Chapter 9: Heart And Soul
Thursday 0800.
Four months and one week after.F.B.
Walking the barracks on a Thursday morning usually felt strange these days, almost like visiting a ghost town. It was not always that way, though. In the first weeks, it had been like every other day: soldiers exercising and training, people running around everywhere setting up new buildings or modifying equipment. Though in time, Vale military life started to get more organized. Scheduled training times, standardized protocols, a structured chain of command, something like that sounds mundane, but for a country who did not have a standing army since the Great War, it was a bit of a struggle. Academies and their hunters were only loosely disciplined, and the typical Vale citizen experience of military structure consisted of last year's most popular war movie.
So it did take a while for things to settle in, but since then Thursday mornings, for the 7th battalion anyway, meant ranged weapon drill in a nearby abandoned shopping mall. The shops there, and frankly the entire block, lay barren since the Fall of Beacon, the patrons, and inhabitants having skipped town for greener shores presumably. At first, the whole thing was just the empty stores with cardboard targets spread in them, but over time the equipment got more and more involved, and by now there were different themed areas for specific training. Long shooting ranges for rifles, narrow corridors, and streets for more urban combat, even a jungle area which was almost entirely made up by the props of the mall's former pet store. So naturally when it was time for gun practice it could take quite a while, and most of the battalion would be away until midday. Though even then there were typically people around the barracks. You couldn't fit the entire battalion in that mall, and usually, soldiers got assigned unique training lessons or other tasks to keep the numbers balanced. This, however, was the first Thursday after the invasion of Patch and now the battalion was small enough to fill the shooting range completely.
As Velvet moved through the barracks' grounds, an eerie silence was surrounding her. Sometime between the battalion's departure and now it had snowed briefly, and everything got glazed with pure, untouched white. She pulled her coat a bit tighter around her uniform, as she made her way from the medical facility towards the sleeping area. Roughly halfway to her destination her right ear perked up, twitching slightly as she did catch some faint sounds. A bit curious, she made her way towards them. As she drew nearer to the source, her faunus hearing managed to identify what was going on slowly.
Stepping around another building, Velvet looked down towards the sparring area and onto two figures engaged in a fight. Well, somewhat of a fight. She's sure Fox would have been able to deck Yang in ten seconds flat if he would have wanted to. Instead, it looked more like teaching, which was on equal part confusing and amusing, at least considering the style they seem to be going for. From what Velvet could tell, Yang was attacking with a largely kick focused style, mostly using her remaining arm for balance and blocking and only the occasional counterattack. Even though that was not in the least what Velvet was used to seeing from the brawler, it was not the amusing part. It was that Fox was trying to teach somebody to kick.
For Pete's sake, the guy uses arm blades longer than his actual legs! The only time I ever see his feet leave the ground so much as three inches is while doing one of those dust awful somersaults of his. Honestly, if anything I should be teaching her how to …
Velvet's thoughts instantly derail as her eyes lock onto Yang, currently on the ground after a well-placed strike from Fox, laughing. And exceptionally heartily at that. Velvet felt the blood rushing into her head as she balled her fists tightly on her side.
No, no, NO. Why is she laughing? She sucks! Yatsu died for that worthless piece of dung, and she just sits there and LAUGHS. She can't fight, she's useless, and still, she's here, and he's not! It's her fault! ALL HER FAULT!
Velvet whirls around and starts stomping off towards the sleeping barracks. Her thoughts were swirling in her head as her rage tried to find some outlet so she would not burst. And that was getting increasingly harder. She barely managed to settle down and get at least a minor portion of sleep after her talk with Fox. If left unchecked her thoughts always ended up at Yang and the rage she felt there was starting to fell rather welcome.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Is it really a rare specimen of the snow-bunny species? I'll be damned to have left her camera in the weapons locker."
Velvet does not even dignify that by slowing down. "Fuck off, Shades."
She could hear a small chuckle as Coco quickly caught up with her and fell in line with her step. Damn those long legs. And how did she miss her leader creeping up on her like that?
"Rude. All jokes aside I am glad that you came out of that hospital. We missed you."
Velvet snorts at that. "Yeah, right."
They take a few steps in silence before Coco speaks up again.
"You're troubled."
"You think so? How do you figure that?"
She stops as she feels Coco's hand on her right arm. She turned around and glared into chocolate brown eyes filled with concern. "Velv … talk to me."
"And why would I do that, Shades? It doesn't matter what troubles me since it's apparently inconvenient for you anyway. Yatsu died, and it took you all but a day to move on and go back to business! Or did you think I forgot the day you walked into my hospital room with that damned box of yours?"
"It was barely a day after they told us he was dead. I didn't believe that for a second! He couldn't be, he simply couldn't. He was always the strongest of us, and you know it! That shrapnel was barely as big as my hand, that's nothing for him. So I waited in the next hospital room, I told them to clear out the other bed so there would be room to roll him right in after he wakes up again. Couldn't risk that they put him somewhere away from me. I had to keep him safe this time. I failed on Patch, I was too late, got that bloody plane too late. He wouldn't have gotten injured if I would have been faster and I was going to make it up to him. So I didn't care that they told me he isn't coming back and that nonsense I just waited, worried but I knew he'd make it. And then you walk in. With a box of stuff and his sword and I actually thought that that was a nice gesture. That you wanted him to wake up surrounded by his own stuff so it'll feel familiar and homey. But that wasn't why you came, was it? No, you came and talked as if he died! Spilling the same tune like those damned nurses! You even dared to do your whole spiel of trying to comfort the family of your dead soldiers. You said that he wanted me to have his stuff since he had no family left, and I was the most important one in his life. And I could just stare at you and couldn't understand what you were talking about! He was right here, a few rooms down the hall and it would have been even fewer if those darned nurses would have let me their so-called break room. It wouldn't have been long, and they would have rolled his bed in there, and I could have waited until he woke up again. But no you had to convince me that he was gone. You took my hope away. You took HIM away. And then when you were done ruining my life you just dropped that fucking box off and left! Left me alone with that stuff and my grief, dumped it all on me so you could go out here and be done with it. Like nothing ever happened!"
By the end of her outburst Velvet was seething even more than before. Somehow during that short period, she got so close to Coco that their noses almost touched, height differences be damned. But still, Coco's eyes were filled with concern, empathy and something else that Velvet could practically feel stirring underneath. It took a few heartbeats until Coco answered. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it rang clear as a shout through Velvets mind.
"That wasn't the only thing I came to tell you though, right?"
Velvet's breath hitched for a second as the veil of rage that clouded her mind opened up for a brief moment of remembrance.
Tuesday 7 a.m.
About two years before.F.B.
It was a slightly chilly morning in the Emerald Forrest, not that Velvet's adrenalin filled body had a mind of noticing that. And maybe adrenalin was not quite the right explanation since at this point it was mostly pure fear. Hunched atop of a big tree branch she kept herself hidden behind the leafs, listening intently to her surroundings. Listening and asking herself for the eighth time this morning what on Remnant had driven her to sign up for a combat academy. Well, the answer to that came easy: she wanted to return home to protect her family and friends from the Grimm. And Grimm she can handle just fine. Being forced to make eye-contact and find a partner with which she would be stuck with for the rest of her time in the school … big nope. What if she gets stuck with a bully? Or someone similarly revolting? Or worse: some anti-faunus racist! And yes, that would be just her bad luck but even if she got an acceptable partner she'd still have to open up, to trust and share her secrets and thoughts and … bigger nope. Sure she knew there would be partners and teams, but she had hoped to get more time and say in the selection process! In short, she could not do it, and therefore she would hide in this tree until she figured out a better plan.
Quite a while later she was nowhere near a solution and fate decided to screw her over. Her rabbit ears perked up as she heard something near her tree, making its way through the bushes and hedges. Velvet went rigid, trying to be as silent as possible she just waited. A moment later she could see a rather large man with short hair and a distinct green armor stop at her tree. He held a giant sword and, craning her neck a bit; she could see he was looking around. And then a few heartbeats later he looked up and almost directly at her. She tried to sink into the branches by willpower alone but apparently; it did not work very well.
"I think the area is secure. I can sense no imminent danger. You can come down now."
Velvet didn't move a muscle. Maybe if she did not react to him, then he would move on once he lost interest?
"I promise everything is safe."
Still, Velvet did not want to reveal herself. But apparently, he knew exactly where she was hiding since he reached out with an open hand as if to offer to help her get down. So naturally, she hurdled farther away and deeper into the tree branches.
"Ah … I see."
Instead of elaborating further the man just turned and sat himself down at the base of the tree. Legs folded underneath him he sat with a straight back, sword resting over his knees, hands sitting atop of the blade. Relative silence returned to the forest, at least if you did not count distant sounds of fighting and something that suspiciously sounded like a military grade heavy weapon shredding half of the woods. The man did not seem to move at all. Velvet waited a while longer before slowly crawling closer again, as silently as she was able to. Once close enough she carefully peered down and saw the man with his eyes closed, almost as if he was meditating.
Why is he just sitting there? There are Grimm everywhere. Please just go already. He's totally open and unprotected down there. And with me shaking like a leaf it's just a matter of time before I attract some Grimm. Oh no, what if he's actually asleep down there? He wouldn't see them coming!
Contemplating what to do Velvet mustered all of her courage to mutter something of a question. Her voice comes out very unsteady and lowly.
"Uh … why are you … just sitting there?"
The answer came almost immediately even though the man showed no signs of movement.
"I am resting."
"What … why are you resting? It's dangerous here! What about the Grimm?"
"Why should I worry about them? I trust you to have my back and warn me when they show up."
What? "… how can you trust me? You don't even know me."
"Easy. That's what partners do."
Velvet had to tighten her grip on her branch so she would not fall from surprise.
"What? But we haven't even locked eyes yet! At least I don't think so? So, go! Find a better suitable partner and leave me alone."
"I disagree."
"So … we did lock eyes?"
"No."
Velvet fell silent again, thoroughly confused. What is this guy's deal? Why can't he just leave me alone? It takes quite a few minutes before Velvet speaks up again.
"How are we Partners when we haven't locked eyes?"
"The eye thing does not matter. When I came by this tree, I sensed you up there. It was destined that we found each other. Therefore we are partners."
And that was all he had to say about that apparently. Velvet did not understand that reasoning one bit, but she figured even the most thick-headed guy would give up at some point. So she remained silent on her branch. After a while, she had completely lost track of time. Occasionally she chanced a look at the man, but he was still there, waiting patiently. After what might as well have been an hour Velvet noticed something. She was not as afraid as before. In fact, she seemed less on edge as well. It was strange, she all her instincts had told her to run and get away from that person, but now they were noticeably silent. The guy was just sitting there, giving her the space she needed. He really was no threat.
It took a few minutes longer, but Velvet slowly started to move and climb down the tree. The man was still not budging, and she carefully walked around him, ready to bolt at any second. The man, however, remained calm and unmoving, with the faintest hint of a smile on his face. Velvet settled herself down on her knees in front of him, tilting her head, observing the man somewhat cautiously.
"What's your name?"
"Yatsuhashi Daichi."
He still had not moved nor opened his eyes for that matter.
"Yatsuhashi … my name's Velvet. Velvet Scarlatina."
Only now did Yatsuhashi open his eyes. Two pairs of brown locked with each other and Velvet could see the kindness and warmth of his.
"Velvet Scarlatina. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am honored that I am your partner and I will help and protect you to the fullest of my abilities."
Velvet blinked a few times before blushing slightly and diverting her eyes. She managed to mutter a "Thank you" before looking up again into a warm smile.
"Now I believe we are tasked to find a relic of sorts. Shall we?"
He waited patiently for her to nod and then stood, offering her a hand to help her up. She flashed him a sincere smile and took it.
Thursday 0830.
Four months and one week after.F.B.
Eyes wide after the memory flooded through her mind Velvet took a step back from Coco, averting her gaze. Coco's voice sounded strained and did not hold their usual confidence.
"I did not visit you to remind you of your loss or leave my own grief with you. If you thought that was what I did I sincerely apologize. I wanted to help you deal with your grief, Velv, by reminding you about how Yatsu lived, how he was there for you and others. Fond memories to help you keep him in your heart not rub in what you lost. I wanted you to have his possessions as a keepsake, not a taunt. He was more than just a friend and partner to all of us. He accepted us for who we are, even if it came at a disadvantage for him. He believed in all of us, and he let us know it whenever we needed to hear it. I am the one that leads our team, Fox is the one that makes us laugh, you are the one that keeps us in line, and he was our heart and soul. Without him, there would be no Team CFVY. He brought out the best of us. And I wanted you to know that when you think of him."
"And still you're not showing it, Shades. You don't even care. You went right back to it. Even started to work on a replacement. You don't even care that she's the reason he's dead."
After half muttering that, Velvet couldn't quite bring herself to look Coco in the eyes. Her rage from earlier was not entirely gone but instead remained very dulled, buried under fond memories.
"That's what's bothering you. Do you really think that's why I do it?"
Coco's voice sounded strange. Weak, almost broken. It took a bit of effort but hearing her friend talk like that was enough for Velvet to look Coco in the eyes. She almost instantly regretted it as she saw those chocolate brown eyes slowly watering up. It nearly broke her heart to answer honestly.
"Yes … I do." Velvet could see Coco's lower lip quiver for a second as a few tears started to stream down her face. Her voice sounded even weaker than before.
"Velv … I … I just can't do it. We lost him … I lost him … he trusted me to lead us, and I failed. I failed all of them. Now he's dead … and eleven other soldiers from our battalion too … they all died on Patch … all because I couldn't … I promised to keep them all save, and I failed, Velv! And all I want to do is to roll into a ball in a corner and stay there but I can't … I have to keep going. I have to, you know. I failed them but I haven't failed you and the others yet, and I can't just give up … I promised. I promised … I …."
Velvet saw Coco all but physically breaking down in front of her, and she couldn't help it, she rushed forward and pulled her leader into a tight embrace, holding her while Coco let it all out.
"So … so … I have to keep going. I needed to tell you about Yatsu and preserve his memory, and I needed to tell the families of the other fallen … They had a right to know … that is my responsibility … I failed them. And I had to be strong for them, they had to know …. And Yang, Yang lost everything! Her team is gone, her family is gone, her arm as well … she had nowhere to go, and she came to me for help and I … I … dust Velv I almost killed her … beat her to a bloody pulp because I lost it … I had to help her; we have to help her … She got no one else. And I figured … I figured Yatsu, Yatsu saw something in her that day, like he always did … he knew we had to help her, that's why he did it. That's why he saved her and gave his life … so … that we can help her. She didn't deserve this, and he knew it … So I hope … I hope by helping her … I hope that's what he wanted, you know? I am not trying to replace him, dust no … there's no way … no way …"
"Hey. Hey, Coco, it's okay. I'm sorry for what I said; I didn't mean it. Shhhh, It's okay."
Velvet continued to try to soothe Coco, who mumbled apologies and explanations for quite a while longer. Velvet knew she had to be there for her friend now, most of her anger was gone by now. She did understand the reasoning of her leader. Coco was certainly right. Helping Yang was what Yatsu would have wanted. He would not hesitate a second to throw his life away to save someone else, in fact, he had not hesitated. Even with a crying Coco in her arms though, Velvet could not stop doubts creeping up within, gnawing at her. And as she saw Yang sparring with Fox and failing miserably, a single thought was still holding its ground.
He made the wrong call … she's not worth half as much as he was. And I'll make sure that everyone knows it.
