Chapter two
Spooky thoughts and settling in
As Summer unpacked, she watched Qrow and Raven, who were quietly bickering over who got what hammock. Eventually, Raven must have gotten annoyed with the argument as she softly whacked her younger brother on the head and moved towards one of the hammocks closest to the door before falling into it. One arm hung limply off of it while the other covered her eyes.
"Another headache, Rae?" Tai asked as he came into the cave, an extremely heavy Dust container on his shoulder followed by Terra, who also had one on his.
"Yeah, something like that. As if Atlas wasn't bad enough, now I'm getting them in Vacuo as well? Why does the Winged One despise me?" she asked rhetorically.
"I'm not sure that's the right word for it. Who knows? Maybe the Darkened Goddesses' will see fit to give you dreams of the future? Supposedly they did that with headaches in ancient times," Terra said as he put his container down on the ground.
The guys looked confused while Raven grunted. "Weren't they the Old Vacuoan Goddesses of Death, Fury, War, Twilight, and Rebirth?" Summer asked as she put her finger to her chin. "Yeah, I remember now. Death and Twilight were the first two. And Death ended up giving birth to Fury and War while Rebirth was born from War."
"Ding dong! Professor Summer is right again. Dang, you really know your ancient mythologies."
Summer blushed slightly and started to stammer as Raven raised her head a bit. "Wait, if they were all female then how did Death and War give birth?" She looked at Terra, who simply shrugged.
"Mythology is weird, okay? Not to mention that it's never actually said that War gave birth to Rebirth. It's just mentioned that one day Rebirth was just kind of there."
"Still makes no sense," Raven grumbled.
"Oh, and a gigantic bird that carries the souls of the dead away on its wings makes sense?" Terra asked, his dark brown eyes meeting Raven's red.
"I mean… he has a point there," Qrow chimed in and Raven conceded the point, albeit reluctantly.
"Anyway, that's not why I stopped by. I actually came to see if you guys were done unpacking. Though, I guess I answered my own question since I kind of helped, huh?" Terra rubbed the back of his head.
"I appreciate the help, by the way. Bunch of lazy butts." Tai half grumbled under his breath as he shot lighthearted glares towards his teammates.
"Eh, I get it. My team is the same way. At least Sunstone tries. Neph and Eclipse don't even bother." Terra cracked a smile while Tai and Qrow both chuckled. "Since it seems like you guys are in fact unpacked, that brings me to my second order of business. It has been decided that team STNE shall be your tour guides while you are in Vacuo. At least until you know the cave system well enough to figure out the main locations."
"Wait, why do we need 'tour guides?" Summer asked as she pulled out her sketchbook, which had been at the bottom of her bag.
"The caves here are a labyrinth, and I highly doubt Headmaster Theodore will be pleased if you guys get lost. Many visitors overestimate their sense of direction and don't yet understand how the caves can twist around. Many have never been found, so please listen when I say it's better to have if you guys have guides for a while."
Summer, Tai, and Qrow all shuddered at the thought of being forever lost. Tai and Summer both still had the occasional nightmare about getting trapped in that damned under glacier village in Solitas.
"Duly noted, it is much appreciated," Summer graciously said as she gave a small bow.
"No biggie, you'll all be navigating the caves like pros soon enough. Anyway, it's almost time for lunch if anyone's interested?"
Everyone perked up at that. They had all had an early breakfast, and by now, their stomachs were all starting to rumble. "C'mon, you four. Let me show you where you can get some grub." Terra exited the dorm cave with Raven and Tai right on his heels, Qrow and Summer behind them.
It wasn't surprising to find the other three members of team STNE waiting for them, though it was a surprise when the familiar form of James Ironwood stiffly walked up to the group as well.
"Ah, I was not aware that team STRQ had chosen Vacuo as well. I suppose it makes a modicum of sense after all. You are rather close to Spirit Sunstone."
"Captain Ironwood, always a pleasure to see you again." Summer commented dryly while both of the Branwen twins simply rolled their eyes.
Sunstone growled softly. "James, I wasn't aware that General Steelwing would allow her prized pupil out of her sight. Did you finally get tired of being her attack dog?"
"I'm not the one who has slipped my leash. You know what they do with rabid animals, I presume?" Ironwood's voice was quiet.
In an instant, the razor-sharp edge of Sand's Veil rested against Ironwood's throat while Sunstone was staring up at the barrel of Due Process. Before the situation could escalate, a sharp voice cut through the air. "That's enough! Both of you stand down!" Theodore stalked up to the two, moving surprisingly quietly for his size. Vice-Headmistress Ebony Lockhart on his heels.
"Headmaster Theodore!" Ironwood immediately holstered Due Process and snapped into an Atlesian salute.
Theodore lazily waved it away before glaring at both of them. "I don't care if you two decide to get into a fight. Just do it in a training room and not out here." With that, he brushed past them and into the dining hall.
"You two should know better by now." the Vice-Headmistress told them before she followed him.
"Raincheck, Jimmy?" Sunstone mockingly asked as she ducked inside the dining hall. Before he could retort, she was already gone.
Ironwood grunted before he too entered the cave and disappeared into the mass of people.
Eclipse simply vanished while Neph did her best to appear unruffled by the near fight. "Well, with that out of the way, who wants food?" She asked, albeit somewhat halfheartedly.