Troubled Hearts: A Simple Gesture

Drifting. For so long she'd drifted, until one day someone had stopped that drifting. That person was so kind and caring. He'd taken her in, sheltered her, given her a purpose and a cause. And now she was back to drifting alone. Why'd you leave me? We were going to carve out our place in this world, take it by force. She was walking down the street, letting her life pass on by. It'd been half a month since she floated down from on high after fighting the red hooded trollop. And a half month since she'd heard from Roman.

Where do I go now without your guiding hand, your boundless courage? How she had lost to the girl still embarrassed her, and the thought of what she did to him with her gone... unbearable. But above all, she didn't want to be alone again against the world. She wanted that warm feeling to return, to know what it was like to have someone who simply accepted her. Neopolitan, Neo, crazy girl, mute girl, bitch, nobody. She didn't want to return to that, to the time when she ran around trying her best to survive in this harsh world.

Clicking echoed as she walked down a vacated street, the sound her only companion. Neo glanced at her scroll, searching for any sign that those people had restored some means of communication. Nothing now, nothing soon. I'm not going to be able to talk. The safe zone was just another hunk of Vale, just another place to be stuck. Tall buildings shrouded her view of the sky, a calm bronze shading denoting the dusk time. She walked alone against a backdrop of hushed tones and quiet contemplation.

"Hey, where're you going miss? Out here all alone makes me kinda worried." Neo looked over at a gentleman pushing off from the wall he was leaning on. He walked over with a casual stride, not confident but definitely willing. She stopped and stared at the man as he slowly walked up to her. "Wouldn't want anything to happen to someone so innocent looking. Want me to walk with you?" A small smile crept across his lips, snaking from one edge to the other.

Neo gave her best worried girl look, letting the fear shine out from her every action. Her suitor walked to her side, looking back at the bashful girl he presumed to be protecting. He took a step forward. And Neo spun around, laying the top of her boot flat across the back of his head. Her guardian slammed face first into the pavement, out like a light. Hmm... that didn't cheer me up much. Rummaging through his belongings, Neo recognized several contacts on his scroll. One of the old snatchers. Shame he didn't recognize me.

Carrying on her way, she pondered why the man had found her a worthy mark. I don't hate the way I look, but then again, I don't have to live with it either. Her heart twitched and she reprimanded herself, thinking on all the time she'd been alone with Roman with this face. A pall fell on her mind again, and she drifted onward. The street blended with the next, and she found she'd walked for an hour or more. Hunger started to cry out, but she just kept on drifting. Her path took her far and out of the way until the normal city ended. Nothing but houses past this point.

The only thing nearby was a small diner, a little clean place that seemed slightly familiar. Her stomach growled in anger, threatening complete revolt if it wasn't sated. Better just grab a small bite, not anything too fancy. Walking in, the place was only populated by a few people and staff. Taking a seat at a table near the back, she waved over one of the girls washing counters and pointed out her order. A two course meal and dessert isn't fancy, she lied to herself. Neo watched as people came and went, the act soothing her as she tried to blend into life in the safe zone.

Several unremarkable people left while a young man entered, wearing the signs of a day's work on his face. He wasn't too bad, but nothing Neo hadn't seen before. Behind him walked in a pair of men that looked slightly too familiar. Her blood ran cold when it hit her, and dichromatic eyes ran all over the small building. Nothing, I can't get away if they decide to take me here. They were some of the men Cinder had brought when she approached Roman so long ago. And they were staring right at her. Neo squirmed in her seat, trying not to let the fear of being forced to go into hiding again leak out.

"Oh hey, how's it going? Long time no see." Her eyes shot straight upward as the young man from earlier sat down at her table. "We really should meet up more. It's been too long." She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but the men over at the counter did. They turned away back to their food, and Neo breathed out the fear she'd bottled up. Looking at the man who had prevented her from having to walk back in the shadows, she couldn't help but admire him. A shock of sandy hair, strong features, and a calm air rounded out casual clothing and a small weapon at his hip. Seen it before, but never really looked at it til now.

He bent over and rested his head on a hand, staring at her with azure eyes. "Are you alright miss? You looked like you were uncomfortable, and those guys remind me of some people I ran into recently. Not the kind you want to be messing with." Neo stared incredulously as this man that presumed so much sat with her. Well, it wouldn't be the first.

"So are you ok? I can go if you want? I just thought I'd help." And he started to shift, like he was going to get up and leave. Neo absently moved her hand, resting it atop his free one. That would be a first, they don't usually get up to leave when you ignore them. The young man, more a boy than a man it seemed, jumped slightly at the contact. He sheepishly met her eyes and licked his lips, which Neo decided was a good indication she hadn't misjudged his character.

"Plate of hot chicken, coming through."

Neo let the boy's hand go, trying to hide her flustered face with the plate she handled down. He's just a boy, he'll be gone in a little bit. She watched him out of one eye while slowly eating her ordered food. Her guest simply sat there, staring down at his hand where she'd touched. Their common worry still sat over at the counter, sipping a cup of some unknown brew. No worries. And my dessert should be here soon. Then I can just go about my life, and let him live his.

"Um... do you... you have a name?" her sandy haired protector asked, "So I can keep up the act?" Neo began reaching for her scroll, and froze with the sudden realization of silence. I can't speak. No, no there's got to be another way. No pen was in sight, and she didn't feel like calling attention to herself to get one. A quaint thought popped into her head. Well, he doesn't seem like the type, or he sure is good at acting. Reaching out, she pulled his hand toward her and started tracing letters into it. Blue eyes narrowed before the word she was looking for started forming on his lips.

"N...Nip?"

The sound of silverware clattering filled Neo's ears as she contemplated the strength of her table versus her head. Why morons, why do they always come to me? First blondie, now... blondie... I'm seeing a pattern here. She picked back up the dunce's hand and retraced the letters, adding a slight emphasis of nails to drive the point home.

"Ow... ok, ok, Neo, I get it now." He pulled back his wounded pride, trying not to show how much his hand hurt in the process. She let a small smile creep out, a mocking thing to try and set the mood for the rest of this encounter. "So, Neo, what brings you out here? And with such lovely company?" His questions were genuine, the kind that simply probed out a person's identity. Neo stared back, unable to answer in simple terms. Or at all.

"And a sundae split for the young lady."

The bowl was enormous, and the helping nearly overflowed over that girth. Neo looked on at her prize, mouth watering at the thought of the two flavor's she'd ordered mixing together with the banana. Grabbing a spoon, she prepared to dig in when the sight of the boy trying not to stare at the massive treat caught her eye. Well, he did help. And he's not been that bad of company. She pushed the bowl toward the center of the table, making a gesture for him to help himself. Her guest hungrily scooped up a large mixture of chocolate and vanilla and chomped down on the spoon.

Deep blue eyes bulged as he dropped the utensil and clutched his head. Neo panicked at the thought of treachery. "Ow, ow, ow! That's cold! Careful with it Neo." Her boyish companion picked up the spoon again and gingerly pulled a smaller batch of ice cream to his lips. She watched him closely, trying to tug any hint of deception out of his lanky frame. He's just a boy, he's just a boy, just a somewhat handsome boy. Neo blushed at the thought and buried her face into her treat.

Finishing up the bowl was a chore, and the boy hadn't helped much with the task. She slowly bit down on the end piece of the banana, savoring the smooth texture as an afterthought to the sweet goodness still lingering. Looking over, the men who she'd been avoiding were gone, and a quick glance around told her they had left the building. Good, they bought the act. Although... how many other pink and brown haired girls could there be in this city? Brushing her concerns aside, Neo rose from her seat and dropped a handful of Lien onto the table.

"I'll just walk with you for a bit, ok Neo?" She nodded at the boys timid question. He's really not that bad of a man, maybe he's like Roman. Then again, nobody was like him before, so I doubt it. She waited for the reprimand that would surely come, but it never came. Shaking off the thought, they made sure the lady who'd been serving them was properly compensated, and began the little stroll to the door.

"My name's Jaune by the way. I... it's nice to meet you." Neo looked over at him, and gave him a smile. A warm smile, the kind she gave almost no one. Why, why would I do that? Again she waited for the reprimand, the little heart pull to not abandon Him. Again it didn't come. I'm sure he's still just another one of those people, he'll turn out to be just another person looking for something to call his own. Still, she walked close by him, letting her feelings win out for the moment. After all, Jaune had saved her from having to go back into hiding, let her remain just a girl in the city.

Stepping outside in to the cool night air felt refreshing, liberating. She breathed in the cool air of the city, tasting the freedom she still held. Jaune stepped up as well, and they walked to the street together. Neo's thoughts drifted to lighter topics, and she cursed the fact that Cinder had to destroy the tower. Some days it really is a problem being a mute. Stopping at the point where pavement meets asphalt, she turned to her escort and motioned the questions she wanted to ask him.

"I'm... sorry if I upset you back there. I just wanted to help." Oh, that was why he'd been so silent. Neo took his hand in hers, trying to convey the message she wished to send. "Um, I... why haven't you said anything ye-"

"Neopolitan, we're here to take you back to Cinder. Please, don't try anything. We've been advised on what you can do." The two men stepped up from behind Jaune, standing over the blonde boy with menace on their faces. Her companion spun around to confront them, drawing the weapon she'd seen before on his hip. A sword that looked like it belonged in a museum and an old shield. Don't tell me, he's one of them?

"I don't know what you think she's done, but anyone who would work with that witch is going through me." Neo watched his stance, how loose and infirm it was. He's not going to be much resistance. However, there might be another way.

"Don't get in the way, we have no qualms killing a Huntsman in public." She saw her chance, just hoping Jaune would stand still long enough. Stepping backward, Neo left her calling card frozen in place. Mirror mirror, who's going to get knocked out among us all?

"I won't let you take her, no matter if she is just as bad as that woman." Her heart twinged a little at the words, but she continued creeping around behind her would be captors. Standing upright behind the two thugs, she quaintly tapped their shoulders. Meaty heads twitched her direction as she wound up. Lifting off the ground, Neo spun through the air and planted the tip of her boots across both chins. Her two opponents twirled together before ending up a crumpled mess on the ground. She landed with a twist of the heel, bringing herself upright with a quick flourish.

"How... what? But... just... huh?" Neo let the illusion evaporate, and Jaune looked into her form shifted in front of him. "I don't get it. How did you do that?" He still held his guard, obviously not forgotten her relation with Cinder. As a Huntsman, he would have fought that day. And since he knows the name, he must have opposed her as well. Neo walked up to him, batting away the attempt to keep her at bay with a sword. She placed a hand on an exposed cheek, trying to impart her thoughts onto him. I'm just trying to go unnoticed, please don't start anything.

"But why, why would you know that evil, evil woman? I just can't see it." He shied away from the touch, but still stood there with scared eyes. "You don't act like someone who wants to hurt others...," he said while looking over at the bodies laying unconscious, " well, not those who aren't trying to hurt people anyway." Small lakes shone out from under sandy hair, and Neo couldn't help but think of a life where she didn't have the past she did. Just maybe, he might be someone to trust. She smiled, again letting him know her feelings with her actions.

"Well, I need to get back to my room anyway. Will... will I see you again?" The question disarmed Neo, and she let it roll around in her mind. Why would he want to see me again? She hadn't forgotten the gesture, the simple act of trusting her when she couldn't prove herself someone to trust. Her mind didn't help any, trying to analyze the situation, to keep itself true to Roman. But why? He was her benefactor, and she loved him for all the other reasons of love. His gentle manner, his belief in her. So she ignored her head.

Azure pools filled her vision, and she planted a light kiss on a warm cheek. If that doesn't give you a clear answer, nothing will. And she stepped away again, letting her mirror stare back at Jaune's flabbergasted face while she ran down the street. He tried to talk to her, tried to say things that she couldn't hear. And Neo didn't care. She was interested now, this boy had gone out of his way for her, had wanted to get to know the mute who didn't give him the time of day. He reminds me of you, without the bad upbringing and constant reliance on illicit activities. For a third time she waited for the reprimand. And for a third time she let it slip by.

The mirror shattered as Jaune touched it, and he stood there for a time just looking at her afterimage. Then he walked away, probably thinking he'd never see the strange girl with two hair and eye colors again. Far away from there a young girl ran back to her room, a room that had once held two. It was a room that she'd helped furnish for just such times that normal accommodations were unavailable. A room in a building holding important refugees from her benefactor's joint folly. She should have been alone there to contemplate the strange day.

An overlook of the city was rare, considering how crowded the land had become with Grimm. But she didn't care, they weren't even a nuisance to her or her follower. The city below her was partitioned, a symbol of the work she'd done several weeks ago. Her plan had been a success, and now Vale was cut off from the world, surrounded and alone. The feeling of joy should have suffused her entire body, letting her bask in the praise Salem had given her. She should have been happy to wield power beyond imagining, to have everything in her grasp.

But she didn't. True she enjoyed gaining power over others, sometimes through means that would shock and horrify. But she didn't want wholesale destruction. That was Salem's order though, make them bleed, break them apart so we can tear down their corrupt and wrong systems. But Cinder Fall didn't feel that way, couldn't feel that way. A vision of a blond haired boy flitted across her mind, and her heart skipped a beat.

"I see you're still in there somewhat." She adjusted the bracelet on her wrist, feeling the antique construction as she turned it. The vision dimmed slightly. A shame, he wasn't that bad looking when I saw him that time in the basement. You really do have good taste. A fog of red encroached on her mind for a brief second, before fading back to nothing.

"Well, we aren't going to have any problems as long as her words were true," she mused to her colleague. "Salem did always have a way of making you feel unsure of everything." Cinder turned to her follower and took in the tall woman who stood lifeless before her. A Grimm mask adorned her face above a collar of similar make. Red lines pulsated indicating a smooth control of the wearer and Cinder gazed at the familiar figure in her entirety. You don't want to know how close of a run you gave me.

The vision flitted back, and Cinder again felt a slight tugging as the boy filled her mind. She wasn't unhappy, just annoyed that her control was so easily bent by this girl's will. No matter, she wasn't here for pleasantries but to destroy more hopes, to rally a group to her side and force the city to be a center of power for her. She stepped of the overlook, falling down a ways to the ground and landing with a light step. The masked woman followed her down, letting out a burst of energy that kicked up dust in all directions.

"Now, you'll have to keep a low profile. Wouldn't want anyone realizing it's you before the big finale." Again more red fog invaded her sight. "And remember who I know about. Try any funny business and... well, you know." The fog disappeared entirely, replaced with a placid blue at her minds edge. "Good, now we can go find our new home. Come along" Cinder tried to mask her hesitancy on following through with her threat. After all, she did have a soft spot for the type that threw themselves into danger for another.

In the distance the sight of a crumbled tower overlooked the injured city. A great beast stood perched upon it, frozen from a power far and away from this place and time. Neither here nor there was the duo's destination, but rather, a small room in a building that had been used for more important refugees. The kind of place where those who would lead and inspire others lived in this tumultuous time. No one really bothered each other, being too busy with their duties around the safe zone. And here the duo would stay, where they should be left alone.