is a large house with an open courtyard that the road appears to lead directly to. The house is at least three stories and is the only building in the whole area with a sophisticated roof.
Sun: "Whoa..."
Blake: "This, is Kuo Kuana."
Sun: "It's... beautiful. I take it all back. This place looks great! Why would anyone ever want to leave?"
Ilia slapped her head and spoke out to him, heatedly
Ilia: "That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an island and told to make do. So we did the best we could. We came together and we made a home where any Faunus could feel welcome. But this island, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal!"
Ilia than lowered her face an immense stress. Blake was the same and spoke out to him
"That we're still second-class citizens."
Leon and sun then put their hands on Blake's shoulder.
Sun: "Well, hey, this guy's feeling pretty at home."
Blake than hesitates, and than she spoke, normally.
Blake: "Alright, time to go home."
Sun: "Oh yeah?"
Sun than moved his hand to her other shoulder and pulling her in.
"Which one's yours? Can you see it from here?"
Sun uses his free hand like a visor to help him peer at the houses.
Blake: "Kind of."
Sun: "Is it that one?"
He points to the one away from Blake.
"What about that tiny one down there? I like the paint job."
Sun spoke, pointing across from Blake. Blake sighed a bit, before taking Sun's intruding arm by the wrist and directing it toward the large house.
"It's... that one."
Sun stares for a second before pointing his finger at her with a questioning expression. Blake nods. Sun looks at her for a beat before taking his arm off her and stepping back. He covers the sides of his head and crouches a bit, staring wide-eyed at the house and making a comical, amazed noise. Trifa than fires a webbing from her hand, and shuts his mouth. Leon than covered his mouth and snickered a little bit, finding it very funny. Ilia than did the same thing.
A minute later, BLIT and Sun walk up the stone steps to the front door of the house. Blake hesitates when she moves to use the knocker.
Sun: What is it?
LIT also noticed how hesitant she is right now. Blake sighed and spoke out.
Blake: "I um... it's just been a long time since I've seen my parents."
Sun: "Well, you came all this way."
Blake takes a quick breath for courage and bangs the door knocker. It makes a loud, heavy, resonating sound on the large door. Sun stares up, stepping back while Blake politely backs away from the door a few paces.
Ilia: "Okay, if we're being honest, that's kind of intimidating."
Leon: "Yeah. And because of how big it is."
Both Sun and Blake give a start at the sound of the door being opened. Kali Belladonna, a short, female cat Faunus is behind it, looking around at the visitors. Her ears perk and she moves the door out of the way so she can step forward when she recognizes her daughter.
"Blake?"
Blake than awkwardly lifting her arm in greeting.
"Hi, mom."
Kale steps forward and hugs her daughter.
Kali: "My baby girl."
Blake hesitates, uncertain for a moment, before her face gentles into a smile and she hugs her mother back.
They stand in front of open doorway. From inside the house, footsteps come closer and a shadow falls onto the carpeted entryway. Kali lets go of Blake and turns behind her at the sound of Ghira Belladonna's voice.
Ghira: "Kali? Who is it?"
Ghira stand with his hands on his hips, waiting to greet the visitor.
His quizzical expression changes to wide-eyed surprise, before his hands, shoulders, and face all fall in a clear, emotional reaction to the sight of his daughter come home.
Sun sees this and grins, pleased at Blake's welcome as he turns to look at how she's taking it. Blake has her hands clasped in front of her, awaiting her father's reaction. Kali has not let go, with her hands supportively on Blake's shoulder and arm.
Ghira says nothing, but smiles, clearly happy. Blake smiles back, relieved. She and Sun exchange sideways glances.
Than, another pair of footsteps than are heard and Ilia's parents came and see Blake and Ilia.
"Ilia."
Ilia's mother spoke out. Ilia noticed them and ran into them, happy that they are alive and well in front of her, as both of the mother and the father embrace Ilia. Trifa and Leon smiled happily, knowing that their friends are happy to see family again. On the inside, they felt unhappy Trifa they never get to see her own family, and Leon doesn't have one.
Timeskip...15 minutes...
Kali sets down her cup on the table. She, Ghira, Sun and Blake all sit on the floor at a square table. LIT and Ilia's parents sat on the opposite end.
Kali: "We were horrified when we heard the news. The Kingdom of Vale isn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. Oh, we were both so worried."
Ilia's mother: "Yes. I was so scared that you had been killed. Me and your father have been so afraid for you."
Ghira: "Please, I knew she'd be fine!"
Ilia's father: "You were not!"
Kali scoffed at Ghira.
"Right. That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing."
Sun: "You guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!"
Blake, who was sipping from her cup while Sun spoke, abruptly lifts her head and swallows at his last choice of words. LIT all glared at Sun. Ghira glares at the young man on his right.
Ghira: And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?
Sun freezes and slowly turns toward his host. He even sees that LIT is glaring at him, angrily.
Sun: "I... uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, that she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her..."
Kali: "Why is he here again?"
Sun: "...And her fighting. But also for her..."
Leon than decide to end and speak out to finish the conversation.
"He is just kind enough to make sure that Blake is all right. This thing is no big deal."
Sun: "...because of her fighting. Not her looks. I mean, not to say she's not good-looking. She is! Very! Or..."
Kali: "I see."
Sun: "...slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh..."
Sun struggles for words as all three Belladonnas watch him and wait for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or keep digging. Ilia's family also looked at him intensely, along with both Leon and Trifa.
In the awkward silence, Sun uses his tail to pick up the tea kettle and pour some more tea into his cup.
Sun: "This tea is really good."
He than sips it. It actually did taste good.
Heh-uh.
Kali is not quite quietly enough for an aside.
"I like him."
Blake: "Mom!"
Leon than face palmed his head.
'That guy is being such an ridiculous idiot right now. Seriously, I had no idea what he decide to follow.'
The loud sound of the front door knocker resonates, catching everyone's attention.
Ghira: "Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!"
Ghira hits his fist onto the table and Kali quickly covers it with her hand.
Kali: "Ghira..."
Ghira: "Give me a moment."
He gets up and walks out.
Blake: "Is everything okay?"
Kali: "Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately."
Blake: "Dealing with who?"
"Hmm? The White Fang."
Sun & BLIT all than rise to their feet.
"WHAT?!"
BLIT and Sun rush to the door, where Ghira is speaking with two fox Faunus, Corsac Albain and Fennec Albain. The two visitors maintain respectful, formal postures, keeping their hands clasped before them. Leon, Ilia, and Trifa all decide to hide with Ilia's ability to camouflage.
Blake: "Dad!"
Ghira: "Blake, what's wrong?"
Corsac: "Miss Belladonna."
Fennec: "We had no idea you'd returned."
Every time either one of the two Albain brothers speaks, they gesture with their hands and end with clasping their hands before their chests again.
Leon: "I do not like where this is going."
Ilia: "Me neither."
Trifa: "This is going to be a problem. Now that they know that Blake is back, Adam will most likely try to go out to kill Blake again."
The trio watch as Blake goes talking to them.
Blake: "What are you doing talking to these people?"
Ghira: "This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now."
Sun: "Those psychos are here, too?!"
Fennec: "Young man, I'm not sure what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you, we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe."
Blake: "What we've heard? We've seen firsthand. Your fanatics slaughtered people!"
Ghira: "What is she talking about?"
Corsac: "Precisely what we came to discuss with you, Your Grace."
Kali is than approaching the Faunuses talking.
"Is everything alright?"
Sun: "Wait, you guys seriously don't know?"
Ghira than spoke in a dangerous voice.
"Know what?"
Blake: "The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school."
There is a brief silence. Fennec makes an innocent, sideways glance at his brother. Ghira slowly turns to face the two White Fang representatives.
Ghira: "Is this true?"
Fennec: "Sadly, Your Grace, it is."
Blake: "Don't act like you're s—"
Ghira: "That's enough! Explain yourselves."
Ghira said to the Albains.
Corsac: "Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan. Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one Adam Taurus. I believe you're all familiar with the young adept and his... extreme philosophies."
Sun: "You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!"
Fennec: "The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident."
Blake: ""Incident"? People are dead!"
Corsac: "And it is a tragedy."
Fennec: "Your Grace, we came to assure you that Brother Taurus and his followers do not represent the will of the White Fang."
Ghira: "And how can I be sure of that?"
Corsac: "We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these claims. The White Fang's tactics are admittedly, more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain of Menagerie. But this, this is no way to make our message heard."
Fennec: "We have ample documentation from the council meeting, as well as several strategies to apprehend and punish these strays if you care to review them."
Ghira: "I will, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter."
Corsac: "But of course, Your Grace."
Fennec: "We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake."
Corsac: "We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang, but understand if you can no longer support our cause."
Fennec: "It is a wearying fight, after all."
Blake: "Who says I'm done fighting?"
Corsac: "Hmm... If you ever do wish to return, you need merely come find us."
Fennec: "Sister Ilia would be elated."
Before Ghira could speak, a voice called out very angrily.
Ilia: "I will not."
Everyone turned and see that Ilia has appeared from blending into the the wall.
"After what the White Fang did to my friends...I don't think I'm coming back. I am staying here with Blake and my other friends. I will not every join the White Fang again here."
The brothers than bowed their heads, obviously...they're not happy.
Ghira: "Goodbye, gentlemen."
He firmly closes the door on them. Kali moves to stand closer and face her husband while Blake walks off.
Sun: "So... those guys were creepy."
Ghira: "I really don't like you."
"Nor do we like them."
The group turn to see Leon and Trifa.
"I sense that those 2 Faunuses are hiding something...something so sinister."
Trifa: "Whatever it is...these people could spell bad news."
Outside, the two brothers descend the steps, perfectly in sync and their formally clasped hands. Corsac, however, is now using the prayer posture that Fennec had been using all along.
Fennec: "An interesting development, wouldn't you say?"
Corsac: "Interesting indeed."
Fennec: "So, shall we inform Brother Adam?"
Corsac: "Oh, we shall."
They exchange unsettling grins.
Back at the tavern in Higanbana, the waitress is scrubbing the floor. The sound of approaching footsteps cease when a voice addresses her, making the waitress look up.
Tyrian Callows: "Excuse me. I was hoping you could... help me find someone."
Tyrian laughs maniacally at her.