(A/N)
Surprise! I had a bit of a burning desire to do some writing lately, so this one came out much sooner than I expected. But I am putting the A/N up here for a reason.
Fair warning, it gets a bit more bloody, but nothing too detailed. Just figured I'd give a little heads up.
Also to the people that have left reviews, I humbly and gratefully thank you. It really perks me up to get things out quicker. I have sent out some PMs, but I learned that if I send one on the website, the you can only see them from the website. If you send one from the app, then you can only see it on the app.
Why does nothing work around here?!
Anyways, enjoy this sooner than expected release, and things are starting to heat up very, very soon!
Darth
Chapter Seventeen
To say he was on edge was an understatement.
Chewing on his cigar, Junior flicks a lighter to take a deep drag. There was not much going on in the syndicate, besides the norm at least. Business has been going on by as usual. So, why would he be on edge? Puffing a cloud of smoke to the ceiling, the music continues to blare throughout his club. "You've been coming every night for a while. Don't you have school or something?"
"Mm."
Leaning on the bar counter with arms spread, one hand raises to comb back his now slick hair. "Seriously, Fairy. Why are you here? Nothing good ever goes down when you show your face so often. It's been almost two weeks. People are getting antsy."
Ashe casually rings a gloved finger around the trim of her frozen strawberry sangria. He was right, she has been coming every night, waiting. What was she waiting for? Well, anything really. There is not much else she can do at the moment. Her hands are tied. There's no merit to running around the city blind with no direction. "Waiting for a lead." After all, Ashe wouldn't even know a lead if she found one.
Patience is key.
Taking his cigar, Junior turns to rest his back against the bar top, before putting it out in a tray. "Yea, I got that the first few days. What lead are you waiting for exactly? I'll help you out, if it gets you out of my club sooner."
With a shrug, Ashe raises her drink for a sip. "Dunno."
Flabbergast, Junior whirls back around and leans onto his elbow upon the counter, his hand pointing toward Ashe. "Let me get this straight. You're here, waiting for a lead. A lead for something that you know nothing about."
Setting down her drink, Ashe nods once. "Mm." With a sigh, Junior rubs away at his growing headache. "All I know, is that someone is looking for me."
Junior blinks to himself, "Someone's looking for you?" He receives an affirmative grunt in response. His face scrunches in deep thought, pulling out an empty old-fashioned glass and puts a few cubes of ice into it. Someone's looking for her…Interesting. Quickly pouring himself a soda and whiskey cup, he chugs it in one go before slamming it down. "I may…I can't stress this enough, may have something."
Perking a brow, Ashe gives Junior a side glance, not expecting much. "Mm?"
"Do me a little favor, and I'll tell you. It may be somethin', or it may be nothin'." Slowly, she turns toward his direction fully, taking a casual sip of her drink. Glancing around, Junior nods toward a direction. "Follow me."
With a hop to her foot, Ashe follows along with her drink in hand. Fingertips trail along the bar top with a shimmer of a misstep. Her honey colored eyes glance toward a sink of clear water for washing. Ashe ignores the slight dark hues staring back from her reflection. A moment later, she finds herself within Junior's personal office.
Reaching into his desk drawer, he flops a photograph upon his desk and slides it over. "Word on the streets, this jackass has been dabbling where he's not supposed to. Of course, those were rumors at first. So, we did nothing about it." Junior watches Ashe tug the photograph toward her side casually, "However, things changed when we got some real dirt on the guy."
Ashe turns to the sound of a scroll landing beside the photo, screen up. A recording plays out with no sound, it was short and sweet. The camera feed showing a warehouse garage opening with masked individuals carrying large bags used for grain. One masked person opens the back door of an old boxed truck. Throwing in the bags, one wiggles and partially raises before the doors could be closed.
Setting down her drink, thirst lost, she slides the scroll back. "Human trafficking."
Junior paces toward an old record player, setting himself some music, he takes a cigar from his personal stash. "Here's the kicker, he's a known racist and avid supporter of Faunus suppression." Taking a quick drag, Junior returns to his desk. "I'm not saying its true but…There's a high chance that—"
"They are Faunus."
Junior remains silent while leaning back into his leather chair. "It's possible, so I figured you would be best for this job." Tossing an envelope toward her, she easily snatches it from the air with a hardened gaze. "His last known where-about. Take him out, permanently." Without a sound, Ashe turns toward the door and stalks her exit. "Fairy." With a tight grip on the knob, she pauses at the call. "Do what you do best." Tilting her head, she looks back at him from the corner of her eye. An eerie glow amidst the dark rings.
Slamming down his cigar upon his ash tray, Junior frowns angrily. Smothering the cigar with his strength. "Make an example of him."
The walls shutter in her exit. Not a moment later, Ashe finds herself outside the booming club at the valet booth. With a thump of boots, a familiar blond struts in her direction. "Fairy, a pleasure."
Looking up, Ashe nods once in acknowledgement. "Elena."
Turning toward the booth, the blond tosses a set of keys toward Ashe. "The usual, I assume. First floor, back right."
She caught the keys without a glance, "Mm." Ashe didn't mind her in the least. Kept it professional, just how she liked it. Short and curt, to the point. No need to waste each other's time. A quick walk finds her at a car garage. Following the directions, Ashe approaches a small row of motorbikes. At the end was what she needed.
Approaching the motorcycle, Ashe gives it a quick glance. Looks like Junior cleaned it up a bit. She'll have to thank him later, maybe another cigar. The design was simple, a dull gray with an occasional blend of black. Ashe isn't quite sure if it is hers or Junior's. He went and got it for her, considering how many jobs she used to do for him. Having a set of wheels made traversing the slums and highways an easier journey.
Raising the seat, Ashe collects an ash colored goggle set and plops them on. She then grabbed a small and thin chain with two clamps on the ends. Closing the seat, Ashe hops on and clamps one side of the chain to the trim of her top hat, before strapping it under her chin to the other. It's better than a helmet, those things hurt her ears too much due to their compact size.
Though Junior had to have her motorbike custom made. The reason why? Glancing to the motorcycle next to her, she notices how much larger it is. To make it more comfortable for her smaller stature. With a click of her tongue, Ashe kick starts the biker harder than needed.
She had glanced over the whereabouts before she left the garage. Pinpointing a trafficker was always difficult. They were constantly on the move, and could easily blend in. More often than not, during the day, they would be in populated areas with little security to scope out targets. Then at night, they would being their transportations.
Thankfully, the tipoff was much more accurate than she anticipated. That usually never happens, but she will take what she can get. At least Ashe doesn't have to hunt down her target. Staking out at the end of the street, Ashe waits for movement.
Slowly and silently, an hour or so passes, her scroll hums in a vibration. Taking it from her pocket, Ashe smiles faintly and brings it to her ear. "Mm."
"Where are you?" That voice was annoyed and angry.
Ashe grimaces at the demanding voice of Weiss. She was not a happy camper tonight. Then again, she has been grumpy for a while now, and she might be to blame for that. "In city."
There was a sputter on the other end, "In-in the city? What are you doing in the city? We have classes tomorrow. Do you have any idea what time it is?" It was late after all.
"Mm, it's late, I know. I have something to do though." A sudden throttle of an engine turning forces Ashe to glance up. Her target's vehicle was on the move. "Gotta go, bye."
"Ashe! Don't you dare hang u—"
She will probably get an earful for that later. No, she will get an earful for that. But she will deal with that later. Even if this turns out to be a fluke and a dead end for a lead, it is the only thing she has for now. Whoever has been looking for her, has not made a move. Part of her wishes that the Elder was lying and misleading her, but she knew better.
He never lied to her.
Before long, Ashe stalked her target onto the highway. Traffic was low and few in between. This forced her to drop back and keep a heavy distance away as to avoid suspicion. The trip wasn't too eventful. Watching them pull off toward the harbors, Ashe waits at the exit ramp a moment longer. She knows these harbors. This is the privately-owned section, little to no big corporations. If you needed something smuggled across the oceans, you came here. Air travel was more tightly monitored. Ocean travel, not so much.
Her bike hums quietly through the harbor. It does not take her long to find the vehicle parked at a dock. Activity was abuzz, so she parked and hid a few warehouses down. A quick survey shows what she's dealing with. It looked to be a general use Reefer ship, small, so must be privately owned. A few guards, lackies more like it, stationed around and keeping vigilant.
Humming to herself, Ashe hung her goggles upon a handle for later use. She did, however, decide to keep the small clasp holding down her hat. Raising a hand, she unclasps her bell and wraps it around her white handkerchief. A small mouse head with a top hat now etched upon the corner. Jaune took a while, but he finally finished it.
She should buy him lunch or dinner sometime.
Her bell tucked away safely, Ashe shadows toward metal crates to be loaded in the morning. With a closer approach, she finds her primary target inspecting the goods. From the back, he was typically dressed like a mob boss. Dress pants and shoes with a throw over coat. Though, his hair was slicked back with a messy blend of black, gray, and white. Age? Natural? She's not sure, but her focus turns elsewhere.
The grain bags were squirming and wiggling. With a nod of his head, henchmen grab onto the sacks and lug them around like sack of potatoes. Trailing up the ramp, Ashe smirks in amusement as one of the grains gives the goon hell. Good on them, don't make it easy.
A heavy fist to the bag forces it limp and immobile. She scowls and memorizes his features. Thankfully, the goon was bald and made it easier to recognize. Glancing around for a point of entry, she decides to take the least expected route. With a low and quiet sprint toward the edge of the dock, she leaps out over the waters.
Flicking a dagger, it wraps around the railing of the ship's bow. Flipping over the railing, Ashe dashes toward a discarded oil barrel for safety. If there's one thing she learned during her works, is that the most lazy and useless guards were always where people least expect intrusion.
Who would sneak aboard a ship from the front? Where spotlights and little coverage reigned? It's something only amateurs and the most dimwitted would attempt. Most attempts are always from the port or starboard, some from the stern. The more observant eyes are watching those more closely, even if they appear less guarded.
Underneath the underneath and all that jazz.
Letting the spotlight pass, Ashe glides with the shadows toward the superstructure. Breaching a partial sealed door, she finds a surprise right through the door. A henchman was turning toward the sound of the door creaking open. Without thinking, her body flies on autopilot and fires the first shot. A flick of her wrist, and her dagger sails through the air before impaling the grunt on the forehead.
Instant death.
She slides under the body before it could collapse upon the ground for a ruckus. Annoyance seeps through her, dragging and hiding the body in a nearby room, she snaps the handle closed. She got lucky, if he was trained, the whole crew would know she's here. Venturing further into the ship, she descends into the hold.
Only a few lazy guards blocked her path, she made quick and efficient work of them. Though she found all manners of illegal activity in her adventure. Exotic animals in captivity, stolen goods, illegal drugs, and dust as well.
Weiss is going to be pissed to find out someone is smuggling her company's dust.
Eventually, she scores a promising door around the corner. After all, there was a familiar bald goon guarding it. She says guarding in the most loose of terms, considering he was on his scroll. Well, you get what you pay for. Cheap muscle means you get inadequate detail. She didn't even have to run or use any tactics.
Ashe strolled up to him with a bored look.
He suddenly tosses his arms up into the air in victory, "Winner, winner, chicken d—" A pummel pulverizes into his throat. Crushing his windpipe to become oxygen deprived. Watching him crumple to the ground, Ashe grips his face and slams his head back into a pipe along the wall. Brown eyes stare toward her in a frenzied panic.
Her thumb and curled index finger raise and tightly squeeze onto his nose. The spasms of his painful body only increased. His skin was turning a hue of blue every second that ticked by. The whites of his eyes were turning red, but he was in such a frantic, he didn't know whether to fight her off or hold his throat to ease the pain.
But neither would work anyways. It was already too late. Slowly he crumples against the wall, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. His movements and spasms dying down to still. The last moments of his life, watching the crimson flicker through his killer's eyes with a grin. With a slump of the body, Ashe proceeds to the door without remorse.
Turning it open with a clack, it pries open heavily. Reaching out toward the wall, she flicks on the light to find what she was looking for. Hostages were scattered about the room with frightened stares. Her hand twitches with a pit churning within her stomach. Squishing it down, she mentally counts how many there are. Close to a dozen or so, and they were mixed. Some humans and a few faunus.
They have been busy it seems.
She placed a hand upon her hip, near her dagger, "You're free to go."
A male adult is the first to stand and slowly approach her, cautious and wary. He was plain looking, a human to boot. "What do you mean? You're not with them?"
Ashe shakes her head softly, but eyes wide and ready. You never know, a guard could be hidden amongst them. Never let your guard down, even for a moment. "Nn, I'm here to eliminate a target and prevent this operation from succeeding."
A few of the hostages stand with hope showing upon their expressions, "So you're here to help us escape?"
"No, as I said. I am here to eliminate a target. Nothing more, nothing less. I will not be escorting anyone out, that is for you all to deal with. After all, I'm just one person." Her annoyance flared as the group started to become rowdy and angry with her. What's the problem? She freed them, they don't have to sit on their asses and can work on their own escape.
She could feel the migraine coming around, but before she could ease the pain away the male once more speaks up with a raised hand. "That's enough! It sucks, but she doesn't owe us a damn thing. At least she freed us, so instead of taking out your frustrations out on her, be thankful we have a chance." Turning back to Ashe, he sneers to the side, "She's not a huntress after all."
A sudden and sharp pain stabbed into her heart at the comment. Hands squeeze into a fist with a soft grit of the teeth. The male rams his shoulder against her smaller frame, shoving on by her. She staggers slightly but catches herself easily.
Not a huntress?
He's right. She's not. Why is she deluding herself into this madness? Nothing has gone right these pass few weeks. Her reputation has only tanked down. Ever since Elder made his appearance, she's grown paranoid and stressed. Releasing pent up aggression during her spars. She's lost track of how many bones she's broken since then.
None of them hers.
Now, only members of team RWBY and JNPR are the ones that talk to her. Occasionally she runs into Velvet and Coco, but those are rare encounters. Even the Professors find it difficult to interact with her. Normally, she wouldn't mind this and would embrace it. But at some point, she grew slightly fond of the social interactions she was having.
People noticed her, called out to her. She existed.
She doesn't want to lose it, but Ashe doesn't know what to do.
'Coward.'
Ashe kept her head down; she did not need to glance up to know that the ghost of past was standing before her. Time had seemingly slowed to a crawl around her. 'Why do you care?'
'I've told you before. I am you and you are me. We know what to do, but you are afraid.' The phantom approaches without a sound, leaning up on her toes to whisper into Ashe's ear. 'Scared of the pain. Terrified of failure. You fear change. We both know, you don't have what it takes to get them out safely. But I do.'
Slowly raising her head, Ashe stares forward with a neutral and blank expression, 'Why are you offering to help?'
The ghost of past lowers back down with a frown upon her lips, facing the opposite direction, 'You know the answer to that.' Ashe closes her eyes tightly with a clenched fist, of course she does.
Her voice was a whisper, but not alone. "We owe it to her.""We owe it to her."
Raising her head, she finds a young girl staring at her with a tilt of the head. Two small pigtails upon her head and wearing white overalls with a pink shirt. She says young, but she was already an inch or so taller than Ashe.
Whirling away from the girl, Ashe calls out toward the leaving group. "I can help."
The male spokes person turns back around with an arched brow and scowl. "Help? You made it clear, you do not want to help."
"I know, but…I can not let you all go out there on your own. None of you will survive. I snuck in here, so there are still plenty of guards out there, and they are armed." Striding forward, Ashe stands before the representative. "You have a chance with me, but you will need to do everything I say."
"Why should we listen to you?"
Pacing forward, Ashe stands next to him, "Because you all want to live." Passing a crate, she ignores the emblem of a cube with an 'M' in it.
"Tanner." With a halt in her step, Ashe looks back toward the male, "My name, is Tanner."
"Fairy." Making it out the door, Ashe approaches the corpse and loots anything of value. Finding a scroll and pistol, she tosses them to Tanner. "Take them, call the authorities and let them know what's going on. Do not fire that gun, unless it is a truly desperate situation. They do not know I am here, nor you are free. Keep it that way for as long as we can."
The group re-traces the path she took to find them. A few more corpses littering the way that were unavoidable. Once more, they scavenged for any goods that were useable. Just a few scrolls and handguns. Of course, there was all the illegal dust being smuggled. Problem was, none of them knew how to use it, so it was worthless. She was the only that could use dust with her sword.
Not like anyone would notice a few dusts missing, right? The stuff is expensive and it's just sitting here, ripe for the taking. After all, stealing from thieves isn't theft.
It's liberation.
Just don't make mention of it to Weiss. She would have her hide.
Ashe also noticed a lack of weaponry. There was no cargo of weapons and ammunition. That was the bread of butter of all smugglers. Everyone used it and needed it. Strange that she did not find any within the cargo holds they came across. More than likely, they are kept on different parts of the ship, as to avoid any explosive situations.
Funny stuff happens when you put highly explosive material, with highly flammable material.
Approaching upper deck within the superstructure, Ashe looks further up the rising stairway. More than likely, her target is up in the navigation control or captain's room. She can not take the group up there; they would only get in her way.
Ashe could leave them here, but this spot is highly impractical and defenseless. If something were to happen, they could easily be swarmed from every direction. Turning to the door from earlier, the handle was broken and unable to be opened. What to do, what to do? She has her mission and objective. There's no way she can just abandon it. Once her target gets away, he will disappear completely, and the trafficking will eventually continue. And next time, there will be no miraculous lead.
"We will wait here." Her eyes flick to Tanner, "You have a job to do, don't you? You've been looking between the upper stairs and us repeatedly." He then signals two people to close the doors and lock them from the inside. "We can hold up here for a while, just make it quick. I used to be an officer, so I can at least make sure we bunker down a bit."
She doesn't even spare a second thought; Ashe leaps up the stairs with a quick vault. Ascending the levels was mostly the same. A few guards loitered around, and Ashe made sure to take them out. Even going so far, as to terminate any guards that were out of her path. The less forces, the better off they were later. They truly lacked any sort of training, just brutes lazing about and hardly paying any attention. It's a wonder how anyone else hasn't muscled their way in.
Though, something strange was happening on her route.
It started off as a small uncomfortable feeling, but as she ascended further up. A static within her head began to manifest. As if someone left a television on with the volume increasing the further, she ascended. By the time she made it to the navigation bridge, that static was roaring within her ear. It was becoming difficult to think.
Thankfully, there was no door to enter the bridge. The lights were off and only a soft buzz of electricity was sounding out. There was a haunting glow from the flickering computer screens. Strange, that the bridge is empty. It should have at least someone in here. The static ruptures even further, the longer she prowls within the bridge. Dropping down to her knees, she holds her head with a grit of teeth. 'What the hell is going on?' Curling inward, she nearly places her forehead against the cold and smooth metal.
"Roll away!"
A shadow descends upon Ashe from the ceiling, without a stray thought, Ashe rolls along the ground and slams her back against a navigation machine. A figure slams upon the metal flooring as sparks rupture from contact. The static within her head vanishes immediately. Finally giving her mind some peace and tranquility, but it isn't for long. Snapping her eyes open, she finds the tri-colored hair male crouched on the ground with a palm slammed onto the ground.
Slowly rising to his feet, he runs his hand through his hair. "Good instincts, kid. I was wondering who entered my static field. Looks like you've done quick work with some of the boys as well. Then again, they were just useless muscle."
Leaning against the console, Ashe stands and shakes the left-over static from her head. She was able to get a better look at him from a closer distance. He had a few wrinkles, but mostly an aged look. She would guess him around mid to late forties. Eyes were black, and the coat reached down to the back of his knees. It seemed to be made of wool, isn't he stuffy in that thing? The three colors in his hair seemed natural and randomly assorted. No clear pattern at all. At least she found her target. "Static…"
Static shrugs and claps his hands together before slowly rubbing them. "Yea, that's me. Though, I'm not quite sure who you are, but I have a hunch. From some rumors at least." Slowly moving his hands apart, static clings between them and visibly appealing. "Fairy, right?"
Ashe grabs her daggers and takes a defensive stance, "Mm." The dossier had a few details about his abilities, but not much. He was a huntsman in training back in the day, but he flunked out. Not that difficult to figure out why. Though it made mention of his semblance revolving around static electricity.
He chuckles lowly with a disbelieving smirk, "You're much younger than I thought you'd be. If you're here, then I can easily guess the why and what you plan to do. No need for small talk." Soft bolts of static cling around his hands before reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out two fingerless gloves. "Let's see if you match up to the rumors, Crimson Fairy."
Static charges her with his arms open, palms out. Static electricity clinging to his fingertips. Thrusting his hand out, he makes for a grab instead of punching. Ashe dodges low to the ground, wrapping around the second strike like a snake, she lashes toward his tricep tendons.
Taking a step back, Static avoids the blow with a whirl and billow of his coat. Taking a cheap shot, Ashe thrusts down toward his calf. Only for his leg to raise in a spinning back roundhouse kick. Even his pants appear to be made of wool. Seriously, how is he not stuffy in that outfit? Slamming down to the ground, it sails over head in a heavy whoop. With her toes pressing into the flooring, she propels her body forward with both daggers out. Stabbing toward his groin without mercy.
Scrambling back, "Woah, watch the jewels, kid." Static couldn't help but grimace at the narrowly avoided blow. His lower body smacks against a radar console with a loud thunk.
With a flick of her wrist, her blade sails through the air, aiming toward his chest. The head is a much smaller target and more easily agile to dodge. At least with the body, it forces Static to twist his upper body awkwardly. The blade ricochets before being pulled back. Those black eyes follow the feint within her opposite hand. Twisting her body, her leg rises and snaps toward his exposed knee. At best, she will shatter it and completely immobilize him. At the worst, it will at least make him more predictable.
Static's lips twitch up into a slight smirk.
'Don't touch him!'
Gritting her teeth, Ashe forces her foot into a sudden halt. Her toes skidding along the floor from her momentum. Barely under an inch away from contact, and she felt it. Jolts of static spark and burn onto her boot. A hot pain stabs at the contact and forces Ashe into a rapid retreat to safety. A slight numbness to her right leg, she gives it a good shake and stomps it onto the ground. Trying to get as much feeling back as possible.
She can't afford to lose any mobility in this skirmish.
"Tsk, that almost always works." A fingerless glove rubs onto the back of his neck, rolling his head at the touch. "Clever girl. Looks like we are doing it the hard way." This time, his body suddenly engulfs with static, sparks popping around his coat. The consoles begin to flicker and run into a fritz around him. Computer screens flashing with sparks exploding into the air.
Dashing forward, he was much faster than before and easily upon her not a moment later. For being at his age, he was incredibly quick. Then again, with his fighting style, he most likely had to be quick. Not necessarily fast, just quick.
However, she was faster than him at the end of the day. Ashe could easily dodge and counter his blows with a slice, but that wasn't the problem. No, she couldn't get into proximity at all. Static rakes toward her face with a clawed hand for a grip. Dodging around it, a jolt arcs from his fingertips toward her cheek. A pop echoes out from the jolt. Ashe grits at the shock burn, a slight reddening to her cheek. It wasn't too strong, but it hurt like hell and she can feel a slight numbness.
The problem was, it messed with her senses. The static within her mind was like a rollercoaster, the more she dodged, the more build up Static had. Meaning the sound within her head was growing louder in volume. Only when he would discharge, would the sound disperse. Only the repeat over and over. Its driving her mad.
Back flipping over a console, she crouches upon it. Dashing toward her, Static charges with cracks and pops arcing from his body. What she didn't expect, was for the console to explode from his proximity. Crying out in shock, Ashe leaps away desperately, sparks and scrapple pelting onto her arms. The blast caused her ears to ring and a swirl of her vision.
Ashe's back slams against the metal helm violently. The explosion propelling her roughly, which also thrusting herself back to avoid the most of it. She did not even have time to process the damage and compose herself, he was already upon her.
"Checkmate." With a stomp of his foot before her, he reaches for her chest with an open palm, build-up of static jolting from his fingertips in a frightening hue of blue.
Crimson flashes through Ashe's eyes, her left arm lashing out into the path. Her right thrusts forward desperately. Pain ruptures through her body as he grabs onto her forearm. Her body burns and convulses, crying out in pain, she slams her left against the metal helm. Grounding as much of the static as she could. Thankfully, her right thrust was able to find refuge. Though, it wasn't a serious wound. She was able to stab into his side, but it was shallow and hit nothing vital.
It at least forced him back.
Her body was scorching and numb. Consciousness flickering with a throbbing headache. Ashe couldn't feel her forearm, and the pain was unbearable, yet also numbing. But she will fight through the agony. She won't be broken. With her eyes clenched, she forces them open through her heavy breathing problem, crimson mixed into her eyes.
It's time she took over for their survival.
'What are you doing?! I can handle this!'
'Shut up. I'm taking the reins.' With a mental push, she throws present Ashe deep into the void to be locked up. Suppressing her presence as to not interfere. Sweat glistens with a heavy and pained breath. Her left spasms constantly from the aftershocks.
"Heh, looks like I won that exchange. You seem to be on your last leg. Seems the rumors about you were exaggerated." Static holds onto his side with an arrogant smirk. A small wet spot forming upon his dark coat. It will slow him down, but not by much.
Slamming her pummels together, Ashe combines them into her thief blade. With a trembling and quaking left, she reaches into her vest and pulls out a vial of white colored dust. Putting it into her mouth, she exposes the empty dust slot and uses her mouth to pour the dust into it. Not trusting her left arm.
She's grateful that he is so arrogant as to let her do this uninterrupted. Then again, he is quite old, so perhaps that wound is more serious than she thought. The smell of burnt flesh began to fill the air. It was sickening. She will return the damage a hundred fold.
That arrogance will be his undoing. Spitting out the empty vial, it shatters upon the hard metal. With only her right arm truly usable, she spins her blade behind her back and over her right shoulder. Left arm hanging uselessly at the side. Her eyes radiating crimson with a hard and feral expression.
"You will respect the Fairy."
Static arches a brow, "What are you ta—"
Without warning, Ashe rushes at a new speed. Ignoring the spasms of muscles within her left and tingling feeling with her leg. The lack of space making her seem like a blur at such a short distance. Lashing with a vertical slash, the blade cuts into his face. The surprising speed catching him off guard for a moment.
Retreating, Static grunts and holds the new cut formed across his nose. Thankfully missing his eyes. The splatter of blood raining upon machinery and floor alike. The scarlet water smearing over his face. He grunts and holds onto the fresh wound.
She didn't relent.
A broken piece of metal is flying in his direction. Curtesy of a punt from Ashe, it thumps against his chest in a sharp pain. Doubling over, Static's right thigh bursts into pain. A sudden cry of surprise escapes his mouth. A blade was stabbed into thigh and digs into his bone. Static growls deeply before unrelenting fury engulfs his being. "Enough!" Roaring out, a static field explodes around him, frying everything within proximity and discharging all his build-up.
Jumping back, Ashe holds her blade toward him, allowing the metal to conduct the static safely and direct it back into a metal console. She couldn't help but grin, it felt so good to fight a real opponent again. Looking down at his wounded thigh, she licks onto her lips. Rather, it felt good to fight one that bleeds.
Static questioned out toward her through gritted teeth. Clutching onto his thigh as blood seeps between his fingers. His vision was turning red from the fresh and warm blood dripping down his eye, "What the hell are you?"
"I'm the real one." Twirling her blade behind her back once more, she gives it a quick pump as the dust clicks and activates. A soft hum echoing out in soft breeze. Her weapon lights up in a soft glow of white along the handle, a distortion around her blade. Her whole body begins to quiver at a silent laughter, "I'm Fairy. And I'm your executioner."
Once more, she leaps out in a frenzy. A crazed grin upon her lips in madness. The crimson burning a brighter shade within her eyes. Her blade dragging behind her, stomping her leading foot on the ground, Fairy horizontally swipes toward his waist. Static easily avoids the blow with considerable distance. She only had one arm, that's all he must watch for. Her attacks are extremely limited and predictable.
Raising his hand, he keeps an eye on her right arm. Static counter attacks and uses his much more considerable size to his advantage. His reach was much further and she wouldn't be able to reach his arm, it would be close and maybe just nick him at best. Spinning her blade within her fingers, he misses her psychotic grin and maniacal eyes.
He was correct.
Lashing out toward his arm in retaliation, the double-sided sword was maybe an inch short from touching him. Reaching out to touch her, Static planned to shock her into death and scorch her alive.
Only, his forearm was no longer there.
A wet and dull flop smacks upon the ground. A shower of crimson splattering upon Fairy's face and body. "Ah-hahahaha! It's raining~! Raining~!" She was not merciful; she did not relent. Fairy did not know the meaning in a fight to the death. Only one is to survive and walk away. She will walk away. She will survive.
Fairy will live on.
Pulling back her double-sided sword, Fairy lashes out once more. Static was screaming in agony while holding onto the stump of an appendage. The blade, not even touching him, yet it sliced through his leg like a hot knife through butter. He collapsed onto the ground and writhed in agony. Screaming and crying out in pitiful pain.
Fairy was slowly stalking toward him, her sword dragging behind her. Distortion of air circling her blade and ripping a trench through the metal behind her. "Heh-heh…hahaha, more~" Those crimson eyes were ablaze within the dark bridge room. Even with a fading vision, Static could make out that maniacal grin. "You can't be done already~, I just got here. I haven't had my fun yet." Even with her arm hanging in a limp and burnt flesh, she looked feral. "You know, you had some faunus mixed into that hostage group. That's a no-no. Bad, bad boy."
Slumping down onto a destroyed piece of console, blood begins to pool upon the floor in spades with his failing vision. He could make out the blurred outline of a hat upon her head. Slowly, the pieces coming together at that comment. "Y-you're…a faunus?"
"Ping pong! Correct in one go! Here's a reward." Lazily standing before him, she twirls her sword and stabs it into his shoulder, forcing out a cry of pain and twists it into his bone. The blade wasn't even puncturing the wound.
Coughing up a blob of red liquid, he looks up toward her with faded eyes. A weak grin upon his lips, "Explains…everything…Nothing but…a beast. Animal…" Fairy stabs into his opposite shoulder with a vengeance and unamused expression, but he doesn't cry out in pain. Static just grunts and stares her down. "You…are not even a person…A monster…in the body of a girl. How…" Life begins to fade from his body, slumping even further as the last of his breath escapes from his lips. "…pitiful."
The sound of teeth grinding against each other filled the room, Fairy was enraged. How dare he. Using his last breath to spit at her. Pitying her. The nerve. Roaring out in anger, Fairy lashes out and slices her blade through the corpse's neck. Letting to head roll upon the ground, but it stares at her. A knowing grin upon its lips. Her breathes are hot and rapid before squeezing her eyes shut. He did not have the last laugh. He did not. She won. Fairy won.
They survived.
She's not a monster…She's not a monster! She's a person, damn it! It's not her fault that she's different!
Bang
Fairy focuses toward the door at the sound of gunfire. She forgot about the hostages. They were still down below. With sword in hand, Fairy rushes back down the stairs, not bothering to clean the blood upon her. It was silent in her descent. Only one gun shot. Why? Why only one? There should be a gun fight and shouting if they were in danger.
Flying down and landing at the base of the stairs, even Fairy couldn't help but freeze at the carnage. But it was only for a moment, after all, she's seen worse.
They were dead.
All of them.
Blood was coating the walls like a splotch paint job; they did not die peacefully. But something was strange, the wounds and cause of deaths were all slash and puncture wounds. If they were quick deaths, there would be less blood for more precise blows. Someone enjoyed this. There were no gun wounds or even signs of a fight. A sudden wet cough catches her attention. Fairy rushes toward the sound and lays her weapon down before checking Tanner's neck for a pulse.
Faint and there but fading.
His eyes flutter open in a haze, a hand holding a stab wound on his chest. "F-Fairy, that…you?"
"What happened?" It was a demand more than a question. Someone will answer for this. This will be a stain upon her record.
Tanner's voice was hoarse and wet, "Don't know…Everything…everything was quiet. No problems but then…A body hit the floor…then a scream. By the time…I turned to look…blood…blood was everywhere."
Fairy kneels next to him and rests a hand upon his forehead, "Did you see who it was?" He was burning up; she could feel his head throbbing. It must hurt to talk, let alone think.
Tanner groans in a deep pain, clutching onto his wound. He did not have much longer, but she needed answers if she was to avenge them. "Just a glimpse. Short…they were short…like you. I think…it was a female…She had this…eerie smile…I'm sorry."
With a nod, Fairy uses her one good hand to close his eyes for him. "That's enough. Sleep now." Sleep he did, for eternity. She stays kneeling there for a moment in thought. Someone as short as her, female, and an eerie smile. She doesn't really know anyone that matches the vague descriptions. Let alone, one that would just slaughter an innocent group of civilians.
Why?
What would they possibly have to gain from such a needless and meaningless butcher? Not even she would stoop that low. There is a difference in slaughtering something that can fight back, but something defenseless. That's just needless bloodshed. Though it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. She must leave. She succeeded in her main objective, but the failure of letting the hostages die was a bitter pill to swallow. There's nothing else she can do for them now. Grabbing her weapon, Fairy slowly raises to her feet to leave.
Click.
Fairy whirls around to the sound with her sword pointed toward the source. All she finds is the door toward the deck swinging open and creaking out. Without delay, she rushes forward with a shoulder tackle, it swings open with a bang. A shadow vaults over the starboard side of the ship and back onto harbor.
Stepping forward to give chase, she pauses at the sound of police sirens and bullhead lights in the distance. Decide now. Give chase with a high chance of getting caught, considering she only has one usable arm and exhausted, or escape and find out who killed them later. It wasn't much of a choice. Spinning on foot, Fairy leaps over the side and back onto the harbor in the opposite direction.
She dismantles her sword back into daggers and clasps them back onto her magnets. Applying her goggles once more, she quickly hightails it out of the docks, but she was unable to go as fast as she'd like. Considering she was only able to correctly steer with one arm.
It did not take Fairy long to put a safe distance between her and the harbor. There were no signs of anyone pursuing her. Fairy decided it would be better to head straight back to Beacon and lay low for a while. She can return to the city once the heat has died down. After all, she needs to return to Junior to collect later.
More than likely, the law will be combing the city for any suspicious individuals and tonight's event will be headline news for a long while. They will ignore the more 'known' syndicates that have worked with the law in the past, so Junior should be alright. But she would be a prime suspect, she is a wild card after all. If they knew about her at least. Best to not chance it, that's just reckless and sloppy.
Her motorcycle hums quietly with the rush of wind batting against her frail body. The silence was beating at her head. Adrenaline beginning to release as the numbness returns in fold. Her thoughts were going haywire in the silence.
Failure, murderer, monster.
She's not a huntress.
Fairy's heart was aching and squeezing in pain. Her emotions have reached a boiling point within her conscious. She can't take this anymore. It will drive her further into madness. Pulling over to the side of the empty highway, she looks out into the setting and shattered moon. Vision beginning to swirl and fade in the distance. Exhaustion was starting to take root. Clenching her good hand into a fist, Fairy bumps it against the bike repeatedly. Softly at first before it slowly ramps up.
She failed…They failed…
They tried to do the right thing, the honorable thing. What a huntress would do and save the hostages, but she failed. Why did she even bother in the first place? She could have just ignored them and maybe they would have been tucked safely away in their holding pin before the authorities arrived. Yet, she's done it again.
This ugliness Fairy clings to and the foolishness she holds…Glancing down at her gloved fist, she slowly uncurls it and looks to her palm. Her blood-stained hands covered in the crimson liquid. Her chest begins to heave in a hot breath. Her hand palms over her eye in desperation. The heavy breathes increasing in pace to a panic attack. "Ah…"
Did she succeed?
"H-ah…"
Yes, but the cost…the cost was too high. She would be so disappointed in them.
"H-ah!"
Everything they do…she does…ends in failure. The negative emotions are reaching a critical mass within, she needs to let it out. It will consume them, twist them further. Think of something. Something positive.
Make it stop.
Fairy raises her head into the night sky with desperate and sorrow filled eyes with an arched back. "AAAAH!" Fairy howls into the night by her lonesome. Releasing all the grief that has built up. A lone tear glistening down her cheek. She continues to howl into the void for all she's worth. Screaming, yelling, till her throat turns raw and hoarse. Letting the emotions of failure burst out from her being. Why? Why must everything always go wrong? For once, just let something go right.
Just once, please.
Not even the gods themselves answer her plight.
Further proving just how alone she is in the world. Curling on the motorbike, she rests her forehead upon the console. Allowing her quivering body to let it run its course. It's all she can do for herself. The shattered moon of their world hanging above her in the horizon. If she had paid attention and not been so swallowed up in her raw emotions. Fairy could have heard a response. A deep and terrifying howl into the void answering her cry. Something was there.
Fairy does not know how long she stayed there, parked on the side of the road in self-pity. A soft glow of orange slowly breaks her out of the stupor. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon. She looks over the majestic setting for a moment longer. She quietly throttles the motorcycle once more and continues her journey back to the academy. It was a quiet and lonely affair. Parking next to a yellow and black bike, she puts her goggles and hat clip back into her seat.
Dragging her feet back to her dorm, the academy was quiet. Students still sleeping and resting before the day is to begin. By the time she finds her dorm, Fairy is swaying upon her feet and vision is swirling in a vortex. Exhaustion is strangling her in a vice grip. The pain of burns blaring in her head with her left arm spasming every so often.
Pushing her door open, Fairy stumbles through with a loud bang and crashes upon the floor. Groaning in pain, her right arm struggles to push herself back up. Clawing into the flooring with her glove. Instead, she makes to crawl into her room. Her hearing must be dulled, because she can hear a low and difficult to make out sound. Like her head was under a pool of water. Even with her blurred vision, it isn't too difficult to figure out what the white and blue blob before her is. Especially when those warm and soft hands help sit her up. "Stardust?"
"Ashe?! What the hell?!" Here she was, sleeping on Ashe's spare bed, waiting for her to return. Ready to tear her a new one for hanging up on her and staying out so late. During a school day. She replayed the argument over her mind multiple times, she knew exactly what she was going to say.
She did not expect to wake up, and find Ashe stumbling through the door. Just an hour before everyone normally wakes up to begin their day and prep for class, mind you. Crashing upon the ground with blood soaking into her clothes and face, a burnt and crippled arm, exhausted with dark rings under her eyes, but most importantly. Weiss did not expect to see those honey colored eyes a deep shade of crimson.
With a slurred voice, Fairy speaks out toward Weiss, "Hi…I'm Fairy. Nice to finally…meet you…Stardust." Slumping forward, she crashes into Weiss's chest. Passing out from over-exhaustion and pain.
What did that mean? What is going on? Weiss is completely confused and bewildered at what is going on right now. She's still half-asleep as well. Is she dreaming? She must be dreaming. This is not how she was expecting her day to start out, at all. Slapping a hand onto her face, she drags it down in frustration. Why does she like this girl again? She's always causing so many problems.
Thankfully, she did some homework on first aid. She's been dabbling in it since the exams. Slowly letting Ashe down on the floor, Weiss locks the door and heads into the bathroom to start the tub. If it had been any other time, Weiss would be a blushing a red storm at having to undress her person of interest. But the thought never even crossed her mind. She has more important things to worry about right now.
A true huntress can keep her emotions in check.
The tub is only filled a quarter of the way before Weiss sets her in and turns off the tub. Rinsing and cleaning her body of sweat, grime, and blood. Keeping the injured arm elevated on the tub wall to be addressed later and avoid infection.
Weiss grumbles at her nightgown getting wet and damp, but she will worry about it later. Draining the tub and drying her off, Weiss clothes her and carries her once more to the bed. It really speaks how light she is. It didn't cross her mind that much, but she truly is small and very light. Weiss isn't exactly the strongest girl around, and even she is easily able to lift Ashe around bridal style.
Laying her in bed, Weiss tucks her in, but keeps the injured arm exposed. She needs medical supplies to treat it. Some ointments, bandages, and maybe pain relief.
To the nurse's office it is.
It didn't take long to reach the nurse's office. Letting herself in, she expected to find it empty, but she was surprised to find it occupied. Sitting at her desk was Professor Peach with a steaming cup of coffee. Also, Miyako was leaning against the desk, sipping at her own beverage. Both ladies turn in her direction with surprise over the expressions. "Weiss?" Miyako was the first to notice her after all.
Weiss never forgets her manners. Putting her hands together, she gives a soft curtsy. "Good morning, Professor Peach and Miyako."
Peach turned toward her and just stared. It made Weiss shuffle awkwardly upon her feet. She then reaches toward her cup and takes a slow and long drink. Weiss makes to speak, but a hand jets out with a finger raised, demanding a moment of silence. Weiss's mouth smacks shut.
Miyako couldn't help but chuckle behind her own mug. Setting it down, Peach raises a hand and rubs onto her temple. "Now, you may speak."
Nodding once, "Um…yes…Do you have any ointments for a burn? As well as bandages and possibly some pain relief? I believe those were what you needed to treat a burn wound."
With a groan, Peach holds out her empty mug toward Miyako. "I'm going to need another cup. Its going to be one of those days." With a knowing smile, Miyako takes the mug without complaint and paces over to the pot to pour another.
In the meantime, Peach stands and walks over toward her medicine cabinet. "Is this for who I think it is?" Getting the required remedies, Peach stalks over toward Weiss and hands over the medicines and bandages. Weiss could only awkwardly chuckle and look away at being caught. "I'll be sure to check on her later. I'll get her a note as well. I assume she will won't be attending classes. Lucky me."
Peach takes out her notes and begins to scribble an excused absence for Ashe. "Um, excuse me, Professor Peach." The woman grunts out in question, "Is it possible for me to get one as well? So that I may look after her."
With a huff, Peach raises her hand dismissively with a pen in hand. "Yea, sure, you can look after your girlfriend for today. Saves me some work…"
"Girl-Girlfriend?!" Weiss sputters out in embarrassment, almost dropping her supplies. She scrambles to catch them midfall.
"Well, she's not wrong, is she?" Miyako placed Peach a new mug of coffee upon her desk. Getting a soft mumble of appreciation. "I mean, you two have been by my shop quite often and seem to be fairly close."
"N-no! I mean, we are close, yes. I mean, I would like to think we are close. But I haven't exactly pursued that, or she hasn't shown any interest. I mean—" Weiss raises a hand while spinning to face the opposite direction and rubs onto her red face. She could hear Miyako laughing and sipping onto her mug knowingly.
"Yea, sure, whatever. I don't care. Just take your excused absences and get out of my office. It is too early to be dealing with this." Weiss turns to find Peach standing before her with two slips of paper in hand. Weiss snatches the slips and makes a break for the door. "Now go tend to your girlfriend, lover girl."
Weiss groans out in anger before slamming the door behind her. She could hear them laughing behind the door at her plight. Stomping her way back to Ashe's dorm with a blush, she locks the door behind her. Slapping her forehead, she once more follows the routine of her princess pout with a stomp of the foot. "Whatever! I'll work it all out later."
Approaching the bed, she finds Ashe sound asleep, or maybe passed out from exhaustion. She's not sure which is more appropriate. Weiss knows she has been getting little to no sleep at all lately. She doesn't even know why. When she asks, Ashe avoids the question and says she's fine. At least there's no running away anymore.
She will get an answer out of her.
Weiss applies the ointment upon the burn before wrapping the forearm in a snug. She also notices a tender red mark upon her cheek. Applying more ointment, she gives it a good bandage to be safe. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Weiss peers down toward Ashe with a neutral expression. Tossing over the idea of asking Ashe to be her girlfriend. She would be lying if she said the idea never crossed her mind, but it usually never stayed for long.
After all, Ashe is a faunus, and she is a Schnee. Never had the two ever lived in harmony or neutrality. Not only that, she keeps so many secrets. Yes, Ashe never lies about her secrets when she finally talks about them, but the problem is when.
Look at tonight, if Weiss hadn't been sleeping in her room, waiting to rip into her. No one ever would have known she was injured and passed out on the floor. How long would it have been till someone came to check on her? Who would want to check on her? So far, Ashe only talks to team RWBY and JNPR on the daily. Everyone else gives her a wide birth. Not even the Professors take much of a liking to her.
What was she even doing out there? Why was she out there so late? Who did this to her? Ashe was no slouch or push over. So many questions and no answers. It's like she learns one new thing, only to be blindsided with a hundred new things.
With a huff, Weiss stares down at the sleeping faunus with mixed emotions. Ashe was pale and showing signs of sweat, she might be coming down with a fever. She must have pushed her body to the utmost limit and now she will feel the aftereffects.
Weiss takes a moment to get a cool rag from her bathroom and places it upon Ashe's forehead to cooldown her body. Without a thought, her cool hand gently cups onto Ashe's cheek. It was warm and turning a slight shade of red. She's coming down with a fever alright. If she's showing signs this quick, it may end up being a moderate concern.
The faunus suddenly tilts her head and nuzzles into the cool and soft hand. Weiss startles only for a moment, her thumb absentmindedly rubbing upon her cheekbone. Maybe she'll give the idea some thought. There's no need to rush. Her lips quirk up at her own humor, after all, Ashe is a bit of an emotional stump. She highly doubts the girl will ever be the one to ask her officially.
Weiss will have to be the one doing all the leg work, but she doesn't mind. She prefers to be the one in control after all. What? She's a princess and heiress. Like hell she will let someone else control her, she gets enough of that from her father. Yes, she knows, she's a brat. Everyone tends to remind her about it lately. She's starting to just embrace it.
The sound of alarms going off signal the start of the new day for the other students. Checking the time, she should probably let the rest of team RWBY know what's going on. Else they will freak out and destroy the school looking for her. Nora can do that perfectly fine on her own, as she already has. Making her exit, Weiss gives Ashe one last look before closing the door with a soft click.
But as they say, when one door closes, another opens.
Deep within a shadowy warehouse, a door slams open with a metal bang. A dark silhouette prances and skips into the warehouse. Each step causing pink lights to emit from her shoes. It was a young girl with white overalls and a pink shirt under it. Resting upon her shoulder was a metal pipe.
She was frolicking through the dark at a silent hum to herself. An eerie and calm smile upon her lips. Approaching a figure at a table, she suddenly begins to distort with cubes starting from her feet and working their way up. The metal pipe morphs into a familiar umbrella and swirls around her finger. She suddenly slides upon her knees into the spotlight with a large grin and jazz hands shaking for entertainment.
Turning in her direction, Torchwick snorts in amusement and chuckles softly. "Ah, Neo! I do hope you come bringing me good news. I did work tirelessly to get all of that set up just right after all."
Neo suddenly stands to attention and salutes, before smiling and flourishing in an exaggerated bow. A mischievous smirk upon her lips. "Wonderful!" Torchwick whirls around with his arms spread in happiness, "Oh, I do love when a plan comes together. It's nice to see such hard work paying off."
"Exactly, why are we doing this again? This is a complete waste of our time."
Two shadows appear into the spotlight, older teenagers or possibly young adults by now. The first who spoke was the male, silvery gray hair and gray eyes. He looked annoyed and bored out of his mind. Though he was fairly handsome. Mostly grumpy though, very grumpy. He wore black pants and boots with a gray and black two-toned partial-zip jacket.
"Because she told us to do this, so we'll do it."
A female spoke up this time, she had dark-red eyes that shone brightly in the light. Mint-green hair with a straight fringe and bangs, with two long locks on the back of her head. She had an exotic tan, a shade of medium brown. An olive-green crop top showed off her size-able bust with a small white corset that only wraps around under her bust and to around her neck, showing off her bare mid-riff. She also wore white capris with brown chaps over them, and strap high-heeled pumps.
"Oh, there you go again." Spoke out the male once more, "Must you always kiss up to her ass or something? C'mon, live a little or something. No need to be so stuck-up."
"Will you shut up?" Rebuked the female vehemently, "You should learn to be more respectful to her. If it wasn't for her, where would we be, huh?"
Turning in their direction, Roman throws his hands out mockingly, "Children, children, there's no need to argue. We can all act like civilized adults now, can't we?" Neo paces behind him and nods her head while wagging a finger at them, like she was scolding two naughty kids.
"Whatever, so again, I'll ask. Why are we wasting our time with this?" He couldn't figure it out for the life, why they are wasting their time with that fairy chick.
Shaking his finger, "No, no, no, lets get this right. You are wasting your time; my time is being well spent." Neo nods in agreement. "As for why, well its just a personal reason, so I don't have to explain anything to you. You just have to do as I say and nod your head, like a good little boy."
The male flares up and makes to stomp toward Roman in rage. "I don't answer to you, son-of-a-bit—"
A tanned hand suddenly forces him to stop with an angry shout, "Stop it, Mercury. He's just edging you on. You know our orders, and what she's capable of if we disobey." She then turns toward Roman with an annoyed expression, "And you, don't unnecessarily provoke him." Neo snickered to herself while pointing to Torchwick, watching him get scolded. "If we are to work together, it is best if we all get along."
With a sigh, Torchwick shrugs his shoulders in a what can you do, "Yea, sure, whatever. Kill-joy."
The female frowns to herself, Mercury turned to her with a smirk, "Well, he was right about that. You are a kill-joy, Emerald."
Emerald gives Mercury a firm punch on the shoulder, "Will you shut up?! I don't want you to be the reason she gets pissed and fries our asses, Merc."
Roman looks toward Neo before rolling his eyes at her smug expression, "Kids. What am I? A glorified baby-sitter now? Yeesh, I don't get paid enough for this…Am I even getting paid?" Neo gives him an exaggerated pout and raises a hand to signal a crying motion under her eye. "Yea, yea, I know. No reason to cry about it, but I can still complain about it."
Reaching her hand out toward him, Neo gives him a light pinch on the hand. "Ow, okay fine, I'll cut back on the complaining as well." Neo gives him an approving nod. "…What am I doing with my life? So, did you get the goods?"
Cocking her hip flamboyantly, Neo plops a hand upon it with her umbrella over a shoulder. Giving him an 'are-you-serious' expression. Roman rolls his eyes at her display before she reaches into her back pocket and hands him a scroll. He begins to go through it but finds multiple pictures of Neo taking selfies of herself in various poses. Roman glances toward her with a stink-eye, but she whistles silently and innocently to herself.
Emerald approaches from his right in curiosity, "So exactly, why are we doing this? It doesn't really seem to be building toward our end goal."
"Well, for one, it gets your lady boss more ammunition for later. Which also coincides with my own personal goal. So, we have a mutual goal in some ways. May as well work together to make our lives easier." Replied Torchwick.
Mercury approaches from the opposite side. "So, basically a waste of our time."
Roman shakes his head quickly, "No-no-no, remember. It's a waste of your time. I am quite content with this endeavor." Finding what he was looking for, his lips grin up sadistically with a glow to his eye. "Wonderful, simply wonderful. You've out done yourself this time, Neo." Grasping the back of her trench coat, she gives a cute curtsy with her own mischievous smirk.
As they continued their plotting and scheming, unbeknownst to them, a figure was clinging to the ceiling. Watching and listening, they were covered in black, and the only noticeable object, was the black mask over their eyes. Upon that mask was an emblem.
Three crimson slashes.