The Menagerie guard journeys to Mistral

As scheduled, the same captain that brought Blake to Menagerie following the Fall of Beacon arrived on the shores of Menagerie one week after Blake's meeting. He sailed from Vale to Menagerie carrying Faunus seeking to make the island their new home or just passing through as his next destination was Mistral. The sight of the Menagerie guard at the port was not what they were expecting. The Belladonna family stood in front of the assembled guards.

First mate Matte Skye knew something was wrong. They announce on the speakers for everyone to remain on the ship before they shuffled to the front of the ship. They disembark and approach the Belladonnas.

"Chieftain Ghira, what is going on?" Matte Skye says worriedly.

"Menagerie is in no condition to be taking in visitors at the moment. We need to speak with the captain!" Ghira answers.

"Do you expect me to keep all these people on the ship?" Matte Skye responds.

"For now, yes. Once we have spoken to the captain, we can lead them out," Blake answers.

Matte Skye makes their way back to the captain's quarters, shuffling past people eager to get off. The captain is brought out to the Belladonnas swiftly.

"Friends, what is the meaning behind this hold up?" the captain asks.

"Captain, please follow me. There was a disaster... I need you to see it, along with everyone else on this ship..." Blake says.

The captain obliges to walk with the Belladonnas through Menagerie. He makes the following announcement on the speakers throughout his ship:

"Passengers, this is your Captain Silver Baghdad speaking. An incident has occurred on Menagerie which requires the Menagerie guard to escort you upon leaving the ship. Some of you may find what you are about to witness disturbing..."

Slowly, the passengers disembark off the ship. The Menagerie guard helps to keep them in an orderly line. The Menagerie guard walks with the passengers through Kuo Kuana to show them all damage caused by fire last week. There are wounded still in an unstable condition which Captain Silver visits personally. Blake tells the passengers that Menagerie can only provide them with temporary accommodation. If they prefer to stay on the boat for a while, she doesn't blame them.

However, she makes two requests from Captain Silver. First, cancel all other trips to Menagerie! Second, to take their newly formed people’s militia to Mistral so they can intercept a White Fang terror attack in one week.

The captain felt obligated to help! He wrote a message to send via a carrier pigeon for all the places he was due to disembark, relaying the message that Menagerie could not take anymore visitors until further notice. Keeping with the old ways of communicating across the seas proved to be helpful!

A week flew by and before they knew it, the Menagerie guard was filing in onto Captain Silver's ship. They carried both enthusiasm and fear about confronting the White Fang. The negative emotions carried by some on the ship were hazardous due to the potential of attracting sea-faring Grimm. Thus, Captain Silver talked using his speakers about his love for sailing!

Captain Silver gloated that he had countless stories to tell for those able to stay awake and listen to them. He did a good job to keep people at ease. His story telling stopped after navigating some harsh waves.

Matte Skye had to pick up where Captain Silver left off by making conversation with passengers when the waves softened. Eventually, they made their way to Blake. She seemed the most anxious out of everyone.

"Why are you here all by yourself?" Matte asks as they approach Blake standing alone near the back of the boat.

"I'm dealing with relationship troubles... I would rather not talk about it... can we talk about you instead?" Blake says.

"Sure thing! My dad is human and mom was a dogfish Faunus. She was killed by racist thugs... It opened my eyes to how badly Faunus are treated. Now, I’m doing my part as an ally to Faunus by helping them escape to Menagerie. My mom would have loved a place like it.”

“Right on sister. I'm sorry for your loss.”

“I prefer to be treated as gender neutral rather than a she… I'm a futanari but I identify as non-binary.”

“That’s fine by me. They/them it is!”

"I also have gained a few romantic attachments on this ship... They don't call me the First mate for nothing!" Matte jokes.

"I'm guessing you've helped a lot of people lose their v-card, right?" Blake chuckles.

"It helps keep the stress levels low... we wouldn't want to attract Grimm now would? So relax! Have some fun...” Matte says suggestively.

Matte caresses Blake's arm with a salacious smile on their face. Blake pulls away from Matte.

"Sorry! There is someone else I love! But... she doesn't want me in that way..." Blake confesses.

"Are you sure about that?" Matte replies.

"Yes! I tried to make a move on her two weeks ago and she pulled away!" Blake exclaims with frustration.

"Find her and tell her how you feel. I will help get your love boat moving..." Matte advises.

Matte walks off round a corner. Unsure of how Matte would be able to help, Blake gets a move to find Ilia regardless. Their relationship (if you could even call it that) had not moved anywhere since Blake had been spurned. All the prepping for tonight left little room for Blake and Ilia to build a relationship. Were they considered an item at all?

Ilia is found sitting by herself at the left side of the boat. Her legs dangle over the side of the boat as she holds the railing.

"Ilia! I needed to talk to you about something!" Blake announces.

"Is it Adam?" Ilia asks as she stands.

"No. Well... yes and no... being caught between you and him feels like two extremes. One that won't stop hunting me down. The other which I'm pursuing but can never reach," Blake babbles nervously.

"I don't follow..." Ilia responds puzzled.

"What I'm trying to say is-"

♪ Love-dovey, I'm feeling funky! Move that body! Show that you love me! ♪

♪ Love-dovey, I'm going crazy! It's all in my head! I need you bad baby! ♪

A song blasts loudly from the speakers across the ship.

Matte Skye has become DJ for the night. Everyone could do with a song to uplift their spirits. The track blasting from the speakers was the last song released by team FNKI before Atlas closed its borders. Most people in Remnant do not know this song exists due to its lack of distribution. The intro lines echo as the instruments gradually make their presence felt.

"That... I'm trying to say that! I love you! I should have told you that I love you before I tried to pounce on you!" Blake shouts over the music.

Knowing that people around are not going to hear her over the music, Blake gains the confidence to pour out her heart! The sound of stomping, drums, a sensual bass guitar and pulse like a beat carry the first verse.

"I should have taken you on dates! I should have bought you flowers! I should have paid attention to you more!" Blake rants.

Ilia runs and hugs Blake, cutting her off. Her arms wrap around Blake's back.

"Should have... could have... would have... that is not important. Consider this our first date..." Ilia says closely into Blake's ear.

The world sinks into background noise as the song narrates their love story.

"Lay it all on the line" by team FNKI is a duet sung by Flynt Coal and Neon Katt. Sensual rhythm crawls into their bones. Ilia and Blake sway together in sync. Their bodies move as one with Ilia's chin resting on Blake's shoulder. Blake wraps her arms around Ilia's waist.

Everyone else stands to dance. Glee fills the atmosphere. It has been so long since Menagerie's people have been able to let their hair down! Despite being on a one way track towards conflict, they were happy to enjoy life now!

Blake twirls Ilia and holds her tight from behind as the song enters the pre-chorus. There is a whole lot of hip action during the pre-chorus! A smile beams across both their faces. They have surrendered themselves to the rhythm.

♪ Love ebbs and flows like the sea! ♪

♪ Through high and lows, match your energy! ♪

♪ You have one life, so be wise! ♪

♪ Pick your poison! Choose your vice! ♪

♪ It may taste nice! It may take your life! ♪

♪ Place your bets! Life needs some spice! ♪

The music swells until it reaches the chorus. The heavy slamming of drums accompanies Neon Katt holding a high note. The whole boat has found a partner (or partners in the case of Sun) for them to dance with. Then, the beat drops!

♪ We didn’t have the best start, ♪

♪ But so what? Don’t let **** do us part! ♪

♪ We gotta make it right this time! ♪

♪ You and I! Let’s lay it all on the line! ♪

Ilia's body lights up a disco ball! Ilia and Blake's arms break as Ilia turns to face her. They fling their arms, throw their hair about, twist, stomp and gyrate freely. Their dance was a spectacle of self-expression.

Blake's piercing yellow eyes saw nothing but Ilia- body, mind and soul. Ilia was thrilled to reveal herself in this light! The chorus becomes a rallying song for the Menagerie guard. They sing it loud and proud once it repeats while dancing their worries away.

They dance like there is no tomorrow, as there was truly no guarantee that they would see another sunrise.

The outro is a repeat of the intro. The words infect Ilia's mind. She leaps into Blake's arms with a French kiss! The winds swirl around them as the song approaches its end. Ilia breaks their kiss and grabs hold of Blake's arm. She runs with Blake through the crowded deck.

"Where are we going Ilia?" Blake asks.

"I still remember what you said two weeks ago! I don't know if we will have another night! There is a first time for everything! First dates! First kisses! First... you know!" Ilia shouts excitedly.

Ilia giggles as her face turns bright pink! The Menagerie militia cheer at the conclusion of the song. Matte has more tracks lined up, although the sound system does not carry noise well into the rooms where Ilia and Blake have run to.

Ilia swipes her room key card while leaning against the door to open it. She pushes Blake hard onto the bed as the door behind them closes.