Sunset

A small boat carrying a vessel, slender and fierce, returns to the coast of Menagerie during sunset. The orange haze of the dying sunlight paints a dark shadow across the waters.

Blake was ready to return to Kuo Kuana. Blake had chosen to ditch her white coat on Azure island. The drag it created in the wind slowed her down.

Her frame looked sleeker without the coat. Her gaze was focused. Her strut was powerful.

The citizens of Menagerie stood out of the way, bowing with respect as Blake passed by.

Few were told about the meeting being held tonight. The mere presence of Blake would surely draw a crowd. Blake locks eyes with a familiar face- the pig Faunus street food vendor who Blake had known since childhood. The chef knowingly points towards the location of the meeting Blake asked Ilia to organise tonight.

"Thank you Pinky," Blake whispers.

Pinky bows his head in respect. Blake walks into a nearby restaurant that was "closed early". She finds Ilia, Kali, Ghira, Sun and members of the Menagerie guard all in attendance. When she sits at the table they have all gathered on, Blake wastes no time in divulging her plan.

"I need three things: a militia, a boat and permission from the Mistral police to perform a joint operation," Blake declares.

"The Mistral police? Why do we need their permission? Why a joint operation?" Sun says.

"Optics is everything. How people see us when we stand against Adam has to appear legitimate and organised. There are humans who blame Faunus for the Fall of Beacon. Some think we are all rogue agents conspiring against their kingdoms. They think Faunus advocacy and terrorism go hand in hand. We have to show them otherwise. We need to show that Menagerie stood with the authorities from Mistral to suppress radicals,” Blake explains.

“I have connections with the Mistral police, but how will we reach them in time?” Kali says.

“I know a sailor… I helped defend his ship against Grimm. When he arrives in Menagerie next week, I will ask him to take a boatload of us to Mistral. We should arrive on the day of Adam's planned attack on Haven. After we dock, you go to the Mistral police, share our intel and tell them you have support on the way. I doubt they would refuse our help while knowing the seriousness of the situation,” Blake responds.

“That just leaves the militia. We have people but not a lot of weapons,” Sun adds.

“Use scrap metal for shields. The militia isn’t supposed to do much fighting. Their purpose is intimidation. If we have enough muscle, we can **** most of the White Fang into a surrender. However, Adam will not back down. Sun, you must keep everyone far away from him. The Mistral police should be kept on standby to open fire with electric dust cartridges. Ilia, I need you with me to take on Adam,” Blake answers.

"Blake, I cannot help but feel you are starting to sound like Sienna Khan..." Ilia comments, echoing her words from their talk at the coast.

Ilia took the words right out of Ghira's mouth. He wanted to remain quiet during this meeting to gauge where Blake's headspace was at. He was glad that Ilia voiced this concern. If Blake's passion and influence was left unchecked, she could lead Menagerie down a path of radicalization. Even Kali, who would normally be more moderate like Ghira, was swept up in calls for ****. Her maternal instincts were in overdrive. Threatening her home made Kali's heart **** to radicalism. Ghira leans forward to hear Blake's response.

"The biggest error I believe Sienna Khan made was working with criminals. It is very difficult to make your cause legitimate while using illegitimate means. Sienna focused more on sabotage rather than building. Undermining rather than justifying herself. She got bitter and unnecessarily hostile. Why do you think her semblance is called Grudge?" Blake posits.

"What makes you different from her?" Ghira chimes in.

"The difference between me and Sienna is that I bear no grudge against humans. I just prioritise the needs of Faunus. Advocating for yourself is not the same thing as stepping on someone else. Endless antagonism accomplishes nothing," Blake answers.

"What will you do if humans try to undermine us?" Ilia asks.

"Some humans will try to undermine us. If they swing first, we have a legitimate claim to defend ourselves. Both as a nation and a global community of Faunus. But if we work with criminals like Roman Torchwick or Adam for progress, we lose our legitimacy! Furthermore, I prefer to make allies over enemies. There are humans who want to help us. We need to communicate who we are and what we stand for better. Or we risk turning the world against us. Which is why... the White Fang will be disbanded after Adam is eliminated," Blake explains.

The table is astonished by Blake's proclamation.

"The White Fang's name has become too tainted! The Menagerie guard will be expanded to take its place and protect the interests of Faunus. Keyword! Protect. Guard... Shields... We cannot present ourselves as aggressors! Optics is everything..." Blake continues.

"So this new brotherhood we are forming will be called the Menagerie guard? Are you sure about tying the name of Menagerie to a project you plan on expanding into the kingdoms?" Ilia asks.

"We have uniforms. We have a logo. We have people already working for Menagerie guard. Why not?" Blake replies.

The table went silent. They could all see Blake's vision. The boldness of Blake's plan was captivating! Blake was not just "like" Sienna Khan- she was more than the old sourpuss could ever be!

The Belladonna family, Sun and Ilia discuss briefly where it is safe for them to sleep next. The Menagerie guard tells them that they will need to sleep at a local inn- the fire damage to the Belladonna household was extensive.

Ilia still has one thing on her mind to talk over with Blake that she didn’t manage to voice during the meeting. After they all discreetly make their way over to a local inn and settle down, she knocks on Blake’s door.

Blake has already changed into a night dress. They sluggishly unwrap themselves out of their snug bedsheets to answer the door. Her eyes twinkle upon seeing Ilia.

“Come in…” Blake says suggestively with a naughty smile.

Before Ilia can explain that she is not here for the reasons Blake thinks she is, Blake slides out of the doorway. Ilia tepidly follows her into the room, keeping her distance and standing near the wall next to the door. Blake's back is turned. They appear to be fidgeting with the top of their night dress as if they are itching.

“Hey Blake… listen. There is something on my mind...” Ilia says cautiously.

"Are you here to tie me up or do you prefer if I chase you again?" Blake teases.

Blake turns around to reveal she undone several buttons at the top of her nightdress. Blake's cleavage jiggles as she walks forward reaching for Ilia's chest. Ilia backs away in fright. She hits the wall behind her with a loud thud.

They both freeze. Ilia holds her arms over her chest. Blake stands still with a look of confusion on her face, followed by regret.

"I'm sorry... I thought..." Blake sighs.

"I was going to ask something about Adam. Just forget about it!" Ilia responds anxiously trying to fake a smile. Her preppy tone masks her fear, trying to pass off this moment as if nothing went wrong.

Ilia runs away. The topic on her mind, Adam, brings forth a new revelation within Blake. She felt a piece of Adam was still in her... Adam left an imprint on her.

The way Blake attempted to advance on Ilia was exactly what Adam would do to her… Except Blake wouldn’t complain about Adam getting handsy with her. Blake did not realise that Adam was acting in a predatory manner during the early phases of their relationship. To her, it was normal for people who started a relationship to try touching her, especially within the sexually liberal culture of Menagerie.

Losing her innocence changed Blake. From the day that Adam and Blake's bodies first commingled, her heart carried pieces of him. It was these pieces of Adam which scares Ilia the most. His impulsiveness. His rage. His predatory behavior.

Blake was left to wonder if defeating Adam was really going to rid herself of him for good…