Chapter 7

A/N: Well, here's another chapter of Becoming Human for all of you guys. I know, some of you are probably wondering, "Oh, Mentor, you've been giving this story too much attention." Well yeah, I am. My updates also depend on what I want to update on and I really want to give this the attention in the spotlight for now.

Metro: A New Light is going nicely. I'm glad you guys gave it a warm welcome back into the archives. I have another chapter of it ready to post but holding it off until I will need to update after a good while.

SO, after a good amount of voting, you guys voted on our lovely ODST to be called by the name Riley. After all, he is on a somewhat clean slate at the time. Why not call him by his real name?

Hope you guys will enjoy this chapter. Not much is going on in this chapter. Just some slice of life and relaxation for our character here. Hey, soldiers need some relaxation once in awhile.

I know it seems like that Riley is rather switching quickly to a rather not his usual persona so early. He still retains his harsh attitude and such, but he's doing this so he won't outset the people he's staying with or the people around him. Think of it like undercover work. Besides, he does need to get used to getting out of his shell.

I don't own anything but my ideas.

Location: Vale, Remnant

Date: October 19th, 2551

Riley

A groan elicited from Riley's lips with his left hand traveling to his right side. Rubbing gently there, he looked up at the bathroom mirror with an annoyed expression. "Motherfucker... Could've gone worse..."

It has been two weeks since Riley entered his coma. With all the trauma sustained and blood loss, it enticed his body to go into a state of shock to prevent anymore damage done to the state of being. But it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for Riley. You could say that he has been enough engagements with Covenant Forces to knock him unconscious after slaying a rather large amount each time.

Looking at the bandages wrapping around his torso, Riley continued to rub his injury where a dark red patch was located at. Doctors said that he shouldn't do anything extreme for at least a month and a half before he could return to do light duty.

But what surprised them was seeing that he was a soldier who didn't have his Aura unlocked. Yet seeing how he would survived his injuries was beyond them. But they just shrugged it off.

Eyes darkened as they gazed upon the upper body. A myriad of scars have left their mark on the pale skin of the ODST's toned body. Ranging from plasma wounds, lacerations, burns, Riley traced his fingers over a gunshot wound found on his lower right abdomen.

A knock on the door brought him out of his trance making Riley let out a soft sigh. "Yeah?" He answered to the door.

"Hey, I'm just heading out to the pub. I'm just wondering if you wanna tag along. And don't worry, the owner is Zack. No need for me to worry about being kicked out of the place," Ollie said through the wooden door.

A small laugh escaped Riley. Reaching for a grey shirt hanging on the towel racket, he put it on before opening the door. "Didn't the doc and your wife state that I can't leave the house for the time I can't do anything but recover?" He remarked to his friend before they shared a laugh together.

"Ah, Zoey shouldn't mind. It's just a drink. Think you can hold your own?" The Fox Faunus challenged with a grin.

"I think I can manage. You do owe me a drink," Riley replied walking out of the bathroom.

"I owe you more than a drink. You saved me an earful from my wife. I can't tell you, she's too protective of this entire family," Ollie whispered to his friend.

"What was that dear?" A familiar voice asked causing Ollie to stiffen up.

"N-Nothing dear... I meant to say... How loving you are?"

Zoey rolled her eyes before hugging her husband from behind. "Aww, no hard feelings."

Riley shook his head seeing this running a hand through his hair. "So, you don't mind then?'

"Of course not. Just don't get yourself into trouble. Remnant knows what you'll get yourself into," The Rabbit Faunus stated casting a serious glance at the ODST.

"Yes, Ma'am," Riley responded before holding his side again. "That bastard hits hard."

"Be glad you don't have a major concussion. I wouldn't be asking you to have come with me," Ollie told him before freeing himself from Zoey's grasp. Placing a quick kiss to her cheek, he zipped up his brown jacket and motioned the ODST to follow him.

"Look after him. Ollie sometimes gets himself into fights at the pub," Zoey whispered to Riley watching her husband walk out the front door.

"Scout's honor," He replied before following his friend out.

On the road...

Riley was seated in the passenger seat beside his friend as they drove down a rather busy street towards downtown. Looking outside the window, he soaked in the late night life that Vale had to offer. Shops closed for the night while other establishments opened up for the nocturnal populace of the city.

"Enjoying the view?" Ollie asked taking a right turn on an intersection.

"You bet."

"Ah, Vale looks beautiful at this time of year. Not much snow falls 'round here. Spring and summer are the most prominent seasons here. But you should know by now."

"Yeah... Right."

Riley was quickly learning about the world he was residing in now. While he had a basic understanding about Dust, Faunus and Huntsmen, he still had to learn about each kingdom with time. And Vale was his number one concern next to Atlas.

"Hope you got your appetite ready. Zack's place has much to offer to your gut."

"Oh, yeah. Just still kinda sore on my side."

"Don't worry about that. A couple beers and you won't be feeling a thing on that bloody wound of yours."

Later...

"So I split the bloody Beowolf's head in half with my trusty sword after wrestling it on the ground for what seemed like an eternity!" Ollie proclaimed and proceeded to chug down his pint down his throat.

Riley laughed hearing this taking a gulp from his own pint and set it down on the counter. "SO you were on a hunting mission for a month then?"

"I'll tell you this. That was one of the worst moments of my life. But if I never took that mission, I never would've met Zoey," Ollie added in at him.

The ODST shook his head in amusement before reaching over and took a large bite from his burger. Eyes widened in amazement from the juices the meat had with the crunch the grilled bun offered. "Man, I never had good food like this for awhile."

"Consider it on the house then. I wouldn't be here if you didn't save me," Zack told him while cleaning a glass. His wolf ears twitched from the loud laughter and boasts from the other patrons in his pub.

"Comfort food's my weakness," Riley confessed before taking another chomp.

"Despite being injured, you still have a ravenous hunger, Riley," Ollie stated taking another swig from his pint.

The three conversed and laughed together telling tales of their own experiences. Riley did have to switch out the Covenant out of his stories for regular people, but it was still interesting nonetheless for them.

The three were so deep in their own bubble that they didn't notice someone walking up behind them. Placing her hand on her hip, she blew away a stray strand of hair from her face."I see you boys are having a good time," Veronica said catching their attention.

"Veronica! What brings you here? You're usually asleep by then," Zack told her.

What was notable was that she was dressed in a pair of blue pants with teal blouse, which Ollie and Zack are used to seeing her in her police uniform.

"I wanted to talk to Riley. Seeing that you weren't at the Scarlatina's abode, Zoey told me that you two were at Zack's pub," Veronica answered them. "Hey, can you give me some bourbon?" She asked the Wolf Faunus taking a seat beside the ODST.

"Coming right up, Officer," Zack said jokingly making the Police Chief roll her eyes.

Riley looked at Veronica and cast a small glance for her eyes. Observing them for a few seconds, he turned around in his seat to face her. "Got somethin' for me?"

Veronica raised an eyebrow in slight bewilderment when he asked that question. "I didn't even ask."

"Your eyes said it all."

"You got me." Taking a piece of paper out of her pant's pocket, she handed it over to the ODST before hearing clinking beside her. Not bothering to take a look, she grabbed the shot glass filled with bourbon and downed it. "Got a call the other day. It's to come over to Atlas once you've recovered."

"From who?" Riley questioned as he took his own drink in hand taking a gulp. With the paper in the other hand, he unfolded it and skimmed through it. "Schnee Dust Company?"

"Silber Schnee himself talked to me. He's asking if you can be part of a major Dust shipment shipping through Forever Falls to Vale. Since the White Fang's bold actions to hostage situations to even an attack on the family itself, he's been looking for some tough muscle. I bet he caught wind of what happened with you."

Riley looked at the paper for awhile taking occasional sips in thought. "He wants me to protect his investments? Doesn't he have good enough security already?"

"The point is, he wants someone with military training for his security. Most of them were only from elite police units. He needs someone with said military experience to lead things from there." Veronica then stopped him before he could speak. "And, you'll get paid."

"I could use the money... Besides, I gotta pay back Zoey for her troubles... Fine... Let him know I'll help out."

"Good. It's wise not to disagree with Silber. The Schnee's have almost absolute say over on almost everything. Being the biggest Dust Company gives you that. Dust does make the world go round."

Riley nodded before he finished his pint and placed it on the counter. Zack absentmindedly refilled it as Veronica refilled her shot glass.

"Please, I've been through enough shit to be afraid of what a corporation will do to me."

"Whatever you say." She then grinned raised her glass up to him. "You have balls."

"Nope. Just witless courage," Riley replied grinning himself. He raised his pint and they toasted to each other. "Your health."

"Yours as well."

They both downed their drinks, with both the Police Chief and Wolf Faunus eyeing Riley in astonishment on how he could finish an entire pint without stopping for a breath. He returned to look himself placing the mug down on the counter. "What?"

A/N: So, what will happen next? I am changing some things to fit within the story with the canon and my plot.

I got four teeth in total pulled out from the dentist. I was in pain and agony for the first few days. Getting my wires soon. And for the next two years, my teeth with straighten out. I never signed up for this!

Edit: 8-05-2015: Decided to change up the dates a bit.