Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay I had been having trouble with this chapter so...yeah. Next chapter should be out next week but there's no guarantee. Thank you for the reviews and follows.
So see ya...
Chapter Twelve: Team Bonding
"Hello team Sauerkraut! Welcome to our team bonding time!" I did a heroic pose, my cloak fluttering in my alchemically generated wind. A tiny array glowing faintly behind me.
As to why I was so energetic?
Raven and Qrow were driving me nuts! We had been doing well for a while until they started entering into a routine of sibling squabbling. Constant bickering and insults between the two and I had even ended with a bed destroyed.
My bed…
I had gotten sick of it and needed to end this…
My bed…as well as a close call with my Grimm book…painstakingly detailed and drawn, new entries added as frequently as possible…
My bed and my book…
Vengeance will be mine.
I returned to the present as I heard Raven's voice.
"I wouldn't call lazing about in our room, and playing video games a 'team bonding' exercise." Raven replied in a mocking tone…some more of her…Raveness coming out. Probably from the fight about who would get which scroll.
"Then you're wrong." She frowned, and I gave her a playful shrug. "It's important to get to know each other better so we can work together as a team. After this we'll spar with one another, so there's that to look forward to."
Especially for me…
Raven accepted my answer, crossing her arms over her chest as we connected to the small holographic television I had brought in. I stuck out my tongue as I figured out the settings, as well as choosing the game I wanted everyone to play.
For the day I had dressed down, going for a red tank top and grey sweatpants, as well as no socks. My little piggies would be free while we had a lazy…hour?
"So…uh how do you play? We never really played games back…home." Qrow seemed open minded to the idea, and I gave him a smile in response. He grumbled, and I hid a grin at the blush on his face.
"It's not too difficult, the game will give you the instructions but I can give you the specifics if necessary." I hummed happily as I heard the Smash Ultimate opening, the game coming out only a week ago. "Now come here…" the newer half of our team blinked at my request and I suppressed the pout making its way through my system.
"Excuse me?" Raven was the first to question my statement. While Tai was the first to move over, sitting on my left.
"Part of the experience is sitting up close with your friends. Or acquaintances I suppose." I shrugged my shoulders, fiddling with my scroll and placing myself as player one.
"Hmm…if you are certain." I gave her an encouraging smile, and she moved over, taking the room to my right while her brother sat leftward of Taiyang.
This should be…go well…
Nothing should go wrong with a game of Smash…
"Ahh you bitch!"
CRASH!
"Says the guy wearing more jewelry than his sister and team leader." Qrow growled and both siblings seemed ready to come to blows…
"This escalated…quickly huh Summer?" I nodded almost fearfully to Taiyang's as the two twins were edging toward combat.
Things had been going well for some time…until the apparent competitive streak shared between the two of them burst to life. They gradually grew more and more heated with each match until…
Well…I could give them the stick…but I don't think it was necessary.
I braced myself for my launch…with Taiyang giving me a skeptical look.
"You're sure glomping them will do anything?" I shrugged.
"It'll work…"
"ALLEY OOP!"
CRASH!
Both brunettes yelped as they were hit with all of my weight, collapsing against the bed. I flipped in midair, placing an arm on each of their shoulders.
"What the fuck?!" Qrow cursed out and I swear Raven did the same though I couldn't make it out. I pulled them in even closer and a spike of joy flared out as I picked up their flustered heartbeats.
"No physical fighting in our room my bird themed friends. Only hugs!" They tried and failed to squirm out of my strong grip, my hands tightening against their shoulders.
"Let us go…" Raven's tone was oddly resigned and I suspected she knew how stubborn I was. Didn't stop her squirming though…
"Nope. Come on Tai, group hug!" The blonde seem hesitant, likely from the death glare the twins were giving him…
Frankly…it didn't compare to what I would do to him if he ignored me…So when my eye twitched…I suddenly had another person to add to our hug…
Raven sighed. "I still have no idea what you're really like…it's confusing." She used few words but I understood what she meant.
"I'm not that complicated Raven…I'm a…rather simple person really. Being adverse to people doesn't mean I dislike physical contact. And I'm fine with small groups…like ten I guess?"
"That's…fair I suppose."
I snorted, now deciding my next action as team leader…
"Oh!" I blushed when I almost bumped into a certain female teacher of mine… The light bluish tint was the first clue to who I had bumped into…the skintight outfit was the other…
"Summer?" She was among the most informal of the teachers despite her vast intellect. "What are you in such a rush for?" And I had to occasionally bite a retort back at her almost sarcastic tone of voice. It was certainly just how she naturally spoke, and nothing more.
"Professor?" I blinked before reacting to her question. "Oh I'm just getting some supplies for a little…picnic I'm setting up with my team."
My rescue crossed her arms, raising an amused eyebrow. "Trying some team bonding I suppose?" I nodded, holding back a need to bounce between each foot.
"Yep! It's been working well enough. Hopefully…" Professor Turquoise quirked an eyebrow, an inquisitive look on her face.
"Hmm?" I sighed, brushing my messy bangs from my face.
"Sorry it's just that two of my teammates got into a little scuffle."
"The Branwens correct?" I perked up, surprised that she she picked that up.
"How did you know?"
She smiled knowingly and I felt the urge to squirm under her scrutiny…more so when her aura pulsed. Just for the record I didn't squeak at the enormous reserves…of flowing power emitted from her body.
"Well I have a feeling they've had a rather rough life that has affected the way they react to things. And not necessarily for the better…"
"Maybe a bit…" I replied dryly, images of the last few weeks coming back.
While she had been largely willing to listen to me. There was a simmering feeling that I could easily read from the girl, despite her coldness. Likely because I was much the same in some ways. Eventually I would make a mistake in some form and she would likely…
Huh…I don't know exactly what she would do. Question me, question my authority perhaps? Who could say really, but I wanted to prove myself. If not to her, to myself.
"You're really worried about this aren't you?" I nodded absently. I flinched at the clap, wincing at the strength behind her light affectionate hit. "Well I shouldn't be holding you."
"It's fine Miss Turquoise." I waved her off, and she pouted in response. I ignored the warm feeling in my chest and stomach as she bounced, a certain part of her anatomy following behind.
"Please outside of class I have no issue with students calling me Cortana."
I blinked…
Again this explains much about the teachers…
"O-Ok…" I smiled back, and she walked off muttering some words under her breath.
"I wonder where the big guy is? Last I heard he was training recruits in Atlas, wants some new…sp—err sparring partners…" she walked off faster, that slip creating more questions than it solved.
I wondered if I was the only soul to cross the endless void between worlds, and what did that mean for us? It's…probably nothing…at least for now anyway.
I had a friendship picnic to get to.
(Qrow's POV)
This…is actually kinda nice.
Rosebud here seems to be doing well in keeping me and Rae from tearing each other's throats. But it's pretty hard to argue against her with a face like that…
"So we're really having a picnic in the park?" I asked her warily. She nodded while her cheeks were puffed full of food. Made her look like a cloaked chipmunk. Apparently Summer had gone out of her way to make us something…
Mainly sandwiches but still…a nice gesture. Getting a good sandwich isn't the easiest thing out in the Wilds…
"So this is nice huh?" Summer spoke up out of nowhere, just people watching. For once Rae and I had to agree. There was something just peaceful and pristine about this place.
"You didn't say that the first time we dragged you off to sightsee." Summer sulked, a deep flesh building from her neck to her ears. "Guess you appreciate the smaller things in life now." A small smile made its way onto her face, again her expression was utterly serene.
"Yeah…it's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. On days like this…people like us," There was mirth dancing in her eyes and I was kinda curious on what she thought was so funny. She took a deep breath and I waited with bated breath. "Should be having fun."
…
Guess it was nothing. Or it was some inside joke I didn't get. Neither did Sunshine in the back if his weird puppy dog eyes of confusion were any hint.
"I suppose it is better than me beating the crap out of Qrow." Raven shrugged, and I did my best to not take the bait. I had a feeling Summer wouldn't like that, and that my neck was on the line.
"We'll get to that…well not not that exactly…in a moment," Rosebud paused taking a bite out of a turkey ham sandwich, leaving some crumbs on the grass. "But honestly it really is a lovely day out. We can relax some more, and get a bite to eat before my next step."
"Punching Qrow in the face?" My eyebrow twitched…
"Possibly…though it might also involve a railgun to the crotch." Summer answered back with a casual tone and I felt my soul leave my body.
She's…more like Raven than she lets on huh? Which means I'm going to die here…
"I wonder if I should try cutting Raven's hair off?" Summer inspected her fingernail, and I heard Raven growl.
"You will do no such thing you little bitch!" Raven had swooped in, rage fueling her to lift her leader into the air, gripping onto the collar of her shirt. The whole time little Summer was smiling.
"You really shouldn't be so protective of your hair it's a possible weakness…" Raven flushed and she dropped the cloaked women.
"I'll be strong enough so that doesn't happen. The strong survive…that's always how it's been." Summer tilted her head, and I felt a headache come on.
I thought she'd be the voice of reason here…but then again I'm on this team.
Not the greatest luck there…
"Strong in what way?" Kinda had the same question myself…
"Capable of defeating any foe in combat…able to lead a team."
"Eh?"
Summer please shut up…
"But that's a pretty poor way to define "strong…"
Did she just use air quotes?
Raven crossed her arms and I waited to step in. Didn't want a cat fight to break out.
Or did I?
"Well…I suspect you consider most of the people of Vale weak then." Rae nodded, a hint of disdain on her face. Summer really had to be thankful that my sister wasn't as bad as she could have been. The team wouldn't have lasted more than a week. Summer cleared her throat and I focused. "But does that really matter in the end? The might of Vale, the might of Atlas and the other kingdoms isn't quite in the individual. It's in the collective organic machine of millions working together."
"Don't start saying politicians are a new necessity too…" Raven seemed willing to listen.
"They are…that's like saying you don't need doctors, engineers, or plumbers." One is not like the other. "Specialization is important to keep civilization running in whatever factor needed. Politicians and bureaucrats keep the government running relatively functional. Police and military keep public order and enforce the law…every blacksmith, every unnamed engineer and inventor keeps us going. We Huntsmen provide both hope and a sense of safety for the population."
"And what exactly is your lesson in this?" Raven had relaxed her shoulders, leaning in on Summer.
"There's no need to enforce whatever your weird dominance games are…" I felt a blush and saw the blush on my sister at the scolding tone our glorious leader was giving us.
"It's how we've always done things." Raven didn't seem to understand, probably used to it. "There's no need to…to…" she trailed off, and I paled at the faint smile on Rosebud's face.
"There really is a need to clean up your act. I can accept some differences and fights. But two weeks of this tends to great on my patience. And I have developed an intensive knowledge of various toxins over the years. Many made with common kitchen ingredients." She said it all with a damn smile on her face!
…
I was eating a sandwich and drinking a freshly squeezed orange juice she had made…
"That is p-perfectly fair team leader. There will be no further altercations."
I couldn't believe my eyes…and I should probably pretend I wasn't looking at that she-devil in disguise. I couldn't take any chances with my luck.
I leaned in to whisper to Tai. "Has she always been like this?" The blonde shrugged.
"Kinda? Sums always had a temper, as well as being scary at times but you have Jayleen to really thank. She always liked pushing Summer to the point she's…well this."
Shit.
"It can't get worse right?" Oh gods I shouldn't have said that.
Tai leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. "She's an angry drunk." The whisper was heard like whip crack.
"H-How bad was it?"
"She blew up an old Bullhead…"
…
Mercy…I think I need a drink.
(My POV)
"So this sparring isn't really for our benefit then…" I felt an odd satisfaction in how nervous Raven sounded while we got ready. She seemed to have been caught off guard by the manner in how I acted. I was different than what she had been expecting. She didn't seem to hate that fact however…
"It is actually…I want a better idea of what you're capable of. I've only been matched up with Taiyang, and my match with Qrow was…interrupted." I grinned at Qrow's sheepish expression. Unfortunately the roof had collapsed, ending the matches for that day…
We had gotten permission from our former combat teacher, a certain Avery Jonquil, to use one of the functioning combat rooms. It was large enough to keep Qrow at a distance so his semblance couldn't influence the match.
Anyway, Avery was a former Atlas soldier, he had apparently developed a working relationship with a younger Ozpin and was his Deputy in the same capacity as Glynda would be one day. He was pretty strong if I was picking up on his aura reserves correctly too.
But to be honest I still don't know much about him besides what I've already mentioned. He's rather secretive about his past…it makes me…curious on why.
But…we have more to do than just that…
I tapped my armor, checking for any chips or signs of damage. One of the plates might need…some maintenance? I'll have to check later, and it'd likely only be a minor washing for now.
Cloak is good…so are the gloves, now modified to light gauntlets…Gungnir is in prime condition, it's blades are sharp and combat ready.
More than enough ammo blocks…so I'm ready…
"To 15% right?" I nodded at Raven's question as her hand dropped to her side. I lifted my weapon into position, my hand naturally finding the appropriate grip. She grit her teeth, and I smiled widely.
I felt excitement course through my body, and Raven suddenly flew at me silently. Her blade slicing through the air with a flare of hot fire. I lashed out with with a sudden conjuration of freezing cold and Dust summoned water.
BOOM!
Steam explosion…
I knocked her sword off course with a twitch of my wrist.
Three arrays surrounded her, detonating with a supersonic explosions and knocking her back.
"I'm…faster than you." I rolled my eyes, a continual smirk on my face as my blood started pumping.
I parried three incoming attacks, barely keeping up with her incredible speed.
She aimed a quick strike toward my midsection and I stepped back and with a shout I fired.
BOOM!
Raven staggered back as more than tenth of her aura was burned through with a single aura enhanced shot, but recovered quickly. She dashed toward me, and I could tell she wanted to keep close. My inferior close combat skills were a weakness to exploit.
I wasn't going to give her the chance…
Another explosion rang out and she ducked instinctively, only to find I had thrown myself out of her reach with a propulsive shot.
"Heh…I'm not going to give you a chance of getting close." Her grip on her sword tightened and she sliced through the air, the steel blade tinting yellow.
Oh…
I created a chunk of conductive metal, forming it from the polished stone ground. It acted like a lightning rod, absorbing the lightning wave beam. Raven frowned , and with a click of my metal boot, the ground lifted up in a shaking wave of rock and stone. I didn't move an inch as literal rock fists pummeled the twin's aura.
"The hell? She never tried this with the other students…" I could hear the astonishment in Qrow's voice.
Raven clicked her tongue, a feral smile giving quite a picture. "You've been holding back haven't you?"
I shrugged. "My semblance is rather powerful…and I prefer to keep people in the dark about it." She nodded politely before leaping forward, her sword dropping down in an icy arc.
I stepped forward, directing fire and heat to keep the freezing cold at bay. Gungnir's spearhead stabbed into her stomach, her aura shimmering as it held the piercing weapon back.
"Guess I pierced my way into your heart eh?" She twitched and I hopped back, ducking under sword unleashed firestorm. Then Raven preceded to launch an aura infused kick into my gut…
Shit!
Two hard strikes cut into my aura and I hissed at the drop…
Ok…think…Raven is fast in both attacking and responding to an attack. Her semblance may or not be useful in this situation. She's one to stay calm and steady…so I…
I have to provoke her…
"There's no need to be so angry Rae…there's nothing wrong with not making the cut." Her lip twitched momentarily.
SHINK!
Step left.
Thrust.
Hop back. Parry. Thrust.
Fire…
A bullet grazed her shoulder and she hissed as another chunk of aura was lost.
Fortunately for me my weapon burns though aura rather rapidly. At our current level it takes five to ten hits to bring down ones aura. Maybe double to triple that among real Huntsmen.
Then again…they're much faster than I am, and could probably narrowly avoid one or two. They'd have to aim dodge instead however…
I leaned back avoiding a lightning slash. "Then again you are a cut above the rest in comparison. You're the sharpest knife in the drawer." She twitched again, the following strike missing narrowly.
"Shut up…" She growled and a wave of lightning covered the battlefield. My nerves crackled with the energy, and Raven narrowed the distance striking a clean cut across my stomach. I obscured her vision with another propulsive shot, my boots finding some purchase on the wall as I cracked it with the impact. I flipped the weapon, and projected my aura through it for an even more powerful shot.
I crossed the fifteen meter distance in less than a tenth of a second.
BOOM.
BOOM!
I checked her aura feeling proud of how much I had brought down in our bout…
Raven Branwen Aura 48%
"Heh…guess I—."
I took another kick to the gut, and a blade to the face. Raven was pissed, her eyes blazing a deeper scarlet. Her aura projected itself into her blades built in resolver…and—
I cried out as a multicolored stream of elemental energy pressed against my aura.
Three explosions followed one after another, each taking a larger and larger percentage of my shield. I scrambled to dodge or divert her slashes, but I winced as the steel sliced across my aura. More than two dozen full power blows struck their mark, my armor reducing the damage by the smallest amounts.
Her blade came down again, this time with the almighty strength of a god…
It felt like I had been crushed under a building…and I hissed at the color of Gravity dust. I lashed out with an aura blast and she jumped back…
I steadied my stance, feeling a growl rise up in my throat…carefully monitoring my aura…
Summer Rose 49.6%
It's a real good thing I have a crazy amount of aura. Most others in our age group would have been dropped to near zero or zero at this point.
Actually…now that I'm thinking about it. I think we've done roughly the same ratio of damage to our aura. But I'll be honest if it wasn't for my reserves I would have certainly lost this match.
Interesting…
But…I want to win this…
Now how about a little…extra…fire huh?
From my spear…a flame filled compression wave flew toward Raven and she took the blunt force of a fuel-air bomb right to the face. All I could see before she was engulfed in the flames was a red flash of light…
I frowned as a red and orange light blinded me…I turned to face it and…
A startled Qrow ducked as a portal spewed rock melting flames flew right…
Towards me…
OH SHIT!
I was thrust against the wall, hitting my head on a busted up section and blacking out…
"Oh my head…?" I looked around, letting out a sigh of relief when I found I wasn't in a hospital of any kind. I was just placed haphazardly next to the entrance so my head would lie on the wall to its left.
My aura must have dropped pretty low to have momentarily blacked out…though it was really more a lapse of thought.
Maybe I got a little too into it? It honestly it was kinda fun to fight all out like that. I think I'll keep setting these up when we have the opportunity. Raven's combat skills are impeccable.
"Oh you're up?" Raven sounded positively smug while she spoke up. The girl was leaning against the wall, smiling visibly. "I thought our leader would have lasted longer." I ignored how crossing her arms did…wonderful things to that bountiful chest of hers.
"I counted about three minutes before we ended our match in a fiery explosion. Neat trick redirecting the blast using your semblance. Gives me some ideas on how we can use it." She blinked at my happy tone, likely thinking I would be frustrated. Thankfully I had learned to let those kinds of things go over the years…
Mostly…
Now back to using her portals as a weapon…
Now Qrow is the only one she can portal to that I know of…and it could work. His semblance prevents closeness with his teammates anyway so…
If I'm out of range for an explosion or I can't aim accurately. I can direct my attack toward and through a portal while Qrow harasses a Grimm. We'll warn him and then he'll back the hell away, so my explosions can do their job.
Though maybe he should message us first so we don't blow him up by mistake…
"Ahem? Are you done geeking out?" I blinked, knocking myself out of my internal rant. Raven had I crossed my arms, giving me an amused look.
…
Did I say that aloud.
"Yes you did." My cheeks heated up, and I lifted my hood over my face, hiding myself and internally screaming.
Oh god that's so embarrassing…!
I just…and she just…
Is she smiling?
Oh she is smiling…
Wow she looks really nice when she's smiling.
"You know…" I twirled my hair, bouncing in place as an influx of giddiness made my stomach jump up. "You have a really pretty smile." Her ears turned red, and disappointment struck me as she scowled.
Well…still cute.
Qrow was giving me a look, as was Taiyang if of a distinct variety.
Wondered what that look was for…it was hard to tell.
"So…anywho, the winner?" She pointed to the aura monitor and I pouted.
Raven Branwen 2%
Summer Rose 1.9%
I really hate that this has happened at least thrice. First with Jayleen, another time with Umber and then…Raven.
"Hehehe…err." I stopped everything I was doing to stare at Raven, clearing out my ears to make sure I had heard the brunette bombshell correctly.
Did she really laugh? She did didn't she?!
Oh my god her laugh is cute too!
She strutted away, and I watched her go by. Her posture was stiff and her gauntleted hands bunched up into fists as she stepped out of the room.
She's a bit Tsun isn't she?
"You know she did show some worry when you didn't wake up immediately." I felt my grin drop at Qrow's admission. The discomfort on his face was obvious. "But this match did help her with her…frustrations."
I needed to know. "Why have you two been at each other's throats for the last two weeks?" The usually confident and occasionally dashing rogue sagged, an air of depression around him.
"Well we've learned some…bad news from home that's put us on edge. It's made us…kind of moody I'll admit." He brushed his hair back, staring down at his sword.
Something to do with the Branwen?
Wonder what the hell could put them so on edge? Though I suspect that I wouldn't like the answer they could give me.
"Should…should I go talk to her. I know neither of you will tell me what exactly is bothering you. But it wouldn't hurt to vent." He nodded and I stepped away from him. He waved lazily, a smirk as he took a step toward Tai.
"If you need me I'll be pummeling Sunshine into the ground."
"Doubt it. When you get back Sums get me a drink will ya. And an ice pack for our bad luck charm."
"Why you—."
"KAY!" The door closed behind me, cutting off any reply.
Raven hadn't gone far, her temper burning out at the entrance. She had turned to face me, her eyes unwilling to look into my own.
"So you got that out of your system Rae?" She shrugged, her long hair pushed back by the small movement.
"For now…I would hope anyway."
…
"So you're having some home trouble?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Did my brother tell you?"
"So what if he did?" She scoffed before her glare softened, and for a moment she was the vulnerable teenager she was, instead of the hardened bandit she was turning into.
"I suppose it's not my business who Qrow confides in."
"Actually I think Qrow wants you to confide in me instead." She scowled again, but her eyes showed a different story. Almost…like she wanted to…
"How can I trust someone who keeps just as many secrets." I didn't feel angry at her accusation. I didn't have a leg to stand on in that regard.
"I could say the same." She flinched, but immediately steeled her expression. "And you're right…I have things I've told no one. Not even my closest friends…but it doesn't mean I don't want to tell them. Just haven't found the right time."
"How long do you plan to hide your lies?" I shrugged.
"When you're willing to talk about yours I suppose." Her eyes hardened and I gave her an understanding smile. "Whatever you're hiding…even I can see it hurts you. It's never been a good thing to hide secrets. It tends to…" I gripped my arm, flashing back to my moments of guilt. Thinking about what I knew, and how little I had really used it. "To eat you up inside."
"Maybe…maybe…" her eyes darted back and forth as if scouting for passerby's. "Mmm…promise me, if I…ever decide to tell you the truth. Will you tell me your secret. Equivalent exchange and all."
Heh, doesn't even notice an alchemy joke however unintentional.
"Do you also promise?" She nodded and we simultaneously did so. I smiled up at her, pointing my thumb behind me. "Hey maybe we can go out for lunch as a team once the boys finish up?"
She grinned, her face beautifully lighting up with the unconscious action.
(Raven's POV)
I had a truly strange women for a team leader. Despite her abrasiveness she was kind when she wanted to be. Accepting that I was lying to her face, yet willing to say nothing and to not hold it against me.
I didn't understand why. But clearly her mother had raised her well enough. And despite her words she would almost certainly retain some frankly necessary caution. That Huntress was a good parent…
Yes, I remembered that Huntress from a few years back. I remembered the same white cloaked girl, tripped up by my dear brother's semblance.
Who would have thought we would meet again after so many years?
Perhaps it was meant to be this way? A girl holding so many secrets…yet I promised I would tell her the truth. And I honestly was going to keep it.
She was trustworthy in that manner at least.
…
I'm a truly troublesome partner aren't I? I doubt the team her other friends are on have the same difficulties.
Probably…
(Jayleen's POV)
I wonder if Summer is facing the same difficulties with her own teammates? I don't think she's had the pleasure of being partnered with a social ignoramus.
Not that Penny was a bad person…just an oddball of a girl. Hard to flirt with cute boys and girls when you have a person like her attached to the hip.
But I suppose there was little to do other than keep her from being tricked.
"You say…you want me to join you in your room for a 'good time' as you say?" I palmed my face as Penny humored the lecherous student.
I didn't bother to remember him, because he was a bit of a creep and really average in every meaning of the word. His hair and eyes were both dark brown and his outfit was lackluster and boring. All poorly fitting greys and yellows…at least Summer tried to look good sometimes. Even if I can never convince her to try pink…then again white and black is her color.
"Hey yeah…I think the two of us can make sweet music together." The orange haired girl tilted her head and I snickered when she pulled out a fucking triangle!
She lightly tapped the triangle, making a sweet metallic tone. She looked confused, her big eyes filling with confusion. "Where is your instrument, incredibly odorous friend." I snorted as I realized she had insulted him.
For once I can't tell if this was intentional or not…snark isn't a common thing from her.
"I…what?" The poor bastard was utterly confused and I found it hilarious.
"Oh you must not be ready then? Perhaps in a few months when you purchase an instrument?" I took that opportunity to drag my partner away. With our classmate having the same expression of confusion on his face.
"Stop consorting with perverts partner." She mechanically tilted her head.
"Oh…he was referring to intercourse then?" I palmed my face again, though this time I was given the treat of a grimacing Penny. "It's a lovely offer and all…but I find that I consider him…unattractive."
Wow…what's his name must be really repulsive to send a girl as robotic as Penny running.
"Hey…oww…let go…you…stupid racist…" I felt white hot rage burn through my body, and Penny's perpetual smile had turned into a frown. Her eyes shifted between various unclear emotions as we stepped onto the scene.
There I could see Umber trying to squirm out of the grip of two other students. Some jackass and his bitchy girlfriend if the way they were looking at each was any indication.
"Why do I feel a certain urge to throttle those two…companions of Umber?" A mix of oddly combined anger and confusion altered Penny's tone.
"They're not friends!" I growled in reply, my eyes twitching and my semblance acting up, several barriers forming and breaking under my will.
"Let go you little—GAHH!" Umber crier out as the guy pulled even harder. I could hear the strain they were putting on her poor ears…
"HEY! What the hell are you doing." Both of the students expressions shifted into an ugly, disgusting look.
The guy spoke up. "Just showing this animal her place. Right honey." I scoffed at the giggle his…girl gave him.
"Yep…" she replied with a Valean country drawl and my nose curled. My hand had curled up into fists and I was rather to bash their skulls in.
The guy grinned. "Hey…want to join in? It'll be fun."
…
I'm going to—
"Friend?" The two students sounded confused as Penny ignored them, meeting eyes with Umber. "Are these two bothering you?" She nodded and her two harassers sneered once they got the whole picture.
"Are you serious? You two are animal lovers?" Penny smiled politely and I felt shivers run down my spine, it quickly vanished under unyielding rage as he squeezed Umber's ears.
"Indeed…and I recommend you let go of her ear. It's hurting her." He squeezed harder…
"That's the point you animal loving bitch."
Neither of them saw it coming…
SMASH!
The two Huntsmen students choked on their spit, as Penny's hands wrapped around their throats. Their aura was the only thing keeping their throats from collapsing in on themselves.
"How…the f-fuck?!" I managed to make out his strained words as he tried and failed to wiggle out of his attacker's hold. He froze as a sword met with his back, and Penny's smile dropped for a second time.
"I suppose your parents never taught you the golden rule like mine did…how sad." Penny started spinning…and spinning, and spinning until…
They were thrown out of sight, screaming all the while like a bunch of scared little shits. Penny froze, her fists loosening up and dropping to her sides. She didn't seem to know what to do.
"Uh you okay partner?" She shrugged, emulating the action with ease.
"I…seem to…have lost my temper a bit. My apologies…" I shook my head and she looked utterly befuddled.
"Nah don't apologize, those guys had that coming. They were hurting our teammate." Her eyes widened and like clockwork she honed in on a wincing Umber.
"Ah friend…you're hurt aren't you? I can take you to the nearest nurses office if you need it?" She nodded, and I stepped to her side. She wobbled and I frowned at the bruises building up.
"What the hell? What did they do?"
Umber groaned. "They caught me after a training session against some robots. My aura had been drained pretty low so…"
Cowards…those damn cowards.
"It is…reprehensible to do such a thing…I don't understand why."
Umber's look darkened. "It's because I'm a Faunus. They think just because I'm different, that they can push me around."
Penny shook her head, her hands curling in and out. "I can't understand such a thing. My mother…is a Faunus herself. An important researcher in her field…she wouldn't deserve such a treatment. No one does."
"Cus you're a good person with your head on straight." She analyzed me, and I smiled back. She had done what I couldn't and taken the heat off of Umber.
"T-Thank you?" She sounded nervous, and I ruffled Penny's hair. Her face heated up, yet there was little indication of a blush.
"Yeah…" I tilted my head, realizing those poor bastards were screwed once I told Summer. And I was going to tell her, no but's about it. She got pretty vindictive and her alchemy tended to exacerbate that tendency.
"Summer's going to kill them and I think I'm okay with that." Umber said what we were all thinking. Even Penny has figured this out from Sums…she wasn't exactly one for hiding her personality.
"What about friend Cassin?"
Oh…wow…they'll be dead within a week…
"Didn't we have something to do?" I asked, my mind coming to a blank.
"I believe we were going to meet up in the library to study for an assignment."
Thanks Penny.
Guess we gotta get going.
(Kitsune's POV)
"Okay then…had to make some adjustments to our vessels material. Turns out carbon fiber is hard to use for a spaceship. Extreme temperature ranges lessen its usefulness. And aura alloys are mostly metal anyhow. And with the Barrier Dust modules spread evenly it can take a lesser Nevermore collision with minimal effort." I dutifully and excitedly explained to the Bureaucrat put in charge of our project. Despite my usual animosity toward them, this one had a strong passion toward spaceflight. He always gave us the appropriate amount of budget required. Within several years we had our ships…
Soon they were going to be sent into mass production, by several differing corporations(mildly annoying but…)
While they required liquid methane and oxygen as fuel, there was some Dust powered tech. Unfortunately we couldn't quite get aural and Dust creation technology on the scale of mass production needed. So the first one hundred vessels would be limited in that regard.
But it would be enough…we had already constructed the satellite network, thousands of of them connected to form an uninterruptible connection…no more could the Grimm cut us off. No more would information take weeks or months to reach out into the boonies and isolated villages.
No more…would we be limited to the bounds of this planet, trapped on this world of endless nightmares.
This project could change everything…and I had already designed the next generation of space vessels. These initial ships were a stopgap…they would be our experiments, a path to the stars…
I opened up the file…one of many backups I had created…just in case.
Based on our modern military airships…but designed for space travel. Though in design they resembled our current spacecraft more closely. Lifted up by Gravity Dust and propelled by Energy Dust combusted with aura in a reaction chamber.
It would be the project that would take all our developed technology into one grand machine…not just in Dust and aural physics but in our newfound nuclear physics. A large nuclear fusion reactor would power electrical systems, as well as generate our harvested supply of aura. They would provide power for the necessary greenhouse. Special machines would extract ambient aura, creating a field to allow for limited Dust use as well as focusing it into the rocket chamber.
Something truly beautiful…
"Honey? You're drooling again." I froze up, blushing when my husband pointed it out. I rubbed the drool away using my sleeves, feeling a little…
Embarrassed…
"S-Shut up!" I turned off the screen…leaving it be for now.
"We need to get to the next door department. Some of our colleagues are having trouble with the test stand…"
"Right…that would be for the best…" I stopped for a moment…swearing I had heard a feminine breath.
…
…
I think it's nothing…I'll have to tell the Security department…but I might just be paranoid.
So let's step away for now…
(Spring POV)
I kept hidden from sight as the two Atlas scientists stepped out of the room, leaving me alone. I glanced at the computer screens…but left them alone for now.
This was mainly a test of skills for future missions by my "employers." They had plans and machinations for this place and unfortunately that Faunus women was unlikely to survive.
Same for my tribe…
I was no fool…but the power radiating form that knight. I might be more than strong enough to take him…but could the rest of my tribe do the same? The rest had nowhere near the same level of strength. They wouldn't live through the battle…
I sighed at the message buzzing in my specially made Scroll.
I suppose I should come back then…
I lifted up another scroll as I dashed through the blizzard…the cold not having much of an effect on me.
"Spring? We've got our preparations ready…the youngest and weakest of us are leaving for greener pastures. Are you sure you can't come with…?" The voice on the other line sounded weak and I held back a sigh.
"Those…people need me in their plan. It's a miracle they haven't figured out what I am." I scratched the back of my neck, thinking deeply of our little situation. "How are you anyway? Is the baby ok?"
There was a pause and I waited impatiently.
"She's fine…little Vernal should be out in about…eight months?"
"How do you know she'll be a girl?"
"You just know these things…"
Right…she's always been a bit of an oddball. But she was really the heart of the tribe. As much as a tribe of ravenous bandits can have a heart. But there was another question I had that I felt had importance.
"And my sister?"
"She's with us. Now only the stronger members are left, ignoring the twins. Are they a part of the contingency plan?"
I nodded to thin air, my hand clenching against my scroll at the light of stealthy Bullhead. They still couldn't see me, due both to my semblance as well as the intense blizzard.
"Yes…they'll take over…they're the only ones strong enough once this goes down."
"Do you really think they'll come back? Don't forget what we are…you see the spark in them, that part of them that makes them different than us…"
I scowled at the fact she was right…but then again…
"It's the fact our tribe is the way it is that made us useful pawns for them. And even if they lose their attachment to our way, they will likely protect those left. The both of them are loyal that way…"
"P-Perhaps that is so…"
"Yeah…"
"Just keep yourself safe ok?"
"I'll try my best." I hung up, hiding the scroll away. From up above, I could see the shadowy knight looking right at me, but only once I had dropped my semblance. I found a sigh of relief in that…
"You are a sneaky one are you not?" I shivered at the inhuman and robotic tone coming out of the automaton like knight. "You have done well…my Queen will be pleased. But next time…obtain data of actual note." I rolled my eyes.
"Don't get your metal panties in a bunch." He growled and I suppressed the power within me from lashing out.
"Fine…But I hope you are not this…difficult when your services will be needed."
"It'll be fine…I promise you that big guy." The shuttle door shut behind me, sealing the freezing cold behind them.
"I'm sure…the lady will do fine…despite being the supreme bitch of a pile of degenerates." I narrowed my eyes at the shadowy figure sitting on the bench of the lesser airship. I recognized him…or her? The voice makes it hard to tell…
The leader of the Red Hand…? None of us know their true name…the only thing we know is that their an elite Huntsmen class fighter. In their reign, many Faunus Hunters and White Fang fighters had fallen to his deadly blade.
How many had he killed…the last count was at a hundred faunus, and double that great number including their human team members.
Even by my standards he was a monster…and don't get me started on the Faunus slave smuggling and illegal drug trade he did to fund his organization…
The only thing I could see with detail was his black cloak, a bloody human handprint firmly placed on their chest as a logo. A blank mask covered their face, leaving only room for his blazing light greyish eyes to show…
Hmm…
No not the time…I've been insulted…
"Excuse me…I'll have you kn—."
"Now is not the time for bickering. We must make haste…my Queen's plan is slowly coming to fruition. There have been rumors...of a strange creature capable of controlling Grimm. Sicking the beast on a Beacon team should prove informative."
I really hope to god that this plan fails…
Or else no one on this airship will survive the aftermath…but at least in death…
Raven has the chance of inheriting my legacy…
Author's Note:
If you've read this far you might have an idea of where I want to take this story. RWBY already has that general Sci Fi fantasy thing they've been going with. With here there'll be a little more emphasis on the science part, mixed in with a little magic and spirit shenanigans. Think RWBY with a hint of Mass Effect and FMA obviously. I'll be going more indepth with Alchemy's ultimate history as well as delve into the altered history of this world.
So look forward to that.