Shade's New Blood – Chapter #06
Maron diligently scribbled notes down as the professor, standing at the center of the classroom's rings of desks, went on with the lesson of the day. She was still a student, and today, she was trapped in a rather tight classroom with almost a dozen other teams. The room was painfully stale to look at with plain walls—a trademark of Shade it would seem—and its design was rather counter-productive considering how condense the rest of the school was put together: that being to conserve much needed space. Yet, she wasn't an architect, nor did she really care much to learn 'why' Shade does the things it does.
The lecture itself wasn't particularly interesting, it was mostly about the four kingdoms' habitats and the Grimm that resided within them, and while a couple of her classmates were struggling to stay awake, Maron took a bit of pride in seeing that she was not one of them. However, like the others, she too would have much preferred practicing and learning to fight the Grimm, or at least learn how to correctly counter them, or learn about their weaknesses. Regardless, Maron would have to make the most of the lesson, even if she believed she would never encounter certain Grimm species for one reason or another. Though, one could never be too careful, she supposed.
The professor read aloud from a plain, old, and a bit worn textbook, occasionally quizzing the students on locations and prominent Grimm from said areas. The more eager, ambitious among them were more than happy to speak up for the rest of the class who waited for class to end, but there was one other student who just had to have her own idea…
"Hey. Maron." Toma whispered from the adjacent seat, calling on the girl whenever the professor's back was turned. Maron tried to ignore her, doing her best to suggest to Toma to 'save it for later' through subtle gestures. Unfortunately, the brunette simply wouldn't let up, "We need to talk, it's about us, and about 'you know who'."
With her hints having gone over Toma's head, Maron begrudgingly turned to speak to her, "Is now the time? And I already told you: I want no part of it." She told her, returning her eyes forward and refocusing on the lecture at hand.
"I know, but it's important." Toma continued. She tried to be as vague as possible as to not catch the attention of Shae and Trya who were sat nearby. The other two girls paid no attention, taking notes on the lecture ahead of them just like most of the other students. "It's not about the training or anything, it's about… something else." Toma replied, stopping for a moment to act like she was doing her work when the professor was facing their way. Once she was in the clear again, Toma continued her whispers to Maron, "We're still a team, and I wanted to bring it up to you first."
"Oh, so now we're a team?" Maron shot back a mean look, but still pushing her voice down to a whisper, "You weren't so quick on the 'group discussion' back then."
"Hey, I gave you my own reasons!"
"Because 'that' changes everything…" Maron ended in a sarcastic tone and sat back in her chair just in time for a third party to clear their throat and catch the attention of the two girls.
"Is there something you two would like to add to today's lesson?" A displeased professor questioned. There were a handful of other students who looked over with the faintest semblance of interest, but a single, smug-looking team leader from LPIS couldn't help but give an amused 'heh'.
Ignoring the rest of the classroom, Maron let out a frustrated sigh while Toma gave a nervous laugh. Both girls returned to their silence with a small apology for their interruption. However, the two weren't going to be let off so easily without a little scolding after class…
Not long later, class would come to an end. Shae and Trya sat on a bench right outside the classroom with their backs to the wall, patiently waiting for their fellow two teammates and chatting between themselves about their lessons and other school-related topics to pass the time. The halls were filled with a bit of a yellow-white glow to them from the sun shining into the school. The population of students had started to thin with most having called it a day and either ventured out in the city, or resided themselves to their dorms, or another facility the academy offered that wasn't a classroom.
"We should study together some time, just you and I." Shae suggested to the wolf-eared faunus girl next to her. She wanted something to do with Trya, something that didn't involve having to drag herself out to the city, so, studying was a nice middle-ground and excuse to get to know the other girl a little better. "Personally, I'm having a bit of trouble just remembering the names of all the Grimm species as is," Shae admitted her difficulties, "But now we have to learn all about their habitats too? Give me a break…"
"I-I'm not sure." Trya shyly replied, "Th-There's probably someone else better suited to help you than me anyways…" Her ears lowered as her fingers danced around each other nervously.
"Nonsense!" Shae reassured, lightly tapping the girl's shoulder with her fist, "You're the only one on this team with consistently high marks, and I don't know anyone else that can rival how much you know." She complimented before moving on, "Look, I really need your help here." Shae half-lied. She did need help in her studies, but right now she was looking more to cheer the other girl up. "And hey, it isn't hard to see that you, uh, aren't the strongest fighter—often." Shae said, but quickly shifting gears to the previous suggestion, "So, why don't we help each other out? We can make a day out of some light sparring if you're up for it." Shae finished.
Trya was unsure, her ears still flattened and now with her head hanging a little lower as she fidgeted with her thumbs and let out a little whimper upon remembering her 'strength'. Before she could answer though, the two girls heard a rise in the professor's muffled voice from inside the classroom.
"Someone's stirring trouble." Shae commented, taking a guess that Maron probably said something that she shouldn't have. Seconds later, the door clicked open with Maron angrily shoving it aside with an apologetic Toma in tow.
"I know it's been quite the It's been a rough day, 'fessor! Sorry for the this! Lovely lecture and all that! See you next time!" Toma spoke over her instructor who was still inside, doing her best to move along and get on with her day
"What was that all about?" Shae asked.
"'Your team may have passed initiation, but with your scores, strength, and cohesion, I cannot for the life of me imagine how.'" Toma quoted after shutting the door behind them, "Among other things she said." She added. "So," She looked to a livid Maron, "Sorry about that…"
"You couldn't have just waited until after class?" Maron questioned the other girl.
"M-Maybe?" Admitted Toma, "But, I didn't want to forget."
"Yeah? Well thanks for that then."
"I get it, I get it. My fault." Toma started, "How about I make it up to you somehow? I know a good burger joint out in the city, and another place with great drinks! We can make a night of it." She offered.
"Really? Seems like a bit of a simple gesture if you ask me." Maron gave a flat frown.
"Hey, don't look at me like that!" Toma put up a pair of open hands, "I don't exactly know what you like, and, to be fair, you don't exactly make it easy to find out so… think of it more like a 'safe choice'." She finished.
Maron crossed her arms and sighed, finding no point in continuing the argument anymore. "Fine, whatever, Shae, Trya, you coming along?" She turned to ask the other two girls, "Toma says she's footing the whole bill."
"W-Wait, not that I wouldn't but I—" Toma tried to reply before being spoken over by Shae.
"Sure, Trya and I could go for something new." She caught and played along with Maron's idea, "The school's food sometimes gets a bit bland and boring." She let out with a tiny smirk to her lips.
"I-I'm not sure I have enough—" Toma was cut off again, this time by Maron.
"Sounds wonderful!" She put up an obviously fake smile, "It'll be fun with the four of us. 'Thank you' for your generosity, Toma." Maron finished.
"Fine, dammit!" A defeated Toma surrendered, "I'll pay…" She said, earning a brighter—but still forced—smile from Maron.
- - o - -
The day was starting to reach near its end, but even so, there was still a small window of daylight left hanging over the city of Vacuo. The girls of MTST, walking along the rough and slightly uneven stone paths, wandered one of Vacuo's entertainment districts after having their quick, but filling, meal together.
The streets around them were lined with many more restaurants, clubs, bars, a couple shops, and plenty more forms of entertainment for the city's inhabitants to enjoy. All of said businesses were starting to prepare themselves to stay open for the busier 'night-time crowd', people who were eager to cool off from a hot day, to take a break and relax, to forgo their daytime responsibilities for a couple of hours.
"Well, there goes my personal budget for the week." Toma noted a bit somberly, "Maron, would it have killed you to not purposefully order the most expensive thing on the menu?" She glanced over to the smug girl.
"What can I say?" Maron started, still looking a bit satisfied, "I don't get to enjoy being treated—often." She was quick to add, "So I might as well take advantage of it when I can." She answered.
"I think I can agree with her on that." Shae chimed in, resting her arm on Toma's shoulder with a smirk of her own, "And what can be better than a 'nice get together' between us girls?" She teased, using Toma's own words, from not too long ago, against her.
"I hate ya'll." Toma stifled a smile.
"S-Sorry to impose!" Trya suddenly blurted out from the side of the group, as if she had been the one spoken to directly, "B-But thank you… for tonight." She said, shyly twirling a finger through her messy, grey locks while unable to stop herself from forming a soft smile with her gentle blue eyes trying to avoid being seen.
Seeing that smile from Trya chiseled away at Toma's irritation, now she started to think that maybe a little indulgence was well worth the cost for tonight. "Ah, well, uh," She stammered, "I-It's no problem at all!" She said, then quickly changed subjects, "A-Anyways, I know I just said that I didn't have the money, buuut… I want to visit one last place before we end today!" She said excitedly, to which the others were content to accept.
By now the sun had started to hide itself behind the walls of the city, the tiniest rays of its light that remained casting long shadows over the maze of buildings, and the streets of the entertainment district, lined with business and shops galore, started to show more signs of life that they had during the day. Lights started to flicker on one after the other, each sign and store flashing bright whites, pretty neon lights, and other eye-catching colors, all presented in various patterns for potential customers to see with the hopes of luring them inside and separating them from their hard-earned Lien. While the rest of the city was ready for sleep, the entertainment districts eagerly awaited the night-owls and party-goers of the kingdom. From food and entertainment to alcohol and gambling, Vacuo's real night-life was starting to awaken once more.
Before long, Toma spotted the string of clubs that she found familiar and all put picked up her pace. However, for Trya, despite finding comfort in staying close to the others, she could feel her heart slightly race at the realization where they were being taken. Fortunately, her legs kept her close behind the others girls in spite of her sudden fear, but that didn't stop her obvious discomfort from being seen by Shae.
While Maron and Toma made idle chatter, Shae fell back to speak with the faunus, "Hey, something up?" She asked worriedly.
"O-Oh, n- just a little tired." She half-lied, "I might just… head home for the night." She said, grabbing her upper arm and dodging Shae's curious gaze.
"Hmm." Shae thought to herself for a moment before turning to the others, "Toma, Maron," She called, "I'm feeling a little too tired and before I call it a night, I want to get some studying in, and maybe a bit of personal training while I'm at it." She explained, subtly prompting Trya to answer for herself as well.
"I-I could use some help with sparring too." Trya joined in, "I'm not… doing so great there…"
"Hey, I can help with that!" Toma lit up, looking forward to working with the shorter girl only to be turned down.
"I-It's alright!" Trya declined, "I-I don't want to keep you from your night. M-Maybe next time?" She nervously suggested.
"Oh, ok." Toma said with disappointment, prompting another 'sorry' from Trya.
"Why don't you plan our next night out, Toma?" Shae replied, not letting the mood turn cold because of her, "I'm sure it'll be much better when we're on break from classes, and when we have nothing else to worry about."
"Yeah, that sounds good." Toma brightened up a bit, "But I'm not paying for everyone next time!" She pointed to the two.
"Right, right, that's fine. Take care and shoot a text when you're on your way back." Shae finished. Saying their farewells, Trya followed after a departing Shae, making way for the comforts of their new home while Maron and Toma marched on to enjoy the rest of their night.
The two remaining girls continued to look around and take in the sights until Maron thought she saw a recognizable face strolling side-by-side with someone new. Their two pairs of eyes met and the other pair of girls closed in on Maron and Toma. 'Aw, great.' Maron thought as she saw who it was.
"Maron? Oh, hey! Maron!" It was Viri. She wore a bright smile and gave a friendly wave to the two students as she approached them. The quiet girl next to her seemed to be wearing a matching outfit, except that it was lime-green in color instead of Viri's aqua-green. "Nice to finally catch you around here at last! And this must be?" She turned to Toma.
"Toma, friend of hers." Toma quickly but politely introduced herself as Viri then gave a quick glance to Maron, "We were out with our team, but the other two members just went home early." She explained.
"That's too bad, but at least it's nice to finally meet one of you!" Viri kept up her optimistic tone.
"'Finally'?"
"Oh yes." She said, "Maron has told me just a bit about your little group. Speaking of which, Maron, this is my sister whom I've told you about—Lyma." She introduced her sister who gave a quick and to-the-point 'hello'. Outside the obvious, the two were quite similar in appearance save a few small details, but the biggest differences were Lyma's shorter hair being tied in a bun and, of course, her lime-colored eyes.
'Fitting name.' Maron thought.
"So, do you two know each other or…?" Toma asked Maron.
"Not exactly." Came Maron's reply.
Viri answered too, though she more willing to fill in on the details, "We only met not long ago while out at one of the parks." She chuckled, "When we first met, she was quite closed off then."
"Tell me about it." Toma added with a chuckle of her own.
"Anyways." Maron spoke loudly, giving her teammate a little glance before returning her attention to Viri, "What brings you around here?"
"Just work." Viri answered, "We just finished our main performances, so now, we're headed home."
"Hey, if you're free, you can join us for the night!" Toma suggested to the two.
"Sorry, we'd love to, but we can't." Viri clapped her hands together and apologized, "I have to help one of my girls prepare for a little night-time showing tomorrow thanks to a few 'eager' patrons, and I want to make sure things go absolutely perfectly for our little group. So, dealing with them means that means tomorrow is going to be a very busy day for us!"
"Oh, well uh, what kind of work is it?" Toma raised a brow in curiosity.
"Right, good time as any to advertise, but I'll have to keep it brief." Viri began, "We do performance arts! Acrobatics, dance, stunts, that kind of stuff. It may not be much, but aside from a few 'hiccups'—like the one I've just mentioned—here and there, our little troupe's business is coming along swimmingly!" She said with outstretched arms and a joyful smile.
"Huh, that's a bit more mundane than I was expecting. It's certainly a first I've heard for Vacuo." Toma commented.
"Well, it's what you make of it!" Lyma gave a cheerful smile.
"Yeah, and this place is a bit… different from back home, but 'some businesses will always have patrons' as they say." Viri added with a bit of a smirk at the corner of her lip.
"You make that up too?" Maron crossed her arms and questioned.
"Yep!" Viri confirmed with cheerful smile of her own. "Well, that's about all the time I can spare. You have anything to add, sis?"
"Mmm, not really." Lyma shrugged, "Though…" Toma caught Lyma looking her up and down and shifted her hip a little to one side, "I'd have figure all of you students to be a bit more… 'brash'." She began, interested lime eye met confident mahogany, both owners exchanging a subtle smirk as if silently taking notes of the other, "Or arrogant, that academy seems to have quite the number of those types, but sometimes it's good to be wrong."
"Yeah, I'm sure I can think of a few problem students…" Toma eyes looking away with an accompanying frown of disappointment and shame by association. Her mind was quick to bring up a couple names and faces out of those she had personally run across and so far, Lyma wasn't exactly wrong on her assumption.
"Alright, we better get going, but nice see you again, Maron." Viri said, "And meeting such a kind member of your team." She said while looking to Toma, "Good chance we'll be around here if you're looking for a longer chat next time." She saluted with two fingers, "Later!" Lyma mimicked her sister's gesture then followed after her, both disappearing into the growing crowd together as Toma and Maron watched on.
"Huh, you seem to meet all sorts of people on your little 'walks'." Toma teased.
"Stop that." Maron gave her an unamused look, "But let's hope it doesn't become a regular recurrence. We've already got enough on our plate as is. Let's just hurry along."
"In a rush?" Toma asked, "The night's still young!"
"No, but the sooner we get there—to your club or whatever—the less people we'll have to wait on to get inside." Maron reminded.
"Right. That's a good point."
It took about a good ten-minute walk thanks to the growing crowd, but before long, the two girls stood before the entrance of a relatively 'humble' looking club-front. 'Tempest' Maron read the club's sign which, unlike the buildings next to it, opted out of the fancy patterns and flashing lights in exchange for a design that was plain in looks, and simple in appearance. However, judging by the noise inside, it must have been anything but 'humble'.
"Ah, and her we are!" Toma said, mostly to herself, before heading inside with Maron right behind her.
Luck had favored them, and in minutes they were seated at a table which was built into the walls of the club, each table and its accompanying booths separated by full walls on either side to separate them from the other tables. The loud, music-filled interior was hued with cool-colored lighting, blues, purples, and greens being the most prominent, and dancing around the floor and up the walls along with the patrons, but it wasn't shy to brighten up the floor every now and then with warm, flashing yellows, oranges, and reds. The heavy beats from the music, blaring from the sound amps both on stage and hanging up high was more tolerable than one would expect. It still took a bit of a raised voice to hold a conversation, but never forcing a yell. Toma had already put in orders both for herself and for Maron, as it was the other girl's first time here, and all they had to do now was sit back, relax, and wait for their drinks to arrive.
"Aaah," Toma let out, sinking back into her seat and taking in the up-beat atmosphere with closed eyes and a content smile on her face, "Always like I remember it." She spoke to herself.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Maron questioned, sitting crossed legged as she looked to her relaxed teammate across the table.
Toma's head slowly, lazily drifted side to side as she was distracted by the music and mood. It wasn't until another prompt form Maron that her attention returned to her friend, "Hmm?"
"Remember? Back at class?" Maron reminded her, "I thought it was supposed to be important."
"Meh, why don't we relax a bit? We came here to unwind, so, why don't we leave the problems at the door for a little while longer?" Toma requested, "I don't want to spoil the mood right now."
"Really? Even though you said it was important." Maron pointed at the girl before letting out a sigh of frustration. She wasn't sure why she didn't expect this, though, admittedly, there was still the stresses of classes and the lingering presence of Flaye that plagued her mind. It just kept building up. Maybe… Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take but a moment to... No. Not yet. Not entirely at least. Not while there was work and improvement needing to be done. Regardless, she wasn't willing to spoil the mood herself, "Why don't we make it quick then? Get it out of the way so the rest of the night can be free?" Maron offered, hoping to meet the other girl half-way.
Toma dropped into a frown and slumped herself forward. She was willing to accept, but took a moment to collect her thoughts. "It's about Flaye." She started, "About her training, about us… I didn't bother bringing it up to the others to avoid putting more pressure on them."
"But you're fine with me?" Maron questioned, "So what? Now, you don't trust her?"
Toma furrowed her brows, "Hey, you didn't want to be part of the group." She retorted, "And what's with you?"
"About what?"
"About those little 'issues' of yours." Toma rested an arm on the table with a bit of stern look on her face, "Even back during initiation, you've always been like this. I can tolerate it—mostly—but I can't stop asking myself why I do so. Why bother putting up with it? Why are you the way you are?"
"Hey, this wasn't supposed to be about me!" Maron pointed, the conversation coming to an abrupt halt as their waitress arrived to deliver their drinks, then moving on to her next table.
"Then why don't we have a little proposal?" Toma offered, lying back in her seat again, "I'll continue what I was going on about, if you open up that prickly shell of yours just a little."
"Can't say it's much of a fair offer." Maron remarked with an annoyed frown.
"It's is a two-way street, Maron. So why don't you take the first step this time?"
Maron stayed quiet, thinking of her next move. How long had it been since she got to let her guard down? Toma's offer was simple, but how much was Maron willing to let on? That was the question. While Toma sat silently with her drink in hand, Maron thought it over again and again. Her tough façade of an expression started to crack as she gave in with a heavy sigh. She'd only give Toma enough to satisfy her curiosity, but nothing more. "Because I lost a lot of things in my life. You know, I used to believe Huntsmen lived up to their fairytales: Noble heroes and protectors of the people. Pfft, what sham, and what a fool I was."
"Hey, they still do good!" Toma replied a bit defensively.
"Really?" Maron questioned with outrage, "Because the last time I put my trust in Huntsmen, when I pleaded for their help," She hissed upon mentioning the title, "They tried to kill me." She stated, grabbing the cool glass of her drink. With a bitter tone Maron went on, "Betrayed by friends, left behind by neighbors, hunted by a horde of Grimm, and all while those 'Huntsmen'—" She stopped herself, pulling her glass to her lips and gulping a bit down. She was met with a sweet and fruity taste with a slight kick behind it, but it was something she wasn't expecting, prompting her to stop and cough a few times to clear her throat from the alcoholic taste. Part of her didn't want to remember anymore, but the rest of her needed it as fuel to keep her going and focused.
Toma's face was filled with surprise, shock, confusion. She didn't know what to say except to offer her condolences for such a tragedy. "I'm… Sorry." She apologized, Maron's opening up having hit and stung a lot harder than she had anticipated. Even if she tried, Toma couldn't imagine what it must have been like to live through such an incident.
"And why would you be?" Maron snapped back, infuriated and forcing Toma's gaze to escape to the crowd on the dance floor, "You weren't the one responsible." Her tone calmed down as she resumed her beverage.
"So, what made you enroll at Shade then?" Toma asked, returning to meet a calmer Maron.
"Because I have nowhere else to go, Toma." Maron answered with a slight growl, narrowed eyes looking up to the other girl, "And if becoming a Huntress means I'm one step closer to finding them, then so be it. Even if it's the last thing I do." She finished, looking at the staff that rested against her and holding it closer, just a little tighter as anger started building up in her again.
"What about us then? Shae, Trya, and I?" Toma brought up, "Do you despise us for aiming to be Huntresses then?"
Maron stayed quiet, grabbing her own forearm as her eyes darted to the side in search of an answer. Torn between two choices, Maron knew her only play was to refuse to answer. It hadn't been long since the four had gotten together, everyone she's met at Shade, and a couple more, were nothing but helpful, yet… "I don't… think so." Maron quietly let out.
To her surprise, Maron looked over to find Toma with a light smile, this time with reassurance on her face as she rested her elbows on the table and her head atop her interlocked hands. "Well, if it's any comfort, we're not Huntsmen yet, are we?" She said with a soft look in her eyes.
"I suppose not." Maron said before accepting, and going along with, the lighter mood that blossomed between them, "Then again, I guess we've got a few years to figure that out, huh?"
Toma put a hand over her mouth as she chuckled, "A joke? From you?" She paused, "But, you're right about that fact." She stated. The two girls then silently sat together and enjoyed the moment, but as if she had realized she was missing a piece of a puzzle, Toma asked another question, "So, how'd you manage to get out of all that? If you don't mind me asking." Her curiosity getting the better of her as she roughly tried to play the scenario in her head. From the sounds of it, it seemed like there was little change to escape, especially with Grimm that wanted her dead and people may have wanted the same if not having abandoned her to the beasts, and yet here Maron was, fine and healthy.
The question had hit a mark, and something in Maron was dug up again. Despite the memory of pain, sorrow, and suffering, she could find… nothing. Though she didn't want to, she tried to remember what happened but it all just ended there. "I…" She started, still slightly lost in thought, "I'm not sure." She put her hands to her temple as to sooth a small, growing headache, "I-It's… It's just darkness after that. I still felt sore and the aches. But the next thing I know I woke—" She stopped and recomposed herself, sitting up straight, "No. I think that's enough. Now for your end." She demanded from Toma.
"Alright, alright. Maybe we another time." Toma accepted, not wanting to push her luck and ruin what little progress she had going. "Where was I? I was on about her, right?" She asked. Maron nodded. "Well, I think you might have been on to something. She's been nothing but honest with us, yet I know she's not giving us the full picture." She told Maron. 'In due time…' Toma remembered Flaye's words. Haunting to think about, but it was all she had to go on.
Meanwhile, Maron's attention had been caught by a pair of individuals at the club's entrance, both sizing up one another and appearing to exchange threats, but disinterest soon pulled her back to her own conversation. "So, what happened? You pick now to be skeptical?" Maron asked, taking a sip from her cool-to-the-touch glass.
"Not 'skeptical'!" Toma denied, "Just curious." She corrected. "Like I said, she's been honest and is helping us improve, but she hasn't told us why. Wait, no, she did. She says she wants us to assist her as 'back-up' or whatnot, but for what?" She finished explaining.
"It's the 'for what' that worries you, isn't it?" Maron pointed out, receiving a nod in confirmation. "Well, I'd hope her teaching you is worth it then." Maron cheekily smirked in an 'I told you so' manner. Toma did get herself involved in the first place, buuut it wasn't exactly her responsibility to help Toma out. Maybe if she asked nicely though.
"As a matter-of-fact, yes, yes, it is going well." Toma straightened her back and held her chin up high, "Even Trya's been seeing some improvements, so to me, I would say it is well worth it."
"Well good for you." Maron rolled her eyes.
"Hah, at this rate, you might end up as 'number four' on our team!"
"I doubt that!" Maron replied with a little 'Hmph'. "I could probably run circles around each of you all day." She pridefully claimed.
"Pfft." Toma started, covering her mouth to contain a small giggle.
"What?" Maron loudly demanded.
"Sorry, Maron, but from what I've seen, you've got quite a bit of a ways to go." She snidely remarked, "Especially if you think you can take me on in hand-to-hand." Toma pointed to Maron then to herself with a finger and thumb respectively.
"Oh really?" Were the only words Maron could utter out as she narrowed her eyes toward Toma.
"Definitely." Toma stated with a smirk, "Now that I think about it, I don't think any of us have actually fought each other, have we? Maybe we should spar someday, though I think we both know the outcome." She suggested while purposefully teasing Maron all with closed-lip smile on her face. "I wonder how you'd keep up. Some secret to help you maybe?" She toyed around, just hoping Maron would take the bait.
"Yeah, I've got some help with training too!" She was quick to return before fully realizing what she had just admitted.
"Really? The self-reliant Maron goes to someone else for help?"
"I'm not above asking for help when I need it." Maron defended, taking a few, long sips from her glass too hide her flustered face, "But I'm not going to blindly accept an offer from someone who's first encounter with us was to start a fight. Not to mention how suspicious she obviously was."
Toma laughed. "So, who? You've got some poor professor to help you out?" She leaned into back into her seat once more, confident in her verbal victory.
"No, I'd rather not deal with them." She said in a bit of disgust, "You remember the first night here? When I said I met someone?" Maron asked.
"When your 'walks' started?"
"Stop it. B-But yes." She stuttered, "It was an upperclassman. And since we both happened to have similar weapons, I asked for some tips, and long story short, now he's helping me train." She explained, maaaybe skipping out a bit on the details but Toma didn't need to know that. Though, now that it was brought up, why did she trust Steele enough to work with him? For now, she just chalked it up to being at the right place at the right time, that and, unlike Flaye, his first impression to her was to sit and listen instead of having a more martial response.
"'He'?" Toma smirked, the word having piqued her interest, but before Maron could answer, there was a scuffle over by the entrance again. Toma trailed Maron's gaze and both girls looked on to see what was going on, but Toma was quick to dismiss it. "Ugh," She began, "And here I thought the bar fights would stay at bars."
"You've seen some?"
"Eh, only one or two while out strolling." She answered before changing subjects, "Anyways, how's the—" She was cut off by someone new.
"How are you two enjoying the night?" A new woman asked with a smug smile, pressing an arm down on Maron and Toma's table as to intrude on their conversation.
Maron had the angle for her eyes to trace the woman's arm down to her him, where a hand rested on a pistol, its high-tech design hinting to Maron of its origin. Atlesian? That was the first thought that came to mind, who else would have such designs to begin with? Unless someone, somewhere in Vacuo starting making their own imitations—which she had high doubts—it was the only answer she could come up with. "Not interested." Maron said plainly, waving her hand to shoo away the woman. However, an irritating screech from a microphone caught the attention of everyone in the club.
Behind the woman at the center of the floor stood a tall, tan-robed figure with armored bracers and shin-guards. He looked to be the only one on the floor after driving off the Patrons to the booths and walls where a number of other goons held them up at gunpoint. It would seem that those who were armed had their weapons already stripped from them by a faunus woman with two batons hanging from either side of her hip. These people certainly didn't look like they were here for a drink…
"Alright everyone," The tall figure spoke with in a deep, disinterested tone, "You all know the drill, so comply, and you can get back to you drinks."
Maron let out a frustrated groan as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "Why is it that when I go out and do something for the night, chances are that something has to happen?"
"Heh," The woman let out, turning back to the two students before her, "Well, sad to bother you girls, but you heard 'em. Let's make this quick and—"
"Here's an idea," Maron cut her off, "How about 'I don't have the patience for this' and you go extort someone else?" She told her. After she was done, she returned to her drink, her closed eyes to ignore the woman and giving off an annoyed look.
"Was that a threat?" The woman grabbed her weapon, resting it and her arm on the table as she leaned in an intimidating manner. "Now, I'm not one who's quick to resort to violence, but I can be forgiving." The woman said until she realized Maron wasn't listening. Seeing this, she snatched Maron's glass out of her hand, chugged half of what was left and throwing the rest of it into Maron's face. "I don't care who you think you are, but you better listen to your betters, girl." The woman growled.
"I feel like—" Toma started before the woman snapped at her to shut up.
Maron, taking in the light fruity scent forcefully splashed on her, took a deep breath and, in one swift move of her arm, pulled the glass out of the woman's hand catching her attention just before it was smashed right back into her face. With an anguished cry, she grabbed her face to sooth the pain.
"Does… Does she not see your weapon next to you?" Toma asked Maron who, from her seat delivered a side-kick into the woman's gut, sending her stumbling back. "Guess not…" Toma answered herself. Though to be fair, nowadays, if it's not looking like a blade or gun, people might not even notice. Ah well! Toma went to finish the rest of her own drink as Maron ignored her question.
"What a good excuse to work off some stress." Maron said out loud.
The fallen woman picked herself up, furious at Maron's sheer audacity to challenge her. She drew her pistol, but a jab from Maron's staff to her hand knocked it free just as it fired and missed its first shot. However, the loud bang did alert the rest of the criminal girl's allies. With a twist of her hips, Maron swung her staff and smashed it against the girl's face, flinging her aside as Maron then spotted the other robbers.
From the center of the now empty dance floor was a tall and imposing figure, notably dressed in a white-hued hoodie drawn up hood, torn sleeves, and a cloth mask covering most of his face. His position as the ring-leader of this band of brigands was cemented when he whistled to his other subordinates before ordering them at Maron. There were four of them in total with the ring-leader being content to sit back and watch. The closest two, a faunus woman and a human man, were first to reach her. The first being the one armed with the two batons while the second took aim with a rifle, once again, looking Atlas-designed.
The faunus came at Maron with rapid movements of her batons, giving off a little electric spark each time it clashed with her or her staff. Despite her best efforts, the faunus easily danced around her and repeatedly prodded Maron all over with a little shock whenever the batons hit. Before she knew it, she had completely forgotten about the second thug who had shot her in the back and, though her aura could take it, Maron was still stunned just long enough for the woman in front of her to kick her staff out of her hands with a high kick. Meanwhile Maron thought she heard a bit of glass smash and a pained grunt somewhere behind her.
Maron did her best to keep up with the faunus, but it was too much for her. A punch and a miss, a successful dodge, but a failed block. Little by little Maron was beaten down before being tripped and shoved over. The faunus woman pinned her, shock-batons being pressed closer to Maron's face as the two struggled against one another.
Suddenly, a boot rammed into the side of the faunus' face, sending her sliding toward the raised stage with some audio equipment set up. Toma stood before Maron, offering up a hand to Maron with a small smirk, "Told you so." She teased with a bit of a chuckle.
Maron grumbled before being helped up and given her staff.
Barely a second later, the next two thugs arrived and at the same time, the previous two started to get up. However, the latter were Maron's responsibility. Right now, Toma sought to take on the new and fresh pair of faces. One with a foldable sword, the other with another rifle. Acting fast She dodged a wild swipe from the former, giving a swift chop of her hand to the Man's stomach, forcing him to drop the sword. Then Toma shoved him toward his ally with a shove of her foot, buying her precious seconds to think how she was going to close the distance.
She dived into a roll to the side as rounds flew over her head and destroyed some of the stage equipment. Toma scrambled for the fallen sword, either barely dodging or, most of the time, tanking each hit that staggered her just a little. See that she wasn't getting anywhere, she spun on her heel, using her momentum to throw the sword across the floor with just a little extra power and speed behind it.
The man with the rifle blocked it, but at the cost of using his own weapon as a shield. Toma wasn't sure how much damage was done, but either way, she took her chance and charged forward just as the first thug took the blade for himself and ran to her.
She ducked under a horizontal swing from her right, throwing a clenched left fist into the swordsman's gut once again. Toma followed up with an elbow into the man's ribs, but after words she too was smashed in the face with the butt of a rifle. Stumbling back, Toma couldn't stop two more bashes and a slash from hitting her, but once recovered, she shoved herself into one her closest foe: the one armed with the rifle-turned-makeshift-club. Shoving him aside, she then turned her attention to the swordsman, dodging a slash that missed her stomach and dodging a follow up attack before moving in, grabbing his wrist, and smashing her fist into his cheek. Still holding on tightly, Toma pulled her arm back and hammered her elbow into up into his face until she heard the quick patter of footsteps behind her. Grabbing the man by the shirt, Toma threw him to the ground in between herself and the second assailant.
The other man jumped over his friend; fist pulled back by his ear. He punched, but Toma easily blocked its predictable path. Another punch ended with a dodge from Toma who then threw the man's arm off to the side, breaking open his guard and retaliating by slamming her palms against either of his ears. She grabbed his shoulders, yanking him down to knee him in the chest, and just when he went for one weak, last punch, Toma grabbed the that arm, and threw him over her shoulder with a successful effort. Hmph, compared to Flaye, these two were quite simple as opponents. Toma wasn't sure if it was right to even tribute her success to the aforementioned woman's rather 'light' training.
Feeling an imposing presence behind her, Toma spun around to punch whoever dared to sneak up on her, only for her first to be caught by a larger hand. Glancing upward, her opponent stood almost a full foot taller than her with an annoyed, but focused, look in his eyes. It was the leader of this little band of thugs. Slowly, the robed man twisted Toma's wrist, and despite her outstanding resilience, even she was forced down to one knee from the pained pressure.
"Pitiable." He said as he raised his fist. Toma held firm, preparing for the exact moment when the man would strike. His fist came down at a remarkable speed, but as his knuckles made contact with Toma's face, it felt as if he had just slammed his bare hand into a thick wall. Stone, steel, it didn't matter, what matter now was the agonizing pain in his hand, so much so that even twitching his fingers became a struggle. "Aaargh!" He cried out, letting Toma go to grab his wounded hand, "You—" He shouted only for a pair of boots to slam into his chest in a dropkick and cut him off.
Toma quickly got back to her feet and readied a guard as the man recovered and did the same. The larger fighter was the first to move, charging Toma and throwing a string of powerful punches that cut through the air. Deflected, dodged, grazed, dodged, blocked. Toma was careful with each step, each move, not letting a single thought get in her way as she played the defensive. Then her chance came, and Toma snapped a quick punch to her foe's stomach, hearing a small grunt from him as he continued his assault. However, upon a second attempt, her arm was caught, taking her by surprise before her other one fell to the same fate. She met the man's face, their eyes locked in a contest of wills. Unfortunately for Toma, that was all she could do. But the man, before Toma could even react, delivered a painful headbutt that sent her stumbling back.
Reeling and dizzy from the hit, Toma finally stumbled over herself and was about to fall to the ground, but the man her, raised her up, and slammed her right into the hard, stone ground with a furious force. She put up as best a guard as she could, but slowly it would start falling apart with each punch against her arms. Finally, she looked up to see his two fists raised and a livid expression, but her view was soon overtaken by a maroon skirt and before then seeing Maron, who rammed her knee into the man's face.
Using her momentum, Maron stayed on the offensive, refusing to let up for even a moment. Though light, her staff's strikes were quick and each little prod, poke, and swipe was starting to add up and wear down the larger foe. It wasn't until her staff was grabbed that her momentum came to a dead stop. A punch in the side, then in the stomach, then in the face was all then in the face was all that was needed to stop the girl, her weapon dropping in the process.
Just getting up, Toma dropped into a short sprint as the man readied himself. However, he wasn't Toma's target. Shifting her footing, Toma ducked under a punch and rolled behind the man, pulling along Maron's staff as she popped back up. Now with weapon in hand, she jabbed the back of the man's knee, grabbing his attention. He threw a wide hook punch, but Toma stepped back and evaded it. She continued leading him on, diverting punches and blocking low kicks with Maron's staff, but eventually it started to become too much for her to handle on her own.
Toma waited for her moment. Right when the brute-like man went for an overhead smash with his fists, and missed, Toma threw up Maron's staff. its owner had jumped up and grabbed it, yanking it against the man's throat as she hung from his back. With Maron's weight tugging him back and forcing him to grab the staff to prevent himself from behind choked, Toma dashed forward, punching his stomach with all her strength. Then she did it again, and again, and again. She did so as many times as she could, with as much power as she could, yet still he stood.
Eventually, Maron was overpowered and thrown over him and to the ground with a pained gasp from the girl and a heavy thud. Once more, Toma took up Maron's staff, using it to defend her fallen friend. She hit the man's leg as it was coming down on Maron, redirecting it just enough to miss by a few inches, leaving a small crack on the ground where he stomped. Toma followed up with a swiped to the man's face before shouldering into his stomach while simultaneously passing off the staff back to Maron.
The man was clearly winded by now and at his limit, yet, annoyingly, he still kept going! Toma dove a fist into the man's stomach, even using her own strength to shove him back. She had hoped that it would be enough, but of course it wasn't. Thinking of a new plan, she pushed behind him, pulling along one of his arms to spin him around as he threw his arms in a tired, wild flurry which failed to reach her. Maron jabbed him in the back with her staff, but Toma made sure to keep his attention on her by pulling him forward again and dodge a swing or two. She blocked an incoming hook punch, then caught the other before throwing it to the side. With his guard broken, Toma reached up with an uppercut to the man's chin, dazing him and sending him stumbling back a few steps.
"Just fall, damn you!" Toma shouted through clenched teeth as she swept her leg at his feet. Meanwhile, from behind their tough opponent, Maron jumped onto the man's back, this time, her force had sent him stumbling forward and, combined with Toma's sweep, he went face first into the ground with one of Maron's knees still on the back of his head.
Having worked up a bit of a sweat, Maron and Toma looked at each other, both completely out of breath and exhausted, but sharing the faintest hint of a smile from each of them. "This is… not how I thought… my night would go…" Maron said between breaths while Toma replied with a short and simple 'hah'. "Hey, weren't there six of them?" She asked, scanning the room to find that it was one beaten thug short. That first woman was gone.
"Over there!" Toma called out, pointing to the exit where the woman from their table was shoving through a few escaping people and scrambling to get away herself.
"Come on!" Maron called, rushing to her feet and pursuing the fleeing thug.
"Do we have to?" Toma wined.
"Toma!"
"Ok, I'm going, I'm going!" She said as she pushed herself up though her soreness.
Despite being tired and desperately wanting a break, the two started after the fleeing girl, but Toma, lagging behind, felt someone grab her wrist. "Miss!" A waitress called to her, "Huntsmen are already on the way and—"
"In a rush!" She yelled back before pushing passed the crowd of people at the entrance to catch up with Maron.
The two dodged and weaved through the dozens of lives on the street, most of whom weren't even aware of what was going on, let alone what had previously happened. Either way, no matter how hard Maron and Toma tried, they simply couldn't keep up even as the crowds started to thin out and they approached the edges of the district. Once the girls entered a clearer part of the street, they saw, and followed after, the woman who had then ducked away in a dark and narrow alley, disappearing into the night.
The girls stood at the foot of where they last saw the woman, but they were too tired to go further. Even if they had the energy, the confusing, labyrinth-like backstreets would be too much to cover by themselves. Even if they had plenty of others helping, the chances of finding and cornering their prey were next to zero, especially at this hour where one could simply hide in the shadows.
"Well," Toma took a deep breath, "We lost her." She stated the obvious, hunching over and resting her hands on her knees.
"We should tell the others," Maron suggested, catching her own breath as well, "That we'll be running late." Maron finished, eyes fixed on the darkness before her.
"You do that, I'm gonna' make a different call." Toma told her, knowing exactly who she wanted to contact as she pulled out her Scroll.
"Those weapons didn't look like they were from around here, did they?" Maron asked the resident expert, wanting a second opinion to confirm her suspicions.
"No." Toma answered, spotting the woman's pistol which had either fallen, or was simply abandoned on the ground. Toma went over to pick it up with her free hand, inspecting it all over for any clue or detail that could help her. However, there wasn't much to go on and Toma continued, "They're not…"
A.N.:
As always, enjoy!
~Firetoast312