Oh my... I'm sorry. The weather makes me so sleepy. But here, take this and hope you forgive me.
Chapter 7: Starting Secrets
His stomach sure did give him a few loopty loops ever since the initial first day of hell. It took a few hours to finding every piece of liquor he had stashed away to send them off to a better home. The moment Qrow had a sense of self again, he realized how bad his flat was. He shook his head, onto the next part of his self imposed 'rehab', and hopefully a goody along the way.
Junior's bar in broad daylight had to make Qrow whistle in appreciation. Sure the guy was maybe the least scummy of the scumbag bosses in Vale, but he took pride in his legitimate businesses. He heard the place came across a wrecking ball(Yang) a few nights ago and he thought the place was still in renovation.
Suffice it to say, it looked good as new.
The bouncers, or rather 'security detail' of the club looked at him with wide eyes. Guess a sudden change looked magical to bystanders. Beard trimmed, hair cleaned, clothes fresh pressed; he looked straight out of a classy restaurant instead of his usual. Qrow palmed at the nonexistent Harbinger that he needed to get fixed back at home but shrugged. He'd get to it eventually.
Amber's performance was still on his mind. He'd have to up his game, and that meant going back to the gym.
He smirked a clean toothy smile at the guy in front of the entrance, which gave him a nod to get him in. The inside of the club looked none worse for ware, aside from the crew reapplying tiles back into the floor of the dance zone. The tables, chairs, lounges, hell even the bar was spic and span. His eyes scanned the usual spots, a pair of guards or the occasional 'big boy' stood with hands linked in front of their waist.
His eyes landed on the figure of Junior marking checks on a clipboard, probably overlooking inventory or some other. The man didn't look all that preoccupied and Qrow never did care if he was an ass.
He slammed a pile of lien cards on the table but refrained from taking a seat. "Junior!"
"Qrow Branwen." The big club owner said just as he was about have a hand on a few drinking glasses to clean. He watched the man look up to give him a nod. "What're you looking for?"
Qrow gestured to the pile of cards on the table, "The tab"
"Damn. You're really quittin aren't ya?" Junior said, his hands already flipping through the lien to count how much was there. The man nodded before setting them aside to look back with a conflicted expression, "I ain't judging, but I'm happy to say I don't have to keep losing money and drink every time you show up."
"What can I do for ya?" Junior asked with his hands shuffling through the drawers and cupboards to set the glasses away after a good clean. Qrow rubbed his chin a bit to keep it dramatic. He gave the club owner a once-over for any unexpected moves.
"Hei Xiong, the little bear."
Junior stiffened at his real name. The man frowned as he shuffled his feet. "What's this about?"
"A few nights ago. That girl that wrecked this place, she's my niece."
"Damn. Shit, Qrow I had no idea, honest." The man said with his hands up to scratch the back of his neck. A look of defiance appeared on Junior's face before he pointed at him. "It's your fault anyway, keeping that kid a secret and everything."
He waved it off, the guy had a point there. "Ain't nothing about it Junior. I saw you wanted to charge her."
"Yeah, no offence but little shit doesn't get how the underworld works. I guess I have you and that blonde idiot to thank for that." Junior nodded before picking up a bottle of vodka from a nearby box and set it in one of the shelves. The man looked a bit more relaxed, but he kept his hands on something to calm the nerves. "Still, I just wanted to teach her a lesson. A few day in lock up with the real scumbags in another cell would give her the right hints. The city's got rules."
"Don't I know it. Did you tell her?"
Junior shook his head, "Kept my promise. Tight lipped about the other bird."
He nodded in thanks at that. Raven was a touchy subject to many and he didn't want Yang to get too attached with the idea of finding her. Junior was the best information broker this side of the kingdom, and if the man really wanted to, he could dig up the things that people wanted to stay buried. "Now, If you ain't drinking, or here for one of the other services I can give ya, Why are you here?"
A silence filled the bar up as Qrow took his sweet time getting another scan of the building. The employees looked relax as ever, no amount of tension or issues occurred as Junior waited for him. In a quick fashion, he dropped the pendent he found a few days earlier on the table.
He heard a sharp intake from Junior and he noticed the man started to get paler. He raised his brow. Not a lot scared the man, and even if they did, whatever it was had to be there in front of his face for the man to back off.
"Qrow, I think you should leave." Junior voice came out a bit loudly and he realized alot of the guards stationed around the walls had their attention firmly on him. They didn't move a muscle, but he knew their eyes were on him.
Seriously? What about the trinket was so special?
"So you do know something."
"I'm the Yellow Bear of Vale, Qrow." Junior said with a scowl, his arms shaking slightly. The man even shoved the necklace back into his hands. "And I'm telling you now. Don't look into it."
"Sorry Junior. I'm gonna need what you got." The other guards tensed when he leaned forward. Junior raised a hand to stop them from going any further. It might've been their jobs, but everyone knew not to mess with Qrow Branwen, especially Junior. He quickly added, "What's the price? Or do I have to get it off ya the hard way?"
The man shook his head, "You two really are alike…."
"Fine. It's your funeral." Junior said before he watched the man leave the bar for his office. The club owner pointed at him to stay as he walked with a bit of a limp. Courtesy of Yang, Qrow wagered.
It took a few short minutes but out came Junior with a flimsy little file in his hands. The guy dropped it unceremoniously in front of him and Qrow narrowed his eyes.
"That's it?"
Junior grunted, "Take it or leave it. No charge."
Really, not even setting up a new tab for favors in the future? Just as Qrow reached for the file, Juniors rough hands slammed themselves into his own with a tight grip. He saw the man get paler and paler by the second.
"I'm telling you now Qrow. The moment you walk out of this club with that file. You're on yer own, ya hear? No one in this city's gonna help ya. I mean it, last chance." When Junior said that, Qrow felt the tremors in the man strength tenfold. Whatever was the file spooked him like no tomorrow. Even without Aura, Qrow figured he could shove the man's arms away with a flick of his wrists. The man licked his lips nervously before adding, "That's a promise."
"Yeah, I'll take it." The man let him walk out with the file in hand. He shoved the thing in his front pocket just as he noticed everyone in the room. They all had slightly pale faces, legs trembling slightly as their weapons shuddered in their holsters.
Everyone else looked like they were seeing a ghost. Or a dead man walking.
Just as a bouncer opened the for him to get out of the club, Junior hollered his last few words, "And whatever you do, I'm not going any further with you. Whatever you get yourself into, leave me and mine out of it. Don't even try to call in a favor, threats, or whatever. I got too much to lose to play with this stuff."
It didn't take long for her to see Alex and apparently Roman Torchwick, Phantom Thief of the four kingdoms to greet each other. Amber stepped a bit to the side as the two men shook hands like old pals. A sudden feeling of someone watching her had her turn, revealing that woman with multicolored hair to smirk at her.
With curiosity nagging and the fact that Rider and Lancer were interested in the sudden development, she reluctantly accepted Alex's invitation for a meal at the place he and Roman were going to meet. She also didn't want to just run off without getting new clothes and returning what she borrowed.
The walk wasn't actually all that long and the tavern was a bit spruced up compared to a few other places they passed by. In fact, Amber noticed a lot of the employees bowed to both of the men as they were ushered into a private booth, secluded away from the bustle of other customers.
"Ahh, I forgot to introduce my illustrious partner. It's the first time you met her. Neo, Allie. Allie, Neo." Roman said. A heavy thud of a pair of briefcases followed, echoing in the building as a another set of bundles landed on part of the table that the group was using. Alex bowed to the woman.
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Alex, and this is…"
She called out just as she took a seat, grateful how it was a lounge instead of a booth. "...Amber" The pair stared at her, Neo gestured to point at herself and to Roman and the man got the gist of it. He hummed as if they had an understanding. She pointed at the ginger, a slight growl came with it. "You're… Roman Torchwick."
If this was the first time Roman was going to let this Neo meet Alex, then by most rights, she was the muscle. The only issue was the attitude of Neo. The woman was leaning a bit close too close for comfort to her. The woman narrowed her eyes as she quickly reached up to feel her rib bones. Amber yelped from the sudden moment.
"Oooh, My reputation precedes me." The man smiled and took a theatrical bow just as Neo wagged her finger. He tipped his hat before setting it on a spare seat on his side of the lounge. He continued without an ounce of humility, "You got it. Roman Torchwick; Phantom Thief, Smuggler, Industry Scammer, and Dashing Gentleman at your service."
"Fam….ous." She grunted, now with her hands holding her sides in case Neo pulled a fast one.
"I pride in having a big zero in my bounties across the four kingdoms." Roman stressed as he sat down followed by Alex. The ginger added as if it was an afterthought, "By the way, here Allie."
As soon as a menu was handed to her, the latches on the cases were open to reveal large selections of crystal Dust. The shine and glow to show their level of quality had her take a breath. Every kind of every type was there; different shades of blues, reds, greens, orange… It was like a rainbow.
Alex hummed in appreciation and took out a case of his own to reveal a small pile of Lien. The two exchanged cases and Alex also took the bundles wrapped in cloth, not even caring to check the contents.
Gahahaha, well traveled!
Roman smiled, "Pleasure doing business with you."
"You mentioned bad news, Roman?"
The man sighed, rubbing his face. It revealed a few fading bruises and scratch marks. It was also the first time Amber noticed the criminal's attire. Fresh pressed, washed, cleaned with the oozing smell of detergent still lingering. Roman took his cane out, twirling it in his fingers.
"I'm gonna have to stop our regular meetings, shipments too." Roman said with a frown, pausing when a waiter came around to drop off a cigar. "I hate to lose a well paying customer on top of good company, but I've hit a snag."
Alex chuckled, "You? Roman Torchwick?"
The man shrugged with a smile, "Yeah, see I was doing this one job. Get some goons, hit up a mom and pop Dust Shop on their behalf. The usual."
Really? Hitting up family businesses is the usual for him? Alex seemed to notice her body language and patted her shoulder with a disarming smile. "He at times help out the smaller businesses when corporations get pushy."
Roman laughed, waving it off as he leaned back. "Hard to buy them wholesale offa the SDC for small shops to keep afloat. Sure we can get em from Hyperion or Yudi, the SDC's rivals, but they're so low on supply that it would make it worse for everyone if the big leagues saw a competitor growing. So, I stage a few robberies, ruffle up the owners. Let them cash in on the insurance."
For a man to do bad things for good reasons, however meager the reasons maybe… It's disheartening to see.
Neo patted her own pockets just as Roman added, "And we get Dust, everyone wins."
She tilted her head, it sounded like an easy job then if everyone was in on it. "... Different?"
"The problem was what happened before; I shouldn't be lopping my gripes here but, she's going to be a pain, I know it."
Roman seemed to shake his head while Neo was already ordering what she wanted. She raised a brow when Neo kept pointing over at item after item until landing at her. The multicolored woman patted her stomach in a gesture.
"Anyways, the usual. Then suddenly, one of my goons, a new guy I got from Junior just sticks a gun to some kid's face!"
Archer from within tensed at the words that came out of his mouth. Berserker added to it as she stifled a growl. Roman seemed to understand her or misunderstand her as he continued. "Worse, girly. Red was a huntress in training. The kind that's over the top in confidence, pride… she was such a goody goody! I had to jump on a bullhead to here after she did some damage to my Melodic Cudgel."
The ginger raised his weapon slightly for all to see. A large gash marked the top where the handle was and a few holes went through the shaft while a the bottom was long gone, broken in two by blunt force.
"But to the point. I'm stuck with a real taskmaster here, Allie. An up and comer with big plans and she's scary to boot!"
Basically, she's got him by the balls. Lancer chuckled while Amber put a finger to her chin; Out of the corner of her eye, Neo was mucking about with her weapon she laid down to the side. She emitted a berserker filled growl and the girl smiled it off. Neo poked and prodded the sword, getting a feel of the grooves before stopping by the slots where gemstones could have been filled it up. Neo patted her own biceps and back to her. Amber nodded while Neo covered her mouth in a silent snicker.
Alex sighed, "Then we will have to part ways. Do you have any other patrons that you're going to cut off?"
"Worried about me?"
"Hardly, but allow me to hand you some parting gifts." Alex said. She noticed the man next to her open a few buttons in his pack. Out came a large case, the size of a toolbox and a smaller jewelry box. He reached with palm up at Roman and called out, "Cane."
"I'm not one to deny a gesture," Roman responded, handing the weapon to him. Alex quickly gave the cane a once-over before nodding. He pulled out a knife and saw, revealing all of the tools inside his box. Roman whistled, "That's some hardware you got there, Allie."
Tools fit for offering to Hephaestus, Rider mused. Think we can get a spear for Lancer?
Said blue haired man perked up at the thought.
Amber nodded in tandem, not understanding and watched Alex cut off the broken end to make it smooth, a twist in pipe went in the cane to make it attachable while Alex cleaned the inner workings of the hollow tube. She, Roman, and even Neo paused to watch the man work. A dust holder in the shape of a small revolver chamber was quickly adjusted into a slot at the middle of the cane while making it attached to a new barrel to make it long again.
Alex flipped out a small knife with subtle inlines and took out a dust crystal. Roman hummed, "SDC controls nearly everything about Dust, so this is a surprise to find out you're a Dust Carver, Allie. Thought you had your own whenever I send my shipments over. "
The Dust carver ignored him in favor to line the edges of the cane with the Dust and filled the chamber with crystal instead of powder. Eventually Roman was handed a weapon back that looked good as new. The ginger twirled it a few times, getting the feel of its weight.
"What's it do?"
"The revolver casing replaced your signature Dust bullets. It works more along the lines of firing charged dust in its natural form, such as controlled fire or lightning shocks. The Dust lining on the edges allow the cane to be used much more as a primary weapon,like a sword cane without the blade. I added a few more adjustments but to summarize; It's a Cane, Sword, and Rifle." Alex said. He pointed to the top where a dial piece that formed along to the end of the crock of the cane. "I added a selector if you ever decide to use different types of dust or ammunition."
Rider whistled just as Lancer eyed the cane in Roman's hand with look. She watched Roman nod with a face of appreciation, but Alex wasn't done. He quickly set the jewelry box in front of the man.
"In case you ever want to find more customers that are… similar to me. Or if you require services yourself."
"Guys that want me to break into secured vaults or museums? You've got odd taste in antiques, Allie."
"Think of it as a membership card."
"Hah, like a social club." Roman said as he palmed it in his hands. He nodded before pocketing it without a glance, "Might not use it, but appreciated."
Neo had finally stopped messing around with her and went over to get a feel of the mantle on Alex's shoulders. She gestured to Roman with a pair of hands grasping an invisible jacket and swooshing it around.
"I might have similar tastes but don't you think it'd get dirtier as time goes by? Allie here doesn't do much aside from walking." Said man laughed at the ginger's jest.
After a few more minutes of waiting and a moment for Alex to carve in his emblem, a dangling pendulum, at the behest of Roman, the food quickly came along. The table was piled high with dishes ranged from deer to beef, stews, bread, salads; Everything was filled to the brim. Many of the souls salivated, which in turn made her drool a bit.
"Go ahead. It's on me. Think of it as payment for the new cane."
A drink! Grab a drink!
Rider, we will not be getting alcohol.
Aww, how about mead then? It's the weakest stuff.
Lancer!
Do they have any wine?
Apples! Thou must take a slice of apple pie!
Neo jutted a slice of venison in her direction and she gulped. She was pretty hungry. In a flash everyone in the table including herself found out that the amount of food she could consume could break an average person's bank account. Courtesy of all the souls affecting her and something she dearly needed to learn about.
Roman and Neo had said their goodbyes, jumping on a Bullhead back to Vale. The sight of the airships' engines whirled as it passed by up into the clouds from where they were standing. They stayed for a night which Amber found the time to get new clothes thanks to the barter with the deer earlier. It took hours during the morning as every ego pushed a different article of clothing.
Assassin while disinterested in the material of the clothing urged her to get a corset which was then quickly rejected after learning no combat acceptable ones were sold. The woman then decided to drag her in her mind about a sweater. That was the start of piling demands. Lancer wanted boots for perfectly acceptable reasons(Assassin demanded heels with them, followed by Archer and Berserker's restrained agreement) while Rider called for gauntlets(Caster tempted her into skin tight sleeves). Berserker growled for a skirt and Archer kept making her stare at a green hoodie.
After it was all said and done, she walked out with one a single set of clothes that might or might not be able to take damage in fights. Thankfully Galahad didn't ask for anything, preferring to help her out with the slew of arguments instead.
Amber sighed. She ended up wearing a white cashmere sweater(Assassin so wanted that) with arm sleeves hidden underneath added into a green hoodie(that oddly looked like Archer's hair), a white skirt, and metal heeled boots(Lancer urged for greaves). At least she had the freedom to add a pair of thigh highs as she wasn't used to a skirt. They denied her of shorts. Alex didn't need to, or maybe he did since she had his clothes, in helping her pick out the right colors and making everything… not clash.
With her temporary companion able to get his clothes back, the two ended up facing each other at the village gates. Alex looked relieved as he asked, "Where will you be heading off to?"
Amber paused and think about that. What was she going to do next? If she had to be honest, it stumped her. At first she originally wanted to search for the truth about herself since the appearance of her powers. Now she confirmed that she was a Maiden even if it was from a psycho. A psycho that was hired just to kill her after a group of people failed to finish the deed.
If those people at Vale weren't there, she could get into the libraries for their dusty books. But if she was honest with herself, it looked like Vale wasn't going to be much of a safe spot either, with Roman talking about how there was going to be a new face in the criminal underworld.
We really don't have an idea do we, Master?
She shrugged at Lancer's question. It also served to answer Alex's as well. The man sighed, "I'd suggest you to head on to your normal traveling spots, maybe even a home village. But that would be ignorant of me."
Home? Can we go home?
Did you forget? The Magi is correct; We still are being targeted by Tyrian the assassin. The danger that would occur to your village... Galahad started, pausing to leave the end of his sentence for her to fill in by herself.
Then where? As loathe I am to admit it; Should Master just run? Assassin asked with the image of her looking at her nails appeared.
Archer piped in, teeth gritting and holding a proverbial axe to grind, Hunt him down ourselves
And our own situation? I'm all up for a fight as the next one, but Master ain't us you remember. We don't even know where he is, or where his reinforcements are.
I still believe Alex will be a good choice.
Come off it Rider. You're supposed to be on Master's side. Lancer complained.
The image of Iskandar appeared, fist waving in a complaining manner. I am!
Amber smiled a bit, which earned a confused look from the sole physical being in her vicinity.
The faunus soul shook her head from within. The oath of healing no longer is in effect, Rider. As seen with his blade and his connections; This Magi doth hold secrets and abilities like others. Shalt we play with fire and see his experiments?
Let me to explain; Master is no doubt magical in origin. Her abilities of being able to manipulate the weather as if she were a mature caster during our time alive proves that. Especially when there were no incantations. She calls for her mana not from a simple arrangement of magic circuits like many after the death of Magecraft, but from something like a magic core. The only things we know at least that carry magic cores are of the transcendent kind. Yet...
Caster laughed eerily, playing with a dagger that looked like half a pair of scissors. Yet she's human. An interesting puzzle don't you think? I sure bet many would be willing to dissect her if they found out.
Rider did little to stop everyone getting riled up. He nodded with a sigh, a truth that everyone now her, understood. A maiden is no doubt a central factor of Magi in this era. Whether for selfish or altruistic gain, it doesn't matter. Alex will assuredly know of what a Maiden is.
Let us not forget.
Lancer agreed with the soul of the shield, Tyrian said 'you maidens'.
There's more, she uttered. It was followed by multiple nods in agreement and a growl from Berserker. Tyrian just didn't specify how many more there were; What they could do, their importance, and why they existed.
Then can Magi be trusted? She asked, no longer using the fantastical stories or fairytales as her basis. Reality was different, people came in a sorts of shades, and it felt like Magi were mostly on the darker side.
They usually have bad first impressions. Or the reputation paints them in a stereotype. Rider said with a pointed look at Caster. Amber had to agree, Caster wasn't really what she expected a Magi… she played that word in her mind, was. He continued just as Archer gave a sad look. Which one of you have had a Magi accompany you when you were alive?
You speak soundly. I know of many Magi. Answered the faunus soul. She could feel a wave of regret from the connection, followed by an unyielding rage. It died down while Lancer sighed into a nervous laugh.
...Ahh, I was kinda like a Magi. I do fulfill the Caster requirements and all. Lancer clarified, But I wasn't good.
Still; Waver's bloodline, though the thought of having his ancestors being two, perhaps more followers that would appear in my Noble Phantasm did turn my bias towards him, I admit. But, maybe we can gauge him before revealing ourselves?
Her head started to become a small tug of war right after Iskandar said those words. The souls argued over the best course of action; Of letting the Magi in on their knowledge or walking away from the possible issues that might occur. The demerits and benefits flowed out through each ego as they got longer and longer in arguing. Everyone had an opinion. Rider and Archer debated over the trustworthiness of the suited man while Lancer spoke about how they could out of it when things turned for the worse with Berserker nodding or shaking her vigorously to show her support. Caster and Assassin talked on how dangerous it would be with each conjuring a mental image of experimentation or just plain shoving her into a lab.
In the end, Amber jutted a finger to the man before she asked, "Where?"
It was thanks to Galahad as he was the voice of reason to the whole debacle. The knight was calm and merely used facts in his words. Where else is she going to find out more about her status? A definite explanation rather than conjecture? It's well known Magi are a rare breed, especially now. I've only ever known a total of two, both on the opposite extremes of views. How will we find another if this one leaves?
He was the one that got her to figure out what she was going to do. The knight really shined through with his polite demeanor and critical thinking. She watched Alex look at a pocket watch before he pulled out a letter.
"I'll be heading to Domremy. I have a few packages to deliver, family heirlooms." He said, patting at the two objects wrapped in cloth. No, mystic codes meant to seal what was inside. Alex thought for a moment before holding up a set of fingers. "I also have a letter about a child named Jaune I'm supposed to examine at the behest of his grandfather."
Two days. That wasn't bad, and enough for them to do what she was thinking about. If she played her cards right; They'd travel with Alex for a small time so they got to know him. If he fit the bill, she'd start with the act of intimidation(Archer and Assassin urged her to show who held the power) in case if he tried to do what Caster was warning about. They'd then explain at least her predicament with the extra soul pieces to ease him in(something Lancer and Iskander said that Magi were most definitely in the know of). And finally they'd talk about her status as a Maiden. Maybe not in that order.
"I… come?"
Alex gave a surprised expression, "Are you sure? It's literally the center of the frontier lands."
She gave him a nod and noticed he grit his teeth slightly. The man patted the left side of his coat with a slight tremble in his fingers before he smiled. Amber raised an unseen brow. Maybe she didn't need to scare him at all. Did he know something already?
He shook his head and let a pendulum dangle on a gold chain from one of his wrists. In a quick look, Alex nodded to himself before starting, "We'll use the roads from here until a fork up north. It's going to have us get closer to colder climates so we're going to move fast in the daytime. Hopefully, we won't have to encounter any Grimm and the like."
Just as she walked within arms length, she heard a slight mutter from the man beside her. It was only thanks to the other souls that she was able to pick up on it. A foreboding omen.
"Oh World, is this the Counter Force?"
Had to cut this chapter short a bit. Arc Family appears and a bit of RWBY/JNPR at the end of next chapter... I hope. It's on track I think. Thanks for the view, and I hope you enjoyed this so far.
