9AM Update Why Not
Don't think I ever stop writing for this, sometimes I just get nervous and don't post for a few months
Boxing was a little tame for Vanna, but the last time she bit open a punching bag she was almost banned from the gym. She had a mouth guard on not to protect her from punches, but so that she wouldn't ruin equipment with an accidental instinct-fueled bite (it had been part of the deal so she might return to the gym). Padded gloves covered sharp nails and slammed into a heavy, solid bag. It wasn't as good as fighting bare fisted however she liked, but it would have to do.
Get in an early morning workout. It'll help get your mind off things. Oakley had told her after waking her nearly an hour early. A suggestion from her leader was something she didn't take lightly, let alone a kind thought from a friend.
"Hey."
Vanna's footwork failed and she nearly tripped. She whirled around and saw Jericho. He was wearing clothes she didn't recognize, which must have been his workout clothes. He sported a simple white t-shirt and shorts. Dark lines under his eyes looked like someone spread grease with their finger. His hair wasn't made, and a towel hung around his neck.
"Fancy seeing you down here." Jericho said. He blinked so slowly Vanna thought he'd fallen asleep for a moment. "Oakley woke me up and told me to work out… and I'm starting to think he did the same for you. Tricky bastard."
Vanna smiled broadly, flashing a gold mouth guard. She slurred a word, cursed, ripped out her mouth guard, and smiled again. "It's good to see you in the gym! I'd love to see what you can do!"
Jericho winced as if slighted. "I'll do my best. Continue what you were doing, I'll hold the bag." Throwing down the towel, he took his place behind the punching bag.
Vanna assaulted the bag with glee, nearly knocking Jericho onto his rear. He was used to steady, even strikes, but Vanna was a myriad of speeds and intensities she only seemed to randomly changed. He had never actually seen the Faunus in combat, and right there he decided he never would be on the wrong side of her.
At some point in the fray, Vanna's gloves came off and she began to strike with bare fists. Her movements became even faster.
"Vanna… I-oof!" he was interrupted by Vanna slamming a fist into the bag, sending all the air out of his lungs. It seemed she was enjoying herself too much to hear him.
"Can I talk to-oof!"
"Could you stop-oof!"
Vanna's next punch was intercepted and landed firmly in Jericho's palm. It caused her yellow eyes to flick up to him with confusion, and allow him to get a word in.
"I have something I want to say to you."
"Yeah? What's that?" Vanna seemed clueless, without a guess as to what he might be talking about. Jericho took a moment, his grey eyes scanning slowly across the room. With a sigh, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and ripped it off.
He hadn't wrapped his scar. Vanna's eyes went wide. She moved to touch it but caught herself, her eyes meeting his and asking permission. Jericho bit his lip and turned his chin, leaving his scar completely open.
It looked the same as yesterday, ugly, twisted and discolored. It pulled the skin on its fringe inward, making tight lines border around the jagged shape. She ran a gentle finger down its length, tracing the path and trying to imagine what had caused it. Jericho shuddered her touch, his shoulders rolling and tightened in an attempt to keep his torso still. When he spoke, she could feel the vibrations through her hand.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. I was rude to you, and you did nothing to deserve it. You asked for the story, and I never gave it to you…" He bunched up his shirt. The fabric was squeezed tightly between his fingers for a moment, a stress ball of sorts before he continued. "Oakley and I were on the same team back in the academy at Atlas. We were incredible… top of our class, all four of us. We were set to skip the first half of second year, until summertime. Finn was our leader, a hotshot star of the entire academy. Oakley was my partner; there wasn't a moment he wasn't watching my back. It felt we were kings." Vanna thought Jericho sounded like her parents speaking of glory years, decades in the past.
"But Atlas is a very different place than Vale. The academy is competitive. Real competitive. Being at the top attracts attention, and it's not uncommon for 'unfortunate accidents' to happen, conveniently opening up spots and scholarships for others. We knew this, but we weren't scared. We were the best. And when we were together, we were unstoppable." Jericho's story inched forward like a creeping cold. Vanna was almost shivering.
"It was the first day of snow when I found Finn's partner, James, bleeding in an alley. Before I knew what was happening, Finn jumped me. It was too easy for him. I was startled and confused, and didn't want to hurt who we thought was our friend. It wasn't a fight; Finn was always better than me. He carved me open with his weapon and left both of us to die." Jericho shivered now. His scar shuddered at the story, as if remembering the night too. "I thought James was dead. I dragged both of us to the Oakley's place. By the time I got there, Oakley thought I was dead too. The two of us were white as snow, with hardly enough blood between us to keep a single man alive. Oakley says Finn barely scratched my heart, any deeper and I'd be a corpse." Jericho flinched almost in pain, and his hand rose to hold his scar.
"I've never seen Oakley so angry. I told him not to go. James was on death's door. But he insisted James would live and that Finn had to pay. I didn't see the fight, but Oakley's weapon malfunctioned and nearly tore him in half. While Oakley was fighting, James…" Jericho sucked in a breath. He hastily put a cap on the story. "You know the story from there. Oakley replaced and improved everything he lost, and moved to Vale. I got into contact with Railen and he secured a spot for me here."
Jericho seemed larger than before after knowing so much context. The scar turned from a confusing question to a tragic tale. Her teammate was no longer a cute, but lazy student, he was a fallen prodigy with tall expectations weighing on him.
"Oh." Vanna said.
Jericho had to resist a groan. That's all Vanna had to say, 'oh'? He glared at her harder than he intended. Her ears rose and fell, still deciding how they were reacting to the story. Her eyes didn't meet his and her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "Thanks for finally giving me the story, and finally knowing is nice, and I don't know why you're so ashamed, and, and…" Vanna gave up on words and wrapped her arms around Jericho, shoving her head into his shoulder.
"Why are you hugging me?" Jericho said.
"It's easier than words. You're supposed hug back, by the way" Vanna suggested.
Jericho almost laughed. "I can't, you're pinning my arms."
"Oh." Vanna slacked her grip when, to her surprise, Jericho wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. It was hard, there was hardly a place for his head with her hair everywhere, not to mention that it nearly made him sneeze. Regardless, there was a certain comfort in each other arms. She hugged him firmly and instilled him with a sense of safety. Vanna was warm and soft, even on the less furry parts of her. The feeling of her against his bare chest had a closeness he didn't think he had even felt before. The feeling was alien, but welcome.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
It was breakfast time in the Team Vertigo dorm. Jericho had returned to bed before anyone else woke, though Vanna had stayed at the table and was later joined by Gideon and Eve. They were having pancakes this morning, made by Oakley in a rush before he left for an early meeting with Roame.
"Good morning." Gideon didn't yawn or rub his eyes. He looked like he had been awake for hours, not minutes.
"You look like something's on your mind," Eve said to Gideon. "What's bugging you so early?"
Gideon thought for a few moments before answering. "Jericho's still sleeping." Gideon growled.
"Going on about him again?" Eve said. She had to resist the urge to groan.
"That little bastard is treated like a god amongst men and doesn't do a single thing to back it up. We both know he's not gonna wake up until lunch." Gideon said in defense. "I'm tired of him getting special treatment without lifting a finger. And there's no way to make him realize or put him in his place."
Eve sighed and fell back in her seat. She could understand what Gideon was feeling, she felt it too. It was frustrating when you spent hours studying for a test and a teacher extended the date for Jericho, who had skipped all the classes. Regardless, Jericho was her teammate and she couldn't fathom why it seemed to affect Gideon so personally. Having finished breakfast, she excused herself and left the kitchen.
Vanna crunched on a bag of chips. "Just challenge him in sparring class."
"What?"
"Get him to come to class tomorrow then challenge him." Vanna was only half paying attention. She held the bag to her eye and looked inside for remaining chips. "Then you'll face off."
A smile spread on Gideon's face. It was so rare that Vanna wasn't sure whether or not it was her first time seeing it. "That's an excellent idea, I'm gonna do that. Thank you." Gideon said before walking off.
Vanna tipped the bag back, dumping remaining crumbs into her mouth. "Do what?" she asked an empty room.
Oakley had never been to Roame's office before. It was tucked away in a lower floor of the academy he rarely went to. Between the offices of two names Oakley didn't recognize, he found him.
Professor Railen Roame
Room B435
Oakley knocked twice, the door opening before he could knock a third.
"Mr. Alfaro!" Roame looked more casual than Oakley had seen him-it was still an hour before classes. His hair was unkempt and he wore a dress shirt without a tie. "Thank you for coming. Please, take a seat."
The room was small but put to good use. A bookcase covered an entire wall, with small globes, weapons, dust crystals, found among the shelves as well. A desk sat in the center of the room with a leather chair on either side. Roame ushered Oakley to one of them and took a seat in the other.
Sitting down, Oakley could not see Roame's desk better. Papers and folders had been pushed aside to make way for a large map of Remnant littered with small figurines and dice.
"Please excuse the board, I was indulging in a quick game during my morning coffee. But I didn't call you down here for a game. I called you down to show you this." Roame opened a drawer of his desk and retrieved a paper with creases, showing it had been stuffed into a letter until recently. With a frown, Oakley quickly read the parchment.
"It's unfortunate that a town so remote is dealing with a particularly persistent Grimm." Oakley frowned, giving it a reread before speaking again. "I apologize, but I don't see how this would cause you to discuss this with me."
"There are injured in this town, those affected by the attacks." Roame answered simply. "The Grimm has traits unlike any other. It afflicts those it touches with a disease, a black creeping rot that takes over the body. The town is too far out to receive the large amounts of traditional medical supplies it would take to save the victims."
"You want me to save the survivors." Oakley gulped. Roame nodded slowly. It was Oakley's instinct to help the people of the town, especially when he was one of the only ones that could, but he was hesitant. "I'm honored you considered me for this job, but I'll admit I am not well suited to handle diseases. My semblance is better suited for combat injuries."
"Oakley..." Roame stood up from his chair and took a seat on the corner of his desk near Oakley. "Healing semblances are incredibly rare, and yours is a wonder, even in my experience with countless pro hunters. I've seen you heal others, it's a work of art. I have no doubt that this job is well within your skill level, and I refuse to send anyone else on the job."
Oakley chewed his lip, considering the offer. No matter how many questions and fears he had, Roame was correct that it was unlikely the afflicted townspeople would get help from anyone else. "I couldn't do it alone. I'll need a partner. Could I bring Eve?"
Roame nodded. "I believe it should be fine, the two of you. Time is of the essence, and two travel faster than five. Nevertheless, I understand this is a difficult choice. You have until lunch to decide; talk through it with your teammates. I'd like an answer after third period today, as you'll be leaving by the afternoon."
"Of course. Thank you." Oakley folded up the letter and tucked it into his uniform. He stood up and made to excuse himself, but Roame spoke up.
"If I didn't make myself clear before, I'll tell you directly. Your mission is not to kill this Grimm. Leave that to a professional hunter. It's easier to secure one of them than medical resources for the village. Help those afflicted and return safely. As talented as you are, you are still a hunter in training. Remember that."
Jericho stretched on the dorm floor. It was about ten o'clock, just after the end of first period. It felt good to be up this early, and he was glad Oakley had slipped back to the dorm in between classes to wake him up.
"Get your uniform on and fix your hair, we will be late for second class soon." Oakley looked between his watch and the clock on the wall. Before Jericho could reply, the door opened and Gideon walked in. Oakley was filled with confusion and asked what Gideon was doing here, but was cut off.
"I'm glad you're up so early." Gideon had a devilish grin on his face. He walked past Oakley and straight to Jericho. "A fight, you and me. You weren't there for the entrance exams, so consider it an opportunity to prove yourself."
"What? Gideon!" Oakley but in. "This is a terrible idea! How can you even consider this?
"Deal." Jericho said anyway.
"Jericho!" Oakley darkened as he looked at each of them. He took a place firmly between them in defiance. "I won't allow this. Teammates fighting amongst each other is ridiculous. Hunters have enough enemies already. We need people on our side, not against us."
"You always tell us about how good Jericho was 'back in Atlas', Oak." Gideon grinned, clearly having thought this situation through. Oakley lowered his eyes. "Give your man a chance to prove himself."
"I'll remind you that 'man' is your teammate." Oakley said. His reminder sounded a lot more like a threat.
"I'll do it." Jericho repeated. "I'm not scared of him, Oakley."
"As long as I'm here and your leader, I forbid you two from fighting." Oakley gripped his fists. Bright embers swirled around them. Did every leader have to deal with inner conflicts like this? The class bell cut off his thoughts. Great, now they were all late for second period. "Gideon, go to class." With a huff, the taller teammate turned and left the room. Oakley waited until he was down the hall before telling Jericho to go as well.
When Jericho left, Oakley slumped down onto a bed. For once he didn't care that he'd be a little late for class. First Roame wanted to send him halfway across the kingdom, and now Gideon and Jericho were nearly fighting. He was deep in his thoughts when the door opened; Eve and Vanna entered the room.
"What's going on with you?" Eve said immediately.
"Roame wants me to go on a mission today, and Gideon challenged Jericho to a duel." Oakley said. He didn't see Vanna's face think for a moment before waving off the passing feeling of déjà vu and layed in her bunk.
"I heard him mention it this morning, but I didn't think he'd actually do anything." Eve said. "Will you go on the mission?"
"I can't go. I can't leave my team, especially like this." Oakley decided.
"You wouldn't go alone. Your partner would go with you." Eve stepped forward. Oakley hadn't even told her he'd already made arrangements with Roame to bring her yet.
"Eve…" Oakley sighed. "I appreciate the thought, but Gideon and Jericho are at odds and could go off at any moment. I can't leave them alone. I don't think they'll fight after I told them not to… but if anything happened while I was gone I wouldn't forgive myself."
"I can look after them." Vanna called from her bunk. She threw a few mock punches in the air with a grin. "I'll knock 'em upside the head if they try anything!"
"Are you absolutely sure, Vanna?" Oakley pushed past Eve and loomed over Vanna's bunk. His expression was dead serious. Vanna was startled for a moment at his sudden grave attitude.
"Uh, yeah. If you need to go on a mission, I can look after things."
"Do you promise? Will you promise me?"
"Yes I promise!"
Oakley closed his eyes and sighed. He finally turned away from Vanna and back to Eve. "We would need to leave tonight." He said. Eve simply nodded.
Jericho lay in his bed for the evening long before his team did. He hoped if he stayed still and kept his eyes closed, they'd assume he was asleep and not bother him. There was a lot less noise and chatter now that Oakley and Eve were gone, and everyone went about their nightly duties with only minimal communication.
He waited.
Staying awake was easy. Oakley and Eve were gone on a mission far away and it worried him greatly. It worried him even more that Oakley hadn't given him a specific day he'd be back, or too many details about what he was facing. Then there was Gideon…
He knew his teammate didn't like him, and he didn't blame him. Jericho didn't like Jericho either. He was a freeloader and he knew it. He'd never have thought the student would have challenged him so boldly like that, though. It made him worry how determined Gideon was and just how far he'd go. It didn't help that Vanna was left as the only mediator. Jericho shook the thoughts out of his head. He'd have to keep to himself until Oakley was back. Oakley would have some group hug, kumbaya activity planned that would make everything better.
Jericho slipped out of his bunk silently. He tiptoed past his teammates, trying not to wake them.
"Jericho." Gideon called out suddenly. Jericho froze, nearly falling over. He thought his teammate was asleep. Gideon spoke from his position in bed, not bothering to sit up. "Don't stay up too late, you'll need your energy for the fight tomorrow."
Dread fell over Jericho. It was happening. With Oakley gone, Gideon was going to corner him into a duel and they would fight. Jericho gulped.
"Right back at you." Jericho managed, though he couldn't even fool himself with the words.
He stepped with unsteady feet towards the kitchen. His hand shook so much he could barely pour himself a glass of water. He brought it to his lips, his jittering hand sloshing water over his night clothes. With a curse, he dumped out the water and set the cup aside. Both hands gripped the counter in an attempt to steady his shaking arms. He planted his feet firmly apart so his knees would stop clattering against each other.
Why was he so scared? What was this terror that had his heart thumping so loud he feared it would wake Vanna?
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
He could feel it on every inch of his body. It had never pounded this intensely, not when he had faced Grimm that came from nightmares. Primordial spirits of evil many times larger than him with glowing red eyes and all manner of natural weapons made specifically to kill him, all of them faced without hesitation. Now he was shaking so much he couldn't hold a glass of water. He felt like a child.
He was once among Atlas elite. Some Vale first year upstart shouldn't scare him. He had beaten men better than Gideon in the past. Even if it was a year ago, he hadn't slipped that much in a year, right?
He was still strong. He was still fast. He was still fit. He was still relevant. He could still win.
He hoped.
