UPDATE 04/02/2021: Minor cleaning and major alterations of the check-up bit


[Chapter 6]

Mind-numbing. If anything sickening, really. Roman was never one for aesthetics nor anything too fancy in fact, but even then something inside him was just wired to hate it. Maybe it's the colours of the walls, say the lack of it; marble floors reflecting the near-blinding fluorescents; its universal, revolting smell of rubbing alcohol and medicine. Even if a fucker likes to help and save others, Roman always thought, they gotta get sick of the environment at some point.

No pun intended.

"Roman, this is one strange kid you picked up."

"You've no idea how many times I've heard that brilliant deduction already." Roman clicked his tongue.

Roman sat on the bed next to Ion as he was examined. He looked… concerned. Well, to be fair, the boy had mostly shown nothing but since they met. Perhaps he's not one to meet new people… Roman supposed no one's a particularly people person after their memory's been wiped.

"Buddy, can you stick your tongue out? Like this?"

That said, the kid didn't seem about to leap off the bed like he was when first encountering the ghostly apparition of Isaiah. Roman would even go as far as to claim that his words of assurance helped Ion keep his calm. So what'd ya know; maybe you just need to talk these tiny menaces sometimes and they'll listen.

No… Actually, maybe not. Hard emphasis on "sometimes". Most of the time it didn't work on the twins… nor his niece by Mabel's story.

"So, what kind of Faunus is he?" asked Roman.

"A canine. We'll have to wait the test results for details. But with those teeth, I reckon we'd find some shark genes in there." The young doctor's laugh abruptly stopped and a faint frown came.

Roman noticed how he eyed Ion's traits. "Alquin, what is it?"

"Well, I uhh…" He coughed. Pulling a chair towards him, Alquin continued: "He looks healthy. So there are two possibilities here: my main worry is that his family tree might turn out to be more of a circle."

Roman narrowed his eyes. He doubts it: the existence of the family tree that is; though he failed to connect how shapes could be connected in this. "What? Incest?"

"Dual traits can be considered a… deformity. A very advanced one at that. Which means that circle's been going around."

"And the second possibility?"

"I know you didn't finish high school, Rome, but man..." Roman glared at his friend. "An evolution of the sort. Public attention forty something years ago, but these days not a lot of people pay too much attention; not even in the scientific field."

"Why's that?" asked Roman.

"Well, firstly the few thousand that're known to be alive are of the canine family, and excluding the extra appendage, they're just the same as any other faunus."

"Blood pressure's 118/80, doctor."

Alquin nodded at the nurse before continuing. "His five senses are functioning properly. Nothing particularly misshapen; even his traits are healthy. Though you might want to get him a dentist." He chuckled and Roman gave him a sad smile. "I'm more worried about the inside."

"Down syndrome?"

"Recessive disorder, deficit of intellect, mental disabilities…" He stopped, scratching the back of his head. "Even more and none really helps mortality rate, though there are rare cases."

"I'm just hoping he'll be alright…" whispered Roman.

Alquin smiled. "Have some hope. If everything's a-okay, you can go south beyond Mountain Glenn. From what I know, most of the... dualies, I suppose, are concentrated in Novtuna. And… worst case scenario, with how out of it he often looks like you said... in the case that Ion here is… special and does need professional care… Well, it's not exactly my field, but I'll make sure he'll be off your hands and taken care of by the best."

"Yeah, yeah…" Roman clicked his tongue. "The best… That's kind of you, Alquin."

"I'm doing this for the kid, Torchwick. Don't get feely on me."

The doctor laughed, followed suit by Roman. Even Ion tried to act like he had a clue on what was going on by joining in with exactly two rather confused "ha". His participation was rewarded with a head pat from Roman.

Speaking of, the man's laughter slowly withered after Alquin retreated back behind his table. Green eyes fell onto Ion; the boy oblivious as ever, instead, once more, focused and curious of his surroundings, just like before. Like he had been of anywhere new so far really.

None of this made sense, Roman thought. None of it. His train of thought was about to depart for "shitty-parents" upon "why-the-hell-would-you-ditch-him-like-this?". Trying to quietly deduct how much was bull and how much, in the off-chance, was truth in the letters he read. Yet he quickly stopped himself with a rather harsh mental insult.

What reason mattered, at least in the moment? Nothing. Be as it may, but Roman had already doubted the chances of getting Ion home. Perhaps his doubts were present since yesterday but he had been too stubborn. The gut-punching feeling of how hard and well Ion's parents did to cover their track reinforced those doubts.

He smiled. A sad smile; a knowing smile; a smile that spoke how much he understood, even if the boy himself did not. You poor boy, Roman thought, you sweet, poor, innocent boy. Roman wrapped his hand around Ion without much more thought. It was then and there that tears threatened to burst—more so when Ion returned the gesture with the tiniest, uncertain pat—but it was quickly quelled.

Roman slowly retracted as did Ion. The former looked away: rubbing his eyes, sniffing. Though as quick as he did, he turned back to Ion with a smile; a comforting smile and glassy eyes.

"I'll keep you safe," he whispered. "I'll keep you safe. Make sure nothing bad happens to you. Okay?"

Roman just knew the boy fully understood that one. Not the "why", but the statement itself. Roman could see it at how his eyes gleamed. That his nod after didn't feel like some of the absent ones prior.

"Result's out!"

Jolt! Ion's ears stood at the sudden exclamation. Roman practically rushed besides Alquin. He kept his hope despite the horrid feeling in his abdomen. His eyes blinked, again and again, involuntarily, as he tried to make sense what was in the screen. There was a straightened helix with notes pointing to some dots; a rather cumbered list, filled with what he guessed were names of chemicals. Roman hadn't a clue what any of them meant.

Roman turned to his friend, expecting some closure, confirmation, anything! Alquin instead bore an unreadable expression as he scanned the result, chin propped by a hand. Was this good news? Bad? Horrible? If Roman felt a hole in his gut before, then it's now a ravine. Not knowing where that horrible analogy came from, a sudden, seemingly disbelieved or utterly shocked laugh surprised Roman.

"What?" his stress dripped into his words. "What is it?!"

Seemed that Alquin was in no hurry to respond. With one final wheeze he ruffled his own hair. The widest, stupidest grin present on his face as he turned to Roman. "I don't know WHAT we were even worried about. Kid's as healthy as any two year old should be!"

His lips quivered. Roman didn't know what face to make. Wait, he does: Roman smiled—he hadn't smiled like this in a while. There was a little urge to ask about Ion's parents, but what the hell. Relief washed over him with everything else thrown aside. Roman sighed, drawled it out even into an almost groan. Two hours stuck in traffic for that completely unexpected nor uncalled for emotional roller coaster. He felt like a million lien.

Well… technically more than that. Technically not very legal either. But spoiling the mood's no good.

"Ion! Buddy!" Roman strode over to Ion, arms stretched wide. The redhead swept Ion off the bed and spun around. Though even more confused, the boy looked to be enjoying the ride by his giggle. "You're gonna be fine!"

"Yay!" He lifted his arms to emphasize.

"He's gonna be fine?!" Roman didn't even realize his repetition.

"Well, except for some allergies, he's just peachy!"

"You're fine, buddy!"

"No. Hang on a sec..."

Roman stopped. Only normal that a celebration like this would stop at that, he just wished that Alquin had some decency to not make it a premature one! With wide eyes and equally agape mouth, Roman watched with dread as his friend looked back.

"He is missing a vaccine."

It's been a while since Roman wanted to deck someone in the face this hard.

(-S.o.T-)

No, Roman did not deck Alquin in the face. No matter how much he wanted to at that moment. Ion was there, for God's sake; one ought to have some decency and keep out violence when kids are around.

"Yeah, he's fine!" Roman was currently running everything down with Junior through the phone. His eyes caught Ion's frown, the boy looking up at him with a rather angry stare as he rubbed the spot on his arm where the injection occurred. "Buddy, you did great! I'll get you whatever after this, okay?"

"Roman?"

"Yeah, yeah." He focused back on the call. "Alquin confirmed everything's a-okay. He just had some allergies and was missing a vaccine… Also, it's apparently normal for a two year old to eat steak or meat, especially since he's a canine… Doctor's orders said to control his diet though."

"Roman, meat for lunch?" The boy's earlier frown was completely replaced by a giddy, hopeful grin at the mere mention.

"Buddy, we'll get you lunch later. Okay?"

"Roman!"

"Yeah! I'm here! Hang on a sec, will ya? Got a kid to take care of here."

"The parents! Did you find anything about his family?"

"Nothing. Came out like expected." He briefly turned to their driver. "Turk, you know that deli on Darley Lane?"

"The one in front of Leyburn?" the young man looked to the rear-view mirror.

"No, Wootton-ems. Gotta get this tiny animal some food."

The boy in question hopped on his seat, exclaiming "Meat! Meat!" over and over again. Roman glanced over and couldn't help but smile at Ion's excitement over chow. What a weird kid, he thought.

With one last chuckle, Roman returned to the phone call. "So yeah…"

"That's that?"

"That is that." Roman swear he heard a thud on the other line. Most likely Junior hitting his head against whatever surface was closest.

"I have no idea why I'm stressing over this as much as I am…" the man sighed. "You sure sound calmer than earlier."

Even if Junior would have no idea, he shrugged. "Ran out of ideas. Thought that going with the flow might lessen the headache."

"Yeah, I figured. So what now? You thinking of handing the kid over?"

Roman smiled, instead only letting out a quiet hum. To be frank he's still torn about what to do next. He thought whether or not either of his remaining solutions would be fair for the boy—the system which Roman himself has unfondexperiences of or to keep Ion under watchful eyes. The latter, being most simple, yet truth be told, he hadn't thought of from the start.

"Torchwick, I don't like that silence."

"I'm thinking, J."

"And they better be not stupid, Torchwick." An almost unnoticeable change of tone, Junior's voice becoming rough. "Don't get me wrong when I say this—I love Isaiah—but the last thing we need is another one like him."

Roman's eye twitched. He seethed, at best trying to contain his anger. As he was about to make a retort, all parties involved were saved from the possible fight, and later escalated direct fight as Roman's scroll began beeping. "Hold onto that a sec; I got another call." It was Mabel. Roman could only think of good news, for he will backhand slap any other.

He held Junior's and picked up the call from his sister, but before he could even say hello, the woman's voice cracked: "ROMAN! Where are you right now?!" Even Ion seemed to hear her.

Wincing at the volume, Roman placed the scroll back on his ear. "On the road. Was just in the hospital for Ion, but right now I gotta get him lunch."

"Why did you—oh, nevermind that." Seems that Roman will have to bitch slap some bad news, after all. He could practically hear some sort of weird combination between panic, excitement, and dread in her voice. Therefore, by that, he's simply stating that he's no idea what's happening. "Can you go to Junior's? I got news on the necklace."

Roman furrowed a brow. "That's great and all… but can't ya just tell me now?"

"Already on my way, so might as well. Also…" she trailed off as if distracted by something, the voice of traffic filling in, "I don't think this is something safe for a call."

A quick assessment would declare that, yes, Roman was quite bewildered at the statement. Feeling his migraine returning, Roman felt a sigh was proper enough response. "Fine, fine. We'll be there," he lazily responded, ending the call and was immediately returned to the one with Junior.

"Roman? The hell happened?"

"Mabel called." He sighed. "Said that she got something on Ion's necklace and on the way to your place. I'll see you there."

Finally with a bit of quiet, Roman leaned back on the leather seat, almost sliding down even. His previous impetus had quickly dissipated all the sudden. Giving the oblivious Ion a glance and a smile, Roman could only think what in the hell had Mabel found to prompt the reaction.

Somewhere else, nowhere in particular, but close and hidden, a suited woman looked at her similarly-dressed companion and asked: "What's the deal with that necklace, anyway?"

(-S.o.T-)

Children never cease to amaze Roman.

Several different kinds of sliced meat and cheese—the most expensive ones there at that, kid's got a taste—sandwiched by two egg toast accompanied by a large serving of fries. Though the sandwich itself was way too big for Ion to hold, that didn't stop Ion from picking it from one layer to the next. Ion had cleaned house even before they were anywhere near the destination, now a satisfied, almost sleepy look plastered his face.

Though, to be honest, this was likely more Ion than any other children.

"You sure you didn't want that upsized?" asked Roman with a smirk.

"Naw, naw, naw." He leaned back against Roman, yawning. "I'm okie."

Their car pulled into the hotel's parking lot and Roman could see his sister's car already there. Turk dropped them off at the front entrance and Roman made his way inside carrying Ion. Unlike earlier today, the hotel had a lot more traffic: the bar, the restaurant up ahead, and the lobby to his left. One of the bellhops approached them, offering help, but Roman politely waved it off when he saw a familiar redhead at the receptionist desk.

"Mabel!" he called out. Mabel snapped her head around and she looked… rather out of character, tense. The woman stomped her way over, and as she got closer, Roman raised a brow. "The he—"

"Follow me." She yanked Roman by his free arm and pulled him along. Roman turned to the equally-confused Ion, the boy shrugging as if following the flow. Any attempt to ask for some explanation was simply met with stubborn quiet. Just as Roman was dragged halfway down the hallway, the trio encountered Junior and the twins with some employees tagging behind. "Hei, shut up and come along." Just as Mabel did Roman earlier, he grabbed Junior by the arm and began leading the two men somewhere.

"Hi, Mabel!" chirped Miltia, hopping backward in front of the adults.

"Hi, there girls!" she mirrored Miltia's greeting, opposite of the cold demands before.

"What's going on?" asked Melanie, walking next to her sister.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing. Adult conversations and all that."

"Yeah, your conversations are always boring…" mumbled Miltia.

"Oh, I know, sweetheart. Here, why don't—" she stopped, taking Ion off of Roman and plopping him between the twins— "why don't you three go play while we talk? Okay? Okay." And with that, leaving the children with some of the hotel handlers, Mabel continued to force march the two men. Through the restaurant, the kitchen, down the hallway then into the club: quiet, deserted.

The double door closed behind them and Mabel finally let go. "What the fuck was that, Ma—" Only for him to be grabbed by the collar and slammed against the wall.

"NO! YOU!" she shouted, baring her teeth. Roman couldn't help but recoil a bit at that ferocious expression. "Just what the HELL did you get me into?!"

Junior looked at him and he offered a wide-eyed shrug. "I don't even know what you're going on about!" Mabel suddenly let go of him, reaching into her purse in a jittery attempt to search for something. "You said you found—"

"The necklace! Here!" She slammed it onto Roman's hand and backed off, shaking her head. "I don't want anything to do with that anymore. It's a miracle I wasn't arrested on the way! Or killed at that."

"I'm not following…" Junior budged in.

Mabel turned to her left. "It's real, Hei."

"So? What?" asked Roman. "Why are you acting like the mob just put a hit on you?"

"Because that thing shouldn't fucking exist in the first place!" she loudly whispered. "No paper, no records. Nothing. That wouldn't matter so much if it weren't so fucking perfect. No matter how good a diamond you find, it will have defects, if only a little. That's nature. That's diamonds. That—" she pointed to the necklace— "there defies nature! The tests proved again and again that they are, in fact, real. The problem isn't the smaller ones, it's the blue one." Mabel stopped, catching a break, but it was obvious she wasn't finished. She looked around, and volumes quieter, continued: "We're lucky I tricked my friend to stay quiet about this… because as far as we know, that thing's one of a kind on Remnant."

"The only one?" Roman whispered back.

"Of that quality!"

Junior folded his arms. Just as quiet, with narrowed eyes, he asked: "How much of an 'only one' are we talking about?"

Mabel hesitated. Almost scared to answer, in fact. "Referencing off past cases…" she muttered, biting her lip. "Two… three mil. Best guess."

"Doesn't sound too rare, does it?" he continued, looking to Roman.

"Two million per carat," she grumbled through gritted teeth. At that clarification, the two men paled slightly. "That thing's exactly twenty-three carats."

Neither of the men has yet to understand why Mabel freaked out that badly, truth be told. Though they did remain stunned and silenced at the estimate. The quiet remained, too—less out of disbelief which had passed and more seeing who'd talk first.

Junior bit the bullet. "Which means…?"

"That this is one of the most expensive diamonds on Remnant."

"Top ten, actually," Mabel confirmed her brother's statement, handing him the box. "Top five. But that's besides the point! It means that this is the most expensive blue diamond. Ever. In total, the necklace is probably worth forty-six and a half."

Roman placed the necklace in its box and tucked it into his coat. "And you said there were no papers?"

"Which probably means blood diamonds, right?"

Mabel nodded at both questions. "Looks like the Goliath in the room's been addressed."

"Well, what'd ya know, Roman." Junior chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe he is a warlord's kid."