A Rabbit Among Wolves

Chapter 67

Menagerie was warm.

It was a stupid thought to have of an island known for its tropical climate but Jaune couldn't help thinking it as he stepped off the boat and was hit by a wave of hot air like he'd walked under a heating unit. It was the kind of hot, dry air that left your skin tingling and in desperate need of moisturiser, and something he knew he'd have to get used to. The air smelled of sea salt and the sun beat down on him. He brought a hand up to shield his eyes and take in the sights of Kuo Kuana, the capitol of Menagerie and seat of power. Power for whom, of course, was the question. Some might say it was the power of the Belladonna family and others would argue it was the White Fang's. According to the Albain brothers, who waited on the shore for him with wide smiles, a parasol and bottles of beer stuffed into a cooler filled with ice, it was to be the seat of his power.

"Welcome to Menagerie," one of the twins said. There wasn't all that much different between them at first glance but one had an inch or two above the other. Their hoods didn't help him differentiating. "It is an honour to meet you at last, Jaune Arc. You've done much for our cause."

"In Vale." said Jaune, shrugging one shoulder. "There's more to do."

Fennec's smile widened. "There is." He stepped aside so that the White Fang that had come with Jaune could access the cooler, which Yuma practically raced to. A bottle was pushed into Jaune's hand, ice cold and dripping with water. "It's a bit of a frat boy welcome, but I felt you'd appreciate it after a long trip." Fennec said.

He handed over a bottle opener that Jaune took and used then handed to Sienna. It made the rounds until everyone had a bottle, the Albain brothers included, and then they tapped them together before taking a long and welcome drink. Jaune had never truly liked beer as it was too bitter and tasted terrible, but it was cold and that was all that mattered.

"Tell us what is happening on the island," said Sienna after finishing half the bottle. "How are the people taking Jaune's revelation?"

"The mood is split," said Corsac. He made it clear it was not split to them by smiling Jaune's way. He'd heard how these two had once been enemies of Sienna but it looked like that had changed. "There are many who see it as a good thing. He is proof that humans and faunus can work together."

"This is an attitude we have encouraged." added Fennec.

"Yes," said Corsac. "But alas, there are many lost in the old ways of thinking. They hurt, they grieve, or perhaps they hate too much. To see a human leading faunus reminds them of all that they fought to prevent. They are not happy."

"Then there are those caught in the middle," said Fennec, "Who make up more than either of the other two camps. They are hopeful in some cases, cynical in others, but prepared to wait and see, and to judge you on your own merit."

"That's good." said Jaune. "I'll have to make sure I have a few."

Sienna laid a hand on his arm. "You'll do fine." To the brothers she said, "We'll have to remind people what the equality they believe they have fought for really means. They wish to see faunus above humans and believe is fair, but that's only reversing the status quo. It'll be the Great War all over again."

"There are many who believe we can win another war," said Corsac. "We won the last after all, only to be cheated on our victory. The purists are calling for faunus to rise up and claim what is ours."

Jaune let out a heavy sigh. "We've got out work cut out for us."

"It's not a popular point of view thankfully. The White Fang are, for the most part, tired. We've been fighting for years with no hope of victory in sight, and even those whose spirits burned with rage have been reduced to simmering ashes. There are many on the verge of giving up – not accepting the prejudice, but of giving up, cutting Menagerie off from the world and pretending that humans do not exist."