Centuries

All Is Not What It Seems

Adam scowled. "What do you mean she has a guard?"

"Blake had gone to Beacon and recruited a student."

"Was it Pyrrah Nikos?"

"No, sir," the Lieutenant said. "It was Raven's daughter."

Adam frowned. "Really..." He glanced out the window, mask hiding his contemplative expression. "What game are you playing, Blake?"

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"F-7," a voice called from inside the dark cabin.

"C-4. Looks like checkmate again, Cinder."

A sigh. "You could at least let me win, you know."

"Where is the fun in that?" Though Yang couldn't see her hand in front of her face, the blonde could hear the smirk in Blake's voice.

Then, Yang felt eyes on her, searching and taking her apart. She shifted uncomfortably. "Cinder," Blake warned.

"I'm only curious, Your Majesty."

The Faunus sighed, flicking her wrist and lighting up the whole cabin. There, lying on a cot, was a raven-haired woman with burning amber eyes, looking as beautiful as the day she went to the ball 21 years ago.

"Y-You're..."

"Cinder Falls. Yes, everyone thought me dead, correct?" Yang nodded, her voice caught in her throat. A chuckle slipped past the woman's lips. "It's a shame. If everyone was to learn that Roman and I were alive, maybe the White Fang wouldn't be as powerful as it is now."

"We have discussed this before, Cinder." Blake had sat down on the floor in a lotus position, amber gazing about in a bored fashion. "If Adam were to know about your survival, he would make it his mission to make his story truth."

Cinder huffed, arms crossing over her chest. Her eyes soon focused on Yang again, who stood awkwardly by the closed door. "So, who are you?"

Yang's lilac eyes widened, pointing to herself in question.

"No, I'm talking about the door."

The queen frowned and Yang smirked. "Well, it might be a little difficult for it to respond, but I think its name is Bob."

Cinder and Blake blinked. "Why Bob?" The Faunus asked.

"Because it looks like a Bob."

It was silent for a few moments before the air was filled with Cinder's laughter. "I like her, Blake."

"Of course you would," the queen huffed. "Yang, please refrain from egging Cinder on."

"Don't you mean giving her a leaf?"

Blake's eyes showed her amusement, which meant she was as far from being amused as a Nevermore being best friends with Qrow. "Which also means no puns."

"Aw, come on!"

"Let the girl have some fun, Blake!" Said woman refused to respond to either of them. Cinder sighed. "Fine...You still haven't answered my question, though."

Blake raised an eyebrow, gold, cat-like eyes focused completely on Cinder. The raven haired woman on the cot tensed before shuddering as though a cold breeze had made its way into the warm cabin. "Dust, I hate it when you do that."

"I answered your question."

Cinder glared. "You could have just told me she was your Royal Guard."

Yang frowns, leaning against the wall and studying her charge. "By the way, why do you even need a guard? Aren't you, like, invincible?"

"I'm as invincible as you and Cinder, Yang."

"But..." Yang's frown deepens, eyes downcast.

Cinder smirks, eyes going between the other two occupants in the cabin. "I sense a story."

Blake chuckles, then she grows serious again. "Yang...You have been told many tales about how I came to be. But..." Her amber eyes land on the teenage girl. "Are you ready to be taken out of the cave those in higher positions have caged you in? Are you ready to see the light instead of those shadows created by puppets and fire?" Yang swallowed, lilac eyes filled with a sort of hesitation before nodding. Cinder watched on from her cot, hoping that she could be of use to the blonde if the need arised. "Then sit, for this is a tale that will take till the moon rises. You have been kept in the dark for too long, child. Far too long."