Genevieve
I was walking out of the gym, Jasper and Elizabeth had left pretty quickly, I assumed that it had something to do with Jasper's bad mood. Kelsey also excused herself to go meet Jake, they apparently had an outing planned, not sure if they were dating or not though...
Carter was standing by the door waiting. "Hey Genevieve, I was wondering if you wanted to go get some food? It's almost dinner time, so." He rubbed the back of his neck, perpetually nervous as always.
"Sure, I have to be back by 7:30 though."
"Do you live in the dorms?" We started walking down the street, having to shade our eyes from the glare of the sun. Almost like the thing was laughing at us under its cruel heat."I live at home, my family lives here so no reason to go to the dorms. Where are you from?"
"Maine, my family is kinda traditional so they were against me going here, but when you keep stabbing things you reach for..."
"Oh...uh… yeah must be awkward when you shake a persons hand." I gave a smirk in response.
"Never stabbed anyone, yet. Although several chairs and cupboards now have nicks in them, a few holes. Nothing major." His face showed he understood.
"Yeah I grew up in the place with the most untrained weapons there is, I have tiny scars from accidental transformations. My cousin was a meister, his weapon had really bad problems getting it under control."
"Was?" The answer was obvious, especially considering our line of work but still.
"Yeah, he died. Some stuff happened, Kishin Egg. You know, the usual." He looked toward the ground. "but the past can't be changed so whatever." He looked up, with a sense of hope, reassuring me he wasn't that sad about it.
"How about that Cafe?" I pointed out a small place tucked slightly into the alley.
"Sure." Like just about everything else in Death City, it had a Death sign. Basically a skull with points instead of teeth. Upon entering I saw an older man with dark hair polishing a glass, and three younger woman sitting at the bar talking to him. They seemed to be reminiscing, don't know why I noted them, but they seemed important. I took a seat at a table for two. A young girl in a… maid uniform, I think? Came to take our order.
"So your Dad is a pro meister right?" I said sipping my water.
"Uh, yeah. He's not around much because of it, his partner is my step-mother. My mom was his first partner but she left. Not the life for her. She still stays in touch though, wanted me to be a meister so she left me with my Dad. They both realized how important the work is, Mom just didn't want to be the one to do it, I guess." He didn't seem keen on the subject, change direction.
"Have you ever left Death City?" Travel, travel is good.
"Yeah, only when my Dad deemed it safe for me to go on a trip with him, which was once. Other than that no." Travel was a bad idea. "I know you've left your home, but been anywhere else?"
"Yeah, the only time I left the US was to go to Canada, but I went through most of the Eastern Seaboard. Road trips and stuff."
"That seems like fun, but then again I only really feel safe in Death City. Normal people don't really think of Kishin eggs as a threat, more like natural disasters. Unavoidable."
"I've never seen a Kishin Egg, I can see how people would think like that."
"You don't want to," He squinted out the window. "They are terrifying beings, they lack mercy, a sense of wrong, its hard to think they were human." His fist was clenched.
"I can't say I understand."
"You will if you stay here." His voice was trying to be playful, but his fist clenched harder, the whites of his knuckles showing.
"Carter, what program are you in?" The question clearly took him a back, tension replaced with confusion.
"First year, EAT. I intend to be a pro-meister, so..."
"That brings up a point I've been meaning to ask about, how did I manage to cut you and, the very next day, you take out a second year with such ease?" I narrowed my eyes, watching his eyes widen and shift.
"Well… uh. I let you..." He replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't want to go through with it… so I just let myself get taken out..."
"Do you... have a weapon?" He looked confused, his eyes showed he had an idea of what I was implying, but didn't think it possible.
"Uh...No. I'm sure your not suggesting that you-"
"Yes I am, would you be okay with me being your weapon? I know, physically I'm weak. I can't control my transformation properly but… uh." I started getting self conscious when I realized all the reasons he wouldn't want to be my partner. "You seem okay with Elizabeth, and your stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"I, uh, my Dad, um, said he wanted to, uh meet my partner before I made a decision. So i-i-i-f you could do that...the- Yes! Is what I am trying to say." He stood up very suddenly to punctuate the last sentence.
"Um, sir, your order is here." The waitress had returned with our food.
"Yes, sorry." Carter sat back down and we ate our meal in an awkward silence.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I returned to the dorm by 7:00, expecting the others to have already gotten back. Heading up to the room, I loosened my necktie. I didn't find them there so I took a shower, after that they still weren't back, I began to worry so I sat staring out the window. Eventually Elizabeth walked through the gate, but didn't come upstairs. Shortly after Kelsey came through. I decided to go downstairs and talk to them. The first thing I saw was Elizabeth by the door acting impatient, she then chastised Kelsey about being out so late. I decided to pipe up my self. After a brief interaction they ran past me yelling.
Once we all got back to the room I laid out my news. "I think Carter and I might end up being partners."
"Oh, so that happened? I was expecting it to take longer." Elizabeth started changing. "You guys were pretty red in Kid's office, figured something happened.
"Yeah me too! So why isn't it official yet?" Kelsey flopped onto her bed.
"He says his Dad wants to meet his partner before a decision is made." I averted my gaze from
them. My inner self begging for them not to fixate on it, but I knew better.
"Sounds like a marriage blessing." Elizabeth jeered.
"Definitely."
"Stop you two!" I jumped into my bed, burying my face into a pillow. "So what were you guys doing?"
"Enjoying youth with Jake, you know just hanging out."
"Yeah are you two dating or..." I eyed her from my bed.
"Depends on which half the student body you ask."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at this. "Okay… I met Jasper's sister, they are staying at his house
for awhile." She flipped her hair and sat on her bed.
"Now who's getting a marriage blessing..." I mumbled
"Still the one meeting the parents." Elizabeth quipped back.
"Whatever, night." I turned out my light to get some sleep.
"Night." They both said into the darkened room.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I awoke to the buzzing of my phone, I flipped it open to see a text from an unknown number.
'Carter here. I got your number from the school, just wanted to tell you that my Dad wants you to come to my house. The address is XXX Death Blvd. If you can't find it a local can give your directions. I would take you but I have some chores that need done.'
I got up and shuffled towards the showers, passing Kelsey on the way. "Hey how do you get to Death Blvd?"
"When you walk toward the school, instead of that last right take a left and that's it, but why are you going there? That is one upscale area, is that where Carter lives?"
I nodded and continued my shuffling. In the shower I became capable of thinking again, so I realized how weird it was for Carter to just get my number like that. Also, chores more important than a potential partner? Didn't seem likely.
With that in mind I dressed in my favorite dress, a plain light blue and set out. 'This doesn't make sense, what could be that important? Why would the school give him my information? Even if his Dad is a meister.'I picked up my pace, worried.
I rounded the corner onto Death Blvd. Massive houses lined the way, most of which had Death symbols, probably different faculty and meisters. I found the number Carter texted me. I ran up the path to the front door and started pounding on it.
"Hello, you must be Genevieve!" An older man answered the door. His dark gray hair and beard were thick and unkempt. His clothes looked worn and he had on a black cloak, he was odd, giving off the impression of a wandering adventure. "Let me show you to where Carter is." He waved me in to his home.
"This is an older house, built near the founding of Death City. Been in the family for generations, I renovated it recently so it is relatively new. Also, I have no idea how the heated this thing back in the day! It's huge! Anyway, Carter is in the Hall." He turned down a hallway to a large set of doors. Pushing them open seemed to be a great effort, when they finally did open I saw Carter was standing with his back turned to the door, something was wrong. I ran forward to get to him, and heard the door start closing.
He turned his head around, but not his body. His mouth was gagged but he was trying to say something. "MUHMMHUMUNM- What are you doing here?" I had removed the gag.
"I got a text, the person claimed to be you, told me to come here to meet your Dad." His hands were tied to a post.
"Well get him out. Can't fight like that can you?" His Father crossed his arms is displeasure.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I yelled.
"Genevieve! No time! Cut me out now!" I looked back to him, his eyes showed panic. I
transformed my hand and cut him out. After I finished I turned toward the doors, a woman had moved near Carter's Father. She had long blonde hair and similar adventuring clothes to the man. The light of a weapon enveloped her, a longsword. The blade itself was pure black with two red lines, the handle had some weird type of red wire and a ruby set in the pommel. His father held his sword at shoulder level. "So this is test? Seems like something you would do. Genevieve transform." Carter faced his parent, clearly angry.
"What are you saying?! That's your father!" He looked emotionless. "No way! I will not help you do this!"
"Here I go!" His Father came charging forward. He was on us in seconds, showing that he was a meister. The first attack came in the form of an over head swing. Carter stepped back to avoid it.
"Genevieve transform! I am your meister!" He continued to avoid his father.
"And you're being an idiot!" I ran toward him. And transformed my hand into a blade, blocking an attack.
"You don't support his decision but you aid him in battle anyway? Don't be so half baked little girl!" The next swing was aimed at me. I saw the blade about to cut me, but Carter was faster and grabbed me. "If you refuse to fight, or even disagree with the battles of your meister you will only hold each other back. So choose now!"
"Damn it! Shut up you crazy old man! Your both pissing me off, seems there is nothing to do about it though! Carter! Let's kick his ass!" I was getting really angry at these two, especially the barbaric old man. I transformed into my full weapon mode and into Carter's hand. "Carter end this in one shot!" I told him what I meant through our soul link.
"Let's go! Soul Resonance!" I felt the pulsing of our soul waves, leaving, returning stronger, our breath syncing. Carter raised me, point forward, shoulder level, we were ready. "The bright light of the Holy Rapier! Shine! Soul Resonance!" Carter ran forward, the fastest I had ever seen him, the blade was too bright to properly see. His father held up his blade to meet my point, the light got too bright for me.
When it all faded Carter's father was in the doorway to the room, still holding his blade, he must have slid a good 15 feet. He dropped to his knees and we walked forward. His weapon went back to human form, she looked quite beat-up.
"That hurt a lot! You said they wouldn't be strong!"
"They were unexpectedly powerful," He stood up to face us. Seeing their acceptance of defeat I turned back into human form. "My son I am proud of you, and I approve of your partner, I hope you see why this was necc-" he got knocked to the floor by Carter punching him in the face.
"WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT!" He grabbed his Dad's shirt.
"Carter, you must be strong! What if she had refused to fight! You are her meister, she must follow you! I did this for your own good..."
"Carter calm down!" I put my hand on his shoulder. "No one got hurt. Besides, with you here there was never a chance he could hurt me. I trust you." I held out my hand to Carter. He took it and got up off his father.
"Fine, I get you thought this was "necessary", but I wish you would have done something else." He extended his hand to his father, who took it.
"Yes, well. Anyway, Genevieve this is my partner, Whitney. She is a long sword, as you saw." He gestured toward the blonde woman. I held out my hand, she took it, then pulled me forward into a hug.
"She's so small and cute! That rapier was so elegant, a perfect match for such a refined girl! I love heeerrr! Carter you made such a good choice!" She was swinging me about, kinda, I was confused and in a state of shock. "I must put her in so many types of clothes! Genevieve we should go shopping!"
"Ummm.. Whitney I think that's enough?" Carter's Father said it more as a question. She finally let me down. "She is a unique one. My name is Robert, Rob is fine. I don't think we will be going shopping, but I do think a celebration is on order, shall we go to lunch?"
"Why no shopping?" Whitney whined.
"We want more than one thing to get done today?" Carter was obviously making fun of her. She didn't seem fazed, actually she smirked.
"Why not Carter? Are you saying you don't want to see Genevieve in a bunch of cute outfits all day? Are you saying you don't want to match and show off that you two are partners? Hmmmmm." I decided to join her in the teasing.
"Yeah, Carter, is that what you are saying?" I gave an indignant look.
He was flailing for a response. "Carter give up, you are in a hole and there is no climbing out." Rob turned to leave the room his cloak fanning out behind him. I began to follow then Carter grabbed my hand.
"I don't want to go shopping with you, then other people would see you in those outfits." He was looking away from me, acting embarrassed.
"Did you think that was gonna help you any?" Complete deadpan. "You already lost, besides I know you aren't that confident." He hung his head in defeat as I walked out of the room with a wry smile. I heard him trot to catch up, following me as we left the house.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Today was Sunday, last day of the weekend. What was I doing you might ask? Training. Again. Jasper had me doing endurance building all day, in multiple ways. I had been running and lifting moderate weight all day long. It was already 1:00 and we hadn't stopped for anything other than lunch. I completed my tenth lap and Jasper blew the whistle he started wearing.
"Good job, that's enough for today. We have other things to do." I walked forward and took the water bottle he held out for me. "You haven't actually seen many of my weapon forms, you can't fight with most of them. The scythe isn't super complicated if you have a grasp of centrifugal force, but other weapons take more work in order to get a basic understanding, let alone master. Even your scythe technique needs work, mostly in terms of speed and power. I can help you by showing you how to fight, and using soul link, directing you in battle. To the park!"
"Do we have to go to such a public place?" I said between heavy breathing and swigs of water. "I think the gym or something would be better."
"Oh, you'll see why we are going there." Smirking he turned and walked away. Resigning myself to public embarrassment, I followed him.
When we got there the reason he had brought me here was very apparent, meisters and weapons were practicing everywhere. Patches of grass of various shapes and sizes had been left unpaved for practice areas. Pedestrians were calmly standing around watching sparring matches, tutoring and personal practice.
"This area is a designated training zone, you enter at your own risk and it is an accepted part of this city, a necessary one. All weapons and meisters, even citizens can train here regardless of status. It's really popular with the students, and the people who like to watch them."
"Should WE really be practicing here? I'm not exactly liked and you are by no sense of the word normal." I was nervous of all the people around, my ability freaked people out and not even Jasper could get us out of this crowd if my worst nightmares came to fruition,
"Don't worry, I arranged for some people to meet us here." He started making his way across the park in no particular direction. Eventually he found the people he was looking for. Aaron and Emily were standing in the middle of one of the circular greens having, what looked like a pleasant conversation. Then I got within ear-shot.
"Why don't you act a little more humble you little brat? I am your superior you know." Emily said it with a smile on her face, like discussing old times over lunch with an old friend.
"Shut it, your an idiot that I WILL out rank as soon as I get the opportunity, Jasper being your brother only gives you power over the ones who care to impress him." Aaron was very flat about his statement. Jasper decided now was a good time to intervene.
"And of course you wouldn't care to do that now would you? Not like we're all family or any- oh wait." Sarcasm dripped from his words. I didn't mean to but I saw their souls, they were all intense, yet calm. It was a dance practiced a thousand times, a routine, one they still enjoyed.
"Um, are we here for a particular reason? Or are we just bickering?" I walked forward into the middle of them, lest this become more about them sparring amongst themselves.
"Weapon training. I will be showing you how to use knives. It's a pretty big category and my specialty. We would be doing guns too if we were in a suitable area, but those are banned here. Emily will be handling your shield and blunt weaponry." Aaron informed me. "Jasper, two edged, long blade."
Jasper followed his orders, transforming in a flash of light and materializing in my hand. Like all his other forms I had seen, everything was black except the edge. The blade itself was much longer than the handle, it would be hard pressed to call it a dagger.
"For a two edge blade, you don't rear wield, especially a blade that long. If your opponent hit the top of the blade, you could drop it or cut yourself. Hold it tip angled upward, arm extended a bit out, in front of your chest. Tilt it to the left a little to help your defensive reactions. Now, practice flipping it with your fingers so the point is toward the ground."
"You just said not to rear-wield it though!"
"The first thing you should learn with this type of weapon is how to kill. These aren't for prolonged combat, the kill is quick and decisive, if you fight for more than 5 minutes you haven't done it right. Most blows meant for killing use a rear-wield, the first one I will teach you is a downward stab to the neck." He was cold, he seemed used to teaching people to kill.
'Aaron has trained a few knife users of the Nimo this past year, he is a talented assassin. Also, don't let him cook for someone he doesn't like.' Jasper thought the info to me.
"Okay, I'll start that." I flipped Jasper around my pointer finger, moving it with my middle, but I did it too fast and it caught on my thumb, dropping him. "Sorry, if you feel pain in that form."
"Not really, unless it goes through my metal. Keep in mind, we have to be touching for a soul link though." It was weird hearing noise come from a knife, but that was something I had to get used to here.
After many, many failed attempts I finally got the hang of it to the point of being allowed to move on. "Okay, now you need to try and stab me." I deadpanned.
"Uuuhhh, wouldn't that, you know, kill you?" He looked at me like I was an idiot.
"Yes, if 1. I wasn't a weapon capable of creating a blade anywhere on my body and 2. if you could actually hit me. Start with a slash, then flip your blade around and stab at my neck, aim between my collar bone and my actual neck. If you go in at the right angle you can damage several veins, you don't hit anything important like the jugular. Let them bleed out, if they are human. A Kishin Egg will die from a hit like that." Again with the detached way of speaking, like he was telling me how to do a math problem, not end lives.
Discarding that, I jumped forward slashing at his chest, he quickly jumped back to avoid it. I jumped once more but this time more upward, flipping Jasper while in the air. I stabbed downward into the target area, Aaron's eyes widening, then I realized what had happened, I had dropped Jasper during my jump. I fell forward into Aaron putting us both on the ground.
"Idiot." Aaron hung his head. "But honestly you passed, you were supposed to figure out you had to flip the knife in mid-air, otherwise I would always know the difference between a fake and an attack. If you hadn't failed so spectacularly you we be the first person to figure it out so easily. So close to being so good." He put his hands on his face, exasperated. "I don't need to be here anymore, practice flipping the knife mid-jump. That will take you some time and shield training is in order. That should last you the night." He got up, brushed the dirt off and turned to leave.
"That was a spectacular failure indeed Elizabeth." I heard a softer voice, turning Genevieve was with Carter and two older people I had never met. "You were very close though."
"Hey, Genevieve! Have you met these two yet, this is Aaron and Emily, family of Jasper's." I pointed to them respectively. "Who are they?"
"These are my Dad and his partner Whitney. Emily? Nice to meet you, Carter Denson." Carter shook hands with Emily. "Aaron, nice to meet you." Aaron shook his hand with a nod. Jasper then turned back to a human.
"Jasper, Aaron and Emily Nimo. Emily is my sister and Aaron is our cousin. Nice to meet you..."
"Robert, Rob is fine." The parents shook hands with the Nimos. "And you miss?" Rob stepped forward, giving me a good look at his soul. The first thing that struck me was the strength, he was as strong as Jasper at least, maybe stronger. His attitude also was stunning, somewhat closed off but passionate. A silent giant. "Girl, are you looking at my soul? That's bad manners."
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry! I have a hard time controlling my sight..." I hung my head in shame.
"Oh, well then worry not. If you can't control it, I'll take it the same as a new weapon stabbing me on accident, hahaha!" He clapped me on the shoulder. "Worry not, I can tell, you are extremely strong, and if I might say, so is your weapon! You will become a powerful duo."
"Oh, thank you." It always helped when people weren't mad about it. "Whitney was it? Nice to meet you."
She grabbed the hand I extended, then pulled me forward into a hug. As I went into shock, unable to move as she started rambling. "This one is so cute toooo! She seems like fun! And she's cute, I've decided I'll take you and Genevieve shopping!"
"Whitney not again!" Carter looked exasperated, seemed this happened often. She finally let me down after a vigorous shaking. Genevieve came up and put her hand on my shoulder in understanding.
"Tch, Carter you always ruin my fun!" It also seemed Carter chastised her often. "Anyway, we need to get going Rob, we have work in Kansas City tomorrow. The plane leaves in three hours and check in is death."
"Yes, we should get going. Carter, I assume you are capable of procuring dinner. We'll be off." He turned with the dramatic billowing of the cloak he wore.
"So Emily shall we get to shield training?" Jasper turned back to the green.
"Wait, aren't you a knife? Why would she use a shield?" Carter looked genuinely confused. Jasper, Genevieve, and I simultaneously realized, we never told him about Jasper.
"Let's just show him first. It's more fun that way." Emily chimed in. Jasper sighed, his light began to shine. The shield appeared on my arm, and a baffled look on Carter's face. It got worse when Jasper flashed into a scythe, then my gun then back to a shield.
"How in the lime-scrubbed gates of heaven did you do that?! Those weapons are all so different!" What kinda phrase was that? Genevieve pulled him back a little and started explaining while I faced toward Emily.
"First learn a stance, bend your knees slightly, left foot in front of the right. Hold the shield so it covers your upper body with your shoulder facing your opponent. If you need to attack with that just punch, don't even think of throwing it. No Captain America shenanigans!" My disappointment on the no throwing rule was evident. "Huh… Now we need someone to try and hit you for practice..."
"If you wouldn't mind we can do that!" Kelsey and Jake were walking toward us. "Genevieve called me when they were heading down, she called you too Liz but your phone was off. Also we met Aaron, I recognized him from Liz's description so we introduced ourselves."
"Not that he was happy about it." Jake rolled his eyes in sarcasm.
"He isn't very social, sorry." Jasper piped up. Weapons speaking was never going to get normal.
"So what is this about hitting these two? Practicing your shield work? Let's go! Jake if you would!" He shook his head, but still transformed, his sheathed Katana form appeared at her hip. I raised my shield in defense as she jumped toward me.
Her first hit was strong and followed and upward path coming from the right. I blocked it but my arm followed her blade, leaving me defenseless. I got back into position only quick enough to stop her next strike, this one used gravity to the advantage knocking me even more. The next slash came from my right, I didn't have time to block so I jumped backward.
'Not bad! Don't even let her nick you. Keep her at your pace and keep calm.' Jasper encouraged me through our soul link.
"Not bad Liz! Let's take things up a notch!" Kelsey jumped forward, slashing with more speed and strength, with every strike I thought she had me. Every time I barely got my defense back, sometimes having to side-step instead. This continued for several minutes and a crowd was starting to form. "Looks like this isn't enough." Kelsey sheathed her sword. "Don't think I'm surrendering! Let's see if you can take a draw slash shall we!" She held one hand on the sheath and one on the handle, crouching slightly, getting ready to charge.
She dashed toward me faster than ever, drawing her blade to slash completely across Jasper. I couldn't hope to hold on against that, Jasper flew right off my arm, and I was knocked to the ground. She turned her blade around, about to be held to my throat, but Jasper had a secret about this mode. Flying shield. He came right back, smashing into Jake. Kelsey was knocked off balance and I had Jasper back on my arm. I jumped on the chance, tackling her to the ground, holding my bladed edge to her throat.
"I win!" I smiled down at her. She was bewildered for a moment before smiling back.
"Ah, I didn't think about that being a flying shield! Most have wings but Jasper wouldn't be limited like that! Still though, you couldn't stop my draw slash so I guess I can salvage my pride. Good fight." She held out her hand.
"Thank you for the match." I took her hand and the guys transformed and also shook hands.
"Whoa, that was insane! The second-year was so fast!" Someone from the crowd was talking.
"And the first-year had great reactions! That was a great match." More clamoring came from the group that had formed around us. Genevieve and Carter also moved into the circle to talk with us.
"I have been informed of the weirdest pair in all of history and, uh, it's weird, like, really weird. But not like you made the decision to be like this so, eh, I guess." Carter was such an awkward kid.
"What time is it?" Emily asked no one in particular. Genevieve pulled out her phone.
"1:25, there is plenty of time left in the day."
"Ooh, we should go to the entrance festival tonight! We have one every year for the new entrants on their first weekend. It'll be fun!" Kelsey seemed very keen on the prospect of a festive mood.
"We really should have made plans ahead of time. I'll go but the others might have things to do already." Jake was, as usual, trying to be responsible.
"I'm free, how about you guys?" Jasper posed the question, mostly to Genevieve and Carter.
"I've got nothing. Genevieve?" Carter turned to her.
"Neither do I." With a nod, our plans were decided.
"To the festival then!" Kelsey jumped up. Jake put his hand on her shoulder.
"It doesn't start properly till 3."
"Shall we go kill time at my place then?" My partner asked.
"To Jasper's!" Kelsey's excitement was by no means diminished.
I'll be honest, not really all that happy with this one, but I couldn't figure out how exactly to fix it either, did my best. But, on a brighter note the next chapter really starts everything off! Finally, PLOT!
