Setting: Port Settlement
Kelvin brought the ship to the town's port where the Atlesian droids and Atlesian soldier in charge of them converged to his location. The ship wasn't even anchored to the dock before the droids aimed their guns at it, ready to fire when given the order. The Atlesian soldier walked up to the large ship while having his machines on standby.
"Whoever you are, come down from your ship! You are in Atlesian territory without consent! Atlas and the other kingdoms are in a state of closed borders! Come down from your ship and state your business or be attacked and annihilated on the spot!" the soldier declared loudly.
A drawbridge came from the side of the commandeered pirate ship and landed on the dock. Kelvin walked down the bridge and he was the only one. He held a nonchalant expression as the Atlesian soldier observed him with vigilant eyes. Kelvin sighed from the pointless inspection and already knew he was going to get booted from the port.
The soldier took a closer look at Kelvin's neck and noticed the gills. He realized Kelvin was an aquatic faunus and he looked at him with disgust. Kelvin noticed the change in the man's expression, recognizing it as the same kind of look he gets from humans who hate faunus. He knew this was going to be a pain to deal with.
"What's this? What are you doing so far from your feral island?" the soldier said, referring to Menagerie.
"Relax. I'm a traveler. Kind of short on supplies so I was hoping to pay for some supplies then be on my way," Kelvin answered in a non-threatening tone so he wouldn't provoke the racist man.
"Well, too bad. No one's allowed entry, especially not a pond sucker like you. Now get out of here and return to whatever lagoon you crawled out of before I have the droids shoot you and your ship for fun," the soldier threatened.
Kelvin could only sigh as a response. This was typical for faunus in Atlas and it was the reason Kelvin stayed away from this part of Remnant. There was nothing he could really do at this moment. Even though he really wanted to impale the guy with his harpoon, but that would make things worse. Kelvin figured it could work as a good distraction, but he'd be arrested or worse. He assumed enough time passed for the team to get away without being noticed by this soldier or his troops so Kelvin decided to end it here.
"You got it, sir. I'll be sure to swim back home," Kelvin said with saturated sarcasm.
"Then get out of here already, filthy animal," the soldier said as he walked away.
Kelvin walked back onto his ship with a discontent look on his face. "Whatever, you frickin shisno."
"What was that, guppy?" the soldier asked as he turned his head toward Kelvin.
"Nothing sir. Just gotta prep my ship," Kelvin lied as he got back aboard his ship.
Kelvin went below deck to see that no one else was present, meaning the plan worked. He distracted the guards long enough for the others to depart from the ship unseen and without incident. Now Kelvin's role was done and it was time for him to leave. He walked into the captain's room to find a stack of Lien on his bed. It wasn't there before, leaving Kelvin to summarize Team VRSZ left it here as a proper form of payment.
Kelvin smiled as he picked up the stack of Lien. "VRSZ. They aren't as bad as Grayson said."
Kelvin's ship left the port without any incident. The trooper and the droids under his command resumed their patrol of the docks. Watching from on top of a nearby metal building was Team VRSZ with Lily and Azura. Without anyone knowing they infiltrated Solitas, they looked on as their only ride sailed away. The five-person squad was on their own from now on.
"I'm still not happy about this part of the plan. It seems risky," Lily told the boys.
"Risky?" Azura repeated. "It's a giant gamble. I suppose he's coming back once this is all over?"
"…Uh," Zelts tried to say, but Silver answered for him.
"Yeah. We didn't... really plan for an escape route. The hardest hurdle was actually getting into Atlas, so we never got to the part for getting out."
"That's very discouraging," Azura stated with a hint of discontent.
Lily felt the same way. She joined her friends to help get Violet back, she wasn't impressed with their lacking a plan, especially when it involves illegally crossing borders. It was a foolish act, but it also showed how desperate the team was to get their leader and friend back. Even though they had no real plan, Lily knew chastising them about wouldn't solve anything. Instead, she changed the subject so the team could move on.
"We can discuss this once we find a place to stay. It's been a long day and the sun is setting."
"She's right," Remus said. "Dr. Lupa taught me the days are shorter in Solitas."
"Then let's search for an inn to stay in for the night. Like Lily said, we can plan our next move later. Be sure to stay out of trouble while we look around. We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention. Be smart and be safe," Zelts said.
"Got it, dad," Silver joked before they all departed.
The five of them left their perch on the building and searched the small town for a place to stay. With Atlesian droids patrolling the entire area, everyone had to be discreet. They were able to maintain cover despite Remus's extreme dislike of robots flaring up whenever a droid walked too close. Silver encountered a scene where a faunus was being verbally abused by two men. He felt bad for the faunus, but couldn't intervene unless he wanted to attract attention. Azura was able to find an inn they could take shelter in for the day. So far, their infiltration was a success.
Setting: Local Inn
Zelts used the Lien Clair de Lune Vantablack gave them to pay for two rooms for two nights. Silver, Zelts, and Remus stayed in one room while Lily and Azura stayed in the other. Each room had two beds, a couch, and a bathroom. The boys settled who slept where with rock-paper-scissors and it resulted in Silver and Remus claiming the beds while Zelts got the couch. The trio even took advantage of the inn's room service and ordered food to come to their room.
"I'll go tell the others we're ordering food and ask what they want," Zelts said as he got up from his couch and left the room.
Silver laid on the bed while he waited while Remus used the thermostat to turn on the heat and set it as high as possible. It wasn't as bad as being outside, but he freezing cold still be felt from inside the building. The two of them waited and talked about the good old days to pass the time until someone entered their room. Silver and Remus were expecting Zelts, but Azura was the one who entered with a slightly annoyed expression. She silently entered the room with both young men watching her. Azura sat on the edge of Remus's bed and let out a sigh.
"…"
"…"
"…Can we help you?" Silver asked.
"I'm sleeping in here tonight," Azura stated.
"What about Zelts?" Remus asked his cousin from her backside.
"We're trading places. He'll be staying in the other room with Lily."
"Really? I wonder why?" Remus asked honestly and Azura turned to face him with a dumbfounded look.
"You don't get it?" Azura asked sarcastically.
"He reeeally doesn't," Silver clarified.
Azura glanced at Silver then eyed her cousin again. Looking at his pure expression, Azura could only say, "Wow."
"Anyway, I'm taking Zelts's bed," Azura stated.
"Zelts didn't have a bed. He lost at rock-paper-scissors and had to sleep on the couch. Just like you," Silver retorted.
"No way. It's still cold and the blankets on the beds can keep me warm."
"Just use the fire dust in your arms to stay warm."
"It doesn't work if I'm asleep. I have to be conscious to use it. Plus I've been using the fire dust to keep myself warm for days and it's making my body sore. This isn't something that works automatically. These dust circlets are like muscles. If I overuse them, they'll start to hurt and I can't use them properly," Azura responded.
"…"
"…"
Neither Silver or Azura were saying anything so Remus chimed his idea into the conversation. "You and I can share the bed, Azura."
"Hm?" she responded.
"It's not like it's too small for both of us, right? It'll be better than having someone shivering throughout the night."
"…Alright. Better than the couch."
Azura crawled up to the head of the bed with Remus. He took the right side facing the wall while she took the left side facing Silver and his bed. The gunman looked at the odd sight before him. Two family members that were once enemies were sharing a bed together. He did not expect to see this.
"You don't kick or snore in your sleep, do you?" she asked Remus.
"I don't think so," Remus answered with uncertainty. He never guessed what he did while he slumbered.
"Okay," Azura said before laying her head on the pillow and closing her eyes.
Silver had an idea and grabbed his scroll from the nearby dresser. He wanted to take a picture of the two Cobalts sleeping in the same bed. He figured this could be something hilarious he could share with everyone back home once this was over.
"Take a picture, I'll attack," Azura stated with her head on her pillow and closed eyes.
Silver was a little taken back by her threat and decided it was his best interest to put his scroll away.
The sun went down, but it was technically still evening. Silver and Remus were still up while Azura laid in bed. She tried to sleep but was going in and out of it because the boys were chatting. She wasn't the type to eavesdrop but being in the between them meant she had little choice but to listen.
"Do you really think Violet's in Atlas, Silver?" Remus asked with a crestfallen expression.
"Yeah. If what Platinum said was true about what Carabosse wanting to take Violet to her family, then it's the best lead we got," Silver answered.
"Yeah… but Clair also told us how Ebony killed her aunt to stop her crazy scheme. What if Carabosse never got the chance to do it? What if she isn't in Atlas? We would've come here for nothing…"
"You're worried she's not going to be here," Silver guessed correctly.
"…" Remus remained silent because it was true. Azura still pretended to sleep because she didn't want to interrupt.
"In all honesty, I don't know if she's here either. But I have faith that we'll find out something here," Silver answered.
Remus sighed before saying, "Okay… I really hope Violet's here."
"Me too," Silver admitted.
"Silver, can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Alright, but I'm not tucking you in or telling you a bedtime story. A guy's gotta draw the line somewhere," Silver joked.
"Be nicer to Azura," Remus requested.
"Huh?" Silver responded.
"Huh?" Azura thought.
"I know you don't trust her or like her, but she's family and I'd like for you guys to get along."
"…You're right. I shouldn't keep her at arm's length anymore. After all, we're not enemies anymore and she's willing to help us. I'll play nice first thing tomorrow."
"Thank you," Remus said gratefully.
Azura kept her eyes closed, but she heard every word. She knew that Remus genuinely liked her, but he kept surprising her every time. Remus, Silver, and Azura eventually received their food from food service, but Azura actually fell asleep before then, so her food was put away for her to enjoy tomorrow. While she slept, Silver talked to Remus about doing something for her tomorrow.
It was a new day in the settlement. The sun rose early and the team was already up and on the move. Azura woke to see that Remus and Silver weren't in the room. She guessed they left to get some breakfast or something so she took this time to get ready herself. She waited in the lobby by herself with the dust circlets on her arms glowing red from fire dust keeping her warm. Azura waited for someone to come. She didn't go to Zelts and Lily's room because she didn't want to walk into a situation she had no business witnessing so she remained sitting on a sofa in the lobby.
Azura noticed Zelts and Lily walk down to the lobby. Zelts had his arms wrapped around Lily's waist and the two of them were smiling at each other so warmly that it seemed to be the only heat source they needed. Azura looked at the loving couple with a raised eyebrow, wondering if they did these displays of affection often because she believed she'd get tired of it rather quickly. Their moment ceased when Lily saw Azura.
"Good morning," Lily greeted Azura.
"Morning," Zelts greeted then said, "Sorry about taking your bed."
"Don't worry about it. So, you two lovebirds got it on last night? I guess so since there was nothing really stopping you," Azura stated.
Her remark surprised and embarrassed the two. Lily's face was red and Zelts eyes were everywhere except on Azura and Lily. The couple weren't the type to discuss their exploits, preferring to keep to themselves. Azura found out the couple was surprisingly pure and thought it would be amusing to probe them about their relationship.
"Hey guys!" Silver shouted from the entrance.
He entered the inn along with Remus by his side. The two had their winter coats on though Silver had another under his arm. It was a black hooded coat with fur lining just like Silver's.
"So, we know what you two were doing to keep warm," Silver joked and it made Lily blush even more.
"Shut up, Silver," Zelts told his friend who chuckled in response.
Remus walked over to Silver, took the winter coat out of his hands, then presented it to Azura.
"Here. We went out and got this for you," he said.
"You guys got this for me? Why?" she asked.
"Actually, it was Silver's idea. He thought having a coat would be easier than relying on your circlets. He picked it out and everything."
"Really? Thank you," Azura thanked.
Silver shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. "Don't worry about it. You're here helping us, so we should help you get comfortable, right?" Azura flashed a small smile before putting on her new coat.
With everyone up and ready for a new day, they began to discuss what to do next. The decision landed on the only person who has ever been in Atlas and that was Silver Synch. He said the main source of transportation in Atlas is by train. It would help them cover the land, but there's an inspection point at every station and they don't have the papers to prove they were even allowed on the continent. Their options were few and Silver suggested the best one would be to find a map, locate the settlement closest to their current location, and get travel there on foot. It was a dangerous wager to walk through the frozen wilds of Atlas, but it was the best one plan they had. The group went around the town's shops and made preparations for their soon to be rigorous journey.
Kelvin called the Atlesian trooper Shisno, a term from Red vs Blue that is a racist name for humans. Seems appropriate for faunus to use it. Blood was well aware of this name, showing it's common knowledge among faunus, but it mostly unknown by humans or they don't know it's a racial slur.
With Fortuna and Team VRSZ's base destroyed, the team is technically homeless. Everyone is literally out in the cold, save for Violet whose currently living in a mansion. On the note of having no home, each member of the five person squad only have one outfit on this journey. It's what they wear everyday and what they sleep in. It's not something any of them are worried about since finding Violet comes first.
Azura has grown to like Remus now that she isn't trying to kill him. With the few interactions they had, she realizes he is a nice person at heart. In her eyes, Remus is more friend than family, but their bond will develop over time and as they continue their journey together, including her relationships with the others.
The main theme of this volume is family. Violet and the Underlands of course, but the relationship between the Cobalts as well. The theme of family extends further than those two, but it'll be shown as the story progresses.
