So a few weeks rolled by like that, Winter had me go to Atlas Academy daily to "shake the rust off"
More like beating me within an inch of my life. Which I would have enjoyed if it weren't for the fact that every time I tried to swing my sword I see Adam standing in front of me instead of her.
Other than that, apparently there's a gym in the Schnee manor that I've been taking advantage of and used a punching bag several times a day whenever I felt the need to punch Jacques across the face with a mighty left hook.
And during one of those times, Whitley called for me. "Achilles, what are you doing?"
I responded with "Nunya"
He curled an eyebrow as he asked "What's that?"
"Nunya business."
He glared at me for a moment before stating "Father wishes to see you… though I still can't understand why he wants you around here. After all, you hardly fit in here."
I rolled my eyes and walked up to him and told him "Probably just due to my name, which I don't even understand." Once I was right in front of him two thoughts occurred to me.
One was I was taller than he was.
The second was a question "Why have you been so hostile to me?"
He shrugged and glanced at his fingernails as he answered "I don't need to explain myself to hillbilly trash like you."
I want to punch him.
Do it.
No, stay out of this.
Do it.
Stop it with the Palpatine bit.
Hmph, you're no fun.
Only I get to do pop culture references.
I rolled my eyes at Whitley and shoved my way past him.
On my way to see Jacques I ran into Weiss and Klein who offered me hot chocolate.
And I'm not one to turn down free stuff.
… Surprised I've never been kidnapped or worse.
Weiss warned me about how annoyed Jacques was at Ironwood. Due to closing the borders and cutting off all trade.
And so with that warning in mind, I went into his office. "You needed me?" I asked.
Jacques looked up from his screen and smiled at me "Achilles. How are you doing?"
I shrugged.
He got up from his desk with two glasses in his hands. "Whisky?"
"Sure."
We then sat down across from each other with his coffee table separating us. And with that I asked "Why did you summon for me? I'm just a guest here."
Jacques placed his cup on a coaster as he explained. "Well, I've been letting you live here without rent for a good 5 months or so, and with the fundraiser coming up soon, I figured out a way for you to pay your part."
I raised my eyebrow at him.
He gestured with an open hand to the door as he continued "My beautiful daughter will be singing, and I figured that you and her would do a wonderful duet-"
"Ok lemme stop you right there Jacques." I interrupted. "My singing voice is about as appealing as a dying cat shoved into an active garbage truck. So unless you want people's eardrums to shatter and bleed. I suggest something different."
Jacques raised an eyebrow at me. Then he pulled out his scroll and showed me a video of my performance at the VYTAL festival. "Then what was this?" He asked.
I shrugged "That was me momentarily forgetting the crowd was there. Obviously if I had known someone would record it, I would have carried myself a little differently."
"You do realize that the VYTAL festival is a televised event right?" He asked.
… Fuck that's right, Port said as much. I can't believe I forgot that!
"Judging by your expression, I'd say you didn't know." He said as he swirled his glass. "Which tells me you have a certain… Flair for the dramatic. Correct?"
Welp… this is a problem.
He took a sip before continuing "So why not learn to sing while we're at it?"
"Uh… Because I don't want to?"
He then gestured to the door. "You may now leave, I expect you to practice until the event."
"Did you not hear me I said-"
Jacques cut me off "Good day Mr. Vermilion."
… Fuck my life…
With that I exited and headed down the hallway while Klein was keeping up with me. "What happened there Mr. Vermilion?"
"Achilles is fine." I told him. "I thought I'd made that clear by now. I don't care about formalities."
Klein nodded "Forgive me, it's a force of habit" He said with his eyes turning yellow. His sneezy personality.
I sighed "It's fine, anyways, what happened was Jacques wants to make the audience's ears bleed at his fundraiser apparently."
His eyes turned purple as he gave me a confused look.
"He wants me to do a duet with Weiss. Which I quite frankly think is a bad idea considering I don't sing."
"Why not?" Weiss asked. I guess she was somewhere behind me.
I turned to meet her and told her "The only singing I've ever done was with my mother in the car, and even then it was out of tune and not really giving a crap."
She tilted her head to the side as if she were thinking something before coming up with the idea: "Why not I teach you?"
"Bad idea, It'll only end in disaster." I told her.
She waved it off "How bad can your voice be?"
I glanced at Klein with a silent plea before Weiss dragged me off.
Meanwhile in Anima
{Aaron's perspective}
"We've been hiking… for months!" I yelled.
Yang rolled her eyes at me "Well it's not my fault Vomit Boy over there lost the map."
Jaune took offense to that and wanted to confront Yang, however, Pyrrha stopped him.
I sighed, "Well it can't be helped." I stood up from the tree stump that I had found. "Ruby should have been back by now.
Glancing back at Pyrrha, I may have gone a bit overboard on giving her leather armor. But I have no idea what has been going on for the past week and a half, but it feels like everything is trying to kill her. From falling branches to machinery malfunctions as if it were something out of Final Destination.
As for the armor, I chose to go for her aesthetic with a ton of protection to everything below the neck. She insisted on keeping her headpiece.
The armor was a standard leather cuirass, gloves with her signature gauntlets, and actual pants with her grieves. There were little bits of gold trim in the shape of a tree on the chest. Somehow we managed to find something not only in her size but still… accentuate some parts.
She kept her headpiece and kept her hair up like before. My guess is that she wanted to keep her combat prowess. Besides, I don't think she likes having her hair down in combat anyway.
A red sash decorated her hips. Which was a nice touch.
Jaune had a nosebleed when he first saw it. That told me all I needed to know about his preferences.
So we were making our way towards… somewhere. I think there's a village up ahead. Ruby's scouting ahead so she would know better.
And just as quickly as I thought that, Ruby returned "There's a village right behind me a few feet that way." She had found her volume 4 outfit in the previous village. She told me personally that she felt like she couldn't breathe in her old one. Especially in the chest area. Which is something I did not need to know.
I gave her a nod "Sounds like a good night to me."
I made some alterations to my old outfit. I had a new green leather jacket without the lightning dust in it. Apparently it could be used as an impromptu charger if push comes to shove.
Suffice to say but I don't feel like being a glorified charger.
I had attached several throwing knives to my belt and got myself some new black pants and a shirt.
We followed Ruby to the nice little village, though it feels different than the show. For one it seems like there's a crap ton more people here.
Second, the old man here seems… different? I don't know how else to describe it.
Third, The geography seems different, I remember in the show there was a forest. There is that here, but also a cliff at the edge of the village. I care not to see how far of a drop it was.
And finally, the atmosphere feels different here. As if the entire village was alert
The old man of the village greeted us, showed us where we're staying. Oddly enough there weren't enough rooms for all of us.
Before Ruby could make the idea of me and her sharing a room I told Yang to share a room with her sister. And I would take the couch.
I have no interest in trying to make a romcom. Poor Justin has sat through too many of them, and picked each one apart.
That night, I formed a group called Justin and Keoth.
Keoth picked up first Hello Aaron. He answered.
"Sup?"
Ah you know, training. Dunno why Justin's taking so long to answer.
"You know him. He's probably enjoying himself with Winter."
At that moment I got a text from him:
Sorry, can't talk now, Weiss is making me do singing lessons.
Then another text bubble popped up: Also fuck you, I have self control!
It's almost like he knew what I was saying. I texted back while Keoth asked Why are you cackling?
"Oh no reason." I answered as I hit send.
My reply was How do you know what I was talking about?
Justin responded Because I know you and Keoth are probably joking about me and Winter behind my back.
I responded Mommy waifu bitch.
He replied Take. That. Back.
Or what sub? Keoth replied.
Justin didn't respond. "As I thought." I commented.
Keoth laughed from the other end. Wait a minute… "How did you text that? Aren't you blind?"
Yeah but I'm using the microphone. Someone helped me set it up. Though it disables calls for a short period. Keoth explained.
"Huh… neat." I replied.
Yeah. Well anyway I need to go. Combat practice with Winter.
"Alright, make sure that she knows that Justin likes her."
Keoth laughed and said I'll try. Well that and I'll make sure Ironwood doesn't turn into a dictator.
Meanwhile in the Schnee Manor
{Justin/Achilles' perspective}
"Okay, let's get warmed up. Repeat after me." Weiss ordered.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Weiss, I'm warning you, I will shatter glass."
She gave me a sideways glance and told me "You're just simply afraid to sing. It can't be that bad."
And like that, she sealed her fate "Alright. Your ears' funeral."
Klein covered his ears preemptively. A good move.
And so I sang the warm-up alongside Weiss. Which went about as well as I expected. "Do re me fa so la ti DOH."
On that last one, the windows of the room formed cracks that looked like it was ready to shatter.
Weiss had her ears covered. She then remarked "Ok so it CAN be that bad. We could use that against the Grimm."
I shrugged at her "I tried to warn you."
"Well… you can sing a good bass voice… maybe you could sing a part of the chorus?"
"How about I don't sing at all." I offered.
She tilted her head to the side as if she was confused "Why don't you want to sing?"
I groaned as I rubbed my nose ridge "It's… complicated."
She approached me and assured me "If it's stage fright, I can understand that. Even though the VYTAL festival showed us your showmanship."
"It's… not entirely that." I answered.
"Then what is it?"
I took a deep breath before I explained "To avoid much trauma dumping, one year I wanted to sing for a talent show. And a group of boys told me that if I do I'd be an outcast. And so I didn't."
She put her hands at her hips with a glare "So you're letting the words of immature boys from years ago affect you?"
I nodded and glanced out the window. "Yeah that's the long and the short of it."
She grabbed my cheeks and forced me to look into her eyes. "Justin-"
"Achilles." I corrected her.
"Right… Achilles, You can't let that control you. Otherwise you could miss out on great opportunities." She said with such vigor I wonder if she's ever felt the same.
I get my head out of her grasp. "Fine, but it'll take a long ass time to actually get me to sing somewhat decently. I'm tone deaf."
She rolled her eyes and muttered "At least we have a month." She then glanced back at me and told me "Also please stop using so many expletives. It's very ungentleman of you."
I quirked an eyebrow at her "I'll fucking swear as much as I fucking want."
"Oh dear… this is gonna take a while." She muttered as she facepalmed.
Village in Anima the next day.
{Aaron's perspective}
Well… I can definitely say this village has its quirks. For one thing the villagers are armed to their teeth. Which makes sense due to Remnant being full of Grimm.
What I found didn't make sense was some sort of "curse" on the town that the townspeople were talking about. Something about the house on the far end with a hermit woman.
So I went to investigate. I know, it's usually how most people in horror movies die, but I brought backup just in case. I had Jaune and Pyrrha with me in case anything went awry.
And so we arrived. The house itself remained pretty well maintained for the most part aside from a few vines growing on the side.
Jaune took one look at it and asked "Are we sure what we're doing is worth it?"
I glanced back at him and answered "Yes. We need to see what this chica is about. Besides, I don't believe in curses."
Pyrrha and Jaune glanced at each other anxiously.
I groaned "Fine stay out here and watch the perimeter you pansies."
Jaune was about to retort before I cut him off "And no fucking. I need you both to be alert in case I do end up in danger."
Jaune did the second most unmanly scoff I've heard. "I would not do such a thing… Here at least."
I rolled my eyes at him "Just keep it in your pants. Both of you."
Pyrrha's face was bright red "What makes you think we'd do something like that?"
I deadpanned "Let's just say I know a couple who are constantly horny towards one another. To the point she gave "under the desk support" during one of our games."
And on that note, I went towards the suspiciously well kept house.
Once at the door, I knocked once.
No response.
I knocked again.
And again no response.
So I opened the door and cautiously entered the house.
I scanned the entryway with my gauntlets deployed.
The smell of freshly cooked food filled my nose.
So I crept towards the kitchen to see what was there.
On the dining room table was a simple meal of chicken, peas, and mashed potatoes.
I glanced around the room to see a few photos decorating the walls.
Some of which were some pictures of a boy who looked unnervingly like Justin.
So I could make a few guesses as to who this belongs to.
And as if God heard me, I heard humming getting closer.
And lacking a lot of places to hide I readied myself.
Rounding the corner with a glass of water was a woman who looked to be in her 30s with black hair and green eyes. She was wearing a tanktop and sweatpants so I guess she wasn't expecting company.
Could be that she gasped and dropped her glass as soon as she saw me but that might be unrelated.
I compacted Omega & Okada and held my hands up "Relax, I'm just here to investigate the rumors in the nearby village."
She rolled her eyes "Of course, no one ever comes here just to say "hello, how are you Victoria? Sorry what happened to your husband."
Her name is Victoria, good to know. "You're widowed?"
She crossed her arms at me with an eyebrow at me "No he went to get the milk. What do YOU think genius?"
"Ok, I'm sorry for asking the obvious." I need to de-escalate the situation before she grabs a shotgun or something. "You wouldn't happen to be a Vermilion would you?"
She scoffed "About the last one I guess. Well… before I realized my son was alive."
"So you saw the VYTAL festival?"
She nodded and gestured to me to sit down.
And I did. "So… Why are you living out here by yourself? Everyone in town thinks your some sort of witch or curse bearer."
"Ugh don't start. Everyone just wants to start drama down there." She deadpanned with her hand on her eyes. "Look I told them I just need somewhere to be for a little while. Then I'll be gone. And yet any attempts to move have been blocked."
I raised an eyebrow "Blocked? You mean they're not helping you?"
She shook her head "It was fine for a while until they learned my last name. Then they denied me service from food to clothing. My meal was made by my own hands. As for the clothes on my back… well I don't want to divulge that."
So my hunch was correct. This town was suspicious. Wonder if they're trying to keep her here for tourism? Probably not. I doubt "Scary witch" would look good on brochures.
She then looked around me and told me "You can tell your friends to come in here. I'm not that much of a threat."
I glanced behind me to see Jaune and Pyrrha having a conversation.
God… mother fucking damnit.
I pulled out my scroll and called Jaune.
Hey Aaron, is everything alri-
"WHAT DID I SAY?!"
Stop shouting! You're going to alert the Grimm!
"GOOD, MAYBE THAT WOULD GET YOUR BRAIN OUT OF YOUR DICK!"
HEY! We weren't doing anything but talking!
Pyrrha then asked Is he on speaker?
Jauned answered No…
I groaned "Just get your sorry asses in here. I met Achilles' mother."
Oh really? Why didn't you lead with that!
"Because you horny fucks need to have a clear head."
… We're coming in. Jaune deadpanned.
"You are way too loud" Said Victoria.
"Thanks." I deadpanned.
Soon Jaune, Pyrrha and I all sat at the dining room table. Veronica Vermillion has been telling us about people who've been hunting her.
"And you have reason to suspect they might be here tomorrow night?" I asked.
"Yes." She answered somberly "I am fully willing to defend myself."
Glancing at Pyrrha and Jaune, they looked like they were engaged in a silent conversation before returning their gaze to me "How about we help? We've dealt with these guys before anyway."
"You have? And you survived?" She asked with a surprised expression.
"Yeah? They were saying how the Vermillions needed to be purged or some shit." I recalled.
She rested her hand on her chin deep in thought before coming to a conclusion. "Alright, but I ask that you at least leave one alive."
I raised my eyebrow. "Why?"
She laced her fingers together as she explained "to send a message to their superior."
Jaune excused himself to call Ruby and let her know the plan
Pyrrha asked one last question "so… what do you want us to do?"
Victoria smiled "Oh I've got plans for all of you…"
Author's note:
Hey guys, so a quick little announcement. I'm going on a couple of weeks of hiatus. Some influential people in my life have unfortunately died. I need some time to properly mourn my losses. Idk when the next update will be, but this doesn't mean I'm done writing. Besides that, between work, my wedding to plan, and everything else going on in my life, it's been increasing my writer's block.
So yeah. It's been a rough couple of months. Until next time.
