I've noticed that some words have gone missing in the cross posting, this is just FF screwing up and I'm not going to worry about it. If it bothers you then the Ao3 version doesn't have this problem and I do edit and reread the posted content there a great deal more.

Vacuo New Err Acquaintances

Even for Ozpin, moving east took time, the pace he set was a near constant Aura enhanced run, butchering any Grimm that got in his way. Occasionally he'd catch up to other refugees from Vale, he'd resupply with them and clear their way, but he refused their many offers to travel with them or with any other Huntmens. It was simply because they would slow him down, at a walking pace from Vale to Mistal was about eight to nine months long, minus the boat trip. Vacuo was significantly farther away, he had to get there make up a false identity and then find a way back across the world. He was cutting that time severely by running with his Aura, but he didn't dare do that on the return. The more time he spent apart from Ruby and Qrow, the more opportunities Salem would have.

As he moved east one a night, like every night, the warm Auras of Qrow and Ruby washed over him. He could always wash a smile onto his face, The knowledge that they knew he was okay and they were safe enough that they felt they could gift Aura. It drove him forward even as it took his further apart from them. Most days he wished to turn around and race for Patch, but he knew that his current course would be wiser in the long run.

The constant running and fighting were doing wonders for rebuilding his strength. It also gave him time to refine a new fighting style as he hadn't used a sword in a very long time. His scars faded to silver as he used his nights to pour Aura into them, to hide them. He often went without a fire at night, shivering in the darker hours.

There had been one incident, when he first left the village that had sparked something inside him. Oz had just gathered the necessary items to build a fire, sparking it up hadn't triggered it but the moment he took time to reflect, to think things had changed. The fire he had set blazing only moments ago sat before him, its flames snuck out at his legs, wrapping burning wisps of fire around his limb. Oz panicked, raising his hands towards the fire, warding it away unable to pull his leg from its grasp as a cackling laugh echoed from the flames. A mouth seemingly opened in the centre of it, teeth made of flame and glass shards smiled wide and open towards him.

Ensnared in a trap he thrashed about, screaming to be released as more flames flickered over his body, curling around limbs. The laughter became more sinister as its burning wisps seared through his skin melting skin and bones, fusing itself with Ozpin's body. Then it became to pull, inch by inch dragging the burning man back towards its unholy mouth. Oz squirmed, trying to pull away to escape, Cinder's laughter bounced around his ears, Such arrogance, as his body drew closer to the jaws of death. Pain bloomed in his side, the shard he had removed slowly sinking back into his waist, the pain agonizing. Glass he had removed buried itself into his flesh, he could feel it inch its way slowly through the skin and touch bone. The sound deafening, blood running in rivers all over his body. Burning, burning, he was burning. "QROW!"

A roar pulled him out of the memories, the nightmares. An Ursa lunging towards him, claws extended. Oz didn't think, didn't plan, his eyes widened then his body was moving again. In a dance his every being knew, bringing the sword up as he jumped to the side, the blade dragging along the softer unprotected neck. The roll put him further from the fire and the lost of heat was both terrifying and snapping. The Grimm's head lolled before it too rolled away before it and it's body gradually turned to dust again. Oz felt over his body, the coiling flame limbs were nowhere to be seen, his body still broken and scarred as it was didn't have the melting flesh his nightmare had conjured. He was begrudgingly grateful to the monster, for snapping him out of the memory. Since then he had avoided fire at all costs, he knew he was just dodging a crippling problem but he didn't have time to deal with it. He needed to keep running, that had been his driving thought for weeks and he could afford nothing to slow him down right now.

The sands of Vacuo forced him to slow, running in sand for long periods of time was rather difficult even for the most seasoned sand dwellers. The vast majority the people of Vacuo were nomadic in lifestyle as the kingdom had only one major city that had grown up around Shade. The academy itself was more inland while the city spread outward the inner ocean, as it had one of Remnants largest seaports. Ozpin wordlessly joined a caravan heading to the city, if the people looked at him strangely he didn't notice and kept his eyes ahead and his hands on his valuables.

His boots wore thin, coat started to tatter and his hair which was as black as the bleakest night stuck up in every direction. The scruffy short beard that grew from neglect and hygiene started itching, annoying him to no end. Some kind traveling soul sold him their spare razor but he only bothered to shave when it started to annoy him.

Shade was located in the centre of Vacuo, the school built from a stacked pyramid and rather differently from Beacon was that it was more of a fortress pretending to be a school. The CCT tower was located on the grounds and not a part of the school itself. The city was disorganized and tightly packed, most houses were made out of mud and plaster and looked like a stiff wind could blow them down. Little pig, little pig, let me come in. Oz snickered silently.

Dust was the priciest and most common item traded in Vacuo as it was too far far removed from the rest of the world for anything else. Most products came in by sea ship from Vale or air ship from Atlas. That said because of this the people of Vacuo were second to none when it came to more, traditional uses of Dust. Ozpin thumbed his Lien, he had many ideas for how best to make use of it, but first he needed food and a shower. He moved with the crowds toward the school keeping one hand on his Lien, Shade was full of thieves and Oz wished to stay clear of attention for a while longer yet. All the better establishments and merchant would be found closer to the school as the school was one of the biggest driving forces behind Vacuo's economy.

He picked out a large inn, and slipped inside, the stone floor clinked under his boots as he gave the patrons a once over. Many were huntmen, the lower class bandits or the higher grade of sand pirates, there didn't look to be an honest person in sight and they were a pretty even mix of faunus and human. Ozpin hoped he would be able to conduct his business without having to introduce someone to his boot, but he rather doubted it.

The bar was rather full with only one or two empty seats, all of the other seats were filled as it was just turning to dusk and most had just gotten off work. To one side he saw a nude tiger faunus woman dancing to entertain some of the locals. He averted his eyes as he picked the empty bar stool and perched on it, he wasn't Qrow, he couldn't relax in situations like this.

The barkeep, a large portly man with black hair and small eyes. Didn't even ask what he wanted just put a large tankard of grog before him and held his hand out for a Lien card.

Oz pulled out his smallest value card and said. "A room for the night as well."

The barkeep took the card ran up his request and then pulled a key from below the counter. It said seven on the attached worn leather tag.

"Thank you." Ozpin said and took the key and a sip of the grog and he winced, the good thing about grog is that it filled you up and there was enough alcohol to be safe to drink. The downside was that it smelled and tasted an awful lot like piss. If Ozpin had to guess this grog was a mix of water and beer rather than rum.

The man beside him, a tall dark skinned fellow with two sabers on his hips and a beaded beard threw his arm over Ozpin's shoulders and spoke in a silky voice that couldn't conceal his smile. "You sound funny, you one of those refugees from Vale?"

Ozpin almost hacked, the pirate because Oz had no doubt he was one, smelled riper than a week's worth of moldy compost. Ozpin took another longer drink of the grog and twisted his voice. "Aye."

The pirate let out a barking laugh. "Thought so, you're too pale to be from here."

Ozpin thought he had cultivated a rather nice tan in the all the running he had been doing, evidently not enough to fit in.

The pirate continued. "Well you should just go back to Vale, we don't need anymore of your kind here."

Oz took another drink, he wasn't really sure what to do in this situation. One wrong move and it could escalate, he didn't think the innkeep would refund him his room. Ozpin felt the man's Aura brush up against his, and…

He spun and grabbed the money faunus by the tail that had been trying to slip into his pocket, while grabbing the man by the back of the head and slamming him face first into the bar.

Oz hissed out. "I don't give a damn what your problem with Vale is, but try that again and I'll remove your tail." He squeezed the offending appendage to make his point.

"JACK!" Several chairs around the bar were knocked over as the faunus's crew leaped to their feet, weapons out to defend their captain.

Jack laughed, and poked Ozpin in the stomach with his pistol. "Which do you think is faster lad? Your arm or my finger?"

Ozpin let go of Jack stepping around so the staircase was at his back, he pulled his sword out for under his coat and extended it.

Jack picked up Oz's drink and finished it as he walked over his crew who were moving up behind him. "Since you stopped my oh so perfect attempt at picking your pocket. Turn them out lad." He pointed his pistol lazily at Ozpin.

Oz took the faunus in more fully, from the silk white shirt, leather jerkin, wide brown pants tucked into leather boots. A heavy sword belt over his chest with two sabers and another pistol on his left side. The faunus' hair was brown done up in dreadlocks, with a red scarf and a tri cone leather hat. The man was cocky, arrogant, and looked more then a bit drunk, though that might be faked.

"Cat got your tongue lad?" The pirate cocked his pistol, his gazed raked over Ozpin. "Nice sword, think I'll take that too."

Ozpin shifted rolling a shoulder back as he shifted into his preferred fencing form. "You want it, come and get it."

As Jack fired so did the rest of his crew, eight Ozpin counted neatly deflecting their bullets and launching forward, driving his left fist into Jack's face.

The pirate went soaring back colliding with several other patrons and a table. A man and woman rushed forward to cover the fallen pirate, both fought with two sabers. Ozpin gauged by the speed at which they flew at him they were both trained huntsmen.

The woman leapt up running at him with a shout, cleaving down at, Ozpin blocked the blade and kicked out twice at lighting speed, the first hit her second sword sending it flying from her hand the second was straight to her torso spending her flying back to join her captain.

"Lizzy!" The man shouted his eyes going wide as Ozpin's casual dismissal of his apparent partner.

While the man was distracted, Ozpin spun kicking straight into the man's chin sending him flying straight up through the ceiling out into the street.

Jack had just managed to pull himself out of the wreckage with a stumbling wobble was now staring wide eyed at Oz.

"Are you quite done?" Ozpin asked, bringing himself casually back into ready position.

Jack's crew had their pistols trained on him but it was clear that they weren't fighters of the same caliber as their boss and the other two.

Jack stumbled out of the wretch grabbing his hat and smiled showing of a mouthful of golden teeth. "Stand down," He waved to his crew "this one's not worth the trouble."

Ozpin grit his teeth but scabbard his sword, he could eat tomorrow and turned taking the steps behind him two at a time. He found his room easily enough but the door stuck and he had to shoulder it open.

Inside was a single long bed, a table, basin and a pitcher of water and a chamber pot, thankfully it smelled clean. "Charming." Oz muttered closing the door behind him with almost as much difficulty as it took to open. He pulled off his backpack and set it at the end of the bed, when he sat down it creaked like it had been used and abused.

Suddenly feeling rather paranoid he got up and lifted the mattress up, nope, no bed bugs, at least there was that. Sitting back down he pulled off his boots and rubbed his feet, he had lost what softness he had grown used to at Beacon. Running for weeks on end would do that to anyone, with a groan he flopped back onto the lumpy bed. He'd look for better accommodations tomorrow that was for sure, he ran hand over his worn face. Job One: Get new gear, two: Break into Shade and create a new ID and Hunters license for himself, three: Get to Mistral.

He shuddered to think of the amount of Lien he was going to be burning tomorrow, getting into Shade would be easy after that, getting to Mistral, well a ship would be a good starting point.

He rubbed his temples with a rough hand and tried to get some sleep, tomorrow, tomorrow he'd figure everything out.

Morning came much too soon with tired groans and much eye rubbing, he started it by shaving and heading down for breakfast, his bag over his shoulder. He didn't bother going to the innkeep for breakfast instead headed back out into Vacuo's streets, dew clung to the morning air, though it would be gone in the space of half an hour. He moved toward Shade, the closer he got to the school the more he would find shops for Huntsmen. Breakfast was a handful of nuts, dates and a bottle of mudders milk, the alcoholic drink would get him to lunch on its own. He avoided any stall that was cooking meats, reminded of his learned lesson from the incident with his first attempt at making a fire on the road. Even now when he walked as far away from the cooking meat as possible he felt a cold sweat form on his back and neck, his hands shaking slightly that he decided to shove them into pockets as if warding off a chill. Oz kept repeating his plans in his head as he walked past the foul smelling stall, his eyes latched onto the street ahead.

Before long the streets started to wake up, shops doors were swung opened and the air was filled with the scents of spices and herbs. Ozpin found himself in a dusty square filled to the brim with stalls, some selling fruits, others fine fabrics, jewelry, even weapon upgrades. What grabbed Ozpin's attention those was a small group of young huntsmen, laughing and joking as they pushed their way into a side shop.

He followed them silently weaving through the crowds to the shop over it hung a fine weathered sign.

Velvet Vilors Dust Tattoo Parlor

Oz raised a brow, last he heard and to be fair it was sometime ago there were only a handful of Huntsmen using Dust tattoo's, it was a costly and time consuming tool.

He rubbed his arm feeling the raised scarred skin. It couldn't hurt to look. Making up his mind he stepped up into the alcove and opened the door.

The first thing that hit his nose was the smell, cinnamon and peaches, with an undercurrent of disinfectant. The door opened into a large space, on one side were several hookah pipes surrounded by cushions. Books of tattoos opened under the pipes, thankfully the boys that he had seen enter were not there now.

On the other side of the room was what could have been mistaken for a massage table, but he could tell it was adjustable so it could be either laid down on or sat on in a more chair like function. Beside it was a table with bowls all lined up in a row with several different times of needles under them and a small light wooden hammer.

Oz walked over to the front table and found a list of dust uses.

Passive Dust:

Orange (Lava/Heat): Causes whatever object the user holds when charging to heat up. The heat is powerful enough to make metal glow red hot. In the case of weapons, increases severity of wounds through burning when the user cuts an opponent with a blade. In some cases, the heated metal is strong enough to melt and cut through steel objects. In layman's terms, its a welding torch effect on one's weapons. This Dust appears to have no effect when it is released.

Blue (Ice): Lower's the user's body temperature when charging, and creates a snowball in the user's palm when released. Though useful for relief in hot weather, it is unpractical for battle and therefore neglected.

Purple (Gravity): Reduces gravity around the user, making them run faster, jump higher and become more agile in general. Dust has no effect when released, but a lot of tattoos (at least 4 charges) must be made since this Dust is very weak.

Higher grade costs extra.

Cyan (Water): Useful for shields

Active Dust:

Red (Fire): Can be used to create a shield in a circular barrier.

Yellow (Lightning): Increases speed of the user.

White (Impact): No effect when charging, but if released at the moment the user's fist contacts with a target, creates a sudden burst of kinetic energy, increasing the force of the blow. The Dust also protects user's fist from the blow so the user is unharmed, but the target is flattened with the force of a sledgehammer.

The interior commentary of the list was rather funny and very informative from a user standpoint, Ozpin flipped through a few pages more. Then opened up another book of designs, once used the tattoos would disappear but in the meantime…

"For the last time! No Lien no tattoos! Now get out, it looks like I might have a real customer!" VV stormed out of the back room, with a sword showing the teens out the door.

Oz looked up to find that Violet was a short rabbit faunus with long white ears like a desert hare. She wore a sarong and a T shirt with her own tattoos covering her arms, she set the sword by the door after kicking the teens from her shop and turned to Oz. "Sorry about that Sir, can I help you?"

Ozpin and flicked back a few pages to a group of designs he liked. "How are you with covering up scars?"

VV walked over, she was tiny compared to Oz though that was rather normal for him. "Pretty decent, I've done some small stuff but you know as soon as you use the Dust you have to get the tattoos redone?"

Ozpin nodded, "I don't plan on using them regularly in battle." he shifted awkwardly suddenly shy. "I more need them for… coverage."

VV saw the dull look that flashed through his eyes for a moment and nodded. "I understand, care to show me what I am working with?"

Oz hesitated for a moment but then pulled off his coat, set it on the desk followed by his shirt, he turned his back to her and braced himself.

Violet let out a long whistle and reached out, she couldn't reach his neck but she trailed her hand down his spine. "How far do they go?"

"My ankles." Ozpin said, he couldn't help but twitch at her touch.

"And you want them all covered?" VV asked, this would be a lot of Dust, a lot of ink, she was already running the numbers in her head, not to mention it would take days if not longer to complete.

"Yes. I have some shrapnel scars I would like covered as well." Ozpin said as her hand trailed over to the long raised silver line from the piece of Amber's machine that had impaled him. He turned around showing her the other half of it, he clenched his fists at her stunned expression.

She touched the long scar on his stomach. "I can't put Dust into this, but I can just ink it if you like."

"That is acceptable." Oz said he couldn't help but jerk away from her touch as she traced over his hip to another scar.

"What types of Dust do you want?" She asked stepping away to look him up and down, already imagining how he would look in her inks.

"Active fire, gravity and impact." Ozpin said, shifting his weight onto a back foot and drawing himself up to his full height.

Violet nodded her head, "You'd be pretty terrifying with those." it was only now really starting to sink in just how big Oz was, combine that with Impact and Gravity, the man would be unstoppable.

"I believe they would compliment my combat style." Ozpin said, running a hand through the stubble on his head. "Can you tattoo heads as well? The book said nothing on the chest and torso."

Vv nodded. "I can, the bone of your skull protects your brain, it's just not really usable for anyone actively using the Dust as they can't apply it themselves. You'd have to shave your head though."

"That's fine, it's barely grown back in as it is." Ozpin shrugged, he missed his silver hair he was just fine with getting rid of the black for a little while longer.

Violent winced at the implication of that statement. "Do you have a design in mind?"

Oz flipped the book back to the pages he marked, they were full body tattoos from neck to ankle intended for someone who planned on using them in combat. Simple flowing lines, interwoven for maximum skin coverage while still being tribal and tasteful, rather than being covered head to toe in ink.

Vv approved, she'd make slight adjustments of course but the base design would complement his slender but towering frame. She nodded her head tapping a finger against her chin. "Good choice. You have any modifications you'd like to make?"

Oz shook his head. "You have a much better eye for this then I, just make sure to cover the burns as completely as possible."

"Would you like to start now?" Vv asked. "And how will you be paying?"

Ozpin pulled out a golden Lien card and had to fight down a chuckle when Vv's brow shot upward. He handed it to her, "It was six hundred an hour? I am going to assume that includes Dust cost? I want the high quality Dust as well. How many hours?"

Violet took the card, and went to her till, she as a little surprised when the funds were drawn from the card without a hitch. What kind of person carried around this kind of money in his pocket? Especially in a place with for thieves then honest folk. "At least ten."

"Then we'll start with ten." Ozpin picked up his shirt and coat.

"Oh no, let me." Vv took both from Oz's hand and opened a locker behind the counter putting both in. After she walked out from behind the counter and led Oz to the table he had seen on the way in. "Shoes off, depending your pain tolerance we might get to your legs today. How many charges worth of each type would you like, you have seventeen available with this design."

"Equal of impact and gravity on my arms, gravity on my head, one of fire on each leg with the other being gravity, impact and gravity equally on my back." Ozpin said leaning over to take off his boots.

"You really just want the fire for shielding?" Vv asked, pulling out a clean white cloth and pouring some cleaning alcohol into a bowl. "Do you need to shower first? I have one upstairs for clients." She looked him over again.

"I don't wish to ever be burned again," Ozpin ran a hand over his back. "And that would probably be wise."

"Head on up, while I get your ink ready, first door on the right." Violent said leading the way back to the back and showing him upstairs while she went to collect the ink and dust. "Just wrap yourself in a towel when you're done!" She called out after him.

Oz kept his shower short, but with how much this was costing he guessed water was part of the bill. He went back downstairs dusty pants in hand, and set them over a chair, he found Violent mixing dust and ink over a small burner. "Please lay down on your front."

Ozpin compiled, the leather of the table was very cool and it was a nice feeling compared to the perpetually dust filled life of Vacuo. His feet hanged off the end and there was a hole that his face fit nicely into, it was padded with two small white towels.

"How is your pain tolerance?" Vv asked, filling her broadest set of needles with the black gravity ink.

"I've been told it's quite impressive." Oz let his Aura down before she felt the need to ask.

"Ha." Vv chuckled and wiped down his back with the disinfectant. "We'll see." Then set the needles to his skin picked up a small wooden hammer and started the very long processes of blotting and inking with the combined dust and tattoo ink.

Oz grit his teeth for a moment but when V started humming he relaxed and the tension fell away from his body. The needles piercing his skin started to feel oddly relaxing, he could feel the blood welling up from the marks but for some strange reason it didn't bother him.

After half an hour he asked. "What is your Semblance?"

Violet paused in her work and her tune. "I'm Empathic, so long as a person can hear me I can affect feelings."

"Is that why this is so relaxing?" Ozpin asked, "Can I heal?"

"You're taking to my song very well and yes." V watched a flare of green dance over Oz's back before fading away again, she cleaned up the blood and started humming again. "Plus for some people a little bit of pain can be relaxing in the right setting."

"This is very enjoyable." Oz muttered, it almost made him sleepy, it was just the prick of his skin that kept him awake.

Violet only smiled and shook her head focusing on her work. They took a break for lunch, the faunus being the oh so perfect host and to let Oz heal, the rate at which amazed Violet. She was amazed again, when he asked if they could keep going, make no mistake having ink forced under your skin hurt. In the end they spent the next three days in this pattern, she gave him the address of a much better inn. He got his head shaved and the last tattoo done was the gravity ink design that accented the features of his face making him look even more sharp than normal. By the time it was over Oz was very happy with the results, they hid the features that people would recognize as Ozpin and the scars whose origins gave him nightmares from. As he stared in the mirror he couldn't help but wonder if even Qrow would be able to see his old self in him.