(Mein Gott...I wrote too much for this. I think I'll regret it later, but I think I'll just have to deal with it for now. So, please. Don't indulge in schadenfreude and just start reading.)
Five Plans
Axel's POV
After a few days of bring back Silas, things have winded down for the better. And today will be a fine day: a demonstration match. Always glad to see a good fight, and it's one involving the dear amazon Pyrrha. In other good news, Scale and Peach are back up and at it. Things are good.
"Hello Axel." A familiar voice speaks in from behind me
"Hey Pyrrha!" I say happily, looking back to the red-headed amazon who's smiling diligently. "How's things going right now?" I ask as the two of us start back to walking toward the arena/demonstration room.
"Things are better. And yourself?"
"Fantastic actually. What with Silas being back and the dance coming up, I'm actually excited!"
She chuckles a bit, "Well that's good. I...don't mean to pry but-"
"I got a plan for Jaune sis. Just have to wait for the right opportune moment." I say calmly
"Are you-"
"It's fiiiiiiine! It's fiiiiiine! Don't worry your head about it!" I tell her in a drawl, the two of us entering the room with people filling up the seats. And with professors Goodwitch and Scale standing in the middle, Goodwitch holding a Scroll in hand and Scale...holding a flask?
Is Qrow here early?
Scale opens up the flask and starts to drink away. Draining it.
"Everyone, thank you for coming." Goodwitch began speaking as I take my seat with Yang to the right and Tulip behind me. Hardly ever see the latter much. And past Yang are Blake who's reading a book and Silas staring with the two Faunus having bloodshot eyes with dark rings around them.
They haven't slept for a while. The whole White Fang and Torchwick deal is dragging them around by the neck.
"Today we will be- professor Scale can you please stop drinking while I'm trying to tell the students here what's happening?" She asks
Scale stops drinking and burps, "Ohhh Glyn y-y-y-y-you're sucha buzzkill ya know?" He says with his voice slurred and stuttering, "Ish not like I'm doin' an-an-any harm at all."
"You're setting a bad influence for them."
"Fiiiiine Ms. Killjoy, I'll shaddup and just...j-just leave. Ain't my fault I'm doin' this! Prom is for assholes!" Scale shouts out in drunken fury, before making a leave...and falling flat on his face at the door with a burp.
Yep. I think Qrow may be around.
Goodwitch sighs and adjusts her glasses, "As I was saying." She starts back up, "Today we'll be having a one vs. four battle. Ms. Nikos has volunteered for being one participant. Anyone else?" She asks looking to all of us
"Count us in!" Someone shouts out, and I clench my teeth. You have got to be kidding me with this
Behind are Cardin with his pepper-shaker slung over his shoulder, his flunkies/man-servants/slaves/boyfriends flanking him. Worthless sack of shit has done plenty to make me loath his very existence: bullying Jaune and Velvet, being a racist prick, and threatening to hurt my friends.
I wish I knew when his birthday is, I'd celebrate it.
Because it means he's one step closer to dying.
He notices me and his expression turns into a sneer and kicks the back of my seat. He really wants to get himself killed doesn't he?
Don't do it...yet.
Just wait until the right moment, and then fuck him up.
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind.
"Very well then." Ms. Goodwitch says, "Team CRDL: head on down to your locker room and gather your equipment. Ms. Nikos: you do the same."
Cardin makes his way down the steps, but he makes a stop and looks me dead in the eye. With his expression showing anger and eyes showing contempt. "Just you wait Axident. I'm ten times better than what I was before, I'll be sure to beat your ass sooner than you think." He growls like a rabid mutt.
"You're forgetting something Cardin." Tulip speaks up softly
"And what'd that be huh?"
"In multiplication: a zero times any number, is still a zero." She states with a tiny smirk, giving me a wink. I smile happily. Atta girl.
Cardin huffs and goes back down the steps. Oreno snickering along with a few others. Among them Ruby, Uriah and Roy.
"Nice one!" Yang whispers
"Thank you. Had to work on that one, but it wasn't hard." Tulip shyly says, with a hand out on her shoulder. Oreno looking past her and toward myself with a shining smile.
"She had some help of course. Free of charge!" He states proudly
The other three head down. All looking a bit...sad in some way.
I can feel some odd pity for them, they do have to deal with Cardin after all.
Gezz...well it seems I can finally get my say in now?
Dula? Why're you here? Where've you been?
I'm here because I found something I need to share. And I've been looking into things, while you and your friends have been dealing with your worries over the gross hormonal fueled event called a 'Dance'.
But I want to watch this fight.
Hey, life sucks and then you die boy. Now will you take a listen?
I guess. What is it that I gotta worry about?
Well it's not exactly good or bad. Found out that the Cabal is just been doing nothing.
That's...good?
A possibility. But they could be making a move soon, possibly a big one. Keep on the watch.
Thanks.
Going on back to reality...Pyrrha won. CRDL is laying on the ground. Cardin clutching his ribs.
You asshole! I missed it!
My plan worked! I ruined it for you! I AM VICTORIOUS!
I growl in frustration to myself. But I let out a sigh, one good thing to come from this is the fact that Cardin got beaten around like a ragdoll and is currently on the ground. Even though I didn't watch I know that this fight was along the lines of hitting someone until they say uncle.
"And that's the match." Goodwitch states factually
"Lucky shot." Cardin grunts out in pain before collapsing
"Luck had nothing to do with it you testosterone and ego fueled moron! It's because you suck!" Scale raves out sounding hammered.
Goodwitch clutches the bridge of her nose and lets out a sigh. One that says 'I'd be drinking right now because of you Scale, but I don't want to end up doing something worse than you'll probably do later. Plus I'd hate to have a hangover.'
She stiffens up and takes a breath and exhale to let out the frustration, "Well done, Miss Nikos. You should have no problem qualifying for the tournament." She congratulates the red-head
"Thank you, professor." Pyrrha says humbly, good girl.
"Alright, now I know that's a tough act to follow, but we have time for one more sparring match." Goodwitch says tapping her Scroll. She looks over the crowd of students, trying to find someone who'd want to do something, "Any volunteers? Ms. Belladonna?"
The moment she says the name Blake slams her book shut causing Silas to jump out of his seat, before sitting back down lie nothing happened.
"You've been rather docile for the past few classes. Why don't you-"
"I'll do it." A casual sounding voice interrupts,taking a look where it came from. It's the one guy from Haven. One that came along with the two girls...what's his name again?
"Mercury, is it?" Goodwitch asks, that's the name. "Very well, let's find you an opponent." She says looking through her Scroll.
"Actually, I wanna fiiiight..." Mercury drawls before pointing, "her." He finishes. He's pointing at Pyrrha.
"Me?" Pyrrha asks
Her? Why Pyrrha in specific?
"I'm afraid Miss Nikos has just finished the match. I recommend you choose another partner." Goodwitch tells
"No, it's fine! I'd be happy to oblige!" Pyrrha replies. Mercury takes a stand from his seat, heading down the stairs. He has no visible weapon...interesting. Let's see what this guy is able to do.
Once Mercury is down stairs he struts up to the arena, sizing up Pyrrha. The fight kicks off, literally with the challenger charging in kicking at Pyrrha who lunges forward and blocks the with her shield before sweeping one of his legs with her spear and sending him onto his back.
But he kicks in the air, spinning around on his hand before leaping back up onto his feet. The two taking a moment to stare each other down, seems Mercury is a fan of kicking it seems. Weapon must be in his boots. Yang would be at a disadvantage dealing with him in a fight, and would provide a particular annoyance to me.
Oh, the joys of learning.
Pyrrha comes up from a kneeling position and makes a run to attack. With Mercury striking first leading to her blocking said hit with her shield. Turning and blocking more strikes coming from the gray-haired gent from Haven. The barrage being ended by Pyrrha hitting him in the leg with Miló and following it up by ramming the shield into him, landing on his feet and sliding for some distance and stopping.
He looks impressed.
"Hey, your friend's pretty good." Ruby says to the girl in the back, I think her name is...Emerald? Yeah that's it. The girl gives a fake smile, rolling her eyes once Ruby looks back to the fight.
Cheeky bitch.
Mercury leaps back up in the air and lands a spin kick onto Pyrrha's shield causing her to slightly jump back. The fight continues to be a trade of blows, up until Mercury manages to kick Pyrrha's blade into the ground. He raises a leg high and tries to get in a kick but it misses as Pyrrha waves her empty hand, the result is him getting into an off-balance spin to send him back. Gotta love Polarity sometimes.
Mercury looks just in time to see Pyrrha charging with her shield.
"I forfeit." He says non-chalant, wait. What? Pyrrha nearly stumbles, but comes to a spot next to him.
"You... don't even want to try?" Pyrrha asks him, something fishy is going on here. Fighting someone out of the blue and just forfeiting? Not a coincidence. He's up to something.
"What's the point? You're a world-renowned fighter. We're obviously leagues apart." Mercury replies shrugging
"In that case... Pyrrha Nikos is the victor of the match... again." Goodwitch says annoyed
"Hold on now." I state out loud
"Yes Mr. Lind?" Goodwitch asks
"Can we all just stay a tad bit longer?" I ask, "I wanna have a go at someone."
Goodwitch sighs, "No. The bell is-"
"Anyone in particular you wanna fight?" Mercury asks
I smirk, he took the bait. Time to reel it in.
"You don't seem half bad, I'm not half bad. How about you and me have a scrap?" I ask him, he grins.
"Sure. Don't mind staying back a bit longer," Mercury states with a cocky grin before looking at Goodwitch, "is that alright with you professor?" He asks.
Goodwitch has an expression mixing 'Oh for God's sake.' and 'I hate moments like this.' She sighs. "Very well." She mutters reluctantly, "Go ahead."
"What're you doing?" Yang asks in a whisper, I get up from my seat.
"Little test." I tell her smiling. I head on down to the locker room quickly, grabbing Cerberus and heading back up. Mercury still standing there still. On the board there's a profile of me and him, Aura bars full. Time for my strategy to get started. Get him pissed.
The fight bell rings. He makes a charging kick, but I side step and give him a smack the back of his head. "Sloppy." I tell him harshly.
He stays frozen for a moment, taking a spin kick which I dodge again. "Miss." I state factually with a wry grin. His grin fades into a frown before letting out a barrage of kicks in my direction, for every kick I just reply by parrying or blocking it.
"Seriously? Just kicks?" I ask dully, "Don't tell me you're a one-trick pony there buddy."
"You're really starting to getting on my nerves." He sharply states
"Oh am I?" I ask innocently once the barrage ends, "Maybe you're not trying hard enough. If your dad trained you, my God must he be disappointed in you. Try and get me to take you a tad bit seriously at least, and put some power in your kicks...or you could always forfeit like you did."
His eyes flash with anger, whoops. Guess I pressed a few buttons too many. He tries an axe-kick which I sidestep and unsheath Cerberus. Letting out a flurry of strikes, ending it by tripping him onto his feet. Looking at the board, Mercury's bar goes into the red.
"The victor of this match...is Axel Lind." Goodwitch announces, I put out a hand for Mercury who looks back with scorn. He slaps away the hand and stands back up, leaving.
And the school bell rings. Huh, little late.
"That is all for today. And remember, the dance is this weekend. But you all have your first mission on Monday. I will not accept any excuses." Goodwitch reminds us, oh sweet merciful God I forgot about that.
I'm doomed aren't I?
Maybe.
Shut up Cain. Like you're showing up, who'd you being anyway. Dula?
Wow, you should feel bad for that insult.
Not gonna guilt trip me into saying sorry.
Damn.
Ahri's POV
I'm not stalking Sun. I'm just...watching...oh and there's whatever his name is along with two other jobbers. Out of the corner of my eye there comes Blake and Silas together with their respective teams, looking more than a bit tired.
"Hey guys!" Sun shouts out as he jogs over to them and grabbing Blake and Silas by their shoulders, "Are you uh, are you both alright?" He asks
"I'm fine." They say irritated at the same time
"So I hear there's this dance going on this weekend... ah, sounds pretty lame, but you guys and me, someone else, I'm thinking, not as lame, huh?" Sun suggests, he's still looking for a date? This is my opportunity! Butbutbut...gotta wait until they're gone.
"Excuse me?" Blake asks in a sharp tone
"The dance! Y'know? This weekend! You guys coming?" Sun asks
"I don't have time for a stupid dance. I thought you of all people would get that." Blake scolds sharply before walking away, leaving only two guys there talking with one another.
"Yeesh. So, how about you Si?"
"Oh I'd love to waste more time from my life." Silas says caustically
"So...that's a n-"
"That's a no." Silas cuts Sun off before leaving as well, leaving Sun to sink his head from not one. Not three. But two 'no's. Time for a change in that! I walk up to Sun and immediately feel a pit in my stomach.
"Uhh, hey there Sun." I say awkwardly, he lifts his head up and his eyes flash in surpise for a moment.
"Ahri? Yeah, Ahri." He says, guess he forgot my name for a moment. "What's up?"
"I saw you get told coming along." I lie, not stalking.
"Yeah, kinda sucks...there something you wanted to ask?"
"Well! Mind if, mind if I go with you to the dance?" I ask him, and now for the moment of truth.
"Sure! I wouldn't mind!"
And now, I won't be that one person who shows up without a date. Feels alright...ok it's not that bad.
Uriah's POV
"Ok. This sound like a good idea?" Yang asks between the three of us, she kind of came up with a plan to get Silas and Blake to come to the dance. Simply asking.
Everyone but me gives a nod, I just shrug.
Ssssssspeaking of eventsssssssss. Are you going to get a date?
I might. You have any ideas there Yigy?
How about that girl in white, Weisssssssssss isssssss it?
END OF DISCUSSION. NOT NOW.
Fine fine fine, we'll talk more about thisssssss later.
The door for the dorm opens up, and on the beds are Silas and Blake.
"Hey guys!" Roy chimes in, the Faunus couple looking tiredly at the six of us.
"What?" Silas asks flatly, "Something you guys want?"
"We have a request for you two. Hear us out?" Weiss asks, the two share a look for a moment. And Blake lets out an irritated sigh and crosses her arms.
"What is it?" She asks
"We want you to go to the dance." Axel tells them truthfully
"You what?" "Say again?" The two ask in unison
"We want you both to come to the dance." Ruby speaks up
"That's ridiculous." Blake spits
"We're worried about you two. This investigation is starting to mess with your heads." Yang tells in a motherly tone
"It's getting to a point of obsession for you two. And here to help with that, tell them Weiss." I say gesturing to the Princess
"You can't sleep, you hardly eat, and to be honest, your grades have been suffering." Weiss lists counting down on her fingers
"You think I care about my grades?" Blake asks with a shrug, she gestures out the window. "People's lives are at stake!"
Yang lowers down the cat Faunus' hand, "We know, and we're all still trying to figure out what Torchwick is up to."
"Yang's right." Axel states, "We can't just go running around to every abandoned warehouse in Vale in hopes we catch him or one of his top goons. And it's not like we're not completely lost."
"Yeah. Thanks to you and Sun, we know they're operating somewhere outside of southeast Vale." Ruby reminds
"And, the Schnee company records singled out Vale as the primary target for Dust robberies over the last few months." Weiss adds in
"Adding on to the pile, because of you Silas and Neptune. We got a solid idea that there might be a third party involved in the whole thing. And they're with that 'Cabal' group the guy who ambushed us said he was with."
"Found some nice designs for weaponry too." Axel pipes up happily
"Don't forget about their military tech too." Yang finishes
"But there's still unanswered questions!" Blake shouts out angrily
"For God's sake!" Silas adds in, "Axel even mentioned the apocalypse! THE APOCALYPSE! We need to hurry up and find something before WE'RE ALL DONE FOR!"
"Guys, you won't be able to find anything if you can't even keep your eyes open!" Ruby says in a pleading tone
"Besides." Axel says, "The Cabal is a whole 'nother beast entirely. Deal with at least Torchwick for now, we'll get to the bigger guys as soon as we're trained enough."
"All we're asking is that you two take it easy for one day." Yang tells the two softly
"It'll be fun! Yang and I will make sure of it." Weiss promises confidently, Yang taking a seat next to Blake's left
"Yeah! We're planning the whole event!" Yang cheers, pumping her fists enough to bounce Blake.
"Excuse me?" Blake replies sharply
"Team CFVY's away mission lasted longer than expected." Ruby says a bit sadly, I frown. Poor guys'll miss out on the fun.
"So, Weiss and I were asked to pick up where they left off. And now we can make sure you have the perfect night." Yang continues
"And once it's all over, we'll return for our search, rested and ready." Weiss says smiling
"So what do ya think?" Ruby asks
Blake stands up, "I think this is a colossal waste of time." She says coldly as she heads over and opens the door. "I'll be in the library." She says leaving
There's a moment of silence. "So." Roy says awkwardly, "You coming Sila-"
"No." Silas says quietly, taking a stand as well. "I'm not going. Not now, or ever." He says heading out the door, slamming it shut on the way out. Yang lets out an audible sigh.
"Great." She says sarcastically
"I know right?" A posh voice says, and out from under the bed comes Cheshire. "It's self-destruction." He laments sadly
"They can't keep going on like this. It's not healthy." Weiss murmurs
"It's hard to stop a boulder once it starts rolling down the hill." Cheshire adds, "It only goes ever faster. Only stopping once it hits something, and it'll either break or have horrible cracks."
There's a knock at the door. Who could that be? Weiss heads to the door and opens to reveal...Jaune with a guitar.
Hmmm...I'll keep watch.
"Weiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!~" He sings out badly, it's like human agony in the form of sound. And Weiss slams the door shut.
"Oh, come on, open the door!" Jaune exclaims in annoyance, "I promise not to sing."
If he does I beat him with the guitar until it breaks. I look to Weiss, I think she knows what I'll do and gives a quick and small nod. The door opens.
" I lied!" The blonde sings with a strum of his guitar, and he keeps on strumming away. "Weiiiiiiiiiss Schu-neeeeeee, will you accompany meeeeee, to the dance on... Sunday!?" He finishes with a wink and a lady's-man's grin.
"Are you done?" I ask him plainly, he shrugs
"Yes?"
"No." Weiss shoots him down. And I head up to him and grab his guitar by the neck.
I then grab it in two hands and start smashing it into Jaune, with him screaming like a girl as I smash the damn thing into splinters before slamming the door on him. I lean against the door and let out a wistful sigh.
I'm glad Cthugha told me about you Y chromossssssome dominant human.
Thanks snake friend.
Everyone is starring at me, and Weiss of course. "What?" The white-haired heiress asks
"And that's why they call you Ice Queen." Yang scolds pointing to the titular Ice Queen, before pointing at me. "And you are absolutely out of your mind." She scolds
"So I've been told." I shoot back dryly, and Ruby collapses.
"All my life, boys have only cared about the perks of my last name. Besides, I already have a date in mind." Weiss replies
Wait. What?
"You mind telling?" I ask her, she shoots a look at me
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She replies sarcastically
Damn.
"Date or no date, none of this will matter if we can't get Blake and Silas to go." Ruby laments
"They'll come Ruby." Weiss assures the little rambunctious, reaping, red reaver. "Now. I'll be heading to the ballroom. Come and help when you can Yang." She says walking out the door. Seems Jaune managed to crawl away...good on him.
And everyone is still watching me, with wry grins.
"What?" I ask confused
"You liiiike Weiss." Axel coos with a snicker, I growl
"I. Do. Not." I huff out
"Do too." Ruby says innocently
"Nope."
"Sure you don't." Yang drawls with a roll of her eyes
"Yes. I don't. End of story." I reply with a hiss
"Even I know you like her Uriah." Roy says with faux-wisdom, "Just get it over with."
"But I don't like her! Name one time where I longed for that haughty, arrogant, bitchy...smart, graceful, beautiful..." I tell them, sweating and getting hotter by the second.
Digging a deeper graaaaaa~aaaaaave!
SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU DICK WITH TEETH!
Why am I alwayssssss compared with a dick?
"Just consider asking her out, alright bud?" Axel asks
"I-I-I'll think about it." I stutter
"Good. Now! I'm going to go make sure Jaune doesn't have a concussion." Axel says before marching out the door.
What an asshole.
Axel's POV
I walk along the hallway up to a crawling Jaune, "Come on Pukey." I tell him as I grab his arm and pull him up, "Gotta make sure you're semi-alright."
"Yeah...payed five hundred Lien for that guitar." Jaune mumbles
"That sucks. Both being shot down by Weiss, and being beaten with a guitar until it breaks."
He lets out a bitter chuckle, "You're telling me."
"Hey Jaune, I gotta ask. Why go for Weiss?" I ask him, "She just shoots you down every single time. Why keep on an exercise in futility?"
He lets out a sigh, "I'm just...I'm completely head-over-heels for her." He admits, "She's cold, but she's also incredible. She's smart, and graceful, and talented. I mean, have you heard her sing? I-I just wish she's take me seriously, y'know? I wish I could tell her how I feel without messing it all up." He says looking down to his feet
Damn. I put a hand on his shoulder.
"I think she wants to be more of a friend to you Jaune." I tell him firmly, "It's not like she hates you. But I think she's looking for something...not you. I don't mean it in a bad way! There's plenty of fish in the see am I right?"
"I guess."
"Hmmm...remember when I suggested you go see that movie with Pyrrha? Maybe she wouldn't mind going to the dance with you."
"It'd probably be a waste of time..." He lifts his head up and shrugs. "but, what the heck. I'll give it a shot." He says with a small smile. I pat his shoulder.
"Good luck there Pukey." I tell him, and we share a quick laugh.
You're welcome Pyrrha.
Later At Night
I'm not stalking them, I'm spying. Pyrrha and Jaune have been sparring on the rooftop, the two give quick clashes with their blades. Jaune pressing forward and causing the amazon to lean back, but get's knocked to the ground by a leg sweep.
Pyrrha lets out a laugh as she sheathes her weapon. "Well done! Your swordplay's improved immensely." She congratulates as she pulls the knight up to his feet.
"I couldn't have done it without you." He says humbly, giving a smile
"So, are you ready to move on to Aura?" Pyrrh asks him curiously, he turns his head away
"I'm actually thinking maybe we just skip Aura for tonight? Might go on a jog or something." He says with a mutter toward the end
"Come on, I know you get frustrated, but you must keep trying. I'm sure you'll discover your Semblance any day now."
Wait. He still hasn't found his Semblance? My God.
I know right? It's a bit sad.
It kind of is. Why're you here Cain?
Just here to see if your whole plan works. Good samaritan deal eh?
Why not. Pyrrha's a nice girl, good friend, might as well help her out
Hm, very well then
Back to the conversation.
"That's not it. It's just..." Jaune pauses in hesitation, come on man you can do it. "It's dumb."
"What is it?" Pyrrha asks, approaching him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune, you know you can tell me."
"Well...Axel suggested something to me. Something I should tell you."
Pyrrha raises an eyebrow, "Really? What is it?"
"He said I should ask you to go to the dance." He admits chuckling, "Like you'd say yes."
She flinches for a moment, a subtle movement. But she straightens up and smiles, "I'd love to go with you Jaune." She says whole-heartedly
"Wow, really?" Jaune asks incredulously, "Huh...easier than I thought."
"Well, it's not like I'd say no to you."
"You don't have to go with someone like me just because I'm your team leader." He says, "Besides! I'm sure you got guys crawling over ontop of one another to ask you out."
She lets out a half-hearted chuckle, "You'd be surprised..."
"Oh! Pffft! Please!" Jaune scoffs, "If you don't come to the dance with someone else, I'll wear a dress! Heh." Jaune walks off, and Pyrrha's smile drops into a frown. With even my chest hurting.
That went worse than I thought.
Third Person POV
"Now. Who to add to the list?" Cinder purrs as she sits on her bed, sewing up a black dress while her co-conspirators are on the floor. Emerald checking through her Scroll and Mercury reading a comic.
"Penny Polendina." Emerald speaks, "The android from Atlas."
"Ahhh yes, the sacrificial lamb." Cinder says, there's a ringing of her Scroll. And she answers with a sigh.
"Yes brother?"
"Juuuust checking in on things!" Ash says utterly chipper, "What're you all doing?"
"Getting the list of people of interest together." Emerald states
"Ahhhhhh, gotta get together the ones Vytal for the operation?" Ash sniggers
"Goddamn it." Mercury growls
"Anyways." Emerald sighs, "Ruby Rose."
"The one with silver eyes...yes. Add her." Cinder commands, with the dark-skinned mintette doing so.
"Silver eyes?" Ash wonders, "Sounds promising."
"Axel Lind." Mercury growls out
"Ohhhh? What's wrong with Patri there sis?" Ash asks
"He was beaten by someone with a sword. Apparently he managed to rile up Mercury enough for him to loose focus." Cinder replies to her brother, shooting a disappointed glare to the young man who glowers.
"Awwww, sorry Patri!" Ash coos mockingly, "And did you say Axel Lind? Well well well! Small world, met him at a clothing store...add him. That lying little shit knows where the Codex is."
Emerald does so, "And finally, Pyrrha Nikos." She states as she immediately adds the red-headed amazon to the list.
"Ah, the invincible girl." Cinder says aloud
"She's smart, but I wouldn't say invincible." Mercury states non-chalant
"Smarter than you, she doesn't get pissed because someone accidentally mentions their shitty daddy on accident." Ash drawls
"Shut. Up." Mercury growls
"Mercury." Cinder snaps, but gives a smile. "Do tell." She purrs softly
"Her Semblance is Polarity. But you'd never know just by watching." Emerald tells her master
"After she made contact with my boots, she was able to move them around however she wanted. But she only made slight adjustments." Mercury adds on giving his own gun-boots a tap.
"Just enough to make it look like she's untouchable. She doesn't broadcast her power, so it puts her opponent at a disadvantage." Emerald finishes
"Why isn't that neat." Ash says with...curiosity. "What do you think my darling sister?"
"Hmm... People assume that she's fated for victory, when she's really taking fate into her own hands. Interesting. Add her to the list." Cinder speaks to her follower
"Would you kindly?" Ash asks
"Already done." Emerald proudly states
"You should be able to take her no problem." Mercury compliments
"It's not about overpowering the enemy." Cinder dismisses, "It's about taking away what power they have. And we will, in time."
"I hate waiting."
"Don't worry, Mercury. We have a fun weekend ahead of us." Cinder replies, looking at her sewing needle
"Oh? What's the weekend for?" Ash asks, "Besides planting a virus."
"A dance. Why do you ask?"
"Ohhhhh nothing, just going to come and visit. And before you say anything: I'm not getting caught. I'll be taking a body...be sure to wear something nice for me, would you kindly my dear sister?"
You always were a filthy degenerate Ash. And thus is why I enjoy you so much.
Axel's POV, One Day Later
"I need you to pick a tablecloth." Weiss says holding out two pieces of tablecloth in front of a glum looking Ruby.
"Aren't they both they same?" She asks confused, Weiss furrows her eyebrows and looks at me.
"Axel? Which one?"
"Does it really matter?" I drawl, Weiss lets out a sharp breath and looks to Roy.
"Roy. Same question as the last two."
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII don't know."
Weiss lets out a frustrated sigh, "I don't even know why I asked!" She huffs as she walks off.
"Ruby?" I say poking her, she lets out a moan of disappointment
"Ruby." Roy adds in, same response. "Stop moping." Ruby lets out a loud groan and shakes her head before going back to resting her head on her hand.
"So, have you picked out a dress yet?" Yang bounces in, literally and metaphorically.
"What's the point? Who cares about the dance if Blake and Silas aren't going?" Ruby laments
"Oh, don't worry: they're coming." She assures, she looks at me and mouths 'We need to talk.' She looks around, and notices something from the way her eyes flash. "Weiss! I thought we agreed: No doilies!" She says exasperated
The Schnee walks up to her and points at her face.
"If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines!" Weiss scolds
"Calm down: flip a coin? Heads is fog machines, tails is whatever frilly garbage Weiss wants." I say pulling out a coin
"WE'RE NOT HAVING FOG MACHINES!" Weiss shrieks, and a pair of doors open up. Enter Sun and Neptune
"Your dance is gonna have fog machines?" Neptune asks curiously, and Weiss turns around to look at him and stepping up, "We were thinking about it..." She says sweetly
"No you-" Weiss slaps a hand over Roys mouth, her eyes closed as she smiles diligently.
"Don't listen to him! We were! Honestly!"
I shoot Weiss a glare of utter disappointment, and Neptune looks on with an odd look.
"That's...cool." He says with a pause
"So, you guys all set suit wise?" Sun says, acting as suave as possible to the ire of Lady Blizzard Van Terror
"Yeup." Roy says, "About as well as I am anyways." He chuckles
"Pretty much...but I did need help." I admit, Sun snorts turning his attention two the sisters and Schnee
"You ladies all excited for dress-up?"
"Pffft...yeah right! No offense Roy, I wanna go with you but uh...y'know what's going on." Ruby states
"I know, and I'll just wait until you're ready." Roy replies sweetly, hugging his...girlfriend...it's so strange to say for me.
"Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!" Yang boasts, putting an arm around my neck.
"And the moment they're all clustered around you like a bunch of mutts. I'll come in and wrap an arm around your waist, and either send them away disappointed or with broken bones." I add in
Yang rolls her eyes and pecks my head.
"What are you two wearing?" Weiss asks the two from Haven
"Uuhhh... this?" Sun says gesturing to his shirtless outfit, and Neptune holds a hand in front of his face. Stepping in front of him.
"Ignore him for he knows not what he says." He says, Sun slapping away his friend's hand in annoyance.
"Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt-and-tie kind of place." Sun states the obvious
"You don't say?" Yang asks sarcastically
"Say Sun, who's your date?" I ask him curiously
"That fox girl, Ahri." He says
I clap and grab bis shoulders, "You're a brave man." I tell him quietly. He gives a nervous laugh and moves me off of him. Rubbing the back of his head.
"Sooooo...what do Blake and Silas think about this? Are they're being all...Y'know, them?"
"Obviously." Weiss states
Yang grabs me by the arm and starts to drag me as she walks away, "Guys. Trust me: they will be at the dance tomorrow." She assures them. She finishes dragging me out into the hallway, pulling me up but the two of us are holding hands. The most lewd of acts, truly.
"Mind helping me out?" Yang asks smiling
"Do you even gotta ask?"
She shrugs, "Might as well give the curtesy. You know what you're helping out with?"
"The whole 'Blake and Silas won't come to the dance' deal?"
She nods
"You're going for Blake and I go for Silas?"
She gives a kiss that lasts ten seconds before she pulls away, "You're a smart one aren't you?" She asks dryly
"That I am." I tell her, getting out of her grasp. "I'll do you proud my dragoness." I say with a bow.
I know just what to do.
Silas' POV
You must take a rest Silas. Your companions are right about this, and you know it.
Oh shut it sea food, I don't have time for this.
I look at the computer, scrolling through the articles about criminal activity anywhere outside of Vale. A red ball bounces in, squeaking as it bounces back. I sigh. Keep focused Silas.
The ball comes back. I frown.
The ball comes back again. I furrow my eyebrows and growl, rubbing my temples.
It comes back yet again. I snarl and look around to see Axel, smiling innocently. He waves with the ball in hand. "Hioooooo!~" He says in a sing-song, before coming up to me and grabbing my wrist.
"You. Me. Talk. Now."
Uriah's POV
Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God. They were right and I was wrong. For shit's sake I was wrong.
I LONG FOR THAT WHITE-HAIRED TEMPTRESS.
But who to talk to about this? Who? Who?!
There's the sound of humming, and out of one of the dorms there's Emerald. That's it! I rush up to her and grab onto shoulders. She looks paralyzed.
"You. Me. Talk. Now." I quickly tell her and drag her inside, setting her on the bed. Seems her other two teammates are here right now, but that's not important.
"Sooooo, Emerald!" I say awkwardly as I pat my legs, "You and I have been good friends since for as long as I can remember...except for the part where you left and I assume join these two. That part was a bit sad for me. But needless to say is...you're like my sister. Adoptive maybe. But a sister none the less!"
"Okaaaaaay?..."
I take a deep breath, "And since you're of a gender different from me. I need to ask you questions about...relationships."
"Why?"
"Well, I mean you managed to get into a relationship with her right?" I say gesturing to the wavy haired girl, "You could help me out with this!"
"Uriah-"
"They're not in a relationship." The grey-haired one, Mercury says.
"Oh! Sorry there...Cinder! I'm sorry Cinder!" I apologize to the other girl
"It's...fine." She replies with a soft smile, with a nervous chuckle.
"So it's you and him right?" I ask Emerald pulling a thumb to the only other guy in the room.
"No!" She says in a frustrated tone, I raise an eyebrow and look at the three. I think I got it now.
"Is it a polygamist relationship between you three where you all alternate every night between who-"
"URIAH! NONE OF US ARE TOGETHER!" Emerald shouts out...whoops.
You make that boy Jaune a paragon of inteligencsssssse in comparissssson.
Wow...you really are an asshole.
Emerald sighs and shakes her head, "But...go on. I'll try and help. Who is it?"
"It's um...Weiss."
"Schnee?"
"Yep. I finally realized that I'm in love with her...first time we met I wanted to either blow my brains out or slap her at the speed of a rocket. Now, i-i-it's driving me nuts!" I exclaim, I sigh and just stare down at my hands. "I dunno...I want to tell her how I feel and all that. I mean, she's amazing. Good fighter, beautiful, smart as a whip, and...she actually is funny at times. And well: look at me. A dirty thieving magpie from Mistral. I want to tell her how I feel, but I don't wanna mess thing up."
"Just like that."
I look to Cinder who's standing there with a hand on her hip, "Just tell it to her exactly like that. Un-abridged emotion, no plotting. Honesty."
I can feel my heart leap with joy as I smile and nod. "Thank you there Cinder, Emerald! Anything you need just let me know!"
"Oh, we'll let you know." Cinder replies purring. I run outside and practically skip.
Yeeesssssssh! You're one happy cusssssstomer! What'ssssss with all the running?
I just figured I'd get Weiss flowers! I think she'll love it!
Silas' POV
"You're not going to get me to change my mind Axel. I'm not stopping." I tell him harshly, sitting across from him
He shrugs with a smile, "Hey. I ain't asking you to stop, it helps. Just slow down, take a breather, relax."
"We don't have the time for a luxury." I mutter
"It's not a luxury Silas: it's necessary."
"You wanna know what's necessary? Stopping Torchwick, and the bastards at the White Fang." I growl, especially Adam.
"Hey. It'll happen, mind just listening to my piece first? As a friend? Just two stories." Axel asks patting my shoulder.
"...Go on."
Axel gives a nod, "You know. Before I actually got around to meeting with Ruby and Yang, I actually had a pretty calm childhood:" he starts up, oh boy...story time.
"I grew up around the coast. Had a nice home, peaceful and quiet life. My parents...I never learned what they did. My dad's name was Rod, my mom's was Arany. They were some of the best that there were." He says standing up and heading over to the chalkboard, "But...all good things have to come to an end I guess." He says sadly, frowning. "It was a normal day to me, but I didn't know what would come next. My parents were tense, at around nine thirty they said 'hide in the closet Axel, we'll come get you soon.'" He chuckles bitterly and sighs.
"Poor, stupid Axel didn't know what was happening."
There's a sinking feeling in my stomach. This story doesn't get to have a happy ending, not at all.
"There was shouting. I couldn't see exactly what was happening, but I did see one thing. My parents' bodies falling to the ground. I was afraid...so very afraid. So I got out of the door and ran out to try and get my parents back up. But I saw two figures, I put two and two together...they wanted to kill my parents. I charged at one, but he was older and got me hard in the chest. I had a hard time being conscious for a while, drifting in and out. But I heard one thing that my brain tried to tell my body to run from, but couldn't: 'Burn everything.' So when I last woke up I ended up running out of my burning house, I traveled for days. No food, rest or water. Ended up passing out in the middle of the rain on a dirt road." He stops and, there's a tear going down his face
"I swore I was gonna die." He says softly, like a scared little boy. He grabs a piece of chalk and starts to draw something. "Thankfully, someone came to help." He stops drawing and moves to show a male figure, with a scythe.
"My mentor, and the uncle to Ruby and Yang: Qrow Branwen. He brought me to his brother-in-law's home, and I ended up taken care of by them. Like a second family."
"Dear God..." I mutter quietly
"Story one done. Onto the next." He says
"Where Qrow brought me was Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Ruby and Yang's parents were Huntsmen. Their dad, Taiyang taught at Signal while their mom went on missions. Her name was Summer Rose. She was an amazing lady...'Super-mom' like Yang would say. Reading bed time stories, saving lives, baking cookies, slaying giant monsters...that sort of thing. Heh. There was one day she went out on a mission and...well, she didn't come back. It was more than tough, Ruby and Yang were torn up. But Ruby was the worse at the time, she was probably too young to understand what happened at the time. Know what I mean?"
He clicks his tongue and sighs.
"And Tai? He shut down on them, I asked Qrow about it the first time I was told it was nothing. A little while after he told me: Summer wasn't the first woman in his life he lost. The first...was his sister, Yang's mom."
My eyes go wide, and here I was thinking this story was going to be a bit straight forward. And less depressing.
"He didn't exactly tell me everything. Just that her name is Raven, and that the two of them along with Tai and Summer were on a team together. Left when Yang was born..." He scowls to himself, "bitch hasn't seen her or her ex-husband again. But occasionally met with Qrow." He says utterly venomous
"Do you...know why she left?" I ask him, he tilts his head and puts his hands in his pockets.
"That's the big question isn't it? 'Why'?...Well, on an unrelated note for the current moment, but will be back later. At the time I was trying to figure out what happened to them. Were they dead? Kidnapped?...getting off track, back to the story." He says with a bitter smile.
"The big Why was something that got to Yang. She asked anyone she could about it, and...well. There was one time it didn't went well: and it gave me a slap to the face about what I should be doing. Little aftermath of something Yang ended up doing."
This probably isn't good.
"Apparently she found something, something that would lead to answers...maybe her mom." He says grabbing an eraser and getting rid of the drawing of his mentor, and starts drawing something else. "She ended up waiting until Tai was gone, put Ruby into a wagon and headed out. Even I could tell it was a long and harsh trip, cuts and bruises. She said she wasn't going to stop, even with her being tired. But..." He pauses and stops drawing, his body blocking whatever he drew. "she saw Them."
I tilt my head, "Who?" I ask. He moves to show a drawing of a Beowolf
"Grimm. So, there were the two. A toddler fast asleep in a wagon, and a girl who was too exhausted to cry out for help. It should've been easy pickings...good thing Qrow has a knack for saving people just in time."
"Axel, I'm sorry that this all happened to you and Yang. I get what you're telling me but..." I pause trying to find the exact words, "This is infinitely more different. I'm not a kid, I can't stop when I'm-"
"I said NOT to stop!" He shouts out, smashing his fist angrily against the chalkboard. "I haven't stopped! Yang hasn't! She's still looking for her mom, looking to find why she left in the first place! And before I came to Beacon, I was looking around every corner to find them! The hunt didn't consume us! It is for you and Blake. The answers will be found, but if we loose ourselves then what's the point?" He asks
I growl, "You don't understand what I've been through! I can't let-"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND?!" Axel snaps as he turns to look at me with a sharp glare, his face formed into a scowl and pointing at the door. "You think I don't know how it feels to lose someone Silas? If this Adam asshole came in through that door over there right now, what'd you do?" He asks
"I'd fight him." I mutter quietly
"Speak. Up." Axel says coldly, harsh
"I'd fight him. And I'd kill him." I say a bit louder
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU! NOW ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION SILAS, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?!" He shouts out
I stand up, "I would fight him, I WOULD KILL THAT BASTARD!" I roar out in anger
"You would lose and you would die." He says hitting me in the stomach, it hurts like hell with the punch knocking the wind out of me.
"I can put an end to him!" I say with a snarl, he punches again.
"You can't stop me! You wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating him!"
"Why the hell should you care about me anyway?!"
"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT AGAIN! YOU STUPID ASSHOLE!" He rages out, stunning me for a moment. Staring me down. And putting a hand on my shoulder, leading me to flinch.
"I don't want you to stop Silas." He says softly, "Just...rest, for your own sake. Your friends." He says looking at me, pleading eyes. He sighs and starts to walk off, "Oh! Before I forget!:" he looks around to me with a shining smile, "If you do come tomorrow? I'll reserve a dance for you and Blake? Got it?"
He goes out the door. He's right, and Cthulhu was right earlier. I sigh and head out the door.
"Silas?" A familiar voice says, I look and see Blake. And I feel heat flushing up in my cheeks.
"Blake!...H-How's it going?" I stutter out, she looks away for a bit with a strip of pink on the bridge of her nose.
"It's...it's going."
"That's good..." I pause, "Hey uhm. Blake?"
"Yes?"
"You heading to the dance tomorrow?" I ask
"...I think I am." She says, she gives a small smile. "I could use a date."
I chuckle and rub the back of my head, going to one knee and taking a hand. God this is dorky of me, the dumb chivalry thing. "I'd be honored to accompany you...my lady." I say kissing her hand.
She snorts, and shakes her head. Smiling all the while.
Uriah's POV, later in the night.
Okay! I got some nice bouquet of white lilies, a dumb love letter, and I made sure to eat some breath mints, and vomited a few times to get rid of nerves! Time to ask out Weiss!
I keep on heading through the hallways, humming jauntily. Then I hear a voice and duck by a pillar, it's Weiss.
"Neptune!" She says happily, oh for fuck's sake! I look around and there Weiss is with the blue-haired cockgoblin. And I growl quietly to myself.
"Oh, uh, hey, what's up?" He says like a tone that makes me want to vomit.
"I know this is a little unorthodox, but... I wanted to ask you something." She says putting her hands behind her back, playing innocent. I stop growling...please no. Please, please no. "Would you... like to accompany me to the dance tomorrow?" She asks
Okay, okay okayokayokay. Maybe he'll say no!
He rubs the back of his head, looking at her with a smile and raised eyebrows.
And my heart sinks like a stone. I drop the bouquet with the love letter in it, and quietly saunter off.
Uriah...are you, are you alright there my friend?
Never better there Yig. Never better...
Are you sssure?
Heh, yeah...serves me right for thinking I had a chance.
At least I learned a lesson from this. That this is what love is:
Love. It's getting over your hate over a girl you had for a petty reason.
Love. Is actually getting the chance, hoping and praying your heart and soul out. So that you can actually get her to know how you really feel about her.
Love. It's when the girl goes for some one you despise with all your being, and nor you. Because he's something and you're nothing.
Love? Well...it's like having every nerve in your body burned and flayed all at once. The pain so much you're blacking out, waking up and feeling nothing but gut-wrenching heartache, bitter sorrow, hollow emptiness, and soul-crushing despair.
Love hurts. It hurts so much.
(Well. There you got it, not much I can say right now but. Thanks for reading still.)