RRC: Double update! Pretty sure I covered all those in the last chapter.
Onwards!
Juggling People
"You are an evil evil man." Yang muttered from where she was sitting on the counter. I merely chuckled, turning the page of my current book as I leaned back in my seat.
"I play to win Yang. Keep that in mind at all times. Anyway, if I remember correctly, you punched me." Yang threw up her hands in exasperation.
"Once! Not even at full strength! And you sicced my own sister on me even! How did you even do that, she's my damn sister!" I flipped another page with a triumphant smirk adorning my face.
"I am very good at talking to people. Plus Ruby is a little predictable once you break past her shell. She's still a kid, after all." Yang huffed but held her tongue, more than likely not having a decent rebuttal.
After the events of last night I had returned to work the next day, the sisters following me because they had no school for the day. I was also fairly sure they wanted to keep an eye on me after losing all communication yesterday, to make sure I wouldn't disappear again. I didn't mind the company, but I was a little worried about Tukson's opinion. That worry was unfounded when I got to the store and found that Tukson had taken the day off, leaving me to run the store. That man turned out to be surprisingly laid back once you really got to know him.
I had sent Ruby off to buy drinks for us from the nearest coffee shop, getting us all refreshment and allowing Yang to vent at me without her sister's presence. After a short time Yang broke the silence, her tone one of worry. "I wonder where Ruby is. The store isn't that far away…" I shrugged under her worried stare.
"Sun's out. No criminal worth a damn in Vale would be operating right now, and any left wouldn't stand a chance against her. Relax Yang; she probably got sidetracked by something shiny or something." Right as I finished speaking the door slammed open to reveal Ruby… Who was currently hugging herself against a massive gatling gun held by the young woman in the doorway. The young woman in question did not look amused by the chibi wrapped around her weapon.
"Get. Her. Off." I didn't bother looking up, though I could tell Yang was gaping at the figure. Oh yeah, while I had met her, the girls hadn't yet. I grabbed a nearby book with my free hand, judging its weight carefully.
"Hi Coco." I then threw the book at Ruby, smacking her on the head with it. She cried out in pain and released Coco's weapon, grasping where I had hit her with a whimper. "Ruby, what did we tell you about obsessing over other people's weaponry?"
The future leader groaned as she sat up, holding her head. "Not to… But it's so cool looking! And she swings something that massive around one-handed!" Coco, capitalizing on the distraction, immediately collapsed her gun back into handbag mode.
"I don't care Ruby, glomping other people's weaponry is bad. How would you feel if someone did the same to Rose?" Ruby gasped with shock before suddenly appearing right in front of me. Ruby's top speed is insane. I carefully did not look up from my book, unwilling to meet her glare.
"No one is allowed to manhandle my baby." She all but growled at me. I merely chuckled at her.
"And you don't figure other people feel the same about their weapons?" Ruby pouted, but gave up on trying to sway me once she figured I wouldn't look up, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Fiiine." She turned to a bemused Coco. "I'm sorry for jumping all over your weapon Miss Adel…"
The fashionista just smirked at the little girl before advancing forward and plopping a drink carrier on the counter.
"Just call me Coco kiddo. Apology accepted. Be thankful I grabbed up your guys drinks before I tracked you down." I actually did look up from my book to look at her, the sisters snatching their drinks from the carrier.
"Why did you come here anyway? Another school assignment?" She shook her head even as she grabbed her own drink from the carrier (guess she put her own into it for easy traveling…) letting me grab mine up as it was the last one.
"Nah, just wanted to come see ya again after bumping into little red. I bumped into her at the coffee shop, and she mentioned knowing you so I decided to come visit. Do you do anything beyond working here? Hell, do you even do anything besides read books here?" She questioned. I chuckled, closing my book and setting it to the side as I sipped at my drink. While Yang could ignore the heat and down her drink carelessly, I wasn't protected by a heat-based Semblance like she was.
"To answer your second question, yes I do. You just caught me during a slow time. As for the first, I go out clubbing every few days. I currently can't go to my favorite club due to a… minor issue with one of the higher ranked employees. I also do various odd jobs for some people I know… And I'll hang out with the odd collection I call friends." Yang nodded in the background.
"He's not lying, I've met some of them. He has the weirdest friends." I shrugged, people were people. Coco raised an eyebrow, disbelief on her face.
"You? Clubbing?" I rolled my eyes.
"Why does no one believe me when I say that? Everyone I know is a hater to some degree I swear." Coco simply gave me a little smirk.
"With how lazy you act and the clothes you wear all the time, it's pretty unbelievable." I blinked at her. Looked down at my burnt orange shirt and blue jeans. Looked back up at Coco.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" The fashionista's eyes narrowed.
"While they aren't horrible, you could be wearing so much better. What you have now is so… bleh." I shrugged, uncaring.
"I dress how I like. Only way in hell I'd consider letting you rework my wardrobe is if you were dating me." I pointed my finger at her as her eyes lit up. "No, no, and hell no lady. I barely even know you."
The Beacon student shrugged, unconcerned. "Your loss. How many other beautiful women in your life would honestly consider asking you out?" I pointed at Yang with my thumb.
"Her for one." Yang began to cough and stutter over her drink, while Ruby just gaped at her sister. "One of my friends who works at a bar, another person I know who is actively attempting to seduce me, and possibly my friend Blake if I ever decided to quit messing with her." Coco raised an eyebrow while Yang (who had finally stopped coughing) and Ruby stared at me.
"Quite a list. If you're not lying, that makes you quite the playboy." I snorted.
"Hell no. Most of them are simply because I'm the only guy who isn't intimidated by them who deals with them on a regular basis, treat them rather well, and isn't viewed in a familial manner. And a lot of others reasons, but those are the big ones." Yang's stare had turned into a red-eyed glare.
"You realize I'm going to kick your ass later, right Orion?" I shrugged.
"You will try. I'm getting better." Ruby tilted her head in confusion.
"Uhm… Didn't Yang knock out half of your aura in one Semblance fueled punch last time?"
I slumped in my chair. "Ruby… Don't ruin the moment. Please."
Coco chuckled at the byplay between the three of us. "Well at least someone keeps you in line."
I sipped from my drink. "They try. They tend to fail." I was whacked upside the head rather harshly for that comment. "Gah! Damnit Yang, not when I have a drink! Not cool!"
Yang glared at me. "Then watch what you're saying. I know where you sleep."
I glared back at her. "I know where you sleep. And I'm far more spiteful and vicious than you." Pause. "You and Ruby need to leave now, as you turned off my mental filter. Again."
Both of the sisters blinked for a moment, confused. Then they both paled and bolted, shouting goodbyes as they ran, Ruby leaving a trail of rose petals behind her. Coco watched, bemused, as the door slowly shut behind them. "That was… Enlightening."
I let out an evil chuckle. "One of the few spars I won against Yang, she had hit me in the head. I unleashed verbal hell upon her and then won while her guard was down. I regret nothing, though I think my roommates regret letting me keep fighting afterward… I was quite colorful, and those two hit a brilliant shade of red when we were getting patched up."
Coco turned her attention back to me. "Someone's talkative now. Shy around the sisters?"
"Like hell. I get hit in the head, my mental filter gets shut off, so I'll spout off whatever I'm thinking… Which ranges from pondering my current lifestyle to reminiscing all of the hot women I know that I've seen naked."
There was a moment's awkward silence. "Sooo…"
"Of the hot women I know, I have seen more naked or in their underwear than not." Pause. "Before you try to cave my skull in, Velvet is not one of them."
"Oh good." Another pause. "Blondie?"
"Good times. Pretty soon after we had to fight a rage monster in my soul, but whatever. Worth it."
"Please tell me your back to normal. I'd rather not have my nieces attempt to maim you again for not keeping your mouth shut." These were the words I was greeted with as soon as I walked through the door home.
"You have absolutely no faith in me. That hurts old man." Qrow redirected his gaze from his newspaper to me. "I was fine about half an hour after they left, Qrow."
He returned his attention to his newspaper. "Watch the old man cracks. Injured or not I will make you pay for them if you get too persistent."
"Duly noted." I wandered past him into the kitchen, pausing momentarily to scratch Zwei behind the ears. "How'd you spend your day?"
"Grading. Looking over some of the ideas we came up with in that brainstorm session. Talked to old friends about important changes. A pretty relaxed day compared to dealing with students all the time." Qrow calmly flipped a page on his newspaper, reading intently.
"Nice. Well, let's see here…" I browsed through the contents of the family's kitchen, taking stock of what all they had. Hmmm… Oh sweet. "Mind if I cook tonight?"
Qrow looked up from his paper. "Not at all. Pretty rare that you do so though. What's the occasion?"
"Nothing really. I just remembered an old family recipe is all… And we have the ingredients for it." I began pulling out various items from the pantry and fridge. "Oi girls! Want to learn something new?" I called back into the house.
Almost immediately a red blur sped into the kitchen, coalescing into an excited Ruby. Yang was much more casual about her entrance, but had a spark of interest in her eyes.
"You're cooking for once? Should we be worried?" Yang teased, getting me to mock glare at her.
"I'm well aware that in general you're a better cook Yang. I can guarantee you don't know this recipe though." I began pulling out various knives and pans, along with a mixing bowl.
"And what makes you so sure of that?" The blond questioned idly as she watched me work.
I paused for a moment. Brief flashes of memory… And a feeling of contentment. Happiness. Warmth. "Because this is a family recipe. I just happened to remember the recipe itself and what it was to me today." My voice was a bit quieter, and Yang and Ruby stared at me worriedly. I blinked, tearing myself away from trying to reach something I no longer had. "Alright, you two, lesson time."
And the night progressed a lot happier from there. Ruby and Yang both made an effort to memorize the steps. Even Qrow was paying attention from his spot on the couch.
They made an even bigger effort to get me to write down the recipe for them after tasting it. I agreed only after getting their word that they wouldn't teach anyone else it without my permission.
(One week later)
"If this is a plan to ambush me, I'm going to be very pissed off Junior." I spoke to the big man as we walked. Instead of going to work today, Junior had met me outside Tukson's. After telling me that Tukson wasn't opening the shop at all today, he invited me back to the Den to hang out. "I know damn well that the twins are back, and I'd really rather not deal with Melanie trying to take my head off again."
Junior rolled his eyes behind his glasses. I could feel the exasperation coming from him. "Relax would you? Considering I'm the one who helped you get away, you'd have a bit more faith in me. No this isn't a trap, I don't set up my friends like that."
His careful scrutinizing of me did not escape my notice. "Something wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You don't sound that upset over her attempt on your life. I thought you didn't get along with Melanie? Let alone tolerate other people actively attempting to hurt or kill you." I shrugged.
"I don't dislike Melanie. Only reason it seems like we don't get along is she isn't too fond of me and I enjoy sniping back at her whenever she does so at me. As for the attempt on my life…" I sighed. "I'm not going to blame someone for something done not in their right mind. There was more fear, closer to outright terror, than anger there." Another pause. "I literally can't bring myself to blame her. Huh."
Junior was staring at me slack-jawed. "You're… a lot more mellow about all this than I figured."
I shrugged again, pushing him a little bit to get him moving again. "I'm fairly sure this isn't the first time I've dealt with women with trauma on some level. Also fairly sure this won't be the last time. My luck is like that."
"... I admit, I am now curious as to what the hell you may have done in a past life to have the absolutely weirdest life I've come to know about. That's saying a lot, coming from an info broker." Junior did resume walking with my prodding, his expression becoming more neutral, though still a bit inquisitive.
"That makes two of us. On the bright side, lots of hot women." And so the conversation carried on as we walked towards Junior's place. As we approached, I noticed that no one was really around. No one just hanging out, no one at the doors… even if it was closed during the day, there was generally someone outside.
When I brought it up with Junior, he laughed. "You don't really think I make my boys work every day, do you?"
"It sure as hell seems like it." I looked around as we stepped through the doors. "No offense Junior, but it's really creepy coming here when there's no one else and no music playing."
"And that is why I don't mind Kuma mixing new tracks during the day out here." He lead the way towards the VIP room, opening the door and letting me in. I sat down by the bar as Junior went around and started messing with a few of the drinks before sliding me a glass. He set another down in the seat next to me, catching my attention.
"Someone else showing up?" I sipped at my drink, nodding at the taste. Orange flavored. Junior picked up a nearby crate that was empty of its contents.
"Yeah, they'll be in in a moment. I'm going to go run this out to the trash real fast." At my raised eyebrow he shrugged. "Someone who wants to talk to you alone, and I trust you by yourself in here." And with that he left.
I resumed sipping at my drink, idly wondering who would bug Junior to get a hold of me. Someone who he'd willingly leave alone in his VIP Room. It was an uncomfortably short list, and it didn't take me long to narrow it down even further to two people. Reaching out with my extra sense, I let out a sigh after placing the familiar aura signature. "If this was all an elaborate ruse to catch me off guard, I will tear Junior's head off after I pound you into the ground. But you don't feel too hostile today, Melanie."
A dry snort from behind me before the woman in question took the seat to my side. Carefully taking hold of what was obviously the drink left for her, she spoke quietly. "Junior wouldn't leave you high and dry like that, especially in this room. Miltia would be rather upset if I fought you again too."
"And how would you feel about fighting me again, Melanie?" I asked her idly as I toyed with my glass, being careful not to spill any of my drink.
"What, you can't just read me like you do everyone else and find that out for yourself?" Melanie's voice held little bite to it, despite her words.
"I get the feeling that you wouldn't appreciate that right now." I slugged back the last of my drink, Melanie mimicking the motion with her much fuller glass. "So? Why did you arrange all of this?"
"Hell if I know for sure." Melanie went quiet, gathering her thoughts. "I don't regret attacking you all the time. Or sniping at you verbally. I do regret attacking you with lethal intent."
"So the aggressive twin is apologetic for her aggression?" She directed a glare at me, and I held up my hands in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. Force of habit with you."
She held her glare for a moment, before letting out a weary sigh and turning back to her empty glass. "I shouldn't really be offended. It's not like you aren't justified in your view of me."
"Oh come on. Don't sell yourself short. I've never really disliked you. If I did I wouldn't have saved your pretty ass in Vacuo." I refused to let her put herself down. She was already feeling bad enough.
"True." Melanie toyed with her glass idly. "You're a very confusing person to me. I did dislike you for the longest time. Still do a little bit. At the same time, I am grateful for the whole saving my life thing. And my sister's life too." A moment of quiet as we both stared into our empty cups. "I heard your conversation with Junior."
I jolted in my seat. "How did- clever bastard left his scroll on, didn't he?"
"He's an info broker. Of course he could do something like that without you noticing." She spun on her seat to face me, dead serious. "Do you really forgive me?"
"I didn't even blame you in the first place, Melanie." My voice was quiet as I stared at my reflection in the glass. "You were reacting to an old trauma, bad memories really. You didn't even see me when you were attacking me at the end there, did you?"
She hesitated, before slowly shaking her head. "Someone else. Someone that hurt me and Miltia for petty kicks."
"Thought so." I sighed and pushed my glass away, turning to face her. "I don't dislike you Melanie, and I don't blame you for anything you've done."
"Why not?!" Her voice was a lot louder now. "Are you that broken that you just simply don't care?! Does anything mat-"
She immediately cut off. This was more than likely due to the bladed gauntlet resting next to her head, very close to actually stabbing her. I stared her down with hard eyes. "If you really think I'm that broken you are either retarded, ignorant, or blind." I drew back my hand, collapsing my weapon in the process. I took in a deep breath, considering my next words. "Melanie… I don't blame you for your actions because they were either completely justified or you weren't in your right mind. Yeah, you've attempted to attack me for seeing you almost naked, but a good half of the women I know have done so too."
"How many women have you actually seen nude or near nude that you consider being attacked a logical response?!" Melanie's bewilderment got me to smirk.
"My life has high points and low points. Six, by the way." I chuckled at her expression of disbelief. "Anyway, I don't blame you for that. I don't blame you for all the verbal taunts and insults because I never took them seriously. Plus I kind of egged you on." I shrugged at her glare. "What? You're fun to argue with."
Another moment of glaring before she slumped down on her seat. "Why can't you be normal and yell at me instead of just disregarding everything? It would make you so much easier to deal with."
"Then I'd be less interesting." I paused a moment. "Though on the flip side of that, Neo would bug me less." That got her to giggle. Unsurprisingly she seemed a lot more relaxed since the conversation started.
"But then Miltia wouldn't be interested in you, thus nothing stopping me from maiming you before." She pointed out after she finally got over her giggle fit.
I nodded solemnly. "This is true. I'm pretty sure that even now if you seriously tried to kill me the odds would not be in my favor."
Melanie shrugged, a smirk on her face. "Maaaybe. Aren't you glad I'm such a forgiving person when it comes to all your various transgressions?"
"Lady, I will rig your room with pranks. Don't tempt me." I gave her a mock glare as her smirk merely widened.
"Because you're oh so skilled in stealth. You walk around with shotgun greaves on your legs." Melanie taunted me back.
"Neo likes me more than you. Think any security measures you have would stop her?" I smirked at the white twin as she considered that thought.
"Fuck."
"Pretty sure Yang would kill us, Miltia would kill me and maim you, and Neo would pout at you for getting to me before she did." I chuckled at the dark look Melanie cast me.
"I hate you. Pretty sure I will always hate you a little bit." I shrugged, getting to my feet.
"So long as you like me more than you hate me, I don't much care." Melanie came to her feet as well, her movements much more graceful than mine.
"Hah, as if I could like someone like you. You're still an arrogant prick who I need to get back at for seeing me naked." I smirked at her.
"Unless you permanently cripple or kill me I'll consider it worth it, as you and your sister have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of." Melanie smirked back at me.
She struck a pose and took a deep breath, emphasizing her figure. "We don't, do we?" She went quiet for a moment. "I… Appreciate, the second chance. I figure if Miltia sees something in you, maybe you're not as bad as I figured."
"Aw, I feel loved."
"Still think you're a pervert."
"One: All men are. Two: You're the one who opened the door in lingerie you hypocritical bitch!"
"... I'll take that as a compliment. I don't think you would want me to consider otherwise, would you?"
"... I retract my bitch comment."
"Well this seems familiar…" I muttered under under breath, careful to avoid any sudden movements and very carefully ignoring the ringing in my head that indicated someone had just hit me rather hard. But that was blatantly obvious from the fact that I was face down on the concrete with a familiar weight straddling me. This time, there was a blade at my throat along with the gun to my head. "Hi Blake. Took you long enough."
"Like you were actually expecting me to attack you." The cat girl replied from on top of me in a relatively neutral tone.
"I knew it was going to happen at some point. You're a very vindictive kitty Blake." The gun was pushed harder against my skull, and I could feel the tip of the blade against my throat. "Please watch the sword, I would rather avoid you slitting my throat by accident."
"Like you accidentally brought up that time around your girlfriend?" Her voice held little humor in it.
"Yang's my roommate, not my girlfriend." I commented idly, holding myself very still.
"Bullshit. What Adam and I walked in on was far from 'just roommates'. You two are obviously attracted to each other." Blake's tone was steady, though there was a trace of mischief now. The blade had moved a bit away from my throat which was nice.
"Something I'm still coming to terms with to attempt to figure out how to deal with her in a manner that doesn't get my ass handed to me by her terrifying uncle, let alone her Huntsman father." A moment's pause. "It's not like she's the only girl attracted to me on some level, I'm just stupidly lucky that those who are don't interact with each other on a regular basis."
"To be entirely fair, you are rather likable when you're not being an ass." The blade had been put away at least, though her pistol was still out.
"Says the woman straddling me for the second time in two months." I bit back at her. She chuckled darkly from her position atop me.
"Did you want me to not straddle you?" Her question made me pause. Before my mouth unfortunately kicked in.
"I'd prefer you straddling me so I can actually see you and goddammit this is your fault for hitting me in the head Blake!" I felt her shrug from atop me, completely unapologetic.
"It was the quickest way to bait you into saying nice things so I have less reason to maim you brutally." I tilted my head as best as I could to stare at her.
"First, did you actually manipulate me just so you could hear someone say nice things? Second, what is with the hot women I know and the threats of maiming me?" Said manipulative violent woman reached down and patted my cheek in a mocking manner.
"Poor Orion… Maybe it's your inner masochist leaking out?" I growled at her.
"Lady I will tie you down and stab you repeatedly." She gave me a mischievous little smirk.
"Promise?" I gaped at her.
"The hell woman, I didn't mean it that way! Aaaand now I'm thinking about that, fuck." I glared at her. "What happened to you being horribly embarrassed when we last talked?"
She adopted a deadpan expression. "I felt it would be better to fight fire with fire. Plus refer to earlier comment on you being rather likable when you're not being an ass."
"Please tell me you're not romantically attracted to me. That would be so many levels of awkward." I prayed in what little was currently available of my private mind that she wasn't. I have enough shit to deal with, I don't need my life to become dating Sim game on top of it! Or at least more of a dating Sim than it already is!
"Yeaaah… No. While I'm sexually attracted to both genders, I much prefer women in terms of personality. No offense." She added that last bit in a completely blank tone.
"I'm thrilled that you're not. No offense, but I have enough issues, one of the more pressing is how uncomfortable this current position is." Almost immediately the gun was pointed at my head again.
"If that was a crack at my weight…"
"Do I look suicidal to you?" I asked incredulously. "No, it's because you're forcing my waist into the ground with your current position and due to earlier images this is bordering painful. In other words, get off me before I start resorting to gratuitous amounts of violence!" She hummed as if thinking about it, before finally getting off. "Thank you."
As I climbed back to my feet she had sheathed her weapon on her back. "Just remember, you still owe me bribes."
I waved off her threatening tone. "Yes yes, threats of horrific maiming on account of walking in on you masturbating to erotica, blah blah." Her face had gone red again. "Mind if I ask why you view me as attractive? I know you're surrounded by a lot of men on a regular basis."
She gave me the blankest look she could muster under the given circumstances. "I am surrounded by men who are way too in tune to their hormones who keep leering at me, occasionally criminals, and my older brother figure. I have standards, thank you."
"Never said you didn't." I quipped as I brushed some dust off. "Though, since you can't really blame me because you hit me in the head, I've got a question."
"I'm not going to like this question am I?"
"Probably not. Do faunus go into heat? I've been curious but I've always found conflicting evidence.."
"I don't want to talk about it." She suddenly seemed very small as she poked the ground.
"No seriously, it's been bugging me and I know you all have a varying amount of animal traits-" I cut off as she swiped at me with her weapon.
"I said I don't want to talk about it!"
"Did you really ask her that?" Qrow asked me from across the table. I had been regaling him (and maybe Zwei, but who knows what that dog pays attention to. He was likely more occupied with the head scratching) with my tales of today's (mis)adventures.
"What? I know I'm not the only one who's curious and she had already hit me in the head, she should've seen it coming." Qrow pondered that for a moment.
"Be that as it may…" His eyes turned hard. "I am more curious about your reaction to Yang's feelings towards you." I slammed my head into the table.
"Knew this was coming." I paused for a second. "Thank you for sending the girls out shopping, this would be really awkward if there was any chance of her walking in."
"I'm not that cruel to people who haven't pissed me off. You're not the answering the question." I could feel how close he was to generating killing intent towards me in an attempt to pressure me to spill.
"Fuck off Qrow, I've been trying really hard to not think about it for the past week and a half." I grumbled, ignoring how blatantly disrespectful I was being to the most terrifying man I knew. "I don't know alright? I'm obviously flattered, Yang's beautiful and has a great personality. It's not that I don't like her…."
"You don't know just how you view her." Qrow had calmed down a little as I laid out the situation.
"Bingo. Plus, I'm sure a little bit of her attraction is I'm apparently the only guy who treats her like a normal person who actually has real problems. So who knows how much of it will last. Plus all the other women who have shown an interest in me…" Qrow chuckled.
"I'm glad you're smart enough to realize just how bad a position you're currently in. Well, if you want a way to avoid your problems for a bit, I may have an idea." I brought my head up to stare at him.
"Why does this sound very concerning?" I was a bit worried. Last time someone sent me away from my problems, I had to fight a giant plant of doom.
Qrow waved off my supposed worries. "A message from Ozpin. Since you've refined your weaponry recently and bear a unique source of knowledge, he'd like to ask you to accompany a team of students and a Huntsman to investigate something in Forever Fall."
I tilted my head. "A mission so close to Beacon's grounds? That's ominous."
Qrow shook his head. "Actually, it makes sense. Let's some of the first years get training somewhere they can easily call for evac or backup. Interested?"
"I do have a job you know. All these people asking me things and not factoring in my boss's opinion…." I grumbled under my breath halfheartedly.
"An arrangement can be worked out with Tukson. Tell me honestly, do you really want to stay here to figure things out?" Qrow asked.
Hmmm… Go off with a team of Beacon students and a trained Huntsman to investigate a disturbance in a GRIMM INFESTED forest, or stay here and figure out my feelings.
"Am I getting paid?"
"Generously."
"... I'm in."
I'm not running away, I'm advancing towards future victories. And less pain.
AN: CLIIIFFFHAAAAANGER! Also, I'm ALIIIIIIIVE!
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Nah, I ain't that much of an asshole.
"I'm sure you're all aware of one another." Ozpin spoke calmly from his seat behind his desk. In front of him were Professor (Doctor) Oobleck, Team CFVY, and Qrow's odd housemate Orion, who would be serving in advisory capacity. "I've gathered you all together for an important mission. Yes Miss Adel?"
"Why exactly is bookstore clerk here?" She asked impudently, jerking a thumb at said oddity.
"Bookstore clerk my ass… Toss you into the nearest mud puddle." Ozpin very carefully ignored Orion's muttered comments. He saw Miss Scarlatina's ears twitch but she seemed to ignore his words as well.
"Because, Miss Adel, Mr. Orion has experience with what exactly I am sending you to do." That got everyone's attention, and Orion leaned back in his chair, a distant look in his eye.
"Another anomaly scaring the Grimm? Any chance it's the same as last time?" The young man spoke calmly, but didn't seem to entirely there. He was more than likely mentally reviewing the last time he dealt with such a thing.
"Unfortunately, no. All we have been able to make out is a minor distortion in the air itself." Ozpin watched as the young man let out a grim chuckle, drawing attention back to him.
"I think the better word would be "fortunately", Headmaster. That plant was a bitch to kill in the end and I'd really rather not fight another one." Ozpin inclined his head towards Orion.
"True enough." He returned his attention to the team of first years. "As you may have gathered, your mission students is to investigate this distortion. Find out anything that might be useful. It is currently located in the northern area of Forever Fall, but it is moving slowly southward as time passes. Doctor Oobleck will be accompanying you as Senior Huntsman and Mr. Orion will be serving as an advisor due to his… familiarity, with these odd situations." He paused a moment to let it sink in. "Of course, any and all schoolwork will be excused for the duration of your mission…"
Miss Adel immediately brightened. "We're in." Ozpin held back a chuckle. While the other members of her team were quite studious in nature, Miss Adel was notorious for being late or not turning in assignments. It wasn't that she was unintelligent, it was more that she really preferred action to bookwork.
"Excellent! We shall begin packing immediately! We will all meet at the air pad in exactly 2 hours!" With his declaration the good doctor sped off, Team CFVY close behind him as they went to assemble their gear. Ozpin turned towards the only other occupant of the room.
"I assume by your lack of motion that you're all geared up?" The young man chuckled.
"I had a bit more warning, all of my stuff is already on the Bullhead. I had a few questions that I assumed you wouldn't want me asking around the students." Ozpin sipped from his ever present coffee mug.
"Go ahead then, Orion."
"Any traces of magic in the area? Any sign of anything at all related to the distortion?" Orion rattled off the questions rapidly, now much more serious.
Ozpin slowly shook his head. "No and no. There is an unidentifiable form of energy it seems to be radiating, but we are unclear what. Your ability makes you a good match for investigating this."
The young man sighed, standing and beginning to stretch himself out. "Well at least I'm not going in totally blind. Plus I did pack more than a few dust vials just in case…" He began advancing towards the door before pausing and looking back at the Headmaster.
"... You're totally going to make Coco write up a report for how this mission goes." It wasn't a question.
Ozpin carefully brought his mug up, hiding the lower half of his lips. "It is expected of all Hunters and Huntresses to write a detailed report of anything they may encounter in the field, along with the measures taken to deal with the situations that may arise and opinions on anything they may have observed. This is especially true for mission leaders."
"... You're a sadistic man Oz."
"I run a school designed to teach how to deal with the most vicious monstrosities known to mankind filled with hormonal teenagers armed with lethal weaponry." A pause to sip from his coffee. "I am also forced to deal with multinational politics due to my position and must work out the economics of running said school, considering also extra costs such as lodging and supplies out in the field." Another sip of coffee. "I believe I am entitled to a bit of minor amusement that I can derive from my position without gross abuse of my power."
"Ya know, I've never heard of Huntsmen having advisers with them on field missions." Coco commented while overlooking her weapon. We were all assembled at the air pad, having a good ten minutes to spare after stowing all of our gear. Doctor Oobleck was busily doing… something, on his scroll, Velvet and Fox were chatting quietly nearby while Yatsuhashi was sitting on the ground, meditating.
I was leaning against the Bullhead, mentally reviewing everything I knew about the current team. Coco's words drew me out of my musing and I turned my attention to her. "I'm not surprised. It is fairly rare, considering Huntsmen are taught to be incredibly self-sufficient and knowledgeable in their own right. However, you can't know everything, and aside from exceptions such as the good Doctor," at this I inclined my head towards the green-haired man, "very few specialize in anything unrelated to Grimm in some manner. Various specialists may then be asked to accompany a team, depending on the mission. A pretty basic example would be a foreman from the Schnee Dust Company to overlook a possible new mine."
Doctor Oobleck had rushed over, finishing what he was doing and catching the topic at hand. "Indeed! I myself have gone on numerous missions alongside civilian specialists. There are certain parameters of this type of mission that must be followed!" He paused to drink from his thermos while everyone directed their attention to him. "Our number one priority, is the safety of our civilian escort! As they are generally incapable of defending themselves adequately against the Grimm, it is our job to protect them so they may carry out their assigned task! This type of mission is considered exceedingly difficult, as there is a whole new array of strategies and tactics that must be carried out to protect our one or at times numerous civilians!"
I cut in on the doctor, raising a gauntlet covered fist. "Fortunately for you kiddos, this isn't your typical escort mission." At my words, a blade sprouted from my wrist with a metallic shing! "Unlike a grand majority of your escorts, I am capable of defending myself to a pretty decent extent. As well, since we have Doctor Oobleck accompanying us, I will remain near him during any possibility of combat, thus further ensuring my own safety."
Velvet spoke up from her position next to her teammates. "Ah… You seem pretty confident in the professor. Also, why do you keep calling him doctor?"
I nodded towards her. "In reverse order, I address him as doctor because he is one in the field of history and archaeology, and so I address him by his earned title. You kids can address him as professor, as to you he is, but to me he is a highly educated voice in a pretty broad field of study." I shrugged. "As for my confidence in him, all fully fledged Huntsman are perfectly capable of high level combat. All teachers at Beacon are full Huntsman, not counting the library staff and…" I trailed off and directed a look at Oobleck. "I'm not sure about the nurse?"
The green haired man shook his head rapidly. "Unfortunately no, while our dear nurse is also a fellow doctor in the fields of medicine and biology, she is not combat qualified against the Grimm."
"Thank you." I shifted my attention back to the team. "Anything else?"
This time Yatsuhashi spoke up. "Goals?"
Oobleck fielded this question. "Aside from the safety of our escort as I stated earlier, our goal is to find the disturbance in Forever Fall that acts as a deterrent to the Grimm, investigate in, and if we can not find some way to harness the anomaly as a defensive measure we must eliminate it before it discombobulates the normal Grimm movement patterns, thus making the forest even more unsafe for student and Huntsman alike!"
"Or, in plain english," I drawled, "we find the anomaly and either use it or destroy it before it can have any permanent effect." I shrugged, moving away from the bulkhead. "Honestly it's a simple recon-escort mission, at heart anyway."
Coco spoke up. "Any final thing we should be aware of before heading out?"
I paused, stopping my turn towards the bulkhead. "Ah, yeah. One thing." I turned back to the assembled Huntsmen and Huntsmen trainees. "If it comes to the Grimm, if Oobleck says something, do it. When it comes to dealing with the anomaly, unless Oobleck says otherwise, if I say something, you do it. Odds are, I know what I'm talking about."
Oobleck nodded in his normal rapid manner. "That is correct and I reinforce his words with my own, as that is the reason he is here! Now, time is up, let us head out!"
"So, when I heard 'anomaly scaring away Grimm', I gotta say, I expected something more impressive." These oh so helpful words came from Coco, who was leaning on one knee and peering at the distortion in the air, which looked remarkably like lines from a heat wave, just barely visible to the human eye.
"Pretty sure you thought the same thing up to the point I aimed shotguns at you for swinging at me." I remarked idly, ignoring her now furious gaze. "Doctor? Talk to me here."
"According to previous reports, the distortion in front of us is approximately a sphere of some sort, with it is estimated a radius of 4 meters. All Grimm had moved out from the clearing it appeared in a good 15 minutes before it had done so, and it travels at a speed of roughly half a mile an hour. It passes through all plant life and inorganics without any sign of effecting the passed through objects, however it has yet to encounter any Dust or mobile organic." Oobleck paused for a moment to drink from his thermos. "Also, the Grimm have shown no true signs of terror, their behavior more likened to avoiding an unwanted nuisance."
"Aaand that's all she wrote. So! Who wants to walk into it first?" I asked brightly, immediately feeling the stares of disbelief. "Look, it's either we lure a Grimm into it and watch what happens, or we walk into it. I was kind of joking, as I can feel that thing."
Velvet spoke up curiously. "Feel? My instincts are telling me to avoid it, but it's not out of fear or anything…"
I turned to her. "Oh right, guess no one informed you guys. I possess a sixth sense, something we believe to be associated with my Semblance. I can feel souls and other metaphysical things. And what I'm getting is just a giant blaring of twisted space. Which is bad, in case you haven't fig- shit." I cut off.
Fox looked over at me. "I get the feeling we're not going to like what you're about to say."
"It's stopped moving. Like entirely. And somehow, despite being an unliving inanimate ripple on reality, it knows we're here. Which is bad." I slowly turned around to stare as it began to raise into the air.
"This.. is going to suck, isn't it?" Coco's tone was calm, but it was very forced.
The senior huntsman of the group sipped from his thermos as we all watched the anomaly rise above us. "Indubitably so, Miss Adel."
"Well, fuck." Those were my last words before we were all engulfed.
Should I leave it here? Yeah, think I'll leave it here. But, just for the hell of it, sneak peek at the next chapter!
"ZOMMMBBIIIEEEE!"
BOOM!
"Why is Yatsuhashi fighting a zombie with badass dreadlocks expertly wielding a tombstone?"
"Yatsuhashi really dislikes the idea of zombies. He tends to freak out. Very loudly and violently."
I fought very hard to prevent my eye from twitching. I was not entirely successful. "Of course he does…"
Yeah, I'm evil. Deal with it. So, I know these two chapters took a while, and I am so sorry my fans! Writers block + school + work + getting a PS4…. IT ADDED UP MAN.
Yeah, I feel bad about that. So, Merry Christmas Eve? For those who celebrate anyway. Now, there has been a lot of things happening in RWBY since I last posted, which means a fair chunk of AN to talk about what exactly I'm doing. Where to start...
Characters! Now, I'm not accepting OCs. While I'm flattered for you all offering, the only other OC that will be in this story for a long ass time was planned to be put into this story MONTHS AGO. Before y'all bitch, it isn't even mine. It's another Author's, who needs a new purpose cause their character kinda ended up with A LOT of loose ends. And like I said, the addition in question? Was decided in like July. I think. Have to double check the conversation. Also, I will admit I might have considered taking OCs so Orion could interact with more people. But RWBY Volume 3 says "hey, look at this!" and gives me a bucketload of characters (I really want to write with Flynt and Neon). So, yeah, lots of characters to play with yay! But hey, if you guys like your OCs, you should totally write their stories! Because at the end of the day, barring some exceptions *coughKishimotocough* the best storyteller for your character is gonna be you.
Next on the agenda… would be the aforementioned RWBY Volume 3. Which, by the way, is KICKASS so far. If you haven't watched it… go. DO EET NAOW! *cough* Anyway, there's a lot of things in Volume 3. New characters, new organizations, new interpretations of Semblances, and… magic. So, there's magic now. In RWBY. Huh. I feel… Really, really justified. Granted, in canon RWBY it's limited to 4ish people, but whatever. I can work with that. So then, here's the thing? Orion doesn't know anything pertaining to Volume 3. IE, he doesn't know about the secret organization protecting the seasonal sisters (SOMEONE ADOPT THAT), and that magic existed in canonical RWBY. He will not recognize anyone from Volume 3, save my interpretation of Qrow, cause… yeah, I'm not retconning my entire damn fic because canon says so. I covered that last chapter though, so I won't waste space here and simply move on with the parting comment of I will be using stuff given to us… Now to figure out how to work Nora's electro-charging power into her Gamer Semblance I ended up giving her… meh, doable.
So, I mentioned last chapter, I had a… minor issue pop up, due to the Yang vs. Tifa Death Battle. Now, I love Death Battles. Those guys are awesome. However, they kind of gave me a problem… wherein Yang tanked a hit of at least 1400 tons of force. So, I'm just going to skip the physics lesson, and make this very basic: in Earth laws, that kind of blow would have turned her into paste. Sooo… I have a minor problem, in which I implied Orion has more Aura than Yang, and thus can tank legendary amounts of damage. Thing is…. LEGENDARY AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLY STUPID AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE. *rage* *cough* Ahem. That, plus the fact that Orion, starting now, will be adventuring to other dimensions… gave me a huge problem I needed to figure out. Solution? Say fuck it. In serious battles, RWBYverse characters will not be able to take legendary amounts of damage like that unless they are in RWBY or a universe where being able to take such damage is acceptable within the laws of its reality. *ponders* And Gundam universes, but ya'll can chill, as I'm not a fan of the grand majority of mecha animes, except for Code Geass. Which… I'm not touching. Code Geass, while I love the story, IS A HELLHOLE. Buuuut that's off topic. Outside of serious battles, I will rampantly abuse the fact that characters can take bullshit amounts of damage and laugh it off for comedic value. *see Orion getting his ass kicked by pissed off woman. Again. Or at least attempts to do so.*
Next! *reads agenda* Oh right, alternate worlds thing. I'm… just going to wing it? Because yeah, fuck differing physical laws. I'll try to be realistic with it, though. But yes, Orion will be going to all sorts of different worlds. That sneak peek up there, is a hint to the first one he ends up in. Because some nonspecific deity likes messing with his life. If you figure it out, please please PLEASE do not post it in the reviews. Because… fuck, spoilers piss me right the hell off, and I hate anyone who does so. I give you this warning, if you put a possible spoiler in a review… wait no, that's kind of vague, really mean, and can easily spiral out of control. Fuck it, Imma just say please don't spoil shit, and slap a SPOILERS tag on the reviews. Read at your own damn peril.
Speaking of reviews… I am flattered. I really, really am. As of the time that this chapter goes up, and I double check, there have been FIFTY EIGHT reviews of my fic since the last update back in October. Which… is awesome, by the way. You are all awesome. But… that poses a problem. Cause, you look at last chapter? That's a good 3 1/2 pages taken up SOLELY by reviews. And… I can't keep doing that. I'd feel really bad writing personalized responses to reviews, and forcing you all to read blocks of text. Soooo… I'll probably end up just covering the highlights of the reviews in general, and mentioning you by name if you review. Sorry guys, I really do enjoy responding to you, but I can't keep doing it with as much as this fic has grown… By the way, ya'll are awesome anyway. Because I kind of figured this would've died a while ago. But all of you seem to like it so much, that I couldn't stop. And here we are, with 200+ followers. THIS SHALL BE ONE OF THE GREATEST RWBY INSERTS EVER. I will try my damnedest to keep on going.
… Ok, so just looked over the RRC last chapter. Actually shorter in comparison than I thought… So, I might still keep the RRC. That's up to you guys though. If I get enough people who want me to keep responding, I will. If the complaints of having to read past a giant wall of bold text before the story outweigh those who want responses, then I'll go with the above plan.
Finally, many thanks to fellow authors Vixen Tail, the reaper of insanity, and ThePhantomScribe for letting me bounce ideas off of you. If you don't know who they are, they are just a few of my favorite authors. Vixen Tail is a writer of SIs and other fics, dabbling in areas from Katekyo Hitman Reborn to Naruto. the reaper of insanity is a fellow author who borrowed Orion for his own story, or at least a variation of Orion I lended to him. And ThePhantomScribe is a writer for the RWBY section of this site, known best for his works (I think…) "The Gamer Girl" and "Chronicle". You guys are awesome for letting bounce ideas off of you. Oh, and also thanks to Gaming Ikari for the advice. Was helpful in figuring out how exactly to deal with these past two chapters.
I… think that's everything for now? *double checks* Oh shit, I nearly forgot and may have pissed off a lot of people! Soo... that 'faunus go into heat' crack earlier? Time to go into that. Aside from the rare exception, faunus in this world don't actually go into heat. They are more in tune to their instincts and hormones, but that's about it when it comes to sexual matters. The rare exceptions I mentioned can be likened to a random mutation in genetics, so it's a very slim chance of coming across a faunus in heat. If they do go into heat, it's for only like a week every 3 months or longer, starting at the age of 16. Most faunus hate talking about it, though, as it is kind of a touchy subject? Because those rare mutations can color human-faunus relations very badly, as humans don't go into heat. Unfortunately for poor poor Orion... Velvet and Blake, due to sheer luck, happen to be capable of going into heat. Yeah, he's pissed off at me, so are the girls. DANCE PUPPETS DANCE. However, this is purely for comedic effect from time to time. And/or to push the limits of the relationships Orion establishes with Velvet and Blake. So, as I've cleared that up as much as I want to...
Now, that's everything. As of the time I am posting these chapters up, it is Christmas Eve for the West Coast, so Merry Christmas Eve my loyal followers! I hope you enjoy this Christmas gift to you, a day early! And a Merry Christmas to all of you tomorrow! Unless you don't celebrate Christmas, so happy holidays in general. If that offends you, then I wish you good tidings in general instead.