RWBY: BLSM (Hiatus)

Chapter 14: Man of Misfortune

* Blossom *

It was almost two in the afternoon, and we were waiting for the transport ship to land at the station. We had lunch at a good diner Magenta and Sapphire were familiar with, and then decided to head back to Beacon. The four of us stood near the landing bay, watching other ships fly out and into their respective docks.

"You guys wanna get a picture? You know, to celebrate our first mission?" Magenta asked, holding her scroll between her fingers.

"Yeah! That's a great idea." I happily agreed.

Magenta lifted her scroll into the air in front of her, gesturing for us to join her side. We bunched up next to Magenta, all fitting into the camera's view. Sapphire wrapped her arm around Magenta, Linen gave the camera a subtle double thumbs up, complimenting it with a closed smile. I smiled wide with my arm around Linen's shoulders. Magenta snapped the photo, and we were on our way.

* Linen *

Magenta slid her phone into her pocket and I put my thumbs down. That was probably the first picture I've taken in years. I wasn't exactly sure what to do. I could always just smile, but I guess I'm daring today. It was pretty fun, after all.

Our ship finally arrived, hovering carefully into the dock. The doors lowered and bridges extended to let us in. Blossom stuck to my side as we approached the ship. We were just about to step onto the bridge, when someone bumped into my arm, making me drop the Huntress Haven bag. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

The guy who'd ran into me instantly bent down to retrieve my bag before I could even get a word out. I reached toward the bag, leaning forward slightly. His hair. Shaggy...and silver, just like mine.

"My apologies, Miss. Let me get that for you."

I froze. I could recognize that voice anywhere. His tone was fake, trying to fit in. My hand that was outstretched toward him shook violently. I was deathly afraid, scared out of my mind, playing out all the scenarios in my head at a million miles a minute.

He stood up straight and handed me the bag, making eye contact. He was already smugly grinning, that asshole. I clenched my first around the strap of the bag, taking it from him, all while staring into his eyes, the eyes that we shared.

"Thank you." I said, turning with my bag safe in my grip.

I heard him exhale through his nose as if he found the interaction funny. Blossom hadn't stopped when he bumped into me, but she was nearby, on the bridge with Magenta and Sapphire. He couldn't touch me with them around. I'd love to see him try. As I rejoined the team, I looked over my shoulder to see him walking away, hands in his pockets.

How did he escape Ironwood? How does he know I'm in Vale? Did dad make it out too? Is he scouting for that bastard? I stuck to Blossom's side, anxious and downright paranoid about my brother's intentions. I did my best to hide my anxiety, but Blossom's semblance is persistent.

We were aboard the ship, and take off had just begun. She'd probably felt my distress outside, but waited to say anything. Once we were in our seats, Blossom turned to me with a caring look in her eye.

"Hey. What's up? I feel something bothering you, bothering you bad." She asked, concerned.

I hesitated to answer her, looking around everywhere besides her eyes, unsure of whether I should tell her or not.