#like she’s sitting there like ‘that is a very unfortunate fear azure!! you’re so tall!! 😰😰😰’

[chryzuree]

azures sense of humor 🫶🏻😘

[nezzfiction]

ENMY Chapter 30 - Not Quite As Thick As Thieves

Chapter Synopsis: Emerald reveals to Yang about the Branwen Family’s place among the Noble Factions of Mistral. Meanwhile, distrust forms between the team as Emerald and Mercury have been secretly contracted to assassinate Qrow Branwen.

Series Synopsis : Team RWBY is disbanded, and Yang must find herself new allies. For her, yesterday’s enemies are today’s friends(?). Joining up with the likes of Emerald, Mercury, and Neo, the four comprise Team Enemy.

Links to read the series: Ao3 or FF.net

Or hit the jump below

Not Quite As Thick As Thieves

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Trust among our kind

Be it ever so hard to find.

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Just as Emerald revealed Yang’s birthright as one of a noble line, Team ENMY’s limousine pulled into the Vermillion mansion’s front step.

Peafowl exited the driver’s seat and went to open the passenger’s, but by the time he was there, Yang had already kicked the door open.

“Wait! So, you’re saying I’m royalty?!” she exclaimed.

“Outcast royalty, but you’ve got the gist,” Emerald answered. “If you trace it back a few generations, a Branwen was once the Head of Vermillion.”

“…So that’s why you told me specifically to bring my birth certificate when we left Patch.”

“Bingo.”

“And why I registered into Haven so easily. And how we were able to cross the borders without any problems!”

“Some of that was Raven, but sure enough.”

Yang massaged the sides of her temples, while processing this new information. As she digested, Peafowl led the team through the Vermillion’s estate. Though, it was referred to as a mansion, it would be more accurate to call it a complex of buildings.

While walking through its luxurious red marble halls, a note was passed to Peafowl by another butler.

“It seems my employer has an urgent meeting he must attend to first, and therefore, must delay your appointment. I humbly apologize on my master’s behalf, but I believe I have something to occupy your time whilst you wait.” At this, he addressed Yang and Mercury. “The parcel you requested as payment has arrived, if you would like to examine its contents.”

“Sweet!” Mercury rubbed his hands together.

Yang also seemed pleased at hearing the news.

“Parcel? What parcel?” Emerald asked.

Deeming it better to show rather than tell, Peafowl led the team to a waiting room, where a small wooden crate sat atop a polished table. Although, to his surprise, the room was not empty.

A flamboyantly dressed noble was standing beside said package. His suit possessing dashes of blue and green glitter. Heavy makeup was applied to his face. And he had a nose that protruded a touch longer than average, adding to his seemingly snobby demeanor.

“You!” he gasped.

Peafowl froze for a moment, but was hasted to regain his composure.

“Greetings, Lord Peacock,” the butler bowed. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance once again.”

“I’d heard the rumors, but that brat really picked up an urchin like you. Hmph,” the one called Peacock scoffed. His attention shifted to Yang. “And you must be the Branwen scion all the plebs have been on about.” He switched glances between Yang and Peafowl, who both shared exiled lineages. “Birds of a feather, I suppose. Things really have gone to hell. And to think, I would be delivering this package to you.”

“We are eternally grateful for—“

“Silence, worm. I am taking back the device this instant.”

“It is within your every right, but if I may, this task was requested on behalf of Azure’s Head of House, was it not? I fear for your reputation if—”

“Gngh!” Peacock grumbled. He strode straight to Peafowl, and stuck his chin out so far it was only inches away from the other’s face. “I will remember this insolence. And as for you,” he turned to Yang again. “You should also remember your place outside the affairs of your betters. Just because you and your mother have scrounged up some scraps of acclaim, does not make you one of us! You are exiles, and you will always be exiles.”

“I don’t really care about this noble stuff,” Yang said offhand. “But I am half a step from cracking you one across the face.” The fingers on Ember Celica whirred.

“How barbaric.”

With one last humph, Peacock stomped from the room.

“Nobles,” Mercury snickered through his teeth. “Always think they’re better than everybody else. Nothing but yips and empty bite when it comes down to it.”

“Rich people certainly have that way about them,” Emerald added.

“You okay, Peafowl?” Yang asked the butler.

“I am fine. Thank you for your concern, but I am quite alright.”

“Okay.” Yang gave him a soft nudge on the arm. “He wasn’t worth the blood stain on our clothes, anyhow. Now, let’s see that reactor!”

Peafowl revealed the briefest of smiles, before proceeding to open the crate sitting on the table.

From out of the box, he pulled a pair of palm-sized circular objects. Metallic and shiny, they gave off a small hum and a faint green light. It was obvious to be some sort of top of the line tech. And the way they weighed in Peafowl’s hands as he held them, left the impression they were constructed out of very special material. Whatever they were, they looked impressive—and expensive.

“So, what are they? They look expensive,” Emerald observed.

To her surprise, it was Mercury who answered.

“Old Dust Reactor prototypes, courtesy of Atlas’s R&D.”

Emerald’s eyes went wide. “These things? They’re tiny.”

“Compared to the engine we stole before, yeah. But these aren’t meant to fly airships.”

“Then, what are they for?”

“Weapons,” Mercury grinned, as he took one and flipped it through the air. “They were originally part of that doll Atlas made a while back.”

“Penny,” Yang worded sternly. “Her name was Penny.”

“Right, ‘Penny’. Anyway, me and Yang did some research and thought it would make for a good arsenal upgrade.”

Emerald could see where Mercury was coming from. He wanted to get a new edge in the fight against Qrow and Ruby’s team. The idea itself wasn’t bad. But that wasn’t what annoyed her.

“And, what? Peafowl just happened to send for one after you asked him?”

“Well, no. Me and Yang pulled a small job to pay for it.”

“You and Yang took a job?”

“…Yeah?”

“Without consulting me.”

“Yeah.”

“Uh, is there a problem?” Yang asked. “I mean, it’s not like it’s a big deal.”

But Emerald only held a hand up to her face and continued speaking to Mercury.

“Why didn’t you come to me for this?”

“Well, Yang’s the one helping me with my tuning lately, and it was her idea, so we went with it. And the job wasn’t tough enough to need all of us.”

“I could have stolen the tech. We didn’t need to rely on favors or…outside help.”

“It’s from Atlas’s highest security R&D Department. Even you couldn’t have stolen it and made it back in three days.”

Emerald crossed her arms. Her scorn drifted from Mercury to Yang.

“We’ll talk more about this later.”

“Fine. Anytime, Em,” Yang met her glare.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Peafowl answered it, and immediately went to a deep bow upon seeing who it was.

Standing there, was a young teenage boy, wearing a dark blue hakama. Accompanied by a tall woman robed in crimson garments. The two flashed a polite smile towards Team ENMY, who instantly went on guard. The reason being the ones who greeted them, and most likely summoned them here, were none other than the Interim-Head of House Azure and the Head of House Vermillion.

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* * *

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The group of seven proceeded to a private corner of the estate, where more clandestine meetings were held. A one-room building lying on the edge of the garden.

Upon crossing the threshold, a pleasant smell of old wood could be detected in the air. Low-light lanterns provided them vision of the conference space.

They were about to take their seats around a long table that looked like one used for board meetings. But it was the outstretched hand of Vermillion Wing, who stopped them all from doing so.

Likewise, Neo and Peafowl also seemed to sense something amiss. Both of them positioned themselves front of Yang and Azure like bodyguards.

Vermillion eyed a vase set in the middle of the table for a moment, before glancing at Peafowl.

“I remember that vase having slightly different flowers the last time I was here. The maids may have switched them out, but to err on the side of caution, would you mind ridding us of it, Peafowl?”

“As you wish,” he answered.

For the first time, Team ENMY saw the butler use the long cloth that always draped over his arm, as it whipped out around the vase. The thick tapestry enveloped the pot and its flowers until not a sliver of it peeked out.

And just when the cloth tightened, a muffled boom caused the silhouette to expand. Smog trails emitted from it, as Peafowl carried what remained of the vase outside.

“Hm, I take back what I said. Guess not all nobles are empty words,” Mercury whispered to Emerald. “At least, she’s the real deal.”

“Being prime targets for assassinations probably toughens someone up. The other Heads of Houses probably aren’t pushovers either,” she whispered back, while keeping an eye on the young Azure.

Acting as if bombs planted in meeting chambers were business as usual, Vermillion made her casual way to the head of the table and bid everyone to take their seats. Team ENMY seated themselves on one side, while Azure took the other, shortly joined by Peafowl.

“First, I would like to express my deepest regrets concerning what happened to the Branwen family in the past,” Vermillion said to Yang. “Truly, such a thing should never have occurred. The perpetrators of the incident were found and punished over a decade ago, so you may be at ease.”

“Uh…thanks,” Yang responded awkwardly.

“With your consent, I would gladly reinstate the status of your household and welcome you once again under the Vermillion Wing.”

“Oh. That’s…nice. Ow!” Yang felt Emerald kick her under the table. “But I don’t think I’m in any position to make a decision like that. My mom should be in charge of that, right?”

“Unfortunately, Raven has elected to ignore subsequent offers of talks,” the woman sighed. “As such, the prerogative of your family falls onto you.”

“Riiiight… Well, I’d maybe want some time to think about it.”

“Is the offer displeasing?”

“No!”

“Ah. You wish for an elevated standing than it was previous. I shall see that this is ammended at once.”

“No! It’s not that…it’s just—“

At that moment, a childish laugh echoed from Azure.

“She is teasing you, Miss Xiao Long. There is no need to be so flustered. Although, if you are so reluctant to join her faction, perhaps I should make my own bid,” the boy offered.

“What?”

“In a technical sense, the Xiao Long line is a distant relative. Not as prominent as the Branwen’s is in Vermillion, but a connection exists however thin. Before your family migrated to Vale, we were all under the same House.”

“Huh.” Yang thought about the meaning behind her surname. “That makes sense. I’m not really interested, though.”

“That…is a shame. But, I do hope we can change your mind.”

*Ahem* Vermillion cleared her throat. The golden rings on her wrists shuffled with a clink, like a bell.

“I believe we should now address the matter, by which we have asked you to come here.”

“Okay…”

Azure gave a prompt nod in agreement.

“Apologies, but it may be more prudent if Azure, Miss Xiao Long, and myself were the only ones present for this discussion. I mean no offense to your company.”

Yang shook her head. “I trust my team. They’re also my…closest advisors,” she quickly made up. “So, I’d like them to stay here.”

“I’d also prefer Peafowl to remain,” Azure added.

“Very well.” Vermillion consented. “If I may be frank, Azure and I, among others, are curious about the stance you are taking in regards to Argent and his administration.”

“My stance?”

“Specifically, the nature in which you serve under Raven, who acts as his Vice Minister. According to our intelligence, you and your mother were estranged. Recent circumstance has changed that, but still, a distance exists.”

I shouldn’t be surprised they know. The top nobles probably have hundreds of spies and resources.

Yang spared a side-glance to Emerald, who seemed passive.

I’ll play this a little straight then.

“Yes… That’s right. We’re not really close. It’s more like our team is work for hire.”

“You refer to in a mercenary capacity.”

“Yeah.”

“That is all?”

“Yup.”

“Hm…”

Not only Vermillion, but also Azure lapsed into silent thought. After some time passed, it was the young boy who spoke.

“I believe we should be straight forth with our proposal, Vermillion. If I may?”

“Please.”

Azure turned his attention to Yang with open amicableness.

“The truth is, we would like you to throw your full support behind one of our Houses.”

“I don’t think I know what that means. Why, even?” Yang puzzled.

“As it stands, Parliament fears Prime Minister Argent wields too much power. While there are a number of variables contributing to his expanding influence, one of its larger factors is you.”

“Me?”

“Your team proved a pivotal force at the Battle of Dracul. You led the White Fang’s portion of Mistral’s military to victory.”

“My mom did that.”

“Both of your names appear in the minds of our citizens when the war is concerned—and that inevitably leads to support for Argent.”

Yang scratched her chin and scrunched her face.

“I get it. So, you want me to stop fighting for my mo—Raven, and fight for you guys instead. You want me to stand alongside the nobles, instead of the White Fang.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, I don’t really care who I fight for, but I do have an arrangement with Raven. Also, my team has a…contract with her too. We can’t just switch.”

“Whatever boon she promises for services rendered, our two Houses combined can outmatch it. If it is rewards alone you are after, that is,” Azure spoke with emphasis. “But I believe you an honest person, who wishes to do a more selfless kind of good. Am I correct to assume you work towards the betterment of your fellow person?”

“…”

“We seek your help not to the benefit of ourselves, but to the benefit of all. With Argent’s growing influence, corruption will undoubtedly set in. And if we wait until this war is over, it may be too late to act.”

“…What makes you so sure Argent won’t continue the cycle?”

“Because power corrupts all, Miss Xiao Long. The other Houses must exist to keep the others in balance.”

By the look on Yang’s face, it was clear she still harbored doubts.

“The Prime Minister can’t get rid of the cycle just like that. It’s not just the nobles, but regular citizens would resist it. They’ll see him as a tyrant, wouldn’t they?”

“He doesn’t have to get rid of the cycle. He only needs to control it.”

“…”

“Our Houses are diminishing. By the end of this war, it would not take much for Argent to initiate a takeover. Should he succeed, he would be able to choose any future Prime Minister Seat he wishes. In actuality, two candidates come to mind from the outset.”

“Oh…”

Crap.

“You are beginning to see the bigger picture, are you not? Argent could position Raven as the new Head of House Vermillion and yourself of House Azure. Your statuses are precarious, but the reputation and respect you’ve garnered from the masses would see the appointment with little resistance.”

“But what about the Sable faction?”

“If Argent does not raise a figurehead from within their household, he could simply have it abolished altogether. Sable has faced much accusation in the way of corruption in recent times. Citizens would cheer its dissemination.”

“But…this is just guessing what might happen. It doesn’t mean it actually will,” Yang supposed.

I can’t believe mom would just let it happen either. There’s just no way.

“I would also like to believe Argent would never be capable of such a thing,” Vermillion weighed in. “But I would err on the side of caution than risk tempting him.”

“Please, Miss Xiao Long,” Azure pleaded. “You would lose little by switching your support. But Mistral stands to lose everything if you do not.”

Yang felt plagued by a million thoughts. The arguments by Vermillion and Azure were a bit far-fetched, but a certain truth rang to them. She also didn’t know Argent personally, so how would she know if he was the kind to be corrupted by power or not. Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?

“Miss Yang Xiao Long,” Vermillion implored her.

“There must be balance.

Or the people will be the ones to suffer.”

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* * *

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Team ENMY made their way across Haven Academy’s campus after Peafowl dropped them off. It was night by the time they returned, and the classrooms were already empty and locked.

“UUGGGHHHHH!!! I hate politics….” Yang groaned.

“Yeah…that was pretty heavy,” Mercury responded. “I’m glad I’m not you.”

“Thanks, Merc.”

“I mean, my problems suck, but at least they’re simple. Kick a guy here, stomp a Huntress there. But fate of the Kingdom mixed with mommy issues? Your problems have that extra-special, complicated kind of suck to them.”

“Thank-you-Mercury. Insightful stuff, as always.”

“What are you gonna do? They said they were expecting an answer soon.”

“I don’t know. What do you guys think?”

“Doesn’t matter to us,” Emerald entered the conversation.

“How does it not? You need more of my mom’s help with Cinder, so you can’t just switch support.”

“They need you not the team. People don’t care about us. We didn’t take down an Atlas dreadnought by ourselves.”

Yang frowned. “I was really looking forward to some sarcastic remark, followed by actual clever advice.”

“Looks like I’m fresh out of both.”

Yang groaned so loud it was almost a scream. “Come on, Merc. Let’s start working on your upgrades. I’ll just lose myself in that and stop thinking about all this other noise.”

“Sounds good to me,” Mercury agreed.

“Wait a minute.” Emerald laid a firm hand on Yang’s shoulder. “You two go ahead,” she titled her head to Mercury and Neo. “Yang and I need to have a little chat.”

Mercury seemed to take the hint, shrugged, and walked off with his hands in his pockets. Neo lingered for a second longer, trading looks between them, but inevitably followed suit.

When they left, Emerald led Yang to an empty classroom, to which she picked the lock to. She held the door open for Yang to enter. Once she was in, Emerald closed the door, shrouding the room in pitch black darkness.

“Um—“

“You and I have a problem,” Emerald spoke from the shadows.

“Yeah… guess so. I thought you were going to dance around this forever. But now, maybe I can finally get some answers.”

“Don’t be cheeky. I know what you’re trying to do—the angle you’re playing.”

“And what would that be?”

Yang could hear Emerald pacing around her. “Miss goody-two-shoes, moral compass and big sister to us all. You may have Mercury fooled ‘cause he’s easy to please, and don’t get me started on Neo.” Yang felt Emerald’s blade hover close to her neck. “But you’re not pulling one over on me.”

She couldn’t allow herself to be intimidated by this.

“What’s this about, Em? I won’t understand unless you spell it out.”

“This is about you trying to get all chummy with us. We’re not friends. We’re just using each other to our own ends, and once we get what we need, we’re going our separate ways. So let’s not pretend like this is anything more than an unlikely joint enterprise.”

“Where’s this coming from? Why can’t you just face me?”

“Don’t. Just stop. We’re not really teammates. So stop trying to treat us like we are!”

“You recruited me! You said we were Team ENMY!”

“And you bought into it like a cheap sap. We only said what it took to get to Raven. It was never about you. It could have been anyone, if it served our goals. We could’ve easily left your cripple ass to rot in that stupid house, where we found you.”

Yang felt a bit hurt by Emerald’s words, but knew there was more than what Emerald was letting on.

“You’re right about me trying to get closer to all of you. Maybe I am trying to help you.” She tightened her lips. “I think you’re good people for the most part.”

“Hah! Don’t make me laugh!”

“Wait, just listen, okay? I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t think I’d actually get along with you guys. It’s just—after being with you, I…I got to care about you. Even if you don’t care about me.”

“Cut it with the saint act already!” Emerald spat. “It’s enough to make me hurl.”

“It’s not an act. I’m just being me.”

“And trying to save people who DON’T need saving! We don’t need you. The only one we’ve ever needed is Cinder.”

And then, Yang felt she touched on something. A moment of clarity behind what the other girl said.

“Who do you think I’m trying to be, Em?”

“I know you’re trying to be our friend, when you’re clearly not.”

“That’s not what’s bothering you.”

“What would you know?”

“I’ve hung around with all of you long enough. The only time I’ve seen you this irritated is—“

“Shut. Up.”

“When Cinder is involved.”

“SHUT UP!!!” Emerald jammed the barrel of her gun at the back of Yang’s head. “You need to shut up. Right. Now.”

But Yang wouldn’t back down. If she retreated now, she thought something would be lost. Instead, she turned and grasped Emerald’s hands, which shook.

“Do you think I’m trying to replace Cinder?”

A bullet went off and whipped Yang’s hair back.

“It’s a good con, blondie,” Emerald growled. “If I was a chump, I’d fall right for it.”

“I’m not trying to fool anyone.”

“The next bullet’s going straight through your skull.”

“I’ve done everything I can to earn your trust. I don’t know what else I can do!”

“There’s nothing to do, you moron! You were nothing, but a mark!! In fact, we don’t even need you anymore! We know how to revive Cinder! We can work out the rest! This team’s done!!!”

Something snapped in Yang.

She stepped towards Emerald’s gun. Her hair blazed with a fire that lit up the room, like a bright candle. Her hands took the scruff of Emerald’s collar. The lines in their visages laid bare.

“Then, take the shot, Em! You don’t want me, you don’t need me, you say? THEN, TAKE THE SHOT!”

“Back off, Yang!”

“Take the shot! Prove you’re right! That you can’t trust me! DO IT!”

“I’M WARNING YOU!!!”

“I’M SICK OF THIS SHIT BETWEEN US!!!” Yang shouted from the depths of her soul. “YOU THINK I WANTED THIS?! I WANTED TO HATE YOU GUYS UNTIL THE END!!!” Angry tears glistened down her cheeks. “But…I came to trust all of you. Mercury, who screwed me over during the Vytal Tournament! You, who acted like our friend, when all along, you were planning on betraying us! And Neo! Neo…I fell in love with someone who tried to kill me! Who’s probably going to try to kill Ruby any chance she gets! How messed up is that?!”

Yang stuttered with painful breath. Her cheek bones tensed so hard they ached. The edges of her mouth trembled and twisted.

“Tell me you don’t feel the same, Em… Tell me you’ve hated me all this time and were just waiting for this moment.”

Her thoughts went to the day they barged into her house and offered her a proposition—to the day it all began.

“That it didn’t mean anything to you, that you guys were the ones, who brought me back. Say this team doesn’t mean anything…”

Her thoughts went to the fights against Blake and Weiss.

“I’ve betrayed my friends and so many things I once stood for. I caused the death of Weiss’s sister. She’ll never forgive me.” Yang’s face contorted into a broken smile. “Go ahead and say it was all for nothing. You conned me. Because if I don’t have this team, at least, I…!”

She stopped.

Her voice softened to a whisper.

“Do it.”

Yang’s flaring Aura dissipated, and the room went dark once more.

In the quiet shadow, she felt Emerald break away from her grip. Trepid footfalls echoed the lecture hall, followed by light peering from a doorway that opened and swung loosely. And like that, the thief had stolen away.

Yang left to wallow in the words she and Emerald still left unsaid.