Chapter Ten
Earth and rock softly crunch into the air. Small foot-steps race along the ground with tiny, weathered dress shoes. A tiny child struggling to keep within the shadow of a giant.
It was a small girl. She was filthy with honey colored eyes peering around her new scenery in curiosity. Her one-piece dress was crusted with dirt and tears. It weighed heavily upon her shoulders from the filth. One could easily mistake her dress for being a shade of black. A loud chime sung an off-beat melody with each of her rushed steps.
Around her neck was a brand-new black ribbon with a bright and silver bell.
Ashe gazed upon the back of the large male. There was a black emblem of a behemoth roaring in might. She couldn't help but twitch her nose at the sight. Looking at her face closely, it was wiped clean recently. Or at least someone attempted the feat. A few streaks were still faded around her light skin.
Tiny feet stopped when a peculiar sight caught her attention. The childish gaze stared at a large pit buried into the ground. It was carved in an oval and about ten feet deep. There was a ladder made from rope to get in and out. Wooden poles entrenched along the outer rim for a wall. Her ash colored hair reached her lower shoulders and smacked against her back from the tangles and knots.
Once more, her nose twitched when she saw two people within the pit circling one another. There was even a crowd cheering and hollering. But what caught her attention was the smaller of the two. It was a boy from what she could tell. His hair was the same shade as the man that brought her here. He looked to be much older than her though, maybe in his early or mid-teens.
Ashe tilted her head in confusion. Why did he keep his sword sheathed? Why would someone fight without having their weapon out?
Strange.
"Something catch your interest, Little One?"
A shadow consumed her small frame. Shifting her view to glance at her guardian. His arms were crossed, peering down into the pit. He stood tall and proud with a muscular frame. Ashe stared up toward him for a moment as his long, scarlet hair swayed in the wind.
Ashe turned back toward the pit; she only nodded her head once. The boy was attacking an older opponent relentlessly. Sparks erupting from the clash of their blades. Each hurried parry was in poor defense from the older opponent. Reaching out toward her guardian, she lightly clutched onto his pants and gave a soft tug. Her other hand pointed down into the pit, facial features twisted in an unspoken question.
Scarlet eyes flickered to her tiny form. "We call it, the Evolution Pit. We train, fight, and grow. Sharpen our fangs and claws against one another in fierce combat. Evolve. It is also where personal disputes are settled. There are no rules, killing is permitted, but frowned upon between clansmen and faunus.
A loud bang ruptured through the pit. The sound of a gun that Ashe quickly grew accustomed to over time. She noticed that the boy wore a blank white mask over his eyes. Blood fluttered into the air before him. His dark red blade easily sliced through his opponent's chest. There was a cry in agony when the blood dripped into the mud. The older male lands upon his back and holds his chest in agony with a painful cry.
Ashe didn't flinch at his howl of pain.
"Tsk. It was only a shallow cut. Disgraceful."
Ashe couldn't help but tilt her head at the scene before her. The scarlet haired boy slowly turned in their direction. He held a calm expression, but she could feel his eyes upon her. His lips twisted into a smirk. He raised his arm and smacked it against his chest in a salute.
She doesn't like him.
"That is my son, Adam. You too will soon spend your days in the pit. Training, sharpening your claws and fangs. Evolving. Come, Little One, there is much to learn." The man turned and walked away from her. His dress pants pulled away from her tiny fingers.
Ashe's gaze lingered on Adam for a moment longer. She had to tear her gaze away. Ashe followed in the shadow of the behemoth. She never noticed the smirk that grew into a full grin when Adam watched her trail along.
Her dull and honey colored eyes continued to peer about in curiosity and wonder. Ashe noticed that everyone is a faunus, but almost everyone is an adult or teenager. She has yet to see another child within the community.
"Stay close." Ashe flinched and quickly jogged up to his long and prideful strides. "You are now the youngest of the herd. They will be out for fresh blood." She tilted her head. "Watch." She did as instructed in silence.
Two fox faunus knelt before a hooded figure. One of them appeared to be older than the scarlet haired boy from before by a few years. The smaller of the two had large fox ears upon his head, as the larger one was with a large and bushy fox tail. Identical golden, spiral daggers placed before them upon the ground.
"We heard; you are the best in camp at the usage of daggers." Spoke the older Faunus.
"We have come to seek your wisdom and tutelage for these blades." The younger fox Faunus replied with an eerie calm in their voice.
Ashe blinked slowly. What are they doing? She doesn't understand what they are saying either. What did most of those words even mean? Her vocabulary is extremely limited for being such a small child.
The hooded figure remained sitting, using a dagger to carve into a wooden log. A black cloak covered his frame, so she couldn't make out much of his figure, but his voice was quiet and eerie. "Do you, know who I am?"
Ashe couldn't really hear him that well, so she turned back to both fox Faunus. They wore gray sleeveless tops and matching black pants and boots. The older fox faunus looked up toward the back of the hooded figure with a slow nod. "Of course. You are the one called Elder Smoke. You who has been since the founding of the Primal Fang sect, a founding member."
The younger faunus raised his head and leant forward just a hunch. "Yes, we have heard of your tales. Your prowess with daggers is second-to-none. There is nothing you can infiltrate. No target that you cannot assassinate. No object is safe from your hands. That you even have the strength to stand against the Behemoth himself. That is the strength that we desire."
The Behemoth beside her clenched his muscles over his chest. A knowing smirk smeared across his rugged lips. Her nose twitched at the sight. Once more, dulled honey eyes turn back toward the scene before her in new curiosity.
Then she heard it. Tickling at her dirty ears.
Low and quietly, the hooded figure is slowly vibrating. That cackling and maniacal laughter beginning to grow in volume. It doesn't take long before the figure throws his head back and bellows out frantically in a scratchy and gargling roar of laughter. She instinctively reaches out and grasps onto the pants of the Behemoth next to her.
"Foolish mutts!"
Steel flickered and cut through the air. The elder whirled in rage. A shout of pain cried out in a flutter of blood. A dagger imbedded into the younger's shoulder in a bloody wound. A swift foot slammed into his gut before shoving him away along the rocky terrain.
A withered and old hand crushed around the older faunus' throat in a vice and slammed him into the dirt without mercy. A dagger hovered over a frightened eye threateningly. The fox faunus was terrified and squirming for freedom, but he was trapped and held in an iron lock.
The Elder was fast, dangerously so. Ashe didn't even see him move. Not much a feat considering how young she is though.
That cackling echoed when he leant toward the pinned down fox. Ashe could only watch when he began to sniff at the fox. Why is he sniffing him? Does he smell? Maybe he needs a bath? When was the last time she had a bath? "Ah, your fear. It is intoxicating. Kyah-hak-hak-hak. Your fear sustains me." With a mad cackle, he raised the blade and slammed it in force. Earning a pitiful scream from the frightful teen.
"Elder Smoke, a moment of your time."
Thunk.
Ashe watched the blood trail down the fox's cheek. A cut embedded into tanned skin. The dagger dangerously buried into the solid rock. Pure terror was etched onto his face with hyperventilation. The hooded figure slowly turned their direction with tilt. Ever so slowly, he removed himself from the cowering figure.
"Such generosity from The Behemoth himself. Saving such a lowly and sniveling coward as you. Shame, such shame." His foot lashed out and slammed into the fox's gut without mercy. "Well? Thank him, have you no gratitude for his benevolence?"
A boney hand reached to grab onto the fox's clothing before lifting and throwing him face down into the dirt. A cloud of dirt whiffs into the air. Ashe curiously stared at the teen in wonder. She has no idea what is going on, but it's fun to watch.
The teenager quickly prostrated before them and pressed his forehead into the ground. "I-I, thank you, Great Behemoth for saving my life. I can not express my gratitude enough. I, Corsac Albain owe you a debt of gratitude this day."
Ashe tilts her head silently, a debt of gratitude? What does that mean? And why is he thanking the person beside her? He did nothing but ask to speak with the hooded man. Or maybe she doesn't know what those words mean?
This place is so very strange.
"Noted. Move along, pup. It won't happen again."
"Thank you." Corsac raised himself up. Light brown eyes met a questioning shade of dull honey. He stared at her. Ashe peered back without flinching. His teeth clenched in anger with his fingers clawing into the dirt. Corsac broke his gaze and rushed away to carry off his brother. Searching for aid to tend to the wounds.
Ashe peered up and gave a soft tug onto the Behemoth's pants. A tiny finger pointed at the retreating faunus. He gave her a neutral expression. While her head tilted at the silent question.
"That, my pup," She whirled at the sudden sound. The hooded figure approached with a slight limp in his step. "Was a weakling being forced into a life debt due to his own ignorance. Such is our way of life. The strong dictate the weak and mandate lives and dies." Elder Smoke stopped before them with a hunch in Ashe's direction. "However, we are not savages. That would make us the mindless beasts. Respect and gratitude. These are the morals that we encompass here. Respect strength and wisdom. Show gratitude for when it is shared, for no one owes you a damned thing here. Ask or earn it, then show gratitude."
Ashe could only stare at the hooded figure in curiosity when he lowered to her level. With a slow blink, she caught glimpse of beady black eyes staring. His skin was withered and old. Buck teeth were protruding out from his mouth with a chip. "Where are my manners? Elder Smoke, I am. Who are you?"
Those black eyes sized her up, looking through her. Ashe looked toward her temporary guardian. Offering no assist, he grunted and nodded his head toward Elder Smoke. Telling her to respond. She quietly focused back to the hooded figure. A whisper of a single word being spoken with a slight lisp. "…Ashe..."
"Ashe?" He rolled his head, testing the name upon his old and withered lips, "Ashe." They soon twisted into a slight grin, "Ashe! I like it, just rolls off the tongue. Tell me," His lips part into a large grin to show off his savage teeth with his buck teeth snapping toward her in a loud clack. "Do you fear me?"
Dull honey eyes stared into the black. What did he mean? What does 'fear' mean? Mommy never said that word. At least she doesn't think so. Ashe wasn't exactly allowed to learn and study on the streets. She's far behind where normal children would be at her age. With a soft crease of her brows in thought, she nibbled on her lower lip before shaking her head.
Smoke hummed to himself, even took a few sniffs from her tiny figure. Ashe watched him awkwardly before she looked up for an answer. She found none. "Hm, interesting. Yes, yes, so very interesting. You, I like. Yes, yes." Smoke took a step back before speaking to her guide. "Now then, what is it that you needed, Behemoth?"
"Come now, old friend. No need for titles. You have earned the right to use my name. However, I come to ask for a favor of sorts." Smoke tilted his head questioningly toward Behemoth. A large hand landed down onto the top of Ashe's head. "Would you consider taking her on as an apprentice? I have witnessed her instincts and cunning, I believe she would be perfect for your art."
"Hm…yes, yes, she does seem compatible. Silent and composed, good, good. But first, a test, yes, a test." Elder Smoke turned with a slight hobble, retracing his steps. Ashe noticed he returned to the dagger that was stabbed into the dirt. Her head tilted when the bottom half of his cloak exposed a long and thin tail. It was a pale pink limb that wrapped around the handle.
Smoke re-approached in that slow jaunt of his before the tail slithered toward Ashe. The dagger was held out like an offering. "A gift, from me to you, young pup. Take it, for you shall need it."
Ashe was reluctant till she felt a large hand up on her back and nudged her forward. With her guide's permission, her small and timid hands reached out to grasp the dagger. She peered it over with a curious eye, the blade was double sided and short with a simple black handle.
Disposable.
A large and sturdy hand pressed onto the back of her head and forced her into an angled bow. Her eyes widen from the sudden contact. "Express your gratitude for his generosity, Little One."
Express her gratitude? How? She recalled the scene from a moment before. Even drudging up the words that people spoke back in the city. Tiny and dirty fingers clenched around the handle, her mouth partially opened to speak quietly, "Thank…you…Ewder Smook." Did she pronounce that correctly? She's not quite sure, she has never really spoken before. Hopefully the message got across well enough.
Elder Smoke threw his head back in amusement with a burst of laughter. Yes, yes, this girl is quite interesting. "Kyak-hak-hak-hak! Yes, yes, you are quite welcome, Pup. Now, the test, yes, the test. A game I say. Cat-and-mouse. Simple, yes? Very much so, indeed. One hour you will survive. Survive and you pass. However, it will not be with me, no-no. My other pupil will it be." Smoke arched his back. Scanning the surrounding area of the camp for his target. "Where is he? Always running off, that one." He looked annoyed at the disappearance of his pupil. His nose was sniffing around into the air strangely.
Ashe stalked up toward Behemoth. The look of amusement stretched across his face. She raised her new weapon and showed it off. Waiting to get his approval. He lowered himself down onto a single knee with an appraising glance. "Hm, quite the tool. Simple, but sharp. Elder Smoke knows a fine dagger when he sees one. Take care of it and use it well, Little One."
She nodded her head once before pulling it back into her chest. A wonky chime sung out from the thump against her chest and bell. "Ah, there is he, bumbling fool." Ashe watched on when Smoke reached into his cloak. A dagger flicked out from between his fingers with practiced ease. A twang was heard from its intended target.
The target was a male, possibly in his twenties or so. She's not quite sure on his age bracket. He had dark brown hair that was pulled back into a thick and long braid. She could not make out most of his features because his back was toward her. But she noticed something else.
His long and swaying tail.
It had a deadly stinger on the tip.
"Tyrian, get over here, imbecile." As the figure turned, he was pale with small golden eyes. A maleficent grin upon his face and the eyes of a predator. He stared directly toward Ashe and her bell with a lick of his lips.
Her world suddenly sputtered and twisted in upon itself.
Pain ruptured and dug through her head. Her hands moving to grasp onto her head to repress the agony. With a cry, she falls onto her knees. Darkness quickly envelops her into a cocoon. Within, she finds herself once more in her present body.
The darkness is so cold.
The numb sensation was slithering up her spine. Imaginary bugs crawling upon the base of her skull with fervor. Shivering cold, Ashe embraces her own body for what warmth it provides. She's so cold. Invisible claws dig into her mind relentlessly. A cry of pain drowned into the dark.
Make it stop.
Rusty chains grind and shriek within her head. The pain dulls into a throb with the sound of a metal door slamming shut. The pain bleeds into the void and disappears altogether. Floating within the abyss, her perception is reversed. Looking above her head and onto the floor, a droplet of red, drips into the dark surface.
Rippling into small waves.
Ashe can sense it. Feel it crawling in her bones. It makes her hair stand on end with the shivering of her pale body. With each drop of the crimson liquid, the presence only grows and strengthens.
She's not alone.
"Hehehe."
That childish laughter instilled fear into her soul. She knows that laughter all to well. It haunts her presence and memory. Maybe she misheard it. Her mind is playing tricks on her. She's going insane. Wake up, she just needs to wake up from this nightmare. It doesn't exist.
"Aw, that's mean~"
No…no-no. Nononono.
Too soon. It's much too soon. She can't be awake. Not yet. How has she recovered so quickly? Have they eroded that quickly? Ashe looks toward her perceived sky and finds the glassy sky. The stained glass was cracked with missing fragments. When was the last time she looked at the hourglass?
Just how much has eroded away from her negligence?
"You've had some fun while I recuperated. That's not very nice. I want to play too~"
Ashe can feel the presence behind her. Mocking her with glee. Slowly turning around with paranoia, she finds her other half. Standing before her and right-side up. Her eyes were radiant with the power of Aura and a bright honey.
Where Ashe was about to enter adulthood, the other was smaller. Younger and only a silhouette for the moment. Yet the outline was easy to decipher, a moving shadow. "Too soon. You should be hibernating."
The silhouette giggles in a high-pitch mirth. "And miss all this wonderful fun you're having? I just couldn't help myself. You're the one who woke me up."
With a shaking fist, Ashe was grinding her teeth. "What do you want?"
"What do I want? What I've always done." Stepping forward, the shadow raises both hands and gently cups Ashe's cheeks from their reversed positions. "To have fun. Survive. My continued exist that this world has so wrongfully denied me." The cold fingers suddenly dig into Ashe's cheeks in frustration. "You keep screwing up."
Ashe slaps away the shade's hands, "Screwing up? How? I've done my job. Kept us safe. I've lived and experienced new things. I made sure we exist."
Taking a deep breath, the shade closes her eyes for a moment. Static ruptures through Ashe's head. It rings through her mind painfully. The shadow opens her eyes with blazing frustration. "Liar. Do you think I wouldn't notice? The unnecessary harm you brought upon us?"
A violent storm quickly combusted into the void. Thundering within her head in pain. Hurricane force winds bombarding Ashe's body relentlessly. The struggle to remain standing was immense with the blinding pain.
It hurts.
"You held back. Why? So, people wouldn't find out about us being a Faunus? Weak. Now, you're pretending to be something we aren't. Unless…"
In a gust of wind, the storm vanishes without a trace. Forcing Ashe to collapse onto her hands and knees. Panting and wheezing for breath with a glisten of sweat upon her skin. Her attitude has not changed in the least.
The silhouette caresses her own cheek with a grin. A slight red hue invading one of her eyes. "Is this a new game? You know how much I love games!"
Struggling to her feet with a shaky breath. One eye closed from the dull and throbbing pain from the mental assault. "I…am not pretending. This is not some sick game." Yet for all her bolster, she instinctively took a step back.
The child shadow mirrored her step forward, "Where are you going? You can't run from me. There's nowhere to hide." The once more repeat their actions. Ashe taking a step back, the shadow presses forward. "Come on, let's have some fun~ I'm so bored~"
Panic seeps into Ashe's soul, "No! I refuse to play those games anymore!" She rapidly stumbles in retreat. But no matter how fast she retreated, the silhouette chased after her like a bloodhound. Her games are torment. They only drag her further into insanity. Staining their soul into a bloody crimson.
With a skip and hop, the shadowy silhouette bumbles onward, a dark shade of lips smear into a maniacal grin of madness. "Our eyes can only see prey, it's an instinct we act on. You know this. You feel what I do. We are one. This bloodlust is not enough for us. I can feel how thirsty you are. You need more."
Terror etched onto Ashe's face. The shadow pressed on, a viper within striking distance. Ashe swiped out a hand in panic. "Stay the hell away from me!"
Madness spiraled from the silhouette like a broken dam, that childish laughter returned in revenge. Mocking her. "Like a beast, we indulge in our desires. With our claws, we cause a killing spree. Like an animal; we crave and a human no one can save."
Ashe suddenly slams her back into an invisible wall. Pinning herself up against the solid object with abject horror. No, no, no. Stay away! Before she could attempt to run, the child pounces forward in a shriek of laughter. Cold and small hands roughly grasp onto Ashe's biceps. Making her a captive audience to insanity.
"Just like Father always said." The dark past perks onto her tippy toes. Head twisting at an angle that only a psychotic child could manage. What were once radiant and glowing honey, now infected with veins of crimson. "We honor the Jingos. We are the Jungle. Our hunger never ends. Let our savage brethren rise!"
Those fanatical eyes widen with a deranged glee. Throwing back her head in a delightful laughter of insanity. Those hands clawed into Ashe's flesh in a cold clench. A grip like dead-lock iron. It won't let her go. She can't shake free from their past. Those claws won't release her.
"AH-HAHAHAHAHA!"
Ashe struggled with all her might. She kicked and pressed off the wall. Yet, she couldn't break free. Nothing she did worked. It kept her down. Pinned her back against the wall. "LET ME GO! I SAID LET ME GO! STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"
The laughter suddenly ceases. The lunatic twists her head in the opposite direct. The broken mind clearly visible through the infected eyes of the psychopath.
She leans upward toward Ashe, her cold breath stings onto Ashe's terrified skin. Instinctively, Ashe compressed her back up against the wall. Attempting to create as much distant as possible. "It will be my turn to play soon~ We will have sooo~ much fun~"
Ashe screamed till her throat was hoarse.
Mercy was thrown toward her like a bone. Latching on like a starved dog, Ashe's eyes finally open. Her beating heart batters against her chest in agony. Her vision was swirling and swimming through the unfamiliar room. There was not an inch of her body that wasn't covered in sweat. Her body ached, throat raw and hoarse. The ghost of pain piercing onto her arms.
Soft hands gently grasp onto her cheeks. Ashe instinctively reaches up to grab them into her gloves. The hands were cold and smooth. With her vision clearing from the fog, Ashe finds herself staring into those deep and mesmerizing light blue orbs. She was struggling to catch her breath.
Ashe's hands squeezed onto Weiss's, yet she remains silent and makes no mention if it hurts. Those eyes are so captivating and soothing. She can't tear away from them. Ashe is caught in their magnificence.
"You need to calm down, relax."
Clenching her eyes, Ashe grits her teeth in frustration. Attempting to reign her breathing back into her control. It was elusive, slipping through her fingers. Ashe forces her mind to focus on one thing. Her gloved hands release Weiss's wrists and cup onto the back of her hands. Prying her eyes open once more, she finds refuge within those beautiful ice gems to calm her senses.
Her throat was dry, and lips chapped. Still she manages to croak out a whisper. "Weiss?" Oh god, was that her voice? Sounded like she was gargling on marbles and dirt rock.
Weiss nods once, "Yes, it's me. The shock is almost over. Take a deep breath and tell me what happened."
Ashe leans into her hands in respite. How is it, that they can feel so cold, yet so warm? It's a mystery she will probably never learn. "A nightmare."
Feeling Ashe pressing her cheek against her right hand, Weiss brings the left to gently brush the damp bangs away from Ashe's forehead. "Tell me what happened."
Ah, those light blue eyes of hers are so demanding. Hypnotic and mesmerizing. Ashe bites onto her bottom lip, releasing a deep breath through her nose. Finally, she's calming down to manageable levels. "Just…a memory from long ago. When I first joined the Fang." A flicker of a scorpion tail stings toward her in a distant memory. "I'll just say, it was merciless."
"Oh? Exactly, when did you join the Fang? What was it like?" Weiss could feel her tense upon her lap. Fingertips stroking through Ashe's scalp, parting through the soft and moist locks of hair. Her eyes narrow in suspicion when Ashe turns her gaze away awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about it. It only brings me more torment."
Weiss stills into a calm, her fingers still within Ashe's hair. A moment after, she pinches threads of hair between her thumb and finger and gives it a firm tug. Forcing Ashe to wince at the discomfort, but it wasn't painful. Mostly a jolt from surprise. "Fine, I'll let you off easy this time. But if it happens again, you will tell me everything."
"No promises." With a flat stare down toward Ashe, Weiss once more gives a firm tug onto Ashe's hair. This time, she keeps pulling it in annoyance. "Ow, fine. I'll tell you."
Weiss tosses her head back with a flair, her side-tail whips over her shoulder with smugness. "Hmph, I will hold you to that. Now if you are up to it, we should get a move on. Miyako is managing the café, but she is worried about you. She checked on us multiple times while you were unconscious."
Tilting her head back, Ashe glances up toward Weiss in question, "Where are we and how long was I out for?"
With a hum, Weiss motions her hand in a circular gesture at the room, "We are in her breakroom in the back of the store. You have been unconscious for little more than hour."
"I'm sorry." Ashe slowly sits up, finding herself on a soft sofa before looking around the room. It was a basic breakroom you would find almost anywhere. A small square table with chairs and a kitchenette with a microwave and sink. There was also a fridge in the corner.
Ashe turns back toward Weiss. The heiress straightening out her combat skirt with elegance. Must she always be so poised? Weiss then holds a familiar top hat from the arm rest. Reaching it out toward Ashe. "Here, and don't worry, I made sure no one else saw them. I still don't understand why you hide them."
She takes back her hat with a soft grasp, flipping it over to peer into the depths. With a sigh of relief, Ashe plops it back onto her head. The gesture does not go unnoticed by Weiss with a flicker of her eyes. "Thank you, Weiss. I am grateful. I owe you another drink."
Weiss rolls her eyes before rising to her feet, flicking her snowy hair over a shoulder in flamboyance. "Yes, you do. I would prefer a drink without you passing out on me."
Ashe's nose twitches, "I'll do my best."
Closing one eye, Weiss peers toward Ashe with the other in a disbelieving haunt. With a huff, she strides passed Ashe toward the door. The mouse faunus quickly rises to her feet to follow in the wake of the heiress.
A moment later, the two girls find themselves back in the main café. There, Ashe finds Miyako behind the counter, wiping down a glass cup in a lax pose against the counter. She appears to be talking to someone who was casually sipping coffee from a mug.
Approaching closer her brow rises, the person was familiar. Unless, there was another brown-haired female with a caramel colored bang on the side of her head with a beret and sunglasses. Miyako and Coco both turn in direction. Weiss stood at the bar poised and Ashe beside her.
Did Miyako always smoke cigarettes? Ashe's nose twitches at the smog tickling her nose. "Feeling better, sleeping beauty? You had me worried."
"Mm, thank you for worrying about me, and I apologize for the trouble I caused." With a polite bow, Miyako waves her off nonchalantly.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Ashe turns toward Coco to find her staring. Those shades of hers tilting down her nose. "Never thought I would run into you here, Doll. Alone, with the reputable Ice Queen as well. What brings you fine ladies here?"
A cold hand firmly slaps onto Ashe's mouth before she could respond. Weiss learned from her past mistake. Never does she repeat mistakes. That would be unbecoming for someone of her stature. "Nothing, just a drink between friends that Professor Ozpin recommended for us."
Ashe peers down at the cold hand. Finding herself to be disgruntled and annoyed. Weiss remains calm and collected under Coco's scrutiny. Pushing up her aviators, she turns toward Miyako. Leaning on the counter with her elbow and a smug grin.
The barista shrugs a shoulder, "They are on a date."
Coco quirks a brow when she turns back toward Weiss, her lips twist further into a grin. The cat who caught the canary. "Oh-ho? I was right, you do move fast."
Weiss frowns with a red tint to her face. Her heel stomps into the flooring while glaring toward Miyako who sets down the cleaned glass. Only then does she finally release Ashe from her silence. "Miyako!"
Grasping onto her cigarette, she puffs a small cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. "What? I thought it would be funnier and more interesting if I told her. I was right."
Weiss grabs onto Ashe's wrist with an embarrassed blush and drags her toward the entrance. Ashe quickly scrambles to pull out her Lien to toss onto the bar to cover their drinks. "Thank you for the drinks Miyako." The entrance chimes when Ashe is dragged out by her wrist, "H-Hey, slow down Weiss!"
Coco and Miyako watch their retreat in amusement. Coco laughing quietly to herself while resting her back against the counter. Taking a sip from her hot coffee. "You were right. That was much more entertaining, Sis."
With an amusing grin, Miyako leans onto the counter and rests her chin upon her palm. "Right? They would make for an interesting couple. I am starting to see why you and Ozpin find so much amusement in pairing people up."
Coco angles her head to tilt back at Miyako. The corner of her eye twinkling with amusement behind her sunglasses. "Oh? You have no idea. I feel like my birthday has come early with this one." Crossing a leg over the other, Coco raises her mug in flamboyance, "I am going to have so~ much fun with this!"
"Ha-ha, just don't go overboard. I have a feeling one of them has quite the temper tantrum." Miyako puts out her cigarette into the ash tray. A knowing look is thrown in Coco's direction.
Placing a hand upon her chest, Coco twirls dramatically toward Miyako with a mock expression of hurt, "What? My dear Sister, you wound me so. I would never take my teasing over the limits. I am but a humble servant for those in need of assistance in the ways of romance."
With a roll of her eyes, Miyako snorts in amusement.
"Now that I think about it." Coco pumps her mug toward Miyako pointedly, "How did Peach ever fall for a Yankee like you? I mean, you were 'Metal Bat Miyako'. Do you know how much work and effort Ozpin and I had to put into it? I almost gave up at one point."
A hand suddenly reaches out and snags onto Coco's ear. Earning a grumbling cry out in pain. "Hey, I told you not to ever bring up that old nickname. I will make you start paying full price for your coffee. You, caffeine addicted punk."
"Chill, chill, my bad. Just let go. Your delinquent side is showing again." The offending hand releases her sensitive ear as Coco rubs it tenderly. "You know, I have half a mind to tell mom on you."
Miyako waves a hand dismissively over her shoulder as she walks off, "Whatever, she loves me more anyway. Now, get going punk. I am closing for a bit. I have a hot lunch date with my wife."
"She does not, Mom totally loves me more. I'm the cute one after all." Coco suddenly finds a hot pink box shoved into her chest courtesy of Miyako. A look of annoyance crosses over her face, "Again? Seriously? Can't you get someone else to deliver this for you and him?"
"I could, but you make a 'cute' delivery girl, right?"
Coco stares toward Miyako through her shades with a flabbergasted expression. She whirls around to the entrance with the box in hand. "Yea, I am totally telling Peach you are bullying me. She is going to punish you later."
Miyako grins while staring at Coco's retreating form, lazily resting an elbow upon her counter. "Oh, that's what I am counting on later tonight."
Coco stops mid-step, her body overcome with the jitters. Her free arm raises with her fingers spread in disbelief at what she heard, "Okay, ew. I do not want to hear that from my own sister." A chuckle is all the response she gets. "I'll see you later, Sis." The door chimes once more when she makes her exit.
Further down the street, Ashe finds herself being dragged by the wrist. Her bell chimes erratically when she stares toward Weiss's slim back. The strut making Weiss's backside sway. "Can you let me go now? It feels like you're going to pull my arm off." She could always pull free, but that would be rude. Weiss did watch over her after all.
Her words fall on deaf ears. The heiress continues her stride to who knows where. Yet, the sudden loud gurgle of Ashe's stomach manages to force Weiss into a misstep. A lone eye glances over her shoulder. Ashe fidgets and looks everywhere but her escort, "…I'm hungry?" What else is she supposed to say to that?
After a momentary stare, Weiss turns away and surveys their location. Finding what she's looking for, she drags Ashe for just a moment longer toward a fancy café. Ashe suddenly finds herself beside Weiss who was speaking to the host. "Table for two. Patio." Is Weiss going to drag her all the way to the table as well?
A resounding yes.
Ashe soon finds herself plopped into a chair at a small table with an umbrella for shade. A small iron fence separates them from the sidewalk. Ashe quietly embraces her new surroundings in wonder. Weiss is already looking over her menu in silence.
Grasping her own menu, she glosses over it and finds their specialty is with pasta. Ashe has never really had pasta before. Sure, she's had spaghetti and maybe lasagna. But those were on special occasions and extremely rare. Not to mention a long, long time ago. "Hey Weiss, what is alfredo?"
"Hm? It is just a creamy sauce made of butter, heavy cream, and cheese. Why? Are you already deciding to order? I was going to get us an appetizer first." Decision made, Weiss sets her menu down and snaps for the nearest waiter. Yes, she is that type of haughty person when it comes to service. It's in her blood.
With a twitch of her nose, Ashe perks up at the mention of cheese. Looking once more over her menu with renewed vigor, Ashe makes her decision when the waitress approaches for their orders. Waters are placed before them.
"You really do like cheese, don't you?" Ashe perks at Weiss. A plate of mozzarella sticks is placed between them. Those light blue orbs flicker to Ashe's top hat. "Then again, it makes sense."
Ashe sunk into her chair in embarrassment. "Not like I can help it. Cheese is really good."
Weiss leans forward onto the small table as she rests her chin against the back of her hand, "Oh? I see. What else do you like?"
"Mm…Fruits and meats…for starters…" Before long, the two girls find themselves lost in conversation. The rustling of the city fiddles in the background. Weiss picks away at Ashe with questions to learn more about her. Mostly just about her likes and dislikes. When Weiss finds something interesting, she wants to know everything about it.
She found out Ashe's favorite color was light gray. Her most liked professor and class was Port. She has little to no knowledge about modern cultures. Such as movies and music. Ashe never had the chance to experience the most basic of entertainment. Weiss will have to do something about that later. It's borderline criminal.
Maybe she will sing for her sometime. Teach her the finer cultures in life.
But Weiss was cautious about asking anything related to her past.
However, Weiss couldn't hold in her fit of giggles when their desserts arrived. Ashe was star struck and drooling at her strawberry cheesecake. Taking a bite, Ashe flutters into a sigh of pure bliss. Sinking into her seat at the sweet, tasty treat. Only to blush and pout in embarrassment from the fit of chuckles. "Nn…Don't have to stare."
Weiss leans forward with a fork in hand. Resting her chin upon the back of her hand. "I'm aware. I want to." This only caused Ashe to be more conscious of herself. Fighting the urge to embrace the succulent dessert. No doubt to only embarrass and make a fool of herself.
Weiss on the other hand, had no problem watching Ashe intently. Knowingly making her squirm while she slowly munches away. Taking slow and elegant bites, leaving no mess or crumbs.
Paying for their meals, both teenagers find themselves back upon a bullhead for Beacon. Their return was mostly in silence. Weiss continued to give Ashe a knowing look. Only further embarrassing the faunus to look away. Weiss seems to thoroughly enjoy getting such reactions from her. It was only moment when Weiss and Ashe find their way to team RWBY's dorm.
Weiss reaches for the knob, only for it to once more fling open. To her utter shock.
"Finally, you're back! I've been waiting forever~ Hi, Weiss." A slender hand darts out and grabs onto Ashe's wrist. Speedily dragging her into the dorm. Seriously, what is with everyone dragging her around today? What is she, a pet? "I finished your maintenance, and they are so much better! Give them a go!"
Ashe finds herself staring down at Ruby's workstation. Her daggers are bright and shiny. Did…did they just twinkle?
Grasping the hilts into her hands, she notices how much lighter they are compared to before. Blinking, she turns toward Ruby who is staring toward her expectedly with blinking eyes and a small smear of grease on her cute cheek. "How do they feel? So much lighter right? There was a lot of build-up, so they should work much more efficiently."
With a hum, Ashe twirls both daggers around her fingers expertly. It makes for a neat parlor trick. But Ruby was correct, they are much lighter and easier to handle. Finding their window open, Ashe flicks her daggers. Letting them fly before she snaps them back.
Smooth.
"Ah! I really studied that mechanic and it was so interesting! It even gave me a few ideas to maybe modify Crescent Rose with, but I dunno how to implement them." Ruby darts forward, stars within her eyes in excitement. "Maybe I can bounce a few ideas off of you and get your opinion." Ruby pouts suddenly and hangs her head, "I tried to ask Blake, but she left after the incident."
Weiss makes her presence known once more, approaching the two girls with an arched brow, "Um, what incident?" Ashe was quite curious herself.
Ruby leans away, poking her index fingers together suspiciously. She struggled to meet their gaze. "Well~, I was working on the propulsion mechanics of your daggers…" Ruby nonchalantly waves her hand in a circle with a dismissive expression, "They are more sensitive than I thought…I can neither confirm nor deny accidently shooting them off toward Blake at this time."
Ashe smacks her forehead, Weiss massages at her temples with a sigh. Ruby rubs onto the back of her head sheepishly with a nervous grin, "Let's just say…Blake has great cat-like reflexes." A thumb points over her shoulder at Blake's bed.
Following her point of direction, they find Blake's bed empty. There was, however, a deep hole on Blake's headrest. The spot that she normally sits at comfortably to read. Ashe and Weiss slowly gaze at Ruby with neutral expressions. Only causing Ruby to fidget in nervousness. "In my defense…They are really…really sensitive."
Weiss rolls her eyes with a scoff disappearing into their bathroom before she acquires a migraine. Ruby pouts and sticks her tongue out behind her. Ashe snickers, giving Ruby a pat on the shoulder. "Mm, it's okay. It has happened to me before as well. They are quite sensitive and takes getting used to."
With a nervous chuckle, Ruby nods her head, "Yea…thanks. I think."
Striding pass Ruby, Ashe waves over her shoulder. "Thank you, Ruby. I'll pay you back here soon for your work." Before she could leave the room, a voice calls out to her conspiratorially.
"Well~, now that you mention it. There's something I wouldn't mind you doing to pay me back." Ashe peers over her shoulder questioningly. Ruby suspiciously clasping her hands together with her head tilted. The perfect picture of innocence and purity.
With a narrow of her eyes, Ashe speaks out, "Mm, what's that?"
Ruby shuffles and sways cutely, she bats her eyes while raising her hands up closer to her lips with a tilt of her head. "Well~ Since your daggers are ready to use. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind having a spar with me." Ruby plops her hands down toward her skirt, her leg bending backwards in a cutesy pose with a beaming smile toward Ashe.
"Oh, is that all? Sure, let's go."
"Aw yea!" Ruby whoops in joy before she grabs onto Crescent Rose and Ashe. Once more dragging her out of the room with her semblance. Not before shouting out toward Weiss, "Be back later Weiss! Taking your girl out for a spar!"
The bathroom door slams open. Weiss's gripes onto the frame with a red hue on her face. "My what?! Ruby!"
Ruby giggles childishly. Ashe finds her world turning into a blur of red and petals. Seriously, is it national drag her by the wrist day? A moment later, Ashe finds herself standing in a grass clearing with a few trees outside of the dorm building.
Ashe couldn't help but blink. Ruby wipes away a tear from her fit of giggles, "Oh man, Yang was right. That was hilarious and so much fun. Aw, now I want some cookies. But that can wait." Ruby grabs onto her weapon, whirling it around before slamming her massive scythe into the grass. "I got some butt to kick, aw yea!"
A smirk slithered its way upon her lips, Ashe grabs only one dagger into her left hand. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Ruby. I am one of your worst match-ups."
"Whaa~ Wha'cha talk'in about? I don't have any bad match-ups! I am a complete, grade-A butt kicker! You'll see!" Ruby throws out her arm with a thumbs down and a playful grin, "You're going down!"
With that being said, Ruby raises her Crescent Rose and charges forward in an arc with a shout. A gunshot echoes into their field. Ashe had to give her praise where it mattered. The girl was fast. Extremely fast. Which is one of the most important traits in any match-up. There's just one even more vital trait she lacks.
Experience.
Ruby knows next to nothing about Ashe's skills and fighting style. Blinding rushing an opponent that you know nothing about is fool hearty. While Ruby has the advantage in raw speed, her lack of experience shines like a neon sign.
Ashe doesn't need to catch most of her movements. Just the hand movements or polearm. The scythe has a major weakness. It only has a one-dimensional blade that is in an awkward position. You can not thrust with it, back slash with it, or quickly follow up an attack without rotating it. The scythe is meant to cleave large groups and keep a safe distance away.
Not charging an opponent into super close melee. Ashe wasn't lying, she is a horrible match up for Ruby. Her weapon requires distance, Ashe does not. Rushing forward to meet her head on, a glisten of steel reflects the waning sunlight.
Ruby must have been surprised at her speed. While she is slower, Ashe is fast in her own right. But like she said, that isn't much of an issue. Finding herself within Ruby's guard, Ashe slams her dagger into the non-lethal pole. The blade is one-dimensional.
Running her blade along the red and black metal, Ashe doesn't even turn around when the blades cross and lock into position. Follow the polearm, and you know where the blade is. It can only attack from one pattern.
She was not lying. Ashe is a complete bad match-up for Ruby. She's someone that can get up close and personal. Sticking to their body like paste. As terrifying as her scythe is, it has a major weakness that she needs to realize and work on. While all weapons have a blind spot, the scythe has a more massive blind spot that's easily noticeable. There's a reason there are not many scythe users.
Before Ruby could pull the trigger on her weapon, Ashe leapt into action. Lashing out with her free hand to snag onto the front of her cloak. Rotating on her foot, she lifts and twirls Ruby through the air. Throwing her down onto the ground in a flutter of red with a dull thump and squeak.
With a lazy toss, Ashe flings it into the soft grass beside Ruby's neck. "I win."
Ruby stares into space before her cloak flutters and covers over the face. That was when she decided to sit up and spin toward Ashe while slamming her palms upon the grass. "Wha-What just happened?!"
"Did no one ever tell you? Never rush your opponent when you don't know what they can do. It will just end badly." Ashe offers Ruby a hand that she happily takes and dusts off her black and red skirt. "I spent a week watching everyone's fighting style during Professor Goodwitch's class. Nn, I have a good general assessment of everyone's combat strengths and weaknesses. Has anyone ever told you about yours?"
Ruby scratches onto her head in thought, "Um, I don't really remember. Why, what are they?" She was never the type to really listen to lectures. Maybe that's why her dad was always getting frustrated with her.
Ashe plops onto the ground beside Crescent Rose. Pointing to the spot opposite of her with a bored expression. Ruby tentatively follows the unspoken order. "Let me ask you this. Are you long, mid, or close range with this weapon?"
Ruby squints while studying her weapon more closely. "Uh…Close range?"
"You are mid-range." Ruby tilts her head to the other side while narrowing her eyes further. "Why did you choose this type of weapon in the first place?"
Ruby lights up like a firecracker. "Because my Uncle uses a scythe and he is really cool! Plus, it just looks so awesome, right? I mean, he uses a scythe too and he specializes in close range." Ruby crosses her arms over her chest in thought.
"Does he use a scythe exactly like this one?"
Ruby shakes her head in the negative, "No, he uses a smaller one that is a sword that transforms into a scythe." Her eyes begin to lighten up in realization, "He would always use the sword when sparring with other Huntsman, Dad, and Yang. Would that be why?"
Ashe hums before slowly nodding her head, "Mm, more than likely. I can't say with absolute certainty since I don't know him or his fighting style."
Raising a hand, Ruby cups her chin in thought before glancing over Crescent Rose and then toward Ashe with intrigue and interest. "So, I am supposed to be a Mid-range fighter, where would my strength be?"
Ashe crosses her arms for a moment in thought, her bell chimes lightly in the breeze, "If you need crowd-control and precision, I would call Weiss. If you need someone to stall and scout around, I would ask Blake. For Yang, she would be the one to ask for a decoy and heavy hitter." Nodding her head, Ashe points toward Ruby in realization, "If I need someone that can mow down a crowd and watch my back, I would ask you. You would be great at hit and run tactics."
Ruby perks up while leaning forward with both hands flat on the grass. "Whatcha mean?" Her silver eyes were twinkling in excitement. All of her lectures where about what she needs to work on. Mainly just about thinking ahead and boring stuff. Strangely enough, Ashe was holding her interest in this conversation.
"Mm, your semblance is speed, meaning you can easily get in and out. Your weapon is a scythe and high-caliber rifle." The gears begin to spin within Ashe's mind, pointing down at Crescent Rose. "Support fighter. With your range, you can easily attack from afar and watch your team's back. Your scythe is long, you can reach your target from two body lengths. At least, if you can hold it from near the base. You'll need loads of upper strength for that though, and leg strength to keep your balance."
Excitement is radiating from Ruby with a colossal grin. Never before has she been so excited to look at Crescent Rose in a new light. "One more question, how could I compensate my weakness of close combat?"
Ashe blinks, "Mm, the easiest solution is to never put yourself into that scenario, but that is practically impossible. So, make that your first method, and learn a new skill for when that fails." Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face.
Ashe couldn't squirm away fast enough. Ruby in her excitement leaps over the weapon and bodily hugs Ashe into smothering affection. "Alright! Thanks for the spar! Ah, this was so~ much fun, even if I didn't put up much of a fight at all." Ashe couldn't help but squeak in protest.
"M-mm, you're welcome."
Ruby grabs Crescent Rose and quickly holsters it back before whooping in joy. "I have to make a new training schedule and I have so many new ideas to work on~ Thank you so much Ashe! Let's spar again some time, see ya~" With a shower of rose petals, she quickly disappears in a red blur back up into the dorm building.
"Yea…sure…" With a slow blink, Ruby was already gone. A gust of wind forces her top hat to slide at an angle. With a shrug of her shoulders, Ashe plops onto her back, deciding to get a nice moment of relaxation in the waning sun. The grass was soft, and it wasn't hot. It was a warm embrace.
The soft crunch of grass forces her eye to peek open. A tall figure blocks out the sun while bending over with bright red hair cascading down her shoulder, "Hello again~"
"Pyrrha? Hello, have you been here long?"
With a light giggle, Pyrrha brushes a few strands of hair behind her ear, "Oh, well I was a bit bored earlier, so I came out here to exercise to pass some time. I was relaxing under a tree when Ruby and you appeared. You know, that was a nice thing you did for her. Giving her advice on how to improve herself. Not many people would do that for others."
Ashe scowled slightly. That's something she knows on a personal level. She would have loved for people to be more forth coming with her. "Mm, I know. That's why I did it."
A smile worms its way onto Pyrrha's lips, "I see. May I ask you something?"
"Mm?" She let the breeze wash over her small body.
"Would you have a spar with me?"
Ashe cracks an eye open, "Right now? Nn, I was kind of hoping for a nap. It feels good right now since the sun is setting. I also woke up early today, so I am tired." She couldn't help but sigh at Pyrrha's dejected pout and frown. "Tomorrow."
Pyrrha shines warmly with green eyes sparkling in the dim glow of the sunset, "Of course. Tomorrow. Mind if I lay here with you?"
With a lazy wave of the hand, Pyrrha takes it as an invitation. Laying upon her back beside Ashe in the dim glow of the sun. Pyrrha couldn't help but chuckle softly when a soft and quiet snooze echoes out from Ashe. It didn't take long for her to fully relax into a nap. Must have been more tired than she thought.
Pyrrha glances up to the sky, raising a hand and clenching it into a fist. She could barely contain her excitement. "Tomorrow."
(A/N)
So...Neat little story I thought people might find interesting or funny. So, here I was writing this chapter and minding my own business at around 10 a.m. Window open and wild turkeys in the next lot having a heyday. Gobbling and having the time of their life. Next thing I know, an explosion rings out in the distance and a loud whistle of something flying through the air. The gobbling stops and power cuts out. Apparently, the power company said one of those turkeys went and messed with the neighborhood transformer. Apparently, Thanksgiving came early this year with an extra-crispy turkey.
In related news, next chapter is going to be fun to write. I am really looking forward to working on Chapter Eleven. The gears will begin to spin! Let me know your thoughts on the story thus far.