Original A/N: (A joke about consistency. shoutout to Rum and Medic. self promo. I hate my life. Bear with me here. discord tag, disclaimer and F-off)
Official A/N: Hi, strange people. Those unfortunate few who know me by my other stories have my deepest gratitude for being here. If you are not acquainted with me from my previous work, then welcome.
You made a mistake.
Rejoice, for this will be only a small experiment and a test - nothing too major for now.
Although I do have at least 8 ideas for this story in 11 chapters.
I know that I haven't updated in a while, but now that I have an actual job to do I can use writing as a hobby and an escape, because just writing for the sake of writing without any will to do so is a no go. Strange isn't it? To realise the more work you have, the more free time you spend with use (somewhat).
Anyway, you came here for a reason - to read a story, not a messy author's note, so I'll spare you more rambling.
Shoutouts to...
Rum Aficionado - Top Gaymer,
Reclusiarch Vandenhale - Best Retard Ever 3,
UnbreachableJericho - The Man Responsible for Another Piece of Shit Writer on .
Wouldn't be here without these fellas.
Don't check out my other story. I forbid you, and God does too.
Discord Tag to the land of degeneracy: dQpby4
[RWBY - RT],
[Me - OC],
[Songs - Sinners - Artist - Barns Courtney],
[Swearing - Maybe/MOST LIKELY/OH YEAH!],
[I make my own cannon, so if you don't like it - AU].
Read it nice and slow. You've got time to treat yourself.
And most importantly…
Piss off, Wankers :3
("P.S. Go ahead. Call the cops. They can't unsuck those toes…" -Vandenhale)
Introductions and The Response (From You)
And so It begins
Midnight - a time when the air is most still and the shadows conceal its inhabitants. A time when Grimm prowl with renewed vigour and criminals take out their cloaks and daggers.
Yet it's also a time for mothers to sing their lullabies, and for children to dream of things that they will forget about the morning after.
Midnight is also considered a time for things more… Mystical in nature to make their move against the dawn of day. A witching Hour, so to say
Luckily for us, this particular midnight follows not the beast, the witch, nor a petty vagabond.
Today's midnight is a time for wonder and for imagination, for the past to be brought up and for the future to be laid bare.
It's time for Tales and Fables of Old to remind those gathered close of truths which lay forgotten between fiction and the time so sudden.
And what better place to begin, then the burning fire on the moonlit night?
The air was still-
"Are we th-?"
"Shut the fuck up!"
-But not for long, for an interesting company of four made their way down the winding paths of controlled areas of Valean forests. These four had a lot of distinguishable features about them. At the very least, features distinguishable from each other in their group. From their hair colors, genders, races, ages, and jobs to most important - upbringings and their kingdoms. Each a representative of their home and culture in their unlikely group of friends.
One was a normal male of 6 foot 2 with brown hair done in a simple combed back style. This gentleman can be considered the most plain of the group, and it wouldn't be far from the truth, but growing up in the Atlassian frontier is not like living in the confinements of the city walls, so he had some leniency in that regard. Lawrence Darkseer - at your service.
Beside him and behind the arguing pair was the least likely companion for an Atlassian - a Mistralian Faunus with a sun kissed skin, a lazy (if not tired) smile and a laid back air about her. Her hair, long and dark, done in a high ponytail with streaks of purple here and there, sways just as lazily as her gliding gate. The tail of a cat softly flows and arches from left to right and back, betraying her somewhat distant look with appreciative and long swings of her tail. Don't let her perfect features and short stature fool you, for behind her small teasing smile lies a predator. Alecto Kazama - the pleasure is yours.
Lawrence looked at Alecto from the corner of his eye with his eyebrow slightly raised. "Well, aren't you excited for this trip."
Alecto looked at him after a short silence with a mischievous smirk. "I can say the same for you, Darcy. After all, it's not like we ever saw you bringing out such big guns. I'm feeling kinda robbed, actually."
Lawrence rolled his eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile escaping his lips. Indeed, nowadays everyone seemed to be so busy that every gathering like this was considered to be a big thing for every one of them. And so, for this special occasion, Darkseer brought a special case in hand along with his backpack that would make the night a little more enjoyable.
Even though Atlassians are known for their symphonies and classical songs, a guitar in the hands of the northerner is known for making nights play in different shades of beautiful, although it will have to wait.
"Come now, Ally, don't be like that. You know as well as these two that I'm going to rectify that mistake. Besides, can you not tease me?I can barely comprehend teasing as is." He averted his eyes to the side.
Her smile only widened while her tail was swishing in playful strokes. "I know."
Once again Lawrence raised a brow as he glanced back "And you keep teasing me so I would be guessing?"
"Exactly." she purred in satisfied fashion.
Lawrence could only laugh good naturedly as he wiped an imaginary tear away. "Brothers, help me with you lot. Hehehe."
In the end-
"Are we there yet?"
"For the love of- Yes! We are! Now shut the hell up before I make you eat your own arse!"
-Their destination, a small circle in the forest's plane, was reached with no complications and copious amount of frustration from the third person in their little band.
She was a woman with long green hair done in a thick braid that reached her lower back. Her otherwise lovely features were marred by an ugly scowl of frustration, thanks to her companion's annoying behavior. Like the kingdom of Vale, her personality is a big mix of all kingdoms: From the wild side of Vacuo and Mistral, to a cold front of Atlas and Vale, so don't be surprised if the calm conversation turns into a fistfight. Daria Sacramento - prepare for war.
"Alright, alright! Jeez, If that is how you take a joke, then I don't even wanna' imagine just how you're gonna get yerself a man- Ouch!" Our forth misfit collapsed on the earthen floor after Daria's pack, heavy and full of provisions for the night, met that thick skull of his.
The person knocked down to earth was of lythe complexion and short height, which are great assets in his line of work. His pooling, sand colored hair and blue eyes that stared into a pair of squinted green, were especially vibrant in this gathering of outcasts. While everyone prefered darker shades and thicker clothes, he wore things bright and light. Even though he found himself shivering from time to time, he knew that these three won't leave him in the cold. Be advised, however, because this sun doesn't bring only warmth, it brings fire just like many residents of Vacuo. Although Fire there is usually followed by Power. Galip Oasis - may the sun bless you.
"Not. A. Word."
"..."
"...Oh, you actually listened for once! It's simultaneously satisfying… And oddly disappointing. Now, make me a happy woman and take my hand." Being lifted with an earnest grin, he gave a silent thumb up. Not wanting to be on the receiving end of the beating again, Galip used his favoured method of avoiding trouble - staying silent for the moment.
Silence is a most precious commodity in the art of thievery, after all.
"Alright. Girls, unpack and ready the snacks. Galip, dig a hole for me, will you? I'm getting some wood for tonight. Everybody clear?"
Lawrence, being the most responsible out of the group, took command out of hands of others and began the preparations for the night ahead. Maybe it was plausible for Daria to boss 'em around, but knowing Galip it wouldn't end well. Galip probably would just goof around with Alecto while He and Daria did all the heavy lifting. Lawrence wouldn't really mind, He's done more dangerous and strenuous tasks than making a firepit and all things included, but he was concerned for the health of two jokesters on the receiving end of the wrath of the most lazy person Lawrence knew of... And There's Alecto who would do almost everything Galip would do, but with her special brand of teasing words and steamy mental images.
Like in thief's craft, she appreciates silence, but creating a distraction for an opening is truly a smugglers kind of duty. Funny, considering that a librarian would choose such a life.
And that left Lawrence to manage two extroverts with their own brands of madness and a person with possible bipolar disorder.
"Good as done, mate!/ Yeah, yeah./Sure thing, Darcy."
Luckly, he wouldn't have it any other way, because only a mad man can lead those like him.
After an enormous amount of effort, yelling, near arson, and four attempts of strangling, the fire pit was made in the centre of the clearing with four freshly fallen logs surrounding it, each reserved for them. Fire in the pit gently gives its warmth and soft light in that small circle. It's light, in it's orange hues, spreads the melancholic feelings to its hosts. Their smiles were slightly wry as they stared into the open flame in the moment of silence, though between them no awkwardness had passed.
Galip was sitting in front of the pit, leaning back on a small traveler's bag with his arms on his stomach, Lawrence's jacket unde him and a smile on his face - easily closest to the fire. And it is of no surprise, for a pink shirt with palm trees and torn jeans were not the best choices of attire for the evening.
Daria was a lot better in that regard. She wore a brown turtleneck sweater and royal blue jeans of her own. She was in a similar position as Galip, leaning on her log with her arms and legs crossed. Braid was flung back behind the log so there would be no discomfort for tonight.
Alecto in her pale orange jacket, white shirt and sport tights, was easily more exotic than the others. Her position resembled a curling cat. She sat on the ground with her legs tucked together with her arms on the log, ready to support her lolling head if need arises.
Lawrence was the furthermost person from the heat. Being dressed in white shirt and black cargo pants, he was the only one who was sitting on the log properly with his leg resting on the other and a guitar gently placed on his thigh. Each string resonated soundly with the crackling fire and a nightly sound of ambiance. It all brought a content feeling for everyone listening and, in that sole instance, there was nothing wrong in the world and there was nothing wrong with them.
They missed this feeling… Of belonging, of course
"So," Alecto began, "What are you gonna play, big guy? It's been a while since I've heard something nice. You take requests?" Galip and Daria looked at each other over the burning flames. They were unsure where this was going but they were positively giddy for what might happen. They looked at Lawrence, waiting for an answer
Lawrence gave a warm smile to Alecto who was lying opposite of him. "I do take requests, but for tonight... I have something special for us tonight. After that we can do what we wanted to do, alright?" A round of eager nods was his answer as his fingers gently breeze over the strings.
And then he began the night in it's earnest colors
"Fortune, fortune, smiling fate"
"I haven't seen you much of late"
"Need you now and cannot wait"
"But when I look, you're not around"
"Nevermind in what we do"
"The night's still good for a gram or two"
"I'll be drinking late with you"
"Until the morning comes around"
Slow and melodious strokes of his finger filled the air with perfect music to describe the feeling they all felt in the moment the first string was strung.
Being an unlicensed Semblance user is an illegal act and the use of it in public is under a taboo, But Lawrence is no better than these people before him. He has done more petty and grevious things in his life than disobeyed a couple of guidelines, so it made no difference for him. Besides, is it really a sin for music to enhance the emotion people felt from it?
Quick lien in his pockets is inclined to agree, but he isn't.
"Down and out, and out of luck"
"We're spinning, but the needle's stuck"
"Let's go have some fun before"
"They go and put us in the ground"
"Lions sit in solemn lines"
"Drinking gin and dropping lines"
"Wasting beats in this heart of mine"
"Until the morning comes around"
Galip, Alecto and Daria were listening intently after feeling a mystical pull influence their perception of music but quickly forgetting about it in the face of sheer beauty that they were hearing. In a sudden flash, an admittedly beautiful composition was turned into the most beautiful work of art that they could have heard. Of course they knew about Darkseer's proficiency in the musical field, but to hear it for the first time…
'It was worth it' Daria thought as she remembered a couple of her late night shifts, just to be energetic enough to attend. Alecto had a similar line of thinking, and Galip… Well, he's a walking battery, so no surprises there.
"Yeaaah~, I must be good for something"
"Yeaaah~, yeaah~"
"Oh sinners come down, come gather 'round"
"Oh sinners come down, yeah-eh-eh"
"Dancing on cold feet"
"Marching on cobble streets"
"Oh sinners come down, yeah-eh-eh"
"Yeaaah~, I must be good for something"
"Yeaaah~, yeah`"
With great joy, they began to sing in one voice.
"Oh sinners come down"
"Come gather 'round"
"Have a little fun before they put us in the ground"
"Yeah-eh-eh"
Patrolling Huntsmen heard the voices and looked around before shaking it off as some people having a good time on their outing.
Grimm felt confused at the positivity that they felt deep in the guarded parts of the forest, for the usual fear is what ran deep in their bones and their very being, and feeling something so foreighn made them uneasy enough to retreat for the night.
There will be time to prowl next time.
"Dancing on cold feet"
"Marching on cobble streets"
"Oh sinners come down, yeah-eh-eh"
"Yeaaah~, I must be good for something"
"Yeaaah~, yeah~"
When the last cords drifted to the wind, all was silent. Only the night seemed to brighten in its eternal silver hues to shine a little brighter for the night.
Lawrence looked around the clearing seeing the difference in lighting and ignoring the teary eyed expression of Galip and, surprisingly, Alecto.
The thought of something touching Alecto's soul to that degree is not new, but hell if it was weird.
Gleefully laughing at the moment, Daria noticed Lawrence's gaze traveling the whole clearing with amusement shining in his eyes brighly.
"What's up?" was her dignified question. At least, as dignified as she was real in that moment of contentedness.
He flicked his eyes to her and other curious occupants of the clearing and returned to his amused searching. "It seems that my performance has appeased the gods, for I haven't seen a moon so bright before." Others groaned after hearing his response.
An inside joke gone too far, and now we have this.
"What? come on, people, don't be like that. It's been a while since I could annoy you all, so you shouldn't really be surprised"
"I know we shouldn't," Picked up Galip, "but it doesn' make it better any time you say it. Plus, you had a smile on yer face the entire trip here, so it was kinda unexpected, specially since you normally don't smile"
Lawrence just chuckled at how incredibly right Galip was.
"Yes, that's correct, and I thank the Dark Brother for that."
Daria, being a knowledgeable person in Atlassian customs was confused a little. "Isn't the Dark Bro a god of all things spooky and destructive? Why'd you thank him and not the other Bro? Seems strange, is all." Lawrence grinned with a decision in mind.
"Who do you think is responsible for the creation of emotion, Daria? God of Light or Dark?" Lawrence, perhaps for once in ages, was playful. On one hand, it means he's enjoying himself to the fullest. On the other hand… A bad omen it might be.
Daria looked around the dimming campsite and saw two mirrored faces of confusion on Galip and Alecto.
Daria shrugged helplessly. "I don't know.. God of Light, probably? I mean, the legends said that He was the one to convince his Bro into creating People and Faunus as their final and finest creations. Why'd you ask?"
"I ask because that assumption is wrong"
Galip, curious by nature, was thrilled to hear the answer, although he downplayed his outward reaction a bit with a raised eyebrow and a half smile. Tales and Legends were always his weak spot "How so?"
Lawrence, for all intents and purposes, was about to tear his cheeks judging by his ever growing smile that showed too many sharp teeth already. For some reason, it was infectious for others as they began to grin in earnest.
Was it a long coming chance of hearing something stupid from the oldest of the group, or perhaps a genuine happiness for the thir 'spine'? It didn't matter. It was truly liberating to be there in that moment as is.
"Emotions are a peak of human sentience. They make us act funny when our love stands near, nervous at the possibility of failure, angered at the worthless words of your highschool bully, compassion for those more unfortunate than you. They reveal the true face of the person standing before you." Somewhere in the middle of his monologue, he took out four glass shots and a bottle of his finest homebrew from a pack behind the log.
"They define us at our worst and at our best, for only a man that felt loss can feel sweet and ascending feelings of true love!" His voice rumbled and seemed to shake the leaves around the clearing, not only from his booming proclamations, but from the meaning carried too, it seems.
His cheeks flushed red for a moment after realising that he was a little too passionate."...The same goes in the other direction too, however. Just how can you feel true despair when you haven't come face to face with your utter weakness?" He started pouring shots and passing them around.
"Happiness without anger," Galip sat up and grabbed the shot, stomach vibrating excitedly all the while.
"Determination without hopelessness." Alecto received her shot with all her feline glory, a sweet smile, and a swish of her tail.
"Calm without the storm," Daria took it with a friendly 'hey' and took a whiff. She almost cringed from the smell alone. Strong stuff.
She smiled.
"And everything without nothing." When the drinks were given, Darkseer stood before his log and ascended his shot high, as if trying to capture all the night sky in a single glass.
"Regardless of it all, I shall dedicate my toast for the point I tried to make."
Galip, Daria and Alecto lifted their shots to the air, flames dancing and shining in the glass.
"To Emotions - true emissary of chaos and virtue!"
And with soundlens clinks of glasses that never touched, they drank them in one go.
Only to regret that a moment later, when the moment was broken by two people coughing their lungs out.
"...Urgh. Lawrence, you sodding tic-tac! What in the hell did you bring!" Daria swore while Kazama and Darkseer were busting their guts from laughter. Meaniwhile Galip tried not to fucking die from choking on his own spit.
"Oh, It seems I forgot about it. It's a special homebrew of mine. 72% of pride captured in a single bottle!" Everyone's eyes have widened after that proclamation.
"Effin' Hell, man! Warn us next time, why don'tcha?" Galip said with a small but friendly glare and laid back down after his coughing fit.
"Don't worry, I won't be giving any more stronger stock to you two, but you'll have to learn how to handle it one day. Who knows, maybe some very smart woman will take advantage of that and empty your pockets… Like Alecto just did."
Startled, Galip and Daria turned to the other occupant of the campfire to see her holding an old leathery pouch with some flayed spots and a new looking green wallet in her hands. quickly leaning in, they swipe their possessions back to their own hands, not forgetting to shoot her some heated looks.
Her response was to show her tongue in a childish gesture for Daria to scoff at and Galip to roll his eyes to.
"Alright, arlight, people! Let's get this show on the road, shall we?" Lawrence tried to calm everybody down to keep things civil. Thankfully, he succeeded as Galip paid his full attention to what's about to unravel.
It's hard for him to keep his cool when his favourite topic is about to come up. In fact…
"So, who's gonna start?" It was time to do what they agreed to do on this outing.
Lawrence picked up, somewhat uncertain. "I can start… if nobody wants to first?" All three shook their heads in negative, which made Lawrence sigh resignedly. After a pause, he spoke with a hasty grin.
"So, let's start with an easy one."
"A Legend of the Accursed Mist."