"And that's when my dad uppercut me in the stomach, right after you told me to text you every night," Roman explained from his place next to Kali upon her bed. The two were clad in only their underwear, while Kali had elected to forgo her bra. "Sorry I didn't respond for a while. I was busy getting the shit beaten out of me and the collar on my shirt stretched. Stupid thing doesn't fit right anymore."
"It's fine," Kali reassured as she traced a finger around Roman's chest. She weaved her fingertip through the scant, wiry little hairs that populated the area in a small patch while giggling softly to herself. "I figured you were dealing with something unpleasant. Hopefully you're feeling a little better, now that you're back home with me."
Roman snorted lightly at the notion. "Yeah… this is home, for me. My real home. Atlas is just… it's the worst place in the world, and not just for faunus. For anyone. Sangria Vaso isn't an exception- she's the common denominator in the upper city. In the lower, people are just as selfish, but the haughtiness is replaced by anger and indignation. It's a toxic environment, especially when you're a kid."
"I can imagine," Kali sympathized as she shifted to snuggle into Roman's side. "Menagerie was rough, too, but in a totally different way. If nothing else, I was in control of what went on in my life. Too slow to get to dinner before my sisters, and stuck with the shitty meat? My fault. Too weak or too slow to take down the biggest grimm on a given day, and ended up in last place? My fault. Yeah, things sucked sometimes, but I was in control. That's what matters most to me."
Roman furrowed his brows as he listened intently, his hand gently stroking Kali's bare back. He couldn't help but agree with his companion… and feel just how much more toned and noticeable her muscles were than his own.
"I'd trade the cushy Atlesian lifestyle for that kind of freedom any day," Roman said softly. "Maybe I really should just strike out on my own after Beacon and let Dad's little art collection rot. I don't care about peddling oil paintings and smearing logos all over fancy dinnerware for some suits that want the whole world to know their brands."
"What do you care about?" Kali asked as she rested her head atop Roman's shoulder. "Seriously- I'm not asking that from a position of thinking you don't care. I just want to know. What keeps Roman Torchwick up at night, and still will in five years?"
You, Roman thought to himself as he shifted atop the wine-red sheets. "…I'm still working on that bit, 'cause right now, it's a lot of things. Freedom's up there on the list, though."
"Freedom," Kali repeated with a soft smile as she traced her hand up and under Roman's chin, before planting a soft kiss upon his cheek. "Freedom of choice, freedom to make your own mistakes, and free love. Sounds like a pretty nice future to me."
"…free love?" Roman asked as he finally dared to give his companion a sidelong look.
"With the people I trust, yeah," Kali explained. "I mean, why not? I'm not looking to be tied down, and I doubt you are, either. The only way I'd even consider it is if there was more to a relationship than I had with anyone else. Significantly more… and probably for a cause."
Roman felt his stomach drop as he realized just where Kali was coming from. He scooted backward to lean back against the headboard as Kali followed, her ears wilting slightly.
"What's wrong?" she asked, only for two quick knocks to echo from the other side of the door. "I'll get it."
Roman couldn't decide whether the panic of watching Kali merrily prance across the room topless to open the door or his frustration with her attitude about their relationship took priority in the moment. As a result, his voice came out harsher than he had intended, and even more incredulous.
"…without a top on?" he spat as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and began to pull on his discarded pants.
"People love surprises, and the look on their face will be worth it, especially if it's Adam," Kali teased as she pulled the door open while striking a triumphant pose. "Kitty titties!"
An unimpressed and exhausted Raven stood silently in the doorway, her eyes remaining on Kali's face as she stared, unblinking. Without so much as a word, she slowly grabbed the door handle and pulled it closed once again, only for Kali to open it and find the other girl making her way down the hall.
"Hey! Get back here!"
Raven turned, somehow looking even more annoyed as she folded her arms across her chest and stepped into the room. "I could have been Professor Ozpin."
"He already visited," Kali said confidently as she shut the door and stepped aside.
"…or Professor Calavera," Raven tried as she caught sight of Roman's bare chest and raised a hand to block her view as she made her way into the kitchenette.
"We get along pretty well, and she'd probably just ignore it," Kali boasted with a victorious grin as she followed the other girl.
"Professor Scotch," Raven seethed.
"…and the bra goes back on," Kali said as she made a disgusted face and retreated to go and find her clothing. "You look like garbage, Raven. What happened?"
Raven grumbled to herself as she withdrew a bottle of water from the fridge and took a quick swig while leaning back into the counter. "I've been worried sick about you. Both of you," she clarified as she gave Roman a conflicted look. "Welcome back to Beacon."
"Glad to be back," Roman confirmed as he pulled on his leopard-print shirt. "Kal filled me in on the whole dust shop situation. It's… absolute bullshit, what you all had to put up with it."
"And what some of us are still putting up with," Kali reminded as she finally got her black tube top back on. "This whole thing is going to make waves for quite a while."
Raven stared momentarily before taking another uneasy sip and running her hand through her plait of hair in a fit of nervous energy. "I.. should warn you, before we get going. Willow's planning to invite you to talk to her dad in Atlas, next weekend. I really don't know if it's a good idea."
"It's not," Roman said quickly as he leaned against the wall by the kitchenette. "Kal, you really sh-"
"I'm going," Kali interrupted, her tone surprisingly serious. "Even if it only does a little bit of good, I'm going. Besides- then, your weekend won't be so miserable, Roman."
Roman wiped a hand down the side of his face and shook his head. "I appreciate the thought, but… have you ever seen Atlas? In person, I mean. It's…"
"A nightmare," Raven offered. "Especially for your people"
"I don't care. I'm going, and I'm not letting anyone stop me," Kali replied with a clear air of finality. "Speaking of- 'before we get going', Raven? I'm not really feeling up to getting stared at in the cafeteria."
Raven sighed and finished off her water before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "That's exactly why Willow also invited us over to her penthouse tonight, for dinner. STRQ and OKRA. She said you don't have to if you don't want to, or if you would rather stay in bed, but the offer is o-"
"Lemme run to the bathroom, and we'll head out," Kali cut in with a grin before making her way out the door and into the hall. Roman watched her go, only to whip his head around as Raven started to speak once again.
"…Kali's looking well. Much better than yesterday," Raven pointed out as she tossed her bottle into the waiting trashcan by the fridge and moved to stand a few feet from Roman. "I get the feeling that has something to do with you."
Roman chuckled and ran a hand through his fringe as he avoided his friend's eyes. The laugh came out hollow and listless, and he knew that Raven took notice. "Maybe… but maybe not as much as you think."
"What makes you say that? It looks like you took my advice and made your feelings pretty clear, given how she answered the door," Raven deadpanned.
"She made her feelings pretty clear, before I really got the chance," Roman corrected with a sigh. "She's not looking for anything other than the occasional fling, it seems, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one on the list."
Raven grimaced as she thought back through some of her interactions with Kali, and ended by shaking her head. "I'm… sorry, Roman. Maybe things will change over time. Just don't hold your breath, and keep your options open, I guess? I'm not the best at this sort of thing."
"But you tried, and it's appreciated," Roman replied with a shrug. "We'll talk more about this some other time," he insisted as a scrabbling sound impacted the doorknob.
Raven nodded softly as she watched Kali reenter the dorm with a mischievous smirk. "Alright, people, let's move. Don't want to keep anyone waiting."
"No, we don't," Roman agreed as he led the way into the hall.
Willow tried once again to straighten the couch to be in alignment with the carpet. She moved back to inspect her handiwork, only to find the angle lacking. Qrow stood off to the side, hands in his pockets as he watched, feeling helpless.
"…you know almost all of us were here yesterday, right?" he tried again as he watched his friend shift the furniture for the third time. "And you're sure you don't want any help?"
"No, no, I've got it," Willow insisted. "And… yes, but I want the place to look nice for everyone. Kali and Roman are both likely feeling less than their best, and a little effort toward cleanliness goes a long way."
"Be honest," Adam began from his place upon the opposite-facing couch. "Does Kali really strike you as the type to even notice if the furniture isn't square to the carpet? Or Roman?"
"Roman likely would, yes," Bartholomew offered as he adjusted his glasses. He turned to give Adam a sidelong glance from his place at the opposite end of the couch. "He did grow up in similar conditions to Willow, as you know."
"That's true," Adam admitted as he shifted slightly upon the couch. "Willow?"
"Hm?" the heiress asked as she looked up from her position behind the couch, finally satisfied with its orientation within the room.
"I know I probably shouldn't ask, but… do you mind if I take my blindfold off for a bit? It itches constantly, but I usually just deal with it. After sweating all day in Free Sparring and Professor Ozpin's class today, though, it's getting unbearable," Adam said, looking rather guilty.
Willow paused to consider Adam's expression. She was keenly aware that both Qrow and Bartholomew were giving her uneasy looks, but she kept her focus forward as she walked back around the couch and sat down upon it.
"In all honesty, I feel like I should be required to ask you to put it back on, rather than the reverse… and I wouldn't dare. Go ahead. I can handle it," Willow encouraged. She forced herself to watch as Adam untied the bandanna and placed it into his pocket. The sight of the branded snowflake over his warped flesh brought about a feeling of nausea within her stomach, but she refused to look away. Adam kept his eye upon hers, and offered a nod of appreciation.
"…thanks. Hopefully this week can run more smoothly than the last one. So far, it's going well enough," Adam tried as he looked to the other two males in the room.
"It is," Bartholomew agreed. "But, I'm sure that some sort of crisis, however minor, will arise soon enough. Our teams seem to be a magnet for trouble, and we've left one of our biggest offenders unattended."
Willow blinked as a chill ran up her spine, and she took out her scroll to send a text to Summer.
How's the cake coming along?
"You know, I was feeling relatively good about things until just now," she said flatly. Within seconds, her scrolled buzzed lightly, and she swiped to unlock the screen. Just as quickly, she brought her other hand up to her face, and took a sharp inhale of frustration.
"Lemme see," Qrow insisted as he made his way around the back of the couch with a dirty smirk. He leaned over as Willow held up the scroll, only to find a picture of Taiyang holding a cake with 'GOOD JOB NOT DYING OVER THE WEEKEND!' written across the white frosting in fancy blue icing. Qrow burst out laughing at the sight, and Willow scored a backhand to the center of his chest. "That is not funny!"
"It's a little funny," Qrow protested as he rubbed at his chest before vaulting the couch and landing to sit next to Willow.
Bartholomew raised a brow as Willow turned the scroll to face him, while Adam snorted in amusement at the picture. "Well… something tells me that Kali and Roman will get a kick out of it."
"I suppose, really, that's all that matters," Willow admitted as she turned her scroll back to herself with a defeated smirk. "You all… really are something. Something special."
"Aw. We love you too," Qrow cooed as he pulled out his own scroll, only to find that he'd missed a message. The portrait of a familiar mustached man in a bowler hat greeted him, alongside a simple message.
Got a job for you and two others that needs doing over the weekend. Good lien, middling risk, 20/20/20/40, my way. Need to know by tonight, or I'm passing it on.
"Care to share with the class?" Bartholomew questioned as he regarded Qrow's sudden shift to a cautious look.
"Huh? It's…" Qrow paused, knowing that to say 'nothing' would only end up working against him. "…I need to talk to all of you, once the others get here. It's nothing bad, it's just… important."
"Are you in trouble?" Willow asked as she shifted upon the couch to face Qrow completely. "Please, don't hide it from us if you are."
"What? No, no," Qrow reassured as a knock came to the door. He watched Bartholomew get up from the couch and move to answer it, before bringing his eyes back to Willow. "I've just got… a friend, who needs a favor."
"And you need our help to get it done?" Adam questioned as the door opened and Summer capered inside in front of Taiyang.
"We got it! We did so good!" Summer sang with an air of triumph.
"…yeah. Something like that," Qrow agreed before he got off the couch and followed the new arrivals into the kitchen. "Looks even better up close than in the picture."
Taiyang rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. "I tried to stop her. Well... no I didn't. Not hard enough, apparently."
"Shocking," Qrow commented as the cake was deposited upon the countertop. "Either way, it's a nice gesture."
Taiyang paused to watch Summer retreat into the main room and strike up a conversation with Willow before he lowered his voice. "Have you… heard from Raven, at all? She seemed really out of it during Free Sparring. I didn't want to say anything, but…"
"Not yet, no," Qrow replied as he took out his scroll once again and reread the message from Johnathon. "She's got a lot going on right now, and not just here. It's… complicated. Take my advice, and don't talk to her about it, if you want to keep your good standing."
"I w-…" Taiyang paused as he realized what Qrow had said, and raised a brow. "Don't talk about it?"
"You heard me," Qrow warned as another set of footfalls crossed the doorway. The pair of boys watched as Kali led the way into the apartment and then rushed to scoop Adam into a hug.
"Hey!" she cried as she squeezed her faunus companion tightly, only to earn a squirming attempt at escape for her efforts. "How were classes?"
"What's… gotten into you!?" Adam questioned as he struggled to break free of his teammate's grasp. "They were fine! We saw each other this morning!"
"Yeah, so? I can hug whoever I want," Kali said with authority as she locked onto Willow and leapt for the couch. The Schnee heiress let out a cry as the faunus girl fell into her lap, and the two embraced.
"Kali! Be careful!"
"I can take a hit, aura or no," she teased before planting a kiss upon Willow's cheek. "Besides, I'm feeling a lot better. Still kinda garbagy, but better."
"That's… good," Willow encouraged as she leaned away and helped deposit Kali onto the couch beside herself. "And you two?" she asked, as Roman and Raven made their way inside.
"Fine," Roman said quickly, before moving to sit between Bartholomew and Adam as they returned to the couch across from Willow. "Atlas sucked, but Atlas always sucks. You know how it is."
Willow merely nodded, before turning her attention to Raven, who leaned over the back of the couch and crossed her arms just next to Roman's head.
"If I fall asleep halfway through dinner… I will literally murder anyone who takes a marker to my face," she warned with a half-smile.
"If you really do need to sleep, my bed is open to you," Willow offered with a sad smile. "None of us will hold it against you."
"…and ruin the first time all nine of us have really been together, and able to just relax?" Raven asked. "I'll… deal. Been through worse."
"We all appreciate you making the effort," Taiyang added as he returned from the kitchen and began handing out ceramic bowls from a large stack. "But seriously- Willow's right. If you need to crash, then crash. I get the feeling these gatherings are going to become a pretty regular thing, whether it's here, our dorm, or OKRA's."
"Ours, next time," Roman offered as he raised a hand. "Already smuggled alcohol into the dorm, and it's a big risk to get it into faculty housing or to STRQ."
"Oh, hell yes," Kali said with a grin as she rubbed her hands together. Bartholomew let out a heavy sigh as Willow pinched her nose, and then did a quick sweep of the room as she accepted her bowl from Taiyang.
"Wait- where's Qrow?" the heiress asked.
"Here," he said exasperatedly as he kept his eyes on his scroll and a string of new messages while walking back into the main room. "Listen, guys… I hate to do this, but my friend's being pushy about things. He's got a job opportunity for some of us, off the books, and wants an answer tonight. It's not… strictly legal, per se, but it's also not illegal. Not really."
The room fell silent as Qrow stopped just before the coffee table. He looked up from his scroll only to immediately catch sight of his sister's eyes boring through him as she regarded him with an expression of fury.
"…what the hell have you gotten yourself into, Qrow?" she seethed.
"Raven, it's not…" he began, only to scratch the back of his head. "…I'm not entirely sure."
"You said he's a friend, did you not?" Willow questioned as she gave Qrow a neutral look. "This penthouse has room for ten, and if something shady is going on, there's safety in numbers. I think we ordered more than enough food for an extra guest."
Qrow looked around the room to find his friends and teammates showing a mixture of apprehension and intrigue, save for Raven, who still looked furious. He slowly turned his attention back to his scroll, and began to compose a response to the latest message.
"If you're sure. This could be something great, or something awful. Either way… I'll take responsibility."
"You'd better," Raven threatened as she cracked her knuckles.
Qrow waited in the antechamber of the faculty building, keeping an eye on his scroll and the path leading up to the glass doors. He reread the conversation with Johnathon once again, and each time his eyes passed over the words, he felt a little more anxious.
I'm almost there. Be ready
I can let you in, but if you're seen, there are going to be questions.
You didn't forget about my semblance, did you? Give me the name of a student who wouldn't be thought of as suspicious.
Taiyang Xiao Long. What are you planning?
Qrow stared down at his question, and the total lack of an answer. He let out a noise of frustration as he mulled over the possibilities in his mind, only to have his focus interrupted by a soft knock upon the side of the door. He looked up to find 'Taiyang' standing on the other side of the glass, wearing a Beacon uniform. The mimicry was almost exact, beyond a few small details in the shape of the face that made the entire disguise feel slightly off to Qrow. After getting over the initial shock, he pulled open the door and stepped aside to let his friend into the building.
"Holy shit," Qrow remarked as "Taiyang" dusted off his jacket. "How did you…?"
"It's not that hard to get to student I.D.s, if you know where to look," Johnathon replied with a smirk. "After all, the media managed to do it for your sister, Willow Schnee, and Kali Moonglove, and their staff can't even accurately predict the weather."
Qrow merely shook his head in response and turned to begin walking toward the stairs. "That's not exactly comforting. And change your face, before we head upstairs. The last thing I want is two Taiyangs."
"You don't get along?" Johnathon prodded as he followed the teen up the steps. "I could always try Raven from memory."
Qrow stopped abruptly upon the steps and glared daggers back at Johnathon. "Don't you dare. She'd rip you apart, let alone what I'd do to you."
"Fine, fine, keep your shirt on," Johnathon said lightly as they resumed their ascent. "How are the girls, by the way? If the reports were anything to go by, none of the three had an enjoyable weekend."
"Why do you care? You don't even know them," Qrow grumbled as he continued to climb, only to see Johnathon lagging behind on the platform between staircases.
"Qrow," Johnathon said flatly as his face slowly began to morph back to the features the other boy had become familiar with. Qrow had the decency to pause in his ascent, and turned to offer Johnathon his full attention. "I only work with people I trust. Trust generally only develops between friends, and while yes, my line of work is… shady, to say the least, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to get one over on you. I'm offering you this because I see potential, both in ability, and personality. I'm actually rather looking forward to meeting your associates, but if you'd like for me to disappear instead, all you need to do is say the word."
Qrow paused as he mulled over the offer, and then let out a heavy sigh as he shook his head.
"…sorry. There's just been a lot going on lately, and I'm not sure how the others are going to react. Some of them are real straight-edge types, and others are already suspicious, including my sister," Qrow explained.
"And they have every reason to be," Johnathon reassured as he put a hand onto Qrow's back and gave it a quick pat. "Now, come on. Let's get the details out into the open, and play the name game."
"Right," Qrow agreed as he led the way up the final stretch of steps and to Willow's door. "Just be honest, and let anyone who isn't interested stay out of it. And for the love of The Brothers, don't put Tai's head back on."
"I'll see what I can do," Johnathon replied with a smirk as Qrow opened the door and led him inside. There within the penthouse were Teams STRQ and OKRA gathered around the coffee table, with some members sitting on the two couches, and others upon the floor. A spread of Mistrali takeout occupied nearly every inch of the table, and each of the hunters in training had a bowl with them containing various mixes of noodles, meats, and rice.
"He's got facial hair. We can't trust him," Summer commented as she raised her hands in a gesture of surrender.
"…I have facial hair!" Qrow remarked with a glower as the girl began to laugh.
"If you want to call it that, sure," Kali teased as she pointed a chopstick at Johnathon. "At least he can actually grow a mustache."
Qrow lightly rubbed at his upper lip and looked off to the side, only to lock eyes with Taiyang, who wore a victorious smirk.
"Now you know how it f-"
"Shut up," Qrow snapped as he returned to his spot on the floor and reclaimed his bowl. "And John, you're welcome to whatever you'd like."
"I'm quite fine, thank you," Johnathon insisted as he clapped his hands and looked around the room. "Well then. My name is Johnathon- Johnathon Soleil, but you can call me 'John'. I recognize some of you, but not all- Willow Schnee, you're quite obvious," he said with a nod to the heiress, who returned the gesture. "Raven Branwen, from the recent news."
"Which was wildly inaccurate," Raven added from her place upon the floor next to Qrow.
"It generally is," Johnathon agreed. "Taiyang Xiao Long and Summer Rose, I presume?" he gestured to the pair on the couch behind Qrow and Raven as they nodded in kind. "Qrow has told me about you, given that you're on the same team."
"I can't imagine what," Taiyang said cautiously, only to earn an amused chuckle from Johnathon.
"No matter, really. And the rest of you are Team OKRA…?" Johnathon asked as he looked at Kali.
"Kali Moonglove. Notorious criminal, supposedly," she said through a mouthful of noodles.
"Roman Torchwick. Notorious criminal, but only when Kali's involved in the crime," Roman followed up.
"Adam Taurus. I'm… technically a criminal, though not notorious?" the faunus questioned. Johnathon's eyes lingered upon the faunus' face for a moment, his expression neutral as he looked over the snowflake brand.
"Bartholomew Oobleck. Murderer on the run, drug kingpin, illegal dust smuggler, and ladykiller," the team leader finished without missing a beat. No one in the room questioned the statement, though Johnathon had the grace to raise a brow.
"…suddenly, I'm wondering if I should go through with this," the man said as he shook his head. "Though, humor and camaraderie are key to success, in tight situations. That just tells me you work together well, and that's something you'll need. I'm somewhat of an independent contractor, finding and doling out jobs to the unlicensed people skilled and willing enough to take them."
"Question," Raven cut in immediately. "How and why are you getting around the Academy, and giving these jobs out? Why would someone spring for us when licensed huntsmen and huntresses are ready, willing, and insured by the school?"
"Money," Roman answered immediately. "Cheaper to hire us than even a second-year student, since we've got no ground to stand on from which we can hike our price. No insurance, no premium. People in Atlas pull the same shit."
"Precisely," Johnathon praised as he began to pace upon the carpet, his hands clasped behind himself. "There's no shortage of people who can't quite afford to post jobs to Beacon, but still need things done. In addition, not everyone is keen to watch some of their offering be absorbed by the Academies, and another percentage go to the government of Vale. Of course, there are also those just trying to save some lien, but aren't we all? I am but a connector of people to what they need, for a price that suits everyone and cuts out the middle man."
"When you put it like that, it honestly doesn't sound so bad," Summer admitted as she swirled her chopsticks throughout her bowl. "Still… where does all of this stand legally?"
"You're concerned about the legal system, given what happened this past weekend?" Adam questioned, only for Summer to make an uncomfortable noise.
The room fell silent, until Bartholomew cleared his throat. "Allow me to be the first to say that, regardless of your good intentions, I'm out. I'd also like to say, as the leader of Team OKRA, with a lot riding on the behavior of my teammates… the three of you are free to do what you would like, in this given situation. I won't stop you."
"And that's a great example of why you're a great leader," Kali offered. "I'm in. Fuck the system."
"Agreed," Adam followed up.
"And so am I, surprising no one," Roman finished.
Bartholomew sighed, and returned his attention to his food. "I had a feeling. STRQ?"
"I'm… with you, man," Taiyang said softly, while keeping his eyes away from Johnathon. "Sorry."
"No offense taken," Johnathon offered. "Miss Rose?"
All eyes turned to Summer as she continued to mix her noodles silently. Taiyang leaned forward slightly upon the couch, his expression grim.
"I'm… in," Summer said hesitantly. "I'm in. I could use the practice, and I like the general idea… but I want the condition that on any job I take, it's for a good cause. People who can't afford an actual huntress, rather than people trying to cheat the system."
"And I'd like to make that very same offer," Willow volunteered. "I'll also work for free, and offer my share to my teammates."
Johnathon quirked a brow and offered the girls a solemn nod. "I'll keep that in mind, and those criteria are certainly workable. Thank you. And that just leaves you, Raven."
Raven cradled her head in her hands and kept her eyes down into her bowl of food as she sighed heavily. "Just… tell us what this job is. Count me in on a case-by-case basis, and I demand to have a spot on this one to make sure my dumbass brother isn't walking into something he can't see."
Johnathon allowed himself a self-assured smirk and nodded softly as he came to a stop. "Excellent. This first task is a rather simple one that could be undertaken Friday night, or any time over the weekend. I have a friend who contacts me regularly in need of a simple transport of a shipment of dust through grimm-infested woods. He's a local business owner named Leonardo Lionheart, and he's looking to transport some crystals to the border of Vale."
Author's Note:
What a week for writing. The end of Chasing Clarity will go up soon, and then we'll see a return to Journal of a Vacuan Vagabond.
-RD
