Few more reviews whoo! I'm so happy.
OBSERVER01: Yes, yes, we need more Ironwood fics, and Atlas fics in general. NO MORE BEACON!
dragoon109: It's theoretically possible, but the mana...er, I mean aura drain would be too massive for hunters, let alone students.
Nh1xxs: I know right? I'm going to focus on his development more as support character, than vanguard.
Viridian: Whelp, nice to know. What do you think of third and this fourth chapter?
Western Atlas Police HQ was relative empty, despite the hectic impression the four teenagers get when they're first brought here. It makes sense, indeed, as all the active duty officers have been deployed on the streets to ensure that no subsequent attack can happen. Thus, whoever left in the building were a combination of administrative staff and the higher echelon, too busy with the paperwork to care.
Jaune and silvery white haired girl both filled a Witness report, as it's been explained that they're the only people in the group that's legally considered adult. Penny and Ruby both looking at them intensely, and Ruby in particular can only feel envious.
Jaune put his pen down, "Well I'm finished."
"Isn't that too little?" The girl asked incredulously.
"I write what I see, we're not some experts who need to give detailed analysis of the crime scene." Jaune firmly answered, "I don't know much about law, something have to do with legal responsibilities and stuff."
"That's... right." The girl signed her own report, and Jaune caught a glimpse of her name.
Weiss Schnee.
"If it was anyone else I would let you go with a little slap on your wrist." Ironwood grimly said as he entered the office.
Jaune gulped and began to shiver again. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this man? Ironwood look at the scared teenagers, and then, he eased up and smile. "Thankfully, it's me." He said as he drop a full plate of scones and several paper cup full of chocolate on the table.
"Not only the four of you acted fast and efficient, you also strive to protect the civilian in the pursuit, the police hesitated because they have no people capable to accomplish such dangerous task without risking public safety, and yet, here you are. You're all so young, and full of energy, yet all of you possess the necessary skill to protect this civilization from it's own wickedness." Ironwood said matter-of-factly, "I have some of my criticism on your... methods, but nothing that we can't deal with later. And the best part is, I'm familiar with most of you... except miss red hood here. Ruby Rose, isn't it?"
"Y-yes?" The youngest girl in the crowd replied.
Ironwood squeezed his eyes, "You... have silver eyes."
"It's uncommon but not exactly rare in our family, or so my mother said." Ruby said nonchalantly as she grab a scones and shove it in her mouth, "I know a few who does, my brother too. And one cousin... I think."
"And where did you learn how to fight? Was it your parents or-"
"Uh... Signal Academy?" Ruby put another scones in.
"There's not many people who know how to use a scythe, and one that stood out in particular." Ironwood's mood seemingly soured, "A dusty old crow."
Ruby's silver eyes widened in response, expressing tons of curiosity. "You know my father?"
"...that explains everything." Ironwood smiled subdued, "Yes, I know your father. While he can be a little... immature at times, he was a great man with skill to match his fearsome reputation."
"I see." Ruby chuckled childishly, "I want to be a huntress, just like my mother is. She's so cool, just like dad. Well not entirely the same but they're both really, really cool and I want to be just like them in my own way. Just two more years and I'll go to Beacon! Hwa-cha!" Ruby yelled as she made a chopping stance with her hands, this caused Jaune to suppress his laugh.
Ironwood know a huntsman personally? Must be someone amazing. Jaune thoughtfully listened, and looking at the rest, Penny and Weiss too, look pretty interested with Ruby's little tale. Plus, Ruby should be more than enough to…
Ironwood sat in front of the teens and rested his chin on his fingers, "If I ask you to enroll in Atlas right now instead of waiting two years until your graduation, would you accept that offer?"
Everyone's eyes couldn't be more stretched out in surprise, especially Weiss. But more than anyone else, Ruby. Then, her smile couldn't possibly grew wider. Jaune looks happy, Penny was confused, while Weiss looks absolutely shocked. "WHAT?"
"She's not attending Academy yet and that's final." The door open, revealing the figure of a woman in white hood. Her eyes were covered in shadow, but her muted red hair stood out the most. Behind her, she carried a massive old-styled rifle encased with elegant, lacquered finish. It's certainly as big as the one Ruby carried, if not bigger.
And then, silver eye shine bright on the right side of her face, and the air in the room become much more chill despite the internal heating system.
"...long time no see, Summer." Ironwood muttered.
"I've finished the paperwork, Ruby, we're going home." The woman smiled, and yet, despite her gentle and friendly expression, the rest of people in the room can only shiver in terror. No, it's not metaphorical either, as Penny double-checked the thermometer nearby to see that the room temperature indeed steadily go down.
"Don't be so chill." Ironwood stood, "And I mean, literally."
The woman closed her eyes and the temperature began to normalize itself again. That's when everyone noticed how her left eye was covered in eyepatch.
Was the woman caused the weather anomaly, now Penny wondered. She did notice the aura spike around her body, though. So between that and Ironwood's words, highly likely it's her special abilities. It was subtle enough that the three other people doesn't seems to be too concerned as they rub their skin to ease the cold.
"Mom?" Ruby asked, almost afraid even. "I can't go?"
"Not today no, you've promised remember?" The woman patted her head and kissed her hair. "Good job."
"Summer, let's talk first before you get into conclusion."
"With due respect, there's no talk required, General Ironwood." The woman called Summer said, coldly. "Ruby's still fifteen, and it's up to me to decide whether she's ready or not."
Ruby looked at her as if she was betrayed something fierce, she looked at her mom with teary eyes, but then, she decided to look down and didn't say anything. Summer did notice this, and then gently rub her daughter's cheek.
"Then how about this." Summer assured her, "You promised me not to go before you graduate right? Well, let's just compromise, you can go once you're sixteen and thus, an adult. You can get in through normal exam."
Ruby's eyes widened again, seemingly lose her moment of despair. "REALLY?!"
"Yes, now please wait outside the room." Summer nodded, "And no more violent detour."
"Kay!"
"The three of you can freely go home as well, and Penny, the ride is waiting outside." Ironwood sighed.
"Sir." Penny saluted stiffly. Jaune and Weiss looked at each other in confusion, while Penny seemingly unaffected by the interpersonal tension between the woman named Summer and General Ironwood. Regardless of that, they decided to walk out. Not before Ruby wiped the remaining plate of scones, of course.
"Don't eat while you're walking." Summer bopped her daughter's head, cause her to blush and run.
The next minute was a quiet standoff between Summer and the general. He was not afraid, no, but there's something about him that show nothing but a moment of weakness.
"You know more than anyone else, she need to go." Ironwood sit down.
"Really? She didn't get that good not just out of talent, you know. It took years grueling hard work for her to achieve this level." Summer snorted, "No, she's not ready."
"You let her freely run around fighting crime, and you think she's not ready for next step of education?" He asked incredulously.
"I'm always watching, general." Summer said threateningly, "No matter where we are, I'm always watching."
"And you will always be there for her?"
"She had her friends with her."
"Combat school friends? Your daughter is so far beyond them it's not even funny. Even for the standard of academy student, she would be up there with the best." Ironwood raised his voice, "Being the odd one out, you think she's happy-"
"And that's why I'll be there until I'm no longer needed. One year, just one year and she will leave me to walk in her own path."
"You're holding her back, Summer."
"I did not, James." Summer said, "If I do, I would stop her from trying to become a huntress. But I didn't, I keep perpetuating that family curse like a fool I am."
"Qrow would-"
Summer unslung her rifle, her right hand firmly on the cocking bolt. A bayonet extend from underneath the barrel, as if she's ready to fight. Her right eye glared at him full of murderous intent.
"You took him from me, and now you have the gal trying to take his daughter away too? Over my dead body, General James Ironwood."
However, before Summer can point the huge rifle toward Ironwood, a slender yet firmly muscular arm blocked her swing. The figure of a much taller woman clad in black bodysuit stood in front of Summer, and she teasingly smiled at her.
"Think of the children, Mrs. Rose." The woman winked, "What kind of law-abiding mother would attack an authority figure inside a police station?"
"Who are you?" Summer winced as she realized that the bespectacled woman has advantage being this close. Still, her words brought Summer back from her fit of rage. Summer juggled her rifle and it folded mechanically into a more compact wooden and metal briefcase
The tall woman shrugged and combed back her long, silky black hair with her fingers. Summer can't help but twitch at the sheer absurdity of the whole situation so much that she completely forget her anger toward the Atlas Military General. The mysterious woman smiled at Ironwood, "By the way, I have just the right idea, would you listen, Headmaster?"
[SHINE IN MEDIOCRITY]
The Story of Atlas Hunter Academy
By
ZeroXSEED
Chapter 04 - Bittersweet Reunion
"She's gone?" Weiss peeked from behind a dumpster. The teenagers decided to wait just outside the Police HQ instead of inside the warm corridor teeming with Police administrative staffs.
"Yes. Why are you hiding?" Penny inquire.
"I don't want to meet her right now." Weiss said as she tightened her coat's button.
"I guess scary mom really is everywhere." Jaune hummed.
"I don't have a mother. That I know." Penny said without even a hint of emotion, as if she's questioning herself about it, Jaune was taken aback and muttered in sympathy. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. My father, is really kind to me." Penny said, and the spider drone on her shoulder whined as if it shouted it's approval. Jaune almost forget that her father always with her. In a way, that is. "Can I have your number, Ruby, Weiss?"
Jaune raised his scroll, "After all, we're all friends right?"
"...Am I, your friend, Ruby?" Penny widened her eyes in anticipation.
"Ummm... yes, why not?" Ruby hesitated for a moment, but she saw no reason to reject it. She raised her scroll too.
Weiss leered aside in annoyance, and raised her own. "No. It doesn't mean we're friend or anything. But maybe you can call me... acquaintances, that is."
Jaune and Ruby chuckled at Weiss' unusual response but decided not to comment. The four scroll bleeped as they shared their contact number with wireless transfer. The street was rather empty thanks to the strict monitoring by the police outside. And so, Penny immediately recognized the armored car that supposed to carry her home.
"My ride is here, see you again at school." Penny awkwardly wave her hand, still covered with Jaune's cotton gloves. "I'll give the gloves back later, Jaune."
"Don't worry, you can keep it, or you can dump it. It's yours now." Jaune said to her cheerfully as Penny stepped inside the car. "Thank you." Penny said before the door slid close. The armored car left shortly with quiet, artificial hum of all electric engine.
"I guess I'll get back inside." Ruby awkwardly nudged her fingers, "God knows my mom will be angry if I roam around again."
"To bad about your mother huh. Would be nice if you can get into Atlas with us." Jaune gazed on the building. "Well, she's still too young, no matter how skilled she is." Weiss said in defense of the concerned mother.
"Maybe I'll call you senior when we meet again." Ruby joked as she run inside as she waved her hand.
Weiss proceed to climb and rode her mechanical horse again, but as she picked the rein, her eyes locked on a somewhat confused Jaune. Jaune raised his eyebrows quietly, completely weirded by her strange, deep gaze on him.
"You coming?" She asked suddenly, much to his delight. "Sure." Jaune jumped on his bike and followed.
With the way the horse walk, Jaune can't use his main engine, instead, he use the backup electric motor and let his bike roll smoothly on the snowy road at minimum power. Yes, even though it's technically spring season for the whole country, it's always snowing in northern Atlas. The sight of the massive metropolitan buildings clad in blanket of snow made Jaune felt at ease, somehow.
"You like snow?" Weiss asked without looking at him.
"Yeah, there's no snow in Vacuo." Jaune said, his left hand gathered the falling snowflakes. "First time I saw a real one."
"I hate it, it's always snowing around here." Weiss chided, "It has been like this as long as I can remember. The city always look so lifeless and empty."
"Really? I think it's beautiful. The gentle white color shine brilliantly under the dim lights." Jaune said aloud in dramatic exaggeration, "Just like your hair."
Weiss glared angrily at him for a moment, but then chortled lightly as she failed to held back her amusement. "What's next, you're going to call me snow angel?"
Jaune's expression turned a little less goofy and more calm and content, as they passed through an apartment complex Jaune uttered: "Though it's cold outside, inside it's much warmer, right?"
Weiss raised her eyebrow a little, and then quietly retorted: "It's also cold and empty inside."
Jaune glanced at her, but, all he could see is sadness. Weiss had her coat on, but her slender, gloved fingers tightly cling to her shoulder.
"I'm tired of all this snow." Weiss whispered, "I want to leave, but I can't."
Her failure had prevented her from removing the shackles her family put on her. A caged slave to her name, that defines Weiss Schnee, the heiress to Schnee Dust Company. She had her chance to get out, but she failed. Just remembering that day, it pained her inside out.
She rubbed the scarred half of her face, it's mark of that failure. And doesn't matter how much people convinced her, Weiss refuse to remove it.
"You could always visit Vytal again." Jaune said in the most painfully ignorant manner possible, "For a change of pace."
"You really don't understand anything do you?" She raised her voice in annoyance and paced her horse faster, forced Jaune to turn the diesel engine on to catch up.
"... Sorry." Was all that he could muster in response.
"Don't 'sorry' me. I don't need your pity." Weiss scowled.
"It's not a pity." Jaune raised his voice, "I just... you know, I didn't really plan to come here. You're right, it's cold and lifeless outside, I miss the searing hot and crowded cities of Vacuo. I miss my nagging family and rowdy friends over there. I really do, maybe I should reapply in Shade Academy as well. But... I'm here, aren't I? What I'm saying, you don't really knows something of value until you lose it."
She blinked for a moment at his ridiculous rant, and then sighed in defeat.
He really is that clueless, to the point of infuriating. And yet, part of her glad he is. She didn't know why she felt that way.
Perhaps Jaune was right, in a sense, that despite her hatred for her family name, Weiss still loved some of it's members in Atlas. Well, two of them at least. She would trade the world for them, even though they can be hard to deal with sometimes.
Weiss loved her mother and sister, that for sure.
"Well it doesn't matter now." Weiss smiled as she roll the half-scarf around her neck, "Just four more years in this accursed frozen continent."
Jaune grinned and rolled his own half around his neck.
"[In other words, one hour ago White Fang bombed District B Police station and left a trail of destruction alongside Highway 32. However, the heroic actions of four young people, whose identity remains classified, managed to stop their rampage. No less than twenty White Fang extremist members were captured, and no deaths were reported yet, however, we got an inside source that said at least three police officers were sent to emergency ward. We shall pray together for their survival.]"
So said by the TV Reporter, the six meter wide screen displayed the news in real time. Jaune and Weiss watched for a moment as they came out of parts store. Jaune wondered where Weiss going to bring him before, now he knows.
It was Central Atlas Weapon Plaza, the place where people all over Atlas came to browse and buy exceptionally rare or imported weapon parts. The place looks like a normal Department Store from outside, but inside, it was lined by nothing but combat equipment.
"...how awful." Jaune gritted his teeth, and then he noticed Weiss carrying what looks like wooden boxes full of parts. "Let me help."
"You don't have to." Weiss refused to let go her item, "I always let my butler did everything, I need to learn and stop relying on them."
"But I'm not your butler though?" Jaune shrugged, "What are friends for?"
"... point." She handed him one of the boxes, and he could felt the weight immediately as he carried it to the back of the horse and have Weiss fastened it to the saddle. "That said this Arms Market is really amazing." Jaune said as he looked around, "Reminds me of Biannual Vacuo arms fair."
"This plaza is pretty accessible from all sides of the country and it's open every day." Weiss said, smiling. "It's basically department store for weapons. They even sell surplus military weapon."
"I wonder if they have ammo for heavy weapons." Jaune muttered aloud.
"Should be there in the ordnance store." Weiss winked, "Let's go."
Jaune doesn't know why but, even though they didn't exactly remember each other well, he felt at ease. The illusion of closeness had blinded his sense of caution, indeed, and he followed her like a lovestruck puppy.
In the crowd, the sight of the beautiful, silvery white haired girl stood out despite her relative modest height. Jaune could tell that eyes of admiration and envy were locked strongly on him and Weiss.
That, was the reason why he didn't walk with her side by side. Looks like his sisters' advices paid off. In fact, he act more like her escort than anything else. Which is why she looks pretty casual with it.
"Here we go, Ordnance store."
"Whoa."
Jaune could tell why the shop is called Ordnance store, and indeed, from the samples alone he could see myriads of the biggest, baddest heavy weapon ammunition he ever seen, reminded him of the Militia Armory really.
"That's awesome."
"Welcome to the store, boya, anything you want?" A tall muscular man with barrel chest and menacing, shaggy beard asked as he loomed upon Jaune.
"Ah, do you happen to have 20x110 Hispano?" Jaune asked awkwardly, still feel intimidated.
"Hispano? Never heard anything like that." The man rubbed his beard thoughtfully, "And I've been in this plaza for over twenty years."
"You won't find any." A young girl with dark skin joined, "Hispano cartridge hasn't been produced in Atlas for thirty years, and the gun firing it would be at least fifty years old. You can find it in collectible store, but the cost will be really expensive per unit."
"Eeh? But it's everywhere in Vacuo." Jaune whined, then looked at Weiss. "Looks like I either have to order by mail, or just take-off to Vacuo to resupply."
"Wouldn't that be more expensive than just buying a new gun?" Weiss tilted her head.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Heavy weapons are mindbogglingly expensive." Jaune pulled his weapon out of the back, it's darkened rusting parts become visible to everyone nearby. "I just recycled the junk in the armory to make this anyway."
The dark skinned girl stretched out her hands, and politely asked. "May I borrow it?"
"Sure?"
The girl put it on the table and scanned it intently. "The steel hasn't been produced in Remnant since... from the Great War?"
"Whoa really?!" Weiss and the shopkeeper balked simultaneously.
"That might actually true." Jaune nodded, "The barrel was the only useful parts when I dismantled the cannon. So I reforged it into a recoiless rifle."
"That's actually pretty useful. Our military can learn from that." The girl said as she handed back the rifle to Jaune, "However, point still stand that you will never find it's ammo in Atlas. Probably not even in the academies. Hispano autocannon was deemed to old and powerless for modern Atlas requirement, and has been phased out in the military decades ago."
Weiss squeezed her eyes suspiciously, "You sure know a lot about guns, are you some kind of enthusiast?" Then Weiss eyed the rifle on the girl's back. "I forgot the model but aren't those used to be Military standard?"
"Maybe she just want to save money." Jaune muttered, "Surplus weapons are kind of cheap, maybe I should buy some."
For some reason the girl felt annoyed with their willingness to guess her reasoning, not that she show it much. Instead, she decided to ignore their talk. "HG-44 .300 Blackout Rifle are high tolerance weapon designed to work in all kinds of weather, as technology progress it has been phased out in favor of HKSE Plasma Rifle. But many still in service within the Military Academy, and it's ammunition also widely available in civilian market." The girl said, "I just prefer something I'm familiar with and easy to maintain."
Weiss and Jaune looked at each other in confusion.
"Well, thanks for the help anyway. I'm Jaune Arc, nice to meet you." Jaune offered his hand nonchalantly, much to Weiss ire. The girl looked at Jaune suspiciously, before politely answered the handshake. "Ciel Soleil... and over there, Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, Weiss Schnee. Right?"
"Weiss Schnee?!"
And then everyone's eyes locked on their direction. Explosion of whispers began to echo within the section. "Ah drat." Weiss quickly grabbed Jaune's arm and pulled him as hard as she could, they left the scene before someone got the bright idea to ask her anything.
It would be an awful shame for the SDC heiress to be seen in what essentially guns flea market. With a young man, to boot.
"Wait, what just happen-"
"Just run okay?!" Weiss asked, no, begged even.
Jaune decided to stay quiet as they ran back to the parking lot.
"Sorry about that, really." Weiss huffed as she wipe the sweat off her brow with her handkerchief. "I'm not actually THAT famous personally, but once people heard my name they become crazy as if they're possessed."
Jaune waved his hand, "Don't worry about it. I don't really understand, but well, that must be rough."
"This family is like a curse." Weiss spat, "She must have recognized my hair."
"Hair ehh?" Jaune grinned deviously, and then he disappeared out of thin air.
"...Jaune? Hey?" Weiss widened her eyes, "Jaune? Don't joke around."
"I'm back." Jaune came from behind her, much to her shock. He then gave her a white fur hat, specifically, an Ushanka. "Here, it would suit your coat well, and stark white would distract people from your silver hair."
She looked at him in disbelief, and then walked closer so she could use his bike's handlebar mirror to look at herself as she loosened her ponytail a little and wore the white fur hat on top.
...it does fit her well, and certainly made a great disguise. Then looked bat at Jaune with curiosity,
"How much was it?"
"Don't worry about it." Jaune ignored her, "It's just fake fur."
"How. Much." Weiss repeated in colder tone, did he thought she couldn't pay or something?
"It's a gift." Jaune still ignored her as he put a bluish grey hat on top of his head, "Now we're matched."
Weiss' bitter pout turned into amused smile, especially when she remembered what happened with Penny an hour ago. So she decided to let her resentment go and reap all the laugh she could get, "Did you always give random gifts to random girls you've just met? What a player."
"If they're my friend, why not?" Jaune asked in disturbingly innocent manner, "But only if they need it."
Only if they need it huh. Weiss closed her eyes and feel the texture of the hat. The mediocre quality of synthetic fur felt so cheap as they brushed her fingers, and yet, all she could care about was comfortable warmness it provided.
After all, monetary value isn't everything, right?
つづく