Dies Irae

by Cyanide Sins

A vengeance for millennia, a hatred carried through the ages. A mother once, yet never again. "Of course, mama." Three words that brought the world to a halt, a covenant made between mortal and immortal, a soul damned and perhaps another redeemed. "Hush, my beautiful child. Mama is here." A bright, bold soul given a gift beyond mortal knowledge.

18. Crocus Mutatio

Chapter 18: Crocus Mutatio

Wooh! Saphron is back home! What a happy reunion!

---

He wiped off the vomit, making sure that there was some cleanliness to be had. It had been a while since he'd last had someone else vomit all over him, though family trips usually had the people who were sensitive to the mode of transportation located somewhere else. It had been nice to go to Shion once… That settlement was nice.

He looked at himself in the mirror, the pale skin that shone in the lighting in the place as he scrubbed the shirt that he'd worn especially for today's meeting with Saphron, the pale skin of his chest enough, his mind already wondering whether Saphron was okay. He hoped it'd just been some sickness from the flight, rather than something serious.

Selene had been… a tough subject. He knew that she meant well, but the memories in his mind continued to bounce around, as the darkness still threatened to swallow the flame. Weiss had been… comfortable. She had understood and not fully comprehended, but he called her a friend.

She was someone who made him feel good about himself, even if she was a touch confused about the nature of their relationship. He wasn't worthy yet.

As he ran a hand through his hair, he caught sight of the door swinging open and someone entering, a man who had little in the way of patience, the business suit that he wore smelling faintly of cigars. An odd look was given by the man, as he noticed his reflection in the mirror. A pattern of black marks spread out over his skin, as he squeezed the shirt out, putting it on again whilst still damp.

He should get that picture for Selene. Mama would… Selene would want to see his family reunited again. He loved his sisters and his mother. It was important that they were kept safe and sound. He would make sure that they wouldn't want for anything with him working as a Huntsman.

Adelheid was going to be coming as well to Vale. He wondered how she would be able to help him, though Selene had been warm and kind to him and explained that it was for the best. The woman had more sense than most, so he trusted her… Even with his memories being assaulted by other memories from people long-since dead.

He walked out of the bathroom, the shirt still somewhat damp. Flaring his aura, he felt the warmth increase, his body heat drying the shirt. It had been a neat trick that Pyrrha had shown him, with his magic slowly increasing the heat around his body as well, the power burning slowly inside him, a combustion that brought with it the warmth of the power's source.

He caught sight of his older sisters grilling Pyrrha, Azora's face looking particularly eager, as she seemed to be harassing his partner for something, Pyrrha's face as red as it could be. The twins were busy with Ren, the stoic young man looking as stoic as he was, whilst Nora and Beryl seemed to be talking about something, a few arm-pumps made, and Beryl grinning like a lunatic.

He hugged his mom from behind, smiling at her as she turned around. "I'm back, mom." He knew that she would appreciate the hug, because she was his mom. The warm smile and the brush through his hair was enough, as Violet cooed.

"The baby's come home… Ooh, Saph, look! Jaune's hugging mom again like the widdle baby of the family that he is!"

His older sister Violet, who wore something that looked as wonderful as always was the case, pointed him out, Saphron looking a touch better than before, though there'd been no vomit on her clothes, luckily.

"Well, he's allowed to hug her, right? I wasn't the one who decided that it'd be okay to go and do a wet t-shirt competition when he came back home, right?"

He smirked. Violet had the bright idea of doing that because it'd been hot and she'd gotten the hose ready. It had been innocent fun, he knew, but Saphron had given Violet a tongue-lashing for getting her new dress all wet.

"I love you, sweetheart."

His mother said, and he hugged her a little closer. "Now go and save your cereal girl." The questions that the sisters were giving her were definitely not safe.

"-think about it?" Pyrrha's cheeks were flushed red, as Azora asked, her demure appearance hiding something truly grandiose, as she leaned forward.

"No, he is my partner and I cannot think of him like- Oh hi Jaune!" Azora gave him a look, poking his chest. She looked like a stern teacher now, despite her age.

"Have you slept with this cute cereal girl, Jaune?"

He blinked, looking at his sister's serious face, Jade and Verde giving a snicker, as they looked at him with questions in their eyes.

"Jay and Ver said that you'd given some hot girl orgasms, so I am curious…"

That she was crude enough to say it like that was enough for him, as he frowned. "No, she's Pyrrha. She'd not be interested in me in that way." There was a pout on the redhead's face, as she looked at him with a look that was smiling again after an instant of the pout appearing.

"He is the best partner that you can wish for."

The statement rang a little flat, as Verde nudged him.

"Come on, put your back into it! Make those million-Lien lips scream for your Arc lightning!"

Pyrrha flushed red, as he nudged Verde right back, unbalancing her for a moment. "And don't push me! I'm too hot a commodity to be pushed around by a stinky boy!"

He flashed an apologetic smile at Pyrrha, who looked away, clearly a touch embarrassed. "At least I'll have my good twin here to ensure that I will be safe and sound." Jade's amused smile was still there.

"So… What did Weiss Schnee see in you that made her want to have sex with you?"

The question was rude, even as Nora did an 'Ooooooh!' sound in the background, his lips parting. Mama would have given an acerbic response, but he knew well that his sister wouldn't let such a thing slip so easily.

"I'm not sure whether I should show you. After all… You might get addicted."

The snort of laughter that came from Violet was a little rough, as his mother gave him a dark look. Verde's broad grin increased.

"Oh? I'm sorry, eight inches or up. Not a little stump."

The 'owww, cold!' that came from Jade and the fist-bump that they did was just a touch annoying, but he had grown used to their sense of humour.

"He is more than equipped to handle you."

Pyrrha said, before she flushed. He gave her a look, and she blushed even deeper, if that were possible.

"Oh? And how do you know that?" He wondered about that too. Pyrrha looked away. She coughed.

"Well… I… had to get his pants off. The belt buckle was made out of metal." That made sense. He smiled gratefully at her. She really had his back.

"Ooh! Tell us more." Jade was on the dot, leaning forward. Pyrrha looked at Jade with a cool look. She glanced at him with her green eyes, before she smiled.

"Did you do it? Did you get our little brother a happy ending?"

He shook his head lightly, Pyrrha nodding. It was clear that she was not going to entertain the twins much in their zealous quest to find dirt on him.

"Considering that he had some issues walking afterwards, I'd say it was a happy ending."

His sisters looked like Dustmas had come early, but Pyrrha squashed those thoughts. "He got slammed through a wall by an enemy combatant."

"Oh, he's been fighting? Berry! Jauney's taking after you!"

The look that got returned was something coarse, as he leaned up to Pyrrha. "They're not that bad. They just like to gossip a lot." She smiled at him. Meeting Tyrian again had been rough. The others on his team hadn't known who the man was, but Pyrrha's guarded stance was enough as the man had come with the car.

"Do not worry, do not fear, Tyrian Callows, servant of the great Mistress, is here." The man's outfit was something that a professional chauffeur would wear, the tall frame looking like it was cut out of a single piece, the man's belt curled around his waist. "Now, Master Jaune… Do get in. This Tyrian has allowed for space, for a moment of solitude before your sister returns."

"He's dangerous…" Pyrrha said, Nora and Ren looking at the man. They had been guarded, but he had given them the small hand-gesture that said to follow his lead.

"He's tame. Right, Tyrian?" His voice had inflexed a darkness as the man straightened to his full height, bowing before him like a good servant should. He was aware that the others were watching, but he cared little save for the happiness of his team.

"As the master commands, this servant of the goddess will do as he asks. A test given and passed is one that is passed, even as the time consumes itself and the lure of battle calls."

The look in those yellow eyes was something that was like a breath of darkness, a madness in those eyes. Jaune felt guarded, yet also with a certainty that the man would obey.

"Good… Know that Selene would be upset with you, should you fail to heed my commands… Try something again and I will see what you look like, grilled." The man's eyes widened as his grin widened.

"A man once fought has not shown the mettle, Master Jaune… This Tyrian is-" The air constricted, as the dark urge came inside him. The assassin huntsman had been talking enough, the air tightening around the neck. The dark ocean bubbled and boiled, as the flame rose to greater heights, his finger touching Pyrrha's warmth, as he continued to crush the throat of the man.

"Obey, Tyrian. I have no patience for traitors."

The words were laced with the dark power that worked through his system, the gift that his mama had given him, the man quivering, as some happy look came to his face. A nodding, and he released the magics. The warmth from Pyrrha was somewhat different now, as he had taken much of it.

"Very well… Master Jaune. This lowly Tyrian will serve." The coughing that came from the man's throat was present, but Jaune minded it not. The man would serve or he would be crushed. That was the simple fact, as they got into the car. Ren at one side, Pyrrha at the other. Nora sat next to Pyrrha, starting to whisper about something that was… about syrup?

"They're… nice." She had said that she expected that they would put her on a pedestal, but 'cereal girl' was about the nicest thing that they could say about her. At least they didn't go 'Ooh, Pyrrha Nikos the amazing'. Not that she wasn't amazing of course.

"You think I'm amazing?"

Pyrrha said, and he realized that he might've said that aloud. His sister Violet's mouth made one of those broad shark-like grins, a manner similar to his other sisters who had been within earshot.

"Ooh…" Violet's arms wrapped around his shoulders, as he could feel her breath tickle her ear. "My little brother's amazing partner… Are you going to need some tips on how to get her happy and sated, little brother? Big sis has some advice…" It was Violet's casual manner of dress that had often had some of his male friends over, as Violet never really dressed herself in clothes that hid much.

"I'm sure that she doesn't see me like that, Violet… Don't you have some boyfriend that you're going to be dredging up out of the darkness either?"

The constant lack of a boyfriend had been apparently a teasing subject for most of his other sisters, as Violet bit down on his ear.

"Don't talk about that, Jaune. You're not going to be getting anything nice for Dustmas from me this year…"

Violet was the one who brought home the most money, according to what he'd overheard. Saphron had not been able to support the family very well, since Terra had to work a lot whilst she remained at home to care for Adrian.

Violet slid off, starting to make way for Saphron as she stood at the centre of the Arc circle.

"Mom, sisters… Dearest and most kind sisters…"

Saphron's call for attention was like a siren's call, as her eyes slid between each sister, her lips curling into what was a light smile. "Thank you for coming, but I'm tired, want to go to bed and need to check my new home out…"

That was sensible. She'd just been on a long flight, after all. That made more sense than she'd just stick around. It'd been… forty minutes or so since they had finally met up, so he guessed that it would be alright if she were to depart. Rouge smiled at him and winked, coming closer to him and wrapping an arm around him.

"You're alright?"

She asked, a short nod coming from him. "Good, we do worry about you sometimes, you know?" He knew. Selene worried about him too. She'd been a warm figure, even if the doubts hit him. He was still Jaune Arc, and…

"Did you really get smashed through a wall when fighting against someone or was she merely softening it?"

Rouge always knew when someone was lying. It was the truth that she knew and the psychological insight that she held, which made her one of the people who knew how to fish him out of a lie.

"Well, it wasn't a good fight. More of a street fight."

It could be called that, as Tyrian had teased them with his presence, his agile fighting style having been there to test him… and possibly kill him. He felt the dark ocean swirl, the flame lighting up as his big sister's warmth leeched into him. It was a pleasant warmth too.

"You're alright, though?" She queried and he nodded.

"Right as rain…"

He wasn't going to elaborate on the magic, especially not about the feelings that he felt. Weiss had been… nice. Pyrrha was nice. Saphron looked at him and there was something inside her that just spoke of a sadness. "I'm going to get Saphron settled in, alright? Don't worry." His sister smiled at him.

"With such a gallant hero, how can we resist your ways? Take me, oh brave Sir Arc."

The lightly mocking tone and remembrance of the game that they'd played when he was little, when Rouge had still been around the house rather than studying for her education.

"We've already found the dragon, brother."

Rouge batted at Beryl with her hand, the tomboyish one of his sisters looking barely hindered by the swipe. "Hey, it's true! Sir Arc is currently being assailed by the dragon! Rawr!" Rouge laughed, shaking her head at the thought of such a thing.

"Go and find yourself a better job than at the market, Berry. You're too rough on me with your crude jokes." Beryl smiled, her blue eyes focusing on him for a moment and winking conspiratorially.

"That's Fifi, Rouge. Fifi is the one who'll make you wish that you'd sank into the mud and never surfaced."

The jokes of his older sister were always something that he'd try to avoid. She'd spin it in some way that made him come out as some horrid pervert, despite her own insinuations. They never bullied him, but they did make him feel somewhat uncomfortable at times with their talk about their relationships.

They always had to compare notes, or so they claimed to when he objected, voting 'girl majority', as if that mattered something.

"Well, you're a dirty little bastard at times too, Jaune… Perhaps you'd like to have a bath with big sis again, huh? I seem to recall a little blonde running through the house and dad smacking his bottom."

He caught a thrill of negative emotions, watching Saphron turn a little paler, as if she was going to be sick again. That wasn't good. Flying didn't agree with her system.

Confidence welled up inside him, as the flame inside him burned brighter. "Perhaps I should ask my friend Weiss to wash me very thoroughly, sis? I'm sure that she'll be able to reach spots where a man can get very dirty, hmm?" He caught Nora and Pyrrha getting a tinge of pink on their cheeks, as Violet's smile broadened.

"Oh? Care to back those words up, little brother? Show us evidence, or we'll keep thinking you're a virgin forevermore…"

Violet's eyes were challenging. He could see his mother getting ready to comment on the crudeness of the commentary, but Beryl's shout cut that off.

"WAIT? JAUNE GOT LAID?"

Five sisters turned to their tomboy sibling. "Yeah? Why else did you think we were so happy for him?" Beryl pouted, looking at him and shaking her fist.

"You better do her right, Jaune! I didn't raise my little punching bag to be merely some bitch-boy for some rich girl!"

He winced. She'd tried to teach him how to throw a punch, but he hadn't had much aptitude for that style, to her great disappointment.

"Hey! Beryl Arc, that language is not how a lady is supposed to speak!"

His mother interrupted, and he wondered for a moment whether his mother actually did keep the promise of taking notes whenever someone swore.

"He got laid! You'll get grandkids, mom!"

His mother's face looked thundery with its expression changing little. "Probably. You better have been nice to her, scrub!"

"Oh, it was nice… She wanted more orgasms thanks to little pug here… So I guess he's got something worth packaging in his pants." The crude commentary wasn't something that he hadn't expected from the twins.

"Well, at least he's got better chances than you do, Jay."

Azora commented, ducking behind Saphron. Saphron merely smiled tersely, doing a perfect imitation of their mother, whilst Jade snickered.

"I can get laid if I want to! Just you wait!" Verde nudged her sister, grinning. "Hush! We're not talking about that mistaken identity thing!" That was news to him, and seemingly to the others as well, as Jade realized that she'd said a touch too much. It was probably due to the mood that'd been set that they'd all drifted from topic to topic, like usually happened when the girls got together.

'Your daughters were like that as well, Mama.'

"Saphron is tired and needs to go to her new place, girls… We will have words about your sexual activities, young ladies."

There was a strictness to his mother's voice that was definitely a precursor to a scolding. Young ladies should not be sexual creatures, or something like that.

Mother had always been someone who enjoyed the strict hand. When his father had spanked him to correct him, it had been his mother who had told him that he shouldn't expect too much, that being a Huntsman wasn't what his father wanted for him.

Mama Selene had been someone who had supported him the entire way, making sure that he got what he needed rather than becoming a farmer of sorts. He didn't blame his mother. She had enough to do, raising eight children.

As they walked down towards where the car had been parked, he caught sight of the tinted windows to the car, the large vehicle looking perfectly suited to ferry an important person everywhere. It was a good model, he knew, and he smiled, nudging Ren.

"It feels like we're personal bodyguards."

Ren gave a soft smile. "I may have some experience with that, Jaune." He knew that it must've been with Nora. She was such a nice teammate that it made him feel almost giddy at times to be around her. She teased a lot, but she felt warm and nice.

Saphron didn't say much, as he opened the car door for her, glancing at Tyrian through the space between the back and the front, the man busy with checking something on his Scroll, a conversation that was being held at a tone that was too quiet for him to overhear.

He heard his mother comment on how nice the car was, Tyrian wearing an outfit that looked formal, like any driver should wear. It didn't look like he was an assassin, but his gaze lingered on his sisters as they stood there, Saphron getting in quickly, seating herself, Nora at her side.

"Give us a call, Saph… You'll always be welcome at home."

His mother was warm and friendly, as he scooted in next to his sister, Nora leaning against the cushions and he felt Pyrrha sit down next to him, Ren closing the door behind him.

"Have a very pleasant day, Miss Arc."

The soft voice of Ren spoke up, as Nora and Pyrrha made a similar sound, his sisters all looking at them with warmth in their eyes. He knew that they were good sisters, that they loved him and his older sister, as he felt her hand grab his own and squeeze it.

"I love you all."

Saphron's voice was soft, and he mimicked it, albeit at a louder tone, as he was still a man. Saphron's hand would be crushing his if he didn't have his Aura unlocked, feeling the grip she had on his hand grow stronger.

"We love you too, Saph. Let's go shopping together sometime!" Rouge said, smiling a little coyly.

"Already got a date for a shopping trip. You're going to love her, she's such a wonderful girl."

Saphron's voice sounded a little warmer, the feeling of her warmth making the flame inside him rise.

"Ooh! We'll have to go and have dinner together sometime."

Saphron squeezed his hand, drawing a finger over his palm, keeping the smile on her face, as the window slowly slid up.

"Let's do that." The tone that Saphron had was light, even as her expression changed, the car starting, the engine growling for a moment, as they moved.

He found himself hugged by his big sister, who just did so without warning, her head laying on his cheek. He wasn't aware what had prompted this, but he hugged her anyways, because she needed it.

"I love you, Saph."

She trembled, just a little, his body feeling her warmth radiate into the coldness of his own body. He could hear Pyrrha make a sound, but he knew that Saphron needed a hug.

"What happened to Adrian is-"

She pulled away from him, looking at him. "Jaune, I know… I know this may be tough to answer, but…" Her face turned heavy, as her eyes looked into his own. He felt something dark inside her writhe, as her fingers grabbed a hold of his shoulders, as she leaned closer, the warmth around her making the tension in his body increase.

"Did dad ever… Ever punish you, when we weren't there? Did he…"

He looked away. There had been a time when his father had spanked him when the others had been out, just because he'd eaten the pudding that mom liked, and dad had to buy a new one.

"Yes, but… I didn't want to-"

The look in her eyes made him freeze, as tears came from her eyes. She pressed against him, her arms wrapping closely around him.

"It was all true… Oh, I'm so sorry Jaune…"

He supposed that he should be sorry too, for not being able to stop himself. His father had smacked him more than a few times for being a Huntsman, and it'd been mostly public. His sisters never had a hand raised against them, because dad knew that they weren't going to become Huntresses.

"It's okay. I wasn't a good kid, but-"

She pressed a finger against his lips, her eyes looking into his own.

"No, no… You're a good kid! You're the best little brother that I'd want… that… That Mama would want. Miss Umbra… She's…"

Her eyes were despairing, and he felt that he should do something, as she pulled herself into his lap. It was more intimate than he'd had before, but she smiled at him. "She's told me things… She's… She loves you, she's here to care for me too!" The smile on her lips was wonderful, desperate and yet so loving.

"It's okay… It's… It's okay. I won't let anything happen to my wonderful little brother."

He smiled, knowing that Saphron just cared a lot for him.

"I've got to make sure that you all get to live to a ripe age! Jaune Arc, here to take the punches and to be the guy in the back, making sure that everyone comes out alive."

He knew that his team would come out alive. He had to make sure that everyone came back healthy and happy.

"I won't let you be sad. Terra and you might've split up, but-"

She shook her head, her eyes teary. She looked so fragile that he nearly wanted to pull her in for a big hug, just to make her feel better. "It's okay. Jaune... Terra and I are done. Permanently." He hugged her nonetheless, her arms arranged around his neck, as she let him.

"You're going to be fine, Saph. I'm just a goof, just like you always said but-"

He felt a kiss land on his forehead. His Mama had kissed him too, but Saphron did it now too.

"No… You're my little brother. Someone who will protect us all from bad things. Mama said that she trusted you, and I trust you too."

It was a strange situation, as he felt something inside him clench. She liked Selene too, just as he figured she might. He was in doubt about his feelings, but Saphron, who always had been able to care for everyone, was now convinced as well.

"You're always going to be my big sis, Saphron." She smiled, as she squeezed him a little tighter than before.

"I love you too, you little runt."

The fondness in her voice was thick, as he felt her slide off him.

"Things are going to be fine…"

Jaune wondered whether they would be. Mom had said that there hadn't been enough money to go out for dinner…

'Perhaps I should get some money… I don't want them to go hungry.'

He loved his family, after all. Saphron was affected badly by the sudden break-up…

He felt bad for her.

---

She could feel the nervousness slip and slide through her system, aware that her mother did not seem to care. Saphron knew that caring for a child was hard, especially if there were eight of them, but…

As she got into the car and said her goodbyes, she looked at her brother, the only boy in the family, the one who probably…

'No, you've got to be sure… Don't suspect, just… be bold. Be brave.'

She'd grabbed his hand. It'd been a gesture of contact, as she felt his hand, bigger than hers, less delicate and more manly. The warmth that he had was comforting, as she looked at him. That moment as she looked at him, made her just feel that warmth inside her. She felt safer, now that she was with him.

Violet had been her usual self… teasing, hinting and implying. Violet might've been the only one affected by their father's lust. She'd always been the 'mature' one. As she answered the questions of her family, her mind was at that discovery. Violet had been warm. She'd been comfortable and she'd been teasing, but dad had been gone…

'Perhaps he gave her a warm goodbye…A little to take the edge off, before he'd go to me.'

The thought sickened her, and she gripped her brother's hand. The thought of such a thing made her stomach turn, even as Mama's words came back… Rape was to control, to make sure that someone didn't leave. Asserting power over another…

She and Jaune had been the only ones who had left the house. Had this been planned by the man? Were they all going to be 'suddenly' coming up pregnant, just to make sure that they'd stay at home? The thought was disgusting, but… but she had to know.

Her little brother… She'd trust him.

She hugged him, stronger than before. She knew that it wasn't how a sister should act, but she cared very little for appearances right now. Whoever was in the car with her could not stop her from her brother's warmth. She'd had so very little warmth in the past few days…

His words of love made her tremble, as the tears came. It felt so good to hear that from him, the love that he felt for her and her sisters something that could've easily been the other way around. They'd been bitches from time to time, they'd been cold at times and teasing at others… But…

Hearing him speak of Terra's child was enough to bring the darkness to the fore, that dark feeling of having been forced to care for a child that wasn't hers, that hadn't a single mark of the Arc family within its makeup. It had been love, she had told herself, but they had raped her. That man had came inside her, and he'd made her lose her baby. The little flesh that had borne no sin, expelled from her like some failure. She shuddered some more, as she held on tightly.

The redheaded cereal girl looked affected, but she didn't care. There wasn't a single thing that could stop her from asking the question…

She pulled back a little, looking at him with utmost seriousness. The way that they were seated was like a pair of lovers, her legs on either side of him, like in the movies, but… this didn't matter to her. She had to ask. She had to know.

"Jaune, I know… I know this may be tough to answer, but…"

She paused, as she felt the hesitation come inside her. If he answered yes… If he answered a yes, she would disown her father. She'd held out hope that he hadn't been… mistreating her family. That it'd all been a bad dream, that it'd been…

Just a bad dream.

"Did dad ever… Ever punish you, when we weren't there? Did he…"

She nearly said it. The r-word. She nearly said 'Did he rape you?', but the word wouldn't emerge from her throat. Her little brother, her only brother, raped by a father who cared not for his son except that he'd never fulfill his dream.

He turned his head away from her. Her heart shattered into little pieces at the gesture. She dreaded the next words, as he looked away. Her brother was honest to a fault, and he had always had a problem with lying but… He didn't dare look at her, as if he was ashamed.

'No, don't be ashamed. It… it happens. It happened to me too. Don't look away from me, Jaune.'

"Yes, but… I didn't want to-"

The crumbling shards turned into dust. This was it. Dad had… Dad had raped her little brother to keep him in line. Just as he'd done to Miss Umbra because he hadn't approved of her. Just as he might do to her, because she'd loved a woman. Tears filled her eyes.

She was hugging him even tighter, as her emotions ran haywire. Her mouth spoke softly, voicing her feelings.

"It was all true… Oh, I'm so sorry Jaune…"

She should've been there, she should've noticed. How could the others not have noticed anything? Rouge was a psychologist, for the gods' sake! She should've…

'Better him than me…'

They'd sacrificed him to have peace. To not have to hear a door slam open and to smell their father's drunken breath as he tried to make them obey… To be good little second, third and fourth wives to their father.

'Those… those bitches. Act like everything is fine, act like everything is okay…'

"It's okay. I wasn't a good kid, but-"

'No, you were a nice kid. You never complained when we dolled you up, or when some of Violet's friends came around and made you do stuff for them… You don't have to feel ashamed, Jaune… No, no… He's never going to lay a hand on you ever again…'

She would be the good big sister, even if the others weren't very good… Miss Umbra had been shocked, but Saphron Arc shouldn't have been shocked…

"No, no… You're a good kid. You're the best little brother that I'd want… that… That Mama would want. Miss Umbra… She's…"

Her words floundered, as she tried to give him hope. She didn't want to lose her brother to depression, and she was aware that he must be feeling like crap. He'd had sex with a girl… But his virginity must've been taken from him… She'd… She'd not remembered her first night at Argus, with Terra's partner, because she'd been unable to really do much and… and he'd came inside her… Had Jaune been like that too? Helpless and unable to fight the man off?

Miss Umbra had said that she'd care for her. He needed to know that too. She'd care for him too and he was her little brother.

"She's told me things… She's… She loves you, she's here to care for me too."

The woman had assured her that she would be cared for like a daughter, like she was a part of the family. She hadn't thought the woman lied, so perhaps it would be okay.

"It's okay… It's… It's okay. I won't let anything happen to my wonderful little brother."

Her words were soft, knowing that her little brother had been touched by her father… just like her sisters. If she couldn't remember… It might just be locked away in a deep part of her. Had she been a virgin when Terra's partner raped her? Had she been daddy's favourite, told to keep it a secret as a special game and was being a lesbian just her way of coping with his 'game'?

She felt so confused. She felt so vulnerable…

"I've got to make sure that you all get to live to a ripe age! Jaune Arc, here to take the punches and to be the guy in the back, making sure that everyone comes out alive."

She could see him take the punches. Dad had only hit him once in her presence, but he'd always been… there. His words spoke of sacrifice, he'd said it and…

'He's got to make sure that we all get to live to a ripe age… Oh god… he knew. He knew and he was there to distract dad so he wouldn't hurt his other children…'

She could see her little brother do that. No matter what, he'd always be the kind and loving brother that she could trust. It was so wonderful to know that he loved her and her sisters… Dad couldn't have…

'But what do I know? I left the house. He could've forced Violet to take care of his needs when Mom wasn't home.'

Violet had experience with servicing men, being a whore. She'd know just the spots that'd make daddy blow his load, how to get him excited… Was that why she'd turned into a prostitute? Because daddy had raped the joy for sex out of her?

Wasn't it Violet who'd said that a 'Happy dad was one that wouldn't get mad'? She'd thought it weird at the time but had dismissed it… But Violet had gotten drunk and said that she was a whore, and how she made her money…

'But Jaune was the weakest… He had a few friends but they were always more interested in the older sisters… Fifi with her lack of serviceable clothing… It would've been easy for Dad to just… do the thing.'

He was saying something about Terra, but… but she couldn't care about Terra. That whore was with her partner, the man who'd tried to knock her up. It was very clear to her what the woman could go and do with her job for the military that she'd never told her loving nanny about.

"It's okay. Jaune... Terra and I are done. Permanently."

If she ever saw that woman again… She didn't know what she would do. A sick thought entered her mind, as she looked at her brother. Payback was a bitch, and she, Saphron Arc, was no bitch.

'You're done with me, Terra…'

It was a vindictive feeling, but for a moment… for a moment, she could dream. She hugged him, her arms on his shoulders. She was about a height with her brother, but it felt like she was smaller. She was a woman, after all, and she felt him close to her.

"You're going to be fine, Saph. I'm just a goof, just like you always said but-"

His words just drew the bad memories out. She'd called him a goof many times, but she'd never meant it badly. She just wanted to be happy. Not… this.

"No… You're my little brother. Someone who will protect us all from bad things. Mama said that she trusted you, and I trust you too."

Miss Umbra said that she trusted him and Saphron knew that he meant well. A kiss to his forehead, just like mom used to do when they were little. It was such a small thing, but she'd done it with Adr- Terra's baby as well, just because the little tyke slept better.

'You never were the mother, Saphron. Terra always had to take time off from her work for the appointments… You were just the registered nanny.'

"You're always going to be my big sis, Saphron."

That was true. She was always going to be the big sis who would guide her little brother through whatever dangers he would face. She was… She was here. She was free, just a bit banged up. She had made a new friend and she'd found a new mother figure…

'Mom, if you knew…'

"I love you too, you little runt." She couldn't deny that. She loved her little brother, just like a big sister should. He was dependable, if not a bit silly at times. She slipped out of his embrace and from his lap, trying to gather her thoughts "Things are going to be fine…"

She hoped they would be. If she got the chance…

She'd ask Miss Umbra whether she could arrange for a meeting with Terra. Mama had said that she'd do whatever she could to make her happy again… right?

Maybe Terra would like to be made to feel helpless and raped… She was sure some arrangements could be made… and Saphron felt that it would be a joy to play 'guess the daddy' with the woman…

'Oh… You thought you could get away with that, didn't you? Dad should've raped you. He should have raped you and-'

Her eyes went to her little brother, as the idea fermented.

'Or perhaps Jaune can… I mean, you didn't think much of him, did you… How'd you like to breed the next generation of Arc, Terra? How'd that feel, huh? How'd you like to be the nanny for a bit, looking like the house-bitch?'

It was sadistic and cruel… But it was vengeance, wasn't it? Terra would grow to love the baby inside her… And if she didn't, well... She didn't need to move around much, right? Bondage was Terra's thing...

It made her feel giddy inside to imagine it. She was a giver, someone who enjoyed pleasuring her partner. Terra would regret the day she ever met Saphron Arc.

She smiled at her brother as he helped her out of the car, the building before them looking like it'd been recently redecorated, some of the older Valean style of Pre-Great-War architecture still visible. The luxurious quarter of Vale that they'd entered before had been something retooled since the Great War and the Faunus Revolution, apparently. The driver, a man named Tyrian, who had been silent for most of the trip, had parked the car in the garage before meeting them up top.

A man who was imposing, dependable-looking and with a hint of something, as he bowed before her younger brother, like a servant would to the master. "Master Jaune, I have delivered you and your teammates and dearest sister to the domicile in which she will live."

"Mister… Tyrian?" The man's head shot up in a wild motion, golden eyes looking into hers. They were wild eyes, brimming with something that might be mania or something else, as he nodded, a sinuous motion.

"Tyrian Callows, at your service, daughter of Arc, sister to the Master Jaune… I am here, to perform and to beguile, to guide and to protect… No harm shall find you, as Mistress Selene has offered you her protection. " She wondered briefly whether the man consciously did that, smiling softly.

People were a little weird, but Miss Moor always had said that you could trust people to be weird… She made some of the best tea available, too. It was nice and fragrant.

"Ah… You are the man who will be living with me, yes?"

A single nod again, as his mouth formed a broad smile. She could understand it if he had merely smiled, but those eyes… they frightened her.

"Indeed, indeed… As the Mistress commands, I shall be your housemate, confidant and whatever you wish of me…"

The man straightened himself once more before he pulled a card from his pocket, sliding it through the lock, opening the door and holding it open for her.

There was a sweet floral scent, flowers that had been put in a vase on one of the small tables in the hallway, stairs leading up.

"Miss Saphron, I shall guide you up to your room. Master Jaune, within the living room, I have placed some snacks…"

The man ascended the stairs, his steps fluid and in motion, a dancer's grace. Idly she wondered whether Jaune could still dance as well as he had done when he was little, her feet following after the man as she could hear her brother mumble something about it being the best service after the beat-down of a few days ago.

'I hope he wasn't hurt…'

Her little brother made her worry. The tall man looked at her, with a smile on his face. "This is my room…" A hand opened the door, showing a utilitarian room. She blushed a little at some of the magazines that she saw stacked there, the magazines fairly familiar to her. She preferred the female-oriented magazines herself.

"Frightening terrors and sounds may emerge from my room, yet do not fear, my lady… The Mistress has said that I am not to harm you, and this Tyrian obeys the words of the Mistress." The smile on the man's face was manic, and she supposed that it might be his own predilections that would leave him in a state of mania.

"Mister Callows, if Mama vouches for you…" Selene Umbra was like a good mother should. She was rich and well-connected, and she understood.

"I will trust that you won't harm me."

The man nodded, closing the door. There had been a coppery smell in the room, something that smelled a little like blood… but it might just be the candles that had been burning there, a sweet lavender scent coming from them, making the room smell a little more pleasant.

The door that he opened was at the end of the hall. She took note that there'd been a small plate added to the front of the door with 'Saphron' etched into the metal. It was a sweet touch, she supposed, as she looked at the room. The bed was fit for a queen, or at the least a princess, a dresser standing there with the door closed.

"Thank you, Mister Callows…"

She said, taking the first few steps into what would be her room. She noticed that there had been some fluffy carpet laid, just soft enough for her feet. It was a nice touch.

"If you wish for anything, do call for Tyrian."

The man was out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. She looked at the big bed and then sat down on it. It was nice, it was… soft.

She kicked her heels off, letting them land on the soft carpet, as she laid down on it. It was a strange feeling, laying in bed without anyone there to give her a hug. She pulled out her Scroll and checked the time difference between Argus and Atlas compared to here. She couldn't disturb the woman who'd been so nice… Surely she must be sleeping.

She pressed the button and the call connected immediately after the CCT signal connection disappeared from the screen, the call accepted immediately, a tired-looking woman looking back at her, her hair a pale blonde, as her eyes looked more aware.

"Good morning, dear."

Warmth blossomed through her, as she looked at the woman who had been so nice. "I came home, mama." It was pleasant to talk to the woman like she was a mother, since she really cared. "The room is nice." A smile on the woman's face, as she laughed.

"I do hope so. Go to the dresser, sweetheart… I've made sure that there's a little surprise in there for you."

She got up, walking to the dresser, sliding the door open. A dress hung there, a deep orange colour, looking as fashionable as it would be. It had nice accents on it.

"It's… Did you…" It looked her size too. It was…

She was crying now. Her mama had given her a gift. "I said that I would care for you, my dear. I never break my word. I hope that you like it. Let's shop for a prettier dress together when I'm in Vale." A soft smile on the woman's lips, as Saphron rubbed at her eyes.

It wasn't the dress that made her emotional, but the way that the woman had anticipated it. "Did you have Mister Callows shop for one? How did you…" The smile on Selene Umbra's face was conspiratorial.

"You didn't think that I'd forget to ask your little brother for your measurements? He told me about how you used to wear dresses."

She felt warm. She felt so warm on the inside, as she smiled at the woman.

"And, my dear… Did you ask him?"

The look on the woman's face was serious, and Saphron felt her throat close up. She didn't want to answer, but she knew that the woman deserved an answer.

"He didn't fully answer but… But…"

The woman's face was stock-still, as the woman looked at her with an expression, her mouth half-open. There was anguish and pain in those eyes, as the lips tried to form words but the mouth would not speak.

"I see."

The red eyes were almost the colour of blood as they looked at her, the woman's expression still as cold as it had been upon hearing the news that Jaune had been violated by the same man who had violated her. She thought she could see the blonde hair flicker into an ashen shade of blonde, though that might just be the lighting. It was night-time over there, she believed.

"Jaune's such a nice boy, I-"

The woman on the Scroll screen took a deep breath, as she seemed to get ready to speak.

"I understand. He wouldn't want to speak with a woman about… about that. I…"

The woman's expression turned to the side, as Saphron could see the shiver that ran through the woman. "I'm sorry, my dear. I'm…"

"I hate him."

The woman's eyes looked at her, a questioning look. She realized that she had been unclear. The woman might think she hated her little brother.

"Dad. I think… I think he might have been touching my sister Violet. He'd…"

She felt guilty. She was airing the dirty laundry of the family to a woman who wasn't a part of it, but who'd…

'No… You can't think of him as your father.'

"And my other sisters… Jade and Verde are always out at parties, having fun…"

She felt guilty. She should've stayed with them, but then again… She'd been in love. She'd married Terra and…

'Look how that worked out for you, Saphron. You got knocked up by that bastard on what was supposed to be the first night in your home and your beloved partner forced you to abort the rape spawn…'

"Mama?"

Her voice was soft, as she felt the anger burn inside her. It wasn't fair! Terra was some sort of Huntress specialist or whatever it was, and she'd just be like dad. Getting away with it, no doubt bringing some other gullible girl into her clutches…

"Yes, my dear?"

It was a softness of the woman's voice, as Saphron closed the door and threw herself on the bed. She felt tender, as the woman looked at her. What did she have left to lose, aside from… well, whatever. She still had her body mostly intact.

"I want her to suffer. Terra Cotta. My... ex."

A vindictive feeling, as she recalled all those happy memories. It had never been her baby. It had never been her marriage. She had just been the hired help, the stupid blonde that her partner laughed about to her real man. She'd been the toy, she'd been the pet.

"I want to see her suffer, I want to see her hurt. If she thinks that she can get away with what she did to me, to… No… I want to…"

Her expression wasn't friendly. Tears leaked from her eyes. She felt the emotions rise. "I want her to suffer. I want her partner to watch as she suffers… And…"

She felt a tendril of something dark go through her, as she wondered whether she could ask Jaune to… He would do it if she asked. He loved his sisters and… and he'd bore the burden of an angry dad. He'd been there to defuse tensions. Dad had always squashed that desire to try and be a Huntsman, to move out.

'Can I ask him to rape my ex-partner?'

It would be vengeance. That bitch could feel how she'd felt. She could feel the life grow inside her womb and she'd know that it'd been made with hate. She'd never hated people, she hadn't the care for hating people, but she hated Terra Cotta and her partner.

"Saphron, my dear… If you want me to, I can have her delivered for you to take your vengeance upon in the next week…"

The offer was seductive, but… She could sense that her mama had a different plan. "Or… If you want, I can have someone… Take care of her."

A seductive lure… But she was getting too hasty. She knew that vengeance was a dish best served cold… and… And she still had her sisters to care about.

"No, no. Leave her be for now. I'm…" She wanted to make sure of who knew what. She had to talk to her sisters, if she could arrange for it.

"I'm going to see whether others… know."

Selene smiled at her. The woman looked more at ease, even if she'd just hinted at having the power to destroy the woman through a hired gun.

"I understand."

The woman seemed to. It was a comforting feeling. She just felt warm suddenly. "I love you, my sweet daughter." It wasn't the truth, of course, but Saphron smiled. In a world where nothing made sense, those words were what she needed to hear. She would've liked to be the woman's daughter.

She descended the stairs after having fixed her makeup. It was something that she did habitually, knowing that a girl better look her best whenever she mingled with family friends… Well, she hoped they'd be family friends. Her brother's team wouldn't be bad.

She saw them arranged on the couch, Jaune seated with the cute Mistralian girl with the pink streak on her hair and the pink eyes, the ginger girl with the excitable nature that she thought was named Nora starting on a retelling, whilst Mister Callows was being eyed by the redheaded Cereal Girl. It was funny to see, as the man's fingers easily moved the cloth over a weapon that looked a bit like a gauntlet, blades shining in the light that came in through the window.

"Hey sis."

She smiled as he noticed her. She felt warm, comfortable, seating herself with him and hugging him. Closeness to her little brother when he'd been… he'd been the protector of the family, was something that she liked. The poor boy must've suffered so much…

'Adel is going to love working with you, Jaune… I'm going to do my best.'

"Do you want a drink?"

He asked, and she brushed her shoulder against his. She hadn't opted to wear the dress yet. That was for a special occasion, she figured. There had been a nightgown in the closet as well, fitted for her. Mama had said that a lady of standing had to have good nightclothes.

She would have to shop for some lingerie. That would come when Adelheid was here.

"Some fruit juice, please."

As he got up, like a good brother should, her eyes lingering a little on him as he moved, graceful and, to her eyes, precise and with purpose.

"So… Are you alright?"

The Mistralian girl… or perhaps guy, the neutral tone of voice didn't really allow her to make an accurate judgment of the gender. "Jaune was worried."

"You must care a lot for my little brother, even after such a short while of being together."

The ginger girl nudged the redhead next to her, whispering something that sounded faintly like 'just the same' though she didn't know where that came from.

"We've, Nora and myself, always been together. You get to learn who your allies are, especially when things get hairy."

That spoke more words than the few sentences that had been given. She wondered where the girls had been from, if it'd been like this. She caught a glimpse of something, hidden in the sleeve. A weapon, sharp-looking and elegant.

"I always know when a boy is good or not. If he doesn't fall for the Nora charm, he's going to lose his arm!"

The excitable ginger spoke, and Saphron wondered how much truth there was in those words, the redhead smiling softly, as Jaune handed her the drink that she'd asked for. She sipped it softly. A nice fruity flavor, tickling her taste buds. She hoped that they would understand… Well, she knew that they would. They were his team, after all.

"Mister Callows, do you think you can show Jaune around the house as well?"

She inquired with the man, who looked at her, a smile on his lips that was knowing, as if her plan to talk to the members of his team was already known. Jaune smiled at her, before he got up. Her eyes lingered a little on his body, wondering whether there had still been bruises from the time that dad had given him the last beating… He'd been around and it'd been only a week or so since she'd had her life crashing down on her.

"You wanted to talk to us in private, Saphron?"

The stoic-looking young man asked, his voice lighter, as she looked down with a complicated expression on her face.

'You can do this… if you can talk to Mama, you can talk to his team.'

"I think… No, I believe that my brother might have been abused."

Their expressions firmed, as Cereal girl's face turned grimmer in that expression. "My father has…"

The creak of the stairs, making her freeze up. "He's a different man when he's had a few drinks." A hooded gaze in the ginger girl's eyes, as she looked at her with a deadly seriousness. "And… and… he raped someone. Back in Argus."

"Huntsmen are often not prosecuted by the law, because they defend the world from the Grimm and bandits." The stoic young man said, and Saphron nodded.

"My… my friend said so herself. I'm… Well, you've seen my sisters. All five of them live at home and we…"

She started to quiver. She wanted to say it, but she didn't know if she could. A hand laid on her shoulder, as she felt a calmness slide over her.

"My father didn't like it when I was outed as a lesbian. He was mad, but Jaune just… took the heat. I never thanked him for that. One of my younger sisters is the major earner, selling her body and… And a woman who I think as a mother to me was raped by my dad. My friend saw her at the hospital, banged up and busted and she visited me before she terminated the funding for my treatment."

It was an unemotional voice that she used, but the pain that she felt did not lessen in the slightest. There was no need for her to mourn this feeling, but it was there.

"We made up, but…" She didn't know why she was able to tell all of this, but she looked at the boy and the other girls, her emotions still absent.

"I think my father raped my little brother to make sure that he didn't become a Huntsman."

A sharp inhale from Cereal girl, as her eyes turned hard and cold, the ginger's face turning distant, as she closed her eyes, whilst the stoic young man's hand moved from her. "Just… Care for him, okay?"

"He nearly died, yesterday." The cereal girl said. "His heart stopped and I had to shock it back to a beating rhythm. Is that… common?" Saphron wasn't sure. She gave a shrug.

"I don't know." She said, as the Cereal girl's expression darkened. "I'm not a Huntsman."

"Will you look after my little brother for me? Make sure that he's happy?" There was unity in the three Huntsmen in training, as they nodded, one after the others.

"I'm… I'm going to try and find out whether my sisters were…" She sighed. She couldn't say it aloud, not now. "done."

She'd need to have a serious chat with her sisters either way, knowing that they were all going to be in the danger zone if dad would come back.

"He's going to be safe. He's currently not very great yet but."

The redhead shared a look with her teammates, as she smiled at the stoic young man.

"He'll be better. It's only been a few days at Beacon and he continues to blame himself… Understandable, I wasn't trained in a day. We'll make sure that he's better at surviving, Saphron."

She smiled at the girl, knowing that there was a truth in those words. These teammates of his were caring, tight with each other and aware of her little brother's little issues. "Thank you."

"If you ever need us…" The ginger girl called Nora said, her eyes looking with that serious manner, sharp blue eyes almost glowing with lightning in the depths. "We're here for you too. Family is important."

She smiled at the girl, knowing that it had been meant. They were good people. She needed those around her.

---

There were rules and regulations for everything under the sun, she knew that well. It was always the performance that mattered. As she spritzed a fresh dab of perfume on, she settled herself against the chair, the rented room enough for her, as the red lights accentuated her body. The brassiere and panties that she wore glowed in the light, as she pushed her lips into that eager smile again.

'Just another evening, another hundred Lien for the budget…'

She tried not to think too much about it, especially as she knew that there were many in her line of business that would not be able to make as much, her hair fluffed up with that special dash of hair styling spray, giving it more spring. It was radically different from how she wore it usually, a good manner of obfuscating her off-duty face.

It had been nice to see Saphron again, able to smile just a little bit. She'd been on the job whilst Dad had heard about Saphron and entirely too late at home to see him off. A twitch went through her leg, as she looked at the men passing by the window, a smile on her lips, chest pushed out.

'The smile's the selling point…'

A man in his fifties, hair dark and speckled with grey, looked at her after stopping, taking a drag of his cigarette and she posed sexily for the man, aware that she would need to get something more for her hairstyling project. With Rouge going to make more money, she hoped that she could get out of this line of business.

'Just a few years… Just until Az gets out of the house, if she can.'

"Hey there, good-looking… Care for a bit of a bump and grind with a hot blonde?"

Her voice was soft, seductive, teasing at the imagination, as her fingers brushed over her bountiful breasts, sculpted through an exercise regimen that she kept up religiously. Her body was her best selling point, after all. She wasn't like Beryl, who was able to destroy any goon with grabby hands with a deadly right, but she was able to hold her own, stamina-wise.

"Perhaps… How much?"

The question was normal, as she adjusted the pricing just a touch upward. One-fifty, just because she didn't like old men much. She preferred them young, fit and without the smell of cigarettes.

"One-fifty and I'm going to let you see the moon, honey…"

It was all in the sale, knowing that she would need to get herself ready for performing once more. She wanted to be an actress, back when she was younger. She wanted to perform, even if her audience was a bunch of cocks and she'd have to make sure to be the canvas on which the money was made.

'Let's see whether we can coax some more Lien out of the guy…'

"That sounds like a good deal… How about two-hundred for a bit extra?" The man's voice was a rough one, as the smoking probably had made it rasp and croak. He reminded her about her dad. That was a negative. She had to work.

'Hmm… Kinky bastard, looks like it…'

"Sounds fine, mister… How 'bout you come in?"

Her voice was still there, as her eyes looked at the man, aware of the small parts about him. A good hooker didn't only make sure that her johns were unarmed, they also made sure that they wouldn't be getting into anything that was a touch more deadly than just a few chokes.

"If the lady insists…"

The man's voice was softer now for some reason, as she briefly wondered whether she'd had him before as a customer, the door opening for him and letting her feel the brush of the night-time air enter her little hole in the wall.

"Let me just close the curtain, mister."

She slid the curtain closed, as she walked towards the small washbasin that she'd set up, rinsing her hands for a quick moment. Clean hands were always important, as she followed the sound of the man moving into her domain.

"Mind if you wash your hands first, mister? I like it when my men are clean."

He didn't smell badly, somewhat like a manly cologne. He didn't complain, washing his hands properly in the sink, her eyes going over his body.

"The name's Monique, by the way… Just in case a handsome man like you wants to groan a name in my ear, hmm?"

Her stage name was one that she'd come up with, as 'Fifi' was more of a dog's name. Her older sisters had always joked that they'd wanted a puppy but she'd come around… Alas, it was her fate.

"Pay half upfront though." She never trusted people to pay up afterwards, you always got an advance, that way they'd be able to still give you some cash. The man's lien cards were tucked in a small lockbox, the one that she used for the monetary earnings of the day, enough to make sure that the budget was evened out.

"So… What do you want to do?"

The man smiled at her. It was business time. Her underwear was off in a flash, as his fingers dug into her. Too rough, but she moaned nevertheless like an eager girl. It was what had been paid for, after all.

Thirty minutes later, she let herself come out of that happy little place, the acting done for the pleasure of the man as he laid beside her. A Scroll tune beeped, the man's obviously, and she got up. "I'll be washing my hands." The condom had been tugged off and she'd made sure that the guy was happy, the name on the Scroll noted down as an afterthought in her mind.

'Hmm… Married man?'

"Of course, I'll be around tomorrow." The man's voice was somewhat softer, as the response from his wife seemed to come with a touch softer. She'd noticed the space where a wedding ring had been placed on the ring finger, now conspicuously absent.

"How are things with the kids?"

She halted for a moment, listening to the conversation as the woman on the other end of the line continued to speak, her hands stopping with the washing, as she turned her attention away.

"Of course." He man said, before he closed the call, his hand squeezing her butt. "That was wonderful, Monique." The sensation inside her gut didn't stop, as she felt unease grow inside her.

"I live to please, Mister."

Her voice was soft and throaty, as she'd given her best performance. It had been work, she'd massaged the man to climax. It was just a job. Anything for the family. She knew that she had marketable skills in her breasts and butt.

The one-hundred and fifty Lien that he placed on the sink next to her was enough to make the night worth it. She smiled, as she should, taking the Lien and kissing the man's cheek. It was a special bit that she'd do for those who tipped well. A good customer base was something that she'd like to cultivate but it was not sure whether people would come back for a repeat visit.

He tried to kiss her, but she kept him at a distance. "No kissing, I'm sorry…" The man nodded in acceptance. That was good. She didn't like pushy men. The bruises on her body took time to heal, even though Berry always had been good with getting the creams to rub them all away. She'd use some when Berry was out, not that her sister would notice. She'd never had the mind for that sort of stuff.

She exited her domain dressed in her leather jacket and the jeans that fit nicely. Seven hundred Lien had been collected today, enough for the proceeds to go to the pot. She had it tucked in the hidden pocket, with the money already there for delivery.

Violet noticed the guys first, as she turned the corner and saw the reflection in one of the traffic mirrors. Unshaven men, looking to be a part of one of the street gangs, hooligans who didn't really mind a fat juicy target walking along the streets.

Her arm was grabbed by a hand that looked like it'd been made out of steel, her head turning to see one of the odious men looking down at her. Taller than she was, she noticed. That wasn't good.

"Hey there, pretty girl… Have you paid the price for the big boss yet?"

Her money had been enough to tide her over, with the cut going to the person who owned the block, but she didn't want to share. "I did." She said, her eyes looking at the other men that crowded around her. She mentally calculated her odds. "Why? Hasn't he got it?"

"Not precisely, sweetheart…" The man who had an iron grip on her arm was rough, as she was pushed up against the wall. "But we're here to collect."

She shuddered, involuntarily. Her eyes looked at them and a sultry smile came to her lips. "So… who goes first, hmm?" It was the big guy, she realized. Always the big guy, and she hoped that she'd come home without bruises. That was loss of revenue and more problems for her family.

She staggered through the door, her fingers pushing the key to the side, the jeans a little soggy in the crotch. They'd not been as gentle with her as she'd have liked, but she'd done what she had to. They hadn't found the money in the hidden pocket, luckily. She'd have hated to get home with no money.

'Alright, take a double helping of the pill and make sure that you get checked out…'

She caught sight of her sister Beryl leaning against a wall, smirking confidently. A black bruise was on her cheek, a sign that she'd been out fighting again.

"Mornin, sis. Hard day at work?"

'The things I do for you…'

She smiled, stretching. She hid the wince under a yawn.

"The work's never done."

She tucked three hundred Lien cards into the pot in a subtle motion, before she ascended the stairs to her bedroom, pushing open the door and then kicking the pants off, feeling around for the pack of special pills that she'd got on prescription, taking the contraceptive pill and the special one that'd get her freed up from last night's extra encounter. The strip had seven left out of twenty.

'Just because I am a lady of the night, it doesn't mean that pussy is free…'

She looked at herself in the mirror, as she drew herself up and smiled, trying her best to keep the smile on her face. It was all in the act, all in the way that one held themselves. She was going to make sure that they'd stay here in the house… She was…

A crack to the smile, as she looked at herself, the marks on her skin showing. She hoped that they'd fade a little more, but they hadn't hurt her face at least. Customers might get a little rough, but in a few days, she'd be better again…

She stepped under the shower, grabbing the showerhead and then pushing it between her legs, to wash it out. A good wash always got the gunk out, if the lube didn't work well enough.

She heard the door to the bathroom open and saw her oldest sister come in, Rouge looking at her with a look of understanding. Rouge had overheard her when she'd been near-black-out drunk, and she had helped get the prescription for the pills through a friend.

"Looking a touch off there, Fifi."

Violet groaned, looking at her older sister. Rouge's eyes were understanding.

"Hey, don't pass out on me."

She wasn't going to pass out. She just needed a hand. She felt her sister's arm wrap around her, as she softly felt the weight lessen, as her big sister held her up, washing her. She felt a stroking hand go through her, as Rouge washed her. It was nice.

"Thanks, Mom." The nickname for Rouge slipped out, more informal than anything, as Rouge rubbed a sponge over her.

"They jumped me as I got back… Didn't get the Lien off me, but I feel…"

Rouge shushed her gently, washing her groin with the sponge. It wasn't weakness, but she'd been up for a day. It'd been a long day too. Meeting Saphron at the airport and seeing her vomit all over her little brother…

It was worth it. She hoped that big sis was soon to feel a little happier. "Did you see Saph's face?" Rouge asked, and Violet nodded. She'd seen her big sister's face, a mixture of sickness and disgust. It made her think that there was a sadness in her sister that hadn't healed.

"She told me that a friend of hers had been… assaulted."

That was fairly normal, in the world of hookers and gigolos. You got assaulted a few times, but they usually spared you when you offered up snatch.

"Do you think…" Her big sister, assaulted by someone? Saphron was nice enough to not mention it to any of them, out of a fear of upsetting them. Saphron had the biggest and most loving heart out of all of them.

"It was her?"

Rouge looked pensive, as she knelt, uncaring of the spray of the water, washing the pubic hair that'd been groomed elegantly. Violet took care of her body, always. She wanted to look her best because she needed to look her best.

"I didn't like Terra."

Violet nodded. Her sister's decision to marry had been strange at the time, but Terra had seemed like a good woman, caring… Pregnant, but that was because her previous relationship had been a messy affair.

"Saphron loved the kid… She sent pictures frequently."

It had been a break-up after the accident, Violet had heard through her sisters. She was so tired. She wanted to sleep.

"Jaune and Saphron always had a good connection, and-"

Rouge kept on talking, as Violet leaned against the wall, trying to keep herself awake. She remembered the times when she'd been the one to look after Jaune whilst Saphron went out.

He wasn't bad-looking to say the least. He had that charm, even with his social graces being pretty lousy. She knew what she was working with, if she had him under her tender mercies. She knew a lot about professional hairstyling, so she was aware of the work that'd go into making her brother look better.

It was silly to feel relief at it but she knew that it was already a blessing that he was out of the house. Another mouth to feed would cost her another thousand or so every half year. She knew that the budget would allow for some more spending with him gone. His rich friend had paid for Rouge to go to school and she'd not brooked no for an answer. The woman's motives were benign on the surface, but Violet knew that there must be more behind it, a woman squandering her wealth on a family that she knew nothing about aside from the comments of the youngest child.

She was a little nervous about Jaune meeting the woman but it had all been fine. He'd been happier than before and the woman had offered to fly her father and herself to Argus to make sure that Saphron was alright. She felt that she owed an apology to the woman for doubting her intentions, but she was still unsure.

The woman had been nice to Saphron. She'd retracted the aid for the treatment at one of the last moments, though. Half of the treatments had been paid for, leaving the money even tighter. Already, she knew that she'd have to donate her proceeds of the night.

Making sure that the bills were paid off was the first priority… losing the house couldn't happen. She wouldn't allow it.

"… of course with how things are." She snapped back to attention, letting the worries slip from her. She had half-fallen into a daze, as her older sister looked at her.

"What? Sorry, it's been a long night."

She knew that Rouge meant well, but she wasn't going to be raking in the cash in any capacity yet. The youth she held was against her in the worst capacity.

"Saph will need new clothes."

Violet closed her eyes, shivering a little at the expense. She had a good way with money, but that meant working more hours…

"Do you think we can get a loan? Mom wouldn't like it, but…"

The suggestion had been flaunted a few times by her older sisters, but it had only been Verde and Jade who had been uninterested in stuff. They were more interested in the parties and the fun.

'I don't think I can… I'm legally unemployed…'

She didn't advertise that she was a prostitute, but she wasn't denying it if someone asked. The clients of the night always blurred together for her, as it was just dick in, dick out. Sometimes a blow before she had to take it like the hooker they paid for. Never without a condom, though. She was picky about that.

She still had her dignity and she didn't want anything. Treatment cost money. She didn't want to have to shell out another 300 Lien for a broad-spectrum venereal cleansing…

But it'd have to, considering that they'd not been kind enough to pull out.

"No, I'll…"

She winced. It was more work. She just wanted to curl up in bed and forget that the world existed. "I'll work harder." She had to be the good sister, even if she did bad things. "We'll get her something nice. She'll be happy with it."

Rouge gently shushed her, rubbing through her hair. It was tiring work, but… Someone had to do it.

She'd never let her sisters land up where she'd landed. Early puberty had been hell, but she'd made it. She'd bore the weight on her shoulders and had become a beauty. If someone had to be the soiled beauty, she would be.

She wasn't going to break, she was an Arc and they were great, according to the stories.

She was going to sleep in today though. Tomorrow could bring a visit to the doctor's, but sleep was what she desired now.

---

Her Scroll already beeped as the international flight touched down onto the landing pad, the mutterings of several of the other people on the flights about the sights that they were going to see already starting, her eyes glinting as she noticed the details.

Saphron: We're at the Arrivals. I hope you had a nice flight.

She smiled, knowing that it'd been pleasant to know that Saphron and her brother and his team were there and waiting for her. It was nice, even with her pulling up the different promotional material that she'd made a mock-up of in the time it took to get from Mistral airport to Vale, nearly thirteen hours of continuous flight. It was something that had been made, showing a picture of the young man wearing something, a stylish creation of the two Arcs that had been the family crest and a smiling picture that she'd gotten her hands on.

The faint burn in her throat was still there, though the encounter last night before departure in Mistral left a faint tingling in her loins. It might just have been the shochu that she'd drank or the fellow who'd taken her home that night, but she'd just… Yeah, enjoyed Mistral. That there'd been a few other hands joining in had just made it all the better.

'It's okay if it's not on the clock, right? Work starts tomorrow, so I've got today left to get utterly smashed and get myself some nice piece of ass.'

She wasn't bad-looking, even if she said so herself. She had nice hips, a good set of tits and that 'fuck me' look on her face whenever she'd been properly prepped for a night of entertainment.

'We should go clubbing. It's not on the clock when I'm out with a friend! But… hmm… I guess I'll have to switch to non-alcoholic…'

The contract was murder on her. She wanted to have a drink every now and then… but there was definitely no leeway in the contract. Scrolling with a finger over the few mock-ups, she let her mind wander, the aircraft still carrying them forward towards their exit port.

She knew not much about the members of his team. A few girls, a guy… That'd be the typical standard fare. If some boy-band team like SSSN could be hotshot guys with the marketing department… She might have to do some shopping.

Style was something that she could get through experience. She was one hell of a publicist! She was going to make Jaune Arc into the best thing since Neptune Vasilias! No! Better! She was going to make him someone that'd make panties quiver and girls want to get their posters signed!

'I can turn an ugly hag into a model… probably. Let's hope that there's no guys that look like creeps…'

She hoped that there were no creeps. Girls needed a good makeover from time to time, so she could work with them. There would probably be no other publishers involved, as the money spent on one was substantial…

That's what she was hired for. To get drunk on her salary and make sure that Jaune Arc was the hottest thing since sliced bread. With those blue eyes and that blonde hair… Heart-throb especially for those who liked the classical look of a hero.

'A bit of a shirtless photo session… Maybe some syrup drizzled over his abs, his hand half in a pocket to give him that look of beautiful heartthrob… Weapon laid at his feet, perhaps a flex of the muscles… Bit of a bulge, those eyes giving a smouldering look at the camera...'

She was getting excited at the thought already. That was a prime motion for the pretty boy management… and she'd have to say that he made for a young man who looked scrumptious. A touch young, but serviceable for a good PR stunt or three.

'I wonder if Miss Umbra would mind if I got him a few deals with the underwear brand… Underwear ads sell well, and I guess that there's some familiarity with it, but I'd need to see him sans clothing for that…'

Even if he turned out to be a bit of a snooty fellow, which, most assuredly knowing Saphron, he would not be… Well, she was allowed to look! It was for her job! A chastity belt would probably be better, but she was going to be professional and courteous with him and his team!

'Colour-coded outfits always go well… We'll have to take a good look into the team wardrobe and see whether we can find something that would make things look smashing…'

She was already tapping in the budget costs for the making of a new wardrobe for the young man into the to-do list. Since she was to decide on his public image together with him, she had some say in the selection process.

'Hmm… and find a good liquor store. Nothing bad about getting a few drinks with Saph… if she's drinking, that is.'

Friends could drink together! She'd have to get something nice for Saph to drink with her, of course, only if Saph wanted. She liked Saphron, the woman having been warm and kind and nice, even if her dad had been some son of a whore who'd do something to a woman like that.

'I hope I never have to meet the man.'

She didn't want to, because anyone who could do such a thing to a woman was just bad in her book! She had her standards and her mother complained that they dropped too much.

'Now…'

She grabbed the luggage that she'd put in the overhead compartment, pulling the small travel case out and mentally ticking off her property, tucking the Scroll in a pocket. A modest blouse, cut properly to make sure that she looked hot enough to eat breakfast off, a skirt that was just nice enough to wear casually without looking too much like a hooker that'd just walked off the job.

She lugged the travelcase behind her, walking through customs after flashing her passport, accounting for the travel delay of her stuff and knowing that she'd have to retrieve it from the Valean port authority in two weeks' time.

Adelheid Blau was ready to meet with the young man whose career she was going to be following closer than her own personal life. She was going to burst her way right into the scene and make sure that the blonde slice of heaven was just going to go and be the top charter of the Vytal festival!

As she emerged from the mass of people, she caught sight of blonde hair, a bright orange dress and a set of blue eyes, standing there against the railing, a look on the face of Saphron Arc that spoke of warmth and some smidgen of joy, as her eyes lit up and she waved.

'And next to her are… a ginger, a girl with nice dark hair… Or a guy? Pink streak, hmm… might have to suggest hair dye unless it's a personal fashion statement…'

Her eyes caught sight of a mass of reporters crowding around someone, her eyes already spotting the flash of camera's, a brilliant smile on the red-haired girl's face. The green eyes were professional and calm.

'Aaahhhhhhhh, it's Pyrrha Nikos! Eeehhhhh! I should get her autograph!'

She was still a fan. Seeing one of the best of Huntress potentials here at the airport was just like a good opportunity, but it would be awfully crude to let the girl see her fangirl out like this.

'Do I have something for an autograph?'

It was Pyrrha Nikos! Nikos the Amazing! Saphron was still waving. Yes, she should join Saphron. She momentarily wondered where her project had went to, if he wasn't there. This was shaping up to be a great start of her work! Friend, client, his team! Maybe an autograph of Pyrrha Nikos!

"Do you want me to carry your bag, Adel?"

A voice that she recognized, one that belonged to her personal Huntsman, filtering in her ears, as a hand, nice and firm and bigger than her own, if she'd got a good mental scope of things, laid a hand on her own. It was awfully intimate for a touch, and she turned, looking at the young Huntsman-in-training standing there at her side.

Blue eyes looked into hers, a smile on his lips and that feeling of heat just blossomed in her chest. She felt like she'd just met someone important, as his eyes lingered in her own, blue depths that held an innocence within them and something that tugged at the darker desires in her mind, a hint of something untamed and passionate, leashed but ready to break loose at any time. A man who knew what he wanted and who was willing to get it.

Just her type.

'Oh shit, he's hot.'

She smiled back involuntarily. Her heartbeat rose without intending to. That was a good thing and a bad thing. Personal attachment was forbidden. Her paycheck depended on it.

'Remember… Market! Market value! We can work with that smile. Give him the bad boy look, make the hair cut a little bit shorter to bring out those eyes…'

This was going to complicate her vow of abstinence and abstaining of drink. A lot. Neptune Vasilias was dreamy and got that look, but damn if she didn't like her blondes. Sun Wukong could wake her up with breakfast served on his abs every morning.

'He's seventeen. Remember when you were seventeen? Bad choices! Bad choices and an angry dad…'

His smile broadened and she realized that she was tingling all over with that warm giddy sensation of excitement.

'Fuck.'

She just loved that mix of innocence and roguishness and determination…

Today sucked, officially. She had gotten a winning lottery ticket and she felt the stirrings of attraction already. She could see why Miss Umbra paid a king's ransom for her services…

The guy looked like a heartthrob in the making. He was going to be a star and she'd get to make him one.

First, she needed to talk with her 'big sis'.

'You said he was just a bit dorky and geeky! He's HOT, Saphron!'

---

Well, another sister has been introduced! Violet Arc. No Salem in this chapter, as a perspective! Saphron's trust in her father has completely and utterly vanished!

Leave a review if you've enjoyed the story thus far!