Argentum Stella
While the night goes on, it soon becomes Malak's turn for his hour watch for the night and gets up to relieve their hunter chaperone. "So see anything out there?"
"As Revan says, just more snow. What are you doing awake, Malak?"
"Well I believe it's my turn for watch now isn't it?"
"No, you should go back to sleep."
"Yeah go back to sleep so my maker can sleep." Revan says before he passes back out.
"As much as I'd like to, I can't. After being appointed team leader I 've had this urge of always watching over the guys, so they can be safe."
"Believe me, I get the feeling. It's my job to make sure that students get 8 hours of sleep. I got the shifts."
"I appreciate it Argent but my guiltiness of not doing my part will keep me up anyways. Tell you what, how about we both take this watch? If one pair of eyes is all that is required than I say two should be more than fulfilling."
"Do whatever you like. And believe me, you have your whole life ahead of you to worry and feel guilty. One day Malak, it will consume you, and you'll volunteer to take every night shift, despite how tired you may seem. I'd enjoy it now."
"That certainly sounds morbid... So I take it that you know more about the people we encountered today than on what you're let on?"
"What gave you that idea?"
"Well besides that you had us steal a train, for one, tells me that you have a pretty good idea on what we're dealing with and that you knew exactly on how to draw them out. Plus you did hid the motives on why we were picked by Ozpin, so what's says you're not holding anymore secrets?"
"There's no more secrets to hide" Argent turns to Malak, his silver eyes glinting off the fire "I hate lying. But Ozpin asked me to. I simply studied the attacks. The attacks always happened at least a day after it departed from the depot we were at. This tells me that either the attackers are either distant from here or that they are disorganized, of which the latter seems least likely. The cameras being cut before the attack, the taking of certain cargo, all seem to point to the former. I will you tell this though Malak, for the first time in a very long time, I am scared."
"The most experienced one here is scared? Why, are they something you've never encountered before?"
"...My semblance."
"What about it?"
"My semblance allows me to drain the energy of my opponent. Remember how tired Reven was when I fought him? Well, he was also new to his semblance it seemed to drain him. Besides the point, the man I fought on the train? He didn't weaken once. It's like...he was immune to it."
"So then that just means you'll have to think of something else to kick his ass."
"If we ever meet again. To be honest, something tells me...maybe I shouldn't try and find him."
"You know this is pretty interesting. Before I came to Beacon, I was trained at one of Atlas' schools. I wasn't the top of any of my classes and if anything I was always watching from the sidelines because I thought I was weak. But then a hunter talked to me and mentored me and in the end I ended up graduating the facility with enough credits to get in here. But that's besides my point. That man, while mentoring me, told me something that has been detrimental to my development of who I am. He said, "that there is no one universally right answer to anything, you just have to find it to see it." I believed in his words, I've seen crazily impossible shit overcome by just looking at it at another angle and yet here we are now. A hunter in charge of me tells me that he is afraid to fight because his semblance doesn't work on his opponent. I'm sorry to say this Argent but have you no shame? Our semblance is instrumental to our success but that doesn't mean we don't have any other means to accomplish our goals. Hunters have one purpose in life to rid the evil of this world, well evil takes many forms and I don't think there's just one weapon that can eliminate all of them."
Argent scoffs "You're just like the rest. Shame on me indeed. I thought you were better than that Malak. Go get some rest. You don't get it, and you never will, no matter how good you are at geometry."
"Well I was just throwing in my two cents. But anyways I wanted to talk about the people we fought, do you know on how many we fought?"
"I can only assume 4."
"So at least we have the number advantage."
"Apparently, according to Vincent's Testimony, that doesn't seem to hold true."
"How so?"
"According to what he said, he fought a woman who could make multiples of herself. I was merely saying that I wouldn't be relying on numbers."
"I guess you're right there, at least they were funny."
"I'm glad you think that. Because I get the feeling they find you funny too. Funny enough to dissect you. Live."
"Live?"
"Alive. As in, cut you open and force you to watch while they dig around"
"Very edgy."
"One of the few adjectives people use to describe me."
"I can see on why."
"Yup welcome to Argentum Stella's life. Where people think that they know every goddamn detail of your miserable existence and-" he sighs "I'm sorry. That was unprofessional of me. I've gotten too comfortable in my role. I'm going to just keep watch."
"Here." Malak throws a Schnee Mint flavored coffee packet "Put this under your gum."
"Is this supposed to keep me awake?"
"To chill you out."
"...that's a disgusting pun and you should feel bad."
"Sorry, I heard some girl back at Beacon making puns before we left and I thought they were funny. The girl was pretty kinky though."
Argent was not paying attention "Schnee… There's a name I haven't heard in a long time."
""Well it's kind a hard nowadays to not see their name on everything."
Still in his own thoughts (I wonder how Winter's doing.)
"ahhh Argent you alright?"
"Huh? snaps out of it yes I do believe that you should go ahead and do it. I approve."
"Uhh, I didn't suggest anything. You alright, you just spaced out all of the sudden?"
Ully speaks up "Maybe he finally snapped."
"You're up too?"
"Sleep with one eye open."
"Umm did i? Sorry bad habit. Good evening Ullyses."
"Hey."
"I hope it doesn't become apparent when you're in danger."
"Ya. Hope you don't have some ptsd in the middle of a fight."
Argent disregards Malak's remark "How are you feeling?"
"Ummm normal?" Replies Ully.
"Glad to hear it."
"So big fella where we're you born?"
"Atlas."
"Oh wow, really? You're not really as uptight as the rest of atlas.
"No? Well I did defect so that may have something to do with it."
"Defect? The hell did you do?" asks Ully.
"Oh, boy." said Malak.
"I'd rather not."
"That's fine."
"Where you from Ulysses?" asks Malak.
"I was born in vacuo but lived everywhere."
"So your family traveled?"
"No just me." Ulysses looked a little sad when Malak said family but he bounced back with a smile. "So what about you."
"I'm from Atlas."
"So two of you guys are Atlas."
"That seems to be the case."
"So how was your stay there cause you are way off the mark for atlas material."
"Well thanks I guess? It's actually nice over there."
"I never liked over the it's too white."
"I kind a liked it. Although I'll say everyone is a bit too uptight."
"Ironwood has a strangle hold on things. He perverted the way of the Hunter." says Argent.
"Well that would explain on why I was almost expelled..." said Malak.
"Are you talking about those mechs that they have been working on for years?" asked Ully.
"It's gonna blow up in his face. And I'm not gonna pry but I'm sure your team is curious Malak."
"Well... back at my old school we were on a field trip and things were going on fine until my class was sieged by a small group of White Fang members. The majority of the class was taken hostage while the rest of us hid. At some point I got tired of hiding and thought to myself on what a hunter would do. So I stayed close to the shadows and sneaked out as much of my classmates as I can. In the end the conflict was resolved but I got a stern talking from my headmaster but I rebutted by saying that they were in danger. Fearing that I would grow reckless, they threatened me expulsion if I kept doing things like that... and I did."
"Must off been nice to go to school before Beacon.*
"It was. Wait, you said it must've been nice. Are you implying you didn't go to school before this? It's hard to get into school in my situation, but I was self taught. Well somewhat self taught."
"How did you get in? You need prior education to get in."
"Met a hunter on my travels he was real drunk. I don't think I ever talk to him sober but he was amazed by ability to survive in heavily grimm populated areas due to my semblance. Well he taught me some gunsmithing. After that he told ozpin my situation. Had to wait a few years, but then here I am."
"So you knew of him before hand too."
"Not ospin just meet him once."
"Funny enough, the reason why I got in is not what I want to do as a hunter."
"What did you want to do?"
"Make hunter's weapons."
"I guess everyone has their own ambitions."
"I wanted to be a chef." adds Argent.
"A iron chef." says Ully.
"Well that's certainly the opposite of a hunter. So why didn't you?" asked Malak.
Argent smirks at Ully's comment "Wasn't in the cards. I'm the eldest Stella of this generation. I was destined to become the Aegis bearer."
"Aegis bearer?"
"This armor I wear. It's known as the Stella Aegis."
"Argent, if I'm understanding you correctly the reason you're a hunter is because you're the eldest in the family?"
"That's correct. That's how the Stella's lineage goes."
"I don't get it." says Revan.
"So you picked the short straw basically." said Ully.
"Wow, growing up at Atlas, I saw that as a common trend among the wealthy families. The eldest would assume responsibility. We're you happy with on how things have turned out?"
Argent stares at Revan blankly "Well there would be some who would say I was fortunate." his eyes gloss over "the Stella legacy is a long and proud one...who wouldn't be proud of continuing it..."
"I'm guessing you have rehearsed that don't you." stated Ully.
"Are you a better chef than you are fighter. That sounds dikish."
Argent looks down "To be honest. I was going to retire the Aegis after I finished school. I'd grown weary of it. I wanted to open a restaurant. I was going to give the Aegis to my little brother as a graduation gift" he looks at Malak "to show him that one thing does not make us. That he could be amazing without it but it was his. That...didn't work out. And I don't know Revan. You'd have to try a dish." Ully began tweaking his gun.
"Oh. I would like to ask you something but I feel like I would be overstepping my bounds as a student if I do." said Malak.
"Out here, we're not students and huntsmen. We're just 6 people trying to go home." Argent half-smiles "You know, nights like this...they remind of another time." he looks up.
"Well if you say so. You're brother, what happened to him?"
"Oh, that was many years ago. I'm sure he attended some sort of school. It's been close to a decade since I've seen him he smiles or Pearly. That's my little sister." he sighs "But you've shared your story with me, it would be impolite if I didn't share."
"Malak if he doesn't want to talk about his family then don't make him. It's obviously a touchy subject." says Revan.
"No it's not my family. not my birth family anyways. he looks up I was 19, going on 20. It was my junior year. I was the head of Team ARGT" he laughs hollowly "not my idea I assure you. It was myself, Russet Roll, Grey Grand, and Turquoise Tyrian. They were my three best friends, and I loved them with all I had." he smiles sadly
The scene cuts to a young Argent, handsome by moonlight, his face free of imperfections. He smiles gazing up at the stars "We had been assigned a mission, free of an instructor. We were trusted to do our job. I took the first shift and promised Turquoise I'd wake her when it was her shift. I went out and stared at the stars...I fell asleep." Argent is seen snoring on his back. A shrill scream is heard. Argent shoots up and panicking leaves his sword and helmet behind dashing back to camp. There are Grimm everywhere. Grey is seen fighting off a pair of Beowolves unable to get to her weapons. Russet has been pinned by an Ursa
Russet: "ARGENT HELP!"
Grey: "PLEASE, ARGENT" Argent crying looks between his friends. Back to Argent "I was frozen. I didn't know what to do. It had gone to hell. And then before I knew it." There's a loud splatter noise as the Ursa crushes Russet and Grey's screams are cut short. Argent screams No and his silver eyes glow as he fight the remaining Grimm. He hears the call of a Nevermore and looks up to the sky and is horrified to see a limb body in its beak. He sprints his pistons firing he swings his ball and chain around the trunk of a tree he leaps off the cliff holding onto the chain and disconnects it on his upswing sending himself flying to the nevermore. He lands on its beak and starts punching at it forcing it to open its beak. Turquoise is lying then motionless. Argent holds the beak open and leans down to pick up Turquoise
Turquoise: "Ar-argent…"*she reaches to him, he tries to get her, the Nevermore's beak snaps down, throwing argent back, but not before his hand is caught and severed. Tears flow from Argent's blank face as he stares at the nevermore fly away, having eaten Turquoise. Blood flies from his stump as he falls, ready for death. At that moment he is caught. He stares at the sky. Argent lowers his gaze to look at the boys* "That's why I left Atlas. I could hear them in the halls, and I...I couldn't live with myself."
"Argent there deaths is not on you. you don't need to carry the weight of the world over your shoulders because you made a single mistake." Revan said trying to console Argent.
Malak's eyes tears up as Argent's story reminds him of the tales that wounded hunters and soldiers told to anyone who listened. He wipes his eyes then gets his bearing back together. "I truly am sorry to hear your loss Argent."
"That's all right Malak. I'd like to say I'm over it, but" he laughs "there are just some things you don't ever get over. And Revan, while you are kind to say that, I failed in my duty, as a team leader, as a friend, and as a huntsman. It'll take a whole life to try and repay that. It was my burden to bear. And still is. At least I didn't disgrace the name of Stella." he holds his left hand up flexing it "My father always said, even if it costs you an arm and a leg, you keep fighting. Well. I'm halfway there. Anyways" he wipes his eyes "Now we are on the same page."
"But thinking like that is going to get you killed and you have uses."
"Its the only thing that keeps me alive."
"Well if it means anything to you Argent, I'll take your story as a lesson." says Malak.
"It's going to drive you to a herd of ursas."
"That was the intent. and Revan, where do you think I got these?" he points to his scars and grins "That's why I got the name, Demon of the North. After I left Atlas, I went into the wilderness, and fought Grimm until I nearly died, my vengeance fueling me. It's a wound that can never heal. But now I'm here, baby sitting" he winks at them.
"WELL EXCUSE ME OP PANTS." said Revan throwing his hands in the air.
"You make it sound like the wilderness is a bad place to be." says Ully.
"It is, when you have no desire to live. If Ozpin hadn't be nearby, I'd be Grimm food."
"Luck was on your side."
"So ozpin saved you. What if noone is there to save you (against me)." thinks Revan.
"Alright, you guys relax. He was just sharing to us his opinion of his experience, you don't need to take it too personally." said Malak.
"I wasn't. Are you even paying attention?" asked Revan.
"I wasn't taking it personal." said Ully.
"Right, I think he was daydreaming by the one girl who wants him. His hand." said Revan mockingly. Argent shakes his head and laughs.
"When I said personally, I meant digging in too much of his personal business and you need to chill out on that Revan." said Malak.
"Enough of the puns." said Revan.
"I wasn't trying to..."
"Sure. Anyways. Back to my point, this burden you put on yourself is going kill you."
"I'm sure." said Argent.
"And you have uses good uses. Also I'm pretty sure the last thing your friends want is for you to throw your life away foolishly."
"I'll agree with him on that."
"With the uses or the friend?"
"Friends."
"mmmmm interesting."
Argent smiles "That's funny. You think I have friends." he gets up fixing his helmet "Now. Go to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." he walks off
"Well that was certainly cold of him."
"I meant the dead ones you got that right? I was talking about there dying wish."
"Revan, stop."
"Stop what helping? First you didn't want me to hate the guy. Now I'm trying to help and you want me to stop that too. Make up your mind."
"No that's no it Revan! I do want you to get along with Argent but right now he wants to be left alone. Men like him, that are hurt, sometimes want time for themselves and the least we could do is respect that."
"He makes a good point." says Ully.
"And I was going to leave him alone. I'm not chasing after him? You were the one who brought it up to begin with. I told you to let it be but you pried it out of him.
"We make such a great team." added Ully.
Revan smiles "The best."
"I was telling you to stop because that was enough for now. He made it clear that he didn't want to talk or hear about it anymore so I was telling you to just stop while you can."
"He is gone he didn't hear me. Are you on drugs?"
"You were yelling at him
"No I wasn't. I was talking to you." Ully stopped tweaking with his gun
"That should be good. Blades all tuned up."