ALRIGHT! Finally, after all my off shoots and side stories and fighting story...and other partially written things I'm still working on...we're getting to the main story! The RFGH Times in Atlas! The first arc of a multi story multi title...thing..spanning all of Remnant (if I don't wimp out) and following this big ol band of Mantlean misfits and several friends, enemies, frenemies...and other acquaintances they may know or make along the way.
First things first though, we gotta meet the team! And what better way than the tale of how each of the four got into Atlas Academy? (If it doesn't work I may move this off into another...offshoot...or something) So, read on! Random one or two people who probably misclicked on this story! And see how Rolland Brawn managed to procure a spot in Atlas Academy!
Mantle, once the seat of power and capital of the continent of Solitas, now reduced to living in the literal shadow of the new and improved capital, the bright shining floating city of Atlas. Whereas Atlas was bright, shining, and well heated. Mantle was dark, dirty, and cold...and it only got worse the closer you got towards the mining pits. Sure, the housing was cheap, but things just got slummier and slummier...and that's saying nothing of the noise.
What once was a proud kingdom in its own right had been reduced to a poor excuse for a sister to the newer, brighter, shinier capital city...inferior at best and an utter slum at worst, a home for those that lacked the money, power, and in some cases the correct genetic makeup to be welcome up in Atlas.
So, what's worse than being stuck in the lower city? Being imprisoned, cuffed and locked away within the walls of one of Mantle's many police precincts...much like a certain pale boy was currently experiencing. His pale skin and silvery blonde hair were both a tad dirty, with several chunks of dirt, dust, and ash clinging to just about every inch hair and flesh. His heavy brown coat and torn pants in similar bits of dust and debris. The young man remained silent...handcuffed, locked in a secure room, isolated, no scroll call, no lawyer, no interrogation yet...just him, his thoughts, and the dust particles floating around him. Inhaling deeply, he let out a long huff of air, blowing a few of the floating particles away as he simply shook his head in disbelief.
"I just wanted to get groceries…"
Shifting slightly in his seat, the young man flinched as the seat beneath him creaked noisily, his entire body freezing before he seemed to relax as the sound stopped and nothing happened. Though his hazel eyes did light up as the door to the room suddenly opened, allowing a lone woman holding a drink carrier with two cups of...what he'd assume to be hot chocolate given the smell...to step in before it closed automatically behind her.
She was small...well...smaller than him, but that was the case with most people, wearing a uniform befitting a member of Atlas' military personnel...not exactly something unusual given their close proximity and Atlas' tendency to involve themselves with Mantle...but not something you'd think to see in a Mantle police department...or at least not what a suspect would hope to see. Her blue hair was pulled back into a ponytail...though her locks changed from the sky blue to pitch black right below the band that held the hair in place. Adjusting her black shades, the woman stepped towards the table, setting the drink carrier down before taking a seat across from the big, buff, befuddled boy.
"You….aren't one of the officers…"
"Very astute." She replied casually as she plucked one of the drinks from the carrier. "Nice to see that your eyes work Mister Brawn."
"Brown."
"Hm?" Cocking an eyebrow behind her dark lenses, the woman stared towards her tablemate as he squirmed and cleared his throat.
"Sorry, it's...you pronounce it like the color…Brown...I know it's spelled weird...but...that's how it is."
"I see, apologies for the mistake then, Mister Brawn." Taking a moment to properly pronounce the boy's name, the woman gave him a nod. "It's just...given your appearance...and the spelling."
"Yeah...if it's any consolation, I used to be a brunette...but hey, my little bro's still got the right hair! And...um...my eyes are kinda brown...and I guess there's my coat..."
"Yes well, your name doesn't need to perfectly identify you Mister Brawn." Chuckling softly, she took a sip of her drink before motioning to the other cup. "But speaking of brown, can I offer you a drink? It's hot chocolate."
"Oh, Thank you, but I...think I'll pass."
"You sure? It's got those tiny marshmallows in it."
"Well, while I am a sucker for marshmallows...I don't like chocolate…"
"Oh? Y'know, if you weren't in handcuffs already I'd have you in them now for that statement."
The playful tone from the woman as she sipped her drink earned a soft snort and smile from the young man. "Yeah I know...hating chocolate's a sin against nature...may as well send me out to live with the Grimm…"
"Tempting. For all we know you may be a Grimm in disguise!"
"Could be...but sadly I'm not. Just a human who…" Flexing his hands momentarily, he let out a sigh. "Let's just say had a bad experience once…"
"Are you allergic?"
"No, though I'm tempted to say I may have preferred it that way...see I...sort of had this guy I know sell me some fudge that...wasn't exactly fudge…"
Frowning, the woman lowered her drink immediately. "I see...well, now that I've lost my own appetite for chocolate…" She ignored the boy's grumbled 'sorry' as she folded her hands together. "May I ask why it is that you're being held here?"
"I...is that a rhetorical question?"
"No."
Chuckling, he started to lean back only to immediately go ramrod as his seat creaked again. Once the sound stopped again, he sighed and waved a hand vaguely towards the shades wearing stranger. "So...what is this...good cop, bad cop?"
"We've already established that I'm not an officer Mister Brawn."
"Are you a lawyer?"
"Could you afford one?"
"Aren't I entitled to one regardless?"
"Perhaps, but seeing as I am in fact not a lawyer, and you neither have one present, nor the funds to procure one….why don't we just skip to the part where you tell me what happened?"
"Isn't...wouldn't that be incredibly stupid of me?"
"Perhaps, but for what it's worth you have my word that everything we discuss will be off the records Mister Brawn...nothing will be held against you. I simply want to know what happened."
After a moment of silence, he simply leaned forward. "Who...are you exactly?"
"Someone who's willing to hear you out...so long as you're willing to talk. Are you?"
"I mean...sure...maybe? But I'd prefer to have a name…unless you want me to call you Blue."
"And how would you spell that, Mister Brawn? Like the color? Or some other way?" Chuckling, the woman took a moment to adjust her glasses once again before smiling. "I'll meet you halfway, you may call me Aurum."
"Well...guess I'm not the only one with an...unfitting name."
"Or maybe you're in the category that saw black and blue over white and gold." The woman's smile did falter slightly as the boy simply gave her a confused look, causing her to simply sigh in exasperation. "Know what...never mind...you have my last name...so are you willing to talk?
"Still not sure this is a good call...but...it's not like I can get in much more trouble than I already am…" Shrugging to himself, he gave a slight wave of his hand. "I'm here because I knocked down a building…"
"Oh? Well that's something fairly extreme…"
"Yeah...I mean, in my defense, the house was abandoned...and on fire…" Coughing for a moment, he let out a sigh. "It was an accident…"
"You know, most folks would consider collapsing a building to be a fairly...monumental task...Something that you have to put a lot of intentional effort into doing...burning or otherwise, yet you claim it was a simple accident?"
"Yeah, well I've been told I'm not exactly what most folks consider normal…" Letting out a sigh, the boy lowered his head again. "I guess I took out a...support wall...or a load bearing beam...or something...and the whole thing came crashing down."
"I think you meant a support beam or load bearing wall."
"Yeah probably..." With a sigh, the boy waved a hand. "Look, I'm not a builder, I'm a breaker, a wrecker...it's kinda my whole shtick…Helps when I'm on the clock, but kinda sucks the rest of the time.."
"I'd expect so…" Seemingly having gotten over her momentary phobia of chocolate, she took a quick sip from her drink before waving the cup towards him. "So...is there a reason behind you accidentally knocking down a burning building? Was it near your home? Threatening to take yours or someone else's down with it?"
"No...it...the fire was...bad...but it shouldn't have spread much further...no other home should've been affected."
"Then why interfere? If it's a simple abandoned building, why not let the fire crews handle it?"
"I...there was someone inside…" The slight cocked eyebrow from the woman had him sighing. "I was just...heading home with my groceries when I...heard the scream...Next thing I know I'm in the doorway with splinters in my fist…"
Watching the boy as he cupped and caressed his blackened right hand, the woman gave a soft hum. "A hero huh? A boy after my own heart…" Rolland's questioning look went unanswered as the woman produced a scroll, lighting it up before she tapped away at the screen. "Rolland Brawn...age uncertain, presumed to be approximately nineteen...frequently works as a laborer for various construction and demolition crews...Likely Mantle born native, or was abandoned here at a young age. No girlfriend, sparse dating record with little to no love life to speak of-"
"Wait, you have my dating records on that thing?"
Flicking her finger and ignoring the boy, she continued: "Accused of multiple misdemeanors and petty crimes over the years, the majority being related to damaging various pieces of property. No convictions or time served however, allegations eventually dropped or settled through monetary compensation or physical labor….Currently lives on the outskirts of Mantle's mining district with a youth who-"
"Please don't word it that way...it makes me sound like I'm a child abducting predator or something."
"...Who identifies as Mister Brawn's younger brother…" Lowering the scroll, the woman adjusted her glasses before clearing her throat. "We acknowledge that he likely is indeed your sibling...but your predatory statement does bring up something else of concern." Tapping her scroll she let out another hum. "Ah here we are...seems you've been seen interacting with another youth of note…one, Miss Voltaic..." Receiving nothing but a confused look she cleared her throat. "Sprita Voltaic…" After yet another moment of silence, she simply flipped her scroll around, showing him a picture of a young girl with citrine eyes, her short red hair hanging down to her shoulders as she wore a bored expression and a surprisingly well fitted lab coat. It took a moment, but the pieces seemed to finally fall into place as Rolland snapped his fingers.
"OH! The kid! That's who you were talking about."
"Yes…so, you admit to being familiar with the little Voltaic?"
"I mean sure? Vaguely? I see the kid every so often. Why?"
"What are your intentions with her?"
"...What?"
"Miss Voltaic, why do you interact with her? Entertain her presence? Please don't tell me it's related to your pred-"
"NO!" The woman recoiled a bit as the entire table suddenly jumped, the second drink threatening to tip over whilst the metal bent down around the Mantlean's bound hands. "Fuck...sorry, but don't...don't even joke about that…" Inhaling deeply, Rolland let out another long sigh. "The kid...I don't know what her deal is, or why she bothers hanging around me….aside from the crap she spews about wanting to study a real life hobo up close...maybe she's lonely...maybe she's bored...maybe she's got nothing better to do...way I see it, if she's not harming anyone then what's the big deal?"
"The fact that she's from Atlas, not Mantle? That her father and sister don't want her coming down here? That she takes routine and unsanctioned trips down here alone to pester a stranger who knows how to use their aura, has a police record, anger management problems, and a natural destructive disposition?"
"...Okay, well, when you word it like that it is concerning...but that's not on me! I mean, sure, the last couple are...but I'm not the one bringing her down here. That's a talk for her and her family."
"So your intentions to her are-"
"Nonexistent. I don't know the kid. Hell, I didn't even know her name!"
"And yet you collapsed a building for her?"
Flinching, the boy cleared his throat before shrugging. "I mean...it wasn't...I didn't...go in with the intention to knock down the building."
"But you did enter it…a home that did not belong to you...that's trespassing Mister Brawn."
"I mean...the kid was there first…"
"Hmmmm...and what about the fire?"
"Like I said, it was on fire when I got there..." After a brief pause, he furrowed his brow. "I...think anyways…look all I know is that I bust down the door and found the kid behind a wall of flames..."
"Then what caused it? Houses don't just spontaneously burst into flames without reason Rolland."
"Wouldn't that be a question for the investigators?" Rolland grumbled, his irritation rising only to immediately die as the woman frowned. "Look...I don't know, okay?"
"Do you think Miss Voltaic had anything to do with it?"
"Not a chance…That kid's a whole lot of things, but she sure as heck isn't a pyro."
"An awful lot of faith for a child you claim to have no knowledge or relation too...And to answer your question, officials are trying to investigate the source of the fire, unfortunately things get harder when someone tampers with the crime scene...even more so when the crime scene is outright destroyed by someone collapsing a building atop it." Sipping her drink as the suspect sank further into his chair, she cleared her throat.
"So let's run through things…you were out, fairly late in the evening might I add, grocery shopping...when you heard a scream. You abandoned your current mission and sought out the source, and you found a home that was burning. Entering the home, you found Miss Voltaic trapped by flames...and somehow, during your attempt to exit the home with Miss Voltaic you ended up breaking something which caused the home to collapse...at which point Miss Voltaic was taken by the fire crew to be inspected for injuries...while you were taken into custody...does that sound about right?"
"More or less…"
"Hmmmm…" Tapping her scroll again, the blue haired woman frowned slightly. "Odd that a rescuer would be taken into custody following such a...daring escape…"
"Yeah...soon as I was out I heard someone yell...something...I wasn't really paying attention...I just saw...I saw a faunus point at me while saying something...then the firemen took the kid while the cops came over and led me away…"
"Led you here I take it?"
"Yeah…" Sighing again, the boy closed his eyes. "I hope the kid's okay…"
"Did she look hurt when you last saw her?"
"No...I mean...she was scared as all hell obviously...had some cuts and burns...but...I don't think she was really at risk of anything…save for the grounding of a lifetime from her folks."
"Quite lucky that you happened to be there to save her then…" Sipping her drink, the woman finally sat her cup down before leveling her lenses on the dirty blonde boy. "I'll be straight with you Rolland...Quite a few people seem to think that you were the one responsible for everything that happened…" That certainly got the boy's attention as he sat straight up. "That you caused the fire and collapsed the building to cover your tracks…Either as an act of arson...or as an attempt on Miss Voltaic's life." The sound of metal straining stopped the woman, her black lenses lowering slightly towards the cuffs holding the boy's large clenched fists. "Arson, trespassing, destruction of private property...they're even trying to pin the girl's presence on you as well, so we have to tack on kidnapping and attempted murder…Needless to say, things do not look good for you Mister Brawn."
"I didn't….I was just..."
"Trying to be a hero?" Giving a weak shrug the woman continued. "Bad things happen to good people Rolland…"
"This..."
"Isn't fair? Sadly, life rarely is Mister Brawn...perhaps it would've been better if you'd done nothing. You're not a fireman, not a hero, not a huntsman..."
"But I had the ability to help…" Aurum cocked an eyebrow as the boy straightened up again. "Someone was in danger...the kid, Sprita, needed help. Someone had to do something. And I had the ability to do so...I was strong enough to get through...I had my aura to protect me from the fire…but she didn't. She could've been hurt...or worse."
"She could've been hurt by you busting down the door, she could've been hurt by you collapsing the building..."
"The building was going to fall regardless...I'd rather it be on both of us than one scared little girl." A beat of silence echoed through the room before he continued. "She needed help...she was alone, scared, hurt...if you want me to apologize for saving her then I'm sorry but you're not getting it...if someone needs help, then someone else needs to step up."
"Because that's what heroes do?"
"No, because that's what any decent person should do...hero or otherwise." Sitting back in his chair, the boy opened his mouth, only to have whatever sound he was about to say replaced with a fairly girlish squeak as his creaky squeaky chair collapsed beneath him. The tall boy falling flat onto his back with a loud oof, the table and the entire room seeming to bounce and vibrate for a moment as he stayed flat on the floor. "Every...fucking….time..."
Snorting and trying to stifle her own laughter, Aurum pushed back out of her seat before rounding the table to look down upon the even dirtier boy as he lay flat on the floor. "Are you okay Rolland?"
"Peachy…" Sitting up, the boy sighed as he climbed to his feet. "So...adding destruction of the table...and the chair to the list of my crimes...how much time am I looking at?"
"Well, I can't give you an answer, but I'd assume that it would be fairly long...your brother would no doubt get into even more trouble than normal without you around to watch him...may turn to a life of crime...may try to break you out…"
"Sounds like something he'd do...may as well just toss him into jail with me…"
"Now that would be a bit of a stretch...he'd likely get juvy at first…" The woman's playful tone despite the serious situation should've upset the boy, but he ended up cracking a slight smile. "Of course...you have taken part in community service and done physical labor in the past for your other infractions...so…" Clearing her throat, she slid a hand into her pocket before offering hima small card with a single emblem printed upon the center...the emblem of Atlas. "How would four years of community service sound?"
Blinking, Rolland hesitantly reached out before taking the card in one of his massive hands. "I...wait….what?"
"During these four years you would need to live on site, sharing your living space with three others who you will meet at a later point. The four of you will attend lectures and activities together, you will work and train together, you need not become friends, but you must be willing and able to cooperate. You and your team will even be expected to fight against the creatures of Grimm as well as possibly facing other threats...also, you will be expected to meet with a parole officer of sorts…likely at least once a week if not more often. Needless to say, you'd be watched very closely...and if you prove unwilling or unable to meet the requirements to continue this exercise, or if you are found guilty of committing any further crimes, then this opportunity will be revoked…"
Taking a moment to breathe, and scooping up her drink for another sip, she cleared her throat. "Now, I'm sure you're thinking: 'This just sounds like prison with more steps and danger' and in a way, you may be right. However! You will be granted one luxury that you would not have if you attended a conventional prison…so long as you both inform your handler...and agree to be watched and or tracked...you will be granted permission to come back down to Mantle to oversee your brother in your free time." Setting down her drink once more, the woman smiled. "So, what do you think? Do you wish to take on this opportunity?"
"I...is this...for real?"
"It is in fact a real card, Mister Brawn. As is the offer that I've proposed to you." Smiling, she moved her hands behind her back. "You wish to be a hero...do you not? To protect and save those in need. Well, Atlas Academy would be a great place to make that dream a reality."
"Who...are you?"
Smiling a bit wider, the young woman took a moment to adjust her glasses before offering her hand to the cuffed young man. "Karma Aurum at your service, should you choose to accept and attend, I will be overseeing you during your time at the academy...at least until you prove yourself to no longer need a guardian...or until I graduate myself, at which point you'll become someone else's problem."
That certainly caught the big lug off guard, staring down towards the two toned woman in confusion. Sparing a glance towards the card, he started to reach forward only to pause and lower it again. "It's...an amazing deal Karma...really. But...I can't exactly afford to go...I mean...Atlas Academy? Heck….I can hardly cover my brother's schooling...and it's not like I'm going to be getting a scholarship..."
"So, all you need is a way to cover your boarding costs...as well as any costs your brother may incur in your absence….is that correct?"
"I...yes? I guess?"
"Well then good news Hobo!" A young, excited voice called out as the door suddenly opened, revealing a dirty redheaded girl with her short blackened hair pulled back into a small singed bun with an oversized labcoat draped over her body. Despite the difference in clothing and hairstyle, the citrine eyes made it quite clear she was the girl from the picture, Sprita Voltaic. "Cause you're going to Atlas!"
"Kid!" Showing a surprising amount of speed for his big bulky frame, Rolland managed to clear the distance between himself and the redheaded child. Ignoring her squeak of surprise as he scooped her up with his still bound arms. "You're alright!"
"Hey hey! Easy with the merchandise! This any way you treat your redheaded mealticket?" Despite the girl's words, she made no attempt to escape, simply smiling brightly toward the large man holding her. "We get you into Atlas, and you throw me around like a doll?"
"We?"
"We." A second voice offered from the door, as a woman with similar eyes and hair color appeared in the open doorway. "Apologies for the interruption...Sprita, you were supposed to wait until the meeting was over."
"Yeah well if I did, then this stupid hobo here would've totally turned the deal down! Aint that right ya big lug?" Grinning, she playfully smacked the boy's arm, laughing as he gave her a flat look.
"What'd I tell you about calling me a hobo kid?"
"That you loooooove it~" Flicking a finger against the cuffs holding the crusher's wrists, she flashed the 'hobo' a big toothy grin. "But that's not what matters! Cause you, my big stinky hobo buddy, are going to Atlas academy! Courtesy of Voltaic Ventures!"
"Come again?"
"It's the least we can do." The second redhead smiled as she stepped up, running a hand over the smaller girl's singed hair. "Sage Voltaic...I'm Sprita's big sister if it wasn't obvious."
"Rolland Brawn…And...yeah, I can...kinda see the resemblance."
"Aint she a bombshell? I'm gonna be so hot when I grow up!" The two elders rolled their eyes simultaneously as Rolland sat the smaller girl down.
"Ignore her….she's...going through a phase I fear...but in any case, you rescued my little sister...who was supposed to be studying in her room…" The smaller girl seemed completely unphased her elder sibling's harsh tone, instead wandering over towards the interrogation table, plucking up the untouched cup of hot chocolate while staring excitedly at the shattered chair and dented table. "I...that is, my father and I...would have been absolutely devastated if anything were to happen to Sprita...she's always wandering off, usually we're able to keep tabs on her and get her back before too long...this is the first time she's ever gotten into any danger...but you were there….you risked your life to save hers. And for that, you have our eternal thanks."
"It...really wasn't anything special...I was just in the right place at the right time."
"And that could've made all the difference...I don't like thinking about what if scenarios Mister Brawn...I much prefer facts. And the fact of the matter is that you saved her. And as such, we are forever in your debt."
"And as luck would have it, the Voltaics are willing to help you out with your little currency conundrum." Karma chimed in with a smile as she came to stand beside the pair.
"That is correct. If you choose to attend Atlas, our father will be personally covering your tuition and other attendance costs...a small price for saving Sprita's life."
"I...but...I really-"
"You did. And I won't hear anymore on it...You will be going to Atlas Academy. And we will be covering the costs...unless you wish to attend prison for rescuing my sister's life."
"No bars can hold my hobo!"
"I am not a hobo!" Glaring towards the girl as she waved a splintered piece of chair like a sword, Rolland let out a sigh. "Look...it's so sweet of you to offer this...but...I don't know...I didn't save the kid because I wanted a reward."
"To be frank Mister Brawn-"
"Rolland."
"Call him Hobo!"
"Rolland." Sage continued. "I don't care what you intended. I care that my annoying but beloved sister is here, safe and sound...if perhaps a little singed."
"I'm totally keeping this hairstyle!"
"Sure, I mean I'm happy the kid's safe too...but...still...it's a lot of money...I'm assuming...and there's still the matter of my brother."
"Mahogany Brawn correct?"
"Yeah...but uh...he prefers Macho...we kinda found out Mahogany was a...feminine name…needless to say he was not happy with me."
"Let's call him Hog! That's a cool name! Oh! Or Ma Hog! That's Ma Hog over there! I'mma sick Ma Hog on you!" Sprita trailed off as all three of the grown ups turned their attention to her. "What? Pigs are awesome! They're big and fat and smelly, and they play around in the dirt, and mud, just like you big guy!"
"Man this girl is Savage."
"Sprita, that's enough." Sage frowned as she shot her sister a look before smiling to the taller, unamused bruiser. "We're willing to help with Macho as well...if you'll allow us...we could see about getting him into the same school Sprita attends, or simply watch over him when you're unavailable...Sprita could do with a friend. And they're of similar ages if I'm not mistaken."
"Sparks and Hog comin' at ya! Bout to grind you punks up and turn you into porkchops!"
"They could...hopefully keep each other out of trouble if nothing else…? Safety in numbers and all that..."
"Hey, if either of these kids grow up to be even remotely like you two, I'd say they turned out fine." Karma chimed in with a grin, crossing her arms as Sprita rounded the table to join her sibling and savior. "In any case, it's awfully late Mister Brawn...have you made your decision?"
"So I either face the possibility of jail time...or I go to Atlas Academy…You know...I'm not too sure wh-OW!" Rolland groaned, rubbing his kidney which had just been speared with a piece of the shattered seat, courtesy of one frowning Sprita. "Darn it kid..."
"Stop hamming it up hobo! You're going to Atlas, and you're gonna like it!" She held up her makeshift weapon threateningly, the shard of splintered likely would've been more threatening if he didn't have his aura to protect him. "They don't let non-family members visit in prison! So unless you plan on breaking out, or marrying Sage right now brobo, then you are going to Atlas!"
Rolland's response of a cocked eyebrow seemed to upset the small girl, fiercely pouting at him as she jabbed him in the kidney again and again….only for the mass of muscle to swipe and snap the piece of wood in two. "Alright, you've twisted my arm and stabbed me in the kidney enough…" Handing the girl back the two smaller shards of wood...and ignoring the fact that she decided to dual wield them to double her kidney jabs, Rolland smiled towards Sage. "If you're serious about your offer to help me and Macho out…" He then turned his attention towards Karma. "And if the offer to attend is still on the table….then I'd be honored to accept."
"Well alright then!" Grinning widely, the blue haired woman grabbed both Rolland and Sage's hands before forcing them into an...awkward three way handshake of sorts. "It's settled. Welcome to Atlas Academy Mister Brawn. I look forward to working with you going forward."
"This is gonna be so cool!" Jumping up to hang from Rolland's extended arm, Sprita grinned up towards the bruiser. "You gotta teach me all the cool moves you learn there! I wanna know how to beat the snot out of Grimm too!"
"Not happening."
"Yes happening! We're paying your bills brobo! That means you owe me fighting lessons!"
"I'm with Rolland, you're not going to be setting foot anywhere near Grimm Sprita. Therefore you won't be needing any combat lessons."
"Better safe than sorry Sage! Or are you saying you WANT to have your poor defenseless little sister and her pigpen pal get eaten alive by some big scary monster?"
"That's not what I'm saying and you know it Sprita." The elder sibling frowned as she crossed her arms, seemingly putting her foot down on things. "So long as you stay up in Atlas where you belong, you'll likely never have to even see a Grimm."
"But maybe I will! Isn't it better to know how to fight, or how to run away in the worst case scenario? C'mon! Brobo won't always be here to save me. Especially if he's off learning how to fight the monsters!"
A brief staring contest broke out between the two siblings, only to be broken up as Karma snapped her fingers. "Hey, y'know I'm sure I can arrange to let you sit in on some fighting classes Miss Voltaic. If you manage to get your parents' or guardian's permission."
"Oh yeah! Black and blue babe's the best! Tied with Sage obviously"
"You're just saying that because you need my approval…" Sage groused, though she did seem to smile at the praise regardless.
"Don't even know each other a day and I'm tied for number one! I'd say that's a win."
Groaning to himself, Rolland lifted a hand, only to freeze as the metal cuffs around his wrist finally snapped, falling to the floor with a loud clatter. "Is it too late to reconsider jail time?" He groaned, ignoring the gut busting laughter from Sprita and the more controlled giggles from the other two girls.
And that's Rolland done! Now we only need the other three...should be easy enough. I'll admit it's probably gonna be a bunch of talking and back and forth for these four intros...but I plan to get actiony afterwards! (And I can always repost these as aside stories if any of the nonexistent readers request it) So please be patient! I got plans and misadventures and all sorts of junk filed away for all the members of the Team!