Rwby is property of Rooster teeth and Monty Oum
A low growl emanated from the shadows not banished by the overhanging lights in one of chains-gate's many hallways startling one and surprising another. "What was that?" Ruby asked reaching for Crescent Rose.
"Just one of the dogs is all, C'mere boy come on out!" As ashford called to the hidden creature. Prowling out of the shadows was a large dog [Irish red setter] which had an overabundance of red and white fur and two big brown eyes scanning Ruby with curiosity. "Hey there Ceann! C'mon she's a nice person." The dog looked to Ashford then Ruby before treading forward and sniffing Ruby before growling a minor amount. "Do you have a dog?" Ashford asked as Ceann sniffed a bit more before sitting down and watching.
"Ya, a corgi his names Zwei and he's absolutely adorable!" While Ruby spoke of her own beloved pet Ashford decided they get back to their original task."We should be nearing the blood storage so get ready." Ruby nodded before asking,"You said we eat normal food as well right?, I thought vampires suffer if they did that."
Ashford shook his head. "That was the old generation of vampires, We are the new generation created 20 years before the war." As he spoke they rounded a corner passing by other vampires who nodded to Ashford in respect. "We were well 'made' to accept normal food in case of an insane situation which had led previously to old generation vampires being killed off by local hunters or armies." Ruby nodded slightly she figured they had to be prepared for just about anything including being stuck in a mortals home."Does the food stave off hunger as usual or does it do something strange to us?"
"No and before you ask the reason we have to drink the grimm blood is because food doesn't really help us nutrient wise, we can still eat 'normal food', but as more of a luxury, a simple pleasure." Ruby nodded slightly as they rounded the corner to see a mass gathering of vampires in all sorts of attires from simple cloaks over tunics to ornate armor and weapons strapped to their hips. Quite a few of the vampires turned to nod to Ashford before returning to the cups of bright red liquid they held.
Ashford walked over to the bar which had many barrels lined on the wall behind it, He asked for two normal Grimm blood serums and gestured for Ruby to come sit, "These aren't alcoholic for your information there are serums that contain alcohol but I tend not to drink them." Ruby nodded as the man came back with two cups of bright red liquid and placed them down noticing Ruby he brought out a glass of water as well, Ruby seeing this turned to Ashford with a look of surprise.
"The first sip is always bitter then it starts tasting sweeter and gradually you will get used to it." with that Ashford lifted the cup to his lips and drank the whole thing in a single go. Ruby looked at the liquid sloshing in her cup and with a tad of courage lifted it to her lips and drank a small amount. "Gah!" That was the sourest drink Ruby had ever drank, she slammed the cup down reaching for the water. She heard chuckling and turned to see Ashford chuckling lightly. "Exact same reaction as everyone else or at least to my knowledge"
Ruby blinked a few times confused before looking at the red drink and once again trying to sip from it, only this time it was sweet like a cold slushie that wasn't well slushied. Before she knew what was going on she had drunk the entire glass. After draining her glass something occurred to Ruby. "What type of magic did Grimoire mention?, Does it act like a semblance or..." Ashford thought for a few seconds before responding. "The magic that we use is different than that in fantasy and legend. Very much different. You see, Vampyres tend to have rather strong Auras compared to other beings." Ashford stood up after placing a few coins on the bar and gestured for her to follow. "From this, we learned that we could manipulate this large pool of energy, and shape it, use it for a variety of things. It is much like using a Semblence, however, it is is something you must learn."
As they walked Ruby took a closer look at Chains-gate. The city itself was built into the walls with bridges and plazas sitting over the nothingness supported by beams of steel. In some plazas there were groups of vampires training with swords, spears, axes, and a whole manner of weaponry she hadn't even dreamed of. "Thats Baron Krieg's training ground he's in charge of most of the martial training for the local vampire population." Ruby took a closer look seeing a man whom was short and portly directing a formation of vampyres in drills.
Ashford turned left into a tunnel Ruby following close behind with Ceann tailing behind. Further down the corridor was a large door with the a swirling white vortex painted onto it. "This is the library of Aura Manipulation, or in other words, where we learn most of our spells and how to use them in the field." Ruby's shoulders slumped at the mention of having to go through books to learn how to use her aura in a new way.
As they entered through the door a friendly voice called out to them. "Hello, welcome to Chains gate's library on the arcane arts." The man was familiar in some way in his dress shirt and slacks, with a pair of muttonchops gracing his lower jaw. "Hello Tuckson, it's good to see you are recovering from the attack on your surface shop. It must have been tough to just take it." Ashford shook Tucksons hand while a massive grin split across his face.
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Ruby peered around Ashford at the massive library stocked from floor to ceiling with books. She watched the people inside, a number of them wearing light grey pellegrinas bearing a small emblem of a dark leather bound tome wrapped tightly by a chain. They carried small notebooks, and as they walked among the shelves that seemed to go on forever, they would slide various texts, some small and some thicker than their arms, from the shelves, scribbling quickly in their notebooks and then returning them to their original place.
"Who's she? I've seen everyone here at least once so she has to be new." Ruby noticed the sudden attention she was getting and quickly introduced herself."So your that child prodigy I heard about?, Im impressed not many people get into Beacon or become vampires at such a young age, and yet here you are breaking records like a hammer to glass bowls!" Tuckson smiled at her before turning to Ashford, "So what do you two need exactly?"
"We're here for 'A Beginners Guide to Aura Manipulation', Do you have it?" Tuckson put his hand to his jaw stroking it for a few seconds before slipping under his desk. They heard items being moved about and the occasional grumble before they heard a triumphant cry echo from under the desk. "Here you two go a single copy of 'A Beginners Guide to Aura Manipulation'!, Try not to burn out another classroom this time Ash." Ashford nodded his thanks to Tuckson before he and Ruby left the library.
"He was… Interesting." Ruby stated while they walked. Ashford chuckled, "Tuckson has an interesting way of talking to people he counts as friends." He explained. Ruby then remembered a part of the conversation that now bugged her since she knew she had heard the name Tuckson before somewhere.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a rumbling began above them. "Strange no one's supposed to know about that door, well except Ozpin so its probably him." Ruby raised an eyebrow to Ashfords statement. "There's an entrance to Beacon up there?" Ashford nodded simply answering, "We still need to teach you a few things about our laws and such but until then lets go see the boss, He's probably confused since Ozpin wasn't supposed to be down here, He was supposed to be here by tomorrow."
The older Vampire gestured for her to follow as they walked up the floors to where Grimoires office was. As they walked up to the office they saw Kriegs group fast marching in the same direction with a colorful array of armor and weapons equipped. "MOVE FASTER ASH!, WE'VE GOT VISITORS!" As the troop came closer Ashford and Ruby gradually gained speed as well trying to outrun the Baron of war behind them.
As they finally reached the floor Grimoires office was on they rushed to the door and upon opening it Ruby and Ashford were launched in by the press of troops behind them landing with terrific crashes behind Grimoires desk and seat. "SORRY!" Krieg roared as he entered the room with his troop.
As Ruby staggered to her feet she heard a stampede of footfalls before she was hoisted into the air by a crushing bearhug. "RUBY!, What happened are you ok?" As yang continued to squeeze her sister the rest of the room was in a state of confusion due to Kriegs sudden entrance.
"Krieg what did I tell you about bringing the guard troop into my office while we have visitors?" Krieg looked around sheepishly before responding. "Not to bring them?" Grimoire nodded as he stood from his desk and walked past the students, before stopping in front of the troop of scared looking vampires."Yes that is what I told you and what did I say I would do if you DID bring your troop into this office?"
Krieg turned pale and slowly began to back up. "Throw me down five floors?" Grimoire shook his head grabbing the smaller vampire by the arm and dragging him. "That is others of our kind Krieg, for humans its TEN!" As he shouted ten he threw the smaller man out of the office and into the abyss where upon after 30 seconds of silence there was a crash. Grimoire turned about on his heel walking back to his desk before taking his seat. "Now then who wants to know why miss Rose had to be taken here?"
I FUCKED UP.
I'm late as hell I know but then again. BIG ASS CHAPTER FOR YA!
I hope to finish the next chap by next week this time and hopefully I achieve proper formation of words.
Until next time. Fave and follow!
