A/N: Heads up. As of this chapter, I will start including flashbacks. So please pay attention to the dates and location listed in Italics and Bold to not get confused.
BTW, free virtual cookie if you realize who Mato's lunch partner is before the not-so-big reveal.
As per usual, please leave a Review or send me a PM should you have comments, questions, or just want to tell me that you dis/like my story.
And sorry for being late on this week's chapter (Still within the 7 days I set myself per chapter though.), my schedule has been flipped to the graveyard shift thanks to my company's yearly schedule lottery. And I had a two day trip to Des Moines for business… where I forgot my laptop to work on this chapter's editing. On that note, please thank CushionySiren3, s/he helped me on the editing of this chapter unintentionally when he asked me a few questions in his PM… which set off a round of inspiration and alteration for this and all subsequent chapters about our mystery lunch partner's character development and showcasing.
Go check out his story, 'The (Un)Forgettable Team TAPE' as a thank you, or to reward yourselves with a GOOD OC centric story for once.
Without further ado, ENJOY!
City of Vale - 'The Mad Hatter's' restaurant
February 2nd, 2014 - Early Afternoon
The last month had gone by in a blur for Mato.
It had been quite jam-packed with information, adventure, shadowy plots, explosions, and encounters, both of the deadly kind, as well as the ones that lead to friendship. 'Sometimes both at once.' thought Mato as she stared across her table to her current lunch partner. A small girl, even shorter than Mato. Barely one-hundred forty five centimeters.
"..."
"Ah, yes sorry about that, I was reminiscing over the last month. Oum has apparently decided to make it an incredibly interesting new year." Mato had not had much difficulty adjusting her verbiage to this world's, seeing as how she had never been religious thanks to her 'occupation'. Plus, this world's Monty Oum seemed liked an incredible person by comparison to the few deities she had read about in her world. His religion's teachings and followers had certainly inspired her and many many others to great heights and achievements.
"..."
"Sure, after all, what better way to bond than over good stories with a good cup of tea to warm the soul and body?" She replied to the asymmetrically colored girl before her. "Hmmm. Where to start... Well, I guess I should start on what lead me to today's event, no? Well, it was Christmas-"
Port Town of Patch
December 24th, 2013 - Late Afternoon
Immediately after the whole ordeal of being praised and thanked for stopping the Grimm army, Ruby had led them to a clothing store where Mato was able to get a tailor to quickly repair her jacket and buy a couple spare outfits that were similar to her current gear, only with more more cloth than BRS usually wore.
'Love the girl to death and beyond, but I am not prancing around in a string bikini, REGARDLESS of my age.'
After getting a couple of decent generic sets of clothing, Ruby wanted to get into designing specialized clothing, and then checking on her weapons, and other abilities, and aura, and semblances, and - 'That girl can talk a light year a minute.'
After getting the hyper girl to calm herself a bit, Qrow offered his input and shortly afterwards they found themselves in a training center for the local militia and hunters. There were quite a few militiamen and women, probably due to the scare from earlier.
"Ok ladies. As I told you both on the trip here. Due to circumstances of another of my missions, you will both be joining me. I can't go into too many details but understand that it will take some time, and it will have a lot of Grimm to kill as well. So I would like to see your skills Mato, and then we can get to unlocking your Aura to prevent situations like earlier. Even if you are to get injured, it is easier to explain that you have a very powerful healing Aura, than to say that your body heals quickly by itself."
Ruby found herself nodding, seemingly back into her professional state. "Plus, if you were powerful before having access to your Aura or Semblance, you will be even stronger with them."
"That is extremely good to hear. But… I must ask, what is aura or semblance? You forget that you are throwing around terms that may be common to you, but mean absolutely nothing to myself."
Ruby found herself blushing and scratching the back of her head at that. Surprisingly, so was Qrow. 'Guess the girl has picked up a lot from her uncle, not just the weapon skill and huntress determination.'
Qrow was the one to inform her of Aura and Semblances. "Ruby can go into details another time, just the basics will suffice right now. Aura is known as the power, the manifestation of our souls. It really isn't, I hope you are not too religious, but I would rather be professional than theological about something that is essentially a weapon to aid us in battle." Qrow gave a pause here, which Mato filled with a nod of her head. She never had time for religion, plus none of them mentioned anything about what she had to go through, so it never really mattered to her. "Good. As I was saying, Aura is really another energy that is present in the world. It is present in all living things, from people and animals, to insects and plant life. That is honestly where all the theological ones get stuck on, hence why I avoid the word soul. Anyway, the only beings that do not have aura in this world, are the Grimm."
Mato nodded at that. It was rather curious as to where these creatures may have come from, and why they were so hell bent on killing all the humans… but that would be for another time. For now, the fact that they are true honest to god monsters was enough for Mato.
"Now, although Aura is present in everyone and everything. It normally does very little. It is dormant in most people, just giving everyone a slight to moderate boost in their physical abilities. That is why some people will be naturally or rather unnaturally strong as compared to someone of the same physical description, or some faster, etcetera. What hunters and huntresses do, is unlock the Aura, to achieve its full potential. It allows us to use Aura as more than a passive boost to our abilities. It allows us to wear it as armor to protect us, as an extension to our strikes, giving it more range, power, or in some cases, special abilities without outside aid. It also increases the speed of our healing. A good example would be if someone breaks a leg, it would take a couple months, maybe three to heal completely. Someone with their Aura unlocked, and with average healing properties, would completely heal a broken bone in a couple of weeks. Those who have Aura's which are purely healing centric, have healed such injuries in days to less. There was a record of one, that could heal his leg being shattered to dust in a matter of hours."
Mato was rather shocked at that, but it did explain why the two thought it would be a good idea. If others could heal such injuries, then it would not be too much of a stretch to say that her own Aura was what was healing her.
"Now, Aura has properties. Normally it is divided into three categories though, for simplicity sake. Offensive Aura, Defensive Aura, and Supportive Aura. Offensive as stated, could increase your attack range, power, or give it abilities, like setting your enemy on fire, or making you a living tazer. Defensive Aura is pretty straight forward, how strong your Aura is when defending you. If someone had one hundred percent Aura, one with a strong defensive one, and one with a weak defensive one. And I hit them both with the same strength. The strong defense centered Aura might dip ten percent, whereas the weak defensive one would drop twenty-five percent. Supportive Auras are the more varied ones. Healing Aura falls under this category, but there are all kinds of things under this. From making you fire proof, to making you able to smell what your partner ate two nights ago thanks to the chemical makeup of their skin… It can get rather ridiculous."
'I can see that… I was joking earlier, but it really does seem like I am not all that special in this world. Outside my nigh immortality and ability to summon my weapons, everyone here seems to be just as capable or ridiculous as I.'
"Now, Semblances are a bit trickier. These are abilities that ARE as far as I am concerned, capable of being linked to one's soul, for lack of a better term. Every person has a different Semblance, and it is completely based on their thoughts, emotions, and environment when it came about. And this are usually unchained by the laws of our world. Like Ruby's speed. My ability to control all sound within a certain area. Even your ability to summon weapons from nowhere can fall under such a category." 'Whoops, guess my nigh immortality is my only selling point now.' "We should probably go with that for the time being, as once again, it will be easier to explain that you have a Semblance that lets you store your weapons in another pocket dimension."
Mato couldn't help it. "Storing my weapons in a pocket dimension is perfectly normal by those guidelines?"
Qrow and Ruby both smirked at that. "I have seen Semblances that break all conventional sense. Ruby can cover distances in speeds that breach the speed of sound. But she creates no sonic boom, and doesn't become a stew of blood and flesh. I have seem a semblance that allows time to be reverse in a small area… I have seen a woman who can multiply herself to be in several places at once… Yeah, pocket dimension? Not that unusual."
Mato could only shake her head. "Okay I have the gist of things, and that will be my cover story. So let us unlock my Aura as you said, and I can get on to showing Ruby my weapons."
Qrow barely started twitching to open his mouth to reply… Before another human cannonball had tackled Mato at the mention of weapons.
City of Vale - 'The Mad Hatter's' restaurant
February 2nd, 2014 - Early Afternoon
"..." Her lunch partner interrupted with a fork balance before her.
"Apologies, guess I went a bit too far back. Although that was when I was recruited for my mission. It was technically what started me on the path that lead to today's incident."
"..."
"Fine fine, I will get to the first day of the mission."
Port Town of Patch
December 28th, 2013 - Early Afternoon
A quick lunch and ice cream later, and Qrow had them aboard an airship, a Bullhead they informed her it was called. It wasn't as armed as the ones that had wiped out the horde, it was wider as well. Clearly to transport people and cargo instead of battle.
A day of flying later, which was used to give Mato a good grasp of Remnant's geography, they were dropped off in a foreboding winter land, even by the standards of some of her foes back in the 'other side', it was quite bleak. Qrow said he had to pick up an old friend and his daughter as a favor. Mato shuddered to think as to what could possibly posses someone to be out in this frigid wasteland willingly. Her body may be immune to most forms of damage, and her tolerance for pain probably higher than any other living creature in existence. But pain was pain, cold was cold, hot was hot. She would not willingly subject herself to any of them. And her outfit did little to protect against the freezing temperatures and wind.
Qrow and Ruby though, were seemingly unaffected.
"This is an application of our Aura." Ruby answered when the pale one had questioned her about it. "Right now, me and Uncle Qro-" "'Uncle Qrow and I' Ruby." Ruby stuck her tongue out at the local grammar Nazi. 'Not that she knows what that is… I wonder if this world had Nazis or if they have there own term for grammar Nazis...' "Uncle Qrow and I are using it to regulate our body temperatures."
Mato contemplated the new information, while offhandedly remarking to Ruby that she should turn around to avoid tripping. Ruby chuckled and spun back to face forward. "This would have been nice to know. Can I do it as well?" After unlocking Mato's Aura, it was found out that hers was… well, weak. It had a high number, standing at about the average Aura level of a forty something year old hunter or huntress. But since Aura levels were completely based on ones age, and NO other factors, Mato felt that it was probably extremely low compared to her actual age nearing one hundred. Besides that though, her Aura's properties were all ridiculously low. It barely protected her from damage, barely increased her healing, and did nothing to assist her offensively… It was almost like she didn't have Aura for the most part.
'Which considering that my record stands at four wins one loss to Qrow, and two wins three losses to Ruby is a very good thing. Qrow is terrified of how powerful I can get when I train my Aura properly, seeing as how I am already strong and skilled enough to compete with high tiered hunters and huntresses.'
And wasn't that a shocker. Ruby had apparently been training with Qrow for nine years. Despite having an older half-sister and father, she barely saw them, between their own missions and Ruby training and tagging along with Qrow. It wasn't until she started at Signal that she got to see her sister more. And she had to lower herself to a level just above most of her peers to avoid said sister's suspicions.
Ruby was already strong enough to be a huntresses on the front lines, based on skill and tactical mind alone. She still needed to study to get everything else that is needed, as it stood, she was kinda single-minded and obsessed with certain things... Like weapons, Hunters and Huntresses, and killing Grimm… Only thanks to Qrow determination to impart life skills and knowledge into her, allowed Ruby to have a decent grasp of the world's politics as well as the world's underground as well.
Otherwise Ruby wouldn't even know the world's geography either… She was fearfully focused on her goal.
"Do you think I can use my Aura to block out this cold as well?"
"I am certain you could do so, but it would take some training." answered Qrow. "I promise to to help you with that, but right now we need to be in top condition. I don't think anything bad will happen, but these two are very important people, and I am not taking any chances."
"..." Mato merely nodded. They were heading to meet Qrow's friends, and then escort them somewhere. And they were in Grimm infested territory. 'Well, all but the main four cities and a few islands and patches here and there are Grimm infested territory.' Cheerful thoughts, no?
"By the way, who is it that we are meeting? And why out here?"
Qrow turned to Ruby to answer her question, "I cannot tell you their identities yet. But know this is an escort mission. We are to get these two without anyone being the wiser, and then get them to a safe location. This is not an official job. This was a favor, so we are all that is available."
"Doesn't that mean we have no extraction bullhead? How are we going to get them out of here alive? Me and you -" "'You and I,' Ruby. I am from a different world, but proper grammar is proper grammar." Mato interrupted. Earning an exasperated pout and glare combination. She wasn't quite sure how Ruby pulled it off either. "Fine." Turning back to Qrow. "You and I are okay thanks to our Aura. Mato over there is okay because she is apparently an immortal. But if they are requesting your aid, they are probably civilians. They won't be able to survive out here, even if they were well equipped for a journey. The nearest outpost or village is a couple days away by foot."
Qrow chuckled. "I am glad you are asking good questions. But don't worry. He is an ex-hunter of above average skill. And the other one a huntress-in-training with a special ability towards the cold. If anything, she will be the one having the easiest time out here. They will be fine with the weather. We just need to make sure that they aren't killed along the way by anything else."
Both Mato and Ruby caught the inflection that Qrow put into the word anything. It made them worry that what awaited them was not gonna be as easy as just walking into town from here.
City of Vale - 'The Mad Hatter's' restaurant
February 2nd, 2014 - Afternoon
"Allow me to fast forward a bit, and forgive me for being vague. You can understand that there are details I cannot reveal about this 'adventure'."
The little girl merely nodded.
"Well then. After a couple more hours, we found our charges. And none too soon I might add. They were being approached by a decent gathering of Grimm. The two scythe wielders took them out though. I didn't even bother drawing my weapon, just continued walking through the carnage to the two we were escorting."
The girl chuckled at the poor fools that had been set upon the two professionals.
"Yes. Well then, after a bit more lifeless bodies, we began the extraction process of our two charges, who were in fact in perfect health. Only, it was not the closest town as Ruby had guessed. No, it was hoofing it back to Vale. Nearly a month's worth of trekking. Thankfully, since both our charges were at least at the level of endurance expected of what I have been told is normal for hunters-in-training. We made good time, even with all the attacks from the Grimm and the stops as we foraged for meals."
Mato stopped her tale as the waiter finally brought out their meal. Well, meal is a nice way of describing their choices. A large family sized banana-split sundae bowl for Mato. And an equally large stack of pancakes with the three main ice cream flavors dripping down its warm cliffs for the multi-colored girl.
"..."
"Yes, this is in fact the best ice cream I have eaten in far too long."
"..."
"You don't say? Well no wonder it is so good then. It is unusual for a restaurant when their handmade goods are not superior to big chain stores. If for nothing else than for bringing this hangout to my attention, you have my gratitude."
"..."
"Ah yes. Anyway. We actually arrived just a few days ago. Qrow took the two and Ruby over to meet with another friend where the mission would officially end. They gave me some lien, and told me to orient myself with the city. I have been doing just that for the past week. But- Oh, I just realized I left out something that would be needed to understand this next part."
The girl just cocked her head to the side in a questioning gesture.
"I am sure you would have inferred it. Our two charges were asking for our protection since they had information on a few underground organizations.."
"..." The girl's eyes opened in understand, even as she nodded her affirmation.
"Yep. So as I was saying, I have been enjoying the new city, keeping an eye open for said underground organization, when I ran into a group of them hijacking a truck. I jumped right into the action and assisted the truck drivers in stopping the attempt from those terrorists. I feel bad for this group though. Their ideals and goals are not bad, but their methods most definitely are."
"..."
"Yup. After that, I chased one that was running away, and bumped into you and your charges."
"..."
"Hey, you cannot blame me for that. You were the one who retaliated first. I mean, sure, it was more of a diving tackle than a simple bump. But who starts slashing with the intent to kill at an accident?"
"..."
"If I wasn't aiming for you, then the fact that I did hit you, is in fact considered an accident. Anyway, we already settled that after you poked a few holes in me, I broke your parasol, and then we ran from the cops together after our battle destroyed your charges base of operations and killed or maimed most of their members.."
"..."
"Good. Now with that out of the way. I have to know, and I am sorry if this seems offensive, but I know that appearances can be VERY deceiving, much less from someone like yourself. How old are you?"
"..."
"Come on, don't glare at me like that."
"..."
"Okay. The reason I am curious, is because I was wondering if you might be interested in becoming a student of Beacon. I am going to start there this semester in a couple of months and would have loved it if you were there as well."
"..."
"Oh, so you are the same age as me? Then are you willing to put aside your life as a deranged and bloody underground mercenary to join me?"
"..."
"Why not?"
"..."
"So what? Neither have I. And you hurt me, so if they accepted me, I am sure they will accept you on skill alone."
"..."
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to speak with Qrow and get you your own recommendation."
"..."
"Of course I would. You are strong, and you were not only kind enough to show me to such a great place as this, but you were also the most fun I have had since coming here. Plus, not to make this sound negative, but I cannot bring myself to leave you out there like that. You have had a harsh life, and you weren't given much of a choice in what to become. I want to at least give you the chance to select your own choices. There is a VERY big difference from deciding to watch the world burn, and being forced to sit on the side lines and watch it burn. Let me give you that option."
"..." The smile that sprung unto the girl's face, stretching from ear to ear was not something that should be seen on the mentally sane. Mato just took it in stride, for her insanity sprung up earlier when she faced this girl. Something about her just sparked the right things to bring about those emotions. And surprisingly enough, it wasn't a bad feeling when with her.
"See? I knew you had fun too. And if you don't go to Beacon we would both be missing our new friend and sparring buddy. Think of all the things we can do together."
"..."
"Yes I know it would be too bloody to be your average sparring, but my point stands."
"..." The expression on the girl was one of extreme concentration and consternation. Seemingly warring with the new opportunity that presented itself to her.
"..."
"..." It seemed that one side was winning out as she opened her eyes again and saw her new friend grin, her fang adding a violent glint to the amusement twinkling beneath her eyes.
"Meals are on me for the first year at Beacon if you come with me and become my partner." Mato had no idea how she might achieve becoming partners with the petite girl, but she was certain that she was going to try hard to succeed. Ruby, Qrow, Lawrence and Winter were great people. And she was happy to have befriended them, especially since Ruby gave her a family, Qrow a path in life, Lawrence financial stability, and a friend in Winter. But none of those had connected with Mato like the devil before her. She reminded her a lot of a combination of her old life-long partner and Mato herself. Both speaking with their actions instead of their words. Both incredibly strong and tough girls. And both with a hidden insanity beneath their silent and aloof demeanor.
'And both having had shit lives till now. I swear it is like this girl is this world's counterpart of me and BRS… only fused. My alternate world daughter?' For some reason that last thought brought a conflicting warmth to Mato. 'Well. This one really doesn't hide her insanity though. It is present in everything she is, she just has a good grasp of when to use it, and when not to. But that also makes her more fun.'
It seemed she had finally come to her answer. "..."
"EXCELLENT! And it won't be a problem at all to stay with me. In fact I am quite ecstatic at the opportunity. Granted, my current long-stay hotel room only has one bed, so we can either share it together if you are comfortable with that, or I can see about requesting a larger room with two beds."
"..."
"Perfect, less time spent dealing with needless issues then. We can instead go out and use that time for more enjoyable ordeals."
"..."
"Well then, let us go get your stuff and get you situated at the hotel room. Afterwards we can go out for a movie or something before we start my next exploration target in this city."
"..." Her head tilting to the side in a question again.
"Clubbing my dear, I have official documentation on me now that allows me to enter any such establishment, despite my age, thanks to my profession."
A soft chuckle, like the soft tinkling of wind chimes was all the reply she got as they left 'The Mad Hatter'.
As the waiter walked over to the table, picking up the signed receipt for the orders of ice cream and pancakes. He noticed the sizeable lien tip. Grinning he picked it up, alongside the receipt.
A cute flowing signature looked back at him from the receipt.
NEOPOLITIAN
A/N: Okay, so it was pretty obvious who it was from the beginning. But I couldn't help myself. It felt so much better when I wrote it out like this. And if anyone asks. Neo will in fact be a vocal mute in my story, and Mato can understand her because she has spent 81 years with an equally mute, but MUCH less expressive, BRS. If Mato can understand BRS, Neo must look like an open book to her. Also, at this point, Neo had yet to be hired on as Roman's bodyguard. She lived her life as a mercenary for hire. A VERY good yet mentally unstable mercenary… infamous for occasionally slaughtering her own client if pushed the wrong way.
It speaks of her skill that people still hire her, even with the chance of her killing them for it.
The event behind Mato and Neo's first meeting will come up in a flashback later on, but you should get the gist of what happened here. Mato was sauntering through the city, ran into a heist from the White Fang, chased one of them into a hideout for a DIFFERENT criminal organization, tackled Neo. Neo STABS Mato, they start fighting, hideout go boom. Neo and Mato run away from the police together… Suddenly they find themselves in a restaurant eating together and being best buds. There is A LOT of emotional reasons as to why Mato took Neo in, and we only get a glimpse of them here, but I want to hold off on them, since it works well in later chapters for character development. Of both Mato and Neo.
Next time. if Mato's last line wasn't enough of a hint. YELLOW!
Please leave Reviews or drop me a PM. I love to you all!