Harriet Bree

                         I was never a saint, just a girl chasing justice.

      An independent, mutually exclusive blog for RWBY’s Harriet Bree

                                      - Penned by Destined -

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“The storms kinda blow up whenever they want, we were just on a small grimm clearing mission of some Sulfur Fish when it kicked up.” Dawn explained,

Mint nodded, “the sands of Vacuo are unforgiving but luckily we’ve made some strategies to help combat it. Some wind dust to counter the sand and boom! A small bubble of safety.”

Dawn then interjected again, “plus with everything going on, we can’t afford to be babied anymore, even if we’re first years.”

Their spirit was definitely something that Harriet had to take note of, in some ways it reminded her a lot of herself when she first enrolled at Atlas Academy... but unlike her, these girls still had the chance to not screw up in fashions similiar to her own, “You girls have got some spirit, I’ll give you that.” the ex-operative would muse aloud, glancing over respectfully to each and every one of them individually, “Good trait to have in a huntress.” 

Perhaps naively, Harriet would try and rise to her feet, only for a sharp pain to violent shoot up her leg and cause her nearly to fall flat on her ass; a string a curses would be muttered by the speedy soldier, before regaining herself and taking a seat on the rock once more, “Guess I’ll have to leave the fighting up to you until my leg gets back in commission.” there was a brief look of annoyance at that prospect, Harriet not a fan of having to rely on others for help if she could avoid it... but with her condition being as it was, she truly had no other option. 

Alina kept watch by the edge of the cave, feeling awkward about being around one of Atlas’s top soldiers. She would just keep an eye on the storm’s movement for now.

“Students actually, at Shade.” Mint answered her, “Team ALMD!” She was proud to be part of Theodore’s experimental team, but honestly was just glad to be on a team with people she felt comfortable with.

Lily nodded in agreement with Mint, smiling softly. She never expected to be a student but she was also proud of her team. Dawn then spoke up, “yeah, sorry we didn’t introduce ourselves. I’m Dawn Leroux, came here from Vale so I’m still getting used to all the sand myself,” she pointed over to Lily, “that’s Lily Odeta, she came over here from Anima.” Lily nodded sheepishly in response.

“My name is Mint Aiya-“ she was cut off by Dawn who teasingly spoke up,

“-headmaster Theodore’s prized pupil!” That earned her stern look from Lily.

“Ha, ha,” Mint rolled her eyes, “Over there is our leader, Alina Char.” Alina looked over hearing her name and gave an awkward wave, “She’s from Solitas too, Mantle actually.”

Mantle... it was almost as if the mere mention of the former city brought a sudden and complete tonal shift over the operative, her imagination punting her backward to that fateful week where everything she had known and held dear was whisked away with a violent tide, “All over the map I see.” Harriet would try and comment, hoping to take her mind out of that place at least for the time being. 

Pink irises would momentarily study the group, the girls seemed innocent enough... and by that she was referring to their obvious inexperience and slight naivety, but then again they were only students, couldn’t be too harsh on them, “What are you girls doing out here in that hell-storm? Seems like an intense mission for first years without a professional shadowing them.”  Thing could very well be different with how they teach at Shade Academy, sure, but the hare doubted it, given the universal respect that Ozpin’s model from Beacon had. 

Dawn stepped forward to help the older woman out of the sand, “I can handle it.” She remarks, she and Mint were the strongest of the team but Mint’s stature would make it awkward to carry anything. Dawn was an inch shorter than the former Aceop but she didn’t think it would be an issue.

Dawn lifted the woman onto her back, trying not to cause any extra pain for her if she could. Alina stepped up, “Stay close, Mint will lead the way, I’ll try to keep Grimm off us as long as I can.” Alina was still training her semblance, but it was useful for hiding from Grimm. The monsters were attracted to negative emotions, Alina could manipulate emotions of those around her. She didn’t fully understand it yet but seemingly when she thought back over memories, the feeling a memory gave her would spread to those around her.

They began moving toward the settlement, a warm feeling coming from Alina’s semblance as she focused on happy times to keep them all calm and seemingly relaxed. Mint’s eyes would flash gold every few moments as her own semblance was used to check a quick glimpse of the future, make sure they were going the right way and that nothing would suddenly attack.

It wasn’t long until they came upon something better than a settlement, a small cave facing away from the storm. Once a huge boulder, someone carved into a little hideaway. Mint checked it first, finding nothing hiding inside and nothing suspicious. The other girls entered the cave, Dawn carefully setting Harriet down as they took a seat.

“Seems someone made their own shelter from the storm a while back.” Alina commented with a smile, glad they could ride out the storm in relative safety. Mint put her scroll on the floor and turned on the flashlight to work as a light source for now since they couldn’t make a fire.

Dawn looked to Harriet, sitting across from her and beside Lily who’s wing was hugging herself tightly to save space.

“So, enjoying the desert?” Dawn asked trying to lighten the mood a bit.

If there was nothing else that the ex-operative could pick up on in the monstrous storm of sand, it was that these huntresses at least were showcasing apt enough survival instincts... it certainly made her curious as to their training and what academy they had graduated from; but these questions would have to be placed backward to a later period of time, as the more important dilemma of surviving took precedent over situation at hand. 

The cave that the party stumbled into proved sturdy and secure enough for a short rest, a jolt of pain coursed up her leg as she was seated atop one of the boulders strewn about the shelter in question.

“Well, it’s a long way from the ice caps of Solitas; I can tell you that much.” Harriet would rebuttal, the absence of coarse sand and blistering wind allowed the hare a better look at her rescue party, pink irises scanning over each of them and making mental notes on various things should they come in handy at a later juncture, “So, I take it that you’re all huntresses?” they certainly proved younger than she had originally anticipated, a sign that they were no doubt still students from Shade Academy, “Got any names?” the hare followed with, seeing the opportunity to acquire more information on the people that had rescued her. 

Well good news is, things go south... they shouldn’t prove too much a challenge, though my leg is definitely gonna make things hard... her attention turned downward to her leg, noticing a clear dislocation that would inhibit her ability to walk for the time being. 

If one were to place a gun to the back of Harriet's head and demand an answer as to what brought her out of self-exile... they may as well pull the trigger; honest to herself, the former Ace Operative wasn't sure what drew her out of the freezing clutches of isolation on Solitas towards the blistering warmth of Sanus... and yet here she was.

Of course, that was conveniently omitting the current predicament she found herself in... on the wrong end of the continent's infamous sand storms to the point that when in combination with the creatures of Grimm, would incapacitate the soldier and soon begin to slowly be buried alive beneath the coarse sands.

Minutes seemed to pass, Harriet's body deeply rooted beneath at least a foot of sand from the bust downward; with her leg undoubtedly broken, it would prove to be neigh impossible for the speedy woman to make it out of this storm by herself... but I guess even non-believers such as herself are due a miracle every once in a while.

The sound of voices was somewhat faint thanks to the screeching winds of the cyclones, and despite the veil of sand prohibiting anything close to perfect vision, Harriet could make out what seemed to be four feminine silhouettes that she presumed belonged to huntresses; the one closest to her seemed soft-spoken yet keen with survival instincts based on the conversation she could make out between her and the other three, and with no other options besides swallowing whatever stubborn pride she had left... the older woman would reach outward and take the other's hand.

Her hands are trembling, jaw tight as she tries to keep herself from simply screaming at the soldier. Harriet’s secret ability seemed to be pushing others to the brink of their own sanity. Never mind that Winter was already having to handle the outcome of her own decisions, she didn’t need her team to be second guessing her as much as she already was. As much as the rest of Atlas was. As much as Ironwood was.

“If you don’t remember your place, I promise my next order will be one you don’t like. Stand down.”

Harriet had never been particularly subtle on how she felt towards Winter, no doubt unable to separate her from her name. Despite the fact that her previous superior had respected Winter well enough, she couldn’t have done enough to get on Bree’s good side. Even if things hadn’t played out this way, she doubted the outcome would have been any different between them. Like fire and ice.

Winter can see the flickers of lightning streaking out from Bree, and she tenses – prepared for her to throw a punch in her direction at any second. Instead, at the end of her tirade, the punch is directed into a wall, leaving a sizable dent.

In a moment of feigned calm, Winter keeps her voice as even as she can – knowing full well that not rising to Harriet’s level of anger is likely to only irritate her further. “Are you finished with your tantrum now, Bree?”

There was an eerie silence that consumed the operative for a moment, perhaps collecting herself and her thoughts in between the heaves of aggression currently happening in her chest; it was to the point that the backhanded comment from her superior seemingly fell upon deaf ears, pink eyes would blink once... then twice... before turning back towards her fellow operatives, but her gaze locking with that of Winter’s once more, “I’ll follow your orders, but you’ll never be Clover... and you sure as hell won’t have my respect.” 

Silence fell over Harriet once more: the heaving in her chest began to slow, her fists slowly unclenching and the streaks of lighting all but gone from existence for the time being; glancing backward past Winter towards the rest of the team would prompt the hare to take note of the various expressions of concern, disappointment and above all else... sadness. 

Returning the subtle smile, Weiss nodded. She sipped until her glass was empty before setting it down and gave a little curtsy before taking the familiar hand offered. Truth be told, she was feeling a bit tipsy since she had been using the alcohol as an attempt to entertain herself from this otherwise gaudy event.

This wasn’t the first time they’d publicly danced together, though those occasions were rare enough that her father never suspected anything beyond polite twirling. It thrilled Weiss to think about how Jacques would react if he found out what they’ve done behind closed doors. But that was a thought more than anything else for now; it was too risky to be caught now.

Clinging close to her partner, Weiss whispered, “I’m glad you could make it. I wasn’t sure if you were able to come after your latest mission.” She missed Harriet, so feeling a bit bold, quickly ran a gloved hand down her back.

Harriet wasn’t one for the mushy nature of romance and relationships, but even she had to admit it felt delightful to hold the Schnee heiress in her arms once again after such a tiring and long mission that lasted weeks more than it originally should have, “Well I couldn’t leave my best girl.” the specialist chuckled and winked, the sensation of a gloved hand running down her back caused an ever so faint pink hue to paint her cheeks. 

The harmonious music continued to serenade the venue, the couple spinning and twirling around the ballroom with seeming expertise that came solely from the experience of the white haired beauty that Harriet had the honor of dancing with, “Just think of how much different it’ll be once you graduate from Atlas.” the thought brought a smile to the specialist’s face, hands getting ever so bold as to slither down and come to rest just for a moment at Weiss’ outer thighs before making their way to their original position at her slender waist. 

“Beacon lies in ruins, and Atlas is out looking for fairy tales? Seems fitting enough.” Whatever wariness Raven feels at the mention of the Spring Maiden, she manages to keep off of her face. Where Ironwood had gotten his information, she couldn’t say for certain, but she had a feeling that the little birdy had feathers as black as her own. Still, neither man could prove anything – this was just another show of power for Atlas’ forces.

The bandit leader makes no move for her weapon, which rests comfortably at her hip. Instead, crossing her arms, she steps forward toward the girl who seems to think so confidently that she can take down any threat she faces. With that baby face of hers, she barely looks as if she should have graduated, never mind risen through the ranks to make herself a specialist. James’ standards had gone downhill since the last time they’d met.

“I’m almost offended that he’s sending someone like you after me. At least the last time I faced off against someone from Atlas, they at least looked the part.”

Crimson eyes take in every detail they can as quickly as they can, a skill honed from those years of spying on the witch herself. The girl is young, that much is easy to see. Headstrong, to come and track down herself on her own. Foolish, to think that she could actually win this fight.

“Alright then, little girl.” Swiftly, she draws her sword, holding it between the pair. “I’ll send you back to your headmaster in pieces.”

The manner in which the Branwen woman was condescending her was enough to get the hare's blood subtly boil, if there was one thing that Harriet absolutely hated more than anything in the world... it was being underestimated, and this past her prime milf was overdosing on the underestimating; so when the bandit leader drew her blade and pointed its tip towards her, the specialist couldn't help but paint her face with a prideful smirk, "Didn't old man Oz ever teach you to not judge a book by its cover back in your Beacon days?" she taunted, having extensively read her file had prepared her for this encounter and she wasn't about to lose. 

Harriet Bree was one of the best damn huntsmen that Atlas had to offer, perhaps one of the best the entire world of Remnant had to offer... that was what the AceOps were, they were supposed to be the super elites that were unbeatable; Raven Branwen may have been a feared bandit leader, a veteran huntress and seasoned killer... but she would absolutely come to regret the dare she painted the hare as some infant child out of her depth. 

Dark pink-hued irises would scan the bustling minglers that occupied the Schnee Manor ballroom, an aura of permanent pretentiousness was in the air whilst harmonious strings from violins prompted ball-goers to sway and twirl at the room's center.

It was a scene that Harriet couldn't help but feel slightly out of place in, her AceOps uniform an eyesore amongst the various colored tuxedos and ball gowns that littered the venue in question; a natural jock type for as long as she could ever remember, the speedster never once had considered herself the dress type... she didn't even attend the Vytal Festival Ball when she was still in the academy.

Nevertheless, her eyes would eventually settle on what they had been searching for amidst the sea of 'charitable' attendees; on the opposite end of the hall, the soldier would catch sight of a familiar figure adorned with an entrancing ball gown; as if hypnotized by the spectacle, the hare would snake her way through the various nobodies until finally emerging at her desired location.

It proved even more beautiful a sight up close, the back of the heiress' hourglass figure elegantly holding a glass of Chardonnay... it was enough to get Harriet's heart rate just a little elevated, taking the leap, she would reach forward and gently tap the woman on the shoulder.

There was a small amount of somber pride that came with seeing the final blow explode, the torque and spin as the move connected. The motion left only Harriet standing, her stage name exploding like her blows, a chant as her hand was raised.

A moment, brief but there, Yang’s eyes meeting Harriet’s proud gaze. There was a falter, a breath as the feeling leached from Harriet’s eyes, Yang not lingering there. She had a proposition to make to the reigning champion. Wouldn’t be too bad to see Slipstream taken down a peg and Yang knew that she could be the person to do that.

The crowd swelled around her, Yang letting herself getting swept through to the familiar locker room. It had been a while since she had let herself get into the ring, the thought making her fists itch for contact. She glanced down at them smiling as the curled them both into fists, one flesh and bone and the other stronger than that.

Placing herself on the far side of the locker room, she waited only a few moments for Harriet to find her locker. Her voice cut through the locker room and the blonde relished in the disdain.

“Big words for someone that’s currently bleeding.” She wasn’t too sure if the blood across the woman’s face was hers or her opponents, but it was a sight nonetheless. Yang scuffed the toe of her boot against the ground absently before a light laugh and a shake of her head. “I would want it to be a fair fight.” A shrug. “Something sanctioned, if you’re up for it.”

The sheer confidence coming from the blonde was causing her annoyance to elevate in intensity, a violent turn of her head towards the other would prompt more pink daggers to be shot at the Yang’s gaze; brushing her thumb against her cheek, Harriet would smudge the blood of her previous opponent, “I can certainly make it your blood instead if that helps?” It was rather bold for the firecracker to come into her locker room and talk down to her in such a manner, a sense of arrogance that she hypocritically couldn’t stand.

“But you’re not here to fight, I know you twerps, so what then? You come to gloat? Because I’m pretty sure the big ass lake you and your friends made is enough of a reminder.” The hare had places to be, and she wasn’t about to let the girl with the robot arm get in her way; standing from the bench, the darker skinned woman would fully turn to face the fairer skinned one. 

Pink eyes would examine the other huntress, her attire the same as it always, the smug look on her face was just as frustrating, and her prosthetic showing more battle damage than Harriet previously remembered... nothing important had changed, what a surprise.