Author's Headnote: No questions? Alright, just jump into it!
The Ruby of Cerberus: The Asari Child
Elesarni (Esi for short) David:
Health: Healthy
Abilities: Omni-Tool techs, Hacking (Despite being an Asari, she doesn't have any knowledge on how to use biotics)
Weapon: Omni-Blade (if it works, it works)
Party Relations:
- Her Captor: Occasionally the bow on her head twitches.
End of Character Status Report
Captor's Ship, December 15, 2174, 16:00, Thursday, Mess Hall
"Oh my god! She's soooooooooo cute!" The black and red-haired girl announced!
The black-haired woman with the bow responded with complete nonsense. The Asari girl is surrounded by four human teenagers. Something tells her that she's going to expect some complete and utter nonsense. And all of which look familiar... she just can't put her finger on it. They appear to be in the mess hall.
"I don't think anyone other than us understands you, I think you should put that translator back in." The black and red-haired girl added.
"So... what makes you think she's not the credit theif?" the white-haired girl asked.
"Well, she's just a child." the red-haired girl answered.
And just like that, a quarian walked in. "What are you... oh no. Oh nonononono! We're not bringing another child on this ship!" the quarian stated.
"Well, we don't know where her parents are!" the blonde girl stated.
"Excuse me, who is the owner of this ship?" the Asari girl asked.
"That would be me. These four are just unfortunate additions because I just dragged myself into something bigger than myself." The Quarian stated.
"Here I am, minding my business, only for her to come in and take me away."
"Blake here said you were in the locker." The blonde girl stated.
"Blake is her name?" The Asari girl asked. She then giggled a bit.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing nothing..." The Asari girl stated.
"Riiiight..." the blonde retorted.
"Now how long are you gonna get at it? I need to get my stuff back from the cyber-theif."
"So... they're also a non-cyber thief?"
"Yes."
"My god! They steal from kids!"
"Hey! I'm thrity-nine years old, I'll let you know!"
"You certainly don't look like it."
"Asari age much slower than humans, and from the looks of it... she's going to reach puberty soon..." the quarian stated.
"Oh... so on the topic, I haven't seen any guys of your species. Do you have any boy asari amongst your clique of friends?" The blonde asked.
"Is that a trick question? Pretty sure just about every single asari is a girl by human standards. We're a monomorphic and monosexual species." the Asari child answered.
"So... how do they reproduce?"
"You're seriously asking a child where babies come from? Looks like I'm going to end up staying here for your curiosity of my species. Which I can't answer all the questions."
"Oh keelah, I'm sorry. But I'm going to say... no! The last thing we need is some Asari child about to hit puberty any second now!" the quarian retorted.
"Come on! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaase!" The black and red-haired girl begged.
"Y'know, for an Asari... she's quite knowledgeable on human stuff." Weiss commented.
"I can assure you, I'm not a liability." the Asari girl stated.
"If you say Biotics, I will personally throw you out of the airlock myself!" the Quarian threatened.
"What? No! I don't know the first thing about that stuff. I'm more into programming and tech stuff."
"Well... that's a first. I don't suppose there's going to be any way to get you to leave..."
"Nope."
"I just hope this doesn't snowball into more people crowding up this ship."
"Well, it'd be fun to see."
"No. It wouldn't. This ship is old. And I don't need a bunch of freeloaders hogging it up!"
"Well, do you at least have a name?" the blonde asked.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Elesarni David. But you can call me 'Esi'." Esi introduced herself.
"David is a human last name, what's the story behind that?" the quarian asked.
"I was raised by my dad, not my mom. My mother ended up dying after I was born, so custody had to go to my father, and he was furious about the news. We never got along."
"So... what are you doing on the citadel?" the blonde asked.
"Oh, dad kicked me out after I turned eighteen. Which keep in mind, I was a lot smaller then."
"Ouch."
"So... your father's human, I take it?" the quarian asked.
"Yep." Esi stated.
"Wait, asari can mate with other species?" the blonde asked.
"Yes. And the child is always asari. They carry some personality or minor hereditary traits from the father, though." the quarian stated.
"Well, if you're done explaining my species, which I barely know about. Can we get on with the introductions and get with me moving in?" Esi asked.
Character Change: Elesarni David - Ruby Rose
The Cordavire, December 16, 2174, 12:00, Friday, Mess Hall
It's been around a day since Esi joined the crew. Though, she does look at Ruby and her team very strangely. Not sure why. Is something wrong with them? Pretty sure Ruby's fine the way she is. What makes less sense is that she's confused on seeing humans, even though she was apparently raised by humans for the first eighteen years of her life. Though, it's quite weird is that she looks younger than Ruby, and yet is only two years younger than Ruby's own father. And Yang's... being that they're sisters.
Though, Yang said that she's not to date any Asari... eh, she's more concerned on getting back to Remnant than finding love in another dimension. Because she knows the classic Isekai story quite well. Person gets in another world, falls in love, abandons everyone they know and love in favor of that one individual they fall in love with. Well, that's not happening here! She's going reject all advances from any girl willing to ask Ruby out. She's not taking any chances until she's back home.
Though it's the rest of the team she's worried about. She can't stop either of them from falling in love. But what kind of leader would she be if she decides to leave them behind? She's a leader, though not much of a team anymore other than in name thanks to interdimensional shenanigans, she still feels responsible for the well being for them. But she's definitely a leader, and leaders stick by their team. No matter if she feels otherwise.
For now... she's going to address Esi...
"Esi... could you not stare at me like that? It's creeping me out." Ruby requested.
"Oh, sorry. Got lost in thought." Esi said. She then went and head off.
Ruby then sighed.
Now where was Ruby? Ah yes, she was sitting at the table, eating toast and eggs. At the table, obviously. A trip to the grocery store is needed. But first, some money is needed. She's not going to rob the dead or the unconscious, though. She prefers to earn money honestly. It'd be easier if there's tangible currency. But there isn't.
During her meal... Esi went and sit next to her.
"Hey, Ruby." Esi said, with excitement in her voice.
"Why are you excited, Esi?" Ruby asked nonchalantly.
"Well, what made you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"Yang. I forgot she tumbles in her sleep and I woke up on the floor at 3 AM."
"Why do you sleep with her?"
"She's my sister and that she shows comfort toward me when I'm down."
"Can I ask why?" Esi asked.
"No. I barely know you." Ruby retorted.
"Yet, you're quite open that you still sleep in your bed with your sister."
"Is that a problem?"
"Uhh..."
"She's my older sister, after all."
"Older sister, how old are you?" Esi asked.
"Sixteen." Ruby answered, bluntly.
"And how old is she?"
"Eighteen."
"So... is it weird I find a bunch of human teenagers travelling in space?" Esi asked.
"You're the one to talk." Ruby retorted.
"Ouch, don't get all passive-aggressive on me." Esi stated.
"I'm just in a bad mood, that's all."
"Ooookaaaaaaaaaaaay... Anyways, I'm gonna go... that way, bye." Esi said, leaving.
Well, that happened. Anyways, Ruby went to finish eating. She regrets wanting Esi on board, so far... her presence is well... uncomfortable for reasons Ruby can't fathom. She has a feeling that Esi is hiding something. She just doesn't know what.
Character Change: Ruby Rose - Blake Belladonna
The Cordavire, December 16, 2174, 12:05, Friday, Crew Quarters
Blake's trying to learn to read english. So far, the structure is alright. 26 letters and left to-right, just like Vytalean. Though, it's giving her a bit of a headache. She's sitting on her bed, reading a book. She asked for Yang and Esi for some help earlier, mostly to help with the translation. She can read what the letters on top mean from the Vytalean on the bottom. It's an interesting method. But now at least she doesn't sound like an idiot anymore when she speaks it.
"The quick orange monkey jumped over the lazy brown fox." Blake read out loud in english, with a heavy accent still noticeable. Not that she knows what some of those words mean. She can grab the jist of it later. She later focused on some more complex language structure. Learning what the words meant and and understanding them are useful.
Self-teaching a language she barely knows is hard. But Esi comes around and helps her. Thankfully, she got Esi out of the Cyber-theif's grasp so she isn't at the mercy of some criminal. Though, it won't be without a year of frequent practice that she'll become fluent in english.
Though, once again Weiss walks in...
"So... are you going to ask to put the translator back in?" Weiss asked.
"No... I don't want to damage my brain more. Perhaps when we stop by Unity or another Cerberus outpost. We could ask for a replacement, with an ommission for english." Blake stated.
"Well, atleast comb your hair over."
Blake then pointed toward her bow, that she's wearing.
"That's right, the ears." Weiss retorted.
"Yep. And I'm not getting them removed. I much like my cat ears the way they are." Blake counter-retorted.
"Well, hopefully your hair grows back soon."
"I think about cutting it short, do you think that may be good?"
"mmm... maybe cut it short, Blake." Weiss said, sitting down.
"Thanks for the advice." Blake stated.
"No problem. That's what I'm here, for. Say... why are you suddenly interested in styling your hair, anyway?"
"I don't know, it's just... sudden."
"And are you speaking in english or vytalean right now?"
"A bit of both."
"Couldn't tell, because I still haven't opted for brain surgery whilst drunk."
"You're not gonna let me live that down, won't you?"
"Nope!"
"Well, I'll find a way to work around this. For now, I just need to make sure my cat ears are concealed."
"And on the upside, no way for my father to go and pester me."
"Your father?"
"Everyone does. Why do you think I attended Beacon instead of Atlas?"
"You wanted to become a huntress to get away from your father?"
"I wanted to become a huntress so I can restore honor to my family's name, I attended Beacon to get away from the one dragging it in the mud."
"Your grandfather wasn't much of a saint."
"But he's better than my father."
"True..."
"Hey guys!" Esi said, popping into the room.
"GAH! How much were you listening!?" Weiss asked.
"mmm... I believe it was before you two began to kiss and cuddle."
"WE'RE JUST FRIENDS ESI!"
"Yes. Now leave us alone." Blake said, in english.
"It's good that your starting to (incomprehensible) english, Blake." Esi said.
"That my starting to what?"
"That YOU ARE or shortened to 'You're', spelled Y-O-U-apostrophe-R-E. And I said understand. Spelled by combining 'under' and 'stand' together."
"Okay, noted."
"How do you know apostrophe, but not understand?"
"I studied the symbol names first..."
"Okay then... I'll just let you go on your date!"
"WE'RE NOT DATING!" Weiss yelled.
"Sure, you aren't... wink wink." Esi said, leaving. Though she didn't actually wink. For a child, she sure acts very mature. Yet again, she is apparently 39. Also, the fact she was raised by a human.
After that, Weiss also had left the room, having Blake continue her studies.
Character Change: Blake Belladonna - Yang Xiao Long
The Cordavire, December 16, 2174, 12:22, Friday, Garage
Without the Mako taking up a lot of space. Yang figured she could do some organizing. For one, reserved space for the combat vehicle. Secondly, organizing the boxes in the storage room. They're all empty. Not sure why, though. She's gonna have to address that with Haedvin, soon. As for the armory, which is also useless right now... since pretty sure Ruby would only want her team at the field.
Here she is, wearing the cerberus jumpsuit without any armor. Mostly because she's planning on doing some training, keeping her combat skills sharp and able. She's managed to use some of the funds she looted from Feros to buy a punching bag to use here. And she made sure it's one of the more tough ones. She specifically requested the ones used by Krogan brawlers. Because any of the other punching bags just feel like styrofoam, to the degree that the only way to get actual training is regular sparring with Ruby.
She's been punching, concentrating her anger onto the punching bag, increasing the focus of her attacks. She believes the best defense is offense, and the best offense is more offense.
And as she was punching...
"Hey!" Esi said, breaking Yang's focus, causing the blonde brawler to almost punch her out of reflex.
"Gah! Don't do that!" Yang warned, sounding shocked.
"You're really in the training."
"Yep. I need to keep up in shape. I'm not gonna wimp out."
"So... uhm... who are you working for?"
"That's not much of your concern."
"I'm just curious, because that jumpsuit looks uniform. Like it belongs to a private military company."
"Well, we work for eclipse, well... used to, but we got kicked out after Weiss accidentally blew up one of ships." Yang lied.
"Interesting. Never seen eclipse used that symbol."
"We found it during one of our missions. If it fits, it fits."
"Oh, cool. Do you think you can grab me anything?"
"No."
"Okay, then."
"So... what do you know about that credits thief Blake was trying to catch?" Yang asked.
"Oh, them? I barely saw them." Esi answered.
"Eh, makes sense. You're not giving Ruby any trouble, have you? She's a bit in a rough mood since she fell down and woke up at 3 AM."
"She's a bit grumpy, but other than that... pretty good."
"She's usually in a better mood."
"Hope so."
"Anyways, can you go do whatever it was you were doing? I'm busy training." Yang asked.
"Alright, fiiiiiiiiiiiine." Esi said, leaving.
Without any distractions, hopefully she can train without interruption. She needs to keep in top shape.
Yang continued punching for the next three hours. To the point where the punching bag snaps in two. Yang, now sweaty with a dirty jumpsuit. She's going to head to take a sponge bath, and then get her jumpsuit clean.
No less, it feels good to have an enduring exercise, which gives Yang a sense of tranquility with her gasping for her breath. Maybe she should get a gym on the ship.
Character Change: Yang Xiao Long - Weiss Schnee
The Cordavire, December 16, 2174, 16:05, Crew Quarters
Weiss is laying down on one of the beds as she is researching the blue powder that she now uses in Myrtenaster. Apparently, it's called Eezo, or element zero. From the looks of the functions, it's very similar to dust, however with a drawback. It tends to have detrimental side effects with exposure, permanent ones unlike with dust. Which includes rapid aging, insanity, cellular cancer, and an effect identical being high on hallucinogens. Okay, so she has to take responsibility with the eezo with care.
Though, her reading was interrupted as soon as she heard knocking at the bathroom door... from Esi!
"Open up!" Esi begged. "I need to go!"
"I'm taking a bath!" Yang retorted
"There isn't a bathtub in there!"
"There's water and sponges, that's all we have."
"Ew."
"It's better than nothing." Weiss commented.
"Can you escort me to the bathroom?" Esi begged.
"Ruby! Esi needs to go and Yang's taking a bath!" Weiss yelled.
Ruby then groaned, and then used her semblance to pick up Esi and blitz out of the ship. She shouldn't use her semblance willy-nilly like that, unless she wants to get on headlines. And the last thing Weiss needs to be in is a prison cell with a slave collar on.
Now why did she ask Ruby to do it? Ruby's semblance is a speed semblance, can get in and out quick. It'll take faster for Ruby to handle it.
"Did Ruby really just swoop grab Esi?" Yang asked.
"Yep." Weiss answered.
"Noted. Don't leave the bathroom until after Ruby comes back."
"Why not?"
"Towels and Ruby's semblance DON'T MIX. The moment Ruby goes running on in, the towel goes flying off."
"I assume it's because she runs a lot?"
"She's very energetic, especially as a kid. Likely exploring the citadel would wind her down."
"Well, she's a bit of a kid, even now."
"Nothing wrong with being a child at heart, besides. It's quite adorable."
"Are you her sister or her mother?"
"I'm the closest thing to a mother she has right now."
"Sorry, didn't mean for it come up like that."
"I would have warned you if my eyes turned red."
"How would you know that?"
"Oh, I can very much feel my semblance being active."
"How does it feel?"
"Painful, as in a burning feeling. Imagine your body suddenly heating up for no reason. Also, your vision becoming more and more red."
"Ouch."
"Now imagine feeling that during combat. It gets more intense if you feel literal burning."
"Okay... really sorry."
"Don't be sorry, now excuse me, I gotta go wash my hair, since I'm done with the body."
"You wash your hair last?"
"My hair is very essential to me. I don't even stylize or dye it. Even then, blonde hair is quite popular along the men."
"What about white hair?"
"Depends on the amount of wrinkles you have on your body. Now hush!"
Well, that conversation ended on a rude note. But is good advice to watch out for Ruby's sprinting. She tends to use her semblance with less restraint than most people. Not to mention she does leave behind a literal trail of rose petals wherever she goes. Which she's going to ask Haedvin to take off somewhere. Because last thing Weiss needs is to be harassed by C-Sec over littering. Because they can literally follow the trail back here.
She then sees Ruby and Esi returning.
"There, now everything is resolved. Now excuse me, I gotta go tell Haedvin to leave Citadel space." Ruby said, finding Haedvin.
"Let me guess, C-Sec is finding someone who was littering rose petals everywhere?" Weiss asked.
"Yep."
"What does that have to do with us?" Esi asked.
"Quiet, Esi! WE'RE GONNA LEAVE THE CITADEL FOR A BIT!" Ruby yelled.
"Neat! Where are we going?"
"Mmmm... Illium, I presume?"
"Do you even know where that is?" Weiss asked.
"No, but I do have this thing that's either image files or money." Ruby said, holding up the card she's holding up in her hand.
"Hold up, let me see that." Esi said, grabbing the card. "Don't worry, I'll be transferring everything to you."
And then waiting for a bit...
"Done!" Esi said.
"200,000 credits? You know what this... wait... ESI!" Ruby said, and then yelled.
"I didn't steal any of them!" Esi retorted.
"Then why is it down to 2,000 credits? Hold on, got a text." Ruby said, proceeding to read. "Well then..."
"What?" Weiss asked.
"It turns out all that money was taken as reperation fees for all the costs we owe..."
"Miranda, right?"
"Yep."
"Just how much do we owe?"
"She didn't say."
"Why do I get the feeling she won't let us have a lot of money?"
"Because we're stuck here."
"Excuse me, what are you guys talking about?" Esi interrupted.
"GAH! Esi! We're talking grownup stuff." Weiss retorted.
"But you're not adults by human standards, you're teenagers."
"Don't be smart, we're grownups compared to you."
"Which isn't saying a lot."
And just like that, Yang stepped out wearing a towel. "Can you girls please move? I need to change." Yang asked.
"Whoops! Sorry Yang!" Ruby said, leaving whilst escorting Weiss and Esi to another room.
Character Change: Weiss Schnee - Elesarni David
The Cordavire, December 16, 2174, 17:03, Mess Hall
Everyone was sitting at one table, even going as far as bringing plastic chairs. Looks like a discussion is imminent.
"Can you please tell me why you wanted to go Illium?" Haedvin asked.
"Well, for one. I want to intercept a meeting with the Blue Suns and the Bloodpack... or would be meeting, since the blue suns guys aren't going to show up." Ruby stated.
"I wouldn't advise anyone under 18, save for Asari and Krogan, who need to be around 100 for the age requirement to leave the ship. Child slavery is very common here." Verkash.
"WHAT!?"
"Illium is not a great place for me, anyway. even I know this." Esi said. "Being on the border of the terminus systems, The Ilium republic has the least amount of market regulations, to the degree where slavery is legal. However, they preferred the term: 'indentured servant', even though it's basically the same as a regular slave on Illium, because the indentured servitude is going to have a debt you'll never work out."
"Slavery is universally legal in the Asari republics, although it's only regularly practiced in Illium." Verkash commented.
"Ooookay, noted." Esi stated.
"Young Quarians who come here on their pilgrimage never come back." Haedvin commented.
"Okaaaay... so that just leaves you and me, Haedvin." Yang commented.
"Why can't Verkash come?" Esi asked.
"Someone needs to look out over you and the teenagers." Haedvin commented. "Pretty sure if we leave you all unattended, you're going to sneak up and someone's gonna con you. And if any of you are missing, I will not stop to look for you. You will be left behind if you get captured and sold to slavery."
"Ooookay, stay on the Cordavire, got it. Can you at least stop for groceries?" Ruby asked.
"Don't worry, Ruby. I've got a bunch of credits; I can get us something more filling than bread and eggs." Yang consoled.
"Do you guys even get paychecks?" Esi asked.
"We don't. We have a strict budget that only grows through odd-jobs and looting the unconscious and dead."
"Ooookay, then."
"Well, we're going to get comfortable, here." Weiss stated.
"Oh, Yang. Don't forget to take this!" Ruby said, handing Yang the now empty card.
"What's this?"
"The now emptied cache the blue suns were to take. You still need a disguise, and that means putting on a helmet, too!"
"Oookay, Now if you excuse me I'll go wrap my hair up." Yang said, stepping out of the room.
"So... what're doing?" Esi asked.
"Nothing that concerns a child." Haedvin retorted.
"Then I'll just go to this other table." Esi said, getting up and moving to the other table. Ya, it's a mess hall, not a dining room. There's more than one table!
The young asari then sat down, and got her laptop set up. It may be running Windows 7 OS, but it's useful for hacking nonetheless. She managed to get some techie to repair it, she may be good with software, but she's not that great with hardware. Now let's see here...
VPN, check. Network concealer, check. And now to just... log in aaand...
She managed to break into a private security station, now let's see if she can access the security cameras... hmm... for one, she's going to have to find ones pointing toward the Cordavire, and override them to shut off. But she can help with the mission once Yang and Haedvin are ready. Who knows? Maybe this'll end with someone else joining up the crew, to Haedvin's discontent.
But one thing, for certain. The girls here are a colorful bunch. But there's much more to them than they're letting off. But she just can't put her finger on it.
Author's Footnote: Well, that was a very lax chapter. But before I go into the footnote marks, I must say, that Esi is a child, and I do not intend to put children in harm's way, this isn't a 1970's horror movie, nor your modded Skyrim save. Esi will be kept safe and unhurt, don't worry. Now that that's out of the way...
- It'd make sense for Asari to age older, since they live longer. Despite the age, Esi is still a child and will treated as one.
- Why does Esi have twenty first century technology? Well, in the last chapter, it explains that she bought it through credit syphons, if you did not pay attention
- Esi will have a flip-flopping sense of maturity
- As far as the story tells, Ruby will not have a pairing, nor a romance arc. Which makes sense, since the plot point is getting back to Remnant, not following the 'typical Isekai story' she had projected in her head. The same cannot be much said for Ruby's teammates.
- Worry not, Blake will not learn a second language faster than the speed of light.
- I do not intend Element Zero exposure to be a safe thing, because something of that power is bound to have some drawbacks.
Anyways, with all of that out of the way, let's see if you guys enjoy the next chapter. April's coming up, and I never update on Aprils. So, there may be a one month hiatus.