Warning: Forced aphrodisiac use. Reader discretion advised.
{Aaron's perspective}
Dinner was nice. Victoria prepared a country style steak, mashed potatoes, and baked beans. It was very filling and deceivingly so. I was full after my seconds.
There were a lot of conversations happening at once. Jaune, Ren, and Nora all talking to each other about Pyrrha's condition, Yang and Ruby doing sisterly things. It was nice.
Victoria smiled at everyone having a good time.
"Reminds you of old times?" I asked.
She gave a slow nod. "Yeah… Especially those two. Reminds me of my daughter and son."
I glanced over at Yang teasing Ruby about something. Which ended with them laughing with each other.
"How was Filnwen anyway? If you don't mind me asking."
She took a deep breath with her eyes closed to gather her thoughts before answering "Filnwen reminded me a lot of myself. When I gave birth to her she looked almost exactly like me aside from the eyes, which were green. I never got a chance to tell her who her real father was… but something tells me she didn't want to. She was perfectly happy being a Vermillion."
I nodded along. It sounds like she was held in high regard. "And you wanted what you thought was best."
She sighed and stayed silent for a moment more before continuing "When she told me she wanted to be a huntress, at first I was against it. Afterall, huntsmen have a high mortality rate during training. And even worse when they graduate." She then shrugged "But she insisted "Mom I want to do this. I want to help people." She then chuckled "I suppose that I have a soft spot…"
I followed her gaze to the display that had Filnwen's broken weapon in a display case. There was a plaque underneath that displayed its name: Phoenix "I assume that was hers?"
Victoria gave a sad smile "Aetios made that for her 17th birthday. He spent days at the blacksmith to perfect that. He designed it to fit her exactly. When the blade is sheathed it can turn into an assault rifle. But it would need to revert into its sheath form in order to pull the blade out."
I gave a nod once more. "So… any idea what may have happened?"
She crossed her arms and glanced up at the ceiling as she told me "They say the grimm got to her… but the wounds were too neat when I saw them. Almost like blades hit her."
So she was murdered. Well there's one more thing to investigate about the Vermilions.
She sighed and put her fork down "I think I've had enough questions for the night. I'm going to lie down."
She first brought her empty plate to the sink before she walked upstairs.
Once Yang and I were done, we went back to work on Victoria's bike.
Turns out it was two different problems. One of which was definitely the warped cylinder wall. The other however was due to malrepair. Parts of the engine's cycling were damaged to the point it was inoperable. Honestly Justin might have a point wondering how it didn't blow up while she was riding it.
Luckily there were some spare parts nearby so Yang and I replaced them.
We gave it a test and it was perfect. The engine roared to life without any of the clunking. I shut off the bike and as I got off Yang and I gave each other a high five before heading back inside.
Victoria thanked us and told us to go wash up. So I let Yang have the first shower while I sat in the living room with everyone.
And the mood in the living room was a total shift from what I saw at dinner. Nobody was talking and morality seems to be down. Maybe I should sing something to bring it up… I've got an idea.
I started humming "If the heart is a lonely hunter, Then the mind is a loaded gun."
Everyone turned their heads to my voice as I continued to sing. Sometimes it begins to wonder. If the love you seek is on the run, all day you've been thinkin' 'bout the coming night. It's the only time you really fear."
Jaune, Ren and Nora approached the group with curiosity while Yang and Ruby were mesmerized by my singing. "It holds no tenderness
For you're alone in this wilderness. Hold on, never give up, never give in.
Stay young and believe in your chance to win.
Hold on, never give up, never give in.
Stay young and don't ever betray your dreams."
"And here I thought Weiss was the only singer." Yang noted.
I shrugged "Just seemed like everyone was a little down. So yeah…"
"What song is that?" Ruby asked.
"You wouldn't know it but it's called Hold on (Never Give Up, Never Give In)."
She seemed interested. "And who's the singer?"
"Steppen wolf and John Kay. But they're… rather underground. You probably never heard of them."
"Yep."
Jaune then added "I appreciate what you do for us."
I waved my hand dismissively "Anytime man. Right now seems rather stressful."
"And you know what a good remedy for stress is?" Victoria asked as she came in with a box full of movies "Movie night!"
"Where were you hiding all of that?" I asked.
"Doesn't matter. Here, have a pick." She glanced over at me "We have plenty from Quick and Angry to slice of lifes."
I forget sometimes we're in a show. All of that copyright infringement is a pain in the ass.
"So take your pick. I'm gonna go make some popcorn." Victoria then left the room leaving us to decide.
Yang came back down with some spare PJ's that Victoria let her borrow as Victoria went to go get popcorn. Ruby picked out a romantic comedy. Yang wanted to watch an action comedy.
They argued well throughout my shower. I could hear them over the water.
Eventually things quieted down as I made my way back downstairs
Ren ended up being a tiebreaker and had us watch a movie set during The Great War. Something along the lines of Saving Private Ryan.
And honestly it wasn't too bad. I mean sure it drew inspiration for what I personally watched back on Earth, but honestly I needed the nostalgia to distract me from all the shit I've had to endure.
I just hope Justin is doing fine with Jacques breathing down his neck about breeding Weiss.
{Justin/Achilles' perspective}
I took a walk through the manor for god knows what reason. I guess to clear my head? Or maybe just needed to exercise. Either way I was just minding my own business when I came across Whitley. "Hello Achilles." He greeted me condescendingly.
"What do you want?" I asked.
He pressed his fingers to his chest in offense. "I just wanted a friendly conversation with you. Am I not allowed?"
"You can but you don't." I deadpanned "Besides that, you hate my guts so what is there to talk about?"
He gestured towards the window as he stated "How about the weather? It's quite nice out tonight."
"It's too damn cold with the altitude we're at." I deadpanned.
I then walked around him to get away.
I then saw Jacques enter the kitchen.
Normally I mind my business but this time I couldn't help but be curious. "Whatcha doing there Jacques?"
He seemed to have jumped at my voice "Oh Achilles, you startled me. Please don't do that to my old heart."
I crossed my arms "Remind me that when you're on your deathbed."
He did not seem amused by my attempt at humor. "Anyway, I was just making sure dinner was prepared properly. After all, you are a growing man. And I'd hate for you to miss any calories."
Ok that is quite the sus thing to say "Um… thanks I guess?"
He then walked away before I could ask any further questions.
I just brushed it aside for the time being.
Eventually Klein found me and told me to meet Jacques and the others in the dining hall. And so I did. I sat at my spot to the right of Weiss. Jacques sat on his end, Whitley in his spot next to him because he can't think for himself.
Tonight was a standard steak, along with salad and one other thing I can't figure out. It's like Escargot with some sort of spice with it? Whatever it is, it tastes good enough to eat.
Though the steak did taste a bit funny, I checked for any salmonella and sure enough, it was well done all the way though. Made it dry as hell though, suits Jacques well.
Eventually the butlers came with glasses of water. As the butlers placed mine and Weiss' glasses next to us. And immediately I knew something was off.
Both of our glasses were cloudy whereas Whitley and Jacques were not.
Weiss didn't seem to notice and was about to take a sip when I stopped her by grabbing her wrist with my closest arm to her "Weiss wait, something's off."
She put it back down with confusion.
"Our glasses are cloudy. Could be some sort of poison or drug." I pointed out.
Jacques seemed surprised "Why, who would do such a thing?" he said as he put his hand on his chest. He then waved to the butlers to grab our glasses and bring them back. "It's a good thing you have such a sharp eye. We wouldn't want anything untoward to happen."
"... Right… That skill comes with working retail for 3 years." Somehow Jacques being caring is almost as unsettling as when Weiss smiles.
Jacques tilted his head inquisitively "You used to work Retail?"
"Yeah, we all start somewhere Jacques, unlike you who took shortcuts."
Weiss covered her mouth to try not to laugh as Jacques glared at me. "Well… good to know Achilles."
Maybe I've become paranoid from being here. Lord knows how much negativity is in this house.
And so I continued with my food.
Halfway though I started feeling weird. I brushed it aside as nothing but a common cold or maybe some other bug. However the more I ate the more I felt off. I was jittering a lot and could barely hold my fork still. And each of my breaths got heavier. So I excused myself and walked away.
The halls felt like they went on forever. I was getting dizzy. I could barely keep a straight line. And I felt very hot, it felt as though all of my blood was rushing to my groin. But that can't be right…
I eventually found myself in Weiss' room clenching my head. My body feels hotter and heavier.
Every muscle is screaming for something that I can't comprehend. Vertigo started setting in more as I lent against a nearby bookshelf. I closed my eyes in hopes that it would quell whatever is coming over me.
And that's when I heard Weiss' voice calling out to me. I opened my eyes to find she is no longer wearing the jacket that came with her outfit. And her necklace is nowhere in sight either.
She seemed to be breathing heavily as she wrapped her arms around herself. The look in her eyes made me think she feels the same way "I feel… cold…" She told me.
My body started moving on its own. First by wrapping my arms around Weiss' midsection. And slowly… slowly moving down.
Wait… what am I doing?
… No! Stop!
Why is my body not responding?
What's going on with me?!
NO! I can't control myself!
Someone stop us! PLEASE!
…
NO STOP MOVING THAT ZIPPER!
…
STOP MOVING YOUR HANDS DOWN HER BODY!
…
…stop…
…
… God please forgive me for the sin I've now committed…
… And I hope Jocelyn can forgive whatever came over me….
The next morning rolled around as I sat at the end of Weiss' bed with my pants on. My head buried in my hands in shame.
Weiss woke up with a yawn before greeting me "Good morning Ach-"
She must have realized she was naked… I heard the shuffling of her covers. "What happened last night?!" She shrieked.
I dropped my arms and answered. "I don't know… I was conscious of all of it. And I couldn't stop myself…" I then picked my head up and started thinking.
Earlier that day Jacques did go into the kitchen when I was passing by. His excuse was that he was checking on the cooks and making sure the proper preparations were made… But would he drug his own daughter?
I doubt even he would stoop that low.
Regardless, I have to confirm this myself.
I put my black wife beater on and marched out of Weiss' room despite her protests.
I then marched through the hall when a butler was unfortunate to come across my path "Oh good morn-ING!"
"Jacques. Where. Now!" I demanded.
"IN HIS OFFICE, PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" the butler shouted.
I put him down and marched towards Jacque's office.
I passed by Whitley who was about to talk down to me when I shoved past him while I yelled "MOVE MINI JACQUES."
I got to his office and kicked his door open "Care to explain what you did to me and Weiss last night!?"
Jacques put his hands together with a sigh "Good morning to you too Achilles. I have no idea what you're accusing me of."
I slammed my metallic hand onto his desk cracking it as I yelled "DON'T YOU PLAY THAT CARD WITH ME! You were in the kitchen before dinner last night! And only you and the staff are allowed access to the kitchen despite me wandering in there from time to time."
Jacques gave me a stern look as he reiterated "Like I said, I have no idea what you're accusing me of. And if I were you, I'd be careful with that temper boy. Otherwise I'd have to report you to the authorities for raping my daughter Weiss."
That made my heart sink into my stomach. "You wouldn't…"
He leaned back in his seat with his palms facing the sky and replied "I care for my daughters after all, and if it turns out the Vermilions are nothing but a bunch of scoundrels like they say… Well, even Ironwood doesn't take too kindly to rapists."
I backed myself away with my fist clenched without another word.
"Good boy… Now then, get out, and shut the door on your way out. You're lucky I have so much patience."
And so I exited and shut the damned door.
I then started walking towards the garden to where I assumed Willow was located since that seems to be her hang out spot.
And sure enough, when I got there Willow was there drinking her sorrows away like always.
But I have no time to sugarcoat things. I need that footage. "Willow, I need your recordings from last night."
She gave me a puzzled look. "What recordings-?"
"You planted hidden cameras all over the manor did you not? I need the ones from the kitchen." I deadpanned.
"How could you possibly know-?"
"Not important right now. Just let me have the recordings."
Her face went from puzzled to angry. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but I certainly do not have any sort of "recordings" you speak of."
"Willow this is a matter of making sure my reputation doesn't diminish to being the shit someone scraped off their boot." I gave a quick agitated sigh "Look just hand me your scroll."
"No!"
"Just give me your scroll! No one has to get hurt!"
She got up and yelled "Are you insinuating you will hurt me?! LEAVE ME ALONE!" And ran out of the garden.
Great… My only lead now is running from me.
"Good job." Whitley's voice rang out "You chased my mother out from her drinking place."
I glared at him "Did you know any of this was going to happen?" I asked.
He raised and lowered his shoulders. "If I did know, I wouldn't be trailing you would I?"
I gave another agitated groan "Just leave me alone Shitley. You're no help at all."
I then marched away.
I found myself by the Schnee statue again where Weiss was wearing her nightgown with her hair still down from last night. Her back was turned to me with her arms crossed.
I joined her side.
But I could not find the strength to stand beside her, so I sat down at the base of the statue.
Weiss finally broke the silence between us "What are we going to do?" She asked as her eyes drifted towards me.
I looked towards the rising sun. And after a moment of thinking and rubbing my beard I replied "I have no idea."
I then heard Jocelyn's footsteps from the top of the statue.
Weiss glanced up in shock. "What are you doing here?!" She yelled.
I glanced up at Jocelyn who did not respond. And she looks pissed.
Aw shit…
I jumped up and put my arm in front of Weiss while I raised my hand against Jocelyn.
"Look if this is about what we did last night… I had no control and neither did he!" Weiss yelled whilst pointing at me.
"Gee, thanks Weiss. I was hoping for a few more scars." I quietly but sarcastically replied.
"Be quiet Schnee." Jocelyn demanded as she jumped down. After landing she deployed Rose Thorns into their blade form.
Weiss summoned her Arma Gigis with what I assumed was malicious intent.
I darted my head between the both of them as I tried to explain to Jocelyn "Honey it's not what it looks like, I don't know if you saw last night but I can explain-"
"Really?" Jocelyn angrily replied "Cause it looks like my fiance laid with the Schnee heiress."
"We had no control!" Weiss yelled.
Jocelyn scoffed "Yeah right. Looks like you finally got your wish."
"Rose, she's telling the truth." I confirmed. "Someone slipped an aphrodisiac in mine and Weiss' food I think. I spotted our waters contaminated with some sort of cloudy substance."
She knows I don't lie to her. I hope she can believe me.
We locked eyes for what felt like eternity as I silently pleaded for her to believe me. Eventually softened her expression slightly. A good sign.
"And besides that, what are you doing here?!" Weiss yelled "Trying to finish him off?"
I darted my head back to Weiss. "Actually no…" I glanced back at Jocelyn for a moment before turning my attention back to Weiss "I think it's time you knew the truth."
Weiss raised an eyebrow.
I turned to Jocelyn who seemed to be silently asking Should we tell her everything?
I turned back to Weiss once more with my arms down "Rose here never turned coat. She's… been spying for me to let me know what our enemy is doing." I told Weiss.
Weiss seemed confused "But who is "your enemy" ?''
"That we can't tell you." Jocelyn replied with a softer expression. "I wish we could, but right now isn't a good time."
Weiss rolled her eyes "Of course it isn't." She then paused for a moment before darting her head back at me. "Wait… is this who you've been talking to this whole time?! The windows that shattered, that all of that was you?" Weiss asked Jocelyn.
Joce shrugged, "He had it coming."
Weiss looked like she was about to argue but it was replaced by a defeated sigh "Nevermind."
I took my seat back on the foot of the statue as I told her "Now Weiss, you cannot tell anyone what you saw here. It's gonna look bad no matter how you spin it."
Weiss crossed her arms.
I rolled my eyes "What will it take to buy your silence?"
"Nothing. I just think it's a bad idea." Weiss retorted.
I crossed my arms at her "And what is your suggestion?"
She stayed silent with her arms also crossed
"That's what I thought." I sassed.
{Blake's perspective}
So far, everything's been smooth sailing. Not much happened on this trip aside from the feeling of someone watching me.
I don't know if it's on the ship or from the water but I feel as though there's a gaze on me at all times.
The captain talked with me for a bit telling me that it gets lonely on these trips without someone by my side, I told him sometimes it's better for people to be alone.
Eventually the ship reached the rockfield that borders Menagerie. I was about to confront whoever was following me when we were attacked by a Sea Feilong.
The captain ordered the cannon to be readied as I charged at it. Jumping on its back and stabbing at its back with Gambol Shroud to no avail.
I was launched and hurdled towards a rock when someone caught me.
When I glanced at the person who caught me, it was no other than Sun Wukong. He gave me a dorky smile.
"What are you doing?!" I yelled
"Oh you know… hanging out!" He replied.
Sun managed to wrestle the grimm away from the ship and towards the rocks.
Of course he was bucked off making me have to save him.
And what was his response? "My hero!" He joked with his fingertips on his chest
I tossed him off to the side. As much as I want to berate him, there are other matters that are more urgent. And I can't deal with this grimm on my own. "First the grimm, then we'll talk."
Sun shrugged as he took his weapon out "Of course Blake. Looks like you could use all the help you can get."
I groaned out of annoyance.
We then ran towards the grimm that was attacking the ship. Sun somehow managed to deflect its breath attack as I ran towards its hide.
My blade glanced off of its thick skin.
I used my semblance to bring me back to where beforeThat's when I heard something behind me, I turned to look and saw the Sea Feilong grow wings
It then threw me back onto the bow of the ship where Sun was. I landed on my feet as I stared up at it.
The captain then called out to us "If you can clip its wings and bring it towards the bow, we can take it!"
Sun and I nodded. He used his semblance to catapult me towards the Sea Feilong
As I was in freefall, I noticed something in the water.
Two amber lights that seemed to be glowing. And it seemed to be heading towards me and the Grimm.
I landed on the back of the Sea Feilong and clipped one of its wings.I landed on a rock and was about to go for the other, a blue dragon that looked almost exactly the same as the Sea Feilong emerged from the water and clamped the neck of the Sea Feilong with its teeth. Before dragging it down into the depths. We saw moments of the Sea Feilong's breath attack as it briefly flashed underwater before they eventually stopped.
As I inched towards the water to inspect it, the blue dragon emerged once again with its head towards the sky before lowering it to turn to me.
I readied my weapon in case it might attack.
The captain ordered "Train the heavy cannon on that thing."
It glanced at the ship and said "You would train your weapon on your savior?"
I heard Sun from the boat ask. "Did it just… talk?"
The dragon groaned as it opened its claws "Mortals in this world are primitive."
The dragon then laid its claws down.
I glanced up at it.
I am placing you on that ship of yours It assured.
So I climbed onto its claw and it brought me over to the ship and put me near the railing on the bow.
I climbed over as the Dragon pulled its claws away.
It then raised itself up and dove down on top of us. As it dove onto the ship, the dragon turned into water as the head hit the deck. Once the water displaced, a man standing 6 feet with a blue version of the stranger in red's coat I saw at Beacon stood with brown slicked back hair and a blue mask that covered his eyes.
He kept his arms behind his back which made it seem like he had no weapons but we can't be too sure.
He gave off a groan as he asked "Can you please sheathe your weapons, I only wish to talk."
I kept Gambol Shroud level at the azure stranger as I asked "About what exactly? Who are you?"
"Classified, for several reasons." the stranger explained as he paced around us. "As for the other, well my teammate had asked me to "keep it on the down low" as he puts it. But seeing as he made that spectacle at that school of yours I saw no reason to listen to his hypocrisy."
Sun glanced at me with confusion written all over his face "Wait does he mean that guy in red?"
The stranger nodded "Of course I mean that hot head. Most of his solutions involve him ramming his face into a brick wall… Metaphorically speaking of course."
Sun and I glanced at each other with not much to really ask. But with confusion still in the air.
The captain came out and told the stranger "Well regardless of who you're affiliated with, we thank you for saving us. But we still have no idea who you are. For all we know you could still bring this ship and everyone in it harm."
The azure stranger glanced over at the captain and simply said "If I had any intention to kill anyone on this boat, I'd have already done it.".
The captain cautiously glanced at us.
Before any of us could speak the stranger told us "I can make sure you can get to where you need to be. Safe passage and all of that. In exchange, I will come with you to your destination… Blake Belladonna and Sun Wukong."
Sun raised his weapon as he asked "Ok bud, how do you know our names?"
He shrugged "It is not very important right now. To ease any tension, I will tell you my name."
He gave a polite bow as he introduced himself "My name is Triton Thálassa the second. Codename Azure. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
I glanced over at Sun for a moment.
He whispered to me "Blake, this is a bad idea. He knows our names!"He urged.
"Maybe, but we don't know his intentions either." I whispered back.
"Well we definitely can't trust him. I mean look at him!" Sun gestured to Triton "Dude just screams I'm suspicious!"
I looked back at him and told him "If I agree, what are you offering?"
He extended his right hand towards me and answered "Whatever you need done, I am here to help out."
"Help out how?" Sun asked.
Triton sighed "Perhaps I need to be more specific. So how about I word it like this: If you have any enemies that need to be dealt with, or if you're in need of any sort of item, I will grab it for you. All I ask in return is trust."
"Trust is earned" I belted out.
Triton nodded "True, and I hope to earn yours."
Everything about this situation is bad. This man was a dragon, he knows me and Sun by name, Not to mention that he has an odd speech pattern.
But… I'd rather not have a man like this as my enemy. So I sheathed Gambol Shroud and told him "Alright, I guess I'll take up your offer."
Sun made a confused noise as Triton walked up to me as he nodded. He then put his hand out and said "Let's shake on it then."
Hesitantly I reached out for his hand and shook it. Some sort of symbol that looked like a sea appeared briefly over our hands.
"And like that, a deal is made." Triton proclaimed.
I looked at the back of my hand and saw that same symbol on the back of my hand before it vanished in a blue light.
I darted my hand back at Triton and asked "What deal?"
He smiled and answered "A deal that is one of a kind."
Sun and I glanced at each other in confusion as he walked to the bow of the ship again.
"So…" Sun said as he relaxed his weapon. "What the hell just happened?"
I glanced down at the back of my right hand again. Whatever that symbol was, it seemed as though it's not from Remnant. So what is he? And more importantly, why is he here?
The ship started to move towards Menagerie as Triton put a leg up on the bow of the ship with his arm on his knee. He stared intently at the horizon.
He then told me "Go rest Ms Belladonna, you need it."
"That's the other thing. How do you know mine and Sun's names? Or is that also classified?"
"I looked through your school files, or what was left of them, before I made my way here." Triton said without hesitation.
"You what?!" I yelped.
Triton looked back at me and asked "Did you think your school files were private? They are basically public information."
"Well no but… Still, that's-"
"An invasion of privacy, etcetera etcetera. Look, you can either continue to yell at me, or take the rest you deserve." He ordered.
"But-"
"The ship won't get attacked again, I'll guarantee it. Now go." he ordered once more.
After a moment of intense staring between us, I soon left him alone. I don't know how he intends to defend the ship. And I still can't shake the feeling that something's off about him. What is he hiding?
